I think DCT's point is that Kesler IS the 2nd line. Playing at C he will continue to be a black hole on any line he skates, such is the nature of his play. On the 3rd line it wouldn't matter as much and his shutdown skills could be made of great use. On the wing he could have someone distributing to him.

My only hope is that we get a PA Parenteau type to play on his wing but it seems doubtful.
- AlexF

I'd agree with that.......but the guy needs to move to the wing.....

If the Canucks could send Kassian down for 25 games, I'd be ecstatic!!! Like some others here, I think Kesler needs a move to the right side, put Schroeder as 2LC.

I like Santorelli, I think he's shown he can play in the league....my lineup:


Sedin Sedin Burrows
Booth Schroeder Kesler
Higgins Santorelli Hansen
Richardson Dalpe Weise


Still a pretty poopty lineup but it ain't changing anytime soon......
- chompsey

Nothing wrong with the 1st or 3rd line.

Right now, Kesler is the best part about the 2nd line. What the Canucks need are some skilled players to play with him.....
- chompsey

I like to use the "painted one's self into a corner" analogy. Kesler is the best we have for the position. That is the tragedy.

If the Canucks could send Kassian down for 25 games, I'd be ecstatic!!! Like some others here, I think Kesler needs a move to the right side, put Schroeder as 2LC.

I like Santorelli, I think he's shown he can play in the league....my lineup:


Sedin Sedin Burrows
Booth Schroeder Kesler
Higgins Santorelli Hansen
Richardson Dalpe Weise


Still a pretty poopty lineup but it ain't changing anytime soon......
- chompsey

Yep, a few here been on it for a couple of seasons now going back to when we had Cody. Love Kesler on the wing or 3rd line C.

I don't have any idea whatsoever at this point about Torts being more likely to see Schroeder as an option on the 2nd line compared to AV. I just dont know enough about Torts yet. It sucks Schroeder wasnt available for Torts to try him on different lines. Thats really going to (frank) with his role options when jumping in a month into the season. He cant be sent down. He works out or gets traded this season. This is his make or break season as a Canuck. At least he doesnt have AV at this critical moment in his career.... hoping the best for him...and the team.

If Kesler can score 30 goals as the center on the 2nd line, that is perfect and who ever is on his wing is bound to get some points. But if he isn't scoring and the line isn't scoring, do you try him to the wing up with the Sedins or to 3rd line c?
- hillbillydeluxe

We've been discussing that question for a while and I think most people with good trying out either option. That said either option means getting a new 2C.

When Hodgson was still here a few us were advoacting for CoHo as 2C with Kesler as RW as an idea. Now Schroeder is the obvious immediate option and I'd like to see him given a shot in a similar situation. I do have my doubts that he will pan out as a true 2C but he's defensively sound and does have good vision so give it a shot.

The other option is to bring in a 2C via trade/UFA but the UFA window has come and gone so trade is the only option.

In the end of the day neither AV nor (I'm guessing) Torts considers Kesler as a winger so if that remains the case then trade an Edler for a good top 6 forward, promote Schroeder to 2C, and run with a 3rd line of Higgins-Kesler-Hansen as a shutdown line with offensive upside.

We've been discussing that question for a while and I think most people with good trying out either option. That said either option means getting a new 2C.

When Hodgson was still here a few us were advoacting for CoHo as 2C with Kesler as RW as an idea. Now Schroeder is the obvious immediate option and I'd like to see him given a shot in a similar situation. I do have my doubts that he will pan out as a true 2C but he's defensively sound and does have good vision so give it a shot.

The other option is to bring in a 2C via trade/UFA but the UFA window has come and gone so trade is the only option.
- AlexF

I think Gillis and FA are prepared to sink or swim with little changes this season. Once they get the Sedin's resigned they will know how much cap they have to work with next season. The cap will go up significantly and they are planning ahead. Its sad that Gillis let the team get this low the last couple of seasons but it seems like there is little he can do about it til next season. I hate it but have accepted it.

We've been discussing that question for a while and I think most people with good trying out either option. That said either option means getting a new 2C.

When Hodgson was still here a few us were advoacting for CoHo as 2C with Kesler as RW as an idea. Now Schroeder is the obvious immediate option and I'd like to see him given a shot in a similar situation. I do have my doubts that he will pan out as a true 2C but he's defensively sound and does have good vision so give it a shot.

The other option is to bring in a 2C via trade/UFA but the UFA window has come and gone so trade is the only option.

