I'm torn. On the one hand I think that sucking for a couple of more years and drafting well is the best way to build a competitive team for years to come (tanking, in other words), but at the same time I don't want to cheer for a team that goes that route. Also, last year sucked and I don't want to watch that again.

Loui E would fit with this current group but at best, and with a healthy team and a couple of more solid moves, that makes us a playoff bubble team.
- CubanBuffet

I want them to at least try to ice a competitive roster and that will require a few UFA's. If they still suck I'll continue to support them. I won't support intentional tanking. I find it hilarious that some on here are suggesting not to use the cap space. They will be the first posters to call Aquilini a cheap (frank) of that happens

So you are against this idea? Any ideas how to address scoring and to use our considerable cap space?
- CanuckDon

That's not it. Yesterday you preached patience and now you're saying we should overpay to get Loui E short term because "we need top 6 scoring badly".

To me it's like the Miller signing. Expensive stop gap. That's it.

That's not it. Yesterday you preached patience and now you're saying we should overpay to get Loui E short term because "we need top 6 scoring badly".

To me it's like the Miller signing. Expensive stop gap. That's it.
- bloatedmosquito

I am patient, I know we won't be a contender for years. No problem. Why does that mean we can't spend near the cap? Don't fans deserve to see a somewhat competitive product with the odd goal mixed in?

I want them to at least try to ice a competitive roster and that will require a few UFA's. If they still suck I'll continue to support them. I won't support intentional tanking. I find it hilarious that some on here are suggesting not to use the cap space. They will be the first posters to call Aquilini a cheap (frank) of that happens
- CanuckDon

I'd like to see it, I just don't see Van as a destination players will choose over other teams. Maybe if we win the lotto that changes?

I'd like to see it, I just don't see Van as a destination players will choose over other teams. Maybe if we win the lotto that changes?
- neem55

If the Canucks win the lotto, I think it changes things quite a bit. Matthews will be over at the World Championships and it will give exposure to his ability to play with NHLers and some might be enticed to play along side him. Anything is possible

Oh and I guess Laine and Pools (I am placing a bet this will be his nickname from the brilliant minds of other NHLers ) will be there too, so any top 3 might help a little on drawing FA's

Benning would be foolish to not at least kick the tires on Loui E. We need top 6 scoring badly. He should overpay in order to get a shorter term
- CanuckDon

They finished with 182 goals. The Ducks were one of the lowest scoring teams to make the playoffs in the WC and they had 215. I figure the Canucks will need at least 220 goals to make the playoffs next season, and probably more like 230-240 to make up for their shoddy defence.

They scored 236 in 2014/5.

Differences (aprox.)

Vrbata -20
Burrows -10
Bonino/Sutter -10

So if you replace Vrbata with Eriksson, Burrows with a 20 goal scorer (McGinn/Brouwer/Ladd), and Sutter stays healthy enough to get 15-20, that goes a long way to getting them back on track.

Natural progression from Horvat, Baertschi, Etem, Hutton, and Virtanen could make up some of the remaining difference and counteract anticipated reduced production from the Sedins.

Solving the missing piece of the D puzzle by getting a legit top 4 RH shooter would put them in a pretty solid position. However unless they manage to pull off an Erhoff-type deal, it's likely going to cost them at least one of their younger roster players to do this.

I'd like to see it, I just don't see Van as a destination players will choose over other teams. Maybe if we win the lotto that changes?
- neem55

You are probably right on both fronts...but don't forget the allure of the City of Vancouver itself. Caligula is in town this week and I'm sure he will be impressed. Nicest City in the league. Matthews would def. help draw free agents

I am patient, I know we won't be a contender for years. No problem. Why does that mean we can't spend near the cap? Don't fans deserve to see a somewhat competitive product with the odd goal mixed in?
- CanuckDon

Depends on what the master plan is.

I mentioned yesterday that I hoped management can make solid but minor moves to suppliment the rookies that are coming up. Steaming mentioned that this team doesn't need minor moves it needs homeruns.

Only way this team is going to get homeruns is though high draft picks. Hell, homeruns are usually found in the top three only. Canucks don't have the talent to trade up.

How do you stay competitive while still getting a decent shot at top three? You play a young but aggressive roster. They'll make mistakes, it will cost them wins, but the fans will recognize potential and get on board.

Getting to the cap will not be a problem. Overpaying LE isn't a good way to get there.

That's not it. Yesterday you preached patience and now you're saying we should overpay to get Loui E short term because "we need top 6 scoring badly".

To me it's like the Miller signing. Expensive stop gap. That's it.
- bloatedmosquito

Also, when I say " over pay" I mean I'd prefer 4 years @$5.5
Versus 6 years @ $5 as an example. I wouldn't want to commit to any UFA's for over 4 years (except Stamkos )

my sentiments exactly
- Makita

How to rebuild this roster is the most relevant conversation we will have this summer (IMO). The draft should provide some clarity on direction but there are obviously different opinions so it should be good for a debate or two.

I'd like to see it, I just don't see Van as a destination players will choose over other teams. Maybe if we win the lotto that changes?
- neem55

When the salary cap was continually rising year after year, there were plenty of teams willing and able to bid on free agents. Based on last year's activity, the numbers of teams with room to make changes are dwindling and players will have fewer options available.

Also, when I say " over pay" I mean I'd prefer 4 years @$5.5
Versus 6 years @ $5 as an example. I wouldn't want to commit to any UFA's for over 4 years (except Stamkos )
- CanuckDon

I agree. But not for loui.

