Nope, I've very clearly acknowledged that they were dealt a poopty hand. And that's exactly why I think it made more sense for them to not weaken the future "age gap" by trading away picks/prospects for other team's prospect cast offs to makeup for MG's bad drafting.
- Nucker101

That's fair...some of the moves were/ are a net gain and some haven't been...the nature of swapping young unproven assets

This was the mistake, a team that is slow, lacks skill/size shouldn't be trying to sign an expensive 31 year old UFA to a 6 year deal, they should be looking for a youth movement and trying to give the team as much financial/roster flexibility as realistically possible in the future.

The problem with his "age gap" theory/execution is that it made more sense to trade vets for to fill that gap, not picks/prospects, because all he did was weaken his next age gap by doing that.
- Nucker101

MG
Kassian 22
Tanev 23

JB
Tanev 27
Gudbranson 25
Hutton 24
Granlund 24
Baertschi 24
Gaunce 23
Stecher 23
Horvat 22
Virtanen 21
Goldobin 21
Boeser 20

Place blame where is due. If you want blame Benning for acquiring Vey that's reasonable. Blaiming Linden or Benning for Erickson is misguided in my opinion
- CanuckDon

I'm blaming whoever is making the decisions, whichever of the 3 stooges it is. Looking ahead, I just hope that the TDL is a sign of a new direction.

I just don't agree with your assessment he's added "needs". Not everything's been terrible, however, we've been down this road before.

I agree with Nucker in that I believe they FINALLY committed to a rebuild this TDL, hopefully he continues down that path.
- LeftCoaster

He actually had assets to sell this year that other teams wanted.

I'm blaming whoever is making the decisions, whichever of the 3 stooges it is. Looking ahead, I just hope that the TDL is a sign of a new direction.
- Nucker101

Linden said "rebuild"

MG
Kassian 22
Tanev 23

JB
Tanev 27
Gudbranson 25
Hutton 24
Granlund 24
Baertschi 24
Gaunce 23
Stecher 23
Horvat 22
Virtanen 21
Goldobin 21
Boeser 20
- manvanfan

Not sure what this has to do with my point. I'm not saying the team isn't younger lol. I'm talking about the big picture plan.

Well he added tree for one season Added toughness.

Guds brings toughness as well. Eriksson does bring in skill. Goldobin and Boeser both bring the ability to finish.

Not everything is done through drafting.
- manvanfan

When JB was hired he stated day 1 its draft & develop & trading that builds teams.
Creating a winning environment in the AHL & restocking the farm was needed.

He actually had assets to sell this year that other teams wanted.
- manvanfan

That's a fair point, but the Eriksson move trumps any argument that the team was ready to rebuild after last season. Wether that was an ownership/management call, we'll never know but the reality is that it's not a move that any sane rebuilding team makes.

Linden said "rebuild"
- CanuckDon

Linden says a lot of poop

Realistically, I'd like to know what the anti-rebuild and the "re-tool" crowd would like to do long-term and during the post-Sedin era. Like a big picture plan with a light at the end of the tunnel. Genuinely curious, no hate.

I just don't agree with your assessment he's added "needs". Not everything's been terrible, however, we've been down this road before.

I agree with Nucker in that I believe they FINALLY committed to a rebuild this TDL, hopefully he continues down that path.
- LeftCoaster

The rebuild began day 1 but just not what most ppl envisioned. Roster turnover has been immense. Trades have occurred. Saddled with NMC's/NTC's has been an ongoing work in progress. Those who dreamt that JB could wipe the slate totally clean & go 100% rebuild r in denial.

When JB was hired he stated day 1 its draft & develop & trading that builds teams.
Creating a winning environment in the AHL & restocking the farm was needed.
- Nighthawk

Then they sucked and were forced to speed up the development or make trades and sign players to allow the kids time to develop. Not 6 years for LE but still.

Canada and Swiss are tied late...no surprise

Canada and Swiss are tied late...no surprise
- CanuckDon

Just the way both countries like it...no hurt feelings or ruffled feathers

Just the way both countries like it...no hurt feelings or ruffled feathers
- Nucker101

Skill vs heart is often a draw

He actually had assets to sell this year that other teams wanted.
- manvanfan

He's had tradable assets every year, this year he made it happen...thankfully.

