I don't see a new GM coming in, unless he is just as good at being a yes man for FA. Next year is the year that counts if Bo and Hunter make the team. This year is for determining if Booth or Lu should be bought out and what other players should be moved. Once Torts has his system installed he can then start asking for certain players. The only thing I am expecting this year is Bure's no. being retired.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I don't know how long Gillis will be GM. All I know is that he doesn't have a lot of options right now.

All depends on how the Aquillinis respond to the public pressures of another poor season, if it continues that way.

Personally, I'm not as low on the team as some appear to be after only 6 games. I've seen some things I like, and some things I don't like.

The only thing that's blatantly clear after six games (or three years...) is that the Canucks don't have a 2nd line that allows them to compete with the real contenders.

I don't know how long Gillis will be GM. All I know is that he doesn't have a lot of options right now.

All depends on how the Aquillinis respond to the public pressures of another poor season, if it continues that way.

Personally, I'm not as low on the team as some appear to be after only 6 games. I've seen some things I like, and some things I don't like.

The only thing that's blatantly clear after six games (or three years...) is that the Canucks don't have a 2nd line that allows them to compete with the real contenders.
- Fosco

Edit. 2 years and 6 games

Yup. Phil and NY may have attractive offers that maybe will waive
NTC
- VANTEL

I don't see too much on NYR's roster they'd be willing to move that would help the Canucks.

The guys the Canucks would want are probably NYR's untouchables, and they're also D heavy.

PHI is a different story, but they've seemed like ideal trade partners for a few seasons now, and we've seen absolutely nothing, so I doubt that changes.

I don't know how long Gillis will be GM. All I know is that he doesn't have a lot of options right now.

All depends on how the Aquillinis respond to the public pressures of another poor season, if it continues that way.

Personally, I'm not as low on the team as some appear to be after only 6 games. I've seen some things I like, and some things I don't like.

The only thing that's blatantly clear after six games (or three years...) is that the Canucks don't have a 2nd line that allows them to compete with the real contenders.
- Fosco

If you think of all the players that have been brought in to play with Kesler with no success, you have to come to the conclussion that it's Kesler and not the other players. Would have loved to see what Grabovski could have done with Kes on his wing.

They said in the ranger blog that he played decent but not AV's type of player
- SMP8719

I still haven't figured out what type of player is AV's type of player.

If you think of all the players that have been brought in to play with Kesler with no success, you have to come to the conclussion that it's Kesler and not the other players. Would have loved to see what Grabovski could have done with Kes on his wing.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Yeah, I was mildly interested in Grabovski, as well.

To be fair, most of the players tried with Kesler have all played very similar styles--speedy two-way wingers with a shoot-first mentality. Which is kind of similar to the way Kesler plays.

None of them have been playmakers, or even been that skilled. Mostly guy's with OK skill who rely more on speed and forechecking.

If you think of all the players that have been brought in to play with Kesler with no success, you have to come to the conclussion that it's Kesler and not the other players. Would have loved to see what Grabovski could have done with Kes on his wing.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I wanna be argumentative with this (slow day) and say when Kes had his big year, I am sure his linemates put up some respectable numbers. If he isn't scoring, put him on the third line and cut back some on his e/s minutes. We need more scoring. Stick meet dead horse. Need a playmaking 20 goal/ 60pt guy on the second line - easier said than acquired, can anyone on the team step up?
Can Higgins and Hansen get 40 between them if they are on the second line?
Needed a Grabovoske/Ribiero contribution, it would just be nice to see a second line centre with more size/power tho... just be a bit more consistent and better his linemates. How long can Kes live on his past performances? Can he be a consistent 60pt+ player?

I wanna be argumentative with this (slow day) and say when Kes had his big year, I am sure his linemates put up some respectable numbers. If he isn't scoring, put him on the third line and cut back some on his e/s minutes. We need more scoring. Stick meet dead horse. Need a playmaking 20 goal/ 60pt guy on the second line - easier said than acquired, can anyone on the team step up?
Can Higgins and Hansen get 40 between them if they are on the second line?
Needed a Grabovoske/Ribiero contribution, it would just be nice to see a second line centre with more size/power tho... just be a bit more consistent and better his linemates. How long can Kes live on his past performances? Can he be a consistent 60pt+ player?
- hillbillydeluxe

Someone said put Booth on 4 th line and now Kesler on 3 rd line. Pretty soon we will have 90 k to spend on second line. Higgins and Hansen should be 3 rd liners and our top paid players need to get their act together and do what they are paid to do.

