I just can't figure out why management and coaching staff can't put young players in a position to succeed? Last year they were forced to throw Horvat to the wolves and expose him a bit as their second line center, so he learned and started to succeed near the end of the year....not unlike what the Jets did with Ehlers or the Blues did with Fabbri.

So what does Desjardins do now, sticks Horvat on the 4th line with two plugs while the Jets have Ehlers with Scheifele and Wheeler on their first line and Fabbri is in the Blues top six to start the year.

I'm sorry I'm venting but it's like the guy is trying to get fired
- LeftCoaster

With the logic Willy D is currently displaying, I think he's fired by Christmas if the Canucks are struggling
- PetrolSexual

Hopefully sooner. Guy is either a moron as a coach, or just trying lines in practice to not use them during a game to change things around... Oh wait that still means he is a moron.

thank you Carol! Great work as usual.

I hope people don't flood these comments with asset management BS. A few days ago EVERYONE wanted etem sent down, and now that management did it, it will be hard to see soo many people flip flop on the decision.

Horvat on the 4th line is such a head scratcher. Breaking up Horvat and Baertschi is the same. Willy D and his line combos.....
- Codes1087

WTF?!?!
I'm withholding judgement until I see the opening night roster and then see them play but I'm not confident with today's practice lines. Not confident and frankly, quite confused.

yup ... let's all freak out on line combos in practice 4 days before game time .... oh ya that's right .... chemistry ....
- the end

It's the second practice that those line combos. Willie was quoted as saying his lines are pretty close to being set. I'm not prone to freaking out but these current lines are pretty bizarre.

WTF?!?!
I'm withholding judgement until I see the opening night roster and then see them play but I'm not confident with today's practice lines. Not confident and frankly, quite confused.
- Marwood

I never liked WD. He twitches like a chicken.

http://montrealgazette.co...montreal-canadiens-season

This guy paid $20,000 to rip Habs management about the Subban trade in the Montreal Gazette

I'm surprised Canucks twitter folk haven't done something similar yet

I give him 2 games.
- VanHockeyGuy

Fixed.

- Scooby_Doo

I understand why you and a few other people are really trying to diffuse the line combo talk before it develops but you are missing something very key. Even though this is just practice lines, Willie D is no stranger to both odd line combinations, and even worse line deployment. We also know he is reluctant to switch lines mid game. He is very set in his ways when it comes to his combinations and whatever reasoning he has for them. We all know this, and to put your 3rd leading point guy from last season on the 4th line IS very concerning if you are a canucks fan. Practice or not.
- Codes1087

I understand that they are trying different things and that is worrying in this situation but that's not what my comment was referring to. I was pointing out the rampant and unnecessary negativity that sprung up yesterday and carried over to today mostly based on wild speculation and what is happening with a select few other teams. I know people will always complain and take issue with management/coaching but jeez it's brutal to freak out before the season even starts.

It's the second practice that those line combos. Willie was quoted as saying his lines are pretty close to being set. I'm not prone to freaking out but these current lines are pretty bizarre.
- Marwood

Welcome to the club

It's the second practice that those line combos. Willie was quoted as saying his lines are pretty close to being set. I'm not prone to freaking out but these current lines are pretty bizarre.
- Marwood

I'd be pretty surprised if he started game 1 with Bo and Bae on different lines. Sven might not even be in the NHL if not for the chemistry he found with Bo last year, and he could take steps backward if they are split up for an extended time, just don't see it happening.

I understand that they are trying different things and that is worrying in this situation but that's not what my comment was referring to. I was pointing out the rampant and unnecessary negativity that sprung up yesterday and carried over to today mostly based on wild speculation and what is happening with a select few other teams. I know people will always complain and take issue with management/coaching but jeez it's brutal to freak out before the season even starts.
- NorthNuck

it's funny because it's true.

Welcome to the club
- belcherbd

we are one step away from Hodgson's old man calling Canucks head offices on Horvat's behalf.

