Habs were getting a lot of odd man breaks because we are slow. I am not complaining , it is just a fact. Not quick enough to get back.m
- VANTEL

Really? Hard to catch up when last man back keeps dishing the puck up for the Habs.

Let's not forget that no matter what JB and TL might say, WD is on the hot seat. The expectation is that the Canucks make the playoffs with what they have. If they don't make it this year, Willie's leash will be shorter than a choke chain. If they come out next year like this after whatever changes are made in the off-season I see Willie gone by next Christmas.
- DariusKnight

This I agree with, expectations in Vancouver are high and failure to make playoffs by fans and management isn't tolerated, as indicated in this blog.

So you're saying Terry Simpson would bench his veteran core and allow his all rookie squad to shoulder the load over the course of a game...game after game. And just because one person might employ these tactics doesn't mean it's the norm of the coaching industry.

It's like saying the X team does this successfully so why doesn't every team do this, again not realistic.
- Makita

He had me and Dean Braham play half the game a few times because the guys that were suppose to be doing their thing...weren't.

It's not as black and white as you make it out to be. No one, me specifically, is saying game after game after game, I'm saying change it up for a couple games, send a message. I guess it's hard for me to explain.

Everyone has a version of this game based on how they feel, and what they have said prior about the team instead of whats happening on the ice... even I'm a little guilty but I'm more open minded than most.

I understand the points you are making regarding the coaching and systems, but I think what the others are saying is that based on the roster, the vets you are relying upon are just not cutting it right now. And no matter how much coaching you put into rookies, they are going to make mistakes. The Leafs are a good example of having one of the best coaches but vets not performing. Same with Quennville when he was in St.Louis (and frankly Hitchcock is getting the blame for it now there too). I agree that expectations should be higher based on the talent and quality of players but the consistency is going to be the frustrating part of the season. Without Miller's hot start, we might have been in Oiler territory anyway
- WhiteLie

Another solid post...

There are some good D coming next year in UFA. Make sure they have cap space.

I don't mind Sbisa Bart Hutton Tanev UFA + trade + Prospect
- VANTEL

What is going on here these days?!?!

Everyone has a version of this game based on how they feel, and what they have said prior about the team instead of whats happening on the ice... even I'm a little guilty but I'm more open minded than most.

- boonerbuck

whatever!!!

What is going on here these days?!?!


- WhiteLie

Bobby Orr jr

It is worth mentioning that arguably our best two players thus far, all around game and just how they've come out the gates, Sutter and Burrows were out. I think WD is slowly deploying the kids more, McCann is on the powerplay. Ultimately I guess I just don't see that as as much of the problem as a defense that can't shut it down for any length of time with the exception of edler\tanev.

This I agree with, expectations in Vancouver are high and failure to make playoffs by fans and management isn't tolerated, as indicated in this blog.
- Makita

Not all fans.

I want the high draft pick. I want the picks and prospects from trading vets, and the cap space and open roster spots.

I don't mind missing the playoffs this one year

We are missing 4 starters.
- A_SteamingLombardi

IKR...

Cracknel, Hutton, McCann, Shink, JV, Sven, Markstrom barely add up to more than twice as much as Horvat has played... another 20 year old I might add.

Even if you have a solid system,,, you have to get it through to vets like Edler and Weber not to mention all the inexperience that I just listed.

Our players and coaches know how to kill penalties. The players are executing like careless chumps is all. With all the injuries... you are picking the wrong time to start dishing out scratches to vets for mistakes.

We are back to watching people not being able to stomach a rebuild. Look at all the kids in the line up... call it on the fly but look how many players are under 23 and don't have a full season yet with more knocking on the door and getting called up... a couple of more bodies and we will be closer to a team mostly under 25 than over...

You do realize of course that we only have one more regulation win than the Oilers/Flames...


- LordHumungous

But those one goal losses! Thats got to count for moral victories!!!!!

Not all fans.

I want the high draft pick. I want the picks and prospects from trading vets, and the cap space and open roster spots.

I don't mind missing the playoffs this one year
- VANTEL

Ya I'm on board with this too. You don't sign a stud d via free agency, it's time.

I can see more and more mistakes and being caught out of position by the vets. Hamhuis has struggled this year. I see Sedins making more mistakes and being out of the play. Burrows has played well.

