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.
- LeftCoaster

But if you are looking for an Erik Karlsson/Brent Burns type of offensive defenseman than you will always be somewhat disappointed. If he can shut down the other team and contribute with assists, he is doing exactly what Benning and Willie want him to do.

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

maybe? Jarvis probably has a bunch to do with it. When Desjardins first got here the team was motivated, they played well offensively, but if you look at their defensive numbers, they still weren't that great. Last year the offense dried up and the defense was even worse, it really bit them in the ass.

Something changed, for the better!

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.
- LeftCoaster

Maybe so but a 2nd & 5th is nothing.
Also those were in year 1 & 2 & we sit better now.
We move on with our roster & prospects & look ahead not backwards.

But if you are looking for an Erik Karlsson/Brent Burns type of offensive defenseman than you will always be somewhat disappointed. If he can shut down the other team and contribute with assists, he is doing exactly what Benning and Willie want him to do.
- Codes1087

Come on Codes, (frank) me, if you follow hockey you know what you're getting with this kid, I've been around a long time! Never once have I stated I wanted him to be a highend player, he never will be.

He provides a good stay at home presence, he allows Hutton to take some offensive chances, he provides a much needed physical presence. He's only 24, that's the only reason I'm ok with the trading of McCann.

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.
- LeftCoaster

You need to get over it. We gave u Jensen who was doing nothing, Shink who was doing nothing and a second for Vey who played a good part of a year for us,

You said it before , there was a reason for those trades. Benning was handed a mess.

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.
- LeftCoaster

6 goals against in 4 games. Very few defensive mistakes by the team. This has been one of Canucks best looking top 4 in years

Maybe so but a 2nd & 5th is nothing.
Also those were in year 1 s& 2 & we sit better now.
We move on with our roster & prospects & look ahead not backwards.
- Nighthawk

It's not nothing, that's a stupid statement, he tried to accelerate the process and it didn't work. For a guy who would rather draft I wish he wouldn't have done that. But to defend it by saying drafting is nothing is ridiculous.

6 goals against in 4 games. Very few defensive mistakes by the team. This has been one of Canucks best looking top 4 in years
- VANTEL

Yes I agree, it's been a few years since they had four guys capable of playing top four minutes.

Maybe so but a 2nd & 5th is nothing.
Also those were in year 1 & 2 & we sit better now.
We move on with our roster & prospects & look ahead not backwards.
- Nighthawk

They aren't nothing, every pick has a value otherwise the number of picks would be unlimited.

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

and it goes back to my middle paragraph....you either have that ability to see that or you do not. Not so learnable.
We need a playoff coach. I dont care if we keep WD and hire a strategist. THats perfectly fine w me.

You need to get over it. We gave u Jensen who was doing nothing, Shink who was doing nothing and a second for Vey who played a good part of a year for us,

You said it before , there was a reason for those trades. Benning was handed a mess.
- VANTEL

Yup he certainly was, maybe it's hindsight but I just wish he'd have focused on drafting more. Even Linden said they overestimated how good the club was, they punched above their weight class two years ago.

Linden seems to want to draft, this is where there's some conflicting opinions between the two.

I don't know how you can give so much blame to the coach when things go poorly and so little credit when things go well.
- CubanBuffet

Ive said in the past that sometimes your supporting coaching staff makes you, sometimes it hangs you. THe HC does not do everything. HC can get undue credit or be fired and blamed. Here thankfully the supporting staff is excelling.

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.
- LeftCoaster

I actually didnt illustrate your point, finished 3rd seed in the pacific division is behind 1st, 2nd in the Pacific and probably behind the 1st, 2nd seeds and sometimes 3rd seeds in the Central, and in some seasons the WC team has a better record too because of the division they play in. In the old "conference" format, these western conference champions would have likely been seeds 5-8

I get your point on the trades, but Vey and Etem were in attempts to get an NHL player under 25, and they had every reason to believe they would pan out (Vey had great AHL stats, and Etem was a former first rounder with a scoring pedigree from the AHL & CHL). The draft picks given up wouldnt be visible for 4 years, if at all. They needed to fill the age gap, which has now been accomplished and the group can grow with the new batch of prospects that have been drafted under the regime. Teams have been able to draft and develop while winning, its just less noticable because they dont get 1st overalls

Yup he certainly was, maybe it's hindsight but I just wish he'd have focused on drafting more. Even Linden said they overestimated how good the club was, they punched above their weight class two years ago.

