Mark Recchi - 2011

“(In) 22 years they are the most arrogant team I played against and the most hated team I’ve ever played against…I couldn’t believe their antics, their falling and diving. It was very frustrating, but at the same time as the series wore on we knew we were getting to them and we knew our physical play and our skating, I think it caught them off guard a little bit.”

What cost us against Calgary? physical play and their skating. Caught us off guard a couple of weeks ago as well!

You won't by saying "they kept coming and coming", how would you market the team based on what we all saw and heard?
- VanHockeyGuy

Who cares how they market the team. Most reasonable fans understand the situation that Benning inherited and realize that there are no easy quick fixes, but with proper management and luck they should be able to transition to a younger faster stronger team while still remaining somewhat competitive. Of course there are also the fans who will be belligerent no matter what the team does.

I agree completely with this, it takes time to transition and this is certainly what team is doing right now. The mandate is clearly to do it while being competitive which I approve of, I don't think players develop well in a losing atmosphere a la the last 6-7 years of the Oilers or Sabres to a lesser extent.

That said I'm still critical of some of the decisions that this mgmt group has made as some seem to be head scratchers.
- belcherbd

The only one for me is the amount of money they gave Sbisa, not unhappy with him being on the team, in a lesser role, but the money is confusing.

They had to qualify him at 3 million, I think I read that, but why a three year deal? I don't think the money will handicap the club going forward, but still a strange deal.

Mark Recchi - 2011

“(In) 22 years they are the most arrogant team I played against and the most hated team I’ve ever played against…I couldn’t believe their antics, their falling and diving. It was very frustrating, but at the same time as the series wore on we knew we were getting to them and we knew our physical play and our skating, I think it caught them off guard a little bit.”

What cost us against Calgary? physical play and their skating. Caught us off guard a couple of weeks ago as well!
- VanHockeyGuy

How is that relevant to Jim Benning? What more changes could you see he should have made in the past 11 months? I'm not trying to apologize for him, I'm just saying what happened four or five years ago has zero to do with last year. He needs to get bigger and faster, but he can't dance by himself - that's the part I don't get with your debate.

Who cares how they market the team. Most reasonable fans understand the situation that Benning inherited and realize that there are no easy quick fixes, but with proper management and luck they should be able to transition to a younger faster stronger team while still remaining somewhat competitive. Of course there are also the fans who will be belligerent no matter what the team does.
- CubanBuffet

They care! Last years marketing push was "Change is Coming". Their problems are clear, and yes it will take some time to fix. If they want to keep trying to make the playoffs, then that's a reasonable goal.

How is that relevant to Jim Benning? What more changes could you see he should have made in the past 11 months? I'm not trying to apologize for him, I'm just saying what happened four or five years ago has zero to do with last year. He needs to get bigger and faster, but he can't dance by himself - that's the part I don't get with your debate.
- LeftCoaster

Nothing has really changed since then, this is not a debate. They simply get beat up in the playoffs. Status quo.

The only one for me is the amount of money they gave Sbisa, not unhappy with him being on the team, in a lesser role, but the money is confusing.

They had to qualify him at 3 million, I think I read that, but why a three year deal? I don't think the money will handicap the club going forward, but still a strange deal.
- LeftCoaster

The money is one thing, as is the term as he could of been resigned on a 1 year 2.9 deal I believe but it was the timing that surprised me the most. Why do it before the off-season?

Was it really that important to lock him up then? He just recently stressed that he was signed because of a lack of depth, but why not use the time you have to address that depth all he needed to do was make the qualifying offer and he would of been locked up.

Nothing has really changed since then, this is not a debate. The simply get beat up in the playoffs. Status quo.
- VanHockeyGuy

But it has changed in the past 11 months, they brought in five new players, out of a 23 man roster full of vets and NTC's that's a lot of players. It's an ongoing process they need to continue with I agree, and I think Benning does as well, or so he states he does?

