No they won't, the problem is take over the reins on the first line? I don't think there is anyone in the system now, so you have to look how other teams with an aging core have replaced first line players.

A) Develop (no time for that)

B) Draft (no time for that unless it's McDavid etc.)

C) Trade (tough to do)


The McDavid's & Sam Reinhart's are future #1 line guys and will help their teams sooner than later. Now let's correlate that to the Canucks. Herein lies the problem as it stands today.
- VanHockeyGuy

Trade for # 2 spot Eichel

One year on the Comets

JV McCann Eichel

Downie, Sutter and Greiss have the mumps, they were sent home for treatment.
- moondawg

Must be getting them from their teammates wives/girlfriends

He can be a great goalie right now he is still a quality NHL starter. I personally would have liked to give Lack the go but getting Miller isn't a bad thing. His price tag is a bad thing though. He needs to stop struggling and shut it down or he will be moved at the deadline.
- thundachunk

thought I read somewhere on here that Miller has a total nmc in his first season.

Either way, would not mind seeing him moved as long as we have Lack.

I like them too trust me, but they are not Ekblad Bjugstad type. I enjoyed last year more than I did the year we got Gaunce. Picking up JV and McCann was a good year. Cassels I think will also be a keeper.

I am honestly ok with losing big for two more years. I hate being middle of the pack.
- VANTEL

Bjugstad was picked at 19th overall FYI, not sure what you mean by his "type"? He wasn't picked top five and he was drafted five years ago, this is his first year where he's doing something. If we wouldn't have traded our first round pick away for Ballard, thanks Gillis, some guys we could have drafted in the late first early second were;

Charlie Coyle
Emerson Etem
Brock Nelson
Devonte Smith-Pelly
Tyler Toffoli
Justin Faulk
Evgeny Kuznetsov

Any one of those kids would be helping us right now!! I guess what I'm saying is you don't have to finish bottom five to compete.

No they won't, the problem is take over the reins on the first line? I don't think there is anyone in the system now, so you have to look how other teams with an aging core have replaced first line players.

A) Develop (no time for that)

B) Draft (no time for that unless it's McDavid etc.)

C) Trade (tough to do)


The McDavid's & Sam Reinhart's are future #1 line guys and will help their teams sooner than later. Now let's correlate that to the Canucks. Herein lies the problem as it stands today.
- VanHockeyGuy

With the Sedins having three years left on their deals and the chances of them retiring here at 100%, I think there's time to draft and develop some kids. If they get rid of Higgins Burrows Bieksa and let Vrbata walk after next year while plugging in some kids that we've already drafted, we'll probably pick top 10 for a few years.

Trade for # 2 spot Eichel

One year on the Comets

JV McCann Eichel
- VANTEL

Exactly, you need to have stones to pull off a deal like that. Brian Burke is the Architect of the Canucks last first line, it's not rocket science what has to go down, the question is Who, What, Where, When.....we already know Why.

Exactly, you need to have stones to pull off a deal like that. Brian Burke is the Architect of the Canucks last first line, it's not rocket science what has to go down, the question is Who, What, Where, When.....we already know Why.
- VanHockeyGuy

That didn't work out too well for Burke when he traded for Kessel, probably one of the worst trades in Leaf history, now the Bruins screwed it up by trading Seguin but that's beside the point. Seguin & Hamilton >>> Kessel.

It's not like it used to be, teams don't throw around their to picks anymore. We have nothing that would acquire the second overall pick in my opinion, which is another problem.

With the Sedins having three years left on their deals and the chances of them retiring here at 100%, I think there's time to draft and develop some kids. If they get rid of Higgins Burrows Bieksa and let Vrbata walk after next year while plugging in some kids that we've already drafted, we'll probably pick top 10 for a few years.
- LeftCoaster

As Vantel stated, the position the team been drafting the last several years virtually makes it impossible to fill that role, not going to happen the way things stand now.

That didn't work out too well for Burke when he traded for Kessel, probably one of the worst trades in Leaf history, now the Bruins screwed it up by trading Seguin but that's beside the point. Seguin & Hamilton >>> Kessel.