How to rebuild this roster is the most relevant conversation we will have this summer (IMO). The draft should provide some clarity on direction but there are obviously different opinions so it should be good for a debate or two.
- bloatedmosquito

Ideally: two top-4 d-men (russell and Yandle?) and a scoring winger (ladd or eriksson), makes us a lot more competitive. Add in the top-5 pick and were talking bubble team. Hutton and Tree are the third pair, Larsen and the others are in the AHL or 7th guys...

I'm not sure we live in world where this could happen.

When the salary cap was continually rising year after year, there were plenty of teams willing and able to bid on free agents. Based on last year's activity, the numbers of teams with room to make changes are dwindling and players will have fewer options available.
- YeOldTimer

We might get better value contracts for this reason, but there will be a lot of teams with space and there aren't that many good UFA's out there. You're right in the case of Stamkos and Ladd maybe, if that's who you mean, but the rest not so much IMO.

Ideally: two top-4 d-men (russell and Yandle?) and a scoring winger (ladd or eriksson), makes us a lot more competitive. Add in the top-5 pick and were talking bubble team. Hutton and Tree are the third pair, Larsen and the others are in the AHL or 7th guys...

I'm not sure we live in world where this could happen.
- neem55

I'm going to hold off building a roster until the draft lottery this week. If we get first then that changes the situation completely. It will give JB a whole new set of parameters to work with.

It's actually the first time in a long time I'm excited about the future. If they get lucky it will give us lots to talk about.

Ideally: two top-4 d-men (russell and Yandle?) and a scoring winger (ladd or eriksson), makes us a lot more competitive. Add in the top-5 pick and were talking bubble team. Hutton and Tree are the third pair, Larsen and the others are in the AHL or 7th guys...

I'm not sure we live in world where this could happen.
- neem55

While those additions make the team more competitive, it would at most move the team into Minnesota Wild territory. That team has looked dangerous sometimes and mediocre at others. They are a mix of big contracts, vets and some up and coming young players that have made the playoffs like 4 years in a row without ever being a legitimate threat to winning more than 1 round. Its going to come crashing down on them soon enough

I'm going to hold off building a roster until the draft lottery this week. If we get first then that changes the situation completely. It will give JB a whole new set of parameters to work with.

It's actually the first time in a long time I'm excited about the future. If they get lucky it will give us lots to talk about.
- bloatedmosquito

Absolutely. If we end with any of the top3 maybe Stammer wants in?

While those additions make the team more competitive, it would at most move the team into Minnesota Wild territory. That team has looked dangerous sometimes and mediocre at others. They are a mix of big contracts, vets and some up and coming young players that have made the playoffs like 4 years in a row without ever being a legitimate threat to winning more than 1 round. Its going to come crashing down on them soon enough
- WhiteLie

maybe that's true. I actually liked the wild to come out of that series before Parise got hurt. I think the biggest thing with that team is inconsistency though, you're right there I'd say. Also agree with the sentiment in general, we need to be bad for a bit I think to rise above to where we were there for a few years: elite level contenders.

Absolutely. If we end with any of the top3 maybe Stammer wants in?
- neem55

never
going
to
happen

I'm going to hold off building a roster until the draft lottery this week. If we get first then that changes the situation completely. It will give JB a whole new set of parameters to work with.

It's actually the first time in a long time I'm excited about the future. If they get lucky it will give us lots to talk about.
- bloatedmosquito

That's the best way battle apathy, I think the team deserves a first overall, history and luck of the draw suggest otherwise though. Hope i'm wrong.

While those additions make the team more competitive, it would at most move the team into Minnesota Wild territory. That team has looked dangerous sometimes and mediocre at others. They are a mix of big contracts, vets and some up and coming young players that have made the playoffs like 4 years in a row without ever being a legitimate threat to winning more than 1 round. Its going to come crashing down on them soon enough
- WhiteLie

I agree. Bubble team.

Sick of mediocrity.

That's the best way battle apathy, I think the team deserves a first overall, history and luck of the draw suggest otherwise though. Hope i'm wrong.
- VanHockeyGuy

For me it's like:

1st - awesome

2nd/3rd - good

4th or worse - buying a shot gun

I'd like to see it, I just don't see Van as a destination players will choose over other teams. Maybe if we win the lotto that changes?
- neem55

exactly....losing kills the ability to attract UFAs.
Did all those lotto picks attract UFAs to oilers? Not really no....unless you count shultz.
So I'd expect it to be a NO.
I would however suggest those players (or their agents) that know JB to be the ones we've got the best shot with.

For me it's like:

1st - awesome

2nd/3rd - good

4th or worse - buying a shot gun
- bloatedmosquito

Considering 5th is our most likely pick you may be in trouble. I'd be ecstatic with 1-2-3. Either way it's a stud prospect

maybe that's true. I actually liked the wild to come out of that series before Parise got hurt. I think the biggest thing with that team is inconsistency though, you're right there I'd say. Also agree with the sentiment in general, we need to be bad for a bit I think to rise above to where we were there for a few years: elite level contenders.
- neem55

Yeah they had a chance to come out of that one, but in reality you know they wouldn't survive 7 games with true contenders like Chi, StL, Ana, LA, and possibly NSH/SJ. When they are hot, they can compete with those teams, but Vancouver this year also had some good games against Chicago, LA, Ana, etc. but we know in a series they would have gone down very quick. The Wild are in a tough spot and Vancouver could replicate them if they land a bunch of FA's. This draft and possibly one more could really bring the necessary pieces to get back to elite contenders