Linden seems to want to draft, this is where there's some conflicting opinions between the two.
- LeftCoaster

Most fans knew this club was going downhill since 2012. Benning made the moves he needed to. He has cleaned house and has not given away any draft picks this year. Let's all enjoy now what a normal team looks like.

Most fans knew this club was going downhill since 2012. Benning made the moves he needed to. He has cleaned house and has not given away any draft picks this year. Let's all enjoy now what a normal team looks like.
- VANTEL

They don't have a 4th or 5th, from the Larsen deal, or a 6th from the Etem deal. But he has his top three picks for the first time, I hope he uses them to draft kids!

Come on Codes, (frank) me, if you follow hockey you know what you're getting with this kid, I've been around a long time! Never once have I stated I wanted him to be a highend player, he never will be.

He provides a good stay at home presence, he allows Hutton to take some offensive chances, he provides a much needed physical presence. He's only 24, that's the only reason I'm ok with the trading of McCann.
- LeftCoaster

I agree with everything you have said which is why I am surprised everyone is not more than thrilled with his play. New System, New D partner, and doing one heck of a job.

and it goes back to my middle paragraph....you either have that ability to see that or you do not. Not so learnable.
We need a playoff coach. I dont care if we keep WD and hire a strategist. THats perfectly fine w me.
- SMBDragon

Well we will disagree on this, Willie had success in other leagues, and he will adapt and have success in the NHL or he will be let go.

And I'm not so sure about your statement that it's not learnable, so you saying you have to be born with tactical abilities? You constantly criticize Willie's abilities, were you born with that ability?

I agree with everything you have said which is why I am surprised everyone is not more than thrilled with his play. New System, New D partner, and doing one heck of a job.
- Codes1087

yes its exciting to see.
lots to be thrilled with this young season

They don't have a 4th or 5th, from the Larsen deal, or a 6th from the Etem deal. But he has his top three picks for the first time, I hope he uses them to draft kids!
- LeftCoaster

OK give up two late round picks and maybe get a second.

OK give up two late round picks and maybe get a second.
- VANTEL

You been talking to Garth Snow?

OK give up two late round picks and maybe get a second.
- VANTEL

That Columbus pick could turn out to be a nice one, but I don't think they give it up until they have to.

That Columbus pick could turn out to be a nice one, but I don't think they give it up until they have to.
- LeftCoaster

I never read much into "strong draft classes" and "weak draft classes" because they are generally labeled on what scouts see in the top 10 but if CBJ are listening to the media they will give up that 2nd round pick for next years draft.

I agree with everything you have said which is why I am surprised everyone is not more than thrilled with his play. New System, New D partner, and doing one heck of a job.
- Codes1087

He reminds me of Willie long stick Mitchell

I actually didnt illustrate your point, finished 3rd seed in the pacific division is behind 1st, 2nd in the Pacific and probably behind the 1st, 2nd seeds and sometimes 3rd seeds in the Central, and in some seasons the WC team has a better record too because of the division they play in. In the old "conference" format, these western conference champions would have likely been seeds 5-8

I get your point on the trades, but Vey and Etem were in attempts to get an NHL player under 25, and they had every reason to believe they would pan out (Vey had great AHL stats, and Etem was a former first rounder with a scoring pedigree from the AHL & CHL). The draft picks given up wouldnt be visible for 4 years, if at all. They needed to fill the age gap, which has now been accomplished and the group can grow with the new batch of prospects that have been drafted under the regime. Teams have been able to draft and develop while winning, its just less noticable because they dont get 1st overalls
- WhiteLie

History shows you need a strong team to win, yes there's the odd occasion but in order to win you must have a really strong team! That's my point! So build one....please.

http://www.puckreport.com...and-stanley-cup-wins.html

That Columbus pick could turn out to be a nice one, but I don't think they give it up until they have to.
- LeftCoaster

If it is a weak draft they might give it up