Depends who you ask, mgmt seems to be saying we will compete while bringing players in.

It would be nice to be in a position to take advantage of Chi cap problems.
- belcherbd

mgmt is just saying what Aquilini wants (2 home playoff games) It's not what I want.

mgmt is just saying what Aquilini wants (2 home playoff games) It's not what I want.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I agree, and while I agree to an extent that the team should be focusing on getting younger, mgmt didn't feel the same way this past season.

We will see what happens this year, I still think the team really should of moved some vets at the deadline and accepted that regardless of playoffs, this team had a successful season up to that point.

I agree, and while I agree to an extent that the team should be focusing on getting younger, mgmt didn't feel the same way this past season.

We will see what happens this year, I still think the team really should of moved some vets at the deadline and accepted that regardless of playoffs, this team had a successful season up to that point.
- belcherbd

True.

But JB has been the first Canuck gm in a while that didn't trade for a rental either...

To know the real game plan. It is difficult going along with everything and not really knowing the goals or the rest of the plan. Get younger, faster, stay competitive enough to make the playoffs... Who is a keeper and who isn't? How can you say one player is untouchable and still be in a rebuild/retool?

True.

But JB has been the first Canuck gm in a while that didn't trade for a rental either...

To know the real game plan. It is difficult going along with everything and not really knowing the goals or the rest of the plan. Get younger, faster, stay competitive enough to make the playoffs... Who is a keeper and who isn't? How can you say one player is untouchable and still be in a rebuild/retool?
- hillbillydeluxe

Yeah that may be a bigger deal than we know.

Some really good reviews of the Comet player's season from here

http://hfboards.hockeysfu...ead.php?t=1906809&page=27

I few highlights that I found interesting.

Gaunce - Word that comes to mind with Gaunce is heavy. Heavy shot, heavy load along the boards but also heavy footed. With Gaunce there is always the nagging doubt about his quickness. Give him space and time and he does good things but often does not fully exploit his talent because he isn’t quick enough to the puck or quick enough with his stick around the net. That said, Gaunce was at many times strong on the forecheck and good at angling the play away from the middle. Real bull dog in some of the playoffs games. Moreover, did much of this playing at a position that probably did not really suit his talents. IMO Gaunce could be much better at a center where he can use his hockey IQ to control the play.

Clendenning – a player who probably looked better at the NHL level than he did at the minor league level this year. (an indication he works better with better players around him) When he was first sent down seemed to sulk and seemed lazy in his play. Moved slowly and got danced around a lot. Often looked for the long pass and did not move up to support the play. Played better toward the end of the regular season and did demonstrate some ability to control the play with intelligent puck movement. However, he got increasingly worse as the playoffs progressed and ended the season as one of the worse players on the team.

Future: Seems earmarked by the team to begin the season in Vancouver. However, play in the AHL really doesn’t seem to warrant that expectation.

Seemed to think that Grenier, Gaunce, Baertschi and Kennins were the most impressive forwards and Sanguinetti, Beiga, Andersson and Corrado were the best D.

mgmt is just saying what Aquilini wants (2 home playoff games) It's not what I want.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Man up and sell the team.

Some really good reviews of the Comet player's season from here

http://hfboards.hockeysfu...ead.php?t=1906809&page=27

I few highlights that I found interesting.


Seemed to think that Grenier, Gaunce, Baertschi and Kennins were the most impressive forwards and Sanguinetti, Beiga, Andersson and Corrado were the best D.
- belcherbd

I've always had doubts about Clandenning. Really don't think he'll ever amount to more than a 6/7/8 guy, but maybe management see something I don't.

I would think Corrado and Baertschi are virtual locks to make the team out of camp. With Mathias leaving we're down to 4 Cs. If Richardson leaves too that should be a clear run in for Gaunce to take the 4C job. If not, they still might have him ride the 4th line as a winger.

That would make 3 new faces. If Clandenning also comes up that's 4. And of course that's assuming no trades are made

JJ is talking about Bickell being bought out, any interest here acquiring him on the cheap or signing him if he is indeed bought out?

Would you move Bickell for Higgins?
Would have to make the additional 1.5 million work.....

We take on some salary but get a physical player with a bit of scoring touch?
- belcherbd

Nope.

Don't we already have Kassian and Gaunce coming up. We are not competing for at least 5 years, bringing in players by trade or UFA makes no sense.

Draft picks
Draft picks
Draft picks

Develop
Develop
Develop
- A_SteamingLombardi

Prospects are good too!

