New topic.

Who do you guys think should get the 9 game trial, Mcann or Virtanen and why?
- Retinalz

It really just comes down to if their development is better served in the NHL or in Junior for this season. Virtanen is more likely to be helped by being in the NHL this year IMO. But McCann may be more ready to contribute regularly and with more consistency.

I'd much rather keep them both up and dump a vet or two. Injuries will also happen. Lots of injuries.

This is easy. Virtanen
Why? Because McCann should be here full time
- Bieksa#3

after all these years we agree

Virtanen.

McCann will be up soon enough, I have no doubt, but we already have so many centers without him. Not to mention that Gaunce has also looked really good, and would probably get brought up before him.

Give him a season in the AHL and hopefully by next year we'll have cleared out some room for him.
- Sweeticlayd

Gaunce is a winger

1. Do you even have to ask? Why would anyone put a black hole of offense next to easily our best scorers?

2. Again, heck to the no. Higgins is a very good bottom 6 guy but to rely on him for anything even closely resembling goals, assists or points is just plain stupid.

3. Flames. No question.
- Sweeticlayd

You know you have to share the rumor chart with us every time it's updated?

after all these years we agree
- VANTEL

I haven't held my tongue on this. I believe McCann is our best prospect

McCann. But only the 9 game trial. Would prefer to see him a season in Utica.

Gaunce has done the most to earn his spot on the club so far IMHO.
- we_are_all_canucks

He doesnt qualify for AHL, Virt and Mcann are Juniors this year.

He doesnt qualify for AHL, Virt and Mcann are Juniors this year.
- Retinalz

Yep

Mcann and Virt are down in juniors this year. Makes more sense to give them a look. Otherwise we lose than chance for 1 more year. By giving them that chance they get to figure out what they need to work on most to make the team next year.
- Retinalz

I disagree

Best player plays. That's how u build culture

Mcann and Virt are down in juniors this year. Makes more sense to give them a look. Otherwise we lose than chance for 1 more year. By giving them that chance they get to figure out what they need to work on most to make the team next year.
- Retinalz

I disagree

Best player plays. That's how u build culture

Really don't get what the deal is with Subban. Even if you don't like the guy for whatever reason, what's the harm in at least giving him a game? He probably wouldn't have cracked the team but who knows?

Is he really that far from Biega/Corrado/etc. level?
- Sweeticlayd

Yes... he is not on the radar for this season at all and the other side of it that you are not considering...

They need him in France asap. Not only do they need to get guys to Utica camp quickly, they'd like more Francophone's on the France trip I'm sure.

Yep
- Bieksa#3

Hey Hammond!!

Yes, keeping busy & staying out of trouble. It was a long, HOT summer and am looking forward to the fall & the start of the NHL season. Taking a week of in November to spend a few nights in Victoria and a bunch of nights in a secluded cabin mid Island.

How are you and the wife, the kids & the dogs?

I haven't held my tongue on this. I believe McCann is our best prospect
- Bieksa#3

Forward yes

Markstrom looked strong

Hutton looks good

Gaunce looks NHL

He doesnt qualify for AHL, Virt and Mcann are Juniors this year.
- Retinalz

i'm going to go off the board and suggest that both return to Jrs (after getting a taste in the big show).
It appears with Gaunce, Vey, Kennins filling in, there is not much room in the starting lineup.

I hate that rule about players having to return to Jr.
It would be ideal if both JV and McCann could be called up and sent down to Utica this year.

I'm suspicious of people that think Mario is better than Wayne
- VANTEL

Forward yes

Markstrom looked strong

Hutton looks good

Gaunce looks NHL
- VANTEL

Time to move Vey even at a loss. It would make Nucker more annoying but it has to be done.

JV goes back to Junior after his 9 games I think. Gaunce should stay. He looks so calm and confident and can play two positions well enough. He fits the "hard to play against" mold that the team keeps talking about. Vey is a contradiction to that.

Time to move Vey even at a loss. It would make Nucker more annoying but it has to be done.

