He was 3rd line here with pk. Don't really remember him seeing much if any pp. I thought Matthias should have been on the 2nd unit pp or along with others rotated through the 2nd unit pp, it was often ineffective, not sure why Higgins and a couple others were mainstays.


Just thinking if Matthias gets a bit more ice time and more pp, he might be able to get a couple more goals.
- hillbillydeluxe

It's possible. He wasn't exactly playing with studs here last season and Toronto's roster isn't exactly brimming with all stars, so he should get some ice. How he responds to Babcock's no nonsense 100% effort all the time coaching style will probably determine how his season goes.

Thinking of it as an investment.

If it costs the Canucks next season, they will get the return a little further down the road.

#JBholdontoyourpicks!
- hillbillydeluxe

I certainly do. Just part of the cycle. Look at the Golden State Warriors!

I certainly do. Just part of the cycle. Look at the Golden State Warriors!
- VanHockeyGuy

Actually, I was watching That's Hockey last night and they were talking about how deep they were with prospects. And I think a lot of that is just quantity of picks or holding onto their picks as much as drafting position.

Reading that KevinGram post last night, makes you wonder how many of these guys could turn into nhlers and have a scoring touch...

I am optimistic, but trying not to get ahead of myself. patience is the tough part.

Not sure if it has been changed but that article says they are RFA's and that their qualifying offers expire on july 15th. If they are not signed by then they become UFA's.
- belcherbd

They will all be signed.

Trade the twins!!! This is going to be somewhat of a boring couple of years until they transition out the older players and their contracts.....hopefully sooner than later.

Like what I'm reading about the kids though!!

Actually, I was watching That's Hockey last night and they were talking about how deep they were with prospects. And I think a lot of that is just quantity of picks or holding onto their picks as much as drafting position.

Reading that KevinGram post last night, makes you wonder how many of these guys could turn into nhlers and have a scoring touch...

I am optimistic, but trying not to get ahead of myself. patience is the tough part.
- hillbillydeluxe

Read the LA blog here on the Canucks. He hit it.

It's possible. He wasn't exactly playing with studs here last season and Toronto's roster isn't exactly brimming with all stars, so he should get some ice. How he responds to Babcock's no nonsense 100% effort all the time coaching style will probably determine how his season goes.
- CubanBuffet

Matthias may not realize what he has gotten himself into...

It is something I remember Torts saying and a few other hockey guys. You see a player play a certain way one shift and you say, that was great, now play that way the next shift. You showed it once, show it again.

It all makes sense but also ignores how the other team is playing and who your line mates are. Then there is the, don't give me excuses, give me results.

It's possible. He wasn't exactly playing with studs here last season and Toronto's roster isn't exactly brimming with all stars, so he should get some ice. How he responds to Babcock's no nonsense 100% effort all the time coaching style will probably determine how his season goes.
- CubanBuffet

I've got to say at least Toronto management understands that they aren't going to win with that group so they are trying to maximize their assests. Biggest worry is Van is a bad team this year and it lowers the value of the players when it comes time to trade them, or they're injuried with season ending injuries.

Trade the twins!!! This is going to be somewhat of a boring couple of years until they transition out the older players and their contracts.....hopefully sooner than later.

Like what I'm reading about the kids though!!
- LeftCoaster

Well that's certainly a non-homer bold statement. The fact is it would speed up the inevitable rebuild. Off to Detroit, NY or wherever, time to move on.

Well that's certainly a non-homer bold statement. The fact is it would speed up the inevitable rebuild. Off to Detroit, NY or wherever, time to move on.
- VanHockeyGuy

I'm up for trading anyone over 26 except the twins lol

Well that's certainly a non-homer bold statement. The fact is it would speed up the inevitable rebuild. Off to Detroit, NY or wherever, time to move on.
- VanHockeyGuy

It's really difficult to move players in the cap world, especially older ones like we have, except maybe Vrbata and Hamhuis...they have good value.

The Leafs are finding out no one wants their garbage, we're not to dissimilar in that regard.

It's really difficult to move players in the cap world, especially older ones like we have, except maybe Vrbata and Hamhuis...they have good value.

The Leafs are finding out no one wants their garbage, we're not to dissimilar in that regard.
- LeftCoaster

Move them then for (frank)s sake? Picks, prospects, whatever. Stock your shelves JB, don't get caught with your pants down (again), at the next draft!

Move them then for (frank)s sake? Picks, prospects, whatever. Stock your shelves JB, don't get caught with your pants down (again), at the next draft!
- VanHockeyGuy

His draft picks may save his ass for this year. Interested to see how the Russian does, been a while since we had a Russian on the team

Read the LA blog here on the Canucks. He hit it.
- VanHockeyGuy

Yes and no. "this may just be a tank year. It certainly has looked like it from this offseason. "

I am trying to take the same approach as last summer. Expecting the Canucks to push for a playoff spot and will likely be a fringe team.

