I expect them to win the Stanley cup and pick first overall, and I expect them to do this every year. Anything else is just bad management.
- CubanBuffet

If all Canucks fans had this attitude, the team would be a dynasty! The team is bad b/c the fans accept it.

Props to you for speaking truth to power.

I hear ya. The d corps looks awful in my opinion. Probably the biggest reason why Hammer can't be moved.
- RealityChecker

One stud defender in the prospect pool would change the outlook drastically. Last one we had was Bourdon.

I'm not as down on the deal as some. I think Sutter is a better over all fit for the team going forward.

However, I don't think Sutter is as gritty/tough as people would have you believe and I think it was an over payment.

Without getting into Richardson, Mathias etc, I will say that I would have done things a lot differently (wouldn't we all like to play GM lol) but I'd take Sutter over Bonino.
- RealityChecker

Ya I see it as an improvement for sure.....wish more had been done on D though.
I think corrado will add here, but I wish he had the $ to get franson. That could instantly change the team and makemit better. He has everything we lack it seems.

One stud defender in the prospect pool would change the outlook drastically. Last one we had was Bourdon.
- golfingsince

Even though he wasn't a true #1, how good would an Ohlund look coming up the ranks?

Even though he wasn't a true #1, how good would an Ohlund look coming up the ranks?
- RealityChecker

He'd look great. Hell I'd take a Jerky Lumme at this point.

Even though he wasn't a true #1, how good would an Ohlund look coming up the ranks?
- RealityChecker

Pedan looks pretty amazing. Tryamkin is a real prize .....hope he's here in a year

Looked great at worlds

Ya I see it as an improvement for sure.....wish more had been done on D though.
I think corrado will add here, but I wish he had the $ to get franson. That could instantly change the team and makemit better. He has everything we lack it seems.
- SMBDragon

I would stay away from UFA's. Even on a reasonable contract, I'm not sure Franson improves the d all that much.

Let's accept that the team is declining and have all moves geared for 3+ seasons down the road.

Keep the cap space and no more overpayments please. Benning has filled his quota on those.

Nothing you said makes sense. Richardson as a 4th line center injury plagued or not is better than vey. Bonino could have been an option on the wing. Once again depth. SUtter is not a physical player and is very comparable to Mathaias. Like I said Horvat would be playing center on this team with or without sutter...
- mauryballstein

Yes he would but the question is, is it 3LC or 2LC? If Horvat moves ahead of Sutter (which he will in time) that leaves us with an excellent 3LC and 2LC no matter what. Forward thinking my friend and better depth.

Richardson is no longer an option with Cassels and McCann in the waiting. May as well let him move on and try another 4LC...again forward thinking dude. If Vey centers Prust and Dorsett...who cares?

Bonino couldn't cover the ice at Center ain't gonna be more productive on the wing. Maybe on a 2nd PP unit somewhere but that's it.

You need to be able to look beyond the 'now' and 2-3-4-5 years ahead. Keeping Richardson/Bonino/Matthias here for the coming season gets us nowhere...nowhere. Forward progression is the answer. We have needs to fill and prospects that will fill them over the next few seasons.

Hanging on to players like Richardson/Matthias and Bonino is what makes no sense.

Yes he would but the question is, is it 3LC or 2LC? If Horvat moves ahead of Sutter (which he will in time) that leaves us with an excellent 3LC and 2LC no matter what. Forward thinking my friend and better depth.

Richardson is no longer an option with Cassels and McCann in the waiting. May as well let him move on and try another 4LC...again forward thinking dude. If Vey centers Prust and Dorsett...who cares?

Bonino couldn't cover the ice at Center ain't gonna be more productive on the wing. Maybe on a 2nd PP unit somewhere but that's it.

You need to be able to look beyond the 'now' and 2-3-4-5 years ahead. Keeping Richardson/Bonino/Matthias here for the coming season gets us nowhere...nowhere. Forward progression is the answer. We have needs to fill and prospects that will fill them over the next few seasons.

Hanging on to players like Richardson/Matthias and Bonino is what makes no sense.
- LordHumungous

What the anti-sutterites are saying is that if it's just somebody to hold a place for the prospects then why give away assets and cap space for somebody else to hold it. I too think we overpaid for Sutter, but I think he's better than Bonino. I also want to see the youth have to compete for spots, not just have it handed to them.

What the anti-sutterites are saying is that if it's just somebody to hold a place for the prospects then why give away assets and cap space for somebody else to hold it. I too think we overpaid for Sutter, but I think he's better than Bonino. I also want to see the youth have to compete for spots, not just have it handed to them.
- golfingsince

Nice

Nice
- RealityChecker

Sutter is not a solution for our team. We will be quicker, better on draws. He makes us somewhat better but he's not the magic bullet. We did look awfully slow down the middle against the Flames.

Sutter is not a solution for our team. We will be quicker, better on draws. He makes us somewhat better but he's not the magic bullet. We did look awfully slow down the middle against the Flames.
- golfingsince

That series was lost in speed differential and depth on d.