Yeah, I was mildly interested in Grabovski, as well.

To be fair, most of the players tried with Kesler have all played very similar styles--speedy two-way wingers with a shoot-first mentality. Which is kind of similar to the way Kesler plays.

None of them have been playmakers, or even been that skilled. Mostly guy's with OK skill who rely more on speed and forechecking.
- Fosco

Sometimes I think it has to be Kesler that is the issue. Something like he was given the second line, it is his and he isn't adjusting as much as he wants other players to adjust to him. All purely speculative. All those years ago, didn't he skate on Sundin's wing? Maybe he assumes he has to step up because there isn't anyone else with more skill/ability and if there was, he would differ more and assume a more supportive role. Yep, beat that dead horse, we need more secondary scoring and I don't see enough of it coming from within the org this year and this won't change without a trade being made.

Someone said put Booth on 4 th line and now Kesler on 3 rd line. Pretty soon we will have 90 k to spend on second line. Higgins and Hansen should be 3 rd liners and our top paid players need to get their act together and do what they are paid to do.
- VANTEL

Poor return on investment. Doesn't sound money anything.

Sometimes I think it has to be Kesler that is the issue. Something like he was given the second line, it is his and he isn't adjusting as much as he wants other players to adjust to him. All purely speculative. All those years ago, didn't he skate on Sundin's wing? Maybe he assumes he has to step up because there isn't anyone else with more skill/ability and if there was, he would differ more and assume a more supportive role. Yep, beat that dead horse, we need more secondary scoring and I don't see enough of it coming from within the org this year and this won't change without a trade being made.
- hillbillydeluxe

I think Kes is just a selfish person. He has his moments but more and more fans are pointing fingers at him.

I think Kes is just a selfish person. He has his moments but more and more fans are pointing fingers at him.
- VANTEL

Whether he is selfish, an asshat or the nicest guy on the team, none of it matters if he is getting results, if he is not putting up numbers then something has to be done- adjust until something starts working or change expectations and go from there.

The team needs a bit of a shakeup in the top6 or at least one bonafide addition- not a reclamation project.

You often hear about trying to find chemistry between two players and then having a different player contribute to the two. I am not sure if there was ever anyone that stood out with Kesler. If Boot isn`t ready to contribute and Burrows is out or on the top line, it is awfully thin long term if you have Higgins«Hansen on the second - great third liners tho. We have too much of the same.

I wanna be argumentative with this (slow day) and say when Kes had his big year, I am sure his linemates put up some respectable numbers. If he isn't scoring, put him on the third line and cut back some on his e/s minutes. We need more scoring. Stick meet dead horse. Need a playmaking 20 goal/ 60pt guy on the second line - easier said than acquired, can anyone on the team step up?
Can Higgins and Hansen get 40 between them if they are on the second line?
Needed a Grabovoske/Ribiero contribution, it would just be nice to see a second line centre with more size/power tho... just be a bit more consistent and better his linemates. How long can Kes live on his past performances? Can he be a consistent 60pt+ player?
- hillbillydeluxe

I don't think Hansen and Higgins can get 40 between them but Santorelli and Booth had 40+ between them just a few years ago.

Sedins Burrows
Booth Santorelli Kesler
Higgins Schroeder Hansen
Weisse Richardson Kassian

If Philly has an offer on the table for Lou, I'd call up Nonis; and inquire about a Hamhuis (or Edler) for Reimer + Gardiner deal.

Schenn Brothers + Matt Read = Lou + Schroeder + Corrado


I have no idea what the cap would look like. Would you guys make this series of moves, or am I just an idiot?

be gentle.

I don't think Hansen and Higgins can get 40 between them but Santorelli and Booth had 40+ between them just a few years ago.

Sedins Burrows
Booth Santorelli Kesler
Higgins Schroeder Hansen
Weisse Richardson Kassian
- A_SteamingLombardi

Santorelli has been a pleasant surprise. I hope Torts is willing to put Kesler on the wing. The more I look at your lineup, the more I hope it is given a chance or some close derivative. With the exception of Weise, but maybe him in and out of the lineup if he has to be there at all.

