The thing about HB is it is now trying to be a factual site with less bickering.I think TSN and NHL.com have that covered. I have seen about 10 assessments of the rookies and prospects in the last 3 days and most responses are the same.
- VANTEL

Well there isn't much else to write about at this time of the year besides the young players, that's usually what GM's/coaches are focusing are on at this time of the year as well. And yea like I said, unless you make an outrageous statement its hard to disagree about a prospect's outlook since we don't know a whole lot about them. If we all watched them 82 times a year like the veterans then the opinions would likely vary more.

Maybe I'll write one about how the team would be better off without Kesler
- 1970vintage

Exactly. When I wrote the Sedin blog it got close to 500 hits (mostly by me ) but I thought it was edgy

Maybe I'll write one about how the team would be better off without Kesler
- 1970vintage

And I'll write a response blog. Seriously, I might just write one about Kesler and Edler, basically compare them to other players being paid the same and maybe look into the common opinion that Edler is inconsistent and that Kesler hurts his linemates goal totals. Could be interesting to see the results with a little research done.

Exactly. When I wrote the Sedin blog it got close to 500 hits (mostly by me ) but I thought it was edgy
- VANTEL

Well that one was a good one, you suggested that the team would be better off trading them now instead of signing them long-term. You didn't say that Toronto sucks, this prospect will be an all-star, the Canucks will win the cup...that was a good/interesting topic for sure.

Well there isn't much else to write about at this time of the year besides the young players, that's usually what GM's/coaches are focusing are on at this time of the year as well. And yea like I said, unless you make an outrageous statement its hard to disagree about a prospect's outlook since we don't know a whole lot about them. If we all watched them 82 times a year like the veterans then the opinions would likely vary more.
- Nucker101

I disagree there is plenty to talk about this time of year.

Kesler
Edler
Burrows
Kassian
Twins
Torts
Booth
Team speed,toughness,skill

Well that one was a good one, you suggested that the team would be better off trading them now instead of signing them long-term. You didn't say that Toronto sucks, this prospect will be an all-star, the Canucks will win the cup...that was a good/interesting topic for sure.
- Nucker101

I pointed out that we should be careful about opening the vaults to secure two aging players that are a package deal and declining.

A dangerous topic in Vancouver but like many agreed also yeah maybe not a great idea.

And I'll write a response blog. Seriously, I might just write one about Kesler and Edler, basically compare them to other players being paid the same and maybe look into the common opinion that Edler is inconsistent and that Kesler hurts his linemates goal totals. Could be interesting to see the results with a little research done.
- Nucker101

The Canucks should look seriously at the pros and cons of making a major trade, otherwise this team is pretty much where we left off last year.

I disagree there is plenty to talk about this time of year.

Kesler
Edler
Burrows
Kassian
Twins
Torts
Booth
Team speed,toughness,skill
- VANTEL

Kesler I agree is always a polarizing topic. Edler IMO with a NTC and a brand new contract, I think he'll get at least a year under Torts so while a blog about why he should get traded would be interesting, I doubt it will be relevant this year. Burrows without the Sedins is a good one. Kassian with the Sedins is also a good one, but I doubt you could write a full blog on just him. Twins, again not much to say that you already didn't in your blog. Torts, we kind of hve to wait and see. But I'd like to do a blog that challenges the common opinion that he's a defensive minded coach so that could be a good one. Booth, meh I doubt you could generate much discussion from him. Everyone agrees that he has a bad contract and gets injured way too often.

Team speed, toughness, skill could be covered in a season preview for sure.

After our draft I'm going to do one with season projections for all players on the team. And fantasy sleepers/busts.

Kesler I agree is always a polarizing topic. Edler IMO with a NTC and a brand new contract, I think he'll get at least a year under Torts so while a blog about why he should get traded would be interesting, I doubt it will be relevant this year. Burrows without the Sedins is a good one. Kassian with the Sedins is also a good one, but I doubt you could write a full blog on just him. Twins, again not much to say that you already didn't in your blog. Torts, we kind of hve to wait and see. But I'd like to do a blog that challenges the common opinion that he's a defensive minded coach so that could be a good one. Booth, meh I doubt you could generate much discussion from him. Everyone agrees that he has a bad contract and gets injured way too often.

Team speed, toughness, skill could be covered in a season preview for sure.

After our draft I'm going to do one with season projections for all players on the team. And fantasy sleepers/busts.
- Nucker101

Kesler is a huge one . I was excited to see him all fired up and healthy and when I seen him play again i thought, oh yeah ,he is a one man show. You really have to ask is a guy with so much talent and value better on this team or another.

Kesler I agree is always a polarizing topic. Edler IMO with a NTC and a brand new contract, I think he'll get at least a year under Torts so while a blog about why he should get traded would be interesting, I doubt it will be relevant this year. Burrows without the Sedins is a good one. Kassian with the Sedins is also a good one, but I doubt you could write a full blog on just him. Twins, again not much to say that you already didn't in your blog. Torts, we kind of hve to wait and see. But I'd like to do a blog that challenges the common opinion that he's a defensive minded coach so that could be a good one. Booth, meh I doubt you could generate much discussion from him. Everyone agrees that he has a bad contract and gets injured way too often.

Team speed, toughness, skill could be covered in a season preview for sure.

