Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Linden on Vacation, Utica Comets Heading to Abbotsford? Canucks' President Trevor Linden relaxes with a week-long cycling trek through the Alps, and the reality of a Western Division in the AHL moves a little closer.

I am going to play Devils Advocate and question how you can assume Burrows will be just fine this year?

When he was not playing with the Sedins he had very few goals to show for his effort. Vrbata will be playing with the twins or maybe even Kassian with them. If Burrows is back with they twins I would look at it as another year of no progress.

IMO the team can not keep resorting back to 2011 but should be looking for full changes in 2016 , starting the process now.

I voted Samuelsson at 26. I liked what he did here even if for a short few years.

I am going to play Devils Advocate and question how you can assume Burrows will be just fine this year?

When he was not playing with the Sedins he had very few goals to show for his effort. Vrbata will be playing with the twins or maybe even Kassian with them. If Burrows is back with they twins I would look at it as another year of no progress.

IMO the team can not keep resorting back to 2011 but should be looking for full changes in 2016 , starting the process now.

I voted Samuelsson at 26. I liked what he did here even if for a short few years.
- VANTEL

I think it's great that you're the devils advocate dude. There seems to be 2 frames of thought when it comes to how this team should proceed. One side believes that the team should break it down and look towards the future. The other believes that this team is good enough to take a mother kick at the can.

I'm a pretty optimistic dude all be told, but I doubt this version of the Canucks could win the cup in the current climate. Even if we do get back to normal years for Burrows, Sedins, and Edler realistically our chances are pretty slim, but there's still a chance.

If Benning can balance a winning team whilst building a solid cupboard, I'd rather take that route then to break it all down. A lot of depends on how our players play though, and that's only going to unfold during the season.

Burrows scored all those goals with favourable zone starts, and playing with two of the most gifted players in Canucks history. There is a realistic chance that under unfavourable conditions, he won't be able to score at the same pace as before.

If he scored 15-20 playing a defensive role (like Kesler's) I'll be happy.

Edit: typing on phone so don't mind the spelling errors.

I also choose Samuelson. His short time was a strong contributor to the elite status this team reached. Great on the Powerplay, and the best second liner we've had in years. (Winger)

I am going to play Devils Advocate and question how you can assume Burrows will be just fine this year?

When he was not playing with the Sedins he had very few goals to show for his effort. Vrbata will be playing with the twins or maybe even Kassian with them. If Burrows is back with they twins I would look at it as another year of no progress.

IMO the team can not keep resorting back to 2011 but should be looking for full changes in 2016 , starting the process now.

I voted Samuelsson at 26. I liked what he did here even if for a short few years.
- VANTEL

FWIW, I have lots of question marks in my head about this upcoming season, but I'm pretty sure that Burrows will be just fine. Carol Quote.

I agree with Carol.


Assume? Because F@ck you thats why. Joking btw.

Though we have seen players fall of the radar right after an injury I don't think Burrows personality will let him. To go undrafted and play bush league and work your way through the system to make the NHL says a lot about his character. He has been through adversity and will again. You are right it is just an assumption at this point but his heart alone is a good enough reason for me.

FWIW, I have lots of question marks in my head about this upcoming season, but I'm pretty sure that Burrows will be just fine. Carol Quote.

I agree with Carol.


Assume? Because F@ck you thats why. Joking btw.

Though we have seen players fall of the radar right after an injury I don't think Burrows personality will let him. To go undrafted and play bush league and work your way through the system to make the NHL says a lot about his character. He has been through adversity and will again. You are right it is just an assumption at this point but his heart alone is a good enough reason for me.
- thundachunk

Yeah I ain't as worried about Burrows as I am about 3 guys.

Miller - will he take full hold of the starter position our flounder out of the gate?

Kassian - he had a great end to the season, but will he be able to take the next step? Elite play requires elite level focus, can he take that mental step?

Edler - Plus/Minus isn't a very useful stat, but what does it say for Edler being the very last in the league? Visibly his play has been off for two seasons now. Is it mental or have his injuries hampered his play?

If these three guys can step it up, there will be a chain reaction throughout the team. Relieving pressure from the Sedins and Burrows; and creating a sort of equilibrium in which the players can thrive.

Yeah I ain't as worried about Burrows as I am about 3 guys.

Miller - will he take full hold of the starter position our flounder out of the gate?

Kassian - he had a great end to the season, but will he be able to take the next step? Elite play requires elite level focus, can he take that mental step?

Edler - Plus/Minus isn't a very useful stat, but what does it say for Edler being the very last in the league? Visibly his play has been off for two seasons now. Is it mental or have his injuries hampered his play?

If these three guys can step it up, there will be a chain reaction throughout the team. Relieving pressure from the Sedins and Burrows; and creating a sort of equilibrium in which the players can thrive.
- Gullzy

Yeah your right there are other players that I worry more about their upcoming season.

FWIW, I have lots of question marks in my head about this upcoming season, but I'm pretty sure that Burrows will be just fine. Carol Quote.

I agree with Carol.


Assume? Because F@ck you thats why. Joking btw.

Though we have seen players fall of the radar right after an injury I don't think Burrows personality will let him. To go undrafted and play bush league and work your way through the system to make the NHL says a lot about his character. He has been through adversity and will again. You are right it is just an assumption at this point but his heart alone is a good enough reason for me.
- thundachunk

Burrows has to be one of the most popular Canucks. Just dreamy.

Anyway, I have a Burrows t with the #14 that I like to wear and all, but I guess I agree with Vantel... if he doesn't get it going, he should be gone- just like with any player on the Canucks, it is asset management.

