Of all the players with NTCs, I get the feeling Bieksa would be the least likely to waive.

Moving along...
- AlexF

The D core of this team is a tough one. 4 of the top 6 have NTC's. Tanev is RFA and it will be interesting to see how his contract negotiation goes. There is only one prospect remotely ready to make the jump (Corrado.)

I would not be so quick to trade a D-man unless they end up trading Kesler and one comes back in that deal ie. Leddy, Puliot, Despres. ect.

Trading a D man and not getting a replacement somehow would real stretch the blue line pretty thin.

In other news. The play off hockey has been fantastic to date!!! Forgot what it was like to watch a game with emotion, heart & passion.
- Marwood

LA/SJ has been an all out war.

CBJ/PIT - neither team can hold a 2 goal lead.

CHI/ST.L - Just 2 great teams going toe to toe.

Well........... I think the draft just got even more unclear with William Nylander Single Handedly dominating the under 18's.

15 points in 5 games is impressive.

Now I have absolutely no idea where this guy is landing.

Well........... I think the draft just got even more unclear with William Nylander Single Handedly dominating the under 18's.

15 points in 5 games is impressive.

Now I have absolutely no idea where this guy is landing.



- classic321

Isles

The D core of this team is a tough one. 4 of the top 6 have NTC's. Tanev is RFA and it will be interesting to see how his contract negotiation goes. There is only one prospect remotely ready to make the jump (Corrado.)

I would not be so quick to trade a D-man unless they end up trading Kesler and one comes back in that deal ie. Leddy, Puliot, Despres. ect.

Trading a D man and not getting a replacement somehow would real stretch the blue line pretty thin.
- fiveandagame

Agreed. This D is ok RIGHT NOW but it's future isn't bright. I remember really hoping we'd draft Matt Finn or McCabe with our 1st pick but instead got Gaunce. Now we've got a log jam of 3Cs (Santorelli, Matthias, Richardson, Horvat, Gaunce, Cassels).

I still think we've got to trade one of our D because forward scoring is so low these days (we just set a franchise record for least goals scored in a season) that it's the #1 issue we need to resolve, even if it does mean weakening another area of the team. There are a few UFAs that could be serviceable as short term depth but obviously nothing substantial for the longer term.

Isles
- Nucker101

Dal Colle, Come on down...

Dal Colle, Come on down...
- Chest Rockwell

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

Agreed. This D is ok RIGHT NOW but it's future isn't bright. I remember really hoping we'd draft Matt Finn or McCabe with our 1st pick but instead got Gaunce. Now we've got a log jam of 3Cs (Santorelli, Matthias, Richardson, Horvat, Gaunce, Cassels).

I still think we've got to trade one of our D because forward scoring is so low these days (we just set a franchise record for least goals scored in a season) that it's the #1 issue we need to resolve, even if it does mean weakening another area of the team. There are a few UFAs that could be serviceable as short term depth but obviously nothing substantial for the longer term.
- AlexF

I could see calgary asking about tanev, and sending a LW over in exchange. They have some that are RFA as well.

I will admit, if they are going back to the old ways. sedins and hudler would rack up points....but get pushed aroun

Agreed. This D is ok RIGHT NOW but it's future isn't bright. I remember really hoping we'd draft Matt Finn or McCabe with our 1st pick but instead got Gaunce. Now we've got a log jam of 3Cs (Santorelli, Matthias, Richardson, Horvat, Gaunce, Cassels).

I still think we've got to trade one of our D because forward scoring is so low these days (we just set a franchise record for least goals scored in a season) that it's the #1 issue we need to resolve, even if it does mean weakening another area of the team. There are a few UFAs that could be serviceable as short term depth but obviously nothing substantial for the longer term.
- AlexF

we need a pmd

In other news. The play off hockey has been fantastic to date!!! Forgot what it was like to watch a game with emotion, heart & passion.
- Marwood

they're like flames games....but with winning.

LA/SJ has been an all out war.

CBJ/PIT - neither team can hold a 2 goal lead.

CHI/ST.L - Just 2 great teams going toe to toe.


- fiveandagame

The way I read it:

LA/SJ - for LA, a system and core nearing it's collective expiry date. For SJ, a positive example of team retool.

CBJ/PIT - For CBJ, a great example of what a good drafting and good management can accomplish in a short amount of time. For PIT, a system, coach, and core nearing the end of it's collective expiry date.

CHI/STL - For CHI, the best example of a modern NHL dynasty. For STL, always tough to beat but likely never good enough to win it all with their current set-up and coach.

The Pens should have traded Malkin and Pouliot for Kesler and Luongo and they probably wouldn't be getting knocked out in the 1st round by Coulmbus.

Dal Colle, Come on down...
- Chest Rockwell

Either him or Draisaitl



Personally, I prefer Draisaitl. Dal Colle has barely played center despite being listed as a C/W. Draisaitl carried a mediocre team and is a big, strong, skilled center.

The way I read it:

LA/SJ - for LA, a system and core nearing it's collective expiry date. For SJ, a positive example of team retool.

CBJ/PIT - For CBJ, a great example of what a good drafting and good management can accomplish in a short amount of time. For PIT, a system, coach, and core nearing the end of it's collective expiry date.

CHI/STL - For CHI, the best example of a modern NHL dynasty. For STL, always tough to beat but likely never good enough to win it all with their current set-up and coach.
- AlexF

LA is the only team of the 6 that is done. Pitts could be scary if they can get a goalie to make a save. Chi or St. L will be in the WCF.

