I also am liking that no one has mentioned how crappy the ref'ing was tonight. We could easily be running them down but we are not.
- Beatle_john

Yes it was total one sided crap. I'm sure we would be female doging more if we had lost/

This winning streak is going to prove how fickle our fan base is.
We (I) know it's a mirage, but some people might actually think this team is really good .

A healthy Sutter makes a big difference.
- Codes1087

He certainly does.

The same critics didn't like the deal. They thought we lost on the Sutter trade.

He is a very good two way player and signed for five years. Bo is coming along just fine. I don't see a panic to get a first line center. I think we have 2 pretty good ones already, but we will draft a center this year

He certainly does.

The same critics didn't like the deal. They thought we lost on the Sutter trade.

He is a very good two way player and signed for five years. Bo is coming along just fine. I don't see a panic to get a first line center. I think we have 2 pretty good ones already, but we will draft a center this year
- VANTEL

The ONLY deal I have ever disliked was the Forsling one. I remember following his WJC specifically and he looked phenomenal.

I wont open up the flood gates on the other deals that are so heavily criticized but MOST of Jim Benning's trades have had a good impact on the club.

He certainly does.

The same critics didn't like the deal. They thought we lost on the Sutter trade.

He is a very good two way player and signed for five years. Bo is coming along just fine. I don't see a panic to get a first line center. I think we have 2 pretty good ones already, but we will draft a center this year
- VANTEL

BTW - Not sure who posted it on twitter. But the Granlund - Sutter - Hansen line has some crazy crosi % for and possession numbers to start the year.

I will always argue this. Get in the playoffs and there is always a chance. The point is to win. Should be the same for all 30 teams.

Playoffs? Why are we talking playoffs?
- thundachunk

Good morning....you know, you're right that they should always try to win, that's why they play the games. But, just to elaborate on my stance, I'm not against icing a competitive team, I'm against doing it at the expense of draft picks and youth. That's what I mean by that. I wish he'd draft more!

I'll say this for Benning, which I've done many times. I like his drafting thus far! In two years he's finally built up a small prospect pool that we haven't seen in many years.

This winning streak is going to prove how fickle our fan base is.
We (I) know it's a mirage, but some people might actually think this team is really good .
- Scooby_Doo

U got my vote for #1 fickle fan.👍

The ONLY deal I have ever disliked was the Forsling one. I remember following his WJC specifically and he looked phenomenal.

I wont open up the flood gates on the other deals that are so heavily criticized but MOST of Jim Benning's trades have had a good impact on the club.
- Codes1087

Yup, can't win them all.

Every trade has had a purpose. Doesn't mean JB has won them all though

This winning streak is going to prove how fickle our fan base is.
We (I) know it's a mirage, but some people might actually think this team is really good .
- Scooby_Doo

What mirage? I have not seen one post all summer saying this will be a top team?

Good morning....you know, you're right that they should always try to win, that's why they play the games. But, just to elaborate on my stance, I'm not against icing a competitive team, I'm against doing it at the expense of draft picks and youth. That's what I mean by that. I wish he'd draft more!

I'll say this for Benning, which I've done many times. I like his drafting thus far! In two years he's finally built up a small prospect pool that we haven't seen in many years.
- LeftCoaster

What expense of draft picks?
Which youth have been hurt?
Its not all about 2nd rounders all over again is it?

I PVR'd the game, went back and watched the first two periods. Willie really has them clogging up the neutral zone, maybe he's better than I think he is. Or he's learning to be a better coach at the NHL level?

This winning streak is going to prove how fickle our fan base is.
We (I) know it's a mirage, but some people might actually think this team is really good .
- Scooby_Doo

Truth

I PVR'd the game, went back and watched the first two periods. Willie really has them clogging up the neutral zone, maybe he's better than I think he is. Or he's learning to be a better coach at the NHL level?
- LeftCoaster

A natural progression IMO
1st season the playoffs.
2nd year injuries sank us.
3rd year more depth & health shows year 1 was no fluke so far.
Draftees looking better than ever.

