His final year. He is Calgary bound .
- VANTEL

I don't think Burkie will hire him again - wherever he goes Nonis keeps taking his job without ever having accomplished anything??

I don't think Burkie will hire him again - wherever he goes Nonis keeps taking his job without ever having accomplished anything??


- LeftCoaster

That's true

American Turkey day is over and some surprising teams out of PO picture.

Biggest pleasant surprise is the Flames and Canucks

Canucks first in the league.
Utica 2 points out of the league lead with a game in hand.

Though i am still apprehensive of the Canuck's playoff abilities, i do think Utica is a legitimate contender for a championship

Who would of anticipated these starts in August

That's representative of perhaps 20 percent of the global population and that's being generous. Capitalism 101, the majority of a population must be exploited to the benefit of a few, that can be viewed by both the discrepancies between the global north and south, as well as being implemented within Western societies as a whole I.e the 99% vs the the top elites.

From my POV it has nothing to do within a specific historical context as human nature will always remain a constant.

Hobbes was a cruel mother(frank)er but I think he called it the way it is.
- Whiskey-Tango

I agree with you. But it isn't like standard of living has actually declined drastically in many places, it's just that the Western world has pulled away at light speed. Damages from colonialism etc. and all I will concede, but for the most part none of the benefits we enjoy here have ever been enjoyed universally, nor could they possibly be enjoyed universally in our overpopulated world

That's representative of perhaps 20 percent of the global population and that's being generous. Capitalism 101, the majority of a population must be exploited to the benefit of a few, that can be viewed by both the discrepancies between the global north and south, as well as being implemented within Western societies as a whole I.e the 99% vs the the top elites.

From my POV it has nothing to do within a specific historical context as human nature will always remain a constant.

Hobbes was a cruel mother(frank)er but I think he called it the way it is.
- Whiskey-Tango

I agree with you. But it isn't like standard of living has actually declined drastically in many places, it's just that the Western world has pulled away at light speed. Damages from colonialism etc. and all I will concede, but for the most part none of the benefits we enjoy here have ever been enjoyed universally, nor could they possibly be enjoyed universally in our overpopulated world

Why is it always Bertuzzi that Kassian is compared to? Bertuzzi was a very large power forward... Kassian is not 6'4" 240 pounds... not close even.

Kassian is more comparable to Horvats size or Kesler even....

Im being patient with Kassian but come on...wait a couple of more years of him on the bottom six because Bertuzzi took longer to develop? Thats nonsense...

Face it people...Kassian is not Bertuzzi or Lucic. Not only does his size fall short, but he doesn't play anywhere near the physical level those players have. Its time to dismiss all that BS Gillis sold us on Kassian. He'll find his own role eventually... but we cant turn him into Bertuzzi... not going to happen.
- boonerbuck

This x10. The constant Kassian-will-turn-into-Bertuzzi watch is myopic at best.

Canucks first in the league.
Utica 2 points out of the league lead with a game in hand.

Though i am still apprehensive of the Canuck's playoff abilities, i do think Utica is a legitimate contender for a championship

Who would of anticipated these starts in August
- Whiskey-Tango

This road trip is important . It could be a huge jump to the playoffs if they come out with 10 points.

I still maintain that the problems last year were more of the players than the coaching. I think getting rid of Kesler was huge and Lou a close second.by doing so it gave us reliable goaltending and a productive second and 4 th line (Dorsett ).i like Mathais for the third line ( LU trade).

No doubt that the coach was an asshat but so was Kesler and LU was just not reliable.

This road trip is important . It could be a huge jump to the playoffs if they come out with 10 points.

I still maintain that the problems last year were more of the players than the coaching. I think getting rid of Kesler was huge and Lou a close second.by doing so it gave us reliable goaltending and a productive second and 4 th line (Dorsett ).i like Mathais for the third line ( LU trade).

No doubt that the coach was an asshat but so was Kesler and LU was just not reliable.
- VANTEL

Asking the Sedins to dump and chase is about as dumb as it gets.

Asking the Sedins to dump and chase is about as dumb as it gets.
- golfingsince

I t was dumb but we were having problems the year before also. You can't blame that on Torts , sorry Marwood

Why is it always Bertuzzi that Kassian is compared to? Bertuzzi was a very large power forward... Kassian is not 6'4" 240 pounds... not close even.

