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.
- Nucker101

I'd love Bo to start as 2C but I think it's asking too much of WD. JB has the power to force young guys on the roster by dumping vets but he can't make Willy give guys more responsibility. I think eventually they'll put him at 2C but are going to be very cautious with expectations.
Also I agree I can't see Bieksa staying here with Weber being resigned. It will be Clendenning or Corrado I think. Stanton likely isn't resigned which is unfortunate. I prefer him in Sbisa's spot

Jimmy Graham Feck the first!
- VanHockeyGuy

Let's be honest, this is all about revenue. Nothing more. Nothing less.
- bloatedmosquito

Maybe Ownership will get it when people stop showing up. Better to tank now and get it over with.

Todays NHL is hell for teams that make the playoffs and lose in the first round. See also St Louis Blues.

Couple years of losing and you can pop back up quickly.

Maybe Ownership will get it when people stop showing up. Better to tank now and get it over with.

Todays NHL is hell for teams that make the playoffs and lose in the first round. See also St Louis Blues.

Couple years of losing and you can pop back up quickly.
- rugdnit

You don't necessarily have to tank to be good... The Rangers have picked in the top 10 of the draft once in the past 10 years (10th overall in 2010), and yet they were in the finals last year and look to be a cup favorite this year as well.

They might be the exception to the rule, but tanking isn't aways necessary

Maybe Ownership will get it when people stop showing up. Better to tank now and get it over with.

Todays NHL is hell for teams that make the playoffs and lose in the first round. See also St Louis Blues.

Couple years of losing and you can pop back up quickly.
- rugdnit

STL Blues are a perfect example of why not to do a full rebuild. Team that on paper is fantastic, out in the first round every year. What happens when you have a team that you've invest 5-10 years of terrible hockey into, and at their peak they are no more successful than the Blues? Do you dismantle again and force the fans to endure another 5 years of crap hockey?

STL Blues are a perfect example of why not to do a full rebuild. Team that on paper is fantastic, out in the first round every year. What happens when you have a team that you've invest 5-10 years of terrible hockey into, and at their peak they are no more successful than the Blues? Do you dismantle again and force the fans to endure another 5 years of crap hockey?
- bezz44

Not to mention the new players are brought up in a winning environment. Edmonton and Florida cleaned house and struggle to build anything and I imagine Buffalo will go through the same. I would much rather Bo get playoff games in, than wasting his efforts every year knowing they will lose games because of the lack of support around him

Not to mention the new players are brought up in a winning environment. Edmonton and Florida cleaned house and struggle to build anything and I imagine Buffalo will go through the same. I would much rather Bo get playoff games in, than wasting his efforts every year knowing they will lose games because of the lack of support around him
- WhiteLie

Yea, don't get me wrong, rebuilding can be extremely successful but it doesn't guarantee success. At the end of the day only 10 Stanley cups have been given out in the past ten years.
8 teams have won Cups out of the last 10 - that means that 22 teams have fallen short of the ultimate goal for ten straight seasons - there is no guaranteed strategy and sometimes it just comes down to luck or a single solid playoff. Vancouver was 60 minutes away from knocking off one of those teams and including themselves among the champions.
One of my favourite quotes:
'You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain'

You don't necessarily have to tank to be good... The Rangers have picked in the top 10 of the draft once in the past 10 years (10th overall in 2010), and yet they were in the finals last year and look to be a cup favorite this year as well.

They might be the exception to the rule, but tanking isn't aways necessary
- nucks_94

I still can't believe Tampa got what they did for St Louis. That will hurt the Rangers in the long haul.

They are clearly all in-- If it doesn't work what then? Was it worth it? For them-- Sure because, they make a ton of money no matter what.

You might not have to, but for where this franchise is... They are lying to people and putting lipstick on a pig.

It must really suck to have to worry more about pacifying season ticket holders than building it right.

STL Blues are a perfect example of why not to do a full rebuild. Team that on paper is fantastic, out in the first round every year. What happens when you have a team that you've invest 5-10 years of terrible hockey into, and at their peak they are no more successful than the Blues? Do you dismantle again and force the fans to endure another 5 years of crap hockey?
- bezz44

I think the Blues ARE a perfect example.. They are never really terrible or great... They just are.

I'm not saying invest 5-10 years in terrible hockey.

A couple bad seasons and you can do it.

MGT has already wasted this year which should have been a tank.

It's interesting with respect to the comment about Vrbata - and his scrambling to get those empty net goals. I recall wondering the same thing a few games ago when he shot a puck into the empty net prior to reaching the red-line in a very close game (if it was icing it may have been quite problematic as the entire line had been out there for quite some time. So, instead of just gently curling it into the corner he shot the puck to get his empty net goal.

At that point I kind of wondered about his mindset, as most players would not risk icing in a one goal game with only a number of seconds remaining. I tend to think that, based on what Carol quoted and what I saw, Vrbata is probably a bit of a selfish player (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but can become a hinderance in a number of situations).