Realistically, I'd like to know what the anti-rebuild and the "re-tool" crowd would like to do long-term and during the post-Sedin era. Like a big picture plan with a light at the end of the tunnel. Genuinely curious, no hate.
- Nucker101

Nobody is "anti" rebuild. The roster has already been rebuilt except for 4 players.

Van needs 2 first line forwards. Replacing the production of the younger Sedin's.

Then they sucked and were forced to speed up the development or make trades and sign players to allow the kids time to develop. Not 6 years for LE but still.
- manvanfan

I hearya there but ppl going on about LE over n over is grating on my nerves.
His contract has hindered nobody nor the team.
His 200' game is still solid & the point production is irrelevant til we r actually on the rise. 5 more years is fine by me while we go thru the pain. If LE cannot handle the pain & asks for a trade then an asset we have going forward.

The question to ask is LE@$6m holding us back in anyway?
I say NO

He's had tradable assets every year, this year he made it happen...thankfully.
- LeftCoaster

Who hammer and Vrbata. Well only Dallas wanted hammer and they choose someone else. Vrbata handcuffed him with a NTC.

You don't just sell everyone at every deadline because you suck.

I hearya there but ppl going on about LE over n over is grating on my nerves.
His contract has hindered nobody nor the team.
His 200' game is still solid & the point production is irrelevant til we r actually on the rise. 5 more years is fine by me while we go thru the pain. If LE cannot handle the pain & asks for a trade then an asset we have going forward.

The question to ask is LE@$6m holding us back in anyway?
I say NO
- Nighthawk

I'm not super happy about the term. They only keep complaining about it because they don't have enough on JB to complain about. Complaining is what people do nowadays

He's had tradable assets every year, this year he made it happen...thankfully.
- LeftCoaster

Other than Hamhuis & Vrbata making it difficult the tradeable assets were moved.
The fact Burriws & Hansen agreed & the returns we got were solid was the best we could hope for IMO. The Sedins Edler & Luongo re apture r all that r in our way. Now i do like JB but i am not claiming him a success nor failure til I see how his picks/trades work out til the 2018/19 season. At that time i expect JV & OJ etc to determine my judgement.

This is where I think he's failed miserably, he hasn't addressed any needs, in fact he's made things worse by making poor decisions. All the things you're alluding too as far as "addressing needs" has been fruitless. He should have been rebuilding two years ago when they got their asses handed to them by Calgary.
- LeftCoaster

Is your alt the RightCoaster? 😜
FYI the Liberals allow Alberta scabs to work in BC costing BCers well paid jobs.
But what do u know other than move to Alberta if u like it better. Ppl who don't give a crap about losing well paid jobs & the trickle down effect for the other jobs lost here to out of province workers or foreign companies exploiting it live in a bubble.
- Nighthawk

I'm definitely slightly right of center, a fiscal Conservative, if you will. People on the right believe that the best outcome for society is achieved when individual rights and civil liberties are paramount and the role, and especially the power, of the government is minimized.

On the left ideologies center around the rights of individuals vs. the power of the government. Left-wing beliefs are liberal in that they believe society is best served with an expanded role for the government.

I do not believe in the expanded role of government!!!

"Scabs" as you call it, is an antiquated term from past years unionized environment, I believe the need for unions is long gone. They were a blessing in the past for workers, but not needed anymore imo.

Alberta allows British Columbians to come in and take high paying jobs, why shouldn't BC? Our borders are free. You can move freely throughout our country to achieve your wealth.

I'm not super happy about the term. They only keep complaining about it because they don't have enough on JB to complain about. Complaining is what people do nowadays
- manvanfan

Yes ppl complain these days but its too rampant & unproductive.
Reactionary loses out to being proactive everyday.
Anyone can complain from day 1 when they r born but why go there & be defeatists?
If the majority had all the answers on all things who would need Governments or bosses or owners? The majority rarely knows whats best IMO.

- Pres.cup

He's jumped off too many cliffs. He's starting to slack.