I was looking up Gillis' draft picks that are actually in discussions for roster spots next season:

Anton Rodin
Alexandre Grenier
Ben Hutton
Brendan Gaunce
Bo Horvat
Chris Tanev (signed as a rookie)

There's a few longshots and others to consider:
Jordan Subban
Cole Cassels
Alex Friesen
Joe Cannata

We still see his handprint on this team and probably will for a long time.
- bloatedmosquito

One NHL regular so far out of 7 first round picks an two of them were top 10. His hand prints are a bit brown and have a dung like odor.

One NHL regular so far out of 7 first round picks an two of them were top 10. His hand prints are a bit brown and have a dung like odor.
- boonerbuck

Chris Tanev wasn't his find either.

You forget that I was saying this about both WD and JB when we argued for the first season. They won't be here when these kids start to mature and make an impact. Why go after higher profile staff when they will be gone by the time this team can compete. You just kept saying you were confused over and over. Good to see you widening your point of view lately.
- boonerbuck

Oh, I'm never confused. I may be wrong, but never confused.

You may have mentioned that in the past but you've always been a JB fanboy. You always blasted me for passing judgement too early and preached patience. So boring.

I went straight to the hate so not to waste time. It is you good sir who is widening your point of view to realize that JB is not a NHL GM. My point from the very beginning.

I don't think I agree with Carol on Umberger and him being an example of a college player who doesnt want to play here. His was a contract dispute and Burke traded him rather than give him another 200k on a entry level contract. We picked up Martin Rucinski for him. Umberger has had a long NHL career since then.
- boonerbuck

I had forgotten that the Umberger negotiation came down to money. I remembered the same thing we're hearing now about Demko. "He hasn't signed! What if he doesn't sign and we lose him for nothing? We've wasted a first-round draft pick!"

You're right, though. His case is a bit different because he planned to turn pro after his junior year, then sat out the entire 2003-04 season because he couldn't reach a contract agreement with the Canucks.

Burke got what he could for him at the 2004 trade deadline before losing him for nothing, but it wasn't much. Rucinsky was a rental who got a total of five points for the Canucks - regular season and playoffs. But the Rangers - who offloaded Rucinsky - did even worse, since Umberger didn't sign with them either.

He hasn't had a great career but hasn't been that much of a nomad. Once he got going, he only played for the Flyers (twice) and the Blue Jackets.

Chris Tanev wasn't his find either.
- thundachunk

Who found him? Gillis signed him.

Chris Tanev wasn't his find either.
- thundachunk

Even Markstrom who people credit Gillis for acquiring had little to do with the trade aside from giving permission for negotiations. It was 100% done between Luongo's agent and the Panthers. We did better by letting the players trade themselves in the end. Awesome!!!

Even Markstrom who people credit Gillis for acquiring had little to do with the trade aside from giving permission for negotiations. It was 100% done between Luongo's agent and the Panthers. We did better by letting the players trade themselves in the end. Awesome!!!
- boonerbuck

He should of let Hodgson's Dad make the trade, we would of got a King's ransom for Cody.

I had forgotten that the Umberger negotiation came down to money. I remembered the same thing we're hearing now about Demko. "He hasn't signed! What if he doesn't sign and we lose him for nothing? We've wasted a first-round draft pick!"

You're right, though. His case is a bit different because he planned to turn pro after his junior year, then sat out the entire 2003-04 season because he couldn't reach a contract agreement with the Canucks.

Burke got what he could for him at the 2004 trade deadline before losing him for nothing, but it wasn't much. Rucinsky was a rental who got a total of five points for the Canucks - regular season and playoffs. But the Rangers - who offloaded Rucinsky - did even worse, since Umberger didn't sign with them either.

He hasn't had a great career but hasn't been that much of a nomad. Once he got going, he only played for the Flyers (twice) and the Blue Jackets.
- Carol Schram

I had forgotten that the Rangers failed to sign him. Thanks. It takes two of us to iron out the whole story.

Who found him? Gillis signed him.
- bloatedmosquito

Yes Gillis signed him but he was a scouted by Dave Gagner.

Yes. I haven't renewed for the past two seasons.
- bloatedmosquito

Why didn't you renew?

Oh, I'm never confused. I may be wrong, but never confused.

You may have mentioned that in the past but you've always been a JB fanboy. You always blasted me for passing judgement too early and preached patience. So boring.

I went straight to the hate so not to waste time. It is you good sir who is widening your point of view to realize that JB is not a NHL GM. My point from the very beginning.
- bloatedmosquito

You are still confused apparently. You turn the "wait and see" point I said over and over in the first season to " a JB fanboy". You just confirmed it once again. I thought you were widening your point of view but I am mistaken.

I said from the very beginning that this team was rebuilding and the hire was based on JB's strengths. He is stocking the cupboards. That wont be the single priority in the future and we'll make a hire based on the strengths needed then. You are only now just catching on. It went completely over your head a year plus ago. You said over and over you were confused. I knew you were slow to realize things though.... being one of the longest lasting defenders of Gillis.

You are still confused apparently. You turn the "wait and see" point I said over and over in the first season to " a JB fanboy". You just confirmed it once again. I thought you were widening your point of view but I am mistaken.

