I don't know. I'm not a fan of WD but this team needs stability through this transition. Last thing they need is a coaching caracal specially if they are getting younger now.
- bloatedmosquito

Garrett during the broadcast last night paraphrased a bunch of compliments Burrows had about Willie before he left. Saying stuff like he was very positive all the time, made going to the rink pleasant, spent one on one time with players in the video room to help them understand mistakes, etc. Sounded like WD wont be going anywhere anytime soon

I would like to see the transcript of the comments (for context) but I agree that WD isnt hurting things, and if his priority becomes development, I hope we see less odd lineups in an effort to win games.

First line isn't really determined by minutes exclusively. Then Sutter would be first line. The opposing team matchups kinda decide who your first line is. If Vlasic is getting hardmatched agains the Twins, sorry Bo but you're not first line. If you start seeing the shutdown forward line and the top D pair against Bo then he's the top line.
- Lindenis#1

I think we'll see a shift next year to teams top players being matched up with Bo rather than the twins

OK, I'd prefer someone told him to leave
- LeftCoaster

Do you want horvat and the rest of the youngsters to focus on development or trying to impress a new coach and struggling to learn a new system?

Yes first over all pick painful
- VANTEL

I dunno about that. You see this year just how bad we would have to be. We'll be bad, but I don't think that bad

You're reading it wrong if you don't think it's a compliment. There's still a lot of work to do but definitely a nice couple days!
- LeftCoaster

Yes I am reading it wrong

Great move by Benning . Finally doing his job

I like what Benning did , he should have begun 3 years ago.


I don't know how I could have mixed that up

I think we'll see a shift next year to teams top players being matched up with Bo rather than the twins
- NorthNuck

I would like to see that, but if the Twins start eating up secondary competition and get o-zone starts the top D pair will go right back to being a hard match for the twins.

Do you want horvat and the rest of the youngsters to focus on development or trying to impress a new coach and struggling to learn a new system?
- bloatedmosquito

Good point

First line isn't really determined by minutes exclusively. Then Sutter would be first line. The opposing team matchups kinda decide who your first line is. If Vlasic is getting hardmatched agains the Twins, sorry Bo but you're not first line. If you start seeing the shutdown forward line and the top D pair against Bo then he's the top line.
- Lindenis#1

you can list your lines anyway you want, but the opposition decides who your #1 is based on who they match their best up against

Played Hextall like a fiddle
- Nucker101

uh... hextall ends up with a conditional 7th and fillpula for picking later in the 4ht round... hextall obviously believes filpula fits their salary cap structure and will actually be a player for them..

WD is putting Goldobin on the 4th line. Enjoy your 10 minutes Goldy!!!!!

(is it too soon to start complaining about his deployment? )
- WhiteLie

Most likely will supplant Magma on PP1 with Sedins by third period.

I think we'll see a shift next year to teams top players being matched up with Bo rather than the twins
- NorthNuck

That would be the best thing for the Sedins as well, Easier matchups against 2nd or 3rd pairings.... but I think there is a Healthy respect for these 2 regardless of whoever on the ice.

Do you want horvat and the rest of the youngsters to focus on development or trying to impress a new coach and struggling to learn a new system?
- bloatedmosquito

It all depends on the alternative. Are we going to get Willie playing Dorsett 16 minutes a night Willie, or a Willie who is down to play the kids even through patches and maybe not throw Dorsett or Megna out when he needs a goal?

Or is Willie gonna be Willie and you decide that Green or another alternative is the better option for the coach to develop your next core?

Horvats line, whoever he's with, will be the 1st line next season. It has to be, the twins can't handle the minutes anymore
- NorthNuck

I still think it's more than just producing.
The Sedin's might not be dazzling the opposition any longer, but they're still eating up quality mintues against quality defenders.
Easy to say throw out Horvat, a 1OA pick that we have a very low % of landing, and a player we picked up yesterday who has only played a handful of games as a first line, but not practical.

the guy needs a nickname....fast!
- Greendog

Goldy.

it's Obvious but its better than watching the biggest hack in Vancouver( Gary Tomlinson) from pooping the bed when he says his name.

