I guess if Benning/Willie want to give one of the younger guys (McCann or Gaunce) a shot to centre the 4th line this year, having Dorsett and Prust on your wings is pretty good. Benning talked about how Bo sat next to Dorsett in the dressing room and how it helped his development by playing with him. It's understandable that he's trying to bring in good-character guys to help mentor the kids.

I guess if Benning/Willie want to give one of the younger guys (McCann or Gaunce) a shot to centre the 4th line this year, having Dorsett and Prust on your wings is pretty good. Benning talked about how Bo sat next to Dorsett in the dressing room and how it helped his development by playing with him. It's understandable that he's trying to bring in good-character guys to help mentor the kids.
- nucks_94

Guys that actually play from one end of the shift to another.

I heard from a friend who is a Canuck employee(rink rat) almost 3 years ago that they were already calling him Kocaine Kassian. Thats the only comment I have on that. I can see the water cooler gang speculating that just from his buggy bulging eyes... or because Kassian scores off them. Either way, I don't pretend to know.

- boonerbuck

My buddies in Port Co. have seen Kassian out on the town on more than one occasion with his entourage. They haven't outright seen him doing blow but it's fairly widely known in the night club circles around Van I guess...has been for awhile.

Hey Booner quick question on fishing if you have a moment...I have been heading back to the mountains out there frequently (Nordegg region) and hitting some of the old flyfishing spots. What would you recommend for a decent rod and reel nowadays that won't break the bank but is decent quality? Mine is a POS. Please let me know if you have any ideas.

My buddies in Port Co. have seen Kassian out on the town on more than one occasion with his entourage. They haven't outright seen him doing blow but it's fairly widely known in the night club circles around Van I guess...has been for awhile.

Hey Booner quick question on fishing if you have a moment...I have been heading back to the mountains out there frequently (Nordegg region) and hitting some of the old flyfishing spots. What would you recommend for a decent rod and reel nowadays that won't break the bank but is decent quality? Mine is a POS. Please let me know if you have any ideas.
- LordHumungous

Ah (frank). And now he's in the land of strip clubs and blow.

You guys are going to love Prust. I hate this trade.
On paper it looks good but it wont translate.

How come there are no hockey players named LeMarcus LeBron or LeRoy?

I guess once you add that Le you are pretty well mapped out to play in the NBA.

How come there are no hockey players named LeMarcus LeBron or LeRoy?

I guess once you add that Le you are pretty well mapped out to play in the NBA.
- VANTEL

Reported.

NHL Winners & Losers from MSN.com

Winners - CAL, EDM
Losers - VAN (write up below)

On the night before free agency, the Vancouver Canucks parted with solid, longtime defenseman Kevin Bieksa for a second-round pick from Anaheim—which figures to be a pick at No. 50 or beyond at best. They were also poised to lose forward Shawn Matthias for nothing.

The next day, they went out and did…not much. Well, they did add Brandon Prust from Montreal for Zack Kassian, who was supposed to be the Next Big Thing after coming over from Buffalo for Cody Hodgson in 2012. Essentially, Vancouver gave up on what was supposed to be a cornerstone of the future for an aging grinder who scored four goals in 82 games last season.

Vancouver got lucky in last year's free-agent, ahem, frenzy, getting a fine year out of Radim Vrbata and a serviceable one from Ryan Miller before he got hurt. Now, it seems as if Vancouver has regressed again. The playoffs seem much further away after Wednesday.

http://www.theprovince.co...+size/11180504/story.html

Booner's kid.

NHL Winners & Losers from MSN.com

Winners - CAL, EDM
Losers - VAN (write up below)

On the night before free agency, the Vancouver Canucks parted with solid, longtime defenseman Kevin Bieksa for a second-round pick from Anaheim—which figures to be a pick at No. 50 or beyond at best. They were also poised to lose forward Shawn Matthias for nothing.

