And I like that you can't seem to grasp the point of my original comment. No where did I state that I was happy with the outcome of the Lou/Schneider trade. But what can you going to do about it now?

I only indicated that it's generally not a terrible idea to have a young goalie learn behind an established starter - say Rask behind Thomas for another example.

I don't agree with James that goalies basically are as good as their team. Every player on the team develops and gets better with experience until they peak - this goes for goaltenders as well.

Being a fan of a team means that you can question and get upset at certain moves a team makes, but I wouldn't stop cheering for a team because of a couple of decisions made by a former GM.
- Canuckleafer

100% Bubba. You are the Real. Why ever stop cheering for a team? I hear comments from posters that there are a number of "Die-Hard" Blackhawks and Pens fans that used to cheer for other teams. Bandwagon jumpers are lowest form of sports fans. I was born in Edmonton, my father was an Oilers fan, and I will never swithch, even if the Oilers never make the playoff's again.

Kiss that dream goodbye. Miller will pull you guys out of the bottom five.
- JVR_42_PK81

Yup. It's only a dream. Injuries would need to come into play for that to happen. As a "draftist", I'm sad to say, the Canucks are destined to end up in no man's land.

I like all of Benning's move except Miller. Its as if he was doing Miller a personal favour, because of their past in Buffalo. But Miller is going to lose his mind here lol.

Atleast he is closer to his bird in LA.

Worst moves of the offseason:
#1. Overpaying free agents (Bolland, Orpik, etc.)
#2. Being a team that struggles to score and letting your top goal scorer over the last 3 years leave via free agency (Phoenix)
#3. Reading blogs that make no sense (Todd Cordell, James Tanner, etc.)

Worst moves of the offseason:
#1. Overpaying free agents (Bolland, Orpik, etc.)
#2. Being a team that struggles to score and letting your top goal scorer over the last 3 years leave via free agency (Phoenix)
#3. Reading blogs that make no sense (Todd Cordell, James Tanner, etc.)
- Feds91Stammer

The canucks traded their top F and D goal scorers from last year! And they couldn't score to begin with. C'mon #tanknation

The canucks traded their top F and D goal scorers from last year! And they couldn't score to begin with. C'mon #tanknation
- storm88

Kesler has got to be one of the most overrated players in the league.

Kesler has got to be one of the most overrated players in the league.
- Feds91Stammer

2 good years and a bandaid

I also said in another post that I'd really like to still have Schneider. I think it was a big mistake to trade him, but it is what it is. Playing Schneider behind Lou worked out extremely well for Schneider's development as I think he'll prove he's an elite level goalie this season.

The rest of your comment is irrelevant as #1, the contract situations are substantially different this time around and #2, the management team is completely different. It's OK to live in the past and give nonsensical biased opinions due to your hatred towards the team but it's not even close to being the same situation.

And for the last time, the cap hit was not the issue with Lou's contract, it was the term and cap recapture issues.
- Canuckleafer

Hilarious how Gillis was a god in this city when he took us to the 2011 finals. Yet turned out to be the worst GM weve ever had.

Kesler has got to be one of the most overrated players in the league.
- Feds91Stammer

Hes overrated for sure. One of the most overrated? I disagree. He a hard worker, has a fantastic shot.

But his two big flaws are. 1. Distributing the puck (Which makes him somewhat of a useless centreman) and 2. Staying healthy.

I dont think his forty goal season was a mirage. Because I know after watching him all these years that he is capable of that. But that kind of point production will not happen again until he learns how to play with his surrounding teammates.

Nick Bonino is a fantastic pick up for us. Im happy with what we got in return for Kes

"If they were smart, they would have dealt both Sedins"

Please explain how to trade the Sedins, and to whom for what? First off, they almost certainly have to go as a package. Second, their cap hit (especially combined). Third, they have NO MOVEMENT (not just no-trade) clauses -- they don't have to go anywhere if they don't want to, and give all intentions of wanting to play out their careers here. What else do you suggest -- buying them out?

