Prefer Grenier or Shink as well, but Kenins and Bo played well together, so maybe he's just what's needed.

Our D was our biggest issues last year too, while Hutton was a nice surprise, Benning hasn't done anything to improve it other than asking a couple of bottom pairing guys (Bartkowski, Weber Sbisa) to play above their heads.

Add in that Hamhuis is playing his worst stretch of hockey in a long time.
- belcherbd

I am not sure what is up with Hamhuis, maybe he is feeling the pressure, contract year, team in transition- part of the future? where will he end up?

Not sure if McCann even got out there for the 3v3, would like to see him get more opportunity. Scoring has dried up along with team confidence.

our d is so mediocre.

Prefer Grenier or Shink as well, but Kenins and Bo played well together, so maybe he's just what's needed.
- bazz

That's what I was thinking: Maybe that Kennins call up is to get Bo going?

Part of the problem is I don't think the veterans trust the rookies all that much and are trying to play out of their comfort zones to protect them from having to take everything all at once. It doesn't help that our defense has more holes than swiss cheese that are big enough to drive a truck through.
- DariusKnight

Willie is driving me nuts with his trust issues. I get that he wants to ease the young guys in, but considering how horrible the vets like Hammer and Edler have been, why not give the young guys more ice in critical situations and let them make mistakes. The vets are. When they hired Willie I thought part of his appeal was that he was a recent junior coach who knew how to develop kids. He's coaching like an old dinosaur who hasn't seen a kid in 40 years.

Our D was our biggest issues last year too, while Hutton was a nice surprise, Benning hasn't done anything to improve it other than asking a couple of bottom pairing guys (Bartkowski, Weber Sbisa) to play above their heads.

Add in that Hamhuis is playing his worst stretch of hockey in a long time.
- belcherbd

It's becoming painfully obvious that Hammer will need to submit a list of 10 teams soon. This is most likely affecting his play as he must know it's coming.

Coming soon for Edler too. Sign of the times. With Sutter out for 6 weeks now JB may focus more on the top 3 lines of forwards rather than shoring up the D.

That's what I was thinking: Maybe that Kennins call up is to get Bo going?
- PetrolSexual

Good thinking Kenins and Bo had a bit of chemistry last year.

That's what I was thinking: Maybe that Kennins call up is to get Bo going?
- PetrolSexual

While this sort of thing happens from time to time ....if bo horvats needs ronalds kennins to get going then you should be worried about what bo really is

Willie is driving me nuts with his trust issues. I get that he wants to ease the young guys in, but considering how horrible the vets like Hammer and Edler have been, why not give the young guys more ice in critical situations and let them make mistakes. The vets are. When they hired Willie I thought part of his appeal was that he was a recent junior coach who knew how to develop kids. He's coaching like an old dinosaur who hasn't seen a kid in 40 years.
- bazz

The Canucks are not a one person problem, it's culture, do we want these kids learning in this culture?

Willie is driving me nuts with his trust issues. I get that he wants to ease the young guys in, but considering how horrible the vets like Hammer and Edler have been, why not give the young guys more ice in critical situations and let them make mistakes. The vets are. When they hired Willie I thought part of his appeal was that he was a recent junior coach who knew how to develop kids. He's coaching like an old dinosaur who hasn't seen a kid in 40 years.
- bazz

I would like to think that Linden and JB will be chatting with WD soon on this. I've given WD a massive leash but if the kids development sputters it's going to be heat time for WD. WD has proven that he can bring kids along in Med.Hat. and Texas but the NHL is a different beast altogether. See what the second half brings.

The Canucks are not a one person problem, it's culture, do we want these kids learning in this culture?
- A_SteamingLombardi

It's a good question. Frankly I think the sedins are the perfect guys for them to learn from, coming one win away from the grail is pretty dam good and they are true pro's and competitors. But I can see how others might not think so.

The Canucks are not a one person problem, it's culture, do we want these kids learning in this culture?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Great point and no...we don't. It has been touched on before here. If the ol Country Cub mentality is getting to the kids it needs to be stopped and stopped quickly.

Great point and no...we don't. It has been touched on before here. If the ol Country Cub mentality is getting to the kids it needs to be stopped and stopped quickly.
- LordHumungous

Who has and what is country club mentality?

Who has and what is country club mentality?
- neem55

EDLER

I would like to think that Linden and JB will be chatting with WD soon on this. I've given WD a massive leash but if the kids development sputters it's going to be heat time for WD. WD has proven that he can bring kids along in Med.Hat. and Texas but the NHL is a different beast altogether. See what the second half brings.
- LordHumungous

I want to see different forward lines at times when nothing is happening or we are just plain struggling... See the kids in different situations later in the game. McCann should have more jump late in games or 3v3, but he is being held back.

Beyond that, with our d corps, WD is very limited with the options available to him. JB has to provide him the players he needs.

Not sure the outcomes of these games would be any different with a different coach. The team was seen as a bubble team, if that, last season and again this season. Last season we were getting a few more bounces. this season, not so much.