I really dislike this stance. NHL parity exists in the salary cap era, you dont need to be division winners or top 3 in the conference to challenge for the cup. Get in the tournament and anything can happen

2012 LA (8th seed) vs NJ (6th seed)
2013 CHI (1st overall) vs BOS (4th seed) - lockout shortened season
2014 LA (PAC 3rd seed) vs NYR (Metro 2nd seed)
2015 CHI (CEN 3rd seed) vs TB (Atlantic 2nd seed)
2016 SJ (PAC 3rd seed) vs PIT (Metro 2nd seed)

"falsely reaching the playoffs" is about as pessimistic as you can get, discrediting the accomplishment of making the playoffs and the integrity of playing to win. I usually appreciate your reserved and cautious approach, not getting caught up in the hype, but you can draft and develop while learning to play better defensively and win games
- WhiteLie

Solid post

A natural progression IMO
1st season the playoffs.
2nd year injuries sank us.
3rd year more depth & health shows year 1 was no fluke so far.
- Nighthawk

Hopefully he's growing as a coach because stability behind the bench is so important. Continually revolving the coaching door is definitely a net negative for the club. I hope he proves me wrong and I'm glad Linden sat him down this summer to voice his concern about his lack of focus on the teams play without the puck.

This winning streak is going to prove how fickle our fan base is.
We (I) know it's a mirage, but some people might actually think this team is really good .
- Scooby_Doo

Ah no, they're being competitive, if they were really good it would have been 5-1.

I PVR'd the game, went back and watched the first two periods. Willie really has them clogging up the neutral zone, maybe he's better than I think he is. Or he's learning to be a better coach at the NHL level?
- LeftCoaster

Maybe it's Jarvis and Willie is still stupid...

I don't think WD is stupid, I think he's figuring out how the NHL is different than the AHL, which was different from the CHL

Hopefully he's growing as a coach because stability behind the bench is so important. Continually revolving the coaching door is definitely a net negative for the club. I hope he proves me wrong and I'm glad Linden sat him down this summer to voice his concern about his lack of focus on the teams play without the puck.
- LeftCoaster

I was a little worried about the Gudbranson trade as I have heard his numbers were not overly impressive in Florida. Apart from his give-a-way up the middle last night, I thought he has played exceptionally well.

TSn went on for days when Mathews scored 4. Laine was off the front page the following morning for basically doing the same thing... oh and winning the game.
- Beatle_john

You mean the future HOF'er Auston Mathews?

Maybe it's Jarvis and Willie is still stupid...

I don't think WD is stupid, I think he's figuring out how the NHL is different than the AHL, which was different from the CHL
- 1970vintage

The Canucks went with a rookie president, gm and head coach. For sure there were, and are, going to be growing pains. As long as they keep learning on the job I can't complain too much.

They got a lead and kept it?
- docmorgan

Someone will find a way to complain about it.

I like you Dragon, but you need a new shtick. If that's all you're going to hang your hat on, (playoffs 2 years ago, and getting schooled by Hartley) come on, first year in the NHL, inexperienced, one series.

It like everything else in life, you learn and adapt or you don't. You can not say he hasn't because he hasn't been back to the playoffs.
- Makita

Exactly - is there any reason to think that WD can't grow and become an NHL coach?

I really dislike this stance. NHL parity exists in the salary cap era, you dont need to be division winners or top 3 in the conference to challenge for the cup. Get in the tournament and anything can happen

2012 LA (8th seed) vs NJ (6th seed)
2013 CHI (1st overall) vs BOS (4th seed) - lockout shortened season
2014 LA (PAC 3rd seed) vs NYR (Metro 2nd seed)
2015 CHI (CEN 3rd seed) vs TB (Atlantic 2nd seed)
2016 SJ (PAC 3rd seed) vs PIT (Metro 2nd seed)

"falsely reaching the playoffs" is about as pessimistic as you can get, discrediting the accomplishment of making the playoffs and the integrity of playing to win. I usually appreciate your reserved and cautious approach, not getting caught up in the hype, but you can draft and develop while learning to play better defensively and win games
- WhiteLie

I respect that. That said, you've just illustrated above that making the final four pretty much almost always, always (and this is well documented), the teams in the top three positions that challenge for the Cup.

As I said I'm not against them trying to win, winning is the point! I just don't want to see anymore draft picks going out the door or taking chances on fringe players like Vey or Etem. They cost the organization 2nd & 5th round choices for zero return.

You mean the future HOF'er Auston Mathews?
- docmorgan

I fell out of my chair when I heard that.

I was a little worried about the Gudbranson trade as I have heard his numbers were not overly impressive in Florida. Apart from his give-a-way up the middle last night, I thought he has played exceptionally well.
- Codes1087

Exceptional is an overstatement, he's been ok. Seems to be shooting the puck more this year, which is good! I didn't think he played that good last night, first two games he looked really good though.