Two years and counting Spin it anyway you like, we suck.
- VanHockeyGuy

Same players getting injuried. Time to move on from them. Tanev and granlund cya later

Chances are they arent winning it. Hope they do though.
- mauryballstein

They are ranked 8th now. They certainly do have a chance. 😉😉😍

Newer rankings out 7th now.

They are at 47. Second frozen four is also the same time as the seasons last games. I dont know how he burns a year if there isnt any games left to play.
- manvanfan

I hope they go the ATO route. Expansion draft aside (as I would like the team to actually utilize their spots to get better), Utica is in a playoff chase with a supportive fanbase. Someone pointed out earlier how poopty the atmosphere around the team is, I dont see the point in sending him here when there is a better/more exciting opportunity available to him where he can play more games and a bigger role

I really don't think Benning and Canucks view the team the same way we do. I think they think they were a few injuries and bad bounces away from a playoff spot
- VANTEL

A few lucky bounces + being the first team in history to have their top 4 D + top 9 F stay healthy all year long


To have them fighting for 8th/9th place


Solid team

I hope they go the ATO route. Expansion draft aside (as I would like the team to actually utilize their spots to get better), Utica is in a playoff chase with a supportive fanbase. Someone pointed out earlier how poopty the atmosphere around the team is, I don't see the point in sending him here when there is a better/more exciting opportunity available to him where he can play more games and a bigger role
- WhiteLie

Van will already have about 40 contracts for next season. Gaudette, EP (42) If they do pick up 3 more College players. (45). First round pick. (46) Doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room.

Why? Decent cap hit. 3 Years left, last 2 modified NTC?

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/brandon-sutter
- VanHockeyGuy

Don't get me wrong, decent player, but at $4.4M per I think his role could be filled with something cheaper. The guy has scored 40 points just once in his career (2009) so his game is not about point production. 3rd or 4th line guys is where a GM should be finding contract value.

Don't get me wrong, decent player, but at $4.4M per I think his role could be filled with something cheaper. The guy has score 40 points just once in his career (2009) so his game is not about point production. 3rd or 4th line guys is where a GM should be finding contract value.
- bloatedmosquito

Nick Bonino has scored 40 pts just once also and yet considered one of the best. Big difference playing on the Pens and Nashville over the bottom feeding Canucks

Why would he get the Virtanen treatment do you expect him to be chasing skirts in every town too?

Jake does not have a head for hockey . He came into town out of shape , partied like hell and was lazy. He got what he deserved
- VANTEL

He got to play in the nhl.... when he didn't deserve it. That's the virtanan treatment. No rookie should be given a spot on the roster, signed and if they're good enough then they'll make it on there own accord.

Nick Bonino has scored 40 pts just once also and yet considered one of the best. Big difference playing on the Pens and Nashville over the bottom feeding Canucks
- VANTEL

Van just doesnt have a good enough 1st line to get the right match ups

Van just doesnt have a good enough 1st line to get the right match ups
- manvanfan

They have 2 top 6 players, one injured, and a boatload of 3rd, 4th and 5th liners.

They have 2 top 6 players, one injured, and a boatload of 3rd, 4th and 5th liners.
- Reubenkincade

[img]
Other then the need for D. Van needs a big body, puck handling skilled 1st line center. A Matthews, Kopitar, Getzlaf type. [/img]

EP won the SHL scoring title?

Van will already have about 40 contracts for next season. Gaudette, EP (42) If they do pick up 3 more College players. (45). First round pick. (46) Doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room.
- manvanfan

Nope, there isnt. They need to trim the fat a bit, particularly in Utica where there are some serviceable AHLers who are longshot NHLers. Give out some AHL contracts instead

I think EP will choose to stay in Sweden another year. I think the big prospect upgrade next year will be Gaudette OJ and Demko. Getting Cam Ward for two years might be a good teacher . Trade or demote Markstrom and Neilsson.

Gaudette I expect 8-12 Golas in his first year not 25-30
- VANTEL

If Gaudette, OJ, Demko and Ward are here next year it will be a step backwards. One more year of pain, try to get Peterson signed. Put all of them in the minors, if he wasn't waiver except I'd put Viet, Goldy, pullout, Hutton down as well.

Let them grow together, develop chemistry, couple call ups if they earn it, then the following year bring them all up together and make a push for the playoffs.

Nope, there isnt. They need to trim the fat a bit, particularly in Utica where there are some serviceable AHLers who are longshot NHLers. Give out some AHL contracts instead
- WhiteLie

Chaput, Megna, Boucher, LaBate. wave bye.

If Gaudette, OJ, Demko and Ward are here next year it will be a step backwards. One more year of pain, try to get Peterson signed. Put all of them in the minors, if he wasn't waiver except I'd put Viet, Goldy, pullout, Hutton down as well.

Let them grow together, develop chemistry, couple call ups if they earn it, then the following year bring them all up together and make a push for the playoffs.
- Pres.cup

Yes Playoffs next year!

Chaput, Megna, Boucher, LaBate. wave bye.
- manvanfan

I'd add Bachmann to that list as well. I dont mind if Utica wants them, they can do AHL deals like Archibald and Garteig have done. I just dont see a point of wasting NHL contracts on players that wont be there or are way too far down the call up chart

https://twitter.com/PeteB...status/972538806682488832

Yup Marchand is a POS.

Gillis's drafting was piss poor no question but he actually made some great trades. Nonis was probably the worst drafting GM the franchise has ever known.
- LeftCoaster

Agreed. His best draft was like a month after Burke was let go and Nonis says they "stayed the course". Lucky for us... his following drafts show us what the first would have been like if he wanted to put his own mark on it.

They are at 47. Second frozen four is also the same time as the seasons last games. I dont know how he burns a year if there isnt any games left to play.
- manvanfan

Magic.....

Tell that to Bieksa3. He quit hockey buzz because his boy Dal Colle was a massive bust at 4
- CanuckDon

McCann a future 1st line C was another one of his...

Magic.....
- Pres.cup

Very odd since i'm watching "now you see me"

Patrik Laine is soooo good.

[img]
Other then the need for D. Van needs a big body, puck handling skilled 1st line center. A Matthews, Kopitar, Getzlaf type.
- manvanfan[/img]

I dont get the picture?

Yes Playoffs next year!
- manvanfan

2019/20 is the year I could see them making a push for the playoffs. Write me down.