hard to say...gagner and mdz were low risk signings. but not exactly tdl fodder either. i'm still not sure of the direction benning is taking.

we'll see what they do with the sedins. it's time to move on.
- Tumbleweed

They're simply more offensive players to try and make the product a bit more entertaining while they build through the draft, nothing more.

Every single time I see "Franson" posted anywhere I lose a few years off my life ffs.

Can this fat (frank) just sign somewhere with someone not within 300KM of my location immediately.
- Bigzby

I always liked Franson.....except his speed...but his offensive play in the oppositions end was always pretty good.

Every single time I see "Franson" posted anywhere I lose a few years off my life ffs.

Can this fat (frank) just sign somewhere with someone not within 300KM of my location immediately.
- Bigzby

Franson wasn't all that bad. Franson was at least better than Hunwick. Franson could shoot pretty well and play well in the offensive zone. Franson, Franson, Franson




Franson

They're simply more offensive players to try and make the product a bit more entertaining while they build through the draft, nothing more.
- LeftCoaster

signing plugs to 1-year deals that other gm's overpay for at the TDL would expedite the rebuild, rather than draging it out with a slightly more entertaining product.

gagner reminds me of the leafs signing tim connolly.

hard to say...gagner and mdz were low risk signings. but not exactly tdl fodder either. i'm still not sure of the direction benning is taking.

we'll see what they do with the sedins. it's time to move on.
- Tumbleweed

Vancouver is a hot hockey market, Aquilini is a terrible owner. Basically a big cheapskate. Canucks make tons of money, have excellent fan support - with the cap you can spend only so much on the team - but on management there is no cap. Benning is lousy but he's cheap. Travis Green has never coached an NHL game but he's cheap. Did Aquilini hire the best guys at either position - not a chance. Therefore he is a terrible owner.

This is true, bad ownership is ultimately responsible. It is not Benning's fault that he is a moron. Leaf fans that remember Ballard will attest to how bad ownership can poison a team. Buffalo also has an idiot for an owner, we have a pool at work as to when then next coaching/GM firing happens in Buffalo. I also remember a client in Chicago used to take me Blackhawk games when Bill Wirtz Sr. was the owner - place was absolutely electric - loud, raucious fans - but he was known as dollar Bill for a reason - they never won under dollar bill. When he died, his son Rocky hired Tallon, later Bowman, Quenville and started spending money -and treating former stars like good owners should (namely Hull and Makita)- and they won cups.
- winsix

agreed.

signing plugs to 1-year deals that other gm's overpay for at the TDL would expedite the rebuild, rather than draging it out with a slightly more entertaining product.

gagner reminds of leafs signing tim connolly.
- Tumbleweed

They're gonna finish near last again, they have all their picks, hopefully they find some players through the draft.

They're gonna finish near last again, they have all their picks, hopefully they find some players through the draft.
- LeftCoaster

this is a year to bottom out. sounds like a couple really good players in the top 2

matthews accelerated our rebuild. if we picked 4 that year and ended up with puljavari, the leafs would be still tanking for this year's draft too.

gotta maximize your chances of getting in the top 2.

this is a year to bottom out. sounds like a couple really good players in the top 2

matthews accelerated our rebuild. if we picked 4 that year and ended up with puljavari, the leafs would be still tanking for this year's draft too.

gotta maximize your chances of getting in the top 2.
- Tumbleweed

There's a lot of luck involved now, Leafs had an 80% chance of not picking first, yet they won anyways....that's luck.

There's a lot of luck involved now, Leafs had an 80% chance of not picking first, yet they won anyways....that's luck.
- LeftCoaster

But still had the highest chance to pick 1st. almost double what the 29th team did...

There's a lot of luck involved now, Leafs had an 80% chance of not picking first, yet they won anyways....that's luck.
- LeftCoaster

agreed. but we still maxed out our chances.

and we maximized turnover of our roster for tdl assets.

nucks are doing neither.

agreed. after the top 3, who are all top 4 guys, our defense was basically 6-7 guys last year.

hopefully with hainsey in and carrick stepping up, we can see some improvement.
- Tumbleweed

You know it's funny I expect Hunwick to have a real good season in Pittsburgh. He played the best hockey of his life against Washington.

- RickJames77

agreed. but we still maxed out our chances.

and we maximized turnover of our roster for tdl assets.

nucks are doing neither.
- Tumbleweed

Hard to finish dead last when you have equally as incompetent managers like Sakic in the league

You know it's funny I expect Hunwick to have a real good season in Pittsburgh. He played the best hockey of his life against Washington.
- Blazed

It won't hurt with the forwards on that team either...might make it a little easier to get the puck out etc.

Hard to finish dead last when you have equally as incompetent managers like Sakic in the league
- LeftCoaster

True - but there is still the element of good luck with the ping pong balls - which haven't exactly rolled in favour of the Canucks last two years.

You know it's funny I expect Hunwick to have a real good season in Pittsburgh. He played the best hockey of his life against Washington.
- Blazed

nah.

hunwick sucks.

Hard to finish dead last when you have equally as incompetent managers like Sakic in the league
- LeftCoaster

nah.

hunwick sucks.
- Tumbleweed

Big time

True - but there is still the element of good luck with the ping pong balls - which haven't exactly rolled in favour of the Canucks last two years.
- winsix

Even incompetent (frank)s like Kevin Lowe and Jim Benning can get lucky I guess.

Even incompetent (frank)s like Kevin Lowe and Jim Benning can get lucky I guess.
- LeftCoaster

I actually think Benning is a great GM for the Canucks and should stay there for years to come!

Respectfully disagree, Trouba was an extra on team North America while the top three d-men on the team were Reilly, Gostibehere and Parayko. And Lindholm - didn't make the Swedish team. We'll see down the road.
- winsix

Wasnt ekblad north americas number 1 guy? I cant really remember but those teams arent always picked right anyway. Im happy with Rielly, id like to see him used on the PP more. He also seems like a really solid pro, works his ass off.

In every way by Miles?
No.
Better perhaps.
Not by Miles.

But Gardiner is the best right?
- Fakepartofme

You forget that hyperbole is Tanner's default literary device, because it's the best way to make a point by a mile and it's not even close.

You know it's funny I expect Hunwick to have a real good season in Pittsburgh. He played the best hockey of his life against Washington.
- Blazed

Its scary that both leaf fans and pens fans are happy with switching Hainsey for Hunwick makes me laugh

Wasnt ekblad north americas number 1 guy? I cant really remember but those teams arent always picked right anyway. Im happy with Rielly, id like to see him used on the PP more. He also seems like a really solid pro, works his ass off.
- ClarksonDavid

Did not play - injured