Any idea if that winger we had in our prospects camp the last 2 years has been signed by anyone? Tough guy who scored at a decent clip in his over age season this year. I think from Saskatoon in the W.

Was hoping we would land him and he could be an up and coming Dorsett type.

Not lots to go on I know

EDIT: Jon Martin - Swift Curent is the guy
- mauryballstein

SJ signed him I believe.

I actually noticed quite a bit in the first round and early World Championship games that a large number of teams/coaches use the drop pass to enter the zone on the powerplay. I know there are quite a few here that want to abolish it, but its pretty effective with the right personnel
- WhiteLie

This being key of course. Bottom line is we have been figured out by so many teams we really need a new system/structure on the PP. I don't mind the drop opass once in awhile when they don't expect it but it can't be our 'go to' play anymore.

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/vancouver-1040-i-1410/desjardins-it-s-tough-having-development-and-winning-as-two-goals-1.491355
- hillbillydeluxe

Thanks for providing....still not sure if winning or development is goal moving forward after hearing it again. It has to be development right?

Thanks for providing....still not sure if winning or development is goal moving forward after hearing it again. It has to be development right?
- belcherbd

i hope so

Thanks for providing....still not sure if winning or development is goal moving forward after hearing it again. It has to be development right?
- belcherbd

I thought that JB thought winning meant developing.

"I actually noticed quite a bit in the first round and early World Championship games that a large number of teams/coaches use the drop pass to enter the zone on the powerplay. I know there are quite a few here that want to abolish it, but its pretty effective with the right personnel. White Lie"

I think the main reason that the drop pass seems to be much more successful (at least at the World Championship) is that the ice surface is much bigger, thereby allowing both more time and more room to work with. In theory, though, it's a pretty good strategy and, yes, it certainly helps if you have the personnel who are talented enough to be able to pull it off consistently. It's such a key element (entering the offensive zone on a PP) that you have to believe it's one of the more effective ways to do so (dump and chase can be effective as well but you are still left with less control in terms of setting things up and maintaining puck possession)

Thanks for providing....still not sure if winning or development is goal moving forward after hearing it again. It has to be development right?
- belcherbd

There was a point WD made or referred to about opportunity and some players given it before they really earned it... it was something he didn't sound happy about.

It is strange when you have some veterans who aren't productive, yet are constantly given opportunities.

should you be able to earn a roster spot at training camp before ever playing in Utica?

What does it mean to earn a roster spot at training camp, should there be different expectations at training camp for vets than rookies?

It was interesting also to hear WD say McCann came on a bit late in the season. Questioned about whether McCann or JV could start in Utica? possibly.

It would have been interesting if Blake and Matt went at him a little harder and asked about putting younger players in a position to succeed. If JM should have been on the 4th line? where should you deploy rookies in the lineup?

I think it is winning. WD said the NHL is not a developmental league.

If winning is the goal, I am not sure how Pedan gets a chance to play over Biega. If Granlund is any better than Vey. Any chance McCann can beat out either?

the club's plans are as clear as mud.

We are gonna win.
- thundachunk

I was thinking the exact opposite.

There was a point WD made or referred to about opportunity and some players given it before they really earned it... it was something he didn't sound happy about.

It is strange when you have some veterans who aren't productive, yet are constantly given opportunities.

should you be able to earn a roster spot at training camp before ever playing in Utica?

What does it mean to earn a roster spot at training camp, should there be different expectations at training camp for vets than rookies?

It was interesting also to hear WD say McCann came on a bit late in the season. Questioned about whether McCann or JV could start in Utica? possibly.

It would have been interesting if Blake and Matt went at him a little harder and asked about putting younger players in a position to succeed. If JM should have been on the 4th line? where should you deploy rookies in the lineup?

I think it is winning. WD said the NHL is not a developmental league.

If winning is the goal, I am not sure how Pedan gets a chance to play over Biega. If Granlund is any better than Vey. Any chance McCann can beat out either?

the club's plans are as clear as mud.
- hillbillydeluxe

I think it was a lot less clear prior to this interview, IMO he was saying, we tried to take a shortcut and do both and now realize that we need to solely focus on development.

Forsling was just named top junior prospect in Sweden.....

http://www.secondcityhock...r-player-of-the-year-2016

Hey Don, explain to me again how he had a bad year?

