I'll take Tkachuck over the Finns as well.
- Bieksa#3

wow.... I don't see that personally. I like Tkachuk's game, but the kid is only 6'0".. his power game might not translate to the NHL. I really like Laine. Kid can skate, has a huge frame, and his shot is one of the better ones I've seen in a while and we all know much JB likes guys that can shoot the puck!

My location says it all. Marwood gave me that quote and that was at least two seasons ago. I've hung unto the hope that this team would enact true change for a long time and I'm now getting my wish. After all the female doging I've done over the last two/three seasons it would be hypocritical of me to female dog about the current state of affairs.
- bloatedmosquito

It has almost been like the season is a distraction from the tdl, draft and free agency the last few years.

I know FA wants to make money, but he is now getting the bill from the glory days of the pres. trophy successes.

If we are realistically out of the playoff picture, make some moves and get on with the overhaul. Keep the games entertaining with youth and speed.

Really? How is MDC BTW?
- thundachunk

I was one of only one or 2 to say Ekblad was hands down 1st overall. And that's seem legit. I remember I few guys sucking off Sam R or Draisaitl. Both nice players but couldn't hold Ekblads jock strap. I do however have very high hopes still for MDC. He's a power forward so its gonna take longer

Sbisa!

It has almost been like the season is a distraction from the tdl, draft and free agency the last few years.

I know FA wants to make money, but he is now getting the bill from the glory days of the pres. trophy successes.

If we are realistically out of the playoff picture, make some moves and get on with the overhaul. Keep the games entertaining with youth and speed.
- hillbillydeluxe

It's coming.

Horvat and Baer look like a legit 2nd line.
Markstrom is taking over
Hutton is a too 6 D man
Tanev and Sbisa are both young enough to be in their prime when we are competitive again
Virt and JMac are learning.
I've been impressed with Etem as a 3rd liner
Shink is rolling
Gaunce looks close

But...

The rest of the young guy up here look like depth guys.
Is love to see JB sell high on Hansen.

First round for me its always BPA period.
- thundachunk

I totally agree. There are instances where trading down would make sense but few and far between.

In 2012 I remember Burkie saying something like 'if I had first pick the leafs would have picked M Rielly anyway' or something like that. Instead the leafs got him at #5. They were going to pick Rielly because that's the guy they wanted.

Looking back at that draft (20/20) Burkie's probably right. The top 5 guys are all close in potential and none at the time seemed like bad picks. I think Yak was the clear #1 so a team like the oilers could have traded down to get a good prospect defenceman but it seems such a risk to trade down the draft, especially in the first round.

Where about to see what Linden is made of. He wanted in his opening presser about how he runs the show not FA. A yr or 2 of this and we'll see if he cracks or keeps developing

Was the result at this point of the season a real surprise to anyone?
- VanHockeyGuy

Yes, I thought they would finish middle of the pack. Shocking how bad they are. That being said, I'm ok with the draft pics. Hoping its Tkachuk if not Matthews

I totally agree. There are instances where trading down would make sense but few and far between.

In 2012 I remember Burkie saying something like 'if I had first pick the leafs would have picked M Rielly anyway' or something like that. Instead the leafs got him at #5. They were going to pick Rielly because that's the guy they wanted.

Looking back at that draft (20/20) Burkie's probably right. The top 5 guys are all close in potential and none at the time seemed like bad picks. I think Yak was the clear #1 so a team like the oilers could have traded down to get a good prospect defenceman but it seems such a risk to trade down the draft, especially in the first round.
- bloatedmosquito

I thought Gallchebyck was #1 and still do today. But I agree with the sentiment that there wasn't much space between guys.
Heck Lindholm who was a bit of a reach at #6 has probably been the best olayer

Yes, I thought they would finish middle of the pack. Shocking how bad they are. That being said, I'm ok with the draft pics. Hoping its Tkachuk if not Matthews
- CanuckDon

And what are we getting in Mathews?
He's no McDavid or Eitchal
He's better then Nuge
Something along the lines of MacKinnon or Seguin? Not saying exact same style as these guys but in terms of how good he can be

And what are we getting in Mathews?
He's no McDavid or Eitchal
He's better then Nuge
Something along the lines of MacKinnon
- Bieksa#3

Matthews is a stud. Toews Kopitar mixture. Better than Stamkos, not as good as McDavid. He would be the best centre our franchise has ever had.