It would be interesting to be able to find out who said that about him - obviously it was off the record so you would think it's someone fairly close to the situation.

I'm not saying invest 5-10 years in terrible hockey.

A couple bad seasons and you can do it.

MGT has already wasted this year which should have been a tank.
- rugdnit

What if you tank and end up picking 5th? Maybe the draft isn't great that year. EDM is on their 4th 1OA pick. Once you enter the cellar, there's no guarantee that you will be in the same century when you get back out, it's like a time warp

I'm not saying invest 5-10 years in terrible hockey.

A couple bad seasons and you can do it.

MGT has already wasted this year which should have been a tank.
- rugdnit

My philosophy never considers tanking. It's just so anti-hockey that is has no business being even remotely close to the equation (although I do understand its purpose and the 'allure' of possibly getting that magic draft number). I think an organization must also seek to win as many games as possible, otherwise the integrity of the game is completely thrown out the window.

Mind you, having seen what sort of horrific ending we'd be presented with, I can see why people would have wanted the Canucks to tank this year and start the whole 'retool or rebuild' or what have you sooner.

What if you tank and end up picking 5th? Maybe the draft isn't great that year. EDM is on their 4th 1OA pick. Once you enter the cellar, there's no guarantee that you will be in the same century when you get back out, it's like a time warp
- bezz44

+1

What if you tank and end up picking 5th? Maybe the draft isn't great that year. EDM is on their 4th 1OA pick. Once you enter the cellar, there's no guarantee that you will be in the same century when you get back out, it's like a time warp
- bezz44

You have to talk to your scouts and weigh the risks... If they are telling you there is tons of high end talent to be had and the current makeup is not going to get you over the hump you have to weight the risks.

In crappy draft years should you tank? Uhh... Captain Obvious... No.

Looking at the pool this year and next year... Sure.

Can't keep drafting over 20th and thinking this team is going anywhere.

It's interesting with respect to the comment about Vrbata - and his scrambling to get those empty net goals. I recall wondering the same thing a few games ago when he shot a puck into the empty net prior to reaching the red-line in a very close game (if it was icing it may have been quite problematic as the entire line had been out there for quite some time. So, instead of just gently curling it into the corner he shot the puck to get his empty net goal.

At that point I kind of wondered about his mindset, as most players would not risk icing in a one goal game with only a number of seconds remaining. I tend to think that, based on what Carol quoted and what I saw, Vrbata is probably a bit of a selfish player (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but can become a hinderance in a number of situations).

It would be interesting to be able to find out who said that about him - obviously it was off the record so you would think it's someone fairly close to the situation.
- Zogg

If he can be used in a trade that makes the team better, it should be considered. He just had a great year.

I can over look a bit of selfish play, if he can continue scoring. We are desperate for it.

My philosophy never considers tanking. It's just so anti-hockey that is has no business being even remotely close to the equation (although I do understand its purpose and the 'allure' of possibly getting that magic draft number). I think an organization must also seek to win as many games as possible, otherwise the integrity of the game is completely thrown out the window.

Mind you, having seen what sort of horrific ending we'd be presented with, I can see why people would have wanted the Canucks to tank this year and start the whole 'retool or rebuild' or what have you sooner.
- Zogg

I'm more than happy with a nice juicy draft pick, but it shouldn't take precedence over winning as you said. As fans we may have to bite the bullet and watch mediocre hockey for many more years before we get close to winning again. But in the long run I think it will be character that will bring us to the finals again, and I think you have to strike gold to find character that isn't poorly affected by the expectation that you lose every night. Players aren't sitting inside making a 5 year plan about tanking for the best players. They want to win every year and the minute that's not the case I think you can run into some serious issues

If he can be used in a trade that makes the team better, it should be considered. He just had a great year.

I can over look a bit of selfish play, if he can continue scoring. We are desperate for it.
- hillbillydeluxe

You're right, I suppose I'm nitpicking a little. He did have a very good year, after all. But I, like yourself, would have no problem moving him for the right piece/price

You have to talk to your scouts and weigh the risks... If they are telling you there is tons of high end talent to be had and the current makeup is not going to get you over the hump you have to weight the risks.

In crappy draft years should you tank? Uhh... Captain Obvious... No.

Looking at the pool this year and next year... Sure.

Can't keep drafting over 20th and thinking this team is going anywhere.
- rugdnit

So let's say we blow it up this year. Trade the Sedins for what limited return they bring. Trade Edler, Hamhuis, Bieksa. Trade Vrbata and Miller. If we're lucky we grab Matthews next year, and then what? We just ousted 6 players with NTC's. How do you get back to where you were? Realistically you aren't going to get more than one or two guys out of that draft that you can parlay into players the following year. And now you have Matthews playing as 1C? Or do you use Horvat or Bonino in that role? Regardless you have someone playing way above their skill level and getting creamed night after night. I just don't think it's a good way to do things. And I see that you're simply of the opposite position and that's fine. But I'd like to know more about your strategy than simply tanking and suddenly not tanking as if it's as easy as pressing a button

They had what, three home playoff games, that's three million dollars in playoff money total....ballpark.

