Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Bonino, Corrado, Matthias & Coaching Notes from Gulutzan On a quiet NHL weekend, we look at the offseason activities of Nick Bonino, Frank Corrado and Shawn Matthias, as well as checking in with assistant coach Glen Gulutzan on defensive-zone strategies.

Bonino needs a better hookup for Sox tickets.

Oh so many bottom six forwards....including Bonino

That last thought from Gulutzan is interesting, especially since he apparently does a ton of research based on video.

Oh so many bottom six forwards....including Bonino
- Whiskey-Tango

Let's hope he can at least meet or exceed last year's production. It's a good sign that he was flirting with the 50 point mark and scored 20+.

His play-off performance was also quite good (even though sometimes it didn't show up on the score-sheet)

Now onto Miller and Vrbata ....

Looks like Tootoo got married in Vancouver this weekend.

Let's hope he can at least meet or exceed last year's production. It's a good sign that he was flirting with the 50 point mark and scored 20+.

His play-off performance was also quite good (even though sometimes it didn't show up on the score-sheet)

Now onto Miller and Vrbata ....
- Zogg

God damn it!!

Let's hope he can at least meet or exceed last year's production. It's a good sign that he was flirting with the 50 point mark and scored 20+.

His play-off performance was also quite good (even though sometimes it didn't show up on the score-sheet)

Now onto Miller and Vrbata ....
- Zogg

They need a mean streak makeover. (Vbata certainly doesn't fit the Bruin mould)

They need a mean streak makeover. (Vbata certainly doesn't fit the Bruin mould)


- hillbillydeluxe

Someone needs to score the goals. He's a right hand shot and a shooter, hopefully he builds some chemistry with the Twins otherwise it'll be one or none 20 goal Scorers again.
It's a team of 3 3rd lines and a 2nd line. We have a decent D core and Miller should provide average to above average goaltending on any given night, even if Lack plays 35 games we aren't going to see much decline in play. I just hope they don't think Miller is capable of 72 games in the West. It's a whole new ball park so having a quality guy behind him to grab a few more games is going to help keep him fresh and limit those crap 3 in 4 or 4 in 7 types then play the weekend after a 1-2 day break.

Limit the middle and try to let him see most of it, I'd suspect 2.4 or so GAA .915 Save%.

God damn it!!
- Marwood

I'm slowly going through the Miller/Vrbata dislike withdrawal process, so please kindly bear with me

I'm slowly going through the Miller/Vrbata dislike withdrawal process, so please kindly bear with me
- Zogg

I'm still pissed off about it.
I guess their perfomance on the ice will help diminish my confusion & anger. For, Vrbata, at least.

I'm still pissed off about it.
I guess their perfomance on the ice will help diminish my confusion & anger. For, Vrbata, at least.
- Marwood

Let's hope they prove us (and quite a few others on here) wrong

Someone needs to score the goals. He's a right hand shot and a shooter, hopefully he builds some chemistry with the Twins otherwise it'll be one or none 20 goal Scorers again.
It's a team of 3 3rd lines and a 2nd line. We have a decent D core and Miller should provide average to above average goaltending on any given night, even if Lack plays 35 games we aren't going to see much decline in play. I just hope they don't think Miller is capable of 72 games in the West. It's a whole new ball park so having a quality guy behind him to grab a few more games is going to help keep him fresh and limit those crap 3 in 4 or 4 in 7 types then play the weekend after a 1-2 day break.

Limit the middle and try to let him see most of it, I'd suspect 2.4 or so GAA .915 Save%.
- mstad101

I wonder about that line combination, it might be a good first unit pp, but I am not sure as a #1 line,

I am just hoping the Sedins can get back to form, I would be somewhat satisfied if they had around 130 pts between them.

We are going to see if Burrows can get it going again, I see him coming back with something to prove, whether he can get to 20plus goals and worth the $$$, hoping I can wear his shirt with pride instead of making excuses.

I am hoping Kassian gets a legit top 6 opportunity and Bonino plays like he belongs in the top 6..

I just want to see the team compete and players that earn spots, earn spots and perform well enough to hold on to them. I think some interesting moves were made and some draft picks with good skill sets and potential are in the system ready to prove themselves and work on their craft.

Can't wait.

