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.
- belcherbd

I'd sign him to that deal, I was also in favor of signing wideman.

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.
- belcherbd

I actually bet he'll get more than that.

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.
- LeftCoaster

JB's mandate is "make the playoffs or else" so why is everyone so angry? I wish the mandate was "build a contender by 2019" but it is what it is.

JB's mandate is "make the playoffs or else" so why is everyone so angry? I wish the mandate was "build a contender by 2019" but it is what it is.
- Grumpy13

Benning is walking a fine line. I am hoping for some change in the lineup but believe Higgins will be back and just have my fingers crossed that they move Bieksa or Sbisa and bring in someone cheaper for the third pairing that is not a liability and plays with grit.

JB's mandate is "make the playoffs or else" so why is everyone so angry? I wish the mandate was "build a contender by 2019" but it is what it is.
- Grumpy13

I think you just answered your own question. If they were really fine with rebuilding, I doubt they'd sign Ryan Miller, trade a pick for a vet(Dorsett). Aquilini probably wanted a GM who would trade picks and/or vets now for some prospects that are closer to NHL-ready so that could still have a competitive team that brings him $$$ and hopefully a competitive one in the future as well. He wants to skip the "blow it all up" phase. That's what Benning's done. We'll see if it pans out. If Benning can pull it off, he'll be one of the best GM's in the league. It's one of the more difficult things to do. Not everyone has Detroit's scouts.


Anyone hoping(even if they won't admit it, I think deep down a lot of us are though) that this team will be selecting top 5 in the draft next year is likely to be disappointed. I don't think that's part of the plan or even an acceptable outcome.

JB's mandate is "make the playoffs or else" so why is everyone so angry? I wish the mandate was "build a contender by 2019" but it is what it is.
- Grumpy13

And exit as fast as you enter. Why aside from money?

I think you just answered your own question. If they were really fine with rebuilding, I doubt they'd sign Ryan Miller, trade a pick for a vet(Dorsett). Aquilini probably wanted a GM who would trade picks and/or vets now for some prospects that are closer to NHL-ready so that could still have a competitive team that brings him $$$ and hopefully a competitive one in the future as well. He wants to skip the "blow it all up" phase. That's what Benning's done. We'll see if it pans out. If Benning can pull it off, he'll be one of the best GM's in the league. It's one of the more difficult things to do. Not everyone has Detroit's scouts.


Anyone hoping(even if they won't admit it, I think deep down a lot of us are though) that this team will be selecting top 5 in the draft next year is likely to be disappointed. I don't think that's part of the plan or even an acceptable outcome.
- Nucker101

If the team next year does end up being really bad and is in the bottom 5, I think ownership/management might change their tune.

As it is right now it is too easy to say, that the poor results last year was an anomaly and that this season was a more realistic expectation of this teams abilities.

Its hard to blame Aquaman for that line of thinking either imo. The torts year was full of calamity and the team bounced back this year from that performance even though they had imo a lineup that was 1 year older and had less high end skill.

On paper I think this years team should of been worse than the year before.

Downgrades IMO

Luongo for Miller
Kesler for Bonino
Garrison for Sbisa
Santorelli for Vey

Upgrades IMO
Vrbata for Booth
Horvat for Schroeder
Dorsett for Weise
Kennins for Dalpe

And exit as fast as you enter. Why aside from money?
- VanHockeyGuy

As much as it p!sses off those of us watching from the outside, it's the explanation for just about every decision ever...

I actually bet he'll get more than that.
- Nucker101

Doubt it. He's played on Washingtons 3rd pairing for the whole year, and gets sheltered minutes. He plays their second line PP, as well.

He's not a top pairing Dman. He offers vet leadership, and a decent PP quarterback. In Washington, he plays behind, Carlson, Orpik, Niskanen and Alzner.

If the team next year does end up being really bad and is in the bottom 5, I think ownership/management might change their tune.

As it is right now it is too easy to say, that the poor results last year was an anomaly and that this season was a more realistic expectation of this teams abilities.

Its hard to blame Aquaman for that line of thinking either imo. The torts year was full of calamity and the team bounced back this year from that performance even though they had imo a lineup that was 1 year older and had less high end skill.

On paper I think this years team should of been worse than the year before.

Downgrades IMO

Luongo for Miller
Kesler for Bonino
Garrison for Sbisa
Santorelli for Vey

Upgrades IMO
Vrbata for Booth
Horvat for Schroeder
Dorsett for Weise
Kennins for Dalpe
- belcherbd

I think Dorsett for Weise is even. They can both play. Dorsett like to drop the gloves a little more frequently. But I think its a wash.

As for Lou and Miller. Im just glad Lou got out of here for his sake. I loved that guy and own two of his Jerseys. He was not treated with the respect he deserved in this market and for that Im glad he's back in Florida and doesnt have to listen to the whiny b!tches we have in this sad sports city.

