That's where a center like Horvat would be nice. Defensive awareness and good on the dot.
- LeftCoaster

Hopefully that is what he develops into, but expecting him to do it with exactly zero games of NHL experience is crazy talk.

Hopefully that is what he develops into, but expecting him to do it with exactly zero games of NHL experience is crazy talk.
- CubanBuffet

He doesn't need to concentrate on it per say, because he does it naturally, but yes it's a bit early in his career I know.

He doesn't need to concentrate on it per say, because he does it naturally, but yes it's a bit early in his career I know.
- LeftCoaster

Because he plays that kind of game you could start him on the fourth line and not worry about messing with his development, and then it's just a matter of easing him in to tougher assignments. Right now Horvat has 2C potential but is not yet a 2C. Playing him there won't change that, in the same way that Draisaitl (?) is not a 2C just because Edmonton is playing him there.

Payton Manning is tearing it up tonight.

Ya they look good so far. I wish trader Jim could work up a deal for a legitimate second line young established winger.
- LeftCoaster

Someone to play with Kesler?

2nd line works their ass off, but they lack puck-handling, finishing ability and creativity. Bonino is the only guy on that line with some top 6 level skill in those 3 areas. Higgins gets unfairly paired(value-wise) with Hansen by the fans IMO, Higgins is proving for the 2nd straight season to be the better player. It's too bad the Canucks aren't good enough to use him where he belongs, on the third line.
- Nucker101

I think Higgins' shot is Top 6 worth but he lacks creativity with the puck. If you have two strong second liners I think it's not a problem if he's in your top 6 but currently it's not the greatest line

Someone to play with Kesler?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Ya I know, but it's trader Jim we're talkin about here

I think Higgins' shot is Top 6 worth but he lacks creativity with the puck. If you have two strong second liners I think it's not a problem if he's in your top 6 but currently it's not the greatest line
- bezz44

As Nucker said, no one with any sort of creativity there, Bonino a bit, but that's it.

As Nucker said, no one with any sort of creativity there, Bonino a bit, but that's it.
- LeftCoaster

Bonino is a creative player. If Kassian can play his way onto that line in place of Burrows then Bonino, Kassian, Higgins would have a nice blend of offensive talents. This is all predicated on the premise that Bonino/Kassian are playing like second liners

Bonino is a creative player. If Kassian can play his way onto that line in place of Burrows then Bonino, Kassian, Higgins would have a nice blend of offensive talents. This is all predicated on the premise that Bonino/Kassian are playing like second liners
- bezz44

I'm not sure Kassian has it between the ears to be a consistent second line player?

As Nucker said, no one with any sort of creativity there, Bonino a bit, but that's it.
- LeftCoaster

The only player with real creativity on this team is Henrik Sedin. Daniel too, but Henrik is elite. Everyone else is meat and potatoes to varying degrees. Agreed that Bonino has some promise but he's not a convincing 2C just yet IMO.

At this point I really wouldn't mind taking a flier on an enigmatic Euro-type that has elite vision of the ice. Even if he showed up every other night, at least the added creativity would unlock defenses enough to make a real difference through the course of the season.

Watching many of our lines at work against better opposition so often resembles a guy walking into the same brick wall over and over.

I'm not sure Kassian has it between the ears to be a consistent second line player?
- LeftCoaster

If that's the case he should be shipped out while there is still the perception that he does. I think he is capable of it, but what the hell do I know?

The only player with real creativity on this team is Henrik Sedin. Daniel too, but Henrik is elite. Everyone else is meat and potatoes to varying degrees. Agreed that Bonino has some promise but he's not a convincing 2C just yet IMO.

At this point I really wouldn't mind taking a flier on an enigmatic Euro-type that has elite vision of the ice. Even if he showed up every other night, at least the added creativity would unlock defenses enough to make a real difference through the course of the season.

Watching many of our lines at work against better opposition so often resembles a guy walking into the same brick wall over and over.
- AlexF

I don't think that's a fair assessment. We have lots of meat and potatoes guys but Vey and Kassian both strike me as players who prefer to make plays than dump, chase, repeat. Kassian is hesitant to use his size in dirty areas, I don't think I ever see him along the boards digging out pucks. Consistency is one thing, but we do have guys that are more of the playmaking mould
Edit: thanks to Cuban for also mentioning Daniel and Vrbata and Bonino

The only player with real creativity on this team is Henrik Sedin. Daniel too, but Henrik is elite. Everyone else is meat and potatoes to varying degrees. Agreed that Bonino has some promise but he's not a convincing 2C just yet IMO.

At this point I really wouldn't mind taking a flier on an enigmatic Euro-type that has elite vision of the ice. Even if he showed up every other night, at least the added creativity would unlock defenses enough to make a real difference through the course of the season.

Watching many of our lines at work against better opposition so often resembles a guy walking into the same brick wall over and over.
- AlexF

Give it some time man. We've played 1 elite team so far. As far as creativity goes, of course Henrik leads the way, but Daniel and Vrbata are no slouches. Bonino has been doing some slick things with the puck and you've got to assume that Vey has some creativity that he will start to display. It's no accident that he's manning a point on the first PP.

