We're not making the playoffs because we don't have a second line not a first line
- LeftCoaster

We will see at the end of the year how our first line compares to the rest of the teams in productivity

We will see at the end of the year how our first line compares to the rest of the teams in productivity
- VANTEL

Yup - that's why they play the games.

I also see Virtanen's game allowing him to translate into the NHL faster than our other prospects. Already has the speed/size and physicality to be effective in the NHL. And probably has better finishing ability than most of our forwards. I'm pretty excited to see him in Willie's system.
- Nucker101

Me too. He will be more of the Kassian type player we hoped for than Kassian

I remember when some guys here were going at it with me when I said Bonino wasn't a legit 2nd line center prior to the trade. He's a nice offensive 3rd line center, he's fine as a 2LC if you play him with a winger that's better than him to carry the line.
- Nucker101

I really wanted Vatanen in that deal. In hindsight I probably would've been happier with Vatanen + 1st than the three pieces we got. Sbisa = cap dump, Bonino was as you said a buy-high candidate

I really wanted Vatanen in that deal. In hindsight I probably would've been happier with Vatanen + 1st than the three pieces we got. Sbisa = cap dump, Bonino was as you said a buy-high candidate
- bezz44

Benning got the best he could with that deal. He's miscast as a 2C, but he's still the closest thing to a 2c that we have. Still, he's a useful player with a good contract.

Benning got the best he could with that deal. He's miscast as a 2C, but he's still the closest thing to a 2c that we have. Still, he's a useful player with a good contract.
- CubanBuffet

I'm sure he did, and I don't mind Bonino, just wasn't thrilled. He was near the bottom of my list of targets from Anaheim

I know it is bipolar Tuesday but serious hypothetical:
Tanev+Shink for Yakupov?

I know it is bipolar Tuesday but serious hypothetical:
Tanev+Shink for Yakupov?
- bezz44

Dude, wrong place to troll Oiler fans, but yes please.

Dude, wrong place to troll Oiler fans, but yes please.
- CubanBuffet

I don't think that's a terrible offer
You should take a look at some of the offers over on HFBoards... just awful

If he's the real deal that make Shinkaruk tradable.
- LeftCoaster

How so? We still lack prospect depth, Canucks are one of the last teams I see having an overload of prospects where they can trade one because there's not enough spots up for grabs in the future. We're not Tampa.

Me too. He will be more of the Kassian type player we hoped for than Kassian
- VANTEL

Agreed. He plays a more energetic game physically than Kassian. That being said, I'd still like to keep Kassian around.

Benning got the best he could with that deal. He's miscast as a 2C, but he's still the closest thing to a 2c that we have. Still, he's a useful player with a good contract.
- CubanBuffet

Yeah, Benning's hands were tied. Kesler (frank)ed him over and he still got a respectable return despite that. The only other option was to pull a Gillis and keep a player that doesn't want to be here to try and get a better offer or convince him to waive for other teams.

I don't think that's a terrible offer
You should take a look at some of the offers over on HFBoards... just awful
- bezz44

Love that place, everyone assumes that every prospect/young player has like a 99% chance of reaching their ceiling. And every fanbase offers up spare parts for other team's top assets then the two fanbases involved in the proposed trade have a pissing match about 1 or 2 player's value.

Yeah, Benning's hands were tied. Kesler (frank)ed him over and he still got a respectable return despite that. The only other option was to pull a Gillis and keep a player that doesn't want to be here to try and get a better offer or convince him to waive for other teams.
- Nucker101

I love when that happens!

Love that place, everyone assumes that every prospect/young player has like a 99% chance of reaching their ceiling. And every fanbase offers up spare parts for other team's top assets then the two fanbases involved in the proposed trade have a pissing match about 1 or 2 player's value.
- Nucker101

It's (frank)ing hilarious. I see you post there occasionally

How so? We still lack prospect depth, Canucks are one of the last teams I see having an overload of prospects where they can trade one because there's not enough spots up for grabs in the future. We're not Tampa.
- Nucker101

We're in the twilight zone. Thin on everything that could bring back a decent return, not bad enough to pick high.

I don't think that's a terrible offer
You should take a look at some of the offers over on HFBoards... just awful
- bezz44

I like Tanev, and he makes their D better, but he doesn't make them harder to play against. And Shink is one of our best prospects, which doesn't exactly make him a top prospect.

I like Tanev, and he makes their D better, but he doesn't make them harder to play against. And Shink is one of our best prospects, which doesn't exactly make him a top prospect.
- CubanBuffet

Top 4 D-man under 24 that plays the right side + a high ceiling LW prospect which they aren't super deep in for a buy-low candidate that is boom/bust
This is all predicated on the idea that they are even willing to trade him, who else is shopping, but I think MacT at least stays on the phone with an opening offer like that

Top 4 D-man under 24 that plays the right side + a high ceiling LW prospect which they aren't super deep in for a buy-low candidate that is boom/bust
This is all predicated on the idea that they are even willing to trade him, who else is shopping, but I think MacT at least stays on the phone with an opening offer like that
- bezz44

I really don't think Mac T would have significant interest in Shinkaruk. I think if he moves an Eberle or Yakupov it would be for roster players only.

I really don't think Mac T would have significant interest in Shinkaruk. I think if he moves an Eberle or Yakupov it would be for roster players only.
- Nucker101

Fair enough, he's not exactly NHL ready
Edit: Shink is really just there to balance the value a bit

I like Tanev, and he makes their D better, but he doesn't make them harder to play against. And Shink is one of our best prospects, which doesn't exactly make him a top prospect.
- CubanBuffet

I thought Tanev had a crap game tonight. He skated right into miller on one of the goals. Looked like he was chasing the player and just crashed into the side of the net and took out miller.

I'm not liking the Edler/Tanev pairing.

John Garrett hasn't heard of "Corsi-close"..similar to most people who don't fully understand #fancystats
- Nucker101

Make Corsi-close tasty and sell them at Safeway and he will know about them in no time.

I dont think it has to be a generational talent though, just solid drafting can rebuild a team pretty quick, Tampa made many great picks outside of Stamkos/Drouin/Hedman as well. Great developmental system, their farm team is always loaded with young talent that's playing well. Hell, they even had a "bust" in Brett Connolly with one of their top 10 picks and it's barely hurt them.
- Nucker101

Take Stamkos and Hedman out of the lineup and Tampa looks like crap (emphasis on Stamkos). They're a fine team and all (as of today), but hardly a beacon for all teams to follow.

He's still a solid 3rd liner, that's just way too much for his cap hit though. Just watch him on the PP, he doesn't have the offensive ability. I feel bad for Bonino on that unit, Higgins and Burrows are basically lost on the PP. They throw the puck into an open area and chase it, very little vision or creativity. But Higgins takes less heat since he's making a little more than half of what Burrows makes, and is making 3rd line money.
- Nucker101

Burrows played amazing for years and earned his deal as he aged. He's an older guy coming off an injury ridden season with a coach who wanted him gone. He'll either rebound or prove that he's over the hill, but he's not a never-was. He's a guy who's had vision and creativity; if he lacks it now, it's because he can't keep up with who he used to be.