Healthy Bieksa, Kassian, Richardson would be a big loss, but neither of these guys played a full season last year. I'd be curious to see the W/L with these guys in and out of the lineup.

I don't think a playoff berth is less likely because of moves by the Canucks, but it may be less likely because of the moves made by rivals.

Yes and no. "this may just be a tank year. It certainly has looked like it from this offseason. "

I am trying to take the same approach as last summer. Expecting the Canucks to push for a playoff spot and will likely be a fringe team.

Healthy Bieksa, Kassian, Richardson would be a big loss, but neither of these guys played a full season last year. I'd be curious to see the W/L with these guys in and out of the lineup.

I don't think a playoff berth is less likely because of moves by the Canucks, but it may be less likely because of the moves made by rivals.
- hillbillydeluxe

And we stand back and watch?

Move them then for (frank)s sake? Picks, prospects, whatever. Stock your shelves JB, don't get caught with your pants down (again), at the next draft!
- VanHockeyGuy

Just wondering if either will pull a Sundin?

If they don't intend to offer either a contract extension, then I hope they get something for them on or before the tdl... Both have very reasonable dollar amounts. Teams should be interested.

And we stand back and watch?
- VanHockeyGuy

We aren't expected to win the cup. We are playing for the playoffs and development.

I'll watch as long as it is entertaining. Maybe that was part of the reason they brought in Prust?

If we miss the playoffs and Hamhuis and Vrbata are here at the end of the season... that will be disappointing. But not the end of the world. You give out NTC's. You have to live with the possibility someone will say feck off, I'm fulfilling my contract here... But I think these guys would waive to go to a contender.

Trade the twins!!! This is going to be somewhat of a boring couple of years until they transition out the older players and their contracts.....hopefully sooner than later.

Like what I'm reading about the kids though!!
- LeftCoaster

I think it will happen. The twins see the writing on the wall and will do the right thing. They will look for a contending opportunity and happily help land this team a deal that could be huge for the future. Think what an additional two first round picks and a young player can add to this teams rebuilding process. A contender would be getting a offensive line and a gigantic boost to their PP going into the playoffs.

I imagine the Canucks would have to take some salary back but hopefully it would be an expiring contract or two. Maybe flip them immediately to a team looking for rentals.... possibilities.... excitement.

We aren't expected to win the cup. We are playing for the playoffs and development.

I'll watch as long as it is entertaining. Maybe that was part of the reason they brought in Prust?

If we miss the playoffs and Hamhuis and Vrbata are here at the end of the season... that will be disappointing. But not the end of the world. You give out NTC's. You have to live with the possibility someone will say feck off, I'm fulfilling my contract here... But I think these guys would waive to go to a contender.
- hillbillydeluxe

You never know JB may let one or both walk after the season?

I think it will happen. The twins see the writing on the wall and will do the right thing. They will look for a contending opportunity and happily help land this team a deal that could be huge for the future. Think what an additional two first round picks and a young player can add to this teams rebuilding process. A contender would be getting a offensive line and a gigantic boost to their PP going into the playoffs.

I imagine the Canucks would have to take some salary back but hopefully it would be an expiring contract or two. Maybe flip them immediately to a team looking for rentals.... possibilities.... excitement.

- boonerbuck

I'm not sure how they feel, nor do I pretend to know. What I do know is, they've earned the right to choose after being two of the best players to ever play for this franchise.

Personally I'd love to see them traded for a BUNCH of good young players with the Canucks retaining a lot of salary....guess we'll see how that plays out.

You never know JB may let one or both walk after the season?
- VanHockeyGuy

Give your head a shake.

You never know JB may let one or both walk after the season?
- VanHockeyGuy

Yeah, you never know. but let may not be the right word if he can't make them waive.

I thought Vrbata had a limited ntc. had a list of teams he would waive to or would provide that list... I might be wrong, for the nth time.

I'm not sure how they feel, nor do I pretend to know. What I do know is, they've earned the right to choose after being two of the best players to ever play for this franchise.

Personally I'd love to see them traded for a BUNCH of good young players with the Canucks retaining a lot of salary....guess we'll see how that plays out.
- LeftCoaster

Yeah, you never know. but let may not be the right word if he can't make them waive.

I thought Vrbata had a limited ntc. had a list of teams he would waive to or would provide that list... I might be wrong, for the nth time.
- hillbillydeluxe

Yes modified NTC

Give your head a shake.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Making a run for the playoffs, why would you trade them? Why would a GM trade for them at the draft when they are both UFA's?