Mathews has not played his second game yet
- VANTEL

True, he was just lucky though

True, he was just lucky though
- LeftCoaster

He will be ahead of Jeezus by the second period

Nice to see you back dude and you make fair and excellent points to be sure.

I'm still not sure about Burying Horvat on the 4th line to start the year is the right way to go regardless of Granlund outplaying him a bit in preseason.

I get the fact that WD might be trying to light a fire under him here and it probably is only a matter of time before he is back in the top 9, but mentally IMO this is not good for Horvat. Horvat needs discipline defensively…I get it. But shoved into a 2LC shutdown role vs the leagues best last year he still managed 40 points and we still can see the upside. Granlund has 102 NHL games under his belt for a grand total of 31 pts.

I get the fact that Sutter was brought in for the 2 LC and have no issue with that. He is still better than Horvat defensively and is a slightly better skater but lacks Horvats body mass. So it will be interesting to see how it all plays out but IMO based on last year and preseason I still think Horvat has earned no less than 3LC minutes and start.

If Granlund beats out Horvat for the 3LC spot after say….10-15 games or so then so be it. But even with a good preseason to me Granlund hasn't moved ahead of Horvat on the depth chart even though he may be a little more defensively responsible. Horvat's defense and 200' will come around. Limiting Horvat to 4th line minutes at this stage well to me, is not good for his development.

I've backed WD since Day 1 here and still do for the most part and want to see him bring this club back to respectability this season…but IMO this is not a good coaching decision and has the ability to bite him in the ass big time.

Don't get me wrong I want to see Granlund succeed but he needs to prove in regular season that he can move up the depth chart…and not be based on a couple of good preseason games.
- LordHumungous

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Agree!

Putting Horvat on the 4th lineto start the season is like a demotion. His strengths are in the offensive zone. Last yr he struggle with the extra ice time and the defensive responsibility. He and Baer built up chemistry, why play with that, especially with the need for secondary scoring.

Sedin-Sedin-Loui
Baer-BoHo-JV (until Rodin is back)
Granlund-Sutter-Hansen
Burrows-Gaunce-Dorsett

That gives u potenially 3 lines that can score.

he is a good player . We just happened to need D more than a forward.
- VANTEL

True but if he scores the mouth-foaming and computer screens covered in spit from seething rages should be comical.

He will be ahead of Jeezus by the second period
- VANTEL

(frank) I hope not! Special young player for sure, I wish him well, he's a nice kid too. I just wish he wasn't playing for the Laffs.

True but if he scores the mouth-foaming and computer screens covered in spit from seething rages should be comical.
- Marwood

Watching the game last night I don't think Tkachuk is ready for the NHL. He needs to get stronger. When you lose puck battles along the wall to RNH, you need to get stronger...

Can you imagine how different these boards would be if the Canucks had won the lottery instead of loosing? The Canucks are bad now because Gillis pissed away the future trying to win the cup, which was awesome. But now, we're feeling the pain and people are blaming the current group. It's going to take time to clean up this mess.

True but if he scores the mouth-foaming and computer screens covered in spit from seething rages should be comical.
- Marwood

yup

Watching the game last night I don't think Tkachuk is ready for the NHL. He needs to get stronger. When you lose puck battles along the wall to RNH, you need to get stronger...

Can you imagine how different these boards would be if the Canucks had won the lottery instead of loosing? The Canucks are bad now because Gillis pissed away the future trying to win the cup, which was awesome. But now, we're feeling the pain and people are blaming the current group. It's going to take time to clean up this mess.
- 1970vintage

Hey Vintage.....long time. Hope you're doing well.

(frank) I hope not! Special young player for sure, I wish him well, he's a nice kid too. I just wish he wasn't playing for the Laffs.
- LeftCoaster

Well they did work hard to get him

Watching the game last night I don't think Tkachuk is ready for the NHL. He needs to get stronger. When you lose puck battles along the wall to RNH, you need to get stronger...

Can you imagine how different these boards would be if the Canucks had won the lottery instead of loosing? The Canucks are bad now because Gillis pissed away the future trying to win the cup, which was awesome. But now, we're feeling the pain and people are blaming the current group. It's going to take time to clean up this mess.
- 1970vintage

You're preaching to the choir, my friend. I doesn't help that the hysteria in Vancouver and beyond, is driven by the f*cktards in the local media. What a bunch of pillow-biters!!
It's great to see you back posting on a regular basis.