Kassian is more comparable to Horvats size or Kesler even....

Im being patient with Kassian but come on...wait a couple of more years of him on the bottom six because Bertuzzi took longer to develop? Thats nonsense...

Face it people...Kassian is not Bertuzzi or Lucic. Not only does his size fall short, but he doesn't play anywhere near the physical level those players have. Its time to dismiss all that BS Gillis sold us on Kassian. He'll find his own role eventually... but we cant turn him into Bertuzzi... not going to happen.
- boonerbuck

Because they are both pretty ugly?

I t was dumb but we were having problems the year before also. You can't blame that on Torts , sorry Marwood
- VANTEL

Meh, the year before there was a lockout. I didn't expect much of them in a shortened season.

This road trip is important . It could be a huge jump to the playoffs if they come out with 10 points.

I still maintain that the problems last year were more of the players than the coaching. I think getting rid of Kesler was huge and Lou a close second.by doing so it gave us reliable goaltending and a productive second and 4 th line (Dorsett ).i like Mathais for the third line ( LU trade).

No doubt that the coach was an asshat but so was Kesler and LU was just not reliable.
- VANTEL

Getting rid of Kes and Lu was a huge part of changing the culture of the team, both good players but I'm glad they're gone!! That said, I still think we're missing pieces to compete when it comes playoff time in the West.

This road trip is important . It could be a huge jump to the playoffs if they come out with 10 points.

I still maintain that the problems last year were more of the players than the coaching. I think getting rid of Kesler was huge and Lou a close second.by doing so it gave us reliable goaltending and a productive second and 4 th line (Dorsett ).i like Mathais for the third line ( LU trade).

No doubt that the coach was an asshat but so was Kesler and LU was just not reliable.
- VANTEL

I think that dressing room was probably one of the most uncomfortable places you could ever be in. Nobody wanted to be there, and getting rid of the poison (Torts, Kes, Lu) and opening up the window has made all the difference

This road trip is important . It could be a huge jump to the playoffs if they come out with 10 points.

I still maintain that the problems last year were more of the players than the coaching. I think getting rid of Kesler was huge and Lou a close second.by doing so it gave us reliable goaltending and a productive second and 4 th line (Dorsett ).i like Mathais for the third line ( LU trade).

No doubt that the coach was an asshat but so was Kesler and LU was just not reliable.
- VANTEL

Torts is not a good coach and his methodology is jurassic. We called that before he came on board and his tactics proved that to be true through the course of last season.

Removing distractions doesn't flip a team from 6th last to first in a matter of months. A superior coach playing a system that the players he has can successfully adopt does. Additionally we do seem to have a more balanced team now. Kesler's attitude didn't clog up that 2nd line as much as his inability to realize he had 2 other linemates on the ice at all times.

Meh, the year before there was a lockout. I didn't expect much of them in a shortened season.
- golfingsince

Meh they have been easy to beat since 2011. Kes never passed .

Tell me who was our second line last year and our fourth. Exactly , this team had no identity.

Now we know who plays with who.

Torts is not a good coach and his methodology is jurassic. We called that before he came on board and his tactics proved that to be true through the course of last season.

Distractions don't flip a team from 6th last to first in a matter of months. A superior coach playing a system that the players he has can successfully adopt does. Additionally we do seem to have a more balanced team now. Kesler's attitude didn't clog up that 2nd line as much as his inability to realize he had 2 other linemates on the ice at all times.
- AlexF

Were they not in first at Xmas or so, until the Calgary game?

Were they not in first at Xmas or so, until the Calgary game?
- VANTEL

Yes. While driving their top players into the ground. Pretty sure this entire board was concerned about that as it was happening.

This road trip is important . It could be a huge jump to the playoffs if they come out with 10 points.

I still maintain that the problems last year were more of the players than the coaching. I think getting rid of Kesler was huge and Lou a close second.by doing so it gave us reliable goaltending and a productive second and 4 th line (Dorsett ).i like Mathais for the third line ( LU trade).

