Oh I hadn't heard. Good to know thanks. That's some more wiggle room. With luongos contract it's listed as a buyout of 800,000 but it's retained salary. Does it count against one of vans buyouts? If not I'd have to say that if burrows and bieska don't waive then they are prime suspects.
- manvanfan

Luongo's 800 K counts against cap.

Booth and Ballard's salary do not.

WD made it pretty clear, that he doesn't expect Horvat will be 2C next year or that any other young players will make the jump from juniors.

Linden made it pretty clear that making the playoffs is more important than developing the team.

So in other words, we will likely have the exact same roster, with vets getting the most of the opportunities.
- belcherbd

From what I heard WD didn't want Horvat on the team this year but JB did.

WD made it pretty clear, that he doesn't expect Horvat will be 2C next year or that any other young players will make the jump from juniors.

Linden made it pretty clear that making the playoffs is more important than developing the team.

So in other words, we will likely have the exact same roster, with vets getting the most of the opportunities.
- belcherbd

I thought it sounded like Benning has someone new in mind for the Sedins. He didn't exactly describe Vrbata when he talked about the winger he'd like to see-

Jason Botchford
‏@botchford Willie on Sedins: "I think they need a guy who will go to the net, I think they need a guy who is good on the forecheck" CC: New 17

It sounds a bit like Burrows, but I think he wants someone a bit bigger.

I am not sure if Baertschi will start with the top6 either or in the ahl.

WD said something about players earning their spot with the big club too, and he is loyal to the vets. Still hoping for a move on defense. a pmd would be a great addition.

Banning confirmed we are picking 23rd.

I thought it would be a couple of spots higher but I trust his knowledge over mine.

Not the greatest position.

We should pick Bo Horvat's Cousin Travis Konecny and make it family affair.

From what I heard WD didn't want Horvat on the team this year but JB did.
- manvanfan

Ya that has been widely reported that he didn't like the idea of a 19 year old on the starting roster.

To be fair he has admitted that Horvat proved him wrong but he also made comments today saying essentially that players usually have a tough time in their 2nd year. He also said Bo is the exception and he doesn't think many players are capable of making this league at that age.

The Brandon wheat kings are up 2-1 in the series. I'm glad Calgary won 1 game at least and JV returns for game 5 on Friday in Brandon. I'm going to go see him play then.
- manvanfan

Right. I was thinking the Hitmen won Game 1 but you're absolutely correct. I'll go correct that now.

I thought it sounded like Benning has someone new in mind for the Sedins. He didn't exactly describe Vrbata when he talked about the winger he'd like to see-

Jason Botchford
‏@botchford Willie on Sedins: "I think they need a guy who will go to the net, I think they need a guy who is good on the forecheck" CC: New 17

It sounds a bit like Burrows, but I think he wants someone a bit bigger.

I am not sure if Baertschi will start with the top6 either or in the ahl.

WD said something about players earning their spot with the big club too, and he is loyal to the vets. Still hoping for a move on defense. a pmd would be a great addition.
- hillbillydeluxe

I like WD but he's got to know Van is trying to get younger and if he doesn't want to keep his job for long, go ahead play the old guys. He can go back to coaching kids.

From what I heard WD didn't want Horvat on the team this year but JB did.
- manvanfan

I believe he has admitted this in a post practice or game presser. Loyal to the vets.

Right. I was thinking the Hitmen won Game 1 but you're absolutely correct. I'll go correct that now.
- Carol Schram

Lol

I thought it sounded like Benning has someone new in mind for the Sedins. He didn't exactly describe Vrbata when he talked about the winger he'd like to see-

Jason Botchford
‏@botchford Willie on Sedins: "I think they need a guy who will go to the net, I think they need a guy who is good on the forecheck" CC: New 17

It sounds a bit like Burrows, but I think he wants someone a bit bigger.

I am not sure if Baertschi will start with the top6 either or in the ahl.

WD said something about players earning their spot with the big club too, and he is loyal to the vets. Still hoping for a move on defense. a pmd would be a great addition.
- hillbillydeluxe

That wasn't the full quote, he also mentioned that the player should be fast and able to cover defensibly and that they need to have good offensive instincts.

To me it sounds like he described a hybrid of Vrbata/Burrows/Kassian.....so likely we will see the same as this year.

I believe he has admitted this in a post practice or game presser. Loyal to the vets.
- hillbillydeluxe

It's a business, a job. You play who earns it. Loyalty is nothing in sports anymore.

I like WD but he's got to know Van is trying to get younger and if he doesn't want to keep his job for long, go ahead play the old guys. He can go back to coaching kids.
- manvanfan

I share the sentiment but the way Horvat started off slow and had to earn ice time with his play, not to mention practice and all the extra work, appears to have worked to benefit the club and player. Whether it was a team decision for Horvat to stay with the big club or be given the opportunity, you would hope the a similar approach would be considered or used for all prospects.