But it has changed in the past 11 months, they brought in five new players, out of a 23 man roster full of vets and NTC's that's a lot of players. It's an ongoing process they need to continue with I agree, and I think Benning does as well, or so he states he does?
- LeftCoaster

Those 5 players made us into a playoff team (minus Sbisa)

I owe da NW says:


Ok, lets trade them all
Do you think we can get:
1) Ekblad for Bieksa
2) Karlsson for Edler
3) Doughty for Hamhuis
4) Subban for Sbisa and
5) Weber for weber?
Or would that not quite be enough to solidify the defense?
- Lostinarink

That's always the laugh I get.... In one breath it's how bad these players suck and then in another they want a kings ransom for those players.

Those 5 players made us into a playoff team (minus Sbisa)
- pker2theend

Sbisa at 12 minutes a night with four capable defensemen in front of him would be fine. He is actually physical at times - (frank)

If they change out even three guys this summer, Bieksa, Higgins and someone else, that's eight guys in two years on the job...or 1/3 of the roster.

Sbisa at 12 minutes a night with four capable defensemen in front of him would be fine. He is actually physical at times

If they change out even three guys this summer, Bieksa, Higgins and someone else, that's eight guys in two years on the job...or 1/3 of the roster.
- LeftCoaster

Essentially a rebuild, which I'm ok with. Trying to make the playoff's which is fair.

That's always the laugh I get.... In one breath it's how bad these players suck and then in another they want a kings ransom for those players.
- rugdnit

I always imagine we would turn on them too for being awful and overpaid...

Essentially a rebuild, which I'm ok with. Trying to make the playoff's which is fair.
- VanHockeyGuy

Last year and this year's change-out could include:

Kesler
Garrison
Luongo
Bieksa
Richardson
Matthias
Weber
Higgins
Santorelli
Booth
Sestito
Dalpe
Weise
Schroeder
Alberts

Last year and this year's change-out could include:

Kesler
Garrison
Bieksa for pick/prospect
Richardson ufa walks
Matthias ufa walks, or trade for pick
Weber ufa sign?
Higgins for pick/prospect
Santorelli
Booth
Sestito
Dalpe
Weise
Schroeder
Alberts
- LeftCoaster

Will it make us better next year?

I always imagine we would turn on them too for being awful and overpaid...
- WhiteLie

When fans bash their players for how bad they suck and then want a kings ransom for them in a trade it just smells like TO Fans.

Will it make us better next year?
- VanHockeyGuy

My personal opinion...I'm not necessarily enthralled with getting better, I am however, craving change! Younger, faster, stronger...Steve Austin.

Weber is essentially a PP specialist, he's not good at playing defense so I'm not onboard with re-signing him.
Matthias scored 17 even strength goals, that's a lot, he wants to get paid, let him walk.
Richardson is a useful player, but I'd like to see Boner in the three hole. Let him walk.
Moving Bieksa for a 2nd or a 3rd round pick while his 4.6 million dollar cap hit is gone is a win any way you look at it IMO.
Higgins for a pick so we can play a younger player is also a win in my books!!

My personal opinion...I'm not necessarily enthralled with getting better, I am however, craving change! Younger, faster, stronger...Steve Austin.

Weber is essentially a PP specialist, he's not good at playing defense so I'm not onboard with re-signing him.
Matthias scored 17 even strength goals, that's a lot, he wants to get paid, let him walk.
Richardson is a useful player, but I'd like to see Boner in the three hole. Let him walk.
Moving Bieksa for a 2nd or a 3rd round pick while his 4.6 million dollar cap hit is gone is a win any way you look at it IMO.
Higgins for a pick so we can play a younger player is also a win in my books!!
- LeftCoaster

Move Bieksa and go after Green.

Will it make us better next year?
- VanHockeyGuy

Probably not...but we may just need to endure 2-3 seasons of bubble hockey while the NTC's are potentially shipped out or expired.

Benning did pretty good this year with Dorsett, Vey, Vrbata, Miller and even Bonino and Sbizza to some extent. The goal was accomplished and that was just to get back to the playoffs.