How exactly do you advocate the team "being smart", as you imply they are not either willing or able?

As for Mr Tanners blog here. Last year was the result of Terrible coaching. Torterella was the complete opposite kind of coach that this team needed.

The canucks will contend for a lower playoff seed this year with no doubt in my mind.

I also think the players are going to feel really refreshed by the new regime at helm. Linden is so respected throughout the league, as is benning.

I think when you know youre in good hands the product on this ice is a little better. Not to Mention bringing in WD Who plays a fast paced north/south game is exactly what this team need.

None of this Crappy torts defensive minded bullpoop.

I can honestly say Even though we are not cup contenders, I've never been more excited for a season to start since the cup finals in 2011

"If they were smart, they would have dealt both Sedins"

Please explain how to trade the Sedins, and to whom for what? First off, they almost certainly have to go as a package. Second, their cap hit (especially combined). Third, they have NO MOVEMENT (not just no-trade) clauses -- they don't have to go anywhere if they don't want to, and give all intentions of wanting to play out their careers here. What else do you suggest -- buying them out?

How exactly do you advocate the team "being smart", as you imply they are not either willing or able?
- RealitySlap

The Sedins under WD will have bounce back years. Mark my words. No they will not return to league leading form. But they should easily under the new head coach be able to hit 70-80 points.

I will personally garuntee it.

As for Mr Tanners blog here. Last year was the result of Terrible coaching. Torterella was the complete opposite kind of coach that this team needed.

The canucks will contend for a lower playoff seed this year with no doubt in my mind.

I also think the players are going to feel really refreshed by the new regime at helm. Linden is so respected throughout the league, as is benning.

I think when you know youre in good hands the product on this ice is a little better. Not to Mention bringing in WD Who plays a fast paced north/south game is exactly what this team need.

None of this Crappy torts defensive minded bullshyt.

I can honestly say Even though we are not cup contenders, I've never been more excited for a season to start since the cup finals in 2011
- vancity787

Don't blame everything on the coach. It's the players on the ice that contribute.

Worst moves of the offseason:
#1. Overpaying free agents (Bolland, Orpik, etc.)
#2. Being a team that struggles to score and letting your top goal scorer over the last 3 years leave via free agency (Phoenix)
#3. Reading blogs that make no sense (Todd Cordell, James Tanner, etc.)
- Feds91Stammer

Vrbata is 33. I think AZ was smart to let him go. I see a higher chance of him putting up a 35-40 point season than a 50+ point season at his age.

Don't blame everything on the coach. It's the players on the ice that contribute.
- JVR_42_PK81

Dood. Have you been informed on exactly what Torts did here last year?

Sedins penalty killing
MUST BLOCK SHOTS
Not once! talking to the coach of our farm team
Not wanting to practice
Turning an offensive team into a defensive team


The players will play for there coach. In the beginning it seemed like they had bought in. But because of the style he coaches, by the end there were so many injuries it looked like everyone on the team was "Please just get this guy the fukk out of here"

While I will agree with you, Yes the players are absolutely resposible for the way they play on the ice. You must understand that the players can only contribute if they are provided with the right system. And what John Torterella was coaching was the polar opposite of the system that needed to be taught with this team.

Fair point. When the Leafs used Grabbo on the 3rd line, it is possible that Carlyle wanted him to be more of a checker, so I guess if they don't care about the brutality of his game away from the puck, he might be OK in that role.

And, while I am a huge fan of stats and anything that gives you better insight into the game, I do think there are exceptions to every rule and the fact that Grabovski always gets credit for being such a good possession player drives me nuts because it's often very situational. I think he's overrated and I think he peaked about three years ago.
- James_Tanner

Grabo was great for us last year. Caps would certainly have closed the gap to the wild card seed if Grabo stayed healthy.