The next day, they went out and did…not much. Well, they did add Brandon Prust from Montreal for Zack Kassian, who was supposed to be the Next Big Thing after coming over from Buffalo for Cody Hodgson in 2012. Essentially, Vancouver gave up on what was supposed to be a cornerstone of the future for an aging grinder who scored four goals in 82 games last season.

Vancouver got lucky in last year's free-agent, ahem, frenzy, getting a fine year out of Radim Vrbata and a serviceable one from Ryan Miller before he got hurt. Now, it seems as if Vancouver has regressed again. The playoffs seem much further away after Wednesday.
- VanHockeyGuy

Eastern bias.

I'm actually kind of excited about the season. The kids have a shot to play up front this year.

Worst case ... none of the kids are ready:

Daniel Henrik Burr
Higgins Horvat Vrbata
Hansen Bones Dorsett
Prust Vey Kenins

Opportunities:

Daniel Henrik Vrbata
Higgins(Shink) Horvat (Virtanen/Jensen/Shink)
Hansen Bones(Shink) Burr
Prust (Gaunce/McCann/Cassels) Dorsett

Pressbox: Vey Kenins

It will be cool to see how they do and if any follow Horvat's path.

Looks like Shinkaruk has the toughest road to get in. He needs a shot on the second line really. I hope he makes it ... we need the personality infusion.

(Oops ... just realized I totally forgot Baertschi ... going to be competitive camp! )

I like all the 1 year deals. Trade as many UFA's as possible come deadline day. I hope they slip and are far enough out to be a seller. This is Benning's chance to load up on picks. Hamhuis, Vrbata, Prust etc.

Vrbata: a potential 30 goal scorer again, will fetch a nice return
Hamhuis: Coburn got a 1st, 3rd and a roster player on D. Hamhuis should get more. Plus he can even resign here in offseason.
Prust: Should be able to land a draft pick, 3rd perhaps.

Only thing is, Benning really hasn't impressed me when it comes to trading.

The Canucks are Rebuilding. They say the aren't, but they are. It's what this team needs. Time to let CGY and EDM pass us by. With 5 1st rd picks in the last 3 years the Canucks are well on their way.

Eastern bias.
- walshyleafsfan

I agree that CAL & EDM did better than us at the draft and in free agency. My expectations for this team are not high for this season, however the western division will be more difficult to play in next season.

NHL Winners & Losers from MSN.com

Winners - CAL, EDM
Losers - VAN (write up below)

On the night before free agency, the Vancouver Canucks parted with solid, longtime defenseman Kevin Bieksa for a second-round pick from Anaheim—which figures to be a pick at No. 50 or beyond at best. They were also poised to lose forward Shawn Matthias for nothing.

The next day, they went out and did…not much. Well, they did add Brandon Prust from Montreal for Zack Kassian, who was supposed to be the Next Big Thing after coming over from Buffalo for Cody Hodgson in 2012. Essentially, Vancouver gave up on what was supposed to be a cornerstone of the future for an aging grinder who scored four goals in 82 games last season.

Vancouver got lucky in last year's free-agent, ahem, frenzy, getting a fine year out of Radim Vrbata and a serviceable one from Ryan Miller before he got hurt. Now, it seems as if Vancouver has regressed again. The playoffs seem much further away after Wednesday.
- VanHockeyGuy

Pretty simplistic view of it....

But have to agree we didn't fair that well in the draft or FA but then again we didn't have much to work with.

NHL Winners & Losers from MSN.com

Winners - CAL, EDM
Losers - VAN (write up below)

On the night before free agency, the Vancouver Canucks parted with solid, longtime defenseman Kevin Bieksa for a second-round pick from Anaheim—which figures to be a pick at No. 50 or beyond at best. They were also poised to lose forward Shawn Matthias for nothing.

The next day, they went out and did…not much. Well, they did add Brandon Prust from Montreal for Zack Kassian, who was supposed to be the Next Big Thing after coming over from Buffalo for Cody Hodgson in 2012. Essentially, Vancouver gave up on what was supposed to be a cornerstone of the future for an aging grinder who scored four goals in 82 games last season.

