We got lucky and cheated to draft Bure....just lucky the NHL let the Canucks get away with it
- LeftCoaster

That was 1987 man. However that's a great example, a player who is an immediate difference maker. There is only one way you can do that these days. Luck. Sooner or later we have to hit right?

having a few drinks shouldnt be in the partying category. Zakk is a partier and we're talking 2 8balls of coke a night (from a friend who partied w him)....not the same.
- SMBDragon

I dont recall comparing Kassian to Virtanen but thanks

That was 1987 man. However that's a great example, a player who is an immediate difference maker. There is only one way you can do that these days. Luck. Sooner or later we have to hit right?
- VanHockeyGuy

To be honest i'd rather it be a little later, not much. I'd like to continue to draft a young nucleus of talent before we insert that difference maker. I think we actually need to of them, 1 at C and one on D.

To be honest i'd rather it be a little later, not much. I'd like to continue to draft a young nucleus of talent before we insert that difference maker. I think we actually need to of them, 1 at C and one on D.
- golfingsince

If we were to get a superstar C wouldn't you think Juolevi+our current D core would be enough?

That was 1987 man. However that's a great example, a player who is an immediate difference maker. There is only one way you can do that these days. Luck. Sooner or later we have to hit right?
- VanHockeyGuy

you'd hope so - I believe Boeser will be a difference maker so that could be a little bit of luck - considering he was a 'late" pick.

Speaking of difference makers...Laine was unreal last night. The tying goal was textbook, I noticed after they scored, the jets on the ice went berserk, but Buff looked like he couldn't be bothered, I get the feeling that dude doesn't even enjoy playing hockey, he just does it bcus he'd rather not work construction on the TCH or as a plumber.

That was 1987 man. However that's a great example, a player who is an immediate difference maker. There is only one way you can do that these days. Luck. Sooner or later we have to hit right?
- VanHockeyGuy

After decades of nothing I'd hope so...although the Canucks were lucky Atlanta was so stupid and they let Burkie take Daniel & Henrik together.

If Miller goes to LA(not likely) it would be with the understanding that Quick is the #1 when he gets back and he is merely a back-up. Miller is already showing minor injury issues already this season. I doubt teams want him until he has been healthy for extended periods.
- Retinalz

Would be nice if Miller just switched jerseys Saturday night and we can get that 2nd rd pick back...

you'd hope so - I believe Boeser will be a difference maker so that could be a little bit of luck - considering he was a 'late" pick.

Speaking of difference makers...Laine was unreal last night. The tying goal was textbook, I noticed after they scored, the jets on the ice went berserk, but Buff looked like he couldn't be bothered, I get the feeling that dude doesn't even enjoy playing hockey, he just does it bcus he'd rather not work construction on the TCH or as a plumber.
- Brooks_Light

Could very well be.

you'd hope so - I believe Boeser will be a difference maker so that could be a little bit of luck - considering he was a 'late" pick.

Speaking of difference makers...Laine was unreal last night. The tying goal was textbook, I noticed after they scored, the jets on the ice went berserk, but Buff looked like he couldn't be bothered, I get the feeling that dude doesn't even enjoy playing hockey, he just does it bcus he'd rather not work construction on the TCH or as a plumber.
- Brooks_Light

Potential is there for Boeser to be sure.

Laine may have a better shot than OV...

After decades of nothing I'd hope so...although the Canucks were lucky Atlanta was so stupid and they let Burkie take Daniel & Henrik together.
- LeftCoaster

That's all i'm saying, and hopefully we win the lottery in a dramatic fashion from even further down the line that WPG was last summer.

They (Larionov) miraculously "found" some game sheets from deep in mother Russia....it sounded a bit fishy to me
- LeftCoaster

Mike Penny did his homework, nothing fishy about that.

That's all i'm saying, and hopefully we win the lottery in a dramatic fashion from even further down the line that WPG was last summer.
- VanHockeyGuy

Definitely an element of luck involved, seems like Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton have all had theirs....maybe it's our turn?

Definitely an element of luck involved, seems like Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton have all had theirs....maybe it's our turn?
- LeftCoaster

Hopefully, but it sounds like it won't be the kind of year to draft a superstar...

If we were to get a superstar C wouldn't you think Juolevi+our current D core would be enough?
- NorthNuck

I'm not knocking Juolevi, but I don't think he projects to be the dominant type at both ends of the rink. That's what I'd like to see from our #1D.

Looking at how Matthews & Laine are producing already. Winnipeg got lucky and drafts a star. Vegas this year gets no worse than top 3 next summer. In over 40 years we have never had luck Have a good season, finish in the 10-12 hole, win the lottery. Sorted.
- VanHockeyGuy

What no playoffs?
A couple key pickups and this team is back in the Cup conversation.