Henrik runs the PP from the half-wall.
- LeftCoaster

It is not a very good PP

Forsling was just named top junior prospect in Sweden.....

http://www.secondcityhock...r-player-of-the-year-2016

Hey Don, explain to me again how he had a bad year?
- belcherbd

That's why Chicago is successful and we aren't

Forsling was just named top junior prospect in Sweden.....

http://www.secondcityhock...r-player-of-the-year-2016

Hey Don, explain to me again how he had a bad year?
- belcherbd

thanks for ruining my day

I think it was a lot less clear prior to this interview, IMO he was saying, we tried to take a shortcut and do both and now realize that we need to solely focus on development.
- belcherbd

But he also repeated, the NHL is not a developmental league.

Is he trying to be truthful yet stick with the party line, to sell tickets and whatever, that they want to make the playoffs and yet continue to build through the draft? No intentions to tank or miss the playoffs.

I can see JV and McCann starting the next season in Utica. and the club picking up a couple key ufa's to bring in some experience.

The impression, whenever end of season interviews are mentioned, the older players want more established players with bigger roles. I'm still not sure where that leaves Burrows and Higgins except I don't want to see Higgins back.

and if all of Vey, Etem, Granlund, and Gaunce are back in the forward group (of course Sven and Bo are a given) and Hutton, Biega and Tryamkin with the D. That is still an awful lot of players still needing development or more steps in that direction.

If the focus isn't on development, maybe WD is talking about a different team than the Canucks?

But he also repeated, the NHL is not a developmental league.

Is he trying to be truthful yet stick with the party line, to sell tickets and whatever, that they want to make the playoffs and yet continue to build through the draft? No intentions to tank or miss the playoffs.

I can see JV and McCann starting the next season in Utica. and the club picking up a couple key ufa's to bring in some experience.

The impression, whenever end of season interviews are mentioned, the older players want more established players with bigger roles. I'm still not sure where that leaves Burrows and Higgins except I don't want to see Higgins back.

and if all of Vey, Etem, Granlund, and Gaunce are back in the forward group (of course Sven and Bo are a given) and Hutton, Biega and Tryamkin with the D. That is still an awful lot of players still needing development or more steps in that direction.

If the focus isn't on development, maybe WD is talking about a different team than the Canucks?
- hillbillydeluxe

At every level players develop. I feel hearing that from WD is an a$$hat statement. Perfect example of how WD is barely treading water in this league.

But he also repeated, the NHL is not a developmental league.

Is he trying to be truthful yet stick with the party line, to sell tickets and whatever, that they want to make the playoffs and yet continue to build through the draft? No intentions to tank or miss the playoffs.

I can see JV and McCann starting the next season in Utica. and the club picking up a couple key ufa's to bring in some experience.

The impression, whenever end of season interviews are mentioned, the older players want more established players with bigger roles. I'm still not sure where that leaves Burrows and Higgins except I don't want to see Higgins back.

and if all of Vey, Etem, Granlund, and Gaunce are back in the forward group (of course Sven and Bo are a given) and Hutton, Biega and Tryamkin with the D. That is still an awful lot of players still needing development or more steps in that direction.

If the focus isn't on development, maybe WD is talking about a different team than the Canucks?
- hillbillydeluxe

Ya he kinda of went back and forth on things.

Said NHL isn't a development league but then said that having McCann and Virtanen up was the right move because they couldn't go to the AHL and then said he thinks who they get at 5th OA would go back to Juniors....

That was convoluted to say the least but the fact that they just had a year end assessment and his biggest improvement the team needs to work on is to focus on only one goal suggests that mgmt is doing a mea culpa IMO and that they will hopefully not try to give these guys spots undeserved moving forward.

But he also repeated, the NHL is not a developmental league.

Is he trying to be truthful yet stick with the party line, to sell tickets and whatever, that they want to make the playoffs and yet continue to build through the draft? No intentions to tank or miss the playoffs.

I can see JV and McCann starting the next season in Utica. and the club picking up a couple key ufa's to bring in some experience.

The impression, whenever end of season interviews are mentioned, the older players want more established players with bigger roles. I'm still not sure where that leaves Burrows and Higgins except I don't want to see Higgins back.

and if all of Vey, Etem, Granlund, and Gaunce are back in the forward group (of course Sven and Bo are a given) and Hutton, Biega and Tryamkin with the D. That is still an awful lot of players still needing development or more steps in that direction.

If the focus isn't on development, maybe WD is talking about a different team than the Canucks?
- hillbillydeluxe

The problem was the core was untouched long past due. They woke up one day old and had to make many adjustments instead of one or two.

Get back on course, and start transitioning players one or two a year not 15 at a time.

Next year TDL Hansen moved and hopefully Boeser ready

The problem was the core was untouched long past due. They woke up one day old and had to make many adjustments instead of one or two.

Get back on course, and start transitioning players one or two a year not 15 at a time.

