I think the team would be better without Kesler. I know you disagree, but it doesn't change my mind that he is a distraction and a bad influence for the other players. It would definitely be a step back this season, maybe next as well, but I'm thinking about the longer term success of the organization. Jenner has better offensive numbers but it is difficult to compare them as Kesler played collegiate hockey. Dubinsky is listed as a C on HockeyDB, maybe he can fill in on the second line for a season, maybe not.
- 1970vintage

This team is too good right now to look at taking a step back. Bringing in Tortorella is a clear move to try and win now. If the coaching change has the desired effect then this team should be right in the mix with a group of teams that can realistically challenge for the Cup this season.

CHI, LA, VAN, STL, SJ, BOS, NYR, DET are all realistic contenders.

What are you talking about???

2010 - 28 games due to a hit that would likely cost Richards a huge suspension today
2011 - 82 games
2012 - 62 games

Booth has struggled to stay on the ice, but he's consistently been on pace for 20+ goals and 40 - 65 points.
- KB3Point0

um, he didn't say anything about GP, he said 40P.....

while reading the fan proposals, it take less then a second to realize which team said posters favourite is.....


kane for plekanec?
cmon...

Agreed - only one problem - who becomes the 2nd line centre.
- Canuckleafer

Likely Dubinsky himself or Schroeder in the immediate term. Bo Horvat in the coming years.

Well Plek is 30 which is not that bad. So if they do Plek + Beaulieu + 2nd you still think it's not enough?
- Frank0721

Nope probably not, Kanes deal is too good.

um, he didn't say anything about GP, he said 40P.....
- muffin_man

Sh!t, now my eyes are failing me!

Sh!t, now my eyes are failing me!
- KB3Point0

Still, it was a valiant defense of our half-baked hunter warrior.

This team is too good right now to look at taking a step back. Bringing in Tortorella is a clear move to try and win now. If the coaching change has the desired effect then this team should be right in the mix with a group of teams that can realistically challenge for the Cup this season.

CHI, LA, VAN, STL, SJ, BOS, NYR, DET are all realistic contenders.
- KB3Point0

Well, that's your opinion, I don't believe that they are as good as that. I don't think they could win a 7 game series against any of those teams even with a coaching change. Every year that the team fails to address the future is one more year they get closer to losing their star power and having nothing to replace it.

Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of the prospects currently in the system, but are there 6 legitimate top 6 forwards ready to play in three years time?

Speaking of Palmieri, the Ducks just signed him to a great deal:

The Ducks have signed restricted free-agent winger Kyle Palmieri to an extremely affordable bridge deal, according to a report from Eric Stephens of the Orange Country Register. The contract will run for three years and will pay the young American winger an average of 1.47 MM per season

Kesler, Booth + Tanev for Kadri, Franson, Rielly + 1st.

Kesler, Booth + Tanev for Kadri, Franson, Rielly + 1st.
- Scooby_Doo

LOL.

The Leafs finally make the playoffs and so far this off-season they have managed to overpay for Clarkson and ignored two of their top 5 guys form last season.

This puzles me.

Shouldn't No. 1 priority been to lock up Franson and Kadri before tossing big money at Clarkson?

That's how I would have played it at least.


Thoughts?

Well, that's your opinion, I don't believe that they are as good as that. I don't think they could win a 7 game series against any of those teams even with a coaching change. Every year that the team fails to address the future is one more year they get closer to losing their star power and having nothing to replace it.

Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of the prospects currently in the system, but are there 6 legitimate top 6 forwards ready to play in three years time?
- 1970vintage

Id split up the teams in tiers and I think the Nucks are in tier 2. Its a new season though and what happened last year doesnt matter. Everyone is 0 - 0 - 0 at the start of season.

Tier 1
Chi
Bos
LA
Pitt

Tier 2
STL
SJ
NYR
Van

Tier 3
Tor
Philly
Minny
Wash
Ana

The Leafs finally make the playoffs and so far this off-season they have managed to overpay for Clarkson and ignored two of their top 5 guys form last season.

This puzles me.

Shouldn't No. 1 priority been to lock up Franson and Kadri before tossing big money at Clarkson?

That's how I would have played it at least.

Thoughts?
- IanEsplen

If they trade franson it will be one of the biggest blunders of the post lockout era. I think he has a chance to be a premier top pairing d guy. Kadri also has some real skill. What nonis is doing is shocking right now. I just dont get what is happening and why. Kadri and Franson should have been the priority. I like the clarkson signing dont get me wrong (problem with the term) but signing bozak i thought was stupid and if they lose franson just wow.