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/fan-pens-open-letter-to-p-k-subban-on-first-day-of-montreal-canadiens-season

This guy paid $20,000 to rip Habs management about the Subban trade in the Montreal Gazette

I'm surprised Canucks twitter folk haven't done something similar yet
- nucks_94

If the Habs miss this year Bergevin and Therrion better polish the resumes'

We lost a bottom six player who doesn't fit any longer or look like a top 6 anymore given the skill and consistency he's shown. It's disapointing but Canucks have plenty to fill in for Etem. What Canucks need is to improve their top 6. While the Sedims are here they have some time and signing LE solidifies that. They are trying with skilled players like Baertchi and now Granlund and Rodin. They know Sutter and Horvat give them a two way game but they aren't super star 1C. That's the rub where everyone panics around the Canucks.

Look they got a top line winger in Brock coming up to add to what they have plus some other options to develop in the system. But getting a super star generational player is not a given if you are a tanking dumpster team. Look how many tried Buffalo, Cayotes, Carolina etc. Plus the Oil and Leafs who have had them were lousy for a decadeplus before it happened. It's not a plan any competitive group would try to do nor should anyone be preaching that it here. The fan base would not support that kind of losing. No fan base should.

It's simple folks the Canucks are rebuilding. But they will still compete cause the Sedins can't be traded and there is no first round lotto pick upside for any Vets to be traded. This is a much younger and balanced team now. There is more drafting to be done. We could find a gem there like LA, Ducks, Wings did without having lotto picks. JB said that's where he'll focus now keeping all his picks given some of the developmental gaps he needed to fill. Guddy and Baertchi are an improvement for long term. McCann wasn't a 1C and not a good enough two way to over take Sutter and Horvat so he'd turn into a Coho problem if kept around. Of course when you get massive injuries at center depth is good but you can't park all that depth on the roster or Utica at the expense of having major holes elsewhere.

If the Habs miss this year Bergevin and Therrion better polish the resumes'
- LordHumungous

Hope Price has been doing back strengthening exercises, time to try and carry them to the playoffs again.

Its a young man's league now. As much as I respect the Sedins, and I know if healthy they will get their 60 points, it doesn't mean anything for the future of this franchise.

Why is Horvat on the forth line?

K I just noticed others commenting on this very question.

What gives???
- jazzca1974

Clearly WD developed an addiction to pain killers after his hip surgery.

Its a young man's league now. As much as I respect the Sedins, and I know if healthy they will get their 60 points, it doesn't mean anything for the future of this franchise.
- carsonagenic

So what's your point...? Do what with the Sedins..? They are here they can play and they can help development of young guys coming in or trying to improve. Linden, Mess and Naslund are credited by them to have gotten them where they are. Remember when they were struggling and young and people thought they wouldn't be more then thired liners. So we have some players here and coming up that could learn from them and take the next step to be ready to lead this team like they have for so long.

Its a young man's league now. As much as I respect the Sedins, and I know if healthy they will get their 60 points, it doesn't mean anything for the future of this franchise.
- carsonagenic

Jagr says hi.

I have followed this team since the 70's. They have never looked forward and built this team properly through the draft. They are like Sith want to be's... the quick and easy path leads to the dark side. It is looking like the beginning of the 80's again. Oilers, Flames, and Jets playing fast, high pace hockey with young superstars, and the Canucks plowhorses getting beat on.

Jagr says hi.
- dbot

Different situation. Young team on the way up with quality veteran trying to win. The Canucks don't fit that category

yup ... let's all freak out on line combos in practice 4 days before game time .... oh ya that's right .... chemistry ....
- the end

Hope Price has been doing back strengthening exercises, time to try and carry them to the playoffs again.
- NorthNuck

Sounds like Price will miss game 1 due to an illness. Everyone, including myself is picking the Habs to get back to the PO's but a healthy Carey Price is an absolute must. They have lots of other gaps to fill as well.