Hamonic would go a long ways on our rebuild.
The assets would be steep but a 25yr old highly proven D man
is worth the gamble.
We r between a rock n hard place with injuries without the depth
to help.
The severe lack of 25-27yr olds is the hardest task most teams face.
Our aging vets need a few to be moved on n the return won't help immediately.
Vrbata will be the key asset moved n i see D being a priority.
Hamhuis i see us getting picks/prospects.
Our young kids will be the future in 2-3yrs time our forwards should be fine.

We will pay the price of 2-3yrs like it or not in up to JB to shape the future.
I believe he will exercise good judgement n changes will come near the
TDL & in the offseason. 2 successful key deals r needed IMO

One hope is we continue our inconsistent play n a team in the playoff
hunt has a goalie go down freeing Miller to be moved.
Nothing against Miller or excited over what is left for us but it could be
the situation that helps us most going forward.

A lot hope n luck i present but i like this year to be a building year n
Forget the llayoff aspirations.
- Nighthawk

I don't see any of this happening, TL and JB are going to stick with this team until the end of the season. The simple fact is, while most of us on HB would support a team that sucks for the 4-5 years it would take to get us back to respectability/contention, most in Vancouver (that buy tickets) would enjoy a team that sells off it's assets and tries to sell a team full of youth that may or may not blossom into future stars.

Horvat, McCann, Virtanen, Demko, Hutton and Boeser might one day become those stars. Although I'd bet against it, of all of them Demko and McCann are the only ones currently who I see as having top end breakout talent as Virtanen looks like a project as most PFs are, Horvat seems a bit lost trying to take the next step, and Boeser hasn't played against NHL talent yet. We lack a real breakout star, whether it's a forward, defenseman or goalie and until we get that player, a rebuild is doomed to failure because we have no one to build around and sell tickets.

In the torts year, they were regularly playing 22+ mins a game. I think 19 mins a game is good.

Now that does not mean that I like a lot of what wd is doing line wise and line usage. Aside from the sedins, I think it's a dog's breakfast in personnel and their deployment.

I see wd as a filler coach. He will be at the helm until it hits rock bottom. Once they are on the upswing, a new coach will be needed. Is that next season or the nxt? Hmm, not sure.

It's obviously not a quick fix so I'm not very interested in quick fix answers (not that you are advocating them).
- RealityChecker

I doubt WD was brought in here to get the team back to the cup final as well. With his success in Med Hat and Texas with the youth I truly think JB and Linden think he can bring the kids along. IMO if that sputters after TDL and into the first half of next season they will look at a coaching change. WD is here for awhile people need to get used to that fact.

STP had a couple great songs, but that was it for me. They werent near the level of Nirvana, Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, and a few others.
- Scooby_Doo

Really? I thought STP's first two records could hold their own vs anything from the time. A little downswing after that but especially CORE...there is not a dog on that album good new sound for the time and wasn't too radio rocky but still successful.

I love Cobain but always thought Nirvana's status was elevated due to Cobains untimely death. Impactful band more so than most because of it but out of all the bands you mention I would have to say the RHCP and Pearl Jam had the most consistent run of records/tunes. Pearl Jam and RHCP are still holding their own today...which is impressive.

Really? I thought STP's first two records could hold their own vs anything from the time. A little downswing after that but especially CORE...there is not a dog on that album good new sound for the time and wasn't too radio rocky but still successful.

I love Cobain but always thought Nirvana's status was elevated due to Cobains untimely death. Impactful band more so than most because of it but out of all the bands you mention I would have to say the RHCP and Pearl Jam had the most consistent run of records/tunes. Pearl Jam and RHCP are still holding their own today...which is impressive.
- LordHumungous

The Red Hot Chili Peppers started putting out bubble-gum pop about 20 years ago and have been lame balladeers since then.

You all are talking grunge but haven't mentioned what I considered the best out of that bunch, Jane's Addiction. I guess music types wouldn't consider them grunge...

Edit: Kettle Whistle is one of my fav albums.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers started putting out bubble-gum pop about 20 years ago and have been lame balladeers since then.
- Marwood

Sure their radio ballads have been a bit stale but I did enjoy the non-radio tracks on Stadium Arcadium and their last record I'm With You. Once you get past the radio stuff it's still solid music IMO.

You all are talking grunge but haven't mentioned what I considered the best out of that bunch, Jane's Addiction. I guess music types wouldn't consider them grunge...

Edit: Kettle Whistle is one of my fav albums.
- bloatedmosquito

Love Janes Addiction even their last few 'Strays' and 'Great Escape Artist' have been real real good.

I don't see any of this happening, TL and JB are going to stick with this team until the end of the season. The simple fact is, while most of us on HB would support a team that sucks for the 4-5 years it would take to get us back to respectability/contention, most in Vancouver (that buy tickets) would enjoy a team that sells off it's assets and tries to sell a team full of youth that may or may not blossom into future stars.

Horvat, McCann, Virtanen, Demko, Hutton and Boeser might one day become those stars. Although I'd bet against it, of all of them Demko and McCann are the only ones currently who I see as having top end breakout talent as Virtanen looks like a project as most PFs are, Horvat seems a bit lost trying to take the next step, and Boeser hasn't played against NHL talent yet. We lack a real breakout star, whether it's a forward, defenseman or goalie and until we get that player, a rebuild is doomed to failure because we have no one to build around and sell tickets.
- DariusKnight

Well said and we do need a Bure style breakout star real tough to say who that will be. I truly think that we will not be contending seriously again until Demko is developed but I could be wrong.

If ownership and MNGT truly want a playoff push this year JB will have to make some kind of move for secondary scoring and shoring up the D. But GM's are so handcuffed in making big deals nowadays you are most likely correct that they are going to stay the course with what they have and hope that everyone comes back healthy.