No doubt that the coach was an asshat but so was Kesler and LU was just not reliable.
- VANTEL

Agreed, the long lost secondary scoring is phenomenal to witness and admittedly i was not on the Bonino bandwagon at first, guy is third in scoring!

One more point then that "1B" Kesler to boot

Yes. While driving their top players into the ground. Pretty sure this entire board was concerned about that as it was happening.
- AlexF

The two previous years before , everyone here was calling for AVs head? Why does a fan base call for a coaches head when he has just taken the team to two Presidents trophies?oh and after that he takes his new team to the SCF.Our coaching sure sucked.

Never blame Kes or LU

This road trip is important . It could be a huge jump to the playoffs if they come out with 10 points.

I still maintain that the problems last year were more of the players than the coaching. I think getting rid of Kesler was huge and Lou a close second.by doing so it gave us reliable goaltending and a productive second and 4 th line (Dorsett ).i like Mathais for the third line ( LU trade).

No doubt that the coach was an asshat but so was Kesler and LU was just not reliable.
- VANTEL

That old approach has to change for him to be successful. It has been interesting to look at WD's approach this year compared to last year's approach and all the Quinn talk with his passing.

The bully in your face approach may work with some players for a little while but can't be sustained for long. At least with the WD approach of positive reinforcement and constant communication, players know where they stand.

Last years different stlye of play ended up screwing up/handcuffing Edler and a couple other players that they were afraid to make mistakes and were stuck playing a style ill suited to the team. Maybe if it was a full on rebuild, like Buffalo, it would have worked.

But we are deeper this year. Some of that has to do with Benning and some just a maturation of prospects - Horvat and Jensen.

The coaching change must be a big factor in improved play, but last year also had some injuries that really impacted depth. We are deeper this year, just want to see how it all continues to unfold.

Agreed, the long lost secondary scoring is phenomenal to witness and admittedly i was not on the Bonino bandwagon at first, guy is third in scoring!

One more point then that "1B" Kesler to boot
- Whiskey-Tango

3 assists for the second line centre last night . How many eons have we waited to say that.

I agree with you. But it isn't like standard of living has actually declined drastically in many places, it's just that the Western world has pulled away at light speed. Damages from colonialism etc. and all I will concede, but for the most part none of the benefits we enjoy here have ever been enjoyed universally, nor could they possibly be enjoyed universally in our overpopulated world
- bezz44

Definitely, and it is in that respect that speaking for the species as a whole can generally be viewed as being pretty ignorant

That old approach has to change for him to be successful. It has been interesting to look at WD's approach this year compared to last year's approach and all the Quinn talk with his passing.

The bully in your face approach may work with some players for a little while but can't be sustained for long. At least with the WD approach of positive reinforcement and constant communication, players know where they stand.

Last years different stlye of play ended up screwing up/handcuffing Edler and a couple other players that they were afraid to make mistakes and were stuck playing a style ill suited to the team. Maybe if it was a full on rebuild, like Buffalo, it would have worked.

But we are deeper this year. Some of that has to do with Benning and some just a maturation of prospects - Horvat and Jensen.

The coaching change must be a big factor in improved play, but last year also had some injuries that really impacted depth. We are deeper this year, just want to see how it all continues to unfold.
- hillbillydeluxe

I have agreed that Torts was an ass. Coaches don't score goals or fight in front of the net.Kesler and LU were terrible for this team. They are gone and we see the rewards of having a team that plays well together and sticks up for each other.

I really do like the make up of this team and I do think they are only two players or one away from staying a top contender.

Edler has been called out from the fan base for the last 2.5 yrs. Can't blame that on Torts. Only difference is Torts told Edler to his face he sucked.

Torts era is over and thank God there is a new regime.

Yes. While driving their top players into the ground. Pretty sure this entire board was concerned about that as it was happening.
- AlexF

Everyone was scratching their head, looking at the ice time and guessing the Sedins/Kesler were going to falter sooner or later.

The two previous years before , everyone here was calling for AVs head? Why does a fan base call for a coaches head when he has just taken the team to two Presidents trophies?oh and after that he takes his new team to the SCF.Our coaching sure sucked.

Never blame Kes or LU
- VANTEL

Much of the complaining about AV was his inability to adapt on the fly in the playoffs. The team could have been deeper.

Plenty of blame to go around.