My guess is that the Calgary players get called for boarding and charging and the Anh PP eats them alive.....something that the Nucks couldn't do.

I don't have a problem with the push back that the nucks had in the series, but their inability to capitalize on opportunities.
- belcherbd

Indeed. Calgary will get called for charging and boarding (or I should say Ferland will get called for charging and boarding) in the Anaheim series.

Is it just me or did anyone else notice that the refs on at least five or six occasions interfered with the Sedins when they were cycling the puck? I was literally yelling at the TV for the refs to get out of the way. One particular instance the ref came from the left behind the net to the right, literally bumping into one of the Sedins, trying to jump out of the way of the puck. I realize the refs have to move from corner to corner to keep an eye on the puck, but at what point should the ref stay the (frank) away from the play?

Bieksa was a nightmare, as was Sbisa. Time to move Bieksa and reduce Sbisa's minutes. Too bad he can't be sent down; he needs a year or two in the AHL.

Calgary was lucky. Anaheim in 4 or 5.

Indeed. Calgary will get called for charging and boarding (or I should say Ferland will get called for charging and boarding) in the Anaheim series.

Is it just me or did anyone else notice that the refs on at least five or six occasions interfered with the Sedins when they were cycling the puck? I was literally yelling at the TV for the refs to get out of the way. One particular instance the ref came from the left behind the net to the right, literally bumping into one of the Sedins, trying to jump out of the way of the puck. I realize the refs have to move from corner to corner to keep an eye on the puck, but at what point should the ref stay the (frank) away from the play?

Bieksa was a nightmare, as was Sbisa. Time to move Bieksa and reduce Sbisa's minutes. Too bad he can't be sent down; he needs a year or two in the AHL.

Calgary was lucky. Anaheim in 4 or 5.
- pmg2008

Yes

I don't think anyone except the players are saying that this team is close. I just think that moving 2 players ( who I admit not to be a fan of) at a lower cap hit are good value to acquire Sutter, who isn't enough of an upgrade for me.

This has been my biggest complaint with Benning is not getting good value for his acquisitions.

This team does need change, but I see the D as the weakest link on the team. Depth scoring and timely goal-tending got this team to the playoffs. Without those things this team melted in the playoffs. And when it did show up the D let the team down.

Full credit for Calgary, they saw that the D was mistake prone when they were pressured and the Canucks couldn't figure out how to adjust.
- belcherbd

Bad D is only part of the problem. After the Sedins Horvat and Vrbata , the talent evaporates. You need some bigger faster tougher kids that can be effective.

Sutter is significantly better that Bonino in many ways including face offs , grit and scoring.

I think the team had a great regular season, but you also need to build a team for the playoffs, so that is why big changes are needed

Yes
- Grumpy13

Yes, it's just me?

Bad D is only part of the problem. After the Sedins Horvat and Vrbata , the talent evaporates. You need some bigger faster tougher kids that can be effective.

Sutter is significantly better that Bonino in many ways including face offs , grit and scoring.

I think the team had a great regular season, but you also need to build a team for the playoffs, so that is why big changes are needed
- VANTEL

I honestly thought we had better depth than Calgary...

Bad D is only part of the problem. After the Sedins Horvat and Vrbata , the talent evaporates. You need some bigger faster tougher kids that can be effective.

Sutter is significantly better that Bonino in many ways including face offs , grit and scoring.

I think the team had a great regular season, but you also need to build a team for the playoffs, so that is why big changes are needed
- VANTEL

I agree with respect to Sutter. He is actually fairly underrated - people also forget that he was put in a specific defensive role (being matched up against other team's better lines) when he came to the Pens. He actually had a very good couple of offensive seasons in Carolina, where he was even getting some quality power play time, something which was largely diminished when he came over to Pittsburgh. He's an excellent face off man, a very good skater with an under rated shot and can also muck it up. I would love to have him on the Canucks - he is very versatile and also still quite young and he still has the potential to be very productive if given the chance.

Bad D is only part of the problem. After the Sedins Horvat and Vrbata , the talent evaporates. You need some bigger faster tougher kids that can be effective.

Sutter is significantly better that Bonino in many ways including face offs , grit and scoring.

I think the team had a great regular season, but you also need to build a team for the playoffs, so that is why big changes are needed
- VANTEL

I would easily take Sutter over Bonino - he's your prototypical, well, Sutter, and brings everything that comes with that lineage (tenacity, grit, defensive awareness, faceoffs, scoring and a winning attitude)

I honestly thought we had better depth than Calgary...
- pmg2008

So did I and most Canuck fans. Most of the hockey media outside BC were picking Calgary. Sometimes fan bases fall in love with their team and it is hard to not have a clouded opinion.

