Ian Esplen: Thoughts so far on Vancouver

4- Thomas McCollum
The Red Wings gave up on him, but I believe there is still a lot of upside with him. He played reasonably well in the AHL and would make things interesting with the competition for the backup gig. Another guy that you likely get for around 700K, that can play 20 games if needed.

he resigned with detroit at the last second.

No CoHo???

4- Thomas McCollum
The Red Wings gave up on him, but I believe there is still a lot of upside with him. He played reasonably well in the AHL and would make things interesting with the competition for the backup gig. Another guy that you likely get for around 700K, that can play 20 games if needed.

he resigned with detroit at the last second.
- Jurco_28

really? never saw that deal. nice move by the wings

really? never saw that deal. nice move by the wings
- IanEsplen

? hes a late first rounder who hasnt turned out, might even play in the ECHL

We need a 3rd line Center in all this !

Dank hank burrows

Higgins Kesler booth

Kassian _________ Hansen

Sestito Richardson santorelli

Edler garrison

Hamhuis bieksa

Tanev corrado

Lu

Ericsson

Totally agree on Tim Brent, would love to scoop him up for some more depth in the bottom 6.

We need a 3rd line Center in all this !

Dank hank burrows

Higgins Kesler booth

Kassian _________ Hansen

Sestito Richardson santorelli

Edler garrison

Hamhuis bieksa

Tanev corrado

Lu

Ericsson
- shutout47

Gotta switch Kassian and Higgins IMO, but other than that I agree that that's probably what Gillis and Gilman are looking at. And as of now, they're banking on one of Schroeder/Gaunce/Horvat to center the third line unless they prefer this:

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian
Booth - Kesler - Burrows
Higgins - Schroeder - Hansen
Richardson - Santorelli - Weise
Sestito

Hamhuis - Bieksa
Edler - Tanev
Garrison - Corrado
Weber

Either way, this team does not look like a legit contender on paper right now. Defence and goaltending is fine, but they need to find the right combination for a good second line and need a 3LC for any hopes of contending.

Gotta switch Kassian and Higgins IMO, but other than that I agree that that's probably what Gillis and Gilman are looking at. And as of now, they're banking on one of Schroeder/Gaunce/Horvat to center the third line unless they prefer this:

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian
Booth - Kesler - Burrows
Higgins - Richardson - Hansen
Sestito - Santorelli - Weise

Either way, this team does not look like a legit contender on paper right now. Defence and goaltending is fine, but they need to find the right combination for a good second line and need a 3LC for any hopes of contending.
- Nucker101

they are a playoff team.

they are a playoff team.
- Jurco_28

Agreed, but they can't contend with the likes of Chicago, LA, St.Louis IMO.

Agreed, but they can't contend with the likes of Chicago, LA, St.Louis IMO.
- Nucker101

has LA improved? they lost scuderi. st.louis just got Roy

Brad Richardson


Skates like the wind. Hands like stone.

Agreed, but they can't contend with the likes of Chicago, LA, St.Louis IMO.
- Nucker101

We need a good mix of vets and Rooks though, hopefully maybe Gaunce & Jensen or one of the new guys can step up and surprise.

Totally agree Ian. I moved to Ottawa from Vancouver a year ago, and the bull crap the supposed 'experts' spew regarding what Luango is feeling drives me to distraction. Luango handled the entire 'goaltending controversy' like a pro, and I see no reason why he won't continue to do so. While he may be annoyed at Gillis (We have no idea if he is, but its reasonable to assume that he has some feelings of angst) that does not mean he won't play, and play hard for Vancouver. I bet he has a ton of respect in the locker room, and you know the fans will be supporting him hardcore for the way he has handled all of this.

How you are viewed by your teamates actually matters a whole lot more than your relationship with your GM or what other fans think. Lu will be fine.

As for the deal itself, would it have been nice to maximize the return? Sure, but that window closed about a year ago. I'll take Horvot, and an overall great draft, as well as the nice contracts given to Higgins, Burrows, Hansen. A year ago I didn't have much hope for the long term future of my nucks, but with one excellent draft, and a few decent moves, it seems likely that we can actually create a transition when the Twins/Lu are finally done.

The current mantra in the NHL is that you have to suck before you can win. Long term success is considered nearly impossible. The area Gillis has really succeeded is in creating an organizational culture of success and peer leadership. You have a million first overall picks but if you don't know how to create a healthy culture your really going to struggle.

Our team is still a pretty decent playoff team, and deep enough to give Horvot, Jensen, Schroeder, Shikuruk (sorry for the spelling), Subban, Lack, Tanev, Corrodo, last years first (brain fart), time to develop properly.

Peter Charelli and Holland are the leagues two best GMs and its not close. After that, I'm happy to have Gillis and I hope ownership gives him at least two years to see if he can keep the team competative, while also building a bridge for the next wave of talent.

has LA improved? they lost scuderi. st.louis just got Roy
- Jurco_28

No we haven't improved. Still think we are one of the best in the west.

Just sayin.

has LA improved? they lost scuderi. st.louis just got Roy
- Jurco_28

Scuds is great, but he lost a step. If Mitchell can come back healthy LA will be better. If not, then hopefully Schultz will be okay skating with Voynov.

Kings will be fine though, I'm not worried about the defense. Bottom six is what needs improved.

Scuds is great, but he lost a step. If Mitchell can come back healthy LA will be better. If not, then hopefully Schultz will be okay skating with Voynov.

Kings will be fine though, I'm not worried about the defense. Bottom six is what needs improved.
- bluecoconuts

ya, i agree. Not like any team in the west greatly improved. On paper that is.

Scuds is great, but he lost a step. If Mitchell can come back healthy LA will be better. If not, then hopefully Schultz will be okay skating with Voynov.

Kings will be fine though, I'm not worried about the defense. Bottom six is what needs improved.
- bluecoconuts

2 LW as well

ya, i agree. Not like any team in the west greatly improved. On paper that is.
- Jurco_28

Canucks FTW. We minused Ballard+Raymond. Added Webber, Richardson and Santorelli. Loungo will be Happy for the first time in 3 years(that's when he played the best) so we easily have the Vezina winner on our team


Most improved in the west.

Canucks FTW. We minused Ballard+Raymond. Added Webber, Richardson and Santorelli. Loungo will be Happy for the first time in 3 years(that's when he played the best) so we easily have the Vezina winner on our team


Most improved in the west.
- I-own_da-Northwest

yea

Canucks FTW. We minused Ballard+Raymond. Added Webber, Richardson and Santorelli. Loungo will be Happy for the first time in 3 years(that's when he played the best) so we easily have the Vezina winner on our team


Most improved in the west.
- I-own_da-Northwest

Stanley cup or bust.

Canucks FTW. We minused Ballard+Raymond. Added Webber, Richardson and Santorelli. Loungo will be Happy for the first time in 3 years(that's when he played the best) so we easily have the Vezina winner on our team


Most improved in the west.
- I-own_da-Northwest

Stanley cup or bust.
- pker2theend

That's why we hired tortolini or spaghetteo or Rigatoni macaroni, or whatever his name is we Keepin the eye on the prize finally AV sucks, Tette-Penne is a winner

Do yourselves a favor and play Santorelli. He was always the guy who had the goalie make the amazing save. Or the puck jumped over his stick. His on-ice awareness is amazing. He drives the net. All he wants to do is score.

Regarding your 'Thoughts so far' (Gillis, Luongo, etc) - Thank you. Finally, common sense comments based on unbiased facts, not myopic emotions.