I honestly don't mind seeing Daniel struggle this year. This is an excellent year for a top draft pick . I see one or two more years of struggle then a move towards the top ,much like the AVs
- VANTEL

I see where your coming from, but the D Sedin jersey in my closest most definitely does not want to see him struggle. He's virtually untraceable, I think, so might as well wish him the best and cheer him on.

I honestly don't mind seeing Daniel struggle this year. This is an excellent year for a top draft pick . I see one or two more years of struggle then a move towards the top ,much like the AVs
- VANTEL

The Avalanche have been terrible for years, trust me, you don't want that. I like what they have for young players, but it's been years of picking high to get there.

If Daniel scores 20+ goals as a 34 year old, he's done his job.
- LeftCoaster

Agreed. Or if the goals aren't there he better be approaching his brother's assist totals.

I see where your coming from, but the D Sedin jersey in my closest most definitely does not want to see him struggle. He's virtually untraceable, I think, so might as well wish him the best and cheer him on.
- CubanBuffet

I hope we do get one top 5 pick , and some of the kids step up to top end talent. The Sedins and Burrows have done their jobs and now need some help.

WOW!! Sept. 1st comes around and everyone starts talking hockey. I want to hear more about Snickers dropping peanuts.
- A_SteamingLombardi

It was Mars bars....my bad

Agreed. Or if the goals aren't there he better be approaching his brother's assist totals.
- CubanBuffet

Impossible . We don't have a finisher

WOW!! Sept. 1st comes around and everyone starts talking hockey. I want to hear more about Snickers dropping peanuts.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Is that some kind of Charles Schultz BDSM reference?

The Avalanche have been terrible for years, trust me, you don't want that. I like what they have for young players, but it's been years of picking high to get there.
- LeftCoaster

I'm surprised so many people are automatically penciling in the Avs for a playoff spot. They had a hell of a season and have an unbelievable and very young lineup, but they lost Stasny and replaced him with Iginla, not an equal trade in my opinion. I think that they are a worse team not then they were at the beginning of summer.

I'm surprised so many people are automatically penciling in the Avs for a playoff spot. They had a hell of a season and have an unbelievable and very young lineup, but they lost Stasny and replaced him with Iginla, not an equal trade in my opinion. I think that they are a worse team not then they were at the beginning of summer.
- CubanBuffet

Iginla will score 29

Impossible . We don't have a finisher
- VANTEL

They're hoping it's Vrbata. So much has to go right for this team to contend for the playoffs.

Yes he is further down the chart, because, we've picked higher in the first round. So he's got some better "prospects" ahead of him now. Their expectations are higher IMO though? That said, he's still a very good young player with room to grow.

Detroits young guns everyone is glowing about (Nyquist) was 24 in his first full year last year.

I like how he came on at the end of his time with the Comets and I like his game with the twins. Although I think he'll be a streaky scorer. He can skate, he can shoot, he's got NHL size and I like his game.
- LeftCoaster

I agree that he has talent, but if the trend of better prospects entering our system continues (as I think it will with our team missing the playoffs for the next few years) then where does that leave him? He has top 6 talent but who will he displace?

I hate making comparisons with Detroit's development system, apples to oranges. I have very little faith in canucks development system. They have given me no reason to be optimistic.

The room to grow is correct but where is that growth going to occur? Do you have faith in the canucks development system?

Iginla will score 29
- VANTEL

Maybe with the Bruins, but it'll be tough for him to do with the Avs. It is Iginla though, so who knows.

Iginla will score 29
- VANTEL

Or spend the year on LTIR.

Impossible . We don't have a finisher
- VANTEL

We have several guys who can potentially score 20 goals, which is all you need.

They're hoping it's Vrbata. So much has to go right for this team to contend for the playoffs.
- CubanBuffet

Vrbata will start with them and after a month be moved out for Burrows as always.

We have several guys who can potentially score 20 goals, which is all you need.
- LeftCoaster

All we need is potential?

I'm surprised so many people are automatically penciling in the Avs for a playoff spot. They had a hell of a season and have an unbelievable and very young lineup, but they lost Stasny and replaced him with Iginla, not an equal trade in my opinion. I think that they are a worse team not then they were at the beginning of summer.
- CubanBuffet

I think their goaltending saved their asses last year, that said, they'll have internal growth but I doubt they're as good as they were last year?

All we need is potential?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Exactly.

Vrbata will start with them and after a month be moved out for Burrows as always.
- VANTEL

Good chance it will play out like that. It's a new management team that is promising to play a new style and a new approach. I'm willing to take them at their word until proven otherwise.

I agree that he has talent, but if the trend of better prospects entering our system continues (as I think it will with our team missing the playoffs for the next few years) then where does that leave him? He has top 6 talent but who will he displace?

I hate making comparisons with Detroit's development system, apples to oranges. I have very little faith in canucks development system. They have given me no reason to be optimistic.

The room to grow is correct but where is that growth going to occur? Do you have faith in the canucks development system?
- bloatedmosquito

Fair point on the two different systems. But we do have a guy in place now that see's the value in letting the kids soak, I'll take him at face value on his word.

Benning has publicly stated that if a kid comes in and shows he belongs, they'll make room for him. Also, we now, as of last year, have an AHL team of our own, Jensen will get major minutes down there to develop his North American game.

I think their goaltending saved their asses last year, that said, they'll have internal growth but I doubt they're as good as they were last year?
- LeftCoaster

For the Canucks to make the playoffs everything will have to go right for them and a couple of last years playoff teams will have to struggle. Maybe Colorado, maybe Minnesota? Probably neither.

I think their goaltending saved their asses last year, that said, they'll have internal growth but I doubt they're as good as they were last year?
- LeftCoaster

I agree, plus Dallas, St. L and Minn will be better, and the Avs wont be able to surprise anyone. Imagine if Det and CBJ were still there.

We have several guys who can potentially score 20 goals, which is all you need.
- LeftCoaster

My prediction for goals this year

Hank 15
Daniel 18
Burrows 18
Kassian 18
Vrbata 22
Bonino 24
Vey 12
Hansen 16
Higgins 18
Horvat 12
Mathias 12
Dorsett 10
Sestito 3
Gaunce 8

For the Canucks to make the playoffs everything will have to go right for them and a couple of last years playoff teams will have to struggle. Maybe Colorado, maybe Minnesota? Probably neither.
- CubanBuffet

Or maybe both?

You can't make moves until the said young player EARNS a spot, then you make some trades, which Benning has stated he's willing to do.
- LeftCoaster

Where do they EARN that spot? In the ever-changing environment that is the canuck development system?

Moose
Wolves
Peoria
Utica

Let's not even go into the canucks ECHL tribulations.

Or should management take a leap of faith and give our young prospects some meaningful playing time on the big club? What's the worst that could happen? Finishing out of the playoffs? Been there, done that.