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

It is smart to roll him on the 4th for 1 game to see what he does, but i think he needs to play the season with either Bo or Sutter to really develop. JB said himself that the kid needs top 6 linemates to succeed as he is not a bottom 6 type.

I got a real kick out of Eks trade tracker thing where he kept sourcing himself for deals about two minutes after one of the TSN or SN guys tweeted something.
- Lindenis#1

EK the idiot didn't put up that Yzerman TBL are eating HALF of Streit's salary...

I would be all over that generally if we didn't have Stecher, Tryamkin, Hutton and perhaps McEneny ahead of him and needing those minutes to develop as well.

Don't get me wrong, I've been trying to point out how impressive his development has been for years but he can wait another year IMO if need be.
- belcherbd

I don't think you bother bringing Gudbranson back this year.

I'd maybe try to work out some schedule over the end of the season where maybe he comes in for 2, sits for 1 sort of thing. No better time than right now to give it a shot and see if you've got something. Or maybe someone else likes what they see and you move him for a 4th or in a prospect swap at the draft

Worked for Kassian? He got rewarded by playing with Mcdavid
- CanuckDon

Come on now, he isn't playing with McDavid and Kassian deserves a lot of credit for getting his poop together. He is playing well in the bottom 6 for them.

It's too bad that he never was able to do that here but he himself has said numerous times that his accident in MTL was the kick in the ass he needed.

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

This is true rather than ppl fixated on a number.

Come on now, he isn't playing with McDavid and Kassian deserves a lot of credit for getting his poop together. He is playing well in the bottom 6 for them.

It's too bad that he never was able to do that here but he himself has said numerous times that his accident in MTL was the kick in the ass he needed.
- belcherbd

Apparently he's about as sober now as you can get. You hear rumblings of bar stories about a lot of guys on the Oilers out here, but zip all ever include Kassian.

I really dug the 180 Oilers fans pulled on Kassian though. Hilarious. Calling for criminal charges and now they can't keep it in their pants talking about Maroon, Kassian and Lucic.

You forget easy.

First of all I wanted the twins gone 10 years ago not 4 years. I haven't liked this style of cycle and pass to themselves ever. I was never a fan of the perimeter play and definitely never a fan of turn the other cheek.

Since Benning came in there are now five remaining players so he has been changing all along.

Even when he brings in players like Sutter and Gudbrandson he gets raked over the coals.

We brought in Bonino and ran him out of town because he was useless yet he goes to Pitt and almost wins the Conn Smythe.

He was bad here because he played with Sh1t players and a sh1t style. Now Sutter was stuck playing with that same core group and that stale style of play.

Gudbrandson said earlier this year "This is a new system and a confusing style of D"

You were the cheerleader back then about not being able to change the core of the twins and Edler and now can't get rid of them fast enough.

Once the rest of the rust is gone this could be a very decent team in the build.
- VANTEL

The team is moving forward. People want to pick higher but all you can do is be in position to pick high, and we were... if we fall two spots again, will we go through all the same routine for a year how Benning doesn't know that he needs to draft higher? Playoffs the priority... owner won't let him rebuild... Many of the young players and prospects Benning has traded for in place of picking are pretty comparable to players you would pull out of the 2nd and 3rd rounds... and are succeeding and projecting well now that we are past Vey and done moving picks. People play it off that we are not restocking just because we are not putting years of development and gamble only.

Imagine where we would be if Lefty got his trade he kept pushing for, Edler for Weber. He would be freaking about dumb ass Benning being stuck with that contract. Just like he did with the Sedins and Edler.

I don't think you bother bringing Gudbranson back this year.

I'd maybe try to work out some schedule over the end of the season where maybe he comes in for 2, sits for 1 sort of thing. No better time than right now to give it a shot and see if you've got something. Or maybe someone else likes what they see and you move him for a 4th or in a prospect swap at the draft
- Lindenis#1

If Gudbransun is healthy, I would hope mgmt makes it a priority to play him so they can accurately evaluate him before he goes to RFA. Not only that but he is exactly the type of personality this team will need in the locker room and on the ice as it is going to be a lot of young, fragile kids.

Come on now, he isn't playing with McDavid and Kassian deserves a lot of credit for getting his poop together. He is playing well in the bottom 6 for them.

It's too bad that he never was able to do that here but he himself has said numerous times that his accident in MTL was the kick in the ass he needed.
- belcherbd

Sorry I forgot...feelings

If Gudbransun is healthy, I would hope mgmt makes it a priority to play him so they can accurately evaluate him before he goes to RFA. Not only that but he is exactly the type of personality this team will need in the locker room and on the ice as it is going to be a lot of young, fragile kids.
- belcherbd

If Gudbransun is healthy, I would hope mgmt makes it a priority to play him so they can accurately evaluate him before he goes to RFA. Not only that but he is exactly the type of personality this team will need in the locker room and on the ice as it is going to be a lot of young, fragile kids.
- belcherbd

If you need 10 or 7 or whatever games to decide what he is, and not the start of this year or the other 300 games in his career then I have more concerns about the pro scouting on this team than I already did.