Miller aint bad. Aint birlliant, Aint what he once was. But he'll do. Nobody is expecting a cup within the next couple of years anyways so I could really care less.

I think Dorsett for Weise is even. They can both play. Dorsett like to drop the gloves a little more frequently. But I think its a wash.

As for Lou and Miller. Im just glad Lou got out of here for his sake. I loved that guy and own two of his Jerseys. He was not treated with the respect he deserved in this market and for that Im glad he's back in Florida and doesnt have to listen to the whiny b!tches we have in this sad sports city.

Miller aint bad. Aint birlliant, Aint what he once was. But he'll do. Nobody is expecting a cup within the next couple of years anyways so I could really care less.
- vancity787

Definitely the upgrade/downgrade is obviously different for everyone, ( I agree Weise/Dorsett is a wash but didn't really want to start up that argument) but my point more was, this season the team did much better with a inferior talent level IMO.

If the ownership/MGMT feel that way as well, it is hard to blame them for not blowing it up. They feel that this team can still compete while getting younger, after year one they have done that.

Definitely the upgrade/downgrade is obviously different for everyone, ( I agree Weise/Dorsett is a wash but didn't really want to start up that argument) but my point more was, this season the team did much better with a inferior talent level IMO.

If the ownership/MGMT feel that way as well, it is hard to blame them for not blowing it up. They feel that this team can still compete while getting younger, after year one they have done that.
- belcherbd

I for one am glad Weise is gone...completely useless here in the west.

You are correct this team can compete while infusing youth in the system. I'm sure there is a 4-5 year plan to get back into contention. All the while we may get lucky with a shrewd signing or trade. Our goaltender and forward prospect lists look decent finally just need to work on that D. Once Horvat has the 'C' and is running the show here all will be well.

And exit as fast as you enter. Why aside from money?
- VanHockeyGuy

I think you can have a competitive environment and rebuild on the fly, Anaheim is a good example of that, although Getzlaf and Perry are two totally different players than Henrik and Daniel.

I don't believe they have a top five pick on their team yet they're very competitive. They've had some down years and draft extremely well when they do. We really can't compare Benning's drafting to Murray's as he's only had one draft and he was hired one month before that draft.

It's their asset management that's really good, hopefully Benning can flip some guys for picks.

I think you can have a competitive environment and rebuild on the fly, Anaheim is a good example of that, although Getzlaf and Perry are two totally different players than Henrik and Daniel.

I don't believe they have a top five pick on their team yet they're very competitive. They've had some down years and draft extremely well when they do. We really can't compare Benning's drafting to Murray's as he's only had one draft and he was hired one month before that draft.

It's their asset management that's really good, hopefully Benning can flip some guys for picks.
- LeftCoaster

Getzlaf and Perry have had a resurgence as well, it was only a few years ago that many pundits were criticizing their play and saying that getzlaf especially was on the downturn. They did get the 6th overal (Lindholm) in 2012, and Bobby ryan was 2nd overall in 06. Turned into 3 young forwards (Slivferberg,Noeson,Ritchie)

The biggest thing about Anh I think is that they don't usually give away picks if they don't have extra's and most years they have a 1st and multiple 2nd and 3rd round picks.

#Canucks prospects Dane Fox & Ludwig Blomstrand were the only players aged 22 & under to record more than 30 goals in the ECHL this season

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 think only Vantel & myself are old enough to get the Steve Austin reference.

#Canucks prospects Dane Fox & Ludwig Blomstrand were the only players aged 22 & under to record more than 30 goals in the ECHL this season
- LeftCoaster

I'm pretty sure blomstrandwas called up to Utica as well for playoffs. He had a pretty good year considering his injuries.

33 goals in 53 gp.

I think only Vantel & myself are old enough to get the Steve Austin reference.
- Marwood

The Wrestler?

I think only Vantel & myself are old enough to get the Steve Austin reference.
- Marwood

The Wrestler?
- vancity787

Six Million Dollar Man

The Wrestler?
- vancity787

Getzlaf and Perry have had a resurgence as well, it was only a few years ago that many pundits were criticizing their play and saying that getzlaf especially was on the downturn. They did get the 6th overal (Lindholm) in 2012, and Bobby ryan was 2nd overall in 06. Turned into 3 young forwards (Slivferberg,Noeson,Ritchie)

The biggest thing about Anh I think is that they don't usually give away picks if they don't have extra's and most years they have a 1st and multiple 2nd and 3rd round picks.
- belcherbd

Only because they screwed JB on the Kesler deal.

Only because they screwed JB on the Kesler deal.
- Grumpy13

Asset management is tops in the league

Only because they screwed JB on the Kesler deal.
- Grumpy13

(frank) Kesler

I think only Vantel & myself are old enough to get the Steve Austin reference.
- Marwood

Enough of the age thing you little whippersnappers! Leftcoaster & myself are the old men here who have been suffering much longer than any of you with the Canuck's! Respect your elders!