I don't think Hansen and Higgins can get 40 between them but Santorelli and Booth had 40+ between them just a few years ago.

Sedins Burrows
Booth Santorelli Kesler
Higgins Schroeder Hansen
Weisse Richardson Kassian
- A_SteamingLombardi

The season isn`t even 10 games old and the sky is falling already?

If Philly has an offer on the table for Lou, I'd call up Nonis; and inquire about a Hamhuis (or Edler) for Reimer + Gardiner deal.

Schenn Brothers + Matt Read = Lou + Schroeder + Corrado


I have no idea what the cap would look like. Would you guys make this series of moves, or am I just an idiot?

be gentle.
- Gullzy

Don't think Philly would do that.

If Philly has an offer on the table for Lou, I'd call up Nonis; and inquire about a Hamhuis (or Edler) for Reimer + Gardiner deal.

Schenn Brothers + Matt Read = Lou + Schroeder + Corrado


I have no idea what the cap would look like. Would you guys make this series of moves, or am I just an idiot?

be gentle.
- Gullzy

Big Kahonas

Vancouver is 500 no need to panic. Edm and Philly are playing up to expectations
- Bieksa#3

This.

If Philly has an offer on the table for Lou, I'd call up Nonis; and inquire about a Hamhuis (or Edler) for Reimer + Gardiner deal.

Schenn Brothers + Matt Read = Lou + Schroeder + Corrado


I have no idea what the cap would look like. Would you guys make this series of moves, or am I just an idiot?

be gentle.
- Gullzy

Maybe not crazy, but I`m no mental health pro, except you don`t usually see everything lineup and fall into place to make a bunch of changes. Don`t think Philly does that deal. It would be a real shakeup in the locker room. I`d do it.

Maybe not crazy, but I`m no mental health pro, except you don`t usually see everything lineup and fall into place to make a bunch of changes. Don`t think Philly does that deal. It would be a real shakeup in the locker room. I`d do it.
- hillbillydeluxe

I think if it included a Jensen, Philly would at least consider it.

Realistic or not, I'm gonna fulfil my fantasy in NHL 14 tonight.

The season isn`t even 10 games old and the sky is falling already?
- docmorgan

is the same core that has been together for years . What have they done to solve the scoring issue? What makes this team different that we should not expect a first round exit?

The season isn`t even 10 games old and the sky is falling already?
- docmorgan

After the early exit last season and no real additions offensively (maybe 25 will have a big year tho), on defence no change, in goal we can only hope Lou can play to his ability without or through distraction and an unproven backup.... Torts is the only significant change and may push the team to play and succeed at a level not seen for a few years. It seemed like teams were afraid of the Canucks and the lethal pp, not recently.

A few years ago when the Canucks would go to Minnesota, you would hear talk of the wild=nuks rivalry and most Vancouver fans would be like what rivalry? Sort of like us with SJ now, we can't even compete.

I just don't see any other course of action being available to Gillis except being cautious.

He doesn't really have the assets to go "all in".

I highly doubt any major prospects are in play, and there is nothing of value on the roster that doesn't have a NTC, except for Tanev. Maybe Booth for a 7th rounder?

It really makes the Higgins signing (mainly the term and NTC) a head scratcher, since he's the type of player that would at least garner a 2nd-4th rd pick or a project prospect at the TDL. And it's not like the Canucks are short 3rd line two-way wingers.

Unless a dynamite offer falls in Gillis's lap, and he's able to convince someone to waive a NTC, it's really a wait-and-see year.

As Booner put it, Gillis appears to have "painted himself into a corner."
- Fosco

I personally would move Tanev this year, package him for a decent forward. IMO his perceived value/upside by the Canucks and some other teams is higher than his actual value/upside. IMO he'll always be a solid #5 d-man. Higgins only has a limited NTC. I'd be curious to see what Gillis would be able to receive for something like Tanev, Higgins and 2nd round pick. IMO that's a solid package to acquire a good second liner if one ever becomes available. Then call up Corrado to replace Tanev, ideally this move is made sometime after January first once Corrado gets some time in the AHL.