I said from the very beginning that this team was rebuilding and the hire was based on JB's strengths. He is stocking the cupboards. That wont be the single priority in the future and we'll make a hire based on the strengths needed then. You are only now just catching on. It went completely over your head a year plus ago. You said over and over you were confused. I knew you were slow to realize things though.... being one of the longest lasting defenders of Gillis.
- boonerbuck

IDK about that. One of my coworkers thinks Gillis is the best thing since sliced bread. Always brings up his GM of the year(got it because of the team prev GM's gave him) and his visit to SCF and 2 pres Trophies(also due to the team handed to him).

IDK about that. One of my coworkers thinks Gillis is the best thing since sliced bread. Always brings up his GM of the year(got it because of the team prev GM's gave him) and his visit to SCF and 2 pres Trophies(also due to the team handed to him).
- Retinalz

Your co-worker could be bloated...no one knows who's who around here

You are still confused apparently. You turn the "wait and see" point I said over and over in the first season to " a JB fanboy". You just confirmed it once again. I thought you were widening your point of view but I am mistaken.

I said from the very beginning that this team was rebuilding and the hire was based on JB's strengths. He is stocking the cupboards. That wont be the single priority in the future and we'll make a hire based on the strengths needed then. You are only now just catching on. It went completely over your head a year plus ago. You said over and over you were confused. I knew you were slow to realize things though.... being one of the longest lasting defenders of Gillis.
- boonerbuck

Never been a Gillis supporter. Didn't like him from the get-go.

#Canucks sign defenceman Troy Stecher, teammate of Boeser from @UNDmhockey.

RELEASE → http://ow.ly/10DzKT

Is he anygood?

Why didn't you renew?
- CanuckDon

Didn't want to financially support a business I felt was headed in the wrong direction. Didn't like the fact that the new owner hired a rookie GM but it worked out amazingly well at the beginning and then the wheels fell off. Then what does the owner do? Goes right and hires another rookie GM, along with a rookie prez, and a rookie coach. As an investor and as a fan that rings alarm bells for me. That's when I pulled the trigger.

Your co-worker could be bloated...no one knows who's who around here
- Makita

Don't let Booner distract you. I've never been a Gillis supporter.

#Canucks sign defenceman Troy Stecher, teammate of Boeser from @UNDmhockey.

RELEASE → http://ow.ly/10DzKT

Is he anygood?
- pker2theend

Local boy, two-way guy a bit undersized at 5'11. I watched on ly the final game in the tourney and thought Stecher was one of the best guys on the ice most of the night. Good signing JB

Yes Gillis signed him but he was a scouted by Dave Gagner.
- thundachunk

Come on Thunder. Gagner worked under Gillis. Same as JB has a scounting staff. You know the rules of this game.

Local boy, two-way guy a bit undersized at 5'11. I watched on ly the final game in the tourney and thought Stecher was one of the best guys on the ice most of the night. Good signing JB
- neem55

I'm happy the Canucks got their man, and without making us wait too long.

This could improve their negotiating position for Drake Caggiula, who's said to have as many as 25 teams interested, and will hopefully help pave the way for a smooth landing for Boeser when he's ready to sign.

Didn't want to financially support a business I felt was headed in the wrong direction. Didn't like the fact that the new owner hired a rookie GM but it worked out amazingly well at the beginning and then the wheels fell off. Then what does the owner do? Goes right and hires another rookie GM, along with a rookie prez, and a rookie coach. As an investor and as a fan that rings alarm bells for me. That's when I pulled the trigger.
- bloatedmosquito

That's fair. I though JB was a good hire, but that he would have benefitted from having some more experience around him. Apparently there talking about bringing in Maloney for just that, which I would like. I think JB is a scout first, which makes him pretty ideal to build a roster/access players. But signing and trading are clearly not his forte. I also think replacing WD with someone with more experience would be a smart move. If Julien or Hitch become available for example.

Don't let Booner distract you. I've never been a Gillis supporter.
- bloatedmosquito

Just joking here bloated, not distracted at all. Everyone has opinions and reasons for their thought processes, I'm not here to criticize. Keep up the good work

Two things of note:

Boeser's bio pic on Twitter is him dawning a Canucks jersey at the draft

retweet and congrats to stecher for signing. He's stoked he's got a ND teammate here!

Local boy, two-way guy a bit undersized at 5'11. I watched on ly the final game in the tourney and thought Stecher was one of the best guys on the ice most of the night. Good signing JB
- neem55

I wonder if size is the only knock on him. I was looking in a few places, he was top Defenseman at the RBC Cup at age 17, and was in the Junior A challenge. Scouting reports from a few sites say his skillset is very good and has good hockey IQ. His stats also look quite good from UND, so I am curious why teams passed on him but drafted his teammate Mike Reilly

I wonder if size is the only knock on him. I was looking in a few places, he was top Defenseman at the RBC Cup at age 17, and was in the Junior A challenge. Scouting reports from a few sites say his skillset is very good and has good hockey IQ. His stats also look quite good from UND, so I am curious why teams passed on him but drafted his teammate Mike Reilly
- WhiteLie

I'm just guessing, but maybe he grew a few inches in College? I'm stoked they did either way, he's clearly gotten better very year for that team. That's all you can ask really. 5'11 is not bad.