Win-win game tonight. 4-1 Hawks. But Canucks get a moral victory because Sestito fights Bollig and the Canucks get in a few scrums.
- Nucker101

Totally awesome!!!

this is the first time in a while I am stumped on a proline pick. Should I break my trend and leave this game out? I wanna lean towards Canucks because they generally play better against Chicago, but I am not sure if Sully is good enough to get the troop ready. Decisions Decisions.

this is the first time in a while I am stumped on a proline pick. Should I break my trend and leave this game out? I wanna lean towards Canucks because they generally play better against Chicago, but I am not sure if Sully is good enough to get the troop ready. Decisions Decisions.
- Linden_4_Capt

Avoid.

I wonder if Jensen would try harder in the NHL. If not, he'd be useless.

How is Ryan Stanton playing for you guys this season?

Given the 'Hawks struggles at the 6D position and wasted salary space with a three-man rotation for that position, Stanton might have been able to win and keep that position here.

Burrows 0g 3a in 22 games
D Sedin 0g 5a in 13 games
Kesler 1g 3a in 13 games
Edler 0g in 10 games

over 21 million dollars in salary with one goal between the 4 guys in the last month. I'm no mathmetitian but those numbers just don't add up to a winning formula.

How is Ryan Stanton playing for you guys this season?

Given the 'Hawks struggles at the 6D position and wasted salary space with a three-man rotation for that position, Stanton might have been able to win and keep that position here.
- TommyHawk

He's a keeper. I don't think you'll find many complaints about him.

I wonder if Jensen would try harder in the NHL. If not, he'd be useless.
- golfingsince

The one thing I like is that he gets plenty of shots off, those kinds of players will always have a few hot streaks at any level(assuming he could generate a decent amount of shots in the NHL as well). I'm still very sceptical about him though, hope he proves me wrong.

Burrows 0g 3a in 22 games
D Sedin 0g 5a in 13 games
Kesler 1g 3a in 13 games
Edler 0g in 10 games

over 21 million dollars in salary with one goal between the 4 guys in the last month. I'm no mathmetitian but those numbers just don't add up to a winning formula.
- Itsjustarash

We'll take Kesler off your hands.

Here, take Brian Bickell.

Other than the one ANH game, the Canucks have usually played up to the better teams and down to the poor ones, this season.

But with the short memories on this board it's not surprising this isn't brought up.

I'd expect a better game than against the EDMs/CLGs.

OT or SOL is my guess.
- Fosco

My strategy is a win-win. If they get their asses handed to them then I feel all smug for being right and if the Canucks win then I feel all smug for seeing the Canucks beat a hated rival. See how it works?

How is Ryan Stanton playing for you guys this season?

Given the 'Hawks struggles at the 6D position and wasted salary space with a three-man rotation for that position, Stanton might have been able to win and keep that position here.
- TommyHawk

He's been rock solid as a #6 guy, ideal for that role since he plays a simple, effective game and is a team player. Works well with Bieksa.

We'll take Kesler off your hands.

Here, take Brian Bickell.
- TommyHawk

Sure, throw in Toews and we'll give you Booth.

He's been rock solid as a #6 guy, ideal for that role since he plays a simple, effective game and is a team player. Works well with Bieksa.
- Nucker101

(Frank).

The one thing I like is that he gets plenty of shots off, those kinds of players will always have a few hot streaks at any level(assuming he could generate a decent amount of shots in the NHL as well). I'm still very sceptical about him though, hope he proves me wrong.
- Nucker101

The kid has NHL talent for sure, but a junior level effort. He needs to move his feet more, and give 100% on at least 4/5 shifts. Right now, it's closer to 1/5.

Sure, throw in Toews and we'll give you Booth.
- Nucker101

Touché.

My strategy is a win-win. If they get their asses handed to them then I feel all smug for being right and if the Canucks win then I feel all smug for seeing the Canucks beat a hated rival. See how it works?
- Marwood

Its a fool proof process.

They might play well tonight but the reality is they are currently down 2 top 6 fowards (Hank and Santorelli). Burrows has yet to score a single goal this year and Daniel has made it obvious that without his brother he less than mediocre.
- fiveandagame

What has this world come to? Santorelli is not a top 6 FWD! FFS

What has this world come to? Santorelli is not a top 6 FWD! FFS
- Gullzy

EXACTLY!!!! But who the hell else do the Canucks have to put up there? Santorelli has played very well this year but he is not a legitimate top 6 forward.

