Salary Cap? What Salary Cap?
- AlexF

that's what you noticed what was wrong with that post

You could take those same players mentioned and offer it to Ottawa for Ryan.
- VANTEL

You could, but I think OTT is planning on keeping Ryan. They'd rather offload Spezza than Ryan.

Not interested in Spezza at all, absolute wrong way to fix what's wrong with this team.

I can definitely see us trading our 6th + for Kane at the draft. The season ticket return policy indicates to me that something bold will be done so fans hang on to their seats next year.
If we come out of the draft with one of Ehlers, MDC or Kane, I'll be happy.
- Jim_Robson

It goes without saying that Kane would help this team more in the immediate term (and quite possibly more forever). I'd prefer a C than a W but Kane would be a big boost and unless this organization views a rebuild as the preferred option we should be targeting players that can help now or within a year rather than several years down the track.

that's what you noticed what was wrong with that post
- VANTEL

A lot of things wrong with that post my friend but I don't have all morning.

You could, but I think OTT is planning on keeping Ryan. They'd rather offload Spezza than Ryan.

Not interested in Spezza at all, absolute wrong way to fix what's wrong with this team.
- Chest Rockwell

Yeah I don't want Spezza either. Ryan would be a huge move in the right direction.

A lot of things wrong with that post my friend but I don't have all morning.
- AlexF

It was meant strictly as satire.

It was meant strictly as satire.
- VANTEL

I know.

The Red Wings

"13 players skating tomorrow were drafted by Detroit. Kindl is the highest pick at 19. Sheahan at 21. Of the remaining 11? None under 30. The average? 87.

Helm at 132. Nyquist at 121. Even Quincey at 132. Franzen at 97, Tatar at 60. Howard at 64. And we're all well aware of Zetterberg falling to a respectable 210, preceded by Datsyuk's draft position of 171."

#GoodDrafting
#FireRonDelorme

The Red Wings

"13 players skating tomorrow were drafted by Detroit. Kindl is the highest pick at 19. Sheahan at 21. Of the remaining 11? None under 30. The average? 87.

Helm at 132. Nyquist at 121. Even Quincey at 132. Franzen at 97, Tatar at 60. Howard at 64. And we're all well aware of Zetterberg falling to a respectable 210, preceded by Datsyuk's draft position of 171."

#GoodDrafting
#FireRonDelorme
- AlexF

Player development. A few years in the AHL sure helps their growth. Taking players right from the draft and putting them in the spotlight right away usually hinders their career, as you already know. There are a few players that can make the jump but most can't.

Player development. A few years in the AHL sure helps their growth. Taking players right from the draft and putting them in the spotlight right away usually hinders their career, as you already know. There are a few players that can make the jump but most can't.
- VANTEL

Agreed. You'd pretty much only see guys drafted in the top 10 with any shot to make a quick jump (as in either draft year or the next year). There is no doubt that having 23 year old rookies boosts their top-end potential and the likelihood that they will have an immediate and lasting impact.

Agreed. You'd pretty much only see guys drafted in the top 10 with any shot to make a quick jump (as in either draft year or the next year). There is no doubt that having 23 year old rookies boosts their top-end potential and the likelihood that they will have an immediate and lasting impact.
- AlexF

Having our own AHL club definitely seems like a step in the right direction...

Agreed. You'd pretty much only see guys drafted in the top 10 with any shot to make a quick jump (as in either draft year or the next year). There is no doubt that having 23 year old rookies boosts their top-end potential and the likelihood that they will have an immediate and lasting impact.
- AlexF

How come you wanna trade our 6th overall pick so bad?

Drafting is the life-blood of any franchise.

Having our own AHL club definitely seems like a step in the right direction...
- Jim_Robson

Yes it does. That's step 1. Step 2 would be to create a system that players learn which mimics the system at the NHL club so that the jump is as seamless as possible.

Detroit has a defined system devised by Holland and Babcock. Vancouver doesn't have an identity and under Gillis seemed like a dog chasing it's tail by trying to follow the Red Wing system, then Boston, then if Detroit beats Boston would the target have shifted back to Detroit?

How come you wanna trade our 6th overall pick so bad?

Drafting is the life-blood of any franchise.
- LeftCoaster

Drafting well is, not necessarily drafting high. I think if we could package that pick and turn it around for a quality young player (E Kane was mentioned) that can help immediately we'd be much better served.

Drafting well is, not necessarily drafting high. I think if we could package that pick and turn it around for a quality young player (E Kane was mentioned) that can help immediately we'd be much better served.
- AlexF

Picking 6th will increase our odds, so I'm hot in favour of trading it, although I do understand your point of view.

Player development. A few years in the AHL sure helps their growth. Taking players right from the draft and putting them in the spotlight right away usually hinders their career, as you already know. There are a few players that can make the jump but most can't.
- VANTEL

It's more than just having them sit in the minors. Most if not all of those guys would start in the AHL on just about every club. Detroit certainly does a good job drafting players thay see as NHL'er 3-5 years down the road, but they must be doing something special with them in Grande Rapids, as far as coaching and development goes, that most other clubs are not. Perhaps the AHL system mirrors the big club's? I don't know.

Today's blog covers a quick rundown of the Canucks prospects in the CHL playoffs so far.

Here's the link:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=59520