I dont see the point of bringing in legitimate 2nd liners unless its someone young... we dont have assets to do that. Who's going to take the players not cutting it in the top 6 and turn around to give us players that are legitimate top 6? Please dont suggest trading away young valuable players to do this.

Our D is the most concerning. I say we roll with what we have after bringing in a little D depth... a righty of course. Not likely top 4...no assets...see above.

I was wishing that of Gillis as well. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a pipedream, but you've gotta give to get and it would have to be one of those quantity for quality deals to make any difference to us. Those are hard to get done.
- AlexF

Trader Jim has already done what Gillis never did...bring in someone for the top six who can produce.

Someone to play with Kesler?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Kesler would turn Stamkos into a 20 goal scorer

Kesler has no vision, and isn't creative. OH and a puck hog, great at keeping pucks away from the other team. I guess, keeping it away from anyone but him

Couldn't keep it in his pants either

Kesler would turn Stamkos into a 20 goal scorer

Kesler has no vision, and isn't creative. OH and a puck hog, great at keeping pucks away from the other team. I guess, keeping it away from anyone but him

Couldn't keep it in his pants either
- kneughter

HaHa

Is there a list of players wives that he took down?

HaHa

Is there a list of players wives that he took down?
- RoloTahmasee

Yeah, right here

http://canucks.nhl.com/club/roster.htm

Bonino is a creative player. If Kassian can play his way onto that line in place of Burrows then Bonino, Kassian, Higgins would have a nice blend of offensive talents. This is all predicated on the premise that Bonino/Kassian are playing like second liners
- bezz44

Burrows needs to be moved. He is getting older and never will be the 25 goal man he was. We need a legitimate 2 nd liner. That could be Virtanen next year and Burr traded or waived.

A third line of Higgins Horvat Kassian would be ok.

Vey has not proved yet that he is a second or third line player so Canucks really need two top 6 guys.

I dont see the point of bringing in legitimate 2nd liners unless its someone young... we dont have assets to do that. Who's going to take the players not cutting it in the top 6 and turn around to give us players that are legitimate top 6? Please dont suggest trading away young valuable players to do this.

Our D is the most concerning. I say we roll with what we have after bringing in a little D depth... a righty of course. Not likely top 4...no assets...see above.
- boonerbuck

We actually do have the assets to pull off a trade but we would need to lose the "Win Now " attitude.

How many teams are looking for a top end DMan? Hamhuis Bieksa and Edler , anyone of them could all be packaged .

Markstrom is getting hot in the AHL . Shink , Jensen Gaunce, are they going to be part of the future or moved?

I believe Cedarholm will play for the club in 2 years despite of what Nucker thinks, so he could replace our guy we trade down the road.

With the immediate sinking of the D will help us get a higher pick.

I also believe that big Russian D that we drafted will be NHL ready in two years.

So, we do have the assets but are we willing to part with them.

Burrows needs to be moved. He is getting older and never will be the 25 goal man he was. We need a legitimate 2 nd liner. That could be Virtanen next year and Burr traded or waived.

A third line of Higgins Horvat Kassian would be ok.

Vey has not proved yet that he is a second or third line player so Canucks really need two top 6 guys.
- VANTEL

I think Vey needs to move up to the 2nd line in place of Higgins. Vey has vision, is creative and shoots, Bonino is creative and needs players that can play at his speed(Read Not Higgins) and Burrows will go into dirty areas and dig and get garbage goals. That 2nd line can be really effective.

We need to move Richardson to 4th line. He is not creative enough for 3rd. If Bo is ready then have a 3rd line of Higgins, Bo and Kassian and task Kasian to protect Bo. I find Kassian plays better in that role. When he was on the top lie with the Sedins and was tasked to protect them, he went in the dirty areas, was willing to use his body and not afraid to drop the gloves.

Richardson, Mathias, Dorsett, Hansen can make the 4th with rotating guys in press box.

Wow. Voynov arrested/suspended indefinitely this morning for domestic violence. Talk about a night and day reaction NFL vs. NHL. Guess Bettman has been watching the news

Burrows needs to be moved. He is getting older and never will be the 25 goal man he was. We need a legitimate 2 nd liner. That could be Virtanen next year and Burr traded or waived.

A third line of Higgins Horvat Kassian would be ok.

Vey has not proved yet that he is a second or third line player so Canucks really need two top 6 guys.
- VANTEL

I didn't mention Burr at all but I don't think he's worth moving. He's a useful player and with that salary he won't be bringing back anything worth having. Nobody has really proven anything yet we have only played 4 games so to go and try and pick up two top 6 guys would be silly. Not to mention that it is strange that you have Virtanen penciled in as a second liner next year but Vey and Kassian have yet to earn top six minutes?

I didn't mention Burr at all but I don't think he's worth moving. He's a useful player and with that salary he won't be bringing back anything worth having. Nobody has really proven anything yet we have only played 4 games so to go and try and pick up two top 6 guys would be silly. Not to mention that it is strange that you have Virtanen penciled in as a second liner next year but Vey and Kassian have yet to earn top six minutes?
- bezz44

Thank you.