I'd love Virtanen on the 4th line. Throw him out there with Dorsett, just make sure there's a defensively responsible guy out there. More likely though I think someone like Gaunce comes in as 4C, in which case they don't bring in another rookie.
Sedin Sedin Burrows
Sven Bonino Vrbata
Vey Horvat Hansen
Kenins Gaunce Dorsett
Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Weber
Sbisa Corrado
- bezz44

If Virtanen then:
Sedin Sedin Burrows
Sven Bonino Vrbata
Kenins Horvat Dorsett
Virtanen Vey Hansen

Hansen insulates Vey+Virtanen.
This lineup seems less than ideal and for that reason I think Virtanen stays down. Vey really screws with things because IMO he isn't defensively responsible or big enough not to have to insulate him. Not skilled enough for a top 6 role

Matthews was the better prospect all along, much more complete WR and has the drive to be great, works his ass off. Richardson is a decent prospect but I was surprised that SEA took him at that point of the draft.
- Nucker101

If you want to join a online pool that pays pretty good $, let me know and I'll pm you the details.

I don't want them to mail it in either, unless they trade the twins, but what I do want to see is an injection of new faces into the line-up. Which happened this year, but I'd like to see it continue. If it doesn't, then we have issues!!

Daniel Henrik Burrows
Higgins Bonino Vrbata

If this is our top six again next year - I'm done!!!
- LeftCoaster

I'd really like to see what Benning's plan is.

I would not be happy to see that lineup with Higgins on the second line wing.

TBH, I really see more of a club shakeup after next season with both Hamhuis and Bieksa's contracts expiring. We just have to make it that far without any real big mis steps/bad trades/bad contracts and we should be okay.

I've read that Canucks management told Green to play Gaunce at LW all year in Utica. Makes no sense since he's a big guy, who plays a more positional game than a speed/energy game.
- Nucker101

Maybe they're anticipating a dearth of LWers in the future? Seems very odd but then they preferred Matthias at the wing too and Gaunce seems similar to Matthias WRT his play style.

If you want to join a online pool that pays pretty good $, let me know and I'll pm you the details.
- VanHockeyGuy

Sure. My PM system is really messed up though, not sure if I'll get it.

They can't go with Bonino as their second line center again, they just can't!!! He had 7 goals in his first 14 games and 8 in the remaining 68 games...you just can't find that acceptable for a second line center. At least I can't.
- LeftCoaster

The way Horvat played this year and especially in the playoffs with limited ice time, I would love to see him play a couple of skilled wingers and give him some more minutes.

Kassian is another question mark. He looked good before his injury with the twins. If he could ever pull his head out of his a$$ he could be a solid contributor the the top 6.

I'd really like to see what Benning's plan is.

I would not be happy to see that lineup with Higgins on the second line wing.

TBH, I really see more of a club shakeup after next season with both Hamhuis and Bieksa's contracts expiring. We just have to make it that far without any real big mis steps/bad trades/bad contracts and we should be okay.
- hillbillydeluxe

If Hamhuis is still here after next season I think he's resigned. I can't see him not taking a significant discount. IMO they should get going on contract negotiations with him before the deadline, and if they can't come to terms I'm sure he'd waive his NTC so the team doesn't end up getting hamstrung. Bieksa I think they may do the same though I personally want him gone even if he is making 2 million

Maybe they're anticipating a dearth of LWers in the future? Seems very odd but then they preferred Matthias at the wing too and Gaunce seems similar to Matthias WRT his play style.
- bezz44

Matthias is a straight-line North/South player, I think he relies on his speed and size for offense more than hockey sense and positioning. Gaunce is a pretty medicore skater, also uses his size, but more so with board play and hockey sense. I'd say Gaunce does a better job of making his linemates better and Matthias is a better scorer who doesn't do much for his linemates.

I actually think Matthias at LW made sense but Gaunce seems so much better suited at C.

The way Horvat played this year and especially in the playoffs with limited ice time, I would love to see him play a couple of skilled wingers and give him some more minutes.

Kassian is another question mark. He looked good before his injury with the twins. If he could ever pull his head out of his a$$ he could be a solid contributor the the top 6.
- fiveandagame

poop this is who I forgot in my lineup!
Sedin Sedin Burrows
Sven Bonino Vrbata
Kassian Bo Hansen
Kenins Gaunce Dorsett

I like that forward lineup, with the exception of Bonino at 2C

Maybe they're anticipating a dearth of LWers in the future? Seems very odd but then they preferred Matthias at the wing too and Gaunce seems similar to Matthias WRT his play style.
- bezz44

I could see Gaunce taking Matthias's spot once Matthias bolts via UFA.

Matthias is a straight-line North/South player, I think he relies on his speed and size for offense more than hockey sense and positioning. Gaunce is a pretty medicore skater, also uses his size, but more so with board play and hockey sense. I'd say Gaunce does a better job of making his linemates better and Matthias is a better scorer who doesn't do much for his linemates.

