I want Tkachuk but after the trade I think it is obvious Bennings direction
- VANTEL

Yup completely agree.. I've wanted tkachuk from day 1 but after trading Mccann I think it's pretty clear the reason they were able to make that trade is because we're drafting 5th with the chance to replace him with dubois

Wouldn't trust Hunter. He's an Ontario boy.
- walshyleafsfan

lol he never played for the Leafs so his word should be golden.

I want Tkachuk but after the trade I think it is obvious Bennings direction
- VANTEL

I'm actually glad we pick 5th. If we went 4th and Benning has to choose the crying would be relentless no matter who he selected. Dubois and Tkachuk are both brilliant prospects...both have a way higher ceiling than McCann, Virt or Horvat

I'm comfortable with either. I think both have the ability or be impact players. I don't think we will get a choice. I think we get who ever is left over.

I have a feeling Edmonton takes Tkachuck as they are pretty set down the middle. If the pick get traded I would lean toward Dubois going 4th based on the fact he can play center.
- fiveandagame

I've heard about half dozen times around the Mem.Cup. buzz here that EDM are looking hard at Juolevi. Nothing to substantiate it but I keep hearing it.

I've heard about half dozen times around the Mem.Cup. buzz here that EDM are looking hard at Juolevi. Nothing to substantiate it but I keep hearing it.
- LordHumungous

I'm sure they are, he is a great prospect. I suspect Clagary will try and swap picks with Edmonton and the Oilers will take Juolevi at 6. Please confirm this will happen Vantel

I've heard about half dozen times around the Mem.Cup. buzz here that EDM are looking hard at Juolevi. Nothing to substantiate it but I keep hearing it.
- LordHumungous

If they don't trade the pick I think they gotta take him

I'm sure they are, he is a great prospect. I suspect Clagary will try and swap picks with Edmonton and the Oilers will take Juolevi at 6. Please confirm this will happen Vantel
- CanuckDon

Tkachuk could fall to them at 6 if Edmonton takes Juolevi so I'd stand pat

Yeah, it's pretty thankless. But the power trip is totally worth it.
- micah555

I get that, it upsets everyone. Treliving did the same with Hamilton. That said CAL & VAN have very astute GM's with regards to talent evaluation. Like I said before, who's Yost to judge?
- VanHockeyGuy

The difference for the Flames is, they're way ahead of the Canucks in terms of building a core group of young players, that's why they felt (IMO) they could trade their 1st, 2nd & Washingtons 2nd for Hamilton. They still had our 2nd in the draft to use.

They've got a young core of Brodie (kinda young 25) Monahan 20 Gaudreau 22 Bennett 19 Ferland 23...plus Colbourne 25 and Backlund 26.

Those guys all put up really good numbers last year at the NHL level. The Canucks have Horvat and Virtanen.

Yeah, it's pretty thankless. But the power trip is totally worth it.
- micah555

Amen brother...I dare any troll to step over the line while we're both here

How stacked is Sweden's world cup defense? OEL, hedman, karlsson, stralman, kronwall, ekholm, hjalmarrson

The difference for the Flames is, they're way ahead of the Canucks in terms of building a core group of young players, that's why they felt (IMO) they could trade their 1st, 2nd & Washingtons 2nd for Hamilton. They still had our 2nd in the draft to use.

They've got a young core of Brodie (kinda young 25) Monahan 20 Gaudreau 22 Bennett 19 Ferland 23...plus Colbourne 25 and Backlund 26.

Those guys all put up really good numbers last year at the NHL level. The Canucks have Horvat and Virtanen.
- LeftCoaster

Flames are ahead of us on Defense but that's where it ends.

Flames are ahead of us on Defense but that's where it ends.
- LordHumungous

Really?

Monohan, Bennet, Goudreau ?

Those guys all have more offensive potential than any Canuck prospect.

Flames are ahead of us on Defense but that's where it ends.
- LordHumungous

Wrong

Gaudreau - 30-48-78 and is 22 years old.
Monahan - 27-36-63 and he's 20 years old.
Bennett - 18-18-36 and he's 19 years old.

Where's our 22 and under talent at the NHL level?

Horvat - 16-24-40 and he's 20.
Virtanen - 7-6-13 and he's 19.

The difference for the Flames is, they're way ahead of the Canucks in terms of building a core group of young players, that's why they felt (IMO) they could trade their 1st, 2nd & Washingtons 2nd for Hamilton. They still had our 2nd in the draft to use.

They've got a young core of Brodie (kinda young 25) Monahan 20 Gaudreau 22 Bennett 19 Ferland 23...plus Colbourne 25 and Backlund 26.

Those guys all put up really good numbers last year at the NHL level. The Canucks have Horvat and Virtanen.
- LeftCoaster

therein lies the rub.

the trade in a vacuum is not bad. while the price paid was on the high end of the scale, it wasn't outrageous. the canucks filled a core need but paid a lot to do so.

however, at this stage of (re)building a contender, the team would be better served by holding on to the picks and taking the long view.

i hope i'm wrong, but it feels that this team is crawling towards mediocrity (bubble playoff team) rather than accepting a proper rebuild. Being a consistent 7-12th placed team and crossing your fingers at the start of the playoffs is just delaying the inevitable crash and burn.

though, i suppose i can be patient since i don't write the cheques or have to be worried about getting fired.

therein lies the rub.

the trade in a vacuum is not bad. while the price paid was on the high end of the scale, it wasn't outrageous. the canucks filled a core need but paid a lot to do so.

