Ian Esplen: 5 more to go... 5 more to go...

WHOA!! A bit harsh you think? Go on don't worry about the Blues. justsayin`

"This Blues team is of no concern to me for one simple reason: they don't have it in them to win in the playoffs. Why do I say this? Because of their captain David Backes comments over the last few days. Any team that needs their captain to remind them to focus and play hard this time of year doesn't have it in them to make it very far in the playoffs."

Funny hearing, ”they don’t have it in them to win in the playoffs” from a Canuck. The Blues have one of the youngest teams in the NHL who have just started to become relevant in the playoff picture again, if their Captain isn’t telling them to stay focused then there is something wrong. The Canucks on the other hand have one of the oldest team in the NHL with much playoff experience in the core group, although the window is closing fast due to not only age but salary cap. I wouldn’t expect your captain to have to remind everyone that it is time to get going.

You write like an angry Canuck fan after a loss on the NHL.com message boards.

Ian Esplen: 5 more to go...
5 more to go...
- IanEsplen

Aleady recalled Joslin.

But I wouldn't be too surprised to see Corrado called up as insurance, due to his right hand shot.

Doubt he actually makes it into a game, though.

Ebbett can not be this teams 3rd line centre. Gotta be Lapierre or Roy/Kesler. Even Schroeder is a better option.

backes lol

any player whose best chirp to another player is that he's going bald is definitely not captain material.

"This Blues team is of no concern to me for one simple reason: they don't have it in them to win in the playoffs. Why do I say this? Because of their captain David Backes comments over the last few days. Any team that needs their captain to remind them to focus and play hard this time of year doesn't have it in them to make it very far in the playoffs."

Funny hearing, ”they don’t have it in them to win in the playoffs” from a Canuck. The Blues have one of the youngest teams in the NHL who have just started to become relevant in the playoff picture again, if their Captain isn’t telling them to stay focused then there is something wrong. The Canucks on the other hand have one of the oldest team in the NHL with much playoff experience in the core group, although the window is closing fast due to not only age but salary cap. I wouldn’t expect your captain to have to remind everyone that it is time to get going.

You write like an angry Canuck fan after a loss on the NHL.com message boards.
- Blueshockey47

You do know that the Blues are only a year younger on avg. than the Canucks right?

Also, LA and Toronto are both younger than the Blues, yet I don't hear Kopi and Dion telling ther teams how important games are.

At this time of year, the Captain should not have to fire his team up. Players should live for the playoffs and be ready to go.

WHOA!! A bit harsh you think? Go on don't worry about the Blues. justsayin`
- Stricknasty's Hero

7 game series I'd be worried about the blues The Nucks

backes lol

any player whose best chirp to another player is that he's going bald is definitely not captain material.
- hnic

He's one of my fav players, but the whining about a little blood, such a lil kitten move.

"Give your ballz a tug."

You do know that the Blues are only a year younger on avg. than the Canucks right?

Also, LA and Toronto are both younger than the Blues, yet I don't hear Kopi and Dion telling ther teams how important games are.

At this time of year, the Captain should not have to fire his team up. Players should live for the playoffs and be ready to go.
- IanEsplen

yeah.. no captain ever said anything during the playoffs.. to get his team going...

puff puff pass please.

7 game series I'd be worried about the blues The Nucks
- wolverine19

The blues have 6 goals in their last 6 games. They needed a stupid mistake from our 8th defensman to beat a team in a back to back with nothing much to play for. It would be a tough series, but I see the Canucks winning it.

"This Blues team is of no concern to me for one simple reason: they don't have it in them to win in the playoffs. Why do I say this? Because of their captain David Backes comments over the last few days. Any team that needs their captain to remind them to focus and play hard this time of year doesn't have it in them to make it very far in the playoffs."

Funny hearing, ”they don’t have it in them to win in the playoffs” from a Canuck. The Blues have one of the youngest teams in the NHL who have just started to become relevant in the playoff picture again, if their Captain isn’t telling them to stay focused then there is something wrong. The Canucks on the other hand have one of the oldest team in the NHL with much playoff experience in the core group, although the window is closing fast due to not only age but salary cap. I wouldn’t expect your captain to have to remind everyone that it is time to get going.

You write like an angry Canuck fan after a loss on the NHL.com message boards.
- Blueshockey47

Just remember one thing, Ian's comments are his thoughts and do not represent an entire fan base.

So if Backes has to motivate his team to stay focused, I hate to hear what Hank says to his team because they are playing very UN inspiring hockey.

I think the canucks would win the series, but I would give St. Louis more respect.

"This Blues team is of no concern to me for one simple reason: they don't have it in them to win in the playoffs. Why do I say this? Because of their captain David Backes comments over the last few days. Any team that needs their captain to remind them to focus and play hard this time of year doesn't have it in them to make it very far in the playoffs."