Fingers crossed because he is a favourite and is admired for his work ethic and you usually see the human side of him whenever he is interviewed. Easy to see why he is well liked by fans.

Regarding trading away Higgins or Hansen, they are both 3rd liners and if there is any chance one of the rookies can contribute in a similar fashion then I think you go with the youth and give them some time on the 3rd line and trade either H or H for picks/prospects.

If Higgins is being viewed as a 2nd liner by WD and Co., then I think we are in trouble.

I am going to play Devils Advocate and question how you can assume Burrows will be just fine this year?

When he was not playing with the Sedins he had very few goals to show for his effort. Vrbata will be playing with the twins or maybe even Kassian with them. If Burrows is back with they twins I would look at it as another year of no progress.

IMO the team can not keep resorting back to 2011 but should be looking for full changes in 2016 , starting the process now.

I voted Samuelsson at 26. I liked what he did here even if for a short few years.
- VANTEL

I thought Devils Advocate was your job not just a pastime.

You keep forgetting that progress is not what this owner is about "profit"

I'm worried about Fosco.

I'm worried about Fosco.
- Marwood

He may have graduated to having a life. Hockey, beer, and chocolate may no longer have a hold on his heart, or he's ruined another couch and has been shown the door.

I'm worried about Fosco.
- Marwood

didn't he get traded to anaheim?

I'm worried about Fosco.
- Marwood

Tour of German wine country
http://www.gpupdate.net/e...hakedown-crash-in-germany/

I am more concerned about D.Sedin . If he has a bad year again he will be eating up the prime face off starts and PP minutes. He has never been the same since the Keith hit.

I am more concerned about D.Sedin . If he has a bad year again he will be eating up the prime face off starts and PP minutes. He has never been the same since the Keith hit.
- VANTEL

this site

I am more concerned about D.Sedin . If he has a bad year again he will be eating up the prime face off starts and PP minutes. He has never been the same since the Keith hit.
- VANTEL

hearing footsteps....thats what was missing from burrows game last year. he lost his bite (no pun intended)

I'd be less concerned about this whole situation if linden would hire some scantily clad cheerleaders.

I would just like to clear up something which was discussed in the last thread. The topic was Burrows and NTC etc.

Vantel noted:

"It was a bad contract made by a GM that is no longer here. He was asked to be traded but refused and handcuffed new Management.

Now, my understanding is, nowhere, no how, no chance, did Linden ask Burrows to waive his NTC - my understanding is, it was the PREVIOUS regime. Unless someone has some sort of inside news which would dictate otherwise.

Again, just to properly clarify, so let me know your thoughts (There was mention of Tortorella asking management to buy out his contract/put him on waivers, however)


Edit: Ok, I looked around the Internet, and there is some babble about Benning having possibly approached him (which would really surprise me if that's true - and return me to my original cynical management overview) but nothing really concrete

I'd be less concerned about this whole situation if linden would hire some scantily clad cheerleaders.
- Gullzy

Male? Octogenarians?

Male? Octogenarians?
- Zogg

Naaah my taste is strictly nonagenarian

Naaah my taste is strictly nonagenarian
- Gullzy

And right for their last nonagenarian birthday you can get her/him a Wayne Gretzky jersey! how fitting

I would just like to clear up something which was discussed in the last thread. The topic was Burrows and NTC etc.

Vantel noted:

"It was a bad contract made by a GM that is no longer here. He was asked to be traded but refused and handcuffed new Management.

Now, my understanding is, nowhere, no how, no chance, did Linden ask Burrows to waive his NTC - my understanding is, it was the PREVIOUS regime. Unless someone has some sort of inside news which would dictate otherwise.

Again, just to properly clarify, so let me know your thoughts (There was mention of Tortorella asking management to buy out his contract/put him on waivers, however)


Edit: Ok, I looked around the Internet, and there is some babble about Benning having possibly approached him (which would really surprise me if that's true - and return me to my original cynical management overview) but nothing really concrete
- Zogg

A few weeks back Botch said Bennimg asked Burrows to waive

And right for their last nonagenarian birthday you can get her/him a Wayne Gretzky jersey! how fitting
- Zogg

Lolol riiiiiiiiighhht, buy something.

A few weeks back Botch said Bennimg asked Burrows to waive
- VANTEL

Yeah I remember word spread pretty quickly that they asked Garrison and Burrows to waive. JG did, AB didn't.

I would just like to clear up something which was discussed in the last thread. The topic was Burrows and NTC etc.

Vantel noted:

"It was a bad contract made by a GM that is no longer here. He was asked to be traded but refused and handcuffed new Management.

Now, my understanding is, nowhere, no how, no chance, did Linden ask Burrows to waive his NTC - my understanding is, it was the PREVIOUS regime. Unless someone has some sort of inside news which would dictate otherwise.

Again, just to properly clarify, so let me know your thoughts (There was mention of Tortorella asking management to buy out his contract/put him on waivers, however)


Edit: Ok, I looked around the Internet, and there is some babble about Benning having possibly approached him (which would really surprise me if that's true - and return me to my original cynical management overview) but nothing really concrete
- Zogg

If there is truth to this, you have to wonder how many other players Benning discussed their ntc clauses with, was it in person or though an agent? Is that due diligence by a new GM when assessing his roster and how everyone is situated?

It sounds like a delicate subject but if handled properly may seem routine as in a how are you?, "I noticed there was a ntc in your contract, do you still feel the same way with what has transpired in the past couple seasons and the new direction of the team?"

Maybe, maybe not?