however, at this stage of (re)building a contender, the team would be better served by holding on to the picks and taking the long view.

i hope i'm wrong, but it feels that this team is crawling towards mediocrity (bubble playoff team) rather than accepting a proper rebuild. Being a consistent 7-12th placed team and crossing your fingers at the start of the playoffs is just delaying the inevitable crash and burn.

though, i suppose i can be patient since i don't write the cheques or have to be worried about getting fired.
- RealityChecker

We're going to need some lottery luck.

therein lies the rub.

the trade in a vacuum is not bad. while the price paid was on the high end of the scale, it wasn't outrageous. the canucks filled a core need but paid a lot to do so.

however, at this stage of (re)building a contender, the team would be better served by holding on to the picks and taking the long view.

i hope i'm wrong, but it feels that this team is crawling towards mediocrity (bubble playoff team) rather than accepting a proper rebuild. Being a consistent 7-12th placed team and crossing your fingers at the start of the playoffs is just delaying the inevitable crash and burn.

though, i suppose i can be patient since i don't write the cheques or have to be worried about getting fired.
- RealityChecker

Yup...as I said, the Flames were in a position prospect wise to make the move, plus, they had an extra two second round picks to deal.

Benning didn't have that luxury, but I'm hopeful he can acquire another second round pick.

Hi,

Here's the new blog, with World Cup rosters, Tom Nilsson and analytics-as-vitamins:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...-Nilsson-Signed/194/77237

therein lies the rub.

the trade in a vacuum is not bad. while the price paid was on the high end of the scale, it wasn't outrageous. the canucks filled a core need but paid a lot to do so.

however, at this stage of (re)building a contender, the team would be better served by holding on to the picks and taking the long view.

i hope i'm wrong, but it feels that this team is crawling towards mediocrity (bubble playoff team) rather than accepting a proper rebuild. Being a consistent 7-12th placed team and crossing your fingers at the start of the playoffs is just delaying the inevitable crash and burn.

though, i suppose i can be patient since i don't write the cheques or have to be worried about getting fired.
- RealityChecker

I'm beginning to believe more & more that ownership is more involved in hockey ops than the President or GM are willing to admit. It's pretty obvious that rebuilding is not an option and renovating is the ticket.

I'm beginning to believe more & more that ownership is more involved in hockey ops than the President or GM are willing to admit. It's pretty obvious that rebuilding is not an option and renovating is the ticket.
- Marwood

I felt that way when he traded a 2nd for Linden Vey.

Really?

Monohan, Bennet, Goudreau ?

Those guys all have more offensive potential than any Canuck prospect.
- golfingsince

yup...really.

Horvat has more upside than Bennett and sure I will give you Monahan and Geudreau for now but that only puts the Flames a few players ahead of us. They still have a whole lot of questions over their 2nd 3rd and 4th lines very much like we do. If the Flames were that much further ahead of us they would have finished out of the bottom 10...they didn't.

yup...really.

Horvat has more upside than Bennett and sure I will give you Monahan and Geudreau for now but that only puts the Flames a few players ahead of us. They still have a whole lot of questions over their 2nd 3rd and 4th lines very much like we do. If the Flames were that much further ahead of us they would have finished out of the bottom 10...they didn't.
- LordHumungous

You need to take off your homer glasses.

If Bennett were a Canuck you wouldn't be saying this.

Edit: If the Flames had any goaltending they would have finished out of the bottom 10.

Proves point on how well JB has done. Gave up 1 full time NHLer and got 7 back, + Prust who was looking good prior to injury and Larsen who might surprise a lot of people.

I don't give much value for draft picks not in 1st round. Kassian is a huge cancerous question mark. Shrink/Clen/Jen are aging prospects in the likes of Schreoder or McNally.
- Lostinarink

On point👍🏻👍🏻

I would have rather have kept..

forsling over clendenning
shink over granlund-if they didnt want him I would have rather the 2nd rounder we could have got as per benning for this draft and grab benson/clague/johanson, etc
Roland Mckewon over Vey
Rasmus Andersson over Sven - this trade isnt bad
1st and Theodore over the package we got for kesler - not sure if we could have got it
bonino over sutter
There has been many poor decisions made most of which are probably owner ship related. Had we not tried to rush and used free agency for depth players our defense would have some great prospects right now. The gudbranson trade isnt the worst i gdont mind it except what is the guy gona cost to resign.
- mauryballstein

When the ship is sinking I want JB at the helm doing something.
I'm not going to pick apart his trading but would be pissed if he sat around doing squat. Idc if FA dictates his wishes its his team. It Falls to TL/JB do react & let them do his bidding. That said JB has done a very solid job IMO given his marching orders. After the 1st round idc if 2nds on down r part of any deal if the trade addresses needs. We all know our prospect pool should be deeper but that has been upped pretty good since JB took over. Can not wait to see who the 1-2 UFA's r signed. That alone will clear the muddy waters of what our roster will look like in 2016-17. TBH i want us to not trafe picks &/or move out old past their prime vets. Eg Burrows Higgins. So far i like the makeover & prospects JB has gotten us to.

Lastly we have no cap issues & sit primed to pounce on cap trouble teams.

Everyone is stressing about Yost's advanced stat's article. Who's opinion would you trust on EG, his or JB's? Forget the 2nd we traded.
- VanHockeyGuy

JB easily.

If Yost knew squat he would be a GM instead of an anayltics quoter.
Anyone can do Yosts job.