Long story short, at the time you guys had zero base from which to work from, we do, that's the difference.

Unlike Edmonton for instance, we can inject forward youth into line-up ( some of which we already have) and still have a top ten defense and goalie pair to remain competitive.
- Whiskey-Tango

The problem with this theory is that the players that are the core are all in their 30's and the majority, if not all of them are either constantly injured or declining. Not at all sure what you mean about remaining competitive, because they currently aren't, and they aren't getting any better/younger but rather the opposite.

I really don't think our 4th line should be seeing anything more than 8 minutes a night.

21 mins, top line
17 mins 2nd line
14 mins 3rd line
8 mins 4th line

4th line players may get more time, like McClement, playing the PK.
- systemtool

Better teams in the league play their 4th line 10+ minutes (Chicago, Boston, etc.); McClement should be the minute leader on the 4th, but I want a guy like Bodie as a permanent fixture on that line.

Better teams in the league play their 4th line 10+ minutes (Chicago, Boston, etc.); McClement should be the minute leader on the 4th, but I want a guy like Bodie as a permanent fixture on that line.
- gravyface

Those teams usually play smart, responsible hockey. We don't. We need our top lines out more often than not. Not all of them do though, LA, Pitts, Sharks not as much.

Nonsense, the Sedin's ARE declining, no doubt but they are still serviceable top six players. With a few prospects and depth signings we can simply score by committee as the back end is still great.

In terms of Lou, he's still got a few good years in the tank, not to mention Lack has looked outstanding.
- Whiskey-Tango

A retool will take a couple of years. Therefore you need a new goalie.

Prospects take time. And the canucks are starting from scratch in that regard.

I never said the sedins aren't top 6 players. But they couldn't get it done as a top line in their prime. They're past their prime now, so yes, the canucks need an entire first line, pushing the second to the second line.

Better teams in the league play their 4th line 10+ minutes (Chicago, Boston, etc.); McClement should be the minute leader on the 4th, but I want a guy like Bodie as a permanent fixture on that line.
- gravyface

I thought that it was a pure nepotism move from the start, and maybe it was, but Bodie has looked like a good addition so far for the fourth line. Decent enough skating, knows the right end of his stick, can get in on the forecheck and he works his ass off. Ashton has looked okay in that role too, as did D'amigo.

Nonsense, the Sedin's ARE declining, no doubt but they are still serviceable top six players. With a few prospects and depth signings we can simply score by committee as the back end is still great.

In terms of Lou, he's still got a few good years in the tank, not to mention Lack has looked outstanding.
- Whiskey-Tango

Sounds like the makings of our old formula. The recipe for battling for 9th spot.

Not really. Sundin, McCabe, kaberle, etc, isn't much worse than the canucks now. And the Leafs prospects back then were pretty similarly bad as the canucks are now. Plus your GM is about as good as JFJ was for the Leafs.
- prock

???

Sundin was like what, 37 when he left?
McCabe and Kaberle had declined to point in which a decent return couldn't be expected.
What prospects did you guys have back then, Kulimen, Rask???/
Horvat is better then anything you guys had, you have to at least admit that.

It's simply not comparable as you guys had been in the basement for years even with that roster at its best, ours has been making the playoffs for like the past 5-6 past years.

The problem with this theory is that the players that are the core are all in their 30's and the majority, if not all of them are either constantly injured or declining. Not at all sure what you mean about remaining competitive, because they currently aren't, and they aren't getting any better/younger but rather the opposite.
- systemtool

Its amazing how blinded some people can be. They're not competetitive any more, and are declining. The franchise is a mess right now. Exactly like the leafs coming out of the lockout.

"Nonsense, Sundin, Allison ARE declining, no doubt but they are still serviceable top six players. With a few prospects and depth signings we can simply score by committee as the back end is still great.

In terms of Belfour, he's still got a few good years in the tank, not to mention Aubin has looked outstanding."

So by that logic, we should get rid of Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri...???
- lumlums

We?

???