Funny hearing, ”they don’t have it in them to win in the playoffs” from a Canuck. The Blues have one of the youngest teams in the NHL who have just started to become relevant in the playoff picture again, if their Captain isn’t telling them to stay focused then there is something wrong. The Canucks on the other hand have one of the oldest team in the NHL with much playoff experience in the core group, although the window is closing fast due to not only age but salary cap. I wouldn’t expect your captain to have to remind everyone that it is time to get going.

You write like an angry Canuck fan after a loss on the NHL.com message boards.
- Blueshockey47

Why is that "funny hearing that from a Canuck"? The ignorance in that comment is laughable! Since the NHL lockout of 2004/05 the Canucks have played in 64 playoff games, won six playoff series in that time. Check that against the other 29 teams. On the other hand, the Blues have played in only 13 playoff games while winning one series. Correct me if I'm wrong, but our current team knows a thing or two about the playoffs, while yours (currently) does not.

Further more, the Canucks are 9th in average age (28) and the Blues are twenty second at (26.8) not a large gap there.

The blues have 6 goals in their last 6 games. They needed a stupid mistake from our 8th defensman to beat a team in a back to back with nothing much to play for. It would be a tough series, but I see the Canucks winning it.
- hertzman

6 goals in 6 games that must mean they suck.. but yet there were able to win last night.

Just remember one thing, Ian's comments are his thoughts and do not represent an entire fan base.

So if Backes has to motivate his team to stay focused, I hate to hear what Hank says to his team because they are playing very UN inspiring hockey.

I think the canucks would win the series, but I would give St. Louis more respect.
- Makita

It's one thing to say it in the dressing room behind closed doors.

It's another thing to bring it up anytime a microphone is put in front of you.

I have no issue with a Captian being the "Rah Rah Guy" in the dressing room before a game to fire his team up. It's another thing all together when you bring it up in the media when most of the time he isn't even being asked a question that even relates to it.

7 game series I'd be worried about the blues The Nucks
- wolverine19

I hope the Canucks get a chance to prove you wrong.

Blues scare me a bit as a 1st round opponent. I think the Canucks would take the series, but they'd be pretty banged up when all is said and done.

6 goals in 6 games that must mean they suck.. but yet there were able to win last night.
- wolverine19

Need a hug? We love you and your silly little comments too.

Keep trolling, you might actually catch something.

I hope the Canucks get a chance to prove you wrong.

Blues scare me a bit as a 1st round opponent. I think the Canucks would take the series, but they'd be pretty banged up when all is said and done.
- Fosco

I agree... gotta beat them early.. 5 games... if it goes 7 games they will bang up most if not all teams in the west... Backes is a beast and a pain in the a$$.

Need a hug? We love you and your silly little comments too.

Keep trolling, you might actually catch something.
- moondawg

Could always need hug. fish on

I agree... gotta beat them early.. 5 games... if it goes 7 games they will bang up most if not all teams in the west... Backes is a beast and a pain in the a$$.
- wolverine19

Seriously? After Backes they don't have a whole lot in the physical area.

After Polak and Jackman they have a pretty soft D.

They're 13th in hits as a team.

Playing tem will be boring hockey, but not "tough" hockey.

Lapierre was brutal in the defensive zone last night.

Seriously? After Backes they don't have a whole lot in the physical area.

After Polak and Jackman they have a pretty soft D.

They're 13th in hits as a team.

Playing tem will be boring hockey, but not "tough" hockey.
- IanEsplen

Please refer to the 1st period of the last chicago game. The next two periods we tried to play the quick, speed oriented hockey that suits the Hawks. Our entire team throws their body around besides maybe Shattenkirk, McDonald, and Perron. It is the reason we were able to control play last night for 40 minutes.

Would have had a shutout too if B didn't pull the classic Canuck chicken wing dive. Our announcers were talking about how other teams were alerting Hitch about that exact dive that your team has been pulling off the past couple weeks. Classic.

Lapierre was brutal in the defensive zone last night.
- docmorgan

so were the other 20 something players on the ice

Lol dont be mad Backes was a one man wrecking crew no SINGLE Cancuck had the balls to step up against.

Please refer to the 1st period of the last chicago game. The next two periods we tried to play the quick, speed oriented hockey that suits the Hawks. Our entire team throws their body around besides maybe Shattenkirk, McDonald, and Perron. It is the reason we were able to control play last night for 40 minutes.

Would have had a shutout too if B didn't pull the classic Canuck chicken wing dive. Our announcers were talking about how other teams were alerting Hitch about that exact dive that your team has been pulling off the past couple weeks. Classic.
- Blueshockey47

Please.

That's still a hook regardless of if there was a "chicken wing" or not, if the stick is in that area. Yeah, it's a bit weak, but it was clearly a makeup call for the numerous missed/botched calls that happened previous.