A lot of teams don't have two top six centres, look at Anaheim, they didn't until they picked up Kesler last summer.
- LeftCoaster

But they had a top 5 , we have been thin in our top 6 for years

A lot of teams don't have two top six centres, look at Anaheim, they didn't until they picked up Kesler last summer.
- LeftCoaster

That's true, but most of them aren't still playing.

No doubt he needs more time .

The point still remains our rookies should be surrounded by players that give them a chance to flourish not be playing with scrubs.

We have said here for years we have one top line and a bunch of bottom 6 . That needs to change, and it won't happen by taking Higgins off the second and moving him to the third.
- VANTEL

Higgins isn't a scrub and is fine as a third liner. That said, you're not wrong in pointing out that moving him down the lineup doesn't make the 2nd line any better

But they had a top 5 , we have been thin in our top 6 for years
- VANTEL

Yup they were good for sure, but they realized you need two top six centres to be a team that can make the finals. Or at least the final four.

Higgins isn't a scrub and is fine as a third liner. That said, you're not wrong in pointing out that moving him down the lineup doesn't make the 2nd line any better
- bezz44

It's not Higgins' fault that he's put into a roll that's above his head. Bonino too, for that matter. They're both useful players that could make up part of a solid third line. They're crazy bad as a second line though, like painfully bad.

That's true, but most of them aren't still playing.
- CubanBuffet

A team like the Oilers are set for years with RNH, Draisaitl & McDavid down the middle. 23, 20 and 18 years old

Higgins isn't a scrub and is fine as a third liner. That said, you're not wrong in pointing out that moving him down the lineup doesn't make the 2nd line any better
- bezz44

Higgins scored 12 goals playing 2 nd line and 2 nd unit pp. He got most of his points and goals at the start of the year. He fades every year towards the end of the season.

Sure he is decent and cheap, so let's trade him when he still has value.

He is a third line LW that doesn't bring toughness, finish , or skill . He is just another player that fits into that boring category that he plays safe, and doesn't hurt us. Problem is he doesn't help us either. Give a Comet a chance to play that spot

Higgins scored 12 goals playing 2 nd line and 2 nd unit pp. He got most of his points and goals at the start of the year. He fades every year towards the end of the season.

Sure he is decent and cheap, so let's trade him when he still has value.

He is a third line LW that doesn't bring toughness, finish , or skill . He is just another player that fits into that boring category that he plays safe, and doesn't hurt us. Problem is he doesn't help us either. Give a Comet a chance to play that spot
- VANTEL

Really want him moved so they can fill that role with a younger player. Baertschi is a really skilled player, he just needs to be given time to work thru the issues of adjusting to an NHL role.

Really want him moved so they can fill that role with a younger player. Baertschi is a really skilled player, he just needs to be given time to work thru the issues of adjusting to an NHL role.
- LeftCoaster

Yeah I am hoping our left side looks different too this year

Sedin
???
Sven/ Kenins
.???

Higgins scored 12 goals playing 2 nd line and 2 nd unit pp. He got most of his points and goals at the start of the year. He fades every year towards the end of the season.

Sure he is decent and cheap, so let's trade him when he still has value.

He is a third line LW that doesn't bring toughness, finish , or skill . He is just another player that fits into that boring category that he plays safe, and doesn't hurt us. Problem is he doesn't help us either. Give a Comet a chance to play that spot
- VANTEL

I just finally listened to the end of season interviews with Linden, Benning and Desjardins... they don't seem to be selling us on the current line up nor do they seem to be pushing the Comets players. I got the felling they will make moves and ask players too waive.

Higgins scored 12 goals playing 2 nd line and 2 nd unit pp. He got most of his points and goals at the start of the year. He fades every year towards the end of the season.

Sure he is decent and cheap, so let's trade him when he still has value.

He is a third line LW that doesn't bring toughness, finish , or skill . He is just another player that fits into that boring category that he plays safe, and doesn't hurt us. Problem is he doesn't help us either. Give a Comet a chance to play that spot
- VANTEL

I think that's a bit of a harsh assessment. Higgins is a decent third line player who has excellent work ethic, hustle, consistently hits, has good hands, and is a fairly good skater - also good in the shootout. I agree he's not a second liner, but I think he still brings value to the Canucks (so , yes, perhaps trading him when he's trended upward, might be the way to go). I wouldn't mind if he was around next year, though.

I just finally listened to the end of season interviews with Linden, Benning and Desjardins... they don't seem to be selling us on the current line up nor do they seem to be pushing the Comets players. I got the felling they will make moves and ask players too waive.
- thundachunk

I hope so.

Higgins scored 12 goals playing 2 nd line and 2 nd unit pp. He got most of his points and goals at the start of the year. He fades every year towards the end of the season.

Sure he is decent and cheap, so let's trade him when he still has value.

He is a third line LW that doesn't bring toughness, finish , or skill . He is just another player that fits into that boring category that he plays safe, and doesn't hurt us. Problem is he doesn't help us either. Give a Comet a chance to play that spot
- VANTEL

I'm all for trading Higgins but that's an unfair assessment. He's great on the PK, was oddly solid in the shootout and actually has a solid scoring touch for a 3rd liner. He;s got a nice wrister

I think that's a bit of a harsh assessment. Higgins is a decent third line player who has excellent work ethic, hustle, consistently hits, has good hands, and is a fairly good skater - also good in the shootout. I agree he's not a second liner, but I think he still brings value to the Canucks (so , yes, perhaps trading him when he's trended upward, might be the way to go). I wouldn't mind if he was around next year, though.
- Zogg

Was it Einstein that said the definition of crazy is trying the same thing over and over and hoping for a different result.