You gain roughly 3M in cap space as well though. What if you use that to sign a vet in UFA to a 1 year deal to flip at the next TDL or even use that space to take on a bad contract that's set to expire in 2018 while receiving a prospect or pick for doing so? In a way it's worth trading Sbisa for even a 4th or 5th if you can make good use of that freed up space.
- Nucker101

4th or 5th c'mon many ppl suggest giving players away & its unwise.

Well I hope he's more comfortable with his position now. I hope he can coach without too much interference.

If you are going to make changes look at front office first. Let the on ice product develop.
- bloatedmosquito

Agreed. WD in his first year rolled the lines pretty evenly, but when trying to win and keep in the playoff hunt this year he has gone down the 3 lines. If his style is to roll 4, then that really opens up development opportunity for all players to get exposed to different situations. The team wont win, and it will be frustrating, but if rookies are averaging 12ish minutes a game next year, thats a positive

I still think it's more than just producing.
The Sedin's might not be dazzling the opposition any longer, but they're still eating up quality mintues against quality defenders.
Easy to say throw out Horvat, a 1OA pick that we have a very low % of landing, and a player we picked up yesterday who has only played a handful of games as a first line, but not practical.
- dbot

Kind of the same reason you can't just throw Edler or Tanev away for whatever return you can get your hands on. Someone has to play those minutes and if the Twins can do it and allow the kids to learn in the frying pan and not the fire then there isn't really a downside.

Yes I am reading it wrong

Great move by Benning . Finally doing his job

I like what Benning did , he should have begun 3 years ago.

I don't know how I could have mixed that up
- VANTEL

Yes. That's about right.

Three years ago that was a whiners plan. Now it's pure genius. (frank) me.

Yes I am reading it wrong

Great move by Benning . Finally doing his job

I like what Benning did , he should have begun 3 years ago.


I don't know how I could have mixed that up
- VANTEL

that's not backhanded it's simply the truth, which some apparently don't like to hear. When they trade or don't sign the twins you'll say they should've gotten ride of them four years ago and I'll call you on it lol.

Great TDL for Canucks.

Plenty of head scratching moves out there and really impressed with what Benning was able to recoup regardless of how Dahlen and Goldobin turn out.

Also we still have Gaunce and Subban

Kind of the same reason you can't just throw Edler or Tanev away for whatever return you can get your hands on. Someone has to play those minutes and if the Twins can do it and allow the kids to learn in the frying pan and not the fire then there isn't really a downside.
- Lindenis#1

Agreed.

Horvat, Sven, Tryamkin and Stetcher impress us as fans, due to the time and space they are granted from the Vets like the Sedins, Tanev, Edler (and to an extent Burr and Hansen).

They won't necessarily be able to produce in the same way when facing stronger competition at their ages/level of experience.

Then fans would be labeling them busts and chastising JB for acquiring them.

Agreed. WD in his first year rolled the lines pretty evenly, but when trying to win and keep in the playoff hunt this year he has gone down the 3 lines. If his style is to roll 4, then that really opens up development opportunity for all players to get exposed to different situations. The team wont win, and it will be frustrating, but if rookies are averaging 12ish minutes a game next year, thats a positive
- WhiteLie

Yes! That's what I've been trying to say with my tank position. Open up the roster for development opportunity. Jettison the old as quickly as you can and start to play your system players.

WD might be able to coach a bit more freely. We'll see.

Yes. That's about right.

Three years ago that was a whiners plan. Now it's pure genius. (frank) me.
- bloatedmosquito

Yeah, why would you want a team clearly needing a rebuild to rebuild and stop wasting time and assets during the draft years for McDavid, Eichel and Mathews when you could strive for 8th place?

I remember being cranky about the Gudbranson trade because of the cost and getting shouted down because "This team isn't rebuilding. Deal with it. Rebuild is a bad idea. ON the fly retooling is totally the way to go"

uh... hextall ends up with a conditional 7th and fillpula for picking later in the 4ht round... hextall obviously believes filpula fits their salary cap structure and will actually be a player for them..
- kaptaan

Flyers needed centers, VF provides that for them.

Great TDL for Canucks.

Plenty of head scratching moves out there and really impressed with what Benning was able to recoup regardless of how Dahlen and Goldobin turn out.

Also we still have Gaunce and Subban
- belcherbd