Here's some impossible trivia... Name a player (other than Burrows) that's ever had chemistry with Kesler while on his wing 5 on 5.

At the end of that period I saw Kesler playing between Schroeder & Raymond... REALLY? Same thing they tried with Hodgson when it was OBVIOUS Kesler should have been on Hodgson's wing. Let the puck distributor & space creator play the central, buffering role GD it!
- DrChristianTroy

Was thinking exactly the same thing. To revisit conversations from last summer, that line needs a pure playmaker to really thrive. I think we'll see a lot of revolving door action on that line for the rest of the season.

The Sedins
The bigger problem may be why can no one play with Kesler.

Maybe let Kes play right side with the twins and build the second line with Burrows?
- VANTEL

Put Kesler on the wing with Raymond on LW & Schroeder in the middle. It'd be COMPLETELY different than Kesler between Raymond and Schroeder. Burrows belongs with the Sedins. They complete each other.

Here's some impossible trivia... Name a player (other than Burrows) that's ever had chemistry with Kesler while on his wing 5 on 5.

At the end of that period I saw Kesler playing between Schroeder & Raymond... REALLY? Same thing they tried with Hodgson when it was OBVIOUS Kesler should have been on Hodgson's wing. Let the puck distributor & space creator play the central, buffering role GD it!
- DrChristianTroy

Cody was far to weak on D to be a top 6 center on a top team. I remember countless games where the other center just bulied Cody in the canucks end. I'm not saying he isn't good so don't jump off the deep end, just don't think he was ready for that

Can't stand this one guy they've got an the panel...

Ed Willes just threw Schroeder under the bus. "Not the long term option."

Was thinking exactly the same thing. To revisit conversations from last summer, that line needs a pure playmaker to really thrive. I think we'll see a lot of revolving door action on that line for the rest of the season.
- AlexF

It's only 5 periods into Kesler's season after missing almost a full calendar year. I still think that the second line can work with either Kassian or Burrows on Kesler's right side. To early to say that it won't work with Kassian and that he needs to be moved to the wing. He was just fine as center before last year, and last season he was definitely too selfish with his play and relied on his wrist shot from the outside way too much, I haven't seen him try that play in his first 5 periods yet.

Raymond, circa 09-10?

Yup, it's a bit of an issue. I can understand why some people are against shifting him to wing, but I think the Canucks need to at least entertain the idea to see how it works.

Wonder how a Schroeder/Kassian/Kesler line would work? Have two guys who could take draws if need be, and maybe have players shift after the faceoff....? I don't know?
- Fosco

That's the great thing about Kesler on Schroeder's wing... Schroeder has the freedom to cheat a little on the draw because if he's waved out, Kesler steps in. That psychological advantage alone will improve Schroeder's F/O%.

Put Kesler on the wing with Raymond on LW & Schroeder in the middle. It'd be COMPLETELY different than Kesler between Raymond and Schroeder. Burrows belongs with the Sedins. They complete each other.
- DrChristianTroy

Raymond is not a second liner and why break up the third line that has chemistry?

Raymond is not a second liner and why break up the third line that has chemistry?
- VANTEL

In the right situation, yes he is.

Priortity is chemistry on the 1st & 2nd line. You find that before worrying about whether or not you harmed chemistry on the 3rd or 4th.

That's the great thing about Kesler on Schroeder's wing... Schroeder has the freedom to cheat a little on the draw because if he's waved out, Kesler steps in. That psychological advantage alone will improve Schroeder's F/O%.
- DrChristianTroy

I'll agree with this. And its not like JS has been terrible. Or just let Kesler take draws and switch to wing after

Ed Willes just threw Schroeder under the bus. "Not the long term option."
- AlexF

Schroeder's been solid, I'm not sure why everyone always seems to have a grass is always greener approach with this team, most third line centers around the league aren't going to be way better than Schroeder has been so far this year. Someone bigger would be nice, but it's not like he's getting struggling defensively or getting dominated by bigger players and shying away from the dirty areas. He's also just a rookie so he can definitely get better as he gets more comfortable and confident. I'm not a homer when it comes to our prospects, but I have no problem with him as our 3d line center if he can keep this up.

