You do not give up Pronger that easily.
- walshyleafsfan

He's not mean and dirty like that but a better skater and puck handler so future is his to mold it.

Yeah. Having a solid defense would be nice. It's a fine line right? Gotta have some offence as well. Whatever San Jose and Washington have going on is a team I'd like to watch. Too defensive and you end up with Nashville, Anaheim, St. Louis (couple of years ago) or Minnesota (obviously not this year). Those 4 teams (pre this season) I find hard to watch
- walshyleafsfan

It's exciting to watch Leafs blow leads. Especially against crappy teams.

It's exciting to watch Leafs blow leads. Especially against crappy teams.
- Nuck4U

Yep. They're playing some exciting hockey right now. Got a tough month of February, so they'll start to slide. 14 games in 28 days I believe. Be interesting to see how long the rookies last before they hit the wall.

Yeah. Having a solid defense would be nice. It's a fine line right? Gotta have some offence as well. Whatever San Jose and Washington have going on is a team I'd like to watch. Too defensive and you end up with Nashville, Anaheim, St. Louis (couple of years ago) or Minnesota (obviously not this year). Those 4 teams (pre this season) I find hard to watch
- walshyleafsfan

A hot goaltender with a stingy defense can kill really offensive teams, see LA in 2012, 2014

A hot goaltender with a stingy defense can kill really offensive teams, see LA in 2012, 2014
- DariusKnight

I agree with that. Many ways to build a team to a cup. Hopefully a Canadian team finds a way soon.

Nice picking up Brock Nelson Vantel.

I agree with that. Many ways to build a team to a cup. Hopefully a Canadian team finds a way soon.
- walshyleafsfan

Would be nice, been almost a quarter century since Montreal won it in 1993, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary all got to the Finals but couldn't win it sadly. The sad fact is with the vast majority of teams based in the US, it's more likely that they'll win the Cup.

Nice picking up Brock Nelson Vantel.
- LeftCoaster

Would be nice, been almost a quarter century since Montreal won it in 1993, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary all got to the Finals but couldn't win it sadly. The sad fact is with the vast majority of teams based in the US, it's more likely that they'll win the Cup.
- DariusKnight

I honestly believe that they have less pressure on them in the United States, the Canadian media and fans sometimes won't allow teams to build property. Always trying to take shortcuts.

- VANTEL

Big night against the defensively inept Leafs. Old school hockey with them, 6-5, the last few games I think.

Blues win tonight and play again tomorrow. So Nucks can be either be 7 points out or 3 if they beat Preds.

I honestly believe that they have less pressure on them in the United States, the Canadian media and fans sometimes won't allow teams to build property. Always trying to take shortcuts.
- LeftCoaster

It's simple population, unless you're Toronto who can draw more fans even if some jump off the bandwagon to the ACC or Edmonton which got used to losing and expecting to win the lotto every year most Canadian teams can't afford to sell full tank-style sell off expiring assets for draft picks and fight for the bottom of the standings to their fans. No owner is going to accept empty seats while their teams suck for years stockpiling talented youth. At some point you have to take a chance and try to be competitive if only to get your youth meaningful games to help them get to the next step which is the transition from also-ran to contender.

I honestly believe that they have less pressure on them in the United States, the Canadian media and fans sometimes won't allow teams to build property. Always trying to take shortcuts.
- LeftCoaster

Sorry but no one likes to go watch crappy teams. Less loyal fans in the States means even less turn out or interest if team sucks. Your analysis is a short cut to common sense.

It's simple population, unless you're Toronto who can draw more fans even if some jump off the bandwagon to the ACC or Edmonton which got used to losing and expecting to win the lotto every year most Canadian teams can't afford to sell full tank-style sell off expiring assets for draft picks and fight for the bottom of the standings to their fans. No owner is going to accept empty seats while their teams suck for years stockpiling talented youth. At some point you have to take a chance and try to be competitive if only to get your youth meaningful games to help them get to the next step which is the transition from also-ran to contender.
- DariusKnight

Exactly why Canadian teams can't win a Cup anymore. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Either winning it ALL is the goal or being competitive and financially viable is.