Hopefully, but it sounds like it won't be the kind of year to draft a superstar...
- NorthNuck

"The 2016 draft class lived up to all the hype regarding the exceptional talent available and the unpredictability of the order in which prospects would be taken," NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "It's anticipated that 2016-17 will again be a deep draft class for prospects, and there is a lot of depth at all positions."

The Futures List consists of 148 North American players and 142 international players who NHL scouts will be keeping a close eye on heading into the 2016-17 season.

"The list is based on evaluations we made of the players during the 2015-16 season," Marr said. "A number of these players will be changing teams for 2016-17 and that will be reflected in our preliminary players to watch list in September."

"The 2016 draft class lived up to all the hype regarding the exceptional talent available and the unpredictability of the order in which prospects would be taken," NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "It's anticipated that 2016-17 will again be a deep draft class for prospects, and there is a lot of depth at all positions."

The Futures List consists of 148 North American players and 142 international players who NHL scouts will be keeping a close eye on heading into the 2016-17 season.

"The list is based on evaluations we made of the players during the 2015-16 season," Marr said. "A number of these players will be changing teams for 2016-17 and that will be reflected in our preliminary players to watch list in September."
- LeftCoaster

Well that's more encouraging than what I had heard previously, but the question remains about the top end talent of the guys in the top 10. I guess we won't really know until partway through the season.

LE said that he had no idea there was no goalie, he did not know of the delayed penalty in his interview. Why not try yelling that from the bench? WD isn't the one at fault, but there seemed to be no communication from the bench that would have helped LE. It does not matter how much ice time DD plays in those situations, it is when he plays. Less than 5 mins the bench should be shortened to 9 forwards, maybe 10 if we need to switch out a center. Which ever line is fresher between sedin/sutter/bo should be taking an offensive zone draw after an icing with around 4mins left. Even a PeeWee hockey coach could make that call correctly. Not trying to make fun of PeeWee hockey coaches with that statement.
- Retinalz

C'mon man, really? You cant put that one on WD at all. If youre going to go all "PeeWee" on the situation, you know the players should be the ones telling LE to keep possession on the delay penalty. The replay showed that WD was looking at his notes preparing for the PP and didnt even know the puck went in

As for the DD usage, look at the shift charts, each of the 3 lines had fairly long shifts before he threw that line out with 4:46 to go. Knowing my top guys are going to be out for the last 2-3 minutes straight, giving them a little extended break before the big push where you'll have an empty net isnt a bad thing in my books. At the NHL level a lot can happen in 2 minutes, its not quite the same as PeeWee where skating the length of the ice takes 30 seconds on its own, you need that extra time at that level

If these are the two issues from WD so far this year, we are grasping at straws right now. The Canucks are improved in every aspect so far, both in game results and underlying fancy stats, I get the skepticism but until it breaks down give the guy some credit

"Overall, the draft looks to be a fairly deep one. There lacks a truly special talent at the top, but it is made up by several powerful and exciting scoring forwards coming out of North America."

http://thehockeywriters.c...s-for-the-2017-nhl-draft/

http://theprovince.com/sp...likely-of-success-stories
Hansen

"Overall, the draft looks to be a fairly deep one. There lacks a truly special talent at the top, but it is made up by several powerful and exciting scoring forwards coming out of North America."

http://thehockeywriters.c...s-for-the-2017-nhl-draft/
- LeftCoaster

4 Cs in the top 5. That bodes well

Definitely an element of luck involved, seems like Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton have all had theirs....maybe it's our turn?
- LeftCoaster

That would be something wouldn't it. This year or next. Is it Nolan Patrick or??

C'mon man, really? You cant put that one on WD at all. If youre going to go all "PeeWee" on the situation, you know the players should be the ones telling LE to keep possession on the delay penalty. The replay showed that WD was looking at his notes preparing for the PP and didnt even know the puck went in

As for the DD usage, look at the shift charts, each of the 3 lines had fairly long shifts before he threw that line out with 4:46 to go. Knowing my top guys are going to be out for the last 2-3 minutes straight, giving them a little extended break before the big push where you'll have an empty net isnt a bad thing in my books. At the NHL level a lot can happen in 2 minutes, its not quite the same as PeeWee where skating the length of the ice takes 30 seconds on its own, you need that extra time at that level

If these are the two issues from WD so far this year, we are grasping at straws right now. The Canucks are improved in every aspect so far, both in game results and underlying fancy stats, I get the skepticism but until it breaks down give the guy some credit
- WhiteLie

That would be something wouldn't it. This year or next. Is it Nolan Patrick or??
- VanHockeyGuy

He's ranked #1 for the 2017 draft.

Like everyone hopes Boeser will be a "difference maker" and was a great late pick. Another top 5 in the next couple of years will go a long way for this future core.