I've always had doubts about Clandenning. Really don't think he'll ever amount to more than a 6/7/8 guy, but maybe management see something I don't.

I would think Corrado and Baertschi are virtual locks to make the team out of camp. With Mathias leaving we're down to 4 Cs. If Richardson leaves too that should be a clear run in for Gaunce to take the 4C job. If not, they still might have him ride the 4th line as a winger.

That would make 3 new faces. If Clandenning also comes up that's 4. And of course that's assuming no trades are made
- AlexF

I think Clendenning will have a spot for sure out of camp but might get sent down if he doesn't fit. I agree with Corrado and Baertschi but would throw Kennins as a lock as well.

Grenier is the other new face that I think we see, can't see him not getting resigned right now and I don't know that he will make it through waivers.

I hope Gaunce gets a chance to play C again in the AHL, but expect to see him as a call up before Shink.

Can't see it coming down. Talbot is the only decent back up NYR have and if Lundqvist gets injured again, I don't think they'll be in the same position as they were last year without Talbot.
- SRam19

Rangers don't need to move Talbot

Didn't realize Ramo was on the market as well. We'd be lucky to get a 2nd for Lack at this rate.
- AlexF

We don't need to move Lack either

So many names in play.

Dubnyk, Neimi, Talbot, Enroth, Lack, Lehner, Neuvirth, Ramo as well as some potential moves in Riemer, Bernier, Lehtonen, Gibson, Crawford, Howard, Jones......
- belcherbd

If To moves Bernier then TO need a goalie , if they move Crawford then Chi need a goalie.

We don't need to move Lack either
- VANTEL

True enough, for now at least. But if the intention is to improve this team via draft then we'll need to trade something of value to acquire those draft picks.

The sad truth is that I don't see much in trade value in any of the players we're looking to deal.

We don't need to move Lack either
- VANTEL

True. Just throw miller on waivers and hope someone takes him and let Markstrom and lack take the lead.

I think Clendenning will have a spot for sure out of camp but might get sent down if he doesn't fit. I agree with Corrado and Baertschi but would throw Kennins as a lock as well.

Grenier is the other new face that I think we see, can't see him not getting resigned right now and I don't know that he will make it through waivers.

I hope Gaunce gets a chance to play C again in the AHL, but expect to see him as a call up before Shink.
- belcherbd

Clendenning, Baertschi, Kennins and maybe Corrado will all require waivers to be sent down. Thus None of them will be sent down.

If To moves Bernier then TO need a goalie , if they move Crawford then Chi need a goalie.
- VANTEL

CHI should get Craig Anderson.

I think Clendenning will have a spot for sure out of camp but might get sent down if he doesn't fit. I agree with Corrado and Baertschi but would throw Kennins as a lock as well.

Grenier is the other new face that I think we see, can't see him not getting resigned right now and I don't know that he will make it through waivers.

I hope Gaunce gets a chance to play C again in the AHL, but expect to see him as a call up before Shink.
- belcherbd

I would not be surprised to see a prospect traded in a package deal

True enough, for now at least. But if the intention is to improve this team via draft then we'll need to trade something of value to acquire those draft picks.

The sad truth is that I don't see much in trade value in any of the players we're looking to deal.
- AlexF

My honest opinion is people are panicking before the draft because no one has made a move this year yet.

I expect heavy trading over the next month and soon as the first piece falls the gates will open

True. Just throw miller on waivers and hope someone takes him and let Markstrom and lack take the lead.
- SRam19

I do believe a trade will happen but in the event that it doesn't JB tells Markstrom you need to wait until the market changes . He is only RFA

CHI should get Craig Anderson.
- AlexF

Chicago should keep Crawford

I do believe a trade will happen but in the event that it doesn't JB tells Markstrom you need to wait until the market changes . He is only RFA
- VANTEL

Yup if the Goalie market is as saturated as it seems, teams might not try to pick up Markstrom on waivers like last year as well.

I doubt he slips through again but teams would need to have a roster spot available for him.

Chicago should keep Crawford
- VANTEL

If they get a really good offer and the cap is tight, they will have to consider it.

Yup if the Goalie market is as saturated as it seems, teams might not try to pick up Markstrom on waivers like last year as well.

I doubt he slips through again but teams would need to have a roster spot available for him.
- belcherbd

You can trade him before the season starts . It just doesn't have to be next week.


But it will be next week

If they get a really good offer and the cap is tight, they will have to consider it.
- belcherbd

Crawford is not a great goalie. He is decent. Look at the D in front of him. If someone trades for him they are crazy