Just me maybe but if I was a billionaire owner who's got a team, I could care less about the yearly bottom dollar because I'd be more interested in Cups.

Pedan has had his opportunities, he doesn't have the foot speed to compete at an NHL level.
- neem55

won the hardest shot on the canucks skill comp. Thats a great asset. But I dont agree he had his opportunities here. WD doesnt play him

Sorry but no one likes to go watch crappy teams. Less loyal fans in the States means even less turn out or interest if team sucks. Your analysis is a short cut to common sense.
- Nuck4U

In a cap world it's just something an owner has to accept, or, be happy with never winning a Cup or having a small window to do so.

This is the guy that won fastest skater at the Canucks skills comp. Speed is not his issue
- CanuckDon

wasnt it both fastest skater n hardest shot?

Exactly why Canadian teams can't win a Cup anymore. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Either winning it ALL is the goal or being competitive and financially viable is.

Just me maybe but if I was a billionaire owner who's got a team, I'd could care less about the yearly bottom dollar because I'd be more interested in Cups.
- LeftCoaster

The problem with that is, if you're a billionaire, you didn't get to that spot by allowing your business to fail like that. You're in it to make money, if you win Cups in the process that's gravy. Most businesses would go bankrupt the way that bad teams continually lose and try to sell hope every year. Only one team can win the championship every year and most times it's based upon luck of the draw, ability to stay healthy and overachieving by unheralded players rising to the occasion.

The problem with that is, if you're a billionaire, you didn't get to that spot by allowing your business to fail like that. You're in it to make money, if you win Cups in the process that's gravy. Most businesses would go bankrupt the way that bad teams continually lose and try to sell hope every year. Only one team can win the championship every year and most times it's based upon luck of the draw, ability to stay healthy and overachieving by unheralded players rising to the occasion.
- DariusKnight

I would completely disagree with that, they don't buy these teams to get rich and make money, they've already made their billions. This is about vanity.

Exactly why Canadian teams can't win a Cup anymore. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Either winning it ALL is the goal or being competitive and financially viable is.

Just me maybe but if I was a billionaire owner who's got a team, I could care less about the yearly bottom dollar because I'd be more interested in Cups.
- LeftCoaster

There is no guarantee a team will win Cups if it sucks for years and just drafts. Actually being that bad for so long usually means you are doing things wrong. Your theory is narrow and flawed.

Quality draft picks while doing everything else in the toolbox at the same time builds teams to contend for Cups.

Plus being lucky to get a generational player always helps too. But that is not a plan or formula. Just plain luck.

wasnt it both fastest skater n hardest shot?
- SMBDragon

I believe so..crazy tools

I would completely disagree with that, they don't buy these teams to get rich and make money, they've already made their billions. This is about vanity.
- LeftCoaster

Vanity also means not allowing those teams to be bad so that they can have their billionaire friends watch and enjoy. Again, most owners don't want empty seats and losing teams and won't stand for it.

There is no guarantee a team will win Cups if it sucks for years and just drafts. Actually being that bad for so long usually means you are doing things wrong. Your theory is narrow and flawed.

Quality draft picks while doing everything else in the toolbox at the same time builds teams to contend for Cups.

Plus being lucky to get a generational player always helps too. But that is not a plan or formula. Just plain luck.
- Nuck4U

Actually your theory is flawed, not once did I ever mention a timeline, you did, for some reason? You haven't a clue yet you just make assumptions all the time, thus I don't converse with you much.

Vanity also means not allowing those teams to be bad so that they can have their billionaire friends watch and enjoy. Again, most owners don't want empty seats and losing teams and won't stand for it.
- DariusKnight

Some owners get impatient for sure, however, when American teams can sit in the weeds (at/near the bottom) and draft well (key point) they put themselves in a better position to win it all.

I would completely disagree with that, they don't buy these teams to get rich and make money, they've already made their billions. This is about vanity.
- LeftCoaster

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