WDs bad coaching is he doesn't trust the youth enough. Sendin Higgins Tanev and the other D is just a total retreat tactic
- VANTEL

WD starts Horvat in one of the overtimes and he loses the face off then gets turned inside out and is beat with a clear path to the net. It was over in less than 15 secs iirc.

WD hasnt found anyone better than the Sedins in over time and they suck 3 on 3. That says a lot about our team at this point. Coach is just putting out his best players first is all.

I do agree that it is our older players *more* than the systems though... Edler, Weber, Vrbada, the Sedins all making way too many mistakes... but again.... what coach is going to bench and scratch the high paid vets? You guys are not talking about isolated situations here... you would have to nail a bunch... that would result in a revolt because no one does that.

This I agree with, expectations in Vancouver are high and failure to make playoffs by fans and management isn't tolerated, as indicated in this blog.
- Makita

Any fan wants them to win every game, but, understands that if they don't, the end result it a better future. Anyone who cheers for them to lose isn't a fan in the true sense of the word.

IKR...

Cracknel, Hutton, McCann, Shink, JV, Sven, Markstrom barely add up to more than twice as much as Horvat has played... another 20 year old I might add.

Even if you have a solid system,,, you have to get it through to vets like Edler and Weber not to mention all the inexperience that I just listed.

Our players and coaches know how to kill penalties. The players are executing like careless chumps is all. With all the injuries... you are picking the wrong time to start dishing out scratches to vets for mistakes.

We are back to watching people not being able to stomach a rebuild. Look at all the kids in the line up... call it on the fly but look how many players are under 23 and don't have a full season yet with more knocking on the door and getting called up... a couple of more bodies and we will be closer to a team mostly under 25 than over...
- boonerbuck

This is true, and a fair point, but you expect mistakes... but you also expect those mistakes to not be repeated over and over. If you're going to do a retool/rebuild then yes, losses and mistakes are expected, but you expect to see improvement every game. Right now it seems like the reverse and the mistakes are the same almost every game.

I'm not into dumping the coach, but I do think he needs to be held accountable for the mistakes being made that are repeated. That's what practice and video review is for, helping to iron those mistakes out so that they don't happen game after game. If they are, that's on the coach for not fixing it or else not benching the player and sending a message to them.

It's not our rookies/young players that I worry about... it's our veterans that you expect are experienced enough to avoid being the problem. You expect the coach to ride his experienced guys in the third because they have the experience to know how to win games but yet it's those same guys who are losing. When they don't get benched or scratched after making the same mistakes it sends a really mixed message to the kids.

WD starts Horvat in one of the overtimes and he loses the face off then gets turned inside out and is beat with a clear path to the net. It was over in less than 15 secs iirc.

WD hasnt found anyone better than the Sedins in over time and they suck 3 on 3. That says a lot about our team at this point. Coach is just putting out his best players first is all.

I do agree that it is our older players *more* than the systems though... Edler, Weber, Vrbada, the Sedins all making way too many mistakes... but again.... what coach is going to bench and scratch the high paid vets? You guys are not talking about isolated situations here... you would have to nail a bunch... that would result in a revolt because no one does that.
- boonerbuck

As I said before, I don't mind the losses it will give us a higher draft pick. I am enjoying seeing the new players and I hope we make full changes next year

As I said before, I don't mind the losses it will give us a higher draft pick. I am enjoying seeing the new players and I hope we make full changes next year
- VANTEL

I think a lot of us feel the same. As long as it is entertaining and getting youth in the lineup, it is positive. The frustration for me is seeing silly mistakes from the all-vet power play that are costing opportunity. The radio broadcast was commenting tonight that if the Canucks could get up 3-0 we might see a lot more of Shink, but after they did they give a few goals back and you know then that the youth are on a shorter leash

Playing your vets over your kids is what any coach would do, however, when you keep losing because of your vets decisions you SHOULD make the decision to say "hey, this can't continue". How long do you bang your head against the wall before you realize it hurts?

Terry Simpson is the smartest hockey man I've ever played for, he wouldn't accept what I'm seeing, any neither do I.
- LeftCoaster

Look how many games Weber is costing us on this road trip... we have no one to replace his failing role as a offensive D man. Hutton is already getting all the minutes he can handle. McCann, Jv, Shink, Sven are not going to take his minutes.... and the exact same can be said about Edler... who is sucking bad.... criticisms for not applying options that dont exist is hardly fair.