JV goes back to Junior after his 9 games I think. Gaunce should stay. He looks so calm and confident and can play two positions well enough. He fits the "hard to play against" mold that the team keeps talking about. Vey is a contradiction to that.
- boonerbuck

Vey could do well on Horvats wing.Prust-Gaunce-Dorsett, Vey-Horvat-Hansen

Time to move Vey even at a loss. It would make Nucker more annoying but it has to be done.

JV goes back to Junior after his 9 games I think. Gaunce should stay. He looks so calm and confident and can play two positions well enough. He fits the "hard to play against" mold that the team keeps talking about. Vey is a contradiction to that.
- boonerbuck

I would keep Vey to compete against Sven and see which one really wants the second line role and also if a centre goes down you can use him to fill in

Vey could do well on Horvats wing.Prust-Gaunce-Dorsett, Vey-Horvat-Hansen
- Retinalz

Once again Gaunce is a winger. He was there all ye last yr. And management seems happier with him there

I would keep Vey to compete against Sven and see which one really wants the second line role and also if a centre goes down you can use him to fill in
- VANTEL

good call.
pressbox for one or the other.

Virtanen and McCann will be sent back to junior this year, and really there's nothing wrong with that as they're both 19 years old...don't rush them. Truthfully McCann is way more ready than Jake is.

Gaunce is good, which I wouldn't have said before I saw him this spring, he deserves a shot as he's put some development time in down at the AHL level....and it shows.

This year I think they've committed to Vey as a show me year. If he doesn't do something noteworthy this year he'll be moved early in the New Year, along with a vet.

I could see Gaunce, Grenier, Shinkaruk and Jensen all getting some games in this year. Although Shinkaruk could get traded in a package if his development stalls.

Virtanen and McCann will be sent back to junior this year, and really there's nothing wrong with that as they're both 19 years old...don't rush them. Truthfully McCann is way more ready than Jake is.

Gaunce is good, which I wouldn't have said before I saw him this spring, he deserves a shot as he's put some development time in down at the AHL level....and it shows.

This year I think they've committed to Vey as a show me year. If he doesn't do something noteworthy this year he'll be moved early in the New Year, along with a vet.

I could see Gaunce, Grenier, Shinkaruk and Jensen all getting some games in this year. Although Shinkaruk could get traded in a package if his development stalls.
- LeftCoaster

To many people around here haven given up on Vey. I admit I'm not a fan, but ggive him another yr or 2.

To many people around here haven given up on Vey. I admit I'm not a fan, but ggive him another yr or 2.
- Bieksa#3

To many people around here haven given up on Vey. I admit I'm not a fan, but ggive him another yr or 2.
- Bieksa#3

For me, it's not about giving up... it's about developing a player who is harder to play against. I'd rather see McCann or Cassels battling players along the boards over Vey being shoved on his ass with one hand while not even being a small challenge for the puck carrier who is handling with 1 hand.

I get it... his skill game will improve. I have no doubt in that.

Apparently there will be some changes to the size of goalie pads for next season. They couldn't agree on time for this year.

Regardless of the change, it won't be nearly enough. Goalie pads should be strictly for protection, not to simply cover as much of the net as possible.
- KB3Point0

Mostly looking at the jerseys - being more tapered and smaller goalie pants.

Pad sizes were reduced slightly a couple of years ago

Virtanen and McCann will be sent back to junior this year, and really there's nothing wrong with that as they're both 19 years old...don't rush them. Truthfully McCann is way more ready than Jake is.

Gaunce is good, which I wouldn't have said before I saw him this spring, he deserves a shot as he's put some development time in down at the AHL level....and it shows.

This year I think they've committed to Vey as a show me year. If he doesn't do something noteworthy this year he'll be moved early in the New Year, along with a vet.

I could see Gaunce, Grenier, Shinkaruk and Jensen all getting some games in this year. Although Shinkaruk could get traded in a package if his development stalls.
- LeftCoaster

Vey and Shink for who or what?