It's not like it used to be, teams don't throw around their to picks anymore. We have nothing that would acquire the second overall pick in my opinion, which is another problem.
- LeftCoaster

We do have but it would cost.

I think a team might listen if Tanev Horvat Lack and a first were offered. It would be a setback to our development but it could be done if Benning wanted.

That didn't work out too well for Burke when he traded for Kessel, probably one of the worst trades in Leaf history, now the Bruins screwed it up by trading Seguin but that's beside the point. Seguin & Hamilton >>> Kessel.

It's not like it used to be, teams don't throw around their to picks anymore. We have nothing that would acquire the second overall pick in my opinion, which is another problem.
- LeftCoaster

I think the formula for building a championship teams can't revolve around trading for a top winger. It's extremely hard to win without a #1 centre..... sometimes you need two! Gretzky/messier... Sakic/Forsberg.... Yzerman/Federov... Crosby/Malkin... etc etc

I like JB but have not given him 100% green light yet. Still too early for me to judge

Vey nothing special

Miller Meh

Vrbata ok

Dorsett good

Bonino OK

Sbisa OK
- VANTEL

For a rookie, I'm fine with what Vey is bringing to the bottom 6.

Miller, is what he is, a yoyo..

Vrbata, been as advertised, he goes as the Sedins go.

Dorsett, great addition. Keeper.

Bonino, Good, dependable, no problem developing this guy, don't think he will ever be a #1C though

Sbisa, I like his toughness, but him and Weber together is scary.

That didn't work out too well for Burke when he traded for Kessel, probably one of the worst trades in Leaf history, now the Bruins screwed it up by trading Seguin but that's beside the point. Seguin & Hamilton >>> Kessel.

It's not like it used to be, teams don't throw around their to picks anymore. We have nothing that would acquire the second overall pick in my opinion, which is another problem.
- LeftCoaster

Fine, then you are left with the draft and development, good luck replacing the first line.

Really, they should be playing Jensen on the 2nd line and he should be getting PP time. The kid is a scorer, i'm not so sure what the point is about bringing him up to play him on checking lines.

When you draft a RB in the NFL you don't make him play FS to earn his stripes.


Also, 1 goal from our 2nd unit PP all season ?

I'd also like to add that if we're gonna park a body in front of the net on the first unit, why not Horvat ?

I've seen so many PP's wasted this year because we can't win that initial draw, then can't establish a zone presence until the PP is half over. Put out your best FO guy to get possession right away, and the kid is 200 + lbs so park his ass in front of the net.

We do have but it would cost.

I think a team might listen if Tanev Horvat Lack and a first were offered. It would be a setback to our development but it could be done if Benning wanted.
- VANTEL

That's one step forward three steps backwards….makes zero sense!!

Must be getting them from their teammates wives/girlfriends

- VanHockeyGuy

I saw a tweet that PJStock put out.
That the mumps were being passed around during goal scoring celebrations, hence why no Oilers had any outbreaks, ouch.

I think the formula for building a championship teams can't revolve around trading for a top winger. It's extremely hard to win without a #1 centre..... sometimes you need two! Gretzky/messier... Sakic/Forsberg.... Yzerman/Federov... Crosby/Malkin... etc etc
- Mungo

I think you need two 90 percent of the time, it's pretty much a non-starter if you don't have strength down the middle of the ice.

Fine, then you are left with the draft and development, good luck replacing the first line.
- VanHockeyGuy

We've had two top ten picks in the past two years, Virtanen at 6th overall and Horvat at 9th overall, PLUS, we've had two additional first round picks in those years. Lets see where we're at in three years with these kids…I just gotta keep saying it, patience draft well and develop.

Look at Vantel's example of Bugjstad, he was drafted five years ago, give it time.

Really, they should be playing Jensen on the 2nd line and he should be getting PP time. The kid is a scorer, i'm not so sure what the point is about bringing him up to play him on checking lines.

When you draft a RB in the NFL you don't make him play FS to earn his stripes.


Also, 1 goal from our 2nd unit PP all season ?