Higgins is a tweener, not skilled enough to be top 6 and not mean enough to be bottom 6.

He does absolutely nothing every playoff. Thanks but no . Try someone new

I'm all for trading Higgins but that's an unfair assessment. He's great on the PK, was oddly solid in the shootout and actually has a solid scoring touch for a 3rd liner. He;s got a nice wrister
- bezz44

Confidence in the shootout and making the same plays in game are 2 totally different skills.

I think that's a bit of a harsh assessment. Higgins is a decent third line player who has excellent work ethic, hustle, consistently hits, has good hands, and is a fairly good skater - also good in the shootout. I agree he's not a second liner, but I think he still brings value to the Canucks (so , yes, perhaps trading him when he's trended upward, might be the way to go). I wouldn't mind if he was around next year, though.
- Zogg

That's why it's a good time to trade him, he has value!!

A team like the Oilers are set for years with RNH, Draisaitl & McDavid down the middle. 23, 20 and 18 years old
- LeftCoaster

If they sort out their defence, find decent goaltending, get the roster to commit to a team game, and figure out how to make it all work under the cap then yeah, we're all fcked.

If they sort out their defence, find decent goaltending, get the roster to commit to a team game, and figure out how to make it all work under the cap then yeah, we're all fcked.
- CubanBuffet

I don't look for them to make the playoffs next year but they've drafted some good defensemen, they'll be a very good team in three to four years.

Confidence in the shootout and making the same plays in game are 2 totally different skills.
- thundachunk

Actually I would say that it's much harder to score in the shootout than in a game (the spotlight is completely on you, you have to wait to take your shot, you end up thinking or perhaps overthinking things etc). So, anyone who has confidence in their shoot-out abilities should be able to have confidence in-game scenarios, where things should come naturally.

And Higgins does have a bit of a scoring touch (albeit he's trended downwards since his Montreal days). More importantly, those shoot out points are worth a lot, so if you can get someone who can be successful at it, that should come into consideration as well.

Again, Higgins is a decent 3rd liner who has some scoring touch and who gives it 100% every shift. But if we could get a decent return for him then I'd be all for moving him. If not, we can still use him on the third line next year

I don't look for them to make the playoffs next year but they've drafted some good defensemen, they'll be a very good team in three to four years.
- LeftCoaster

They need to be good while McDavid is still on his entry level contract. In three years they're going to have some tough decisions to make.

Actually I would say that it's much harder to score in the shootout than in a game (the spotlight is completely on you, you have to wait to take your shot, you end up thinking or perhaps overthinking things etc). So, anyone who has confidence in their shoot-out abilities should be able to have confidence in-game scenarios, where things should come naturally.

And Higgins does have a bit of a scoring touch (albeit he's trended downwards since his Montreal days). More importantly, those shoot out points are worth a lot, so if you can get someone who can be successful at it, that should come into consideration as well.

Again, Higgins is a decent 3rd liner who has some scoring touch and who gives it 100% every shift. But if we could get a decent return for him then I'd be all for moving him.
- Zogg

What was the last memorable highlight Higgins had in the playoffs?

This team has enough safe players. It needs a personality upgrade ! Are you not tired of visiting teams treating this city as a mini vacation or night off?

It is time to upgrade the talent and personality of the Canucks.

Benning has had one draft as a GM, and he only had a month to prepare for it with Crawford, he took a very skilled young kid in Virtanen, a very good two-way center with offensive upside in McCann and the highest ranked goaltender in the second round in Demko.

Virtanen was the second youngest kid taken in the draft and he can put the puck in the net while he bangs and crashes, bit of a bull in a china shop but he's what the team needs. Yet some complain about drafting him and then turn around and say we're too soft??

Dubai (Leafs Ass GM former Soo Grey Hounds GM) called McCann an analytics dream and a great two-way player with an attitude, hopefully that transitions into the NHL when he gets stronger.

Demko...gonna be a star.

What was the last memorable highlight Higgins had in the playoffs?

This team has enough safe players. It needs a personality upgrade ! Are you not tired of visiting teams treating this city as a mini vacation or night off?

It is time to upgrade the talent and personality of the Canucks.
- VANTEL

I agree with you, but unfortunately it's not as easy to execute such moves than just saying go for it. Talent doesn't grow on trees.

I do advocate ensuring that everyone should be given a proper chance in terms of assessment and determining where and at what level a player is; namely, if someone from Utica can come in and perform better than Higgins then that would be ideal. Until then, we need to hold on to such players. Transition is not easy, especially in this cap world.

I agree with you, but unfortunately it's not as easy to execute such moves than just saying go for it. Talent doesn't grow on trees.

I do advocate ensuring that everyone should be given a proper chance in terms of assessment and determining where and at what level a player is; namely, if someone from Utica can come in and perform better than Higgins then that would be ideal. Until then, we need to hold on to such players. Transition is not easy, especially in this cap world.
- Zogg

He is one of the easiest to replace Kenins or Baertschi can easily play 3 LW and are younger and cheaper.

Gullzy has a spare ticket to the town hall meeting we all suggested Nucker to go.


I can hear Nucker in his Frank Costanza voice ask Benning" Why the hell did you trade Ryan Kesler"
- VANTEL

Post of the week.