They were faster , bigger, younger, tougher and more skilled.

Their D was much better and the goalies were not too far apart

I would easily take Sutter over Bonino - he's your prototypical, well, Sutter, and brings everything that comes with that lineage (tenacity, grit, defensive awareness, faceoffs, scoring and a winning attitude)
- Zogg

I agree with respect to Sutter. He is actually fairly underrated - people also forget that he was put in a specific defensive role (being matched up against other team's better lines) when he came to the Pens. People forget that he actually had a very good couple of offensive seasons in Carolina, where he was even getting some quality power play time, something which was largely diminished when he came over to Pittsburgh. He's an excellent face off man, a very good skater with an under rated shot and can also muck it up. I would love to have him on the Canucks - he is very versatile and also still quite young and he still has the potential to be very productive if given the chance.
- Zogg

That's the way I see it.

That's the way I see it.
- VANTEL

This is getting scary lol - where is the real Vantel and what have you done with him?

Bad D is only part of the problem. After the Sedins Horvat and Vrbata , the talent evaporates. You need some bigger faster tougher kids that can be effective.

Sutter is significantly better that Bonino in many ways including face offs , grit and scoring.

I think the team had a great regular season, but you also need to build a team for the playoffs, so that is why big changes are needed
- VANTEL

If he is the player you think he is, he won't be available. But he's not, and a 3rd line center that might possibly be better than Bonino is hardly going to make this team a Stanley Cup contender. We have enough bottom 6 players, we need top 6 players and an overhaul on the backend

This is getting scary lol - where is the real Vantel and what have you done with him?
- Zogg

He's masterbating so I grabbed the I pad

Please, enough with the Sutter talk. If he is the player you think he is, he won't be available. But he's not, and a 3rd line center that might possibly be better than Bonino is hardly going to make this team a Stanley Cup contender. We have enough bottom 6 players, we need top 6 players and an overhaul on the backend
- bezz44

Every team has enough bottom 6 players. Having good bottom 6 players is a whole lot different.in fact a lot of times bottom 6 players win you series. Ask Ferland , he may know a thing or two

This is getting scary lol - where is the real Vantel and what have you done with him?
- Zogg

The real Vantel has been calling for Sutter to the Canucks since the TDL last year

Every team has enough bottom 6 players. Having good bottom 6 players is a whole lot different.
- VANTEL

We have good bottom 6 players
We lost in the playoffs. That doesn't mean our bottom 6 sucks. They got us to the playoffs without a 2nd line. IDK if you noticed but PIT didn't exactly blow away the Rangers. I guess that means Sutter sucks

Every team has enough bottom 6 players. Having good bottom 6 players is a whole lot different.in fact a lot of times bottom 6 players win you series. Ask Ferland , he may know a thing or two
- VANTEL

You also haven't addressed the question of how Sutter fills the holes in our top 6 or D. Probably because he doesn't

You also haven't addressed the question of how Sutter fills the holes in our top 6 or D. Probably because he doesn't
- bezz44

You are wrong. Sutter goes to 3 line centre and Bo gets promoted to top 6

He's masterbating so I grabbed the I pad
- VANTEL

I never knew you Fillipinas enjoyed hockey!

We have good bottom 6 players
We lost in the playoffs. That doesn't mean our bottom 6 sucks. They got us to the playoffs without a 2nd line. IDK if you noticed but PIT didn't exactly blow away the Rangers. I guess that means Sutter sucks
- bezz44

Did you watch that series? Sutter was more effective than Gino

You are wrong. Sutter goes to 3 line centre and Bo gets promoted to top 6
- VANTEL

In what way is that different than Bonino going to 3 and Bo going to 2?
It's the exact same situation, only we end up with a more expensive player and minus a young player we could've traded for a pick or prospect if we didn't want him.

Did you watch that series? Sutter was more effective than Gino
- VANTEL

He would slot in quite nicely on the third line - he's actually a bit of a tweener, as I could even see him sliding in as 2C on occasion. I didn't realize he actually had a 21 goal season this year - that's with pretty much nominal power-play time and, again, playing against tough competition in a primarily defensive role

In what way is that different than Bonino going to 3 and Bo going to 2?
It's the exact same situation, only we end up with a more expensive player and minus a young player we could've traded for a pick or prospect if we didn't want him.
- bezz44

Do you per chance know his cap hit?

Did you watch that series? Sutter was more effective than Gino
- VANTEL

So you're saying he's better than Malkin now? Wow... Sign me up.

Do you per chance know his cap hit?
- Zogg

3.3 mil - steep considering we are already overpaying our bottom six F and bottom 2 D