We need four or five 20+ goal scorers and we'll be just fine!!
- LeftCoaster

I can see 4 with a potential 5th being realistic if they roll with Burrows and the Twins(Danny and Burrows get 20+). Then Vrbata with Bonino(hopefully 20+ for them each). Henrik will likely be in the 15-20 range if he plays 82.


Only issue with those combos is the Kassian and Vrbata are both RW's so that leaves Kassian as RW3 which isn't dieal for his development so I gotta wonder if Burrows can pot 20+ without Henrik and Daniel as the LW2.

I can see 4 with a potential 5th being realistic if they roll with Burrows and the Twins(Danny and Burrows get 20+). Then Vrbata with Bonino(hopefully 20+ for them each). Henrik will likely be in the 15-20 range if he plays 82.


Only issue with those combos is the Kassian and Vrbata are both RW's so that leaves Kassian as RW3 which isn't dieal for his development so I gotta wonder if Burrows can pot 20+ without Henrik and Daniel as the LW2.
- Nucker101

Vrbata and Kassian will be RW 1&2 - no?

Daniel 24 Hank 16 Vrbata 27
Burrows 20 Bonino 23 Kassian 21

Line combos are gonna be interesting???

Dany Hank Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kassian
Higgins Matthias Hansen
Sestito Richardson Dorsett

Vey???
Horvat???
Gaunce???
Jensen???

Could care less who plays with who and who makes the team. Get some youth started in there and win the cup. Best player this year will be Ryan miller he's going to absolutely kill it

Line combos are gonna be interesting???

Dany Hank Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kassian
Higgins Matthias Hansen
Sestito Richardson Dorsett

Vey???
Horvat???
Gaunce???
Jensen???
- Pacificgem

I think Sestito will ply his trade in the press box most of the season. I'd rather have Jensen in his spot, and have him be that utility player you can move up and down the lineup.

A line with Jensen Richardson and Dorsett will probably give up a few chances, but can be tenacious enough to hopefully pot a few.

Giving that spot to Jensen also gives Willie a chance to throw out a few different scoring looks on a off night; not to mention the different powerplay looks he can employ.

Vrbata and Kassian will be RW 1&2 - no?

Daniel 24 Hank 16 Vrbata 27
Burrows 20 Bonino 23 Kassian 21
- LeftCoaster

Yeah that's the combos everyone's expecting. I just have my doubts about Vrbata working with the Twins at even strength. Hopefully he proves my doubts wrong.

Line combos are gonna be interesting???

Dany Hank Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kassian
Higgins Matthias Hansen
Sestito Richardson Dorsett

Vey???
Horvat???
Gaunce???
Jensen???
- Pacificgem

Yeah that's the combos everyone's expecting. I just have my doubts about Vrbata working with the Twins at even strength. Hopefully he proves my doubts wrong.
- Nucker101

Why the doubt? Anything specific about the way he plays?

I think Sestito will ply his trade in the press box most of the season. I'd rather have Jensen in his spot, and have him be that utility player you can move up and down the lineup.

A line with Jensen Richardson and Dorsett will probably give up a few chances, but can be tenacious enough to hopefully pot a few.

Giving that spot to Jensen also gives Willie a chance to throw out a few different scoring looks on a off night; not to mention the different powerplay looks he can employ.
- Gullzy

With youth pushing for spots, and it looks like Vey has a spot to lose, they have some options.

Don't really want youth on the 4th line though, unless they are getting experience on 2nd unit pp or pk. They need to play more than usual 4th liners or it could hurt their development.

I think the two biggest question marks are Daniel and Edler.

Why the doubt? Anything specific about the way he plays?
- Gullzy

Seems like they work best with someone who can be an effective forechecker and cycle the puck along with them. I haven't followed Vrbata closely, but those don't seem to be his strengths. Vrbata also is pretty effective off of the rush, something the Sedins don't really do much these days, so will they benefit from the contrast in styles or will it be a bad fit?

I think Kassian, Burrows or Jensen are all better fits personally.

Seems like they work best with someone who can be an effective forechecker and cycle the puck along with them. I haven't followed Vrbata closely, but those don't seem to be his strengths. Vrbata also is pretty effective off of the rush, something the Sedins don't really do much these days, so will they benefit from the contrast in styles or will it be a bad fit?

I think Kassian, Burrows or Jensen are all better fits personally.
- Nucker101

We will be seeing some different line combo's for sure. And there appear to be a few better options now than in previous years.