In the end of the day neither AV nor (I'm guessing) Torts considers Kesler as a winger so if that remains the case then trade an Edler for a good top 6 forward, promote Schroeder to 2C, and run with a 3rd line of Higgins-Kesler-Hansen as a shutdown line with offensive upside.
- AlexF

I wonder if Kesler would have a little push back if Torts moves him to the wing on the 2nd line. Will Kesler's ego get in the way? The truth is as much as you shouldn't mess with what works, I'd like to see Kesler on the wing playing with the Sedins. I think it would force Kesler to become a better player, and better his playmaking ability.

I think Gillis and FA are prepared to sink or swim with little changes this season. Once they get the Sedin's resigned they will know how much cap they have to work with next season. The cap will go up significantly and they are planning ahead. Its sad that Gillis let the team get this low the last couple of seasons but it seems like there is little he can do about it til next season. I hate it but have accepted it.
- boonerbuck

That did cross my mind as well. It's not always a bad thing to have a bad year, get a high draft pick, then ramp up the year after for another run when you've got more money to spend + an extra prospect. The year before NJ made the Cup finals against LA they got the 4th overall. If this is an intended strategy though it's risky to say the least, especially when your most of your core are in their 30s.

I wonder if Kesler would have a little push back if Torts moves him to the wing on the 2nd line. Will Kesler's ego get in the way? The truth is as much as you shouldn't mess with what works, I'd like to see Kesler on the wing playing with the Sedins. I think it would force Kesler to become a better player, and better his playmaking ability.
- hillbillydeluxe

The real question there is how much better would Kesler make that line. Our top line will likely average a combined 2-3 ppg this season (with Burrows). Unless Kesler can bring that up to 4ppg it's probably not worth putting all our eggs in that one basket. They already play together on PP, for which, by the way, see the tweet below:

CanucksArmy ‏@CanucksArmy
Didn't mention it in that post, but the #Canucks registered just 2 shots on goal in 7.2 minutes of power play time last night. Not good.

The real question there is how much better would Kesler make that line. Our top line will likely average a combined 2-3 ppg this season (with Burrows). Unless Kesler can bring that up to 4ppg it's probably not worth putting all our eggs in that one basket. They already play together on PP, for which, by the way, see the tweet below:

CanucksArmy ‏@CanucksArmy
Didn't mention it in that post, but the #Canucks registered just 2 shots on goal in 7.2 minutes of power play time last night. Not good.
- AlexF

Too many question marks and not really doing anything to change the situation. Throw away year? There has to be someone with cap room willing to take Booth, can't we trade cash with Booth to sweeten the pot? Gotta make some room if not for now then later at the deadline. Remember the talk of bold moves when Gillis started as GM? I think not doing anything is a bold move in his mind.

Meet the new boss.

edit: and you are exactly right when you question how much better Kesler would make the top line. Is Burrows a better playmaker than Kesler- would he be better with Schroeder than Kesler? I guess we will see lots of line juggling for the first 20 games.

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate Ryan Kesler as a top 6 centerman?

As long as he's handcuffing the 2nd line as a centerman, we will never have reliable secondary scoring. IMO (as stated many times for many years), he's either an elite top 6 RW or an elite 3rd line shadow-role checking center.
- DrChristianTroy

Bozak and Reimer

For

Kesler and Lou

I think Gillis and FA are prepared to sink or swim with little changes this season. Once they get the Sedin's resigned they will know how much cap they have to work with next season. The cap will go up significantly and they are planning ahead. Its sad that Gillis let the team get this low the last couple of seasons but it seems like there is little he can do about it til next season. I hate it but have accepted it.
- boonerbuck

Exactly right, I'm very eager to see what this team looks like next year, youth will come very soon, just not this year. Let's hope they get a couple of playoff rounds so the kids can come up and experience it.

His skating did look really laboured, he's either really out of shape or his injuries are just not healed properly?
- LeftCoaster

Booth looked like he's going to need 10 - 15 games to get back up to game speed. Had a few flashes, but little else.

Right now, Kesler is the best part about the 2nd line. What the Canucks need are some skilled players to play with him.....
- chompsey

Exactly. They haven't given Kesler quality scoring winger to play with in years and then fans blame him for not being a better puck distributor.

I absolutely despise putting Kesler with Higgins and Hansen. I think it'll take 10 - 15 games before Booth gets back up to speed. By then Kassian will also have returned to the lineup and we'll see the Sedins with Kassian, and Kesler with Booth and Burrows. That could provide two quality scoring lines.

As much as I hate Higgins and Hansen with Kesler on the "2nd line" I think they're very good "3rd line" players. Might be very good with Santorelli.

