That's brutal.

EDIT: Grabner- 7 points in 6 GP this season. Hodgson- 6 points in 8 GP this season.
- nucks_94

Yeah we could really use them right about now...

This is about the worst bash Gillis post I have ever seen.

Evan Oberg
- 1970vintage

Totally forgot about that guy. I figured Shirokov would make the list ahead of him.

Sabres won the trade, as I said the day it was made. You just don't trade a young player showing he belongs and is producing at the NHL-level for one that hasn't done squat yet. I'm still holding out hope that Kassian is developing at slower pace than Hodgson as a power forward but he needs to take a step forward this season for me to believe that. Sure, Cody's defensive game could use a lot of work, but I'd rather have a player that can help me offensively rather than one who hasn't contributed significantly at either ends of the ice yet. Not to mention that the Sabres have been a pretty bad team so quite a few of their big-minute players have and will continue to be one the ice for many goals against.

Again, whether Hodgson demanded a trade or if Gillis just really wanted to move him him or not, the only issue I have is that he wasn't dealt or packaged up for a player that at least shown the ability to be an effective NHL player(like Cody did).
- Nucker101

That's been my stance as well since day 1. The only exception in my mind would have been an elite prospect coming back with no NHL experience, but even then, we need(ed) immediate scoring help.

Yeah we could really use them right about now...
- AlexF

To be fair, a lot of Canuck fans though the Ballard deal was decent at the time. And Raymond looked like he'd be a legit top 6 forward so I understand why Grabner was made expendable. The Hodgson/Kassian, letting go of Ehrhoff/keeping Ballard, letting go of Torres, and potentially the Schneider trade are the moves that had this fanbase questioning the moves right away. Even the Both trade wasn't questioned by too many on this site or other sites, especially since Sturm and Samuelsson looked slow and ineffective to start that season. Hindsight is 20/20.

Totally forgot about that guy. I figured Shirokov would make the list ahead of him.
- Nucker101

Ohhhhh noooo, they let Prab Rai and Anton Rodin walk. At least they traded Shirokov for Duco who played a few games in Vancouver.

That's been my stance as well since day 1. The only exception in my mind would have been an elite prospect coming back with no NHL experience, but even then, we need(ed) immediate scoring help.
- AlexF

For sure. I guess Kassian was elite in Gillis' eyes, so if I'm trading away a young player showing the ability to produce in the NHL then I'm only moving him straight up or as part of a package for another young player that's shown a similar ability and could help the team right away and in the future like Hodgson would have. What scares me is that Kyle Clifford(3rd liner at best) was another player Gillis would have traded Hodgson for.

Real quick rumor update first: I am hearing today that the ***** and ****** are talking. From what I hear, the ****** main focus right now is adding defense.

Brilliant. I just want to hear names of some players. I don't know why I even look. Maybe this explains why I have always been interested in metal detectors and looking for little treasures.

Ohhhhh noooo, they let Prab Rai and Anton Rodin walk. At least they traded Shirokov for Duco who played a few games in Vancouver.
- 1970vintage

That guy was so disappointing, I was excited about him solely based on the fact that Gradin even liked him over Schroeder.

That guy was so disappointing, I was excited about him solely based on the fact that Gradin even liked him over Schroeder.
- Nucker101

Makes you wonder what is on the check list when drafting and what a scout has to glimpse just once in a prospect to be sold or hold a certain reverence for them? First impressions and defining moments.

That guy was so disappointing, I was excited about him solely based on the fact that Gradin even liked him over Schroeder.
- Nucker101

Small guy who didn't want to go to the dirty areas I guess.

I went to the Royals / Cougars game last night, Ben Walker and Keegan Kanzig

Makes you wonder what is on the check list when drafting and what a scout has to glimpse just once in a prospect to be sold or hold a certain reverence for them? First impressions and defining moments.
- hillbillydeluxe

Someone who works in hockey I spoke to was saying that one of the defining characteristics that scouts are looking for is "compete".