It's coming.

Horvat and Baer look like a legit 2nd line.
Markstrom is taking over
Hutton is a too 6 D man
Tanev and Sbisa are both young enough to be in their prime when we are competitive again
Virt and JMac are learning.
I've been impressed with Etem as a 3rd liner
Shink is rolling
Gaunce looks close

But...

The rest of the young guy up here look like depth guys.
Is love to see JB sell high on Hansen.
- Bieksa#3

Yes, they need to sell high on Hansen. He could gain us a 1st round pic while his value in the summer is probably a 3rd

Matthews is a stud. Toews Kopitar mixture. Better than Stamkos, not as good as McDavid. He would be the best centre our franchise has ever had.
- Scooby_Doo

I think he is a first line center but I'm not sure he will be better than Stamkos. Either way, I would be happy with any of the top 4 forwards

Matthews is a stud. Toews Kopitar mixture. Better than Stamkos, not as good as McDavid. He would be the best centre our franchise has ever had.
- Scooby_Doo

I'm not a stamkos fan. Find him e tremely one dimensional. If he ended up anywhere near Toews or Tavaras and was a canucks, us be pumped.

Yes, I thought they would finish middle of the pack. Shocking how bad they are. That being said, I'm ok with the draft pics. Hoping its Tkachuk if not Matthews
- CanuckDon

Injuries and lack of depth baby!

Looking up man game lost stats and found a good site

https://www.mangameslost....mes-lost-february-6-2016/

Interesting to see when they apply a metric that indicates the negative impact of players lost (IIT - Skater) Vancouver is ranked 4th in the league. EDM, DET, and BUF ranked ahead of us. You definitely see a link between team man games lost and placement in standings.

Yes, they need to sell high on Hansen. He could gain us a 1st round pic while his value in the summer is probably a 3rd
- CanuckDon

Imio Hansen can be replaced by a solid prospect such as Gaunce or Eten because he is probably a 3rd liner who's overacheiving currently. If you can get a 1st you take it to the bank

I can't believe Botchford gets paid to whine and complain, what a (frank)ing joke he is.

I can't believe Botchford gets paid to whine and complain, what a (frank)ing joke he is.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Yes, he is female dog. It's a shame he is trying smear Carols good name by referencing her blog in the dreadful piece. Be a man Botch (I know you read these comments).

Good to see edm come back to form. After last night's shyt kicking, its 6-1 half way through the 2nd

I thought Gallchebyck was #1 and still do today. But I agree with the sentiment that there wasn't much space between guys.
Heck Lindholm who was a bit of a reach at #6 has probably been the best olayer
- Bieksa#3

Agree. I was just pointing out if a team traded down to get a player they wanted like M Rielly then it wouldn't have been a total disaster.

I like Lindholm but that Forsberg kid aint too shabby either.

Agree. I was just pointing out if a team traded down to get a player they wanted like M Rielly then it wouldn't have been a total disaster.

I like Lindholm but that Forsberg kid aint too shabby either.
- bloatedmosquito

Agreed
He'll even Trouba has monster potential

I was one of only one or 2 to say Ekblad was hands down 1st overall. And that's seem legit. I remember I few guys sucking off Sam R or Draisaitl. Both nice players but couldn't hold Ekblads jock strap. I do however have very high hopes still for MDC. He's a power forward so its gonna take longer
- Bieksa#3

I still am with LD. Although I did have Ekblad #2.

I still am with LD. Although I did have Ekblad #2.
- thundachunk

The only time I really start paying attention to draft picks is when they start showing up on NHL depth charts. Then I go looking at junior stats, draft rankings, prospect reports, etc. So many draft picks go nowhere. A lot of loss leaders.

It's got to be a bit of a hobby because of the time-input doing the research.

If not mathews or Tkachuk I want Chychrun.