I like to use the "painted one's self into a corner" analogy. Kesler is the best we have for the position. That is the tragedy.
- boonerbuck

Since when is having Kesler as your 2nd line center a tragedy??? Not many teams have a better option on the 2nd line.

There were flashes of improvement in the game last night. The special teams looked vastly improved. The lines still need some work, which will come. The D looked much better at times, but made a few crucial mistakes which come with it being, you know... the first game of the season.

The team has much more hope than what they're being given credit for at the moment. It will likely take them about 20 games to adjust to Torts' system and play with more consistency. I also think that there will be at least one medium to large trade over the course of the season.

There were flashes of improvement in the game last night. The special teams looked vastly improved. The lines still need some work, which will come. The D looked much better at times, but made a few crucial mistakes which come with it being, you know... the first game of the season.

The team has much more hope than what they're being given credit for at the moment. It will likely take them about 20 games to adjust to Torts' system and play with more consistency. I also think that there will be at least one medium to large trade over the course of the season.
- KB3Point0

Fingers crossed!

I think DCT's point is that Kesler IS the 2nd line. Playing at C he will continue to be a black hole on any line he skates, such is the nature of his play. On the 3rd line it wouldn't matter as much and his shutdown skills could be made of great use. On the wing he could have someone distributing to him.

My only hope is that we get a PA Parenteau type to play on his wing but it seems doubtful.
- AlexF

Yeah, I remember how a few of us wanted Parenteau signed two summers ago. Wasn't going to work unless they didn't sign Garrison or unless Booth/Ballard were traded, assuming they even had value.

There were flashes of improvement in the game last night. The special teams looked vastly improved. The lines still need some work, which will come. The D looked much better at times, but made a few crucial mistakes which come with it being, you know... the first game of the season.

The team has much more hope than what they're being given credit for at the moment. It will likely take them about 20 games to adjust to Torts' system and play with more consistency. I also think that there will be at least one medium to large trade over the course of the season.
- KB3Point0

Yeah, I'm not about to adjust my original expectations based on one game.

At 5-on-5, the shots and shots attempted by both teams were pretty much even, not that bad for the Canucks with all things considered. Special teams is where the Powerplay is where the Sharks outmatched the Canucks which is expected given that the Sharks know their system inside and out and the Canucks don't. Hopefully that trend doesn't continue. Early on this season, the Canucks will look better in games that involve fewer penalties IMO.


The top puck possession players for the team last night:

1. Henrik Sedin
2. Ryan Kesler(A good sign)
3. Jason Garrison
4. Daniel Sedin
5. Chris Higgins

The worst:

1. Dale Weise(deserved to be benched in the third, good move by Torts)
2. Chris Tanev(for all of his praise blocking shots, he struggled, I mentioned this summer that he looked ebtter than he was under AV as he was given sheltered minutes)
T3. Tom Sestito(no surprise, deserved benching as well)
T3. Zac Dalpe
5. Mike Santorelli

Yeah, I remember how a few of us wanted Parenteau signed two summers ago. Wasn't going to work unless they didn't sign Garrison or unless Booth/Ballard were traded, assuming they even had value.
- Nucker101

There were a few some of us were after of the past few summers. Parenteau was one, Downie was another. Just think on that for a second.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Downie-Kesler-Parenteau

The defence and the Sedins are not what I am worried about.
- thundachunk

Beg to differ Daniel and Alex B zero shots . Don't know how many games you can win with two of three players getting no shots on your best line.

Looks like Burrows is the first casualty of Torts system. Torts just said he's having a body maintenance day... no word if he'll play tomorrow.

Since when is having Kesler as your 2nd line center a tragedy??? Not many teams have a better option on the 2nd line.
- KB3Point0

Offensively speaking it is.... I should have been more clear. Kesler is not a tragedy.... just a poor fit and we dont have a solution.... there lies the tragedy.

There were a few some of us were after of the past few summers. Parenteau was one, Downie was another. Just think on that for a second.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Downie-Kesler-Parenteau
- AlexF

I would have Hansen or Higgins over Downie on the second line

Looks like Burrows is the first casualty of Torts system. Torts just said he's having a body maintenance day... no word if he'll play tomorrow.
- DariusKnight

Any (major) injuries to our main players and we are hooped. Torts shot-blocking-collapse style system is a double-edged sword. It's an effective strategy in reducing scoring chances; however, by the same token, it can take a huge toll on players' health. Frankly, I don't really like seeing top players play on the PK, and especially the Sedins, who are our bread and butter as concerns offense.