LA is the only team of the 6 that is done. Pitts could be scary if they can get a goalie to make a save. Chi or St. L will be in the WCF.
- fiveandagame

PIT won't hoist the cup again as they are currently structured, goaltender or not. The whole team go through huge stretches of just going through the motions and Malkin doesn't ever seem to be able to flick the switch into playoff beast mode like he was once able to. PIT's D let past 46 shots last night, so they too are culpable as they have been for the past few playoffs. Even Crosby has been questionable this series. They may still win this series but if we've been obsessed with thinking we're still in 2011, PIT continue to insist it's 2009.

PIT won't hoist the cup again as they are currently structured, goaltender or not. The whole team go through huge stretches of just going through the motions and Malkin doesn't ever seem to be able to flick the switch into playoff beast mode like he was once able to. PIT's D let past 46 shots last night, so they too are culpable as they have been for the past few playoffs. Even Crosby has been questionable this series. They may still win this series but if we've been obsessed with thinking we're still in 2011, PIT continue to insist it's 2009.
- AlexF

I'm actually loving this. It would be great to see Columbus knock out the Pens.

I'm actually loving this. It would be great to see Columbus knock out the Pens.
- fiveandagame

Word.

The only upset I'm hoping for more is Detroit over Boston. Doesn't look likely but Zetterberg is a game time decision tonight.

Either him or Draisaitl



Personally, I prefer Draisaitl. Dal Colle has barely played center despite being listed as a C/W. Draisaitl carried a mediocre team and is a big, strong, skilled center.
- Nucker101

Only way he gets past EDM is if Ekblad is still available.

No way. Certainly not straight off the bat anyway.

I agree with Whiskey that this love of blowing up the entire team is ridiculous. I do believe we should explore trading several key members that have made up the core of this team over the past 5 years, but not every single player of value.

If we are shipping out D, Edler and Tanev should be the guys we look at dealing. Garrison too but his return would likely be less than his worth. It would be silly to trade Bieksa (who should be our captain) or Hamhuis (our best D).

If we are shipping out F, Kesler, Higgins, and Hansen would be the guys I'd dangle. Guys like Burrows and the Sedins would likely net less than their value at present. Booth should be placed on waivers but would more than likely be untradeable.

All this said if I'm GM I'd be listening to offers for everyone. It's the responsible thing to do. But listening to offers for everyone and trading everyone are two different things entirely.
- AlexF

Blowing up the team is completely asinine!!!

What if it took a move or two to inject some youth into this team AND make the Canucks a Stanley Cup contender again?

Thats what I'd like to see - (frank) this whole blow up the team and wait 5 years to MAYBE be a playoff team again. I was a fan of the Canucks in the 80's and man, that sucked...

Shred the fringe players......see ya Booth, Higgins, Hansen, Dalpe, Burrows......let the kids play in their place. Trade Kesler to a touted prospect and a high pick. Maybe suffer for one more year. Sign a free agent and again, let the kids play.

I don't think that we are that far off....just a couple calculated moves and they are back in it....

Either him or Draisaitl



Personally, I prefer Draisaitl. Dal Colle has barely played center despite being listed as a C/W. Draisaitl carried a mediocre team and is a big, strong, skilled center.
- Nucker101

My friend, you can expect Virtanen or Ritchie....I'm calling it now......and I know everyone has a hard on for Ehlers, but Nylander is our boy.......

Blowing up the team is completely asinine!!!

What if it took a move or two to inject some youth into this team AND make the Canucks a Stanley Cup contender again?

Thats what I'd like to see - (frank) this whole blow up the team and wait 5 years to MAYBE be a playoff team again. I was a fan of the Canucks in the 80's and man, that sucked...

Shred the fringe players......see ya Booth, Higgins, Hansen, Dalpe, Burrows......let the kids play in their place. Trade Kesler to a touted prospect and a high pick. Maybe suffer for one more year. Sign a free agent and again, let the kids play.

I don't think that we are that far off....just a couple calculated moves and they are back in it....
- chompsey

Interesting article from Business Week. Has Chicago being the smartest spenders in all of professional sports.

Vancouver didn't do to bad coming in at #25 out of 122.

http://www.businessweek.c...t-spenders-in-sports-2014

My friend, you can expect Virtanen or Ritchie....I'm calling it now......and I know everyone has a hard on for Ehlers, but Nylander is our boy.......
- chompsey

I know

I truly want a highly skilled "thinker" of sorts as opposed to the prototypical power forward who simply "wills" the puck into the net through physically.

I want the Nylanders, Kapanens, Goldobins and Ehlers of the draft.

Sadly i think we are going to get Ritchie, Perlini, McCann, Tuch etc.

Worse comes to worse, i wouldn't mind Virtanen as he seems to be a mix of both.

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My friend, you can expect Virtanen or Ritchie....I'm calling it now......and I know everyone has a hard on for Ehlers, but Nylander is our boy.......
- chompsey

I think Virtanen is a big time boom or bust pick, if he can translate his goal scoring a physical play into the NHL then great, because he doesn't bring much else.


Ritchie still scares me, like Kassian I think his upside is a 2nd line PWF(he's more of a shooter than Kassian though). Ehlers has 1st line offensive upside IMO.


Nylander's hard for me to judge, he has sick hands, but he has way more time and space over in Europe that he's gonna have here. He's also soft. I'd say he's less NHL-ready than the other guys by a decent margin, but if his offensive game does translate into the NHL down the road then he has legit 60+ point NHL upside IMO.