They need to off load Liles ASAP or Phaneuf.

What are you talking about???

2010 - 28 games due to a hit that would likely cost Richards a huge suspension today
2011 - 82 games
2012 - 62 games

Booth has struggled to stay on the ice, but he's consistently been on pace for 20+ goals and 40 - 65 points.
- KB3Point0

hasn't hit over 40P since '09. Not 40 games.

This team is too good right now to look at taking a step back. Bringing in Tortorella is a clear move to try and win now. If the coaching change has the desired effect then this team should be right in the mix with a group of teams that can realistically challenge for the Cup this season.

CHI, LA, VAN, STL, SJ, BOS, NYR, DET are all realistic contenders.
- KB3Point0

I bet DET makes it to the eastern final at least next year

This team is too good right now to look at taking a step back. Bringing in Tortorella is a clear move to try and win now. If the coaching change has the desired effect then this team should be right in the mix with a group of teams that can realistically challenge for the Cup this season.

CHI, LA, VAN, STL, SJ, BOS, NYR, DET are all realistic contenders.
- KB3Point0

Right on brother, you are spot on!!!!

If they trade franson it will be one of the biggest blunders of the post lockout era. I think he has a chance to be a premier top pairing d guy. Kadri also has some real skill. What nonis is doing is shocking right now. I just dont get what is happening and why. Kadri and Franson should have been the priority. I like the clarkson signing dont get me wrong (problem with the term) but signing bozak i thought was stupid and if they lose franson just wow.

They need to off load Liles ASAP or Phaneuf.
- Bluechip23

But Edler's a defensive liability who wouldn't make the Leafs top pairing...

Right....

But Edler's a defensive liability who wouldn't make the Leafs top pairing...

Right....
- Fosco

Edler is fantastic , the Nucks have the best D in the league

Id split up the teams in tiers and I think the Nucks are in tier 2. Its a new season though and what happened last year doesnt matter. Everyone is 0 - 0 - 0 at the start of season.

Tier 1
Chi
Bos
LA
Pitt

Tier 2
STL
SJ
NYR
Van

Tier 3
Tor
Philly
Minny
Wash
Ana
- Bluechip23

I think there are 5 teams that are better than the Canucks in the west, and another 4 that could easily finish ahead of them in the standings, but I guess we'll see once the puck drops.

Better:
Chicago
LA
San Jose
Anaheim
St Louis

Equal(ish):
Edmonton
Minnesota
Phoenix
Colorado

But Edler's a defensive liability who wouldn't make the Leafs top pairing...

Right....
- Fosco

I am not an edler guy never will be. I dont think he is a top pairing d guy in the nhl and I wouldnt put him on the leafs top pair. You think he is the best thing since sliced bread. Congrats on that.

Edler is fantastic , the Nucks have the best D in the league
- Steamer8

Nyr

I think there are 5 teams that are better than the Canucks in the west, and another 4 that could easily finish ahead of them in the standings, but I guess we'll see once the puck drops.

Better:
Chicago
LA
San Jose
Anaheim
St Louis

Equal(ish):
Edmonton
Minnesota
Phoenix
Colorado
- 1970vintage

Not with Bruce behind the bench.

He'll do exactly what he did in Washington - Great reg seasons followed by 1-2 round exits.

Hmmm that sounds so familiar...

I think there are 5 teams that are better than the Canucks in the west, and another 4 that could easily finish ahead of them in the standings, but I guess we'll see once the puck drops.

Better:
Chicago
LA
San Jose
Anaheim
St Louis

Equal(ish):
Edmonton
Minnesota
Phoenix
Colorado
- 1970vintage

If you think those teams are equalish to the Canucks you're smoking some rarefied species of plant. Colorado is a strong candidate for bottom 5 team in the league with Phoenix not far off. Edmonton and Minnesota - really?

I'm not saying we're looking great to make a cup run but you seem to have us in line for a lottery pick.

I am not an edler guy never will be. I dont think he is a top pairing d guy in the nhl and I wouldnt put him on the leafs top pair. You think he is the best thing since sliced bread. Congrats on that.
- Bluechip23

Edler has his faults—mainly consistency.

It's funny, though, since Franson and Edler play nearly identical styles, and have nearly identical pros and cons.

I've even seen Franson's style described as a "right handed Edler" by more than a few fans.

But Franson has elite potential and Edler will never be a top pairing D, according to you...