I can't imagine the pressure WD is under to win. Wins are the bottom line for him to keep his job. Development should be a consideration, but wins, making playoffs and some noise in the post season. The guy just got here, he wants to keep his job and living his dream.

Banning confirmed we are picking 23rd.

I thought it would be a couple of spots higher but I trust his knowledge over mine.

Not the greatest position.

We should pick Bo Horvat's Cousin Travis Konecny and make it family affair.
- classic321

I think it is still possible to drop a few lower if the flames, wild or caps end up making the conference/stanley cup finals.


Stanley cup final teams pick 30/29
Conference losers pick 28/27

after that teams are placed by reg season standings. If any teams below the nucks get those last 4 picks the nucks can move into their spots.

Edit. After looking at it again I think the nucks can only move to 22 if the caps make the conference finals.

That wasn't the full quote, he also mentioned that the player should be fast and able to cover defensibly and that they need to have good offensive instincts.

To me it sounds like he described a hybrid of Vrbata/Burrows/Kassian.....so likely we will see the same as this year.
- belcherbd

Was thinking if Benning had in mind certain players already on the club, he might mention their names. Then again, JB spoke fondly of Kassian and his step forward before his back injury.

just hoping for some more change.

I think it is still possible to drop a few lower if the flames, wild or caps end up making the conference/stanley cup finals.


Stanley cup final teams pick 30/29
Conference losers pick 28/27

after that teams are placed by reg season standings. If any teams below the nucks get those last 4 picks the nucks can move into their spots.

Edit. After looking at it again I think the nucks can only move to 22 if the caps make the conference finals.
- belcherbd

You're correct but yeah we can move past calgary. I'm not a fan of this, I think as your eliminated you get seeded.

Meanwhile The Blackhawks signed that 23 year old Russian today who led the KHL in scoring.


& the rich get RICHER.

I share the sentiment but the way Horvat started off slow and had to earn ice time with his play, not to mention practice and all the extra work, appears to have worked to benefit the club and player. Whether it was a team decision for Horvat to stay with the big club or be given the opportunity, you would hope the a similar approach would be considered or used for all prospects.

I can't imagine the pressure WD is under to win. Wins are the bottom line for him to keep his job. Development should be a consideration, but wins, making playoffs and some noise in the post season. The guy just got here, he wants to keep his job and living his dream.
- hillbillydeluxe

Development takes time. Look at gaudreau and Forsberg both went goalless and pointless for long stretches this season. In terms of development I think there needs to be a learning curve. Some won't learn instantly but as long as there is improvement then who knows how high that curve will go. Watching some rookies, biggest tell is do they look like Bambi out there. When they go into the corner or receive a pass do they wobble or make a stronger play.

Meanwhile The Blackhawks signed that 23 year old Russian today who led the KHL in scoring.


& the rich get RICHER.

- classic321

The rich have to shed more parts again.

You're correct but yeah we can move past calgary. I'm not a fan of this, I think as your eliminated you get seeded.
- manvanfan

It is all fecked up. Non playoff teams draft order is heavily determined by regular season performance and weighted percentages in a lottery, I'd like to see something similar where playoff teams regular season standings and playoff results are considered.

Development takes time. Look at gaudreau and Forsberg both went goalless and pointless for long stretches this season. In terms of development I think there needs to be a learning curve. Some won't learn instantly but as long as there is improvement then who knows how high that curve will go. Watching some rookies, biggest tell is do they look like Bambi out there. When they go into the corner or receive a pass do they wobble or make a stronger play.
- manvanfan

Sadly all I wanted to say was that if they are dominating junior and can't go into the ahl. I would keep them up, play them the occasional game until they get to there 9 and see if they are getting better or not.

Let's hope it's Bieksa. 8 million dollars for a bottom pairing is just plain wrong

From what I heard WD didn't want Horvat on the team this year but JB did.
- manvanfan

JB seems insistent about Virtanen. Wonder if JB contacts him and tells him to work his ass off on defence this summer so he has a chance. WD won't take him if he's not responsible in his own end

Meanwhile The Blackhawks signed that 23 year old Russian today who led the KHL in scoring.


& the rich get RICHER.

- classic321

Same salary cap and we aren't paying anyone (or 2) 10.5 mil. They only have 3 defencemen signed for next year

JB seems insistent about Virtanen. Wonder if JB contacts him and tells him to work his ass off on defence this summer so he has a chance. WD won't take him if he's not responsible in his own end
- bezz44

I think it is a management team approach to who stays with the club from junior, along with who is called up or sent down. I hope so anyway.

Tough decisions, don't want to have 18 year olds, or players from junior/college automatically make the club when they may not be ready.

I think I'm agreeing with Manvanfan.

I think it is a management team approach to who stays with the club from junior, along with who is called up or sent down. I hope so anyway.

Tough decisions, don't want to have 18 year olds, or players from junior/college automatically make the club when they may not be ready.

I think I'm agreeing with Manvanfan.
- hillbillydeluxe

It's just interesting when you hear differing answers from different levels of management