I actually think Matthias at LW made sense but Gaunce seems so much better suited at C.
- Nucker101

I know from what I've read about Gaunce he is a very smart player, but it seems possible that his lack of speed is what prompted the move. I hope he can really work on his skating. Maybe Bo can show him a thing or two about developing speed

poop this is who I forgot in my lineup!
Sedin Sedin Burrows
Sven Bonino Vrbata
Kassian Bo Hansen
Kenins Vey Dorsett

I like that forward lineup, with the exception of Bonino at 2C
- bezz44

Maybe they're anticipating a dearth of LWers in the future? Seems very odd but then they preferred Matthias at the wing too and Gaunce seems similar to Matthias WRT his play style.
- bezz44

Gaunce doesn't have the foot speed to be an NHL center, plain and simple, if he makes the NHL it's as a winger.

poop this is who I forgot in my lineup!
Sedin Sedin Burrows
Sven Bonino Vrbata
Kassian Bo Hansen
Kenins Gaunce Dorsett

I like that forward lineup, with the exception of Bonino at 2C
- bezz44

I like it as well. 3rd line could be an issue without a natural LW though. I still have a feeling that Kassian could be traded instead of Higgins.

Closest we will ever get to it.
- VanHockeyGuy

Lucic got to bring it home. So did Mitchell. A few other did too.

Sccoby wants to cheer for a Michigan boy to win the cup in hopes that he would bring it to Vancouver. He can go ahead and cheer for Kelser. Has any NHL team he has ever cheered for won a SC?

I will cheer for Calgary and Montreal just cause it is time to bring the championship back home.

poop this is who I forgot in my lineup!
Sedin Sedin Burrows
Sven Bonino Vrbata
Kassian Bo Hansen
Kenins Gaunce Dorsett

I like that forward lineup, with the exception of Bonino at 2C
- bezz44

Switch Horvat and Bonino. Problem solved.

I know from what I've read about Gaunce he is a very smart player, but it seems possible that his lack of speed is what prompted the move. I hope he can really work on his skating. Maybe Bo can show him a thing or two about developing speed
- bezz44

You could be right. I haven't watched him play enough to comment. But the guys who watch most of the Uitca games all suggest he's better suited as a C.

Switch Horvat and Bonino. Problem solved.
- fiveandagame

Don't think it really matters anyway, WD will role 4 lines. Bigger issue is that Bo deserves PP ice time but WD is reluctant to give him any. That's where he loses minutes and falls behind guys like Higgins and Bonino.

If Virtanen then:
Sedin Sedin Burrows
Sven Bonino Vrbata
Kenins Horvat Dorsett
Virtanen Vey Hansen

Hansen insulates Vey+Virtanen.
This lineup seems less than ideal and for that reason I think Virtanen stays down. Vey really screws with things because IMO he isn't defensively responsible or big enough not to have to insulate him. Not skilled enough for a top 6 role
- bezz44

I suspect this is pretty accurate, although I can see Vey and Horvat being swapped and potentially Gaunce in place of Vey...

Vey needs to get bigger in the offseason...

I like it as well. 3rd line could be an issue without a natural LW though. I still have a feeling that Kassian could be traded instead of Higgins.
- Nucker101

Yea, it's not ideal for Kassian as he has difficulty with positional play when he is on his strong side... The alternative is
Sedin Sedin Kassian
and then Burrows plays left side with Bo and Hansen for an elite shutdown line with some solid north-south play.
I'm hoping that's not the case after the flashes we saw from him, though I am concerned about durability with Kassian

I suspect this is pretty accurate, although I can see Vey and Horvat being swapped and potentially Gaunce in place of Vey...

Vey needs to get bigger in the offseason...
- chompsey

I honestly see Vey as the odd man out unless as you say he gets bigger in the offseason. He doesn't have enough raw ability in any area to make him effective in any specific role. Kind of like a slower, better-passing Raymond

Don't think it really matters anyway, WD will role 4 lines. Bigger issue is that Bo deserves PP ice time but WD is reluctant to give him any. That's where he loses minutes and falls behind guys like Higgins and Bonino.
- Nucker101

PP time, more ice time and some skilled wingers like vrbata.

I honestly see Vey as the odd man out unless as you say he gets bigger in the offseason. He doesn't have enough raw ability in any area to make him effective in any specific role. Kind of like a slower, better-passing Raymond
- bezz44

From what ive seen, he has great skill but hes just too afraid to play in the dirty areas and he'll never be successful as a perimeter player.....

From what ive seen, he has great skill but hes just too afraid to play in the dirty areas and he'll never be successful as a perimeter player.....
- chompsey

Yea, he lacks confidence and looks so lost when he's on the ice

Yea, it's not ideal for Kassian as he has difficulty with positional play when he is on his strong side... The alternative is
Sedin Sedin Kassian
and then Burrows plays left side with Bo and Hansen for an elite shutdown line with some solid north-south play.
I'm hoping that's not the case after the flashes we saw from him, though I am concerned about durability with Kassian
- bezz44

I'd give Kassian a shot there, the Sedins spend most of their time in the offensive zone with the puck anyway so any defensive concerns should be limited in that way. I'd like to see them let Bo loose so that he can develop his offensive game a bit and Bonino actually held his own this year when given shutdown duties.

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian/Vrbata
Baertschi - Horvat - Vrbata/Kassian
Burrows - Bonino - Hansen
Kenins - Vey/Gaunce - Dorsett

5/12 forwards are pretty young guys so there's your youth movement. I don't think Virtanen is ready yet but they could give him a regular season 9 game look.

On defense, Bieksa has to go. We're stuck with Sbisa so I'm guessing Clendening gets Bieksa's roster spot but who knows. Wouldn't be surprised if they trade Lack if they're high on Markstrom, especially if O'Connor gets signed to start for the Comets.