Is the second round the goal next year? I highly doubt it but one never knows depending on the summer changes.

I'm hoping Benning is looking at another 5 player changeout or so.

Richardson, Matthias, Bieksa, Higgins, and very possibly Burrows might all be gone and if a deal is there for Edler he has to pull that trigger. Only the Sedins and Horvat should be untouchable at this point.

The prospects coming up next year are going to be damn hungry because they know there will be spots available. Don't be shocked if a few of those make it past the 9 games...

Goaltending is going to be an issue and I'm not sold on rolling with Lack. We need to absolve ourselves (I believe) of EVERY attachment to the Lou era and that means shopping Lack for assets. We need a goalie (young goalie) with a mentality that is not attached to Melanson and the Lou era. I though Miller was the guy but it wouldn't hurt to see him shipped to SJ.

Also this won't be a popular item but we REALLY need to shop for a Norris Trophy quality D in the next few seasons. Every team that gets to the final dance has one. We did great with Salo and Ehrhoff (and a but lucky) that those two on the PP were absolute money. and Mike Green is not the answer either. But it's going to need to happen in the next 2-3 seasons and it's going to cost ALOT. We will need to live with that.

We can do another 5 player swapout this year and I truly think Benning has a good plan and we should be good to go by the start of next season.

Regardless of the Sbisa signing as well.

My personal opinion...I'm not necessarily enthralled with getting better, I am however, craving change! Younger, faster, stronger...Steve Austin.

Weber is essentially a PP specialist, he's not good at playing defense so I'm not onboard with re-signing him.
Matthias scored 17 even strength goals, that's a lot, he wants to get paid, let him walk.
Richardson is a useful player, but I'd like to see Boner in the three hole. Let him walk.
Moving Bieksa for a 2nd or a 3rd round pick while his 4.6 million dollar cap hit is gone is a win any way you look at it IMO.
Higgins for a pick so we can play a younger player is also a win in my books!!
- LeftCoaster

I agree, however Linden stated taking a step backward is not an option. This is where I don't buy the rebuild on the fly. "Younger, Faster, Stronger" yes, the price may well be the EDM's & CAL's, LA's & even SJ's bumping us out of a playoff spot for a couple of years, and that would be going "backward" in a good way.

I agree, however Linden stated taking a step backward is not an option. This is where I don't buy the rebuild on the fly. "Younger, Faster, Stronger" yes, the price may well be the EDM's & CAL's, LA's & even SJ's bumping us out of a playoff spot for a couple of years, and that would be going "backward" in a good way.
- VanHockeyGuy

I'm with Bloated, blow the (frank)er up. Someone please hit Aquilini with a car.

I agree, however Linden stated taking a step backward is not an option. This is where I don't buy the rebuild on the fly. "Younger, Faster, Stronger" yes, the price may well be the EDM's & CAL's, LA's & even SJ's bumping us out of a playoff spot for a couple of years, and that would be going "backward" in a good way.
- VanHockeyGuy

Linden lipservice there, he's not going to publicly come out and say we're tanking, but I think it's in the cards as the teams that you mentioned will most definitely bump us out next year.

As long as the team is exciting to watch and they play with heart, no more country club, I'll cheer for them.

Move Bieksa and go after Green.
- thundachunk

Green is likely going to sign his last contract of his career, as a 30 year old offensive D, he is going to get paid, in both term and salary. I really don't think that the nucks could afford him if he hits the open market.

I think some team will sign him 5 X 6million.

I don't care what happens as long as the team makes the playoffs.

Actually I do care, but I don't want to...

Mark Recchi - 2011

“(In) 22 years they are the most arrogant team I played against and the most hated team I’ve ever played against…I couldn’t believe their antics, their falling and diving. It was very frustrating, but at the same time as the series wore on we knew we were getting to them and we knew our physical play and our skating, I think it caught them off guard a little bit.”

What cost us against Calgary? physical play and their skating. Caught us off guard a couple of weeks ago as well!
- VanHockeyGuy

Dr.Recchi can go f* himself and his dog.