This routine about the kids is weak. They are learning... they are doing ok,,,, but they are not going to carry the load yet. If we are out of the playoff picture... the youth priority will take front stage.

I know many of the same people who want the vets sat and roles reduced would freak as soon as they start seeing the trade values crash and JM just keeps them because the returns are too small.... this is something that will never change around here...

I think a lot of us feel the same. As long as it is entertaining and getting youth in the lineup, it is positive. The frustration for me is seeing silly mistakes from the all-vet power play that are costing opportunity. The radio broadcast was commenting tonight that if the Canucks could get up 3-0 we might see a lot more of Shink, but after they did they give a few goals back and you know then that the youth are on a shorter leash
- WhiteLie

The more the vets screw up the more Mgmt will want to move them. Win/win.

It bugged me seeing so much support earlier for Hamhuis and Vrbata. Hamhuis has been a soldier for Canucks but it is time to move on.

There are better options out there than Edler

If it was up to me I chose the two prospects the two draft picks and the 14 mil in cap space over the twins.

I am not saying I am right but it is my preference

Losing is good. I don't get why everyone is so upset.
Did you guys actually think they were going to win the division?

We have kids playing with plugs. Sedins are getting old and slower. Hopefully Virtanen and McCann are loaned to team canada for the world juniors.

Vrbata and Hamhuis traded at deadline for picks. Maybe another couple guys traded... I think we are on the right track, losing is good. They've lost 12 of 19 games, that's impressive.

There are some good D coming next year in UFA. Make sure they have cap space.

I don't mind Sbisa Bart Hutton Tanev UFA + trade + Prospect
- VANTEL

Move Edler and bring in Buff. Our PP will be much better.... we will be much more physical. Buff makes mistakes too but I don't see anywhere near as many brain farts when he's on the ice if you dismiss his days in MTL.

He's a beast in the playoffs too... can play forward effectively... he really is worth his pay cheque.

Losing is good. I don't get why everyone is so upset.
Did you guys actually think they were going to win the division?

We have kids playing with plugs. Sedins are getting old and slower. Hopefully Virtanen and McCann are loaned to team canada for the world juniors.

Vrbata and Hamhuis traded at deadline for picks. Maybe another couple guys traded... I think we are on the right track, losing is good. They've lost 12 of 19 games, that's impressive.
- Scooby_Doo

Every old nag eventually gets sent to the glue factory. I know first hand

He had me and Dean Braham play half the game a few times because the guys that were suppose to be doing their thing...weren't.

It's not as black and white as you make it out to be. No one, me specifically, is saying game after game after game, I'm saying change it up for a couple games, send a message. I guess it's hard for me to explain.
- LeftCoaster

Lefty I never had the talent to play at a high level, but I have coached my soccer team to the national finals, I have 3 NCCP certificates that allowed me to coach at that level, and both of my kids played provincial level soccer and I can say with absolute certainty that you coach with your strengths in mind....win or lose.

BUT having said that, I agree wholeheartedly that adjustments must be made to rectify certain failures in play, as you stated earlier. Change special team tactics, identify where the breakdowns are and make adjustments accordingly.

With this team it's the 3rd period and OT, and at this point of an 82 game season, the coach and players expect adjustments to improve the teams fortunes.

With all the disappointment of the fans, what do you think the coaches are experiencing, although they also realize they have 63 games remaining....tempered expectations.

Lefty I never had the talent to play at a high level, but I have coached my soccer team to the national finals, I have 3 NCCP certificates that allowed me to coach at that level, and both of my kids played provincial level soccer and I can say with absolute certainty that you coach with your strengths in mind....win or lose.

BUT having said that, I agree wholeheartedly that adjustments must be made to rectify certain failures in play, as you stated earlier. Change special team tactics, identify where the breakdowns are and make adjustments accordingly.

With this team it's the 3rd period and OT, and at this point of an 82 game season, the coach and players expect adjustments to improve the teams fortunes.

With all the disappointment of the fans, what do you think the coaches are experiencing, although they also realize they have 63 games remaining....tempered expectations.
- Makita

... 3 NCCP Certif....national fina------ Dad? Is that you?