He would be a great 3rd line center with Higgins/Hansen/Kassian though.

The kid has NHL talent for sure, but a junior level effort. He needs to move his feet more, and give 100% on at least 4/5 shifts. Right now, it's closer to 1/5.
- golfingsince

Strength was a big issue early in the season.

Could have been a combination of not doing enough strength training in the offseason (again, back to effort) and the shoulder injury he suffered at camp.

Apparently he was down to 190 pounds, which is lower than he was in his draft year.

His bread and butter are that power move towards the net from the right side and his wrist shot—both require a lot of shoulder/upper-body-strength and both looked ineffective earlier on.

His overall effort from shift to shift has been much better of late. More skating and less gliding.

This squad fails to motivate themselves when they play the lower quality teams, but step up when they play the "better" teams in the NHL. These guys still haven't realized that they are not the team they once were.

If you were to ask me what the problem is, I would say its a motivational issue. These guys just come into work day in day out, but they are not doing the things they need to do to succeed. When Sully and Torts say its a mindset issue, they aren't wrong at all. They understand that a multitude of issues effed up the teams psyche, and AV did nothing to fix it. They know that they have to heal this team mentally. Unfortunately, the healing process is a slow one.

Hopefully torts can do what he set out to do, change the fabric of this team. He cant do it on his own though, and Gillis has to step up and make some moves.

The issues on this team are multi-tiered. They have management issues, they have player personnel issues, and they have motivational issues. Its gonna be tough to right this ship, but there is a possibility it can be set on course. It starts by bringing in some new top-6 blood.

EXACTLY!!!! But who the hell else do the Canucks have to put up there? Santorelli has played very well this year but he is not a legitimate top 6 forward.

He would be a great 3rd line center with Higgins/Hansen/Kassian though.
- fiveandagame

Ill be frank with you, he's not even a top 9 guy on a contending team.

Strength was a big issue early in the season.

Could have been a combination of not doing enough strength training in the offseason (again, back to effort) and the shoulder injury he suffered at camp.

Apparently he was down to 190 pounds, which is lower than he was in his draft year.

His bread and butter are that power move towards the net from the right side and his wrist shot—both require a lot of shoulder/upper-body-strength and both looked ineffective earlier on.

His overall effort from shift to shift has been much better of late. More skating and less gliding.
- Fosco

Meh, I'm not sure about that. I went to Friday's game and Chompsey was there Saturday. We both saw an awful lot of lazy play.

Although the Heat are a smaller team, he did look strong enough out there. I also think his shoulder must be fine because he laid one hell of a beautiful bodycheck on one of their D.

Strength was a big issue early in the season.

Could have been a combination of not doing enough strength training in the offseason (again, back to effort) and the shoulder injury he suffered at camp.

Apparently he was down to 190 pounds, which is lower than he was in his draft year.

His bread and butter are that power move towards the net from the right side and his wrist shot—both require a lot of shoulder/upper-body-strength and both looked ineffective earlier on.

His overall effort from shift to shift has been much better of late. More skating and less gliding.
- Fosco

Its probably better than this clown I have in my rec league. The guy doesnt suck, but he refuses to skate. Regardless of where the play is, he can be found in the neutral zone.

Meh, I'm not sure about that. I went to Friday's game and Chompsey was there Saturday. We both saw an awful lot of lazy play.

Although the Heat are a smaller team, he did look strong enough out there. I also think his shoulder must be fine because he laid one hell of a beautiful bodycheck on one of their D.
- golfingsince

You know whats a good motivator? MONEY & PUS*Y

This guy gets just a taste of the NHL life, and his effort will shoot through the roof. LOL

Paycheques and Vag

Meh, I'm not sure about that. I went to Friday's game and Chompsey was there Saturday. We both saw an awful lot of lazy play.

Although the Heat are a smaller team, he did look strong enough out there. I also think his shoulder must be fine because he laid one hell of a beautiful bodycheck on one of their D.
- golfingsince

I've watched nearly all the Comets games this season—believe me, it's improved.

As I said, the shoulder and strength issue was more at the beginning of the year, and I'm not the only one to point it out, many have.

It's gotten better, which is why he's improving.