I'd be stunned if he ever turns into the top 4 guy some people seem to envision. He has the same problems Sbisa has. Flat footed a lot and struggles to make clean plays with the puck. He's just bigger.

If you need 10 or 7 or whatever games to decide what he is, and not the start of this year or the other 300 games in his career then I have more concerns about the pro scouting on this team than I already did.

I'd be stunned if he ever turns into the top 4 guy some people seem to envision. He has the same problems Sbisa has. Flat footed a lot and struggles to make clean plays with the puck. He's just bigger.
- Lindenis#1

Benning doesn't need 10 to 7 games . Same as all those hoping to move Sutter , Benning said this afternoon we still have vets going forward like Sutter.

He also said a few weeks ago befor ED surgery we like what he brings

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.
- bloatedmosquito

How much more open can the roster be after this & last season.
Jettison the few remaining older players & end up as the Oilers pre McDavid?

If you need 10 or 7 or whatever games to decide what he is, and not the start of this year or the other 300 games in his career then I have more concerns about the pro scouting on this team than I already did.

I'd be stunned if he ever turns into the top 4 guy some people seem to envision. He has the same problems Sbisa has. Flat footed a lot and struggles to make clean plays with the puck. He's just bigger.
- Lindenis#1

I agree with you but the scenario has changed in regards to where they are with Tryamkin's development in particular as well as Sbisa proving he can be that 5th D who can play up the line up at times.

All I can do is hope they take as much time and opportunities to evaluate him before committing to a contract.

I'm personally hoping for a 1 year show me deal.

I wonder if we acquire more picks/prospects before the draft? If that happens, and we pick high,,, things will probably be pretty upbeat around here.... I would hope.

The ultimate fantasy is all that happens after the Sharks win the cup

they tried to get hansen
- CanuckDon

He gave them a 👎 😂

If you need 10 or 7 or whatever games to decide what he is, and not the start of this year or the other 300 games in his career then I have more concerns about the pro scouting on this team than I already did.

I'd be stunned if he ever turns into the top 4 guy some people seem to envision. He has the same problems Sbisa has. Flat footed a lot and struggles to make clean plays with the puck. He's just bigger.
- Lindenis#1

Well...thankfully we can rely on Benning's scouting of EG in Florida and not your impeccable armchair GMing

I'm probably one of his few supporters here this season and I would still really like to see him get an opportunity in the bigs but he definitely still has some big holes in his game. Ideally the Canucks can get some reinforcements to Utica and they can somehow squeak in as I think that would be best for his development.
- belcherbd

Not to mention far down the depth list

I agree with you but the scenario has changed in regards to where they are with Tryamkin's development in particular as well as Sbisa proving he can be that 5th D who can play up the line up at times.

All I can do is hope they take as much time and opportunities to evaluate him before committing to a contract.

I'm personally hoping for a 1 year show me deal.
- belcherbd

Same. A one year contract. He hasn't proven to be worth any more. Especially if they move Sbisa, then just give him the same money over a year. Its just locking into any kind of big money or long term commitment that could be problematic.

If he comes back on a 1 year, doesn't prove jack then move him at the deadline.

As nice as he seems to be as a person, you can't fork out huge dollars for "intangibles" if a guy can't reliably play top minutes. Don't need another Dorsett contract.

A healthy 6 next year of Edler, Tanev, Hutton, Stecher, Tryamkin and Gudbranson isn't a bad place to be if you're working on development and rebuilding.

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

I suggested Baertschi and Eriksson. What you're talking about was not me that said it

How much more open can the roster be after this & last season.
Jettison the few remaining older players & end up as the Oilers pre McDavid?
- Nighthawk

This is what I say. Sedins are gone in a year... Edler probably. Guddy if here, will be our vet D man in his mid 20's still. A couple of vets in our 12 forwards is totally reasonable. Needed even.

Well...thankfully we can rely on Benning's scouting of EG in Florida and not your impeccable armchair GMing
- CanuckDon

Yes, because his pro scouting and evaluation has been above reproach. Just like it was with Eriksson, Dorsett, Sbisa and why he overpaid to get Sutter.

Yes, because his pro scouting and evaluation has been above reproach. Just like it was with Eriksson, Dorsett, Sbisa and why he overpaid to get Sutter.
- Lindenis#1

Dorsett shuts down Crosby during the NYR playoff but he is not any good as a Canuck

Dorsett shuts down Crosby during the NYR playoff but he is not any good as a Canuck
- VANTEL

This is "Cole Cassells is our answer to Connor McDavid" level thinking

Same. A one year contract. He hasn't proven to be worth any more. Especially if they move Sbisa, then just give him the same money over a year. Its just locking into any kind of big money or long term commitment that could be problematic.

If he comes back on a 1 year, doesn't prove jack then move him at the deadline.

As nice as he seems to be as a person, you can't fork out huge dollars for "intangibles" if a guy can't reliably play top minutes. Don't need another Dorsett contract.

A healthy 6 next year of Edler, Tanev, Hutton, Stecher, Tryamkin and Gudbranson isn't a bad place to be if you're working on development and rebuilding.
- Lindenis#1

1yr show me contract is unrealistic