To be fair, a lot of Canuck fans though the Ballard deal was decent at the time. And Raymond looked like he'd be a legit top 6 forward so I understand why Grabner was made expendable. The Hodgson/Kassian, letting go of Ehrhoff/keeping Ballard, letting go of Torres, and potentially the Schneider trade are the moves that had this fanbase questioning the moves right away. Even the Both trade wasn't questioned by too many on this site or other sites, especially since Sturm and Samuelsson looked slow and ineffective to start that season. Hindsight is 20/20.
- Nucker101

Speaking only for myself, I was concerned when we let go of Grabner given the spark that he showed in the playoffs just before the trade. He was a high draft pick and appeared to be finding that pedigree. I will admit the trade was tempered somewhat by the hope of getting Ballard, who I knew little about but was sold to us as a sounds physical defenseman with some offensive upside. I assumed Gillis and co had done their homework. Within a few months it was clear to me that we had lost that trade but, like Kassian, the hope was there that that view would be proven wrong.

Samuelsson was an excellent utility guy for us which we still haven't found a replacement for. That said, he was already suffering from the injuries which continue to plague him and Sturm was a bum. I liked the Booth trade.

All your other points I'd agree with. So hindsight may be 20/20 but a lot of us seem to have seen these trades pretty close to what they would become when they happened. Given that this is a HB board and MG is in charge of running a multi-million dollar franchise, that's rather disturbing.

Gillis or CoHo, who to believe?

Yep, I'm going with Hodgson.
- AlexF

The 4 other GMs who made offers for Luongo agree with you .

Gillis may strtch the truth now and then.

Speaking only for myself, I was concerned when we let go of Grabner given the spark that he showed in the playoffs just before the trade. He was a high draft pick and appeared to be finding that pedigree. I will admit the trade was tempered somewhat by the hope of getting Ballard, who I knew little about but was sold to us as a sounds physical defenseman with some offensive upside. I assumed Gillis and co had done their homework. Within a few months it was clear to me that we had lost that trade but, like Kassian, the hope was there that that view would be proven wrong.

Samuelsson was an excellent utility guy for us which we still haven't found a replacement for. That said, he was already suffering from the injuries which continue to plague him and Sturm was a bum. I liked the Booth trade.

All your other points I'd agree with. So hindsight may be 20/20 but a lot of us seem to have seen these trades pretty close to what they would become when they happened. Given that this is a HB board and MG is in charge of running a multi-million dollar franchise, that's rather disturbing.
- AlexF

anyone know who the head pro scout is? that guy should be fired.

anyone know who the head pro scout is? that guy should be fired.
- therealagent

This guy...
http://www.ask8ball.net/

Sabres won the trade, as I said the day it was made. You just don't trade a young player showing he belongs and is producing at the NHL-level for one that hasn't done squat yet. I'm still holding out hope that Kassian is developing at slower pace than Hodgson as a power forward but he needs to take a step forward this season for me to believe that. Sure, Cody's defensive game could use a lot of work, but I'd rather have a player that can help me offensively rather than one who hasn't contributed significantly at either ends of the ice yet. Not to mention that the Sabres have been a pretty bad team so quite a few of their big-minute players have and will continue to be one the ice for many goals against.

Again, whether Hodgson demanded a trade or if Gillis just really wanted to move him him or not, the only issue I have is that he wasn't dealt or packaged up for a player that at least shown the ability to be an effective NHL player(like Cody did).
- Nucker101

The fact that almost no analyst or fan for that matter liked the trade should be evidence enough. So far, the Canucks got fleeced. I still find it hard to believe that was the best offer on the table for Coho. I really hope Kassian turns out to be the player that MG wished for, but based on the lack of solid progression to date, I sincerely doubt it.