I was so happy with the lock out ending I forgot that I'm not even going to be in Canada when the playoffs start ................

I was so happy with the lock out ending I forgot that I'm not even going to be in Canada when the playoffs start ................
- pker2theend

Nothing wrong with that... I've watched the past 3 playoff runs from Vegas, Mexico, & Vegas. Tons of fun... You run into Canucks fans everywhere. Especially Vegas.

Schroeder's been solid, I'm not sure why everyone always seems to have a grass is always greener approach with this team, most third line centers around the league aren't going to be way better than Schroeder has been so far this year. Someone bigger would be nice, but it's not like he's getting struggling defensively or getting dominated by bigger players and shying away from the dirty areas. He's also just a rookie so he can definitely get better as he gets more comfortable and confident. I'm not a homer when it comes to our prospects, but I have no problem with him as our 3d line center if he can keep this up.
- Nucker101

Its also not like AV can't go after teams #1 line with Keslers line like he did 2 yrs ago in the play offs against the hawks

In the right situation, yes he is.
- DrChristianTroy

We have been down that road before. He disappears for long stretches and when things get tough (playoffs ) he stays to the perimiter.

Why not go out and get two true second liners . Booth should be back next week and if Kassian is not the answer then trade a big asset sitting on the bench (every other night)

I was so happy with the lock out ending I forgot that I'm not even going to be in Canada when the playoffs start ................
- pker2theend

Back to coach the Latvian Olympic squad?

Atta boy Volpatti, gotta respect a guy for fighting someone bigger than him.

Atta boy Volpatti, gotta respect a guy for fighting someone bigger than him.
- Nucker101

It's only 5 periods into Kesler's season after missing almost a full calendar year. I still think that the second line can work with either Kassian or Burrows on Kesler's right side. To early to say that it won't work with Kassian and that he needs to be moved to the wing. He was just fine as center before last year, and last season he was definitely too selfish with his play and relied on his wrist shot from the outside way too much, I haven't seen him try that play in his first 5 periods yet.
- Nucker101

Agreed and I wasn't making a hard judgement already that the combo wouldn't work. But I do stand by my prediction that we'll likely see most of the roster on Kesler's wings this season before all is said and done.

We have been down that road before. He disappears for long stretches and when things get tough (playoffs ) he stays to the perimiter.

Why not go out and get two true second liners . Booth should be back next week and if Kassian is not the answer then trade a big asset sitting on the bench (every other night)
- VANTEL

He disappears for long stretches because he's on Kesler's wing. He's looked like a totally different player with Schroeder.

If we can get Evander Kane, I'm all for it. Kane/Schroeder/Kesler would be sick.

Atta boy Volpatti, gotta respect a guy for fighting someone bigger than him.
- Nucker101

I'll never forget Rypien clobbering that giant from the Thrashers.

Its also not like AV can't go after teams #1 line with Keslers line like he did 2 yrs ago in the play offs against the hawks
- Bieksa#3

Good point, but that does limit our secondary scoring which is why I'd love to be able to add another top 9 forward that plays a good two-way, all-around game and can even play with Lappy and Higgins/Hansen and be used against other team's top lines. That frees up the Hank's, Kesler's and Schroeder's lines. And you could then use Kesler against the other team's second line if they have a legit one or use Lappy's line against the second and Kesler against the top line as well depending on the talent level.

I'll never forget Rypien clobbering that giant from the Thrashers.
- AlexF

I'll never forget Rypien clobbering that giant from the Thrashers.
- AlexF

I was at that game. He pummeled Boris Valbabik. Is that dood even in the NHL anymore?

He disappears for long stretches because he's on Kesler's wing. He's looked like a totally different player with Schroeder.

If we can get Evander Kane, I'm all for it. Kane/Schroeder/Kesler would be sick.
- DrChristianTroy

Not sure if Kane would work with Kesler either. I agree that line you note looks awesome but we all know AV refuses to entertain Kesler as a winger.