I'm not sure it's really about revenue, because, if they continue to roll out the same poop core of top six players behind the Sedins there's going to be less and less bums in the seats during the regular season, which hurts their bottom line.
- LeftCoaster

At the end of last season a bunch of us were female doging about dumping the vets on this team and going full tank so the canucks could grab a top 5 pick and hopefully start rebuilding through this deep draft.

You were the voice of reason and said that would never happen because the canuck fan base would not have the patience for 3 to 5 years of bottom feeding.

The only real danger of tanking is tarnishing the brand and lost revenue. The brand has already been tarnished so the only hit the Aquillini's would take is lost gate revenue. And the Aquillini's will have none of that.

Hence, Linden and Benning come out to reassure the fan base they will compete for the playoffs each year while slowly changing the culture and players on this team. WD says he likes the vets and will not give a spot to a rookie just because they are young.

The "Detroit Model" they proclaim.

You're right, I suppose I'm nitpicking a little. He did have a very good year, after all. But I, like yourself, would have no problem moving him for the right piece/price
- Zogg

ufa after this season, if there aren't any plans to resign him, he should be dealt.

I don't think we would have been in the playoffs without him in the lineup. Then again, not sure who they next could have targeted or made a trade for with that cap space.

He did have a good year and all-star game appearance too.

You're right, I suppose I'm nitpicking a little. He did have a very good year, after all. But I, like yourself, would have no problem moving him for the right piece/price
- Zogg

To Pittsburgh for Pouliot

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.
- Nucker101

This is what I expect will occur, Bieksa/Higgins are moved for picks or prospects. I wonder if Bieksa would waive for Ottawa. Sens Mgmt hates spending money and might be interested in Juice if his salary is 2.5 and cap hit is 4.6.

Maybe Bieksa could get a guy like Smith to add some size and face offs to the 4th.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Burrows Horvat Kassian
Baertschi Bonino Hansen
Kennins UFA/Trade Dorsett
Vey

Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Weber
Sbisa Corrado
Stanton Clendening

At the end of last season a bunch of us were female doging about dumping the vets on this team and going full tank so the canucks could grab a top 5 pick and hopefully start rebuilding through this deep draft.

You were the voice of reason and said that would never happen because the canuck fan base would not have the patience for 3 to 5 years of bottom feeding.

The only real danger of tanking is tarnishing the brand and lost revenue. The brand has already been tarnished so the only hit the Aquillini's would take is lost gate revenue. And the Aquillini's will have none of that.

Hence, Linden and Benning come out to reassure the fan base they will compete for the playoffs each year while slowly changing the culture and players on this team. WD says he likes the vets and will not give a spot to a rookie just because they are young.

The "Detroit Model" they proclaim.
- bloatedmosquito

I don't know if I said the fan base wouldn't allow a rebuild, maybe I did but I don't think so, what I've said is there's plenty of examples of team not tanking and being very successful, providing they have excellent draft years...St Louis and Anaheim being two of those.

Maybe Ownership will get it when people stop showing up. Better to tank now and get it over with.

Todays NHL is hell for teams that make the playoffs and lose in the first round. See also St Louis Blues.

Couple years of losing and you can pop back up quickly.
- rugdnit

I agree. Without a cornerstone or two on the roster what are you building around? The twins? Little late for that. A few high picks in the first three rounds of this draft would have gone a long way to fixing the problems that ail this team.

What I see is a veteran team on the ice and a rookie team in the boardroom and behind the bench.

Should it not be the other way around?

So let's say we blow it up this year. Trade the Sedins for what limited return they bring. Trade Edler, Hamhuis, Bieksa. Trade Vrbata and Miller. If we're lucky we grab Matthews next year, and then what? We just ousted 6 players with NTC's. How do you get back to where you were? Realistically you aren't going to get more than one or two guys out of that draft that you can parlay into players the following year. And now you have Matthews playing as 1C? Or do you use Horvat or Bonino in that role? Regardless you have someone playing way above their skill level and getting creamed night after night. I just don't think it's a good way to do things. And I see that you're simply of the opposite position and that's fine. But I'd like to know more about your strategy than simply tanking and suddenly not tanking as if it's as easy as pressing a button
- bezz44

Sedins we are rolling with. They will retire Canucks.

I am not saying fully dismantle like Buffalo did were they traded two starting goalies.

Food for thought-- Look at how bad the Canucks were leading up to the draft for the Sedins. A couple of good drafts can set you up for a long stretch.

Is that worth a couple bad years?