Just because we have a veteran first line, that isn't very exciting, doesn't mean they're lesser players than the younger players on the Oilers. As I said in a post above, collectively our team is still much better than theirs. We'll be 15 points ahead of them in the standings come April.
- LeftCoaster

Would you take Eberle and Hall over Vrbata and Daniel???????

I think next year is when you'll really begin to see some of the younger guys making an impact for the Canucks assuming they progress as expected, and you'll still have the Sedins, Vrbata, Bonino, Kassian all very likely with the team at that point, so it could potentially be a nice forward group with a mix of vets and youth(something a lot of us have been wanting to see for years).

Virtanen IMO is one of those player that could realistically challenge for a roster spot as soon as next season since he's pretty damn good physically for his age and plays the wing instead of center or defense.

Then you'll have a guy like Corrado who should be on the team as a top 6 guy for sure by next assuming he doesn't regress. And you have Gaunce, Horvat, Shinkaruk, Jensen all a year older heading into camp next year.

McCann says he think he'll be NHL ready next year but I have my doubts unless he really puts on some weight and takes off this year in junior.
- Nucker101

I agree about next year and that is why I hope we finish bottom three this year . I would love to add a top 3 prospect for the following year, plus the first round pick we will get from a competitive team for Miller..

I fully expect Shink Horvat to be on the team next year as well as Vitanen .Mcann I expect the following year.

Would you take Eberle and Hall over Vrbata and Daniel???????
- VANTEL

Yes

Line combos are gonna be interesting???

Dany Hank Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kassian
Higgins Matthias Hansen
Sestito Richardson Dorsett

Vey???
Horvat???
Gaunce???
Jensen???
- Pacificgem

Don't be surprised to see

Danny Hank Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kassian
Horvat Vey Hansen
Gaunce Mathias or Richardson Dorsett

With youth pushing for spots, and it looks like Vey has a spot to lose, they have some options.

Don't really want youth on the 4th line though, unless they are getting experience on 2nd unit pp or pk. They need to play more than usual 4th liners or it could hurt their development.

I think the two biggest question marks are Daniel and Edler.
- hillbillydeluxe

Vey is our only RHC he is going nowhere.

Yes
- Gullzy

Me too in a heartbeat . I would take Oilers first line over ours. Even though Hank at this time is better than RNH ,the age thing alone !I would take RNH.

Why the doubt? Anything specific about the way he plays?
- Gullzy

Vrbata will get a month and find out his style is too soft to work with the twins . They need someone to battle in front of the net , if Virtanen was a right winger I would pencil him in there this year.

Burr will end up with twins vrbata on pp
Vey boho shinl McCann virty were looking good prospect wise
Just get that pp on fire again and we will be tanks

Would you take Eberle and Hall over Vrbata and Daniel???????
- VANTEL

Two players don't make a complete top six, or allow them to compete for a PO spot. They both had good years last year and they finished third last, my point is, our team is still much better/deeper than theirs....top to bottom.

To answer your question; I'd defintely take Hall, but Eberle is the same player that Vrbata and Daniel are, although he is younger he's a soft skilled expensive player who obviously doesn't make a great deal of difference on a team that continually finishes around last.

Two players don't make a complete top six, or allow them to compete for a PO spot. They both had good years last year and they finished third last, my point is, our team is still much better/deeper than theirs....top to bottom.

To answer your question; I'd defintely take Hall, but Eberle is the same player that Vrbata and Daniel are, although he is younger he's a soft skilled expensive player who obviously doesn't make a great deal of difference on a team that continually finishes around last.
- LeftCoaster

6 pack bet?

Don't be surprised to see

Danny Hank Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kassian
Horvat Vey Hansen
Gaunce Mathias or Richardson Dorsett
- VANTEL

I'd love to see the Canucks get rid of Burrows Higgins and Hansen before the end of the year!!!

6 pack bet?
- VANTEL

I'd love to see the Canucks get rid of Burrows Higgins and Hansen before the end of the year!!!
- LeftCoaster

That would mean our young guys are doing well. I still like Hansen to stat. He is still young

That would mean our young guys are doing well. I still like Hansen to stat. He is still young
- VANTEL

By the end of the year I hope the younger guys prove they belong and changes are made. It'll make the following year that much more interesting.

Hopefully Benning can get another first round pick for this year, I like the trend of picking twice in the first round.