Vancouver got lucky in last year's free-agent, ahem, frenzy, getting a fine year out of Radim Vrbata and a serviceable one from Ryan Miller before he got hurt. Now, it seems as if Vancouver has regressed again. The playoffs seem much further away after Wednesday.
- VanHockeyGuy

Love the hate. Bring it on.

I like all the 1 year deals. Trade as many UFA's as possible come deadline day. I hope they slip and are far enough out to be a seller. This is Benning's chance to load up on picks. Hamhuis, Vrbata, Prust etc.

Vrbata: a potential 30 goal scorer again, will fetch a nice return
Hamhuis: Coburn got a 1st, 3rd and a roster player on D. Hamhuis should get more. Plus he can even resign here in offseason.
Prust: Should be able to land a draft pick, 3rd perhaps.

Only thing is, Benning really hasn't impressed me when it comes to trading.

The Canucks are Rebuilding. They say the aren't, but they are. It's what this team needs. Time to let CGY and EDM pass us by. With 5 1st rd picks in the last 3 years the Canucks are well on their way.
- storm88

Agree with this. Benning was handed a mess when he got here, some of his deals puzzle me, like yesterdays. I don't think he quite understands the west and is still finding his way as a GM.

I'm actually kind of excited about the season. The kids have a shot to play up front this year.

Worst case ... none of the kids are ready:

Daniel Henrik Burr
Higgins Horvat Vrbata
Hansen Bones Dorsett
Prust Vey Kenins

Opportunities:

Daniel Henrik Vrbata
Higgins(Shink) Horvat (Virtanen/Jensen/Shink)
Hansen Bones(Shink) Burr
Prust (Gaunce/McCann/Cassels) Dorsett

Pressbox: Vey Kenins

It will be cool to see how they do and if any follow Horvat's path.

Looks like Shinkaruk has the toughest road to get in. He needs a shot on the second line really. I hope he makes it ... we need the personality infusion.
- whales

You completely forgot about Baerschi.


Higgins is gone, would rather a young guy than him.

Man, Bartkowski is basically a better Sbisa at half the price. That contract which I thought would maybe look better after UFA, looks even worse.
- Nucker101

Maybe the Sbisa contract is so that he will clear waivers to go learn the basics in Utica?

Maybe the Sbisa contract is so that he will clear waivers to go learn the basics in Utica?
- Retinalz

that works

You completely forgot about Baerschi.


Higgins is gone, would rather a young guy than him.
- Scooby_Doo

after hearing Benning yesterday it sounds like Higgins will be here until training camp. If one of the kids looks like they're ready higgins will be moved, if they're not Higgy will be staying for at least part of the year. I personally don't mind him staying until the trade deadline when his value is probably highest. Shink, gaunce etc could use a little bit more time in the AHL IMO

How come there are no hockey players named LeMarcus LeBron or LeRoy?

I guess once you add that Le you are pretty well mapped out to play in the NBA.
- VANTEL

Lapierre, lafleur?

we only get the french canadiens versions

Lapierre, lafleur?

we only get the french canadiens versions
- numbear

Lapierre, lafleur?

we only get the french canadiens versions
- numbear

That's La we are looking for Le or L' followed by a capital letter

That's La we are looking for Le or L' followed by a capital letter
- VANTEL

It's a shame we can't refer to Lebron and Luongo as 'Lebrongo' anymore. Lebron has his championship where Lou will retire without one.

You completely forgot about Baerschi.


Higgins is gone, would rather a young guy than him.
- Scooby_Doo

I hope baert takes that next step. And I have a feeling Virtanen is going to make it before shinkaruk, Mostly cause he's got a bit more edge that will fit into a 3rd line spot.

I think virt and horvat are going to be a couple of my favourite new canucks going forward.

It's a shame we can't refer to Lebron and Luongo as 'Lebrongo' anymore. Lebron has his championship where Lou will retire without one.


- LordHumungous

just a new NHL trophy named after him for best twitter account