Next year TDL Hansen moved and hopefully Boeser ready
- VANTEL

Id prefure trading him at this draft, hopefully add to it and get either Bean or Fabbro. If Sutters playing with the Sedins like was said by Linden and we sign a free agent forward id much rather have Virtanen and Rodin competing for that third line spot then Dorsett on the fouth.

Ya he kinda of went back and forth on things.

Said NHL isn't a development league but then said that having McCann and Virtanen up was the right move because they couldn't go to the AHL and then said he thinks who they get at 5th OA would go back to Juniors....

That was convoluted to say the least but the fact that they just had a year end assessment and his biggest improvement the team needs to work on is to focus on only one goal suggests that mgmt is doing a mea culpa IMO and that they will hopefully not try to give these guys spots undeserved moving forward.
- belcherbd

I thought one of the Oiler's biggest mistake a couple seasons ago was going into training camp with Draisitl penciled in as making the club without much of a back up plan.

In a way the Canucks should have done the same thing and bit the bullet last season, and sent McCann back and maybe JV too. I guess nobody could have predicted all the injuries either. Anyway, we were due a sh!tty season like that at some point, just hope everything works out with the upcoming draft pick.

As Vantel suggests, trading Hansen... there should always be some change, turnover of the roster season to season. keep it fresh.

The rookies shouldn't be handed anything without earning it, but the veterans have to play well enough to hold on to what they have and management has to move guys before they start slipping. Maybe easier said than done. competition and reward is good.

Id prefure trading him at this draft, hopefully add to it and get either Bean or Fabbro. If Sutters playing with the Sedins like was said by Linden and we sign a free agent forward id much rather have Virtanen and Rodin competing for that third line spot then Dorsett on the fouth.
- phyllee

The reason I think it will be TDL or next Summer is I think they want a veteran team in the 25-30 range.

I thought one of the Oiler's biggest mistake a couple seasons ago was going into training camp with Draisitl penciled in as making the club without much of a back up plan.

In a way the Canucks should have done the same thing and bit the bullet last season, and sent McCann back and maybe JV too. I guess nobody could have predicted all the injuries either. Anyway, we were due a sh!tty season like that at some point, just hope everything works out with the upcoming draft pick.

As Vantel suggests, trading Hansen... there should always be some change, turnover of the roster season to season. keep it fresh.

The rookies shouldn't be handed anything without earning it, but the veterans have to play well enough to hold on to what they have and management has to move guys before they start slipping. Maybe easier said than done. competition and reward is good.
- hillbillydeluxe

Draisatl is a great example of how sending players back to juniors isn't detrimental, the narrative that these guys had done everything thing they could in juniors is so false and yet we see many continue to parrot it including this mgmt group.

I don't think I've heard a single example of a player going back to juniors and being worse off but there are many examples of guys going back and returning much better. Reinhardt is another one.

I thought one of the Oiler's biggest mistake a couple seasons ago was going into training camp with Draisitl penciled in as making the club without much of a back up plan.

In a way the Canucks should have done the same thing and bit the bullet last season, and sent McCann back and maybe JV too. I guess nobody could have predicted all the injuries either. Anyway, we were due a sh!tty season like that at some point, just hope everything works out with the upcoming draft pick.

As Vantel suggests, trading Hansen... there should always be some change, turnover of the roster season to season. keep it fresh.

The rookies shouldn't be handed anything without earning it, but the veterans have to play well enough to hold on to what they have and management has to move guys before they start slipping. Maybe easier said than done. competition and reward is good.
- hillbillydeluxe

15%, you should change 15% every year, I think I read somewhere that Scotty Bowman said that.

The reason I think it will be TDL or next Summer is I think they want a veteran team in the 25-30 range.
- VANTEL

Eriksson and Hamhuis.

Draisatl is a great example of how sending players back to juniors isn't detrimental, the narrative that these guys had done everything thing they could in juniors is so false and yet we see many continue to parrot it including this mgmt group.

I don't think I've heard a single example of a player going back to juniors and being worse off but there are many examples of guys going back and returning much better. Reinhardt is another one.
- belcherbd

Live and learn. We hit uncharted waters last year. We have never been in that position before. We had a lot of holes that had to be filled and they gave the fans what they wanted.

I know I said the year before I would rather lose with new players. I was wrong , yet I wasn't wrong. The product was so bad . It was boring , soft hockeythat was predictable. When I say lighten up on the rookie presence, doesn't mean bring back Hamhuis Burrows or Higgins , it means find different answers

Eriksson and Hamhuis.
- A_SteamingLombardi