Hey Vintage.....long time. Hope you're doing well.
- LeftCoaster

While some of this is true, I just really want to punch you in the face for such a stupid post.....
- chompsey

You're preaching to the choir, my friend. I doesn't help that the hysteria in Vancouver and beyond, is driven by the f*cktards in the local media. What a bunch of pillow-biters!!
It's great to see you back posting on a regular basis.
- Marwood

I guess what I'd like to hear from the tear it down rebuilders is "what's your plan"? How would you tear this team down, knowing that you won't be able to trade anyone with a NTC? There is literally nothing of value (to other teams) on this roster. To Lefty's point that the Sedins are "getting in the way of a rebuild", I agree, but without them this team really would be a 65 point team. And even if they hit that low water mark, there is no guarantee they win the lottery. They could still end up picking 4th!

I guess what I'd like to hear from the tear it down rebuilders is "what's your plan"? How would you tear this team down, knowing that you won't be able to trade anyone with a NTC? There is literally nothing of value (to other teams) on this roster. To Lefty's point that the Sedins are "getting in the way of a rebuild", I agree, but without them this team really would be a 65 point team. And even if they hit that low water mark, there is no guarantee they win the lottery. They could still end up picking 4th!
- 1970vintage

It's hard to be rational when hate gets in the way.

It's hard to be rational when hate gets in the way.
- Marwood

It's pretty much why I don't come around here much anymore. Too many people taking things way to seriously. Not many positive things are said. Even when the team was winning, there was so many negative things said. Haven't lost yet so at least most are pretty positive about things.

I guess what I'd like to hear from the tear it down rebuilders is "what's your plan"? How would you tear this team down, knowing that you won't be able to trade anyone with a NTC? There is literally nothing of value (to other teams) on this roster. To Lefty's point that the Sedins are "getting in the way of a rebuild", I agree, but without them this team really would be a 65 point team. And even if they hit that low water mark, there is no guarantee they win the lottery. They could still end up picking 4th!
- 1970vintage

Personally I wouldn't move the twins, but I'd let their current deals run out and not re-sign them. If I was runnng the team I wouldn't be signing any free agents, like Eriksson, or making any other moves which requires using a current asset or draft pick. I'd let the team slide while trying to acquire more picks if I could and just draft your way out of purgatory.

Personally I wouldn't move the twins, but I'd let their current deals run out and not re-sign them. If I was runnng the team I wouldn't be signing any free agents, like Eriksson, or making any other moves which requires using a current asset or draft pick. I'd let the team slide while trying to acquire more picks if I could and just draft your way out of purgatory.
- LeftCoaster

I believe in a slow decline and allowing players to develop.

Personally I wouldn't move the twins, but I'd let their current deals run out and not re-sign them. If I was runnng the team I wouldn't be signing any free agents, like Eriksson, or making any other moves which requires using a current asset or draft pick. I'd let the team slide while trying to acquire more picks if I could and just draft your way out of purgatory.
- LeftCoaster

Solid post.

I believe in a slow decline and allowing players to develop.
- manvanfan

Nothing wrong with that! When the Sedins retire you can use that 14 million to give yourself a couple more years of development time.

Personally I wouldn't move the twins, but I'd let their current deals run out and not re-sign them. If I was runnng the team I wouldn't be signing any free agents, like Eriksson, or making any other moves which requires using a current asset or draft pick. I'd let the team slide while trying to acquire more picks if I could and just draft your way out of purgatory.
- LeftCoaster

Or we could just win a cup.

Seriously though last year everyone was crying that our D would take years to turn around. One summer later no one is talking D .

Now our goal is the forwards. Two years of drafting and wheeling and Dealing.

You don't have to tear it down and rebuild as a few teams have tried.

I feel sorry for Makita if Tkachuk scores tonight. This place will be a classic freak out show.
- Marwood

You got to admit the freakouts keep this thread rolling. If we all had the same approach to the game this thread would be boring as hell.

Or we could just win a cup.

Seriously though last year everyone was crying that our D would take years to turn around. One summer later no one is talking D .

Now our goal is the forwards. Two years of drafting and wheeling and Dealing.

You don't have to tear it down and rebuild as a few teams have tried.
- VANTEL

We haven't seen them play yet. On paper the defense is improved but let'see how it plays out before we start handing out achievement awards.

You got to admit the freakouts keep this thread rolling. If we all had the same approach to the game this thread would be boring as hell.
- bloatedmosquito

Absolutely!

Or we could just win a cup.

Seriously though last year everyone was crying that our D would take years to turn around. One summer later no one is talking D .

Now our goal is the forwards. Two years of drafting and wheeling and Dealing.

You don't have to tear it down and rebuild as a few teams have tried.
- VANTEL

Not sure when that became the model or the only model to build with...

We haven't seen them play yet. On paper the defense is improved but let'see how it plays out before we start handing out achievement awards.
- Marwood

Put it in the category of it can't get worse.

I am talking top four D . I really don't like the bottom two