It is not unfair to say they declined , it is fact. Not all Canuck fans have to say rah rah.

You said it yourself ,they finished 9 th . The two previous years they finished first . That is a fact not an opinion.

This team has no hope in hell of competing for the cup this year so go after a franchise player and combine him with the farm talent that exists and I would put money on it that that would speed the process of rebuilding .
- VANTEL

I agree that it would be nice to go after McDavid but January is when you make that decision not september. Players to Coaches to GM's want to do the best they can if they fall off by then or earlier hell dress some youth and move some vets. Make those moves before the deadline to put yourself in a better position then not set yourself up to fail before it even starts.

Plus you don't just hang your new coach out to dry that you just hired. I really don't think Willie is gonna go full Torts.

Not to be a knob....what the Canucks do is none of my business, and I don't care as an Oilers fan if they ever turn it around....but, and this is just food for thought, if the Canucks wanted to draft a franchise player or two, shouldnt they put themselves in the position to do so now before the league expands to 32 or 34 teams and the lotto rules change? Expansion is going to make it even longer to build through the draft, IMO.
- Jeropotato

This is the perfect year to have a horrible season.
New coach, new players, new prospects, new management and a very deep draft .

I agree that it would be nice to go after McDavid but January is when you make that decision not september. Players to Coaches to GM's want to do the best they can if they fall off by then or earlier hell dress some youth and move some vets. Make those moves before the deadline to put yourself in a better position then not set yourself up to fail before it even starts.

Plus you don't just hang your new coach out to dry that you just hired. I really don't think Willie is gonna go full Torts.
- thundachunk

We can avoid the rush

I have always been of the mind that the playoffs are a whole new season and a different league in itself. Players and teams that have had that experience in the past also have the ability to change the level of play. Its a whole new ball game if you make it into the playoffs and I count no team out.

You make the playoffs its a chance. I look at so many teams that came up to surprise in the playoffs. Anything can happen. Hell any team can run into a hot goalie and series over.
- thundachunk

+1

We don't have the toughness or skill to finish in 8 th and win the cup. How many times has that happened in the history since expansion. Kings are the only team I know of doing that.
- VANTEL

They did it because the league is changing and we have to change with it if we want to win.

Yes, technically the Canucks declined but no where as badly as you make it out to be (and of course it would be impossible to finish in the top 5 every year, there are going to be seasons where you decline. Coming in 6th (not ninth, because final standings are based on a divisional leader getting a higher placing - thus winning percentage is the best method to use if you want to get the correct final standings).

So, yes, there is decline and then there is falling off the cliff.

I do agree that it is unlikely we'll win the cup within the next number of years. However, I think the Canucks will be much more competitive. As you know, once you get into the playoffs anything can happen.
- Zogg

Dropping 8 spots in a year is bad.

Dropping 8 spots in a year is bad.
- VANTEL

Not when you look at the big picture - Canucks were a mere 4 points out of the top 4. I think that is still a successful season. And as I said, the Canucks finished 6th in winning percentage which is the true measurement of how well your team has performed. The way it's set up now, however, the division leaders get the higher final standings ranking.

So, the Canucks fell 5 places but were still close to the top teams (other than Pittsburgh and Chicago). I'd say that makes a successful year.

Not when you look at the big picture - Canucks were a mere 4 points out of the top 4. I think that is still a successful season.
- Zogg

3 point games keep races close,just the way Lord Bettman likes them.

We also played in a division that featured Oilers and Flames

3 point games keep races close,just the way Lord Bettman likes them.

We also played in a division that featured Oilers and Flames
- VANTEL

Can't speak for the Flames, but these next couple seasons I hope the Oilers help speed up your rebuild as much as we helped you win all those division titles.
What else are good neighbors for?

3 point games keep races close,just the way Lord Bettman likes them.

We also played in a division that featured Oilers and Flames
- VANTEL

I hate the 3 points. A win is a win and a loss is a loss. Really what the hell are we trying to teach our children. You didn't win but you tried so here is point for your effort. One of the biggest jokes in sports IMO. F@cking gay kiss your sister bull$hit.

Can't speak for the Flames, but these next couple seasons I hope the Oilers help speed up your rebuild as much as we helped you win all those division titles.
What else are good neighbors for?
- Jeropotato

I agree that it would be nice to go after McDavid but January is when you make that decision not september. Players to Coaches to GM's want to do the best they can if they fall off by then or earlier hell dress some youth and move some vets. Make those moves before the deadline to put yourself in a better position then not set yourself up to fail before it even starts.

Plus you don't just hang your new coach out to dry that you just hired. I really don't think Willie is gonna go full Torts.
- thundachunk

I couldn't agree with this more. I don't think that anyone really knows what the Canucks are going to be next season. Might as well equip them as well as you can and then if it's not working, try and win the trade deadline.

- VANTEL

I couldn't agree with this more. I don't think that anyone really knows what the Canucks are going to be next season. Might as well equip them as well as you can and then if it's not working, try and win the trade deadline.
- CubanBuffet

As an outsider looking in, it's pretty hard to guage the direction of the Canucks organization. You guys know better, but I suppose this seasons performance is gonna be a bit of a Watershed moment for the Canucks.

As an outsider looking in, it's pretty hard to guage the direction of the Canucks organization. You guys know better, but I suppose this seasons performance is gonna be a bit of a Watershed moment for the Canucks.
- Jeropotato

It's no easier on the inside.

It's no easier on the inside.
- CubanBuffet

22 goals from Vrbata???

Vantel,dude, COME ON

3 point games keep races close,just the way Lord Bettman likes them.

We also played in a division that featured Oilers and Flames
- VANTEL

The Northwest Division 'advantage' is a bit of a fallacy. Here are the numbers to back it up and which speak for themselves.

In the past two years, here's the team's record in and outside the division (pro-rated as a result of the 48 game lock-out year). Numbers grabbed from Hockey Reference/Canucks Army

W L OTL Pts/82
Against Northwest 36 9 3 128
Against Other Divisions 69 32 15 108

22 goals from Vrbata???

Vantel,dude, COME ON
- kneughter

Don't tell me you are one of those predicting he is going to be a 30 goal person

Don't tell me you are one of those predicting he is going to be a 30 goal person
- VANTEL

Career high's in all categories

Don't tell me you are one of those predicting he is going to be a 30 goal person
- VANTEL

22 is realistic assessment.

22 is realistic assessment.
- thundachunk

Predictions bring up arguements unfortunately. But Vrbata has 30 goal potential with the twins. Do I expect him to hit it, no. But 25 is not unreasonable.

Predictions bring up arguements unfortunately. But Vrbata has 30 goal potential with the twins. Do I expect him to hit it, no. But 25 is not unreasonable.
- vancity787

30 isn't unreasonable either. I have high hopes for the season but 20+ is realistic.

Someone must of really left a bad taste in his mouth.
- thundachunk

Priorities.

Just found out I'm about to be a dad...

Scary.

Priorities.

Just found out I'm about to be a dad...

Scary.
- Fosco

Congratulations!