No one is saying Kulemin is a bad player. as a 3rd line role player he is great for 2 million for a few years. 4 million for 4 years?
- JVR_42_PK81

its interesting leaf fans make comments on ufa contracts with clarkson on the roster.

Dood. Have you been informed on exactly what Torts did here last year?

Sedins penalty killing
MUST BLOCK SHOTS
Not once! talking to the coach of our farm team
Not wanting to practice
Turning an offensive team into a defensive team


The players will play for there coach. In the beginning it seemed like they had bought in. But because of the style he coaches, by the end there were so many injuries it looked like everyone on the team was "Please just get this guy the fukk out of here"

While I will agree with you, Yes the players are absolutely resposible for the way they play on the ice. You must understand that the players can only contribute if they are provided with the right system. And what John Torterella was coaching was the polar opposite of the system that needed to be taught with this team.
- vancity787

Sure the coach wasn't the best. He was alright. A coach dosnt play for the team the players play. They are the most important. Don't blame the coach for how the players played. I'm a Leaf fan and during our colapse last year it wasn't Carlyle's fault. Sure he could of handled the situation better but the players were the most to blame. Just like last year for Vancouver.

Don't blame everything on the coach. It's the players on the ice that contribute.
- JVR_42_PK81

when you have the sedins on the pk with instructions to block shots then it's clear the coach doesn't know how to use his players.

its interesting leaf fans make comments on ufa contracts with clarkson on the roster.
- Isles_since_6

Because fans sign contracts.

Sure the coach wasn't the best. He was alright. A coach dosnt play for the team the players play. They are the most important. Don't blame the coach for how the players played. I'm a Leaf fan and during our colapse last year it wasn't Carlyle's fault. Sure he could of handled the situation better but the players were the most to blame. Just like last year for Vancouver.
- JVR_42_PK81

lol, torts wasn't even close to alright. The owner bought out the remaining 4 years of his contract to get rid of him after one season when fans complained about boring hockey, goal scoring went into the abyss and the sedins were run down and exhausted by christmas.

Torts was a horrid coach, the canucks may not make the playoffs this year but they will rebound to at least be in the mix most of the season.

its interesting leaf fans make comments on ufa contracts with clarkson on the roster.
- Isles_since_6

Sorry I didn't know I wasn't allowed to talk about bad contracts on other teams because there is a bad contract on the Leafs. Makes so much sense. Your an Isles fan and since you have bad goaltending you are not allowed to talk about other teams goalies. Oh and since your team had bad defense last year your not allowed to point out other teams bad defense either. Sorry.

Because fans sign contracts.
- Tumbleweed

you'd think they did with some of the comments.

Isles have enough cap space they can afford to overpay someone, and taking a gamble on a guy who could likely still play a checking role isn't a bad option when it also gets you his buddy grabovski who helps our forward depth.

It's pretty well known too that the Isles have had difficulty attracting ufas, so an overpayment should be expected, but it's not team cap restricting considering they have a heck of a lot of space and still can move out a body or two up front.

I'd rather see my team overspend on kule and grabovski than try and turn david booth back into a productive hockey player.

Sorry I didn't know I wasn't allowed to talk about bad contracts on other teams because there is a bad contract on the Leafs. Makes so much sense. Your an Isles fan and since you have bad goaltending you are not allowed to talk about other teams goalies. Oh and since your team had bad defense last year your not allowed to point out other teams bad defense either. Sorry.
- JVR_42_PK81

Halak and Johnson are bad? Interesting.

Halak and Johnson are bad? Interesting.
- Isles_since_6

They havnt played for the islanders yet? According to your logic you can't comment on goaltending on other teams because all you have seen is bad goaltending the past 10 years.

They havnt played for the islanders yet? According to your logic you can't comment on goaltending on other teams because all you have seen is bad goaltending the past 10 years.
- JVR_42_PK81

Okay let's play this game, point out where I talked a out any teams goaltending or defense in these comments.