I'd also like to add that if we're gonna park a body in front of the net on the first unit, why not Horvat ?

I've seen so many PP's wasted this year because we can't win that initial draw, then can't establish a zone presence until the PP is half over. Put out your best FO guy to get possession right away, and the kid is 200 + lbs so park his ass in front of the net.
- golfingsince

PP spends way to much time setting up. With what we have I think they should go with Burr Ha.nk and Vrbata as the forwards . Our D sucks so Jensen Tanev on the point.

I know some will say Edler, but cmon the guy scores less than a senior who gets a boner once a year .

Really, they should be playing Jensen on the 2nd line and he should be getting PP time. The kid is a scorer, i'm not so sure what the point is about bringing him up to play him on checking lines.

When you draft a RB in the NFL you don't make him play FS to earn his stripes.


Also, 1 goal from our 2nd unit PP all season ?

I'd also like to add that if we're gonna park a body in front of the net on the first unit, why not Horvat ?

I've seen so many PP's wasted this year because we can't win that initial draw, then can't establish a zone presence until the PP is half over. Put out your best FO guy to get possession right away, and the kid is 200 + lbs so park his ass in front of the net.
- golfingsince

It's time for them to realize we need to get younger, let the kid (Jensen) play, he's earned a shot. Somehow I don't see Benning sitting on his hands if the team continues to play like it has recently.

Our first line prior to the Sedins development.

Naslund, underachieving prospect that was never really given a chance

Bertuzzi, power forward that was given up on too early.

Morrison, diminutive 2-way forward that was easily the least talented player on the line.


We could have all those pieces in our system right now, it's not likely but possible. We preach draft and development but want to trade or give up on anyone that's not a star by the age of 25.

Bjugstad was picked at 19th overall FYI, not sure what you mean by his "type"? He wasn't picked top five and he was drafted five years ago, this is his first year where he's doing something. If we wouldn't have traded our first round pick away for Ballard, thanks Gillis, some guys we could have drafted in the late first early second were;

Charlie Coyle
Emerson Etem
Brock Nelson
Devonte Smith-Pelly
Tyler Toffoli
Justin Faulk
Evgeny Kuznetsov

Any one of those kids would be helping us right now!! I guess what I'm saying is you
don't have to finish bottom five to compete.
- LeftCoaster

I had Devonte way up in that draft.

Really, they should be playing Jensen on the 2nd line and he should be getting PP time. The kid is a scorer, i'm not so sure what the point is about bringing him up to play him on checking lines.

When you draft a RB in the NFL you don't make him play FS to earn his stripes.


Also, 1 goal from our 2nd unit PP all season ?

I'd also like to add that if we're gonna park a body in front of the net on the first unit, why not Horvat ?

I've seen so many PP's wasted this year because we can't win that initial draw, then can't establish a zone presence until the PP is half over. Put out your best FO guy to get possession right away, and the kid is 200 + lbs so park his ass in front of the net.
- golfingsince

There is no one in the system who can challenge the Sedins right now. Next season, unlikely. Last year of their contract? "Vancouver is pleased to announce the Sedins to multi year contract extensions" Bank on it.

That's one step forward three steps backwards….makes zero sense!!
- LeftCoaster

But it is a huge step forward. Eichel will be a franchise player the other three wont.

I am not suggesting to do it, I am just pointing out it could be done

PP spends way to much time setting up. With what we have I think they should go with Burr Ha.nk and Vrbata as the forwards . Our D sucks so Jensen Tanev on the point.

I know some will say Edler, but cmon the guy scores less than a senior who gets a boner once a year .
- VANTEL

They need someone with a Sammy Salo mentality, fire that (frank)in thing from back there at all costs, stop trying to get the perfect shot…let it go!!!!

PP spends way to much time setting up. With what we have I think they should go with Burr Ha.nk and Vrbata as the forwards . Our D sucks so Jensen Tanev on the point.

I know some will say Edler, but cmon the guy scores less than a senior who gets a boner once a year .
- VANTEL

Because we keep losing draws and take forever to re-enter the zone. The key to being a not so quick possession team is to win faceoffs.