EDLER
- A_SteamingLombardi

Hmm, seems to be a pretty competitive guy to me. Has logged more minutes than anyone else in the lineup. You guys like to sh=t on old Edler, the thing is you make one or two mistakes at this level and you get burned. When you play more than 25 minutes a night your likely to be the guy who gets burned. I like my d-men a lot more physical than him, no question, but he has been our best guy all year as (numbers don't lie, you can hate all you want) fewer goals get scored when he is on the ice than off it PERIOD.

I want to see different forward lines at times when nothing is happening or we are just plain struggling... See the kids in different situations later in the game. McCann should have more jump late in games or 3v3, but he is being held back.

Beyond that, with our d corps, WD is very limited with the options available to him. JB has to provide him the players he needs.

Not sure the outcomes of these games would be any different with a different coach. The team was seen as a bubble team, if that, last season and again this season. Last season we were getting a few more bounces. this season, not so much.
- hillbillydeluxe

This is accurate. #Chychrun

Hmm, seems to be a pretty competitive guy to me. Has logged more minutes than anyone else in the lineup. You guys like to sh=t on old Edler, the thing is you make one or two mistakes at this level and you get burned. When you play more than 25 minutes a night your likely to be the guy who gets burned. I like my d-men a lot more physical than him, no question, but he has been our best guy all year as (numbers don't lie, you can hate all you want) fewer goals get scored when he is on the ice than off it PERIOD.
- neem55

He isn't ideal for the top pairing, but he is effective.

who would you rather pick on?

He isn't ideal for the top pairing, but he is effective.

who would you rather pick on?
- hillbillydeluxe

haha, here's my list of underperformers:

Vrbata, BArt, Weber, Hammer( I love em, but not been good), Horvat (someone has to say it), the whole fourth line. Ultimetely I think I is good to hold onto Edler/Tanev, they are the only stablizing d pair we've got. I think they'd make a better 3/4 than 1/2 (al la Harmlsson/oduya shutdown type), but in the real world they are easily the best we have. #CHYCHRUN

I am not sure what is up with Hamhuis, maybe he is feeling the pressure, contract year, team in transition- part of the future? where will he end up?

Not sure if McCann even got out there for the 3v3, would like to see him get more opportunity. Scoring has dried up along with team confidence.

our d is so mediocre.
- hillbillydeluxe

Something is up with Hamhuis, i think he's playing injured or something.

This is accurate. #Chychrun
- neem55

I can understand the desire to win, to make the playoffs for the club, but by the execution we have seen, it makes it look like we are heading in the other direction.

If Sutter is going to be out until some time in January, we might just get that pick or at least be top 5 or so.

But if we are going to lose, I hope we see more of a turnover on the roster. It is one thing to lose, but to get beat up along the way, with little push back, I can't see that environment being very good for the kids. get rid of the pseudo skill guys and bring in more grinders.

I want to see different forward lines at times when nothing is happening or we are just plain struggling... See the kids in different situations later in the game. McCann should have more jump late in games or 3v3, but he is being held back.

Beyond that, with our d corps, WD is very limited with the options available to him. JB has to provide him the players he needs.

Not sure the outcomes of these games would be any different with a different coach. The team was seen as a bubble team, if that, last season and again this season. Last season we were getting a few more bounces. this season, not so much.
- hillbillydeluxe

3v3.
It's like we don't know what we're doing out there.
It reminds me of years ago when we sucked at the shootout and AV admitted that they didn't practice it???

Some strategy is clearly needed.
If not, i agree, send out the creative young guns.

I can understand the desire to win, to make the playoffs for the club, but by the execution we have seen, it makes it look like we are heading in the other direction.

If Sutter is going to be out until some time in January, we might just get that pick or at least be top 5 or so.

But if we are going to lose, I hope we see more of a turnover on the roster. It is one thing to lose, but to get beat up along the way, with little push back, I can't see that environment being very good for the kids. get rid of the pseudo skill guys and bring in more grinders.
- hillbillydeluxe

I think this type of play will position us to make some deadline moves. Vrbata, hansen, burrows, hammer, higgins all have exp some teams need. Maybe even Miller to a contender that has goalie trust issues (I hear Anahiem likes Vancouver players...)

haha, here's my list of underperformers:

Vrbata, BArt, Weber, Hammer( I love em, but not been good), Horvat (someone has to say it), the whole fourth line. Ultimetely I think I is good to hold onto Edler/Tanev, they are the only stablizing d pair we've got. I think they'd make a better 3/4 than 1/2 (al la Harmlsson/oduya shutdown type), but in the real world they are easily the best we have. #CHYCHRUN
- neem55

I think it's surprising Horvat has been given a pass by the haters.
The credit from that good rookie season will wear off at some point.

hahahahaha john scott leading in votes for all star game. Please make this happen.

I think this type of play will position us to make some deadline moves. Vrbata, hansen, burrows, hammer, higgins all have exp some teams need. Maybe even Miller to a contender that has goalie trust issues (I hear Anahiem likes Vancouver players...)
- neem55

But the value of all of the above players must be at an all time low (except for Hansen), which is a shame.