Carol Schram: Ryan Miller makes save of the year but Vancouver Canucks lose 3-1 to Wings A spectacular diving save by Ryan Miller to prevent an empty-net goal was the highlight of the Vancouver Canucks' 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings as they closed out their road trip with their final visit to Joe Louis Arena.

I did find the game hard to take. I was only half paying attention to watching it.

Carol Schram: Ryan Miller makes save of the year but Vancouver Canucks lose 3-1 to Wings
A spectacular diving save by Ryan Miller to prevent an empty-net goal was the highlight of the Vancouver Canucks' 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings as they closed out their road trip with their final visit to Joe Louis Arena.
- Carol Schram

Love the Stats. Loui really needs to put the puck in the net with some consistency.
I disagree that WD isn't going to be fired soon. Two years of the same thing while the rest of the stats are getting better, with different coaches.

Yes it is. Edler also I hear has no intention of ever waving it either

Other then Kesler in 2003, the next player to actually help Van is Horvat 10! years later. Even if every 2nd year Van had a player make any sort of impact, things would be much different.
- manvanfan

It looks like we have more D depth on the right side. I wouldn't be against moving Tanev for a big return, but I'm in no rush with that.

you are missing a couple picks off the top of my head like Schneider (but I guess he got Bo) and Grabner should never have been a throw in with that Florida trade, poor asset management, but I think your point still stands with drafting.

It won't be long until WD and the entire coaching staff is fired. I think JB already has a plan in place. It is just a matter of time until Krueger steps down from his current position to come and coach hockey again.

It looks like we have more D depth on the right side. I wouldn't be against moving Tanev for a big return, but I'm in no rush with that.

you are missing a couple picks off the top of my head like Schneider (but I guess he got Bo) and Grabner should never have been a throw in with that Florida trade, poor asset management, but I think your point still stands with drafting.
- hillbillydeluxe

I meant for forwards so Grabner does fit. (kind of forgot about him, so thanks) He isn't a top 6 forward but would have still been good as a 3rd liner.

By trading Tanev, Van should be able to get a top 6 winger that is in the their mid 20's. Hopefully that could spark some offence for the rest. Only thing is I'm not sure who would fit that mold anymore. I haven't heard of any unhappy good players. Johansen was traded. Hall traded. Trouba is a D. Should probably be a LW winger also, otherwise your going to have a very crowded RW in the future.

Just an outside observation here... Although Vancouver outshot the Wings significantly, I never felt like they controlled the game & in fact, I think the Wings had more good scoring chances. Seemed like a lot of the shots were from the perimeter and not very dangerous. I think your guys need to crash the net more - most of the time Jimmy had a clean view of everything. The one goal was truly sick - what a privilege for you folks to watch those two all these years. I can certainly relate having watched Pavel for so long.

@wings guy

Too many perimeter players not enough highend skill, Jim Benning tried to get some young skilled guys in here other teams had given up on but that experiment has largely failed.

Until they hit the reset button on the franchise and draft better, what you see is what you get.

That save was outrageous. Miller has reminded me of why I was such a huge fan of his for so long on this road trip with that save and jumping into the Martin fight.

Carrie Fisher

@wings guy

Too many perimeter players not enough highend skill, Jim Benning tried to get some young skilled guys in here other teams had given up on but that experiment has largely failed.

Until they hit the reset button on the franchise and draft better, what you see is what you get.
- LeftCoaster

How do they draft better than they have the last 3 years?

Carrie Fisher
- LeftCoaster

Back up to speed I see.

Just an outside observation here... Although Vancouver outshot the Wings significantly, I never felt like they controlled the game & in fact, I think the Wings had more good scoring chances. Seemed like a lot of the shots were from the perimeter and not very dangerous. I think your guys need to crash the net more - most of the time Jimmy had a clean view of everything. The one goal was truly sick - what a privilege for you folks to watch those two all these years. I can certainly relate having watched Pavel for so long.
- skindzier

I think your right.

How do they draft better than they have the last 3 years?
- A_SteamingLombardi

I was actually referring to more than three years because you really don't know what you've got with Bennings draft picks, it's too early.

That said, he could've drafted Dylan Larkin instead of Jake Virtanen. Personally I'd be drafting centres as much as I can because IMO that's where you start building a forward group.

Back up to speed I see.
- thundachunk

I was commenting in the old blog, Booner lite

I meant for forwards so Grabner does fit. (kind of forgot about him, so thanks) He isn't a top 6 forward but would have still been good as a 3rd liner.

By trading Tanev, Van should be able to get a top 6 winger that is in the their mid 20's. Hopefully that could spark some offence for the rest. Only thing is I'm not sure who would fit that mold anymore. I haven't heard of any unhappy good players. Johansen was traded. Hall traded. Trouba is a D. Should probably be a LW winger also, otherwise your going to have a very crowded RW in the future.
- manvanfan

Might be some winger or centre out there that is available that we hadn't heard of, thought the Hall trade was a shocker, I hadn't heard he was available. Might just be a team looking down the road and have depth with fwds but lacking d. I'd hate to give up Tanev for picks and uncertainty though.