Both are longer term fixes.

That series was lost in speed differential and depth on d.

Both are longer term fixes.
- RealityChecker

Yes they are. Hell we've been trying to address depth on D for a decade......without ever drafting one high. The middle of the ice is where speed really shows itself though IMO, look how much ground Kesler covered. It's not as bad a move as many are painting it to be, but it reeks of ownership telling management they need to remain competitive.

Yes he would but the question is, is it 3LC or 2LC? If Horvat moves ahead of Sutter (which he will in time) that leaves us with an excellent 3LC and 2LC no matter what. Forward thinking my friend and better depth.

Richardson is no longer an option with Cassels and McCann in the waiting. May as well let him move on and try another 4LC...again forward thinking dude. If Vey centers Prust and Dorsett...who cares?

Bonino couldn't cover the ice at Center ain't gonna be more productive on the wing. Maybe on a 2nd PP unit somewhere but that's it.

You need to be able to look beyond the 'now' and 2-3-4-5 years ahead. Keeping Richardson/Bonino/Matthias here for the coming season gets us nowhere...nowhere. Forward progression is the answer. We have needs to fill and prospects that will fill them over the next few seasons.

Hanging on to players like Richardson/Matthias and Bonino is what makes no sense.
- LordHumungous

I dont want to hang on to them at all. I just dont agree with sutter as anything better. My point is it made us worse. Canucks are to far from contending. Now have another long term no trade contract which is more than what sutter is worth. Hopefully he proves me wrong. I would start off loading a couple vets for picks and give a couple of kids a chance. If you do 2 or so a year we wouldnt be rushing them. Overall I would just prefer a rebuild to hanging on to the hope of making the playoffs and then missing out on all top picks. A top 5 pick in this draft would totally speed things up.

Yes they are. Hell we've been trying to address depth on D for a decade......without ever drafting one high. The middle of the ice is where speed really shows itself though IMO, look how much ground Kesler covered. It's not as bad a move as many are painting it to be, but it reeks of ownership telling management they need to remain competitive.
- golfingsince

I agree. It's clear that this "hockey" market will not support a re-build.

I don't think the owner wants an empty building coupled with a declining dollar.

I agree. It's clear that this "hockey" market will not support a re-build.

I don't think the owner wants an empty building coupled with a declining dollar.
- RealityChecker

Neither do I, nor can I blame him. It's easy to spend other people's money, but if we were in a position to possibly lose millions year after year we would likely say the same thing to management.

If all Canucks fans had this attitude, the team would be a dynasty! The team is bad b/c the fans accept it.

Props to you for speaking truth to power.
- RealityChecker

It's so obvious.

Neither do I, nor can I blame him. It's easy to spend other people's money, but if we were in a position to possibly lose millions year after year we would likely say the same thing to management.
- golfingsince

Especially when there is no guarantee that a complete rebuild works or works any faster.

I agree. It's clear that this "hockey" market will not support a re-build.

I don't think the owner wants an empty building coupled with a declining dollar.
- RealityChecker

I don't think so either. If we'd won in 2011, hell, if we'd won at any point in our history, this market might be able to swallow it, but after decades of getting trolled by Leaf fans we've maybe gone a little crazy.

No rebuild for you.

Sutter is not a solution for our team. We will be quicker, better on draws. He makes us somewhat better but he's not the magic bullet. We did look awfully slow down the middle against the Flames.
- golfingsince

It might just turn out that Sutter's a good fit for our team. It's not uncommon that a role player fits a particular team like a glove but when they're put in a different situation they struggle.

Of course, you tend to luck into players like that, not pay a premium for them, and you certainly don't extend them before they've played a single game for you...

Nevermind, Benning's a crazy person.

I don't think so either. If we'd won in 2011, hell, if we'd won at any point in our history, this market might be able to swallow it, but after decades of getting trolled by Leaf fans we've maybe gone a little crazy.

No rebuild for you.
- CubanBuffet

I think it's more a matter of being at the "cool spot," in this town. The hardcore fans will always be there but the last several thousand is filled by people looking for a fun night out.

These people don't really know or care about hockey but want to see a celebration/party. A losing streak kinda dampens the mood and those people will just move on to the next party.

I expect them to win the Stanley cup and pick first overall, and I expect them to do this every year. Anything else is just bad management.
- CubanBuffet

Is that you Francesco?

It might just turn out that Sutter's a good fit for our team. It's not uncommon that a role player fits a particular team like a glove but when they're put in a different situation they struggle.

Of course, you tend to luck into players like that, not pay a premium for them, and you certainly don't extend them before they've played a single game for you...

Nevermind, Benning's a crazy person.
- CubanBuffet

Is that you Francesco?
- A_SteamingLombardi

I like to think so. My 850 sq foot condo says otherwise.

One stud defender in the prospect pool would change the outlook drastically. Last one we had was Bourdon.
- golfingsince

In all fairness to Bourdon, may he RIP, he was at best a 2/3 d-man like Edler. He wasn't going to be a franchise D.