Sundin was like what, 37 when he left?
McCabe and Kaberle had declined to point in which a decent return couldn't be expected.
What prospects did you guys have back then, Kulimen, Rask???/
Horvat is better then anything you guys had, you have to at least admit that.

It's simply not comparable as you guys had been in the basement for years even with that roster at its best, ours has been making the playoffs for like the past 5-6 past years.
- Whiskey-Tango

Exactly our point!! Now you're seeing the light!

It's very comparable. You're just in denial. I don't blame you one bit. The first few years are always the hardest.

Its amazing how blinded some people can be. They're not competetitive any more, and are declining. The franchise is a mess right now. Exactly like the leafs coming out of the lockout.
- prock

pride, denial

"Nonsense, Sundin, Allison ARE declining, no doubt but they are still serviceable top six players. With a few prospects and depth signings we can simply score by committee as the back end is still great.

In terms of Belfour, he's still got a few good years in the tank, not to mention Aubin has looked outstanding."
- gravyface

boom

Bieksa would be perfect... Wonder what it would take - and is this a "go for it" year?

Negative.
- burn

That's right they were asking a 1st but got D. Roy


Pretty good player though, somebody will pay for Ott.

Not sure we need him now we have Clarkson, who was supposed to be a similar player IMO

Sounds like the makings of our old formula. The recipe for battling for 9th spot.
- systemtool

New Coach/Systems.
Horrible luck in regard to injuries.
A complete month in which we did not win at all.
One point out of the playoffs.

Jesus, didint you guys go through this same poop last month, and yet when the exact same happens to us it's all doom and gloom.

We lost most of our defense and best player played injured/didnt play and were the worst team in the league in January AND YET WE ARE ONE POINT OUT. come on now

Bieksa would be perfect... Wonder what it would take - and is this a "go for it" year?
- aminnes

We?
- Elbows15

Humanity, mankind etc...

New Coach/Systems.
Horrible luck in regard to injuries.
A complete month in which we did not win at all.
One point out of the playoffs.

Jesus, didint you guys go through this same poop last month, and yet when the exact same happens to us it's all doom and gloom.

We lost most of our defense and best player played injured/didnt play and were the worst team in the league in January AND YET WE ARE ONE POINT OUT. come on now
- Whiskey-Tango

We went through this for almost a decade, so we're pretty well informed and experienced in these matters. Enjoy the ride. 1 point out, battle for 9th, games in hand factor...the best part about excuses is they help you believe anything you want.

???

Sundin was like what, 37 when he left?
McCabe and Kaberle had declined to point in which a decent return couldn't be expected.
What prospects did you guys have back then, Kulimen, Rask???/
Horvat is better then anything you guys had, you have to at least admit that.

It's simply not comparable as you guys had been in the basement for years even with that roster at its best, ours has been making the playoffs for like the past 5-6 past years.
- Whiskey-Tango

Sundin was 37 and PPG. He was better at 37 than the Sedins are now. He was still one of the elite NHl centres.

Its amazing how blinded some people can be. They're not competetitive any more, and are declining. The franchise is a mess right now. Exactly like the leafs coming out of the lockout.
- prock

You don't even try anymore.

- systemtool

Bieksa might be good still though, 2 years and a grimsby boy... Depends what it would take...

Bieksa might be good still though, 2 years and a grimsby boy... Depends what it would take...
- aminnes

I don't disagree, but just don't think it's a "go for it" year. Not yet, we still need to get better.

New Coach/Systems.
Horrible luck in regard to injuries.
A complete month in which we did not win at all.
One point out of the playoffs.

Jesus, didint you guys go through this same poop last month, and yet when the exact same happens to us it's all doom and gloom.

We lost most of our defense and best player played injured/didnt play and were the worst team in the league in January AND YET WE ARE ONE POINT OUT. come on now
- Whiskey-Tango

Key difference is our team is young and still learning to play together; most of better players are still in their prime, just entering it, or a few years away.

I don't disagree, but just don't think it's a "go for it" year. Not yet, we still need to get better.
- systemtool

I think if they do well and dont f it up, next year might be the first "open window" year for this group...