Someone mentioned Canada might be a more desirable place to play with the political climate south of the border. I hope so. I've heard it mentioned a few times when he was playing, Lumme's family wanted him to play in Canada as they liked it here more than the states.

I was actually referring to more than three years because you really don't know what you've got with Bennings draft picks, it's too early.

That said, he could've drafted Dylan Larkin instead of Jake Virtanen. Personally I'd be drafting centres as much as I can because IMO that's where you start building a forward group.
- LeftCoaster

I won't dwell on it. Jake needs some time to develop. Its not his skills its his age. He needs to mature. Sometimes the best thing for a player is to be a bit humbled. He needs a taste of being away from his home town for a while.

Might be some winger or centre out there that is available that we hadn't heard of, thought the Hall trade was a shocker, I hadn't heard he was available. Might just be a team looking down the road and have depth with fwds but lacking d. I'd hate to give up Tanev for picks and uncertainty though.

Someone mentioned Canada might be a more desirable place to play with the political climate south of the border. I hope so. I've heard it mentioned a few times when he was playing, Lumme's family wanted him to play in Canada as they liked it here more than the states.
- hillbillydeluxe

How many people wanna leave Malibu for Manitoba?

Might be some winger or centre out there that is available that we hadn't heard of, thought the Hall trade was a shocker, I hadn't heard he was available. Might just be a team looking down the road and have depth with fwds but lacking d. I'd hate to give up Tanev for picks and uncertainty though.

Someone mentioned Canada might be a more desirable place to play with the political climate south of the border. I hope so. I've heard it mentioned a few times when he was playing, Lumme's family wanted him to play in Canada as they liked it here more than the states.
- hillbillydeluxe

Burmistrov wants out of WPG but he is struggling too. Like Lefty said enough with the project players

How many people wanna leave Malibu for Manitoba?
- thundachunk

Now that Trump is in I will guess 63%

Burmistrov wants out of WPG but he is struggling too. Like Lefty said enough with the project players
- VANTEL

So no to Kovalchuk?

So no to Kovalchuk?
- thundachunk

Many say he has slowed a ton since he was in the NHL drawing comparisons to Alex Ovechkin.
- Eklund

He is slow like Ovechkin, sign him already.

I won't dwell on it. Jake needs some time to develop. Its not his skills its his age. He needs to mature. Sometimes the best thing for a player is to be a bit humbled. He needs a taste of being away from his home town for a while.
- thundachunk

Hey I love what that kid brings and defend him to a fault sometimes, but, Friedman reported the Canucks were contemplating Larkin but Benning liked Virtanen's size and power game "old school". As you can see the Canucks are lacking in their skill and speed game, Larkin would be a God-send right now....luck involved I know.

I look a team like Washington, they started to improve in 2008 and became a really good team, Presidents Trophy team, much like the Canucks. In that time frame from 08 until now they've put NINE players in the league who've played 100 games or more. Holtby, Carlson, Johansson, Orlov, Kuznetsov, Burakovsky, Tom Wilson and they also drafted Filip Forsberg and Cody Eakin.

You know how many the Canucks have put in the league over that time, four, Hodgson (who's retired), Jordan Schroeder (who's a career minor leaguer), Kevin Connauton (does he still play) and Bo Horvat.

That's bad drafting from similar draft positions IMO.

How many people wanna leave Malibu for Manitoba?
- thundachunk

I'm not talking about Manitoba, more Vancouver, but hey, if you are a euro or didn't grow up in the states and are in a place with redneck vitriol, you might just be happy to get out of there.

Some guys or families don't like Canada, I'm sure it isn't too outlandish to guess some don't like the good old USA.

Hey I love what that kid brings and defend him to a fault sometimes, but, Friedman reported the Canucks were contemplating Larkin but Benning liked Virtanen's size and power game "old school". As you can see the Canucks are lacking in their skill and speed game, Larkin would be a God-send right now....luck involved I know.

I look a team like Washington, they started to improve in 2008 and became a really good team, Presidents Trophy team, much like the Canucks. In that time frame from 08 until now they've put NINE players in the league who've played 100 games or more. Holtby, Carlson, Johansson, Orlov, Kuznetsov, Burakovsky, Tom Wilson and they also drafted Filip Forsberg and Cody Eakin.

You know how many the Canucks have put in the league over that time, four, Hodgson (who's retired), Jordan Schroeder (who's a career minor leaguer), Kevin Connauton (does he still play) and Bo Horvat.

That's bad drafting from similar draft positions IMO.
- LeftCoaster

I agree. Drafting has changed. I will giving Benning time or at least time will tell.