After our draft I'm going to do one with season projections for all players on the team. And fantasy sleepers/busts.
- Nucker101

it's not a common opinion that torts is a defensive minded coach. he publicly acknowledges that his entire hockey philosophy nowadays is based on defense first. yo.

it's not a common opinion that torts is a defensive minded coach. he publicly acknowledges that his entire hockey philosophy nowadays is based on defense first. yo.
- rangerdanger94

It seems common from the stuff I've been hearing from "hockey analysts" and a lot of NFL fans. I've read a few pieces that actual going into detail about his system and then I look at the Rangers shots for/against and I have to disagree that he's a total defensive head coach. He loves to have his teams play hard and block shots and work hard in all 3 zones, but he also likes to have a good forecheck and allows his team to be aggressive offensively when need be.

it's not a common opinion that torts is a defensive minded coach. he publicly acknowledges that his entire hockey philosophy nowadays is based on defense first. yo.
- rangerdanger94

I'd like to see Torts and his defensive shot-blocking fetish run out of town. And that's me after 3 pre-season games. If he gets the Sedins blocking shots I'll through the remote at the tv.

I'd like to see Torts and his defensive shot-blocking fetish run out of town. And that's me after 3 pre-season games. If he gets the Sedins blocking shots I'll through the remote at the tv.
- AlexF

I still like the defensive systems that Chicago and Los Angeles run the best. It's a lot more about positioning, skating and poke-checking by their d-men.

It seems common from the stuff I've been hearing from "hockey analysts" and a lot of NFL fans. I've read a few pieces that actual going into detail about his system and then I look at the Rangers shots for/against and I have to disagree that he's a total defensive head coach. He loves to have his teams play hard and block shots and work hard in all 3 zones, but he also likes to have a good forecheck and allows his team to be aggressive offensively when need be.
- Nucker101

I like my teams to score goals.

Ian's blogs turned into troll fests. I literally tuned out at the end of last summer for several months because I couldn't handle the 3rd grader commentary going on after a yet another Luongo or Leafs Suck blog. This is better, hits be damned.
- AlexF

Im starting to come around to this mindset.

I do sorta miss the chaos following an epic Cloutier "Klefbom Is The Best Dman Not In The NHL" type blog.

I still like the defensive systems that Chicago and Los Angeles run the best. It's a lot more about positioning, skating and poke-checking by their d-men.
- Nucker101

LA were impressive in their cup run but unattractive to watch for long stretches. Chicago sets the model for the modern game IMO. Can't believe I just said that.

LA were impressive in their cup run but unattractive to watch for long stretches. Chicago sets the model for the modern game IMO. Can't believe I just said that.
- AlexF

It's true but Boston were fun to watch also.

I like my teams to score goals.
- AlexF

Fair enough. Butguys like Babcock and Quenneville both run pretty good defensive systems as well.

It's true but Boston were fun to watch also.
- VANTEL

Were they? I thought TB were far more exciting in the semis.

LA were impressive in their cup run but unattractive to watch for long stretches. Chicago sets the model for the modern game IMO. Can't believe I just said that.
- AlexF

LA was more like that because they don't have that many flashy offensive players IMO(Kopitar is pretty skilled, I guess Carter is okay but he's more of a guy who just takes a ton of wrist shotd), they still generated a good amount of offense and offensive chances, but they don't bring the same excitement as Kane/Toews/Sharp/Hosaa or Malkin/Crosby/Neal.

Were they? I thought TB were far more exciting in the semis.
- AlexF

That game 7 was pretty brutal to watch from what I can remember. Basically pre-lockout style, anything goes and so the offense was pretty limited and the bigger and more physical team obviously won.

Fair enough. Butguys like Babcock and Quenneville both run pretty good defensive systems as well.
- Nucker101

I'm not saying you can simply neglect defense (hi PIT) but Detroit and Chicago are attractive teams that don't emphasize defense over offense nor as the focal point for the team's structure. Organizing a team from the D out makes for horrific viewing and I'm seeing Torts as having this mindset. This is entertainment, that sh!t isn't entertaining.

Im starting to come around to this mindset.

I do sorta miss the chaos following an epic Cloutier "Klefbom Is The Best Dman Not In The NHL" type blog.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

I understand that Ek wants to clean up the place so that it reflects his image of himself as a serious journalist. What I don't get is why he is getting rid of all the hit generators.

Saw that. With no RNH or Gagner to start the season the Oil are extremely thin down the C.

That said, we've got guys dropping like flies. I'm surprised it took us a full 3 games before someone injured themselves blocking a shot (Schroeder). If it's possible to completely hate a coach prior to the regular season even started, that's where I am with Tortorella.
- AlexF

All Schroeder did was skate in front of a low shot. If you think Torts expects the Canucks to do anything out of the ordinary like block shots your wrong. Teams in recent years are blocking more shots than ever unless you are a Canuck then you dont block, you dont shoot, you dont score.... this team has been so limp under AV that 3 more shots and 3 more blocks is a huge increase in positive stats.

Kesler is a huge one . I was excited to see him all fired up and healthy and when I seen him play again i thought, oh yeah ,he is a one man show. You really have to ask is a guy with so much talent and value better on this team or another.
- VANTEL

Thank god we have kesler and thank god he isnt the captain. The guy is great but needs to be kept in check a little. Given our swedish fetish i think it works out.

I bet we go 2 and 8 to open the season and then we win 9/10. Be 3rd by xmas and 2nd by the olympics. There were will be horror show before the boys adjust. Then we will be real good. I like alot our assistant coaches.

Hey Todd why not write us a blog about their respective careers....ideally not a set of bullet points please.