Well they have had those 2 great centers for over a decade. So obv more too it. Kessel seems to be the guy who put them over the top. No cups for years until he showed up.
- Retinalz

Mike Sullivan and the injection of Guentzel, Rust and Sheary. I think we blew a lot of years with Dan Bylsma.

Kessel was very good last year, this year, was a bit of a drop off

Carolina 2006.....Staal Brindamour and Doug Weight, three great centres. Not on the level of Crosby and Malkin but still two 1000+ point centres.
- LeftCoaster

Yep, I still don't know how we did it this year, they were handcuffed without Letang, IMO the goalies won us the cup, 71 and 87 were good too.

DISAGREE

Nothing wrong with the Sedins defence, it's the offence that has dried up.
- Crazybagoham

There is a lot wrong with their defensive game, they are the most cringe worthy players back checking...

I don't have a problem with the current system for the most part. People the last few years have started accepting and parroting the fallacy that " player A is too good for Juniors" when they are usually just average for a drafted player.

I really think people here and elsewhere underestimate how much of a challenge it is to go from playing in juniors to playing against pro's in the AHL. The same holds true for how rare it is for teens to be ready for the NHL. The natural progression of Juniors for 3 years usually (4th often corresponds with overage year) and 2 years of Minors is fine.

I would support waiting until players are 19 before drafting though.
- belcherbd

How can you not like watching Crosby and Malkin dominate? They are a fun team
- CanuckDon

For the same reason I dislike Gretzky, prima dona whiners of the biggest kind.

There is a lot wrong with their defensive game, they are the most cringe worthy players back checking...
- Makita

Those words describe exactly the Sedins without the puck.

There is a lot wrong with their defensive game, they are the most cringe worthy players back checking...
- Makita

For the same reason I dislike Gretzky, prima dona whiners of the biggest kind.
- Makita

he doesn't really whine much anymore

I don't have a problem with the current system for the most part. People the last few years have started accepting and parroting the fallacy that " player A is too good for Juniors" when they are usually just average for a drafted player.

I really think people here and elsewhere underestimate how much of a challenge it is to go from playing in juniors to playing against pro's in the AHL. The same holds true for how rare it is for teens to be ready for the NHL. The natural progression of Juniors for 3 years usually (4th often corresponds with overage year) and 2 years of Minors is fine.

I would support waiting until players are 19 before drafting though.
- belcherbd

This is why I've stated for the CHL/AHL/NHL to work out a deal to either lower the age for the AHL so that players who are drafted can play in the minor leagues and learn the systems they'll be expected to play after their draft year or else raise the draft age to 20 so that the CHL doesn't lose stars until they're overage.

By doing so, you negate the risk of getting busts because most of the players by 20 are mostly filled out physically and are mature mentally and would be more easy to project in the NHL rather then at 18 where they still need to grow mentally/physically/skill-wise.

How can you not like watching Crosby and Malkin dominate? They are a fun team
- CanuckDon

I like watching Crosby and Malkin but you said you liked Kessel.

This is why I've stated for the CHL/AHL/NHL to work out a deal to either lower the age for the AHL so that players who are drafted can play in the minor leagues and learn the systems they'll be expected to play after their draft year or else raise the draft age to 20 so that the CHL doesn't lose stars until they're overage.

By doing so, you negate the risk of getting busts because most of the players by 20 are mostly filled out physically and are mature mentally and would be more easy to project in the NHL rather then at 18 where they still need to grow mentally/physically/skill-wise.
- DariusKnight

If the CHL could keep players till 20, they would be ecstatic! 2 more years of McDavid and Crosby's would make them a bunch more money. Oh but the NHL would lose millions more then the CHL would ever make.

There could be maybe a player compensation as they have for european players. NHL teams pays upwards of like 600,000 for each Swedish players that signs in the NHL.

If the CHL could keep players till 20, they would be ecstatic! 2 more years of McDavid and Crosby's would make them a bunch more money. Oh but the NHL would lose millions more then the CHL would ever make.

There could be maybe a player compensation as they have for european players. NHL teams pays upwards of like 600,000 for each Swedish players that signs in the NHL.
- manvanfan

Exactly! Yes and NHL should work out deal with AHL to share in that cost to do that for the CHL. So much greed by all and not enough focus on what's good for the players and the game.

Like 25 Direct message
Rick Dhaliwal‏ @DhaliwalSports 7m7 minutes ago
Been told the #Canucks have interest in re-signing ufa forward Darren Archibald who led Utica in scoring.

No talks between the #Canucks and Ryan Miller's agent since the 2 sides met in Buffalo at the NHL Combine in late May.

#Canucks still lukewarm on re-signing Alexandre Grenier.

The #Canucks will obviously qualify Brendan Gaunce but will have tough time
protecting him for the Las Vegas expansion draft.

Like 25 Direct message
Rick Dhaliwal‏ @DhaliwalSports 7m7 minutes ago
Been told the #Canucks have interest in re-signing ufa forward Darren Archibald who led Utica in scoring.

No talks between the #Canucks and Ryan Miller's agent since the 2 sides met in Buffalo at the NHL Combine in late May.

#Canucks still lukewarm on re-signing Alexandre Grenier.

The #Canucks will obviously qualify Brendan Gaunce but will have tough time
protecting him for the Las Vegas expansion draft.
- VANTEL

I wouldnt mind resigning Grenier, hed be good if he used his size more. A guy im hoping geting resigned is Curtis Valk, small size but does have skill

I wouldnt mind resigning Grenier, hed be good if he used his size more. A guy im hoping geting resigned is Curtis Valk, small size but does have skill
- phyllee

Grenier is great for Utica. He produces down there but I would never pencil him in as a Canuck unless for an emergency call up for a game

Grenier is great for Utica. He produces down there but I would never pencil him in as a Canuck unless for an emergency call up for a game
- VANTEL

Very true. If he played with toughness id prefure him over Dorsett, but he doesnt and thats his biggest flaw. 6'5 200+ pounds its a shame

Very true. If he played with toughness id prefure him over Dorsett, but he doesnt and thats his biggest flaw. 6'5 200+ pounds its a shame
- phyllee

Labate is still young but plays closer to that type of game.

Labate is still young but plays closer to that type of game.
- VANTEL

Yup, im a believer in him, if Gaunce is taken by vegas, and Labate has a good summer i wouldnt be shocked to see him on the 4th line this year. Last year out of camp i though he deserved it. Wouldnt have Willie holding him down, positives of hiring green whos familiar with him

First day of the off-season, let's get started with player movement

First day of the off-season, let's get started with player movement
- LeftCoaster

- VANTEL

It should be a busy two weeks for JB.

makes me wonder what would be the craziest move he is considering?

It is interesting that Vegas can sign ufa's from June 18-21, well ahead of other clubs.

First day of the off-season, let's get started with player movement
- LeftCoaster

I bet they put a lid on it for a day or 2. By mid to late week I be things start getting crazy. There has to be deals done already. Bettman keeping them under wraps.

It should be a busy two weeks for JB.

makes me wonder what would be the craziest move he is considering?

It is interesting that Vegas can sign ufa's from June 18-21, well ahead of other clubs.
- hillbillydeluxe

If they sign a UFA during that 3 day window, it is considered as a player being selected from whatever team the UFA played for.

If they sign a UFA during that 3 day window, it is considered as a player being selected from whatever team the UFA played for.
- Reubenkincade

I should know that.


The league needs a bit of a shakeup. I guess that sort of thought isn't surprising coming from a guy rooting for a bottom dweller.