I'm still pissed off about it.
I guess their perfomance on the ice will help diminish my confusion & anger. For, Vrbata, at least.
- Marwood

I really can't complain about Vrbata, I have complained before about the need for a scorer in the top 6, and that is what he is. Was it in Tampa Bay where he didn't fit? Guess having been coached by Tippet, he should be defensively responsible

Miller was a move I never thought was needed, just a vet backup that could give us a chance to win- with Lack as the starter and hopefully move Markstrom for picks or something. Right now, with Miller here, I see Lack being moved, but I would only want to see that if it is a good return and we know how little goalies garner.

Looks like Tootoo got married in Vancouver this weekend.
- Scooby_Doo

I remember when some people here were suggesting a trade for him at the beginning of the last lockout season, meanwhile DET fans just wanted him gone.

I honestly couldn't believe what I was reading that day.



Also (frank) hangovers.

burr had a broken foot hell be back this year. I see lines as twins and burr (last year probably) vrabata bonino kassian decent mix then whoever wins out on the bottom.

love to see horvat shink and gaunce or vey

I really can't complain about Vrbata, I have complained before about the need for a scorer in the top 6, and that is what he is. Was it in Tampa Bay where he didn't fit? Guess having been coached by Tippet, he should be defensively responsible

Miller was a move I never thought was needed, just a vet backup that could give us a chance to win- with Lack as the starter and hopefully move Markstrom for picks or something. Right now, with Miller here, I see Lack being moved, but I would only want to see that if it is a good return and we know how little goalies garner.
- hillbillydeluxe

It seems there's more to this story than on the face of it. The optics certainly made it look like he was another in the line of petulant, whining, disinterested Euros, who bolted back home for more money etc.

His wife was apparently having some serious issues with her pregnancy at that time, and thus he felt that he needed to return home (this was supposed to be his first year of a three year contract signed with Tampa). After that first year back in the Czech Republic, he wanted to return to Tampa the following year and play out that contract. However, by this point in time, the Bolts weren't interested anymore, and agreed to facilitate a trade.

Hence, it wasn't like he had/has character issues, but was more a victim of circumstance rather than questioning his desire to play in the NHL. I guess we'll see fairly quickly, though, what sort of attitude/character he has. I think this is the first time he'll be in a hockey-mad city, so perhaps that will be a motivating factor.

On a separate note, answer me this, Zogg, what do you think of the Miller signing

I'm slowly going through the Miller/Vrbata dislike withdrawal process, so please kindly bear with me
- Zogg

Apparently they're both big Tony Romo fans if that helps.

burr had a broken foot hell be back this year. I see lines as twins and burr (last year probably) vrabata bonino kassian decent mix then whoever wins out on the bottom.

love to see horvat shink and gaunce or vey
- The_Kuze

Vrbata and Kassian are both RW, they wont be on the same line.

Apparently they're both big Tony Romo fans if that helps.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Sheneequa and I are DONE. She kept insisting on having a three some (BUT exclusively with her stuffed Bear "Captain Pickles" She also insisted I was to talk dirty to said "Captain Pickles" ":ahh: (the worst part of this whole thang, I was seriously thinking it over

P.S. ifn' any of ya'all have some single hotties you'd like to pass along to your 'bestie' Zogg please kindly forward my info

Sheneequa and I are DONE. She kept insisting on having a three some (BUT exclusively with her stuffed Bear "Captain Pickles" She also insisted I was to talk dirty to said "Captain Pickles" ":ahh: (the worst part of this whole thang, I was seriously thinking it over
- Zogg

I have no idea what this means. But my imagination is running wild.

I have no idea what this means. But my imagination is running wild.
- vancity787

Pssst, there is a certain faction of Hockey Buzz posters/members whom I reluctantly disclosed my 10 year long passionate affair with my latex 'companion', Sheneequa Pray for me, brah

Pssst, there is a certain faction of Hockey Buzz posters/members whom I reluctantly disclosed my 10 year long passionate affair with my latex 'companion', Sheneequa Pray for me, brah
- Zogg

I've been around hear alot longer than some others. The name brings thoughts of past conversations. The name deffinitley rings a bell. But please bare with me for I frequently have a few vodkas before I hit these boards.

Oh so many bottom six forwards....including Bonino
- Whiskey-Tango

Everyone starts out as a bottom six forward, unless you're a Crosby or Ovechkin, including Bonino. He's played 189 games so far, he just turned 26, let's see if he blossoms or turns into another Higgins, give the kid a chance to prove himself.