To be fair, a lot of Canuck fans though the Ballard deal was decent at the time. And Raymond looked like he'd be a legit top 6 forward so I understand why Grabner was made expendable. The Hodgson/Kassian, letting go of Ehrhoff/keeping Ballard, letting go of Torres, and potentially the Schneider trade are the moves that had this fanbase questioning the moves right away. Even the Both trade wasn't questioned by too many on this site or other sites, especially since Sturm and Samuelsson looked slow and ineffective to start that season. Hindsight is 20/20.
- Nucker101

Absolutely. I believe the Schneider trade will be neck and neck with the CoHo deal in due time.

As for the Booth trade, almost everyone thought that was a decent deal. It came with risk but you can't blame MG too much for that.

anyone know who the head pro scout is? that guy should be fired.
- therealagent

i answered my own question: http://canucks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=86312

lars lingren is the only recognizable name and he scouts overseas. this team of pro scouts has zero nhl experience outside of lars which means they have nobody with a connection to the game today.

no wonder gillis has bad intel. regardless it's his call and he sucks at it.

Absolutely. I believe the Schneider trade will be neck and neck with the CoHo deal in due time.

As for the Booth trade, almost everyone thought that was a decent deal. It came with risk but you can't blame MG too much for that.
- Canuckleafer

injury history, religious fanatic, hunting fanatic, just plain very strange human being who probably never passed grade 9. yeah, he was a solid pickup.

This is about the worst bash Gillis post I have ever seen.

Evan Oberg
- 1970vintage

Yeah, thats a bit out of place but don't let that dismiss an otherwise excellent post. It doesnt make those other names a wash.

Cody is a better player than Kassian. There's no debate. It was a stupid trade.
I love how Kassian plays when he decides he wants to crank it up but I'd much rather have a potential successor to Henrik in the system.

Gillis has traded far too many pieces with nothing to show for it other than Kassian and Horvat and neither are helping the team this year. Bye bye Schneider, Cody, Grabner, 1st rounder, two 2nd rounders, Oberg and Connaughton. Hello Kassian and Horvat. That's all he has to show.

Gillis' trade record is awful. His FA signing is decent. His ability to get key guys to sign extensions has been excellent. Basically, he's a good agent. He's not a good GM.

Mike Gillis, you've failed this city.
- therealagent

Excellent.

injury history, religious fanatic, hunting fanatic, just plain very strange human being who probably never passed grade 9. yeah, he was a solid pickup.
- therealagent

I was never implying that I like him on the team. All I was getting at was the fact that the trade wasn't that bad considering who they gave up. Most people (at the time being the key words) viewed the trade as a decent one. I can't blame MG for pulling that trade off. That one is certainly not at the top of my list of bad moves. This is one an example of a hindsight is 20/20 situation.

I was never implying that I like him on the team. All I was getting at was the fact that the trade wasn't that bad considering who they gave up. Most people (at the time being the key words) viewed the trade as a decent one. I can't blame MG for pulling that trade off. That one is certainly not at the top of my list of bad moves. This is one an example of a hindsight is 20/20 situation.
- Canuckleafer

fair. i liked the trade at first as well. however, when you listen to the drabble about getting good human beings, the honour of playing in a canadian city, blah blah and they get a guy like that who doesn't fit the "canuck" mold it says something. we'd all be drunks or changed dudes if we pocketed millions a year as well so as long as he scores i'll accept him.

Somethings terribly wrong if the Canucks don't beat this laugh of a team tonight.

Canucks win 4-2. Kassian shows up big time just like the 1st time he played his old team.

i answered my own question: http://canucks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=86312

lars lingren is the only recognizable name and he scouts overseas. this team of pro scouts has zero nhl experience outside of lars which means they have nobody with a connection to the game today.

no wonder gillis has bad intel. regardless it's his call and he sucks at it.
- therealagent

You are way off with this statement: it kind of threatens your credibility when you don't know who many of the scouts are. Thomas Gradin, Ron Delorme, and Harold Snepsts? There are 4 or 5 others who played in the NHL as well.

Having said that...the Canucks' scouting system does truly suck.