Essentially no second line. I don't doubt the guys will battle and hustle and all the things the coach is preaching, but putting the puck in the net is going to be a problem me thinks.
- 1970vintage

at least up to trade deadline again

at least up to trade deadline again
- numbear

Well the guys in #tanknation will be cheering for them to lose down the stretch to get a high draft pick. I'd love to see Benning manage another second first round pick again this year but it's pretty slim pickings among the tradable assets.

shinkaruk is best fit on second line wing its a shame

shinkaruk is best fit on second line wing its a shame
- The_Kuze

Too many fringe NHL players on one way contracts. By New Years our team will be out of the playoff race and we'll see more and more prospects being injected into the lineup to gain experience for the following season.

shinkaruk is best fit on second line wing its a shame
- The_Kuze

He faded as the pre-season went along, it's not like he's been sent back to junior with no chance at being called up at some point.

Good call by Willie IMO.

Essentially no second line. I don't doubt the guys will battle and hustle and all the things the coach is preaching, but putting the puck in the net is going to be a problem me thinks.
- 1970vintage

Agreed. Would like to see Vrbata on line 2 at 5v5 to give the 2nd line a finisher.

Well the guys in #tanknation will be cheering for them to lose down the stretch to get a high draft pick. I'd love to see Benning manage another second first round pick again this year but it's pretty slim pickings among the tradable assets.
- 1970vintage

Eklund is making some bold statements. His blog is titled "EXACTLY What Will Happen In The Pacific"

And he has Edmonton at 3rd and SJ at 4th with nucks at 5th.

Wohoo, top 10 pick 2 years in a row.

Agreed. Would like to see Vrbata on line 2 at 5v5 to give the 2nd line a finisher.
- EagleNuck

Yeah, Bonino with Vrbata and Vey or Kasian could be dangerous.

also expected.

Looks like Jensen may find a spot on the opening night roster, but I would still bet no kids in the lineup.

Sedin x2 Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kasian
Higgins Matthias Hansen
Dorsette Richardson Vey
Sestito

Lots of moving parts in there. Doesn't look like a playoff team to me.
- 1970vintage

That's because that's no where near the team they will dress.

Eklund is making some bold statements. His blog is titled "EXACTLY What Will Happen In The Pacific"

And he has Edmonton at 3rd and SJ at 4th with nucks at 5th.

Wohoo, top 10 pick 2 years in a row.
- Linden_4_Capt

Yeah, I read, and all the comments, I don't put much stock in Ek's blogs.

I would bet that Calgary and Edmonton both finish worse than the Canucks. Arizona as well. Then Carolina, Buffalo, Florida in the East. Maybe Washington, Toronto and Ottawa as well.

That's because that's no where near the team they will dress.
- Scooby_Doo

do tell

Eklund is making some bold statements. His blog is titled "EXACTLY What Will Happen In The Pacific"

And he has Edmonton at 3rd and SJ at 4th with nucks at 5th.

Wohoo, top 10 pick 2 years in a row.
- Linden_4_Capt

Yeah, I posted this. The math just doesn't add up.

What else do we have other than bold predictions? I believe that Edm has 67 points last season. Calgary had 77. Canucks had 83 points.

Considering how other western teams got better or at least didn't regress, where do you think these three teams will generate points from?

93 points seems to be the total that gets you into the playoffs. That's an improvement of 23 points for the oilers just to make it in.

Ek has them 3rd in the division. That means Edm needs to have a point total of around 107 to 111 points to gain that position. That means Edm would need an improvement of 40+ points.

I just don't think that's going to happen. I wouldn't put money on it that's for sure.
- bloatedmosquito

also expected.

Looks like Jensen may find a spot on the opening night roster, but I would still bet no kids in the lineup.

Sedin x2 Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kasian
Higgins Matthias Hansen
Dorsette Richardson Vey
Sestito

Lots of moving parts in there. Doesn't look like a playoff team to me.
- 1970vintage

Jensen will be in otherwise, O'Rielly or Jeffrey would of still been up to sit in the box with Sestito. Still possible I guess as those guys can still come back up for free if Jensen gets sent down as well.

Hard to tell what a playoff team will be this year, so much depends on Miller being able to stop the puck and the Sedins returning to form.

I was sad to see Shinkaruk assigned to Utica today, but not especially surprised after he ran out of steam in the last two games.

Here's today's new blog. Depending on injuries, the roster could be set for now.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=62751

Jensen will be in otherwise, O'Rielly or Jeffrey would of still been up to sit in the box with Sestito. Still possible I guess as those guys can still come back up for free if Jensen gets sent down as well.

Hard to tell what a playoff team will be this year, so much depends on Miller being able to stop the puck and the Sedins returning to form.
- belcherbd

...and Burrows and Kassian greatly improving, Bonino & Vey exceeding expectations, having a power play again...

also expected.

Looks like Jensen may find a spot on the opening night roster, but I would still bet no kids in the lineup.

Sedin x2 Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kasian
Higgins Matthias Hansen
Dorsette Richardson Vey
Sestito

Lots of moving parts in there. Doesn't look like a playoff team to me.
- 1970vintage

Agreed with all of this. And if Benning really is "happy" with the roster as we've got bigger issues. But I suspect he'd rather not show his hand to other GMs at present.

do tell
- 1970vintage

Linden Vey as 4th line right winger???

The last time a contender made a move for Miller at the trade deadline it didn't work out well for either side. Frankly, goaltending is the last position I would try to fill at the TDL. I wouldn't hold my breath on Miller getting moved.

Also, you make it sound as though teams are going to be lining up for Miller's services, but they sure as hell weren't this summer.
- CubanBuffet

Dont be foolish. I never even suggested that. It makes no sense that teams not on Miller's list would line up....