Love Janes Addiction even their last few 'Strays' and 'Great Escape Artist' have been real real good.
- LordHumungous

I agree. Love their stuff. JA’s music translates really well from the studio to the stage. Plus I love the intoxicated, rambling, fully committed to the music lead singer act that Farrell used to deliver.

But hard to categorize their music. I consider them grunge but probably fit within that alternate rock category.

4-1 Boston tonight.

4-1 Boston tonight.
- Marwood

Take that poop to a hackey forum. Wez talkin music.

I don't see any of this happening, TL and JB are going to stick with this team until the end of the season. The simple fact is, while most of us on HB would support a team that sucks for the 4-5 years it would take to get us back to respectability/contention, most in Vancouver (that buy tickets) would enjoy a team that sells off it's assets and tries to sell a team full of youth that may or may not blossom into future stars.

Horvat, McCann, Virtanen, Demko, Hutton and Boeser might one day become those stars. Although I'd bet against it, of all of them Demko and McCann are the only ones currently who I see as having top end breakout talent as Virtanen looks like a project as most PFs are, Horvat seems a bit lost trying to take the next step, and Boeser hasn't played against NHL talent yet. We lack a real breakout star, whether it's a forward, defenseman or goalie and until we get that player, a rebuild is doomed to failure because we have no one to build around and sell tickets.
- DariusKnight

I think most of us have stood behind a bad team since 2012 already. They have not been horrible but they were bad . Three playoff wins in those four years should end this debate of those that think we have been good.

It is hard to predict where Boeser and Demko as NHLers seeing they have not played a game of professional hockey yet, but all indications are looking up.

McCann has all indications pointing to second line centre , and Bo in his second year is slumping , so at this stage today I would have to say a 2/3 centre.

We have also Sutter who we have locked up for four years. I think he should be on the twins line seeing they become more defensively responsible . It lets them concentrate on putting the puck in the net and BS covering deep in their own zone.

Hutton I see in the very near future a top 4

JV I see as a third line banger. Once he gets some backup I think he will replace Hansen who should be a third line winger.

I think Gaunce or a trained monkey could easily replace Higgins .

Grenier , don't know but I was impressed with his one game.

Shink or Sven take your pick

I don't see any of this happening, TL and JB are going to stick with this team until the end of the season. The simple fact is, while most of us on HB would support a team that sucks for the 4-5 years it would take to get us back to respectability/contention, most in Vancouver (that buy tickets) would enjoy a team that sells off it's assets and tries to sell a team full of youth that may or may not blossom into future stars.

Horvat, McCann, Virtanen, Demko, Hutton and Boeser might one day become those stars. Although I'd bet against it, of all of them Demko and McCann are the only ones currently who I see as having top end breakout talent as Virtanen looks like a project as most PFs are, Horvat seems a bit lost trying to take the next step, and Boeser hasn't played against NHL talent yet. We lack a real breakout star, whether it's a forward, defenseman or goalie and until we get that player, a rebuild is doomed to failure because we have no one to build around and sell tickets.
- DariusKnight

What does top-end breakout talent mean to you? Do you think you need a handful of Hall of Fame players to win a Cup? Because you don't, you need a few special players and a team of guys who contribute in several different ways.

LA won with Kopitar who's a great 200 foot center, he's hit 80 points once in his career, they won because of guys like Justin Williams, Jeff Carter, Jonathan Quick and Dustin Brown. None of those guys IMO are HHOF worthy.

Not to mention their defence outside of Doughty was just a bunch of really difficult to play against guys.

What does top-end breakout talent mean to you? Do you think you need a handful of Hall of Fame players to win a Cup? Because you don't, you need a few special players and a team of guys who contribute in several different ways.

LA won with Kopitar who's a great 200 foot center, he's hit 80 points once in his career, they won because of guys like Justin Williams, Jeff Carter, Jonathan Quick and Dustin Brown. None of those guys IMO are HHOF worthy.

Not to mention their defence outside of Doughty was just a bunch of really difficult to play against guys.
- LeftCoaster

I like JB so far. I think he doesn't leave any stone unturned. He goes about quietly building the bottom half of the team , and more publicly showing off the high end picks.

He definitely made the right move of getting JV over Ehlers as you wrote the other day about surrounding talented players.

Right now I think we have the perfect line up to go get Mathews . I know you and Belcher think they are a bubble team , but I don't see this lineup turning it around.. It could also get us a very high pick for three more years if we don't do anything drastic.

In the long run , even though these threads will be gong shows , the best plan may be to keep these expiring contracts . Well most of them anyways.

I like JB so far. I think he doesn't leave any stone unturned. He goes about quietly building the bottom half of the team , and more publicly showing off the high end picks.

He definitely made the right move of getting JV over Ehlers as you wrote the other day about surrounding talented players.

Right now I think we have the perfect line up to go get Mathews . I know you and Belcher think they are a bubble team , but I don't see this lineup turning it around.. It could also get us a very high pick for three more years if we don't do anything drastic.

In the long run , even though these threads will be gong shows , the best plan may be to keep these expiring contracts . Well most of them anyways.
- VANTEL

Benning needs to continue to build on what's currently there is what I'm saying, the team can still be good in the future with some of the picks and players he's got already, but you won't' see that for five more years.

Benning needs to continue to build on what's currently there is what I'm saying, the team can still be good in the future with some of the picks and players he's got already, but you won't' see that for five more years.
- LeftCoaster

As long as it seems , it is what needs to be done.



But if you will excuse me I am going to still hope for a top five draft pick this year and next

As long as it seems , it is what needs to be done.



But if you will excuse me I am going to still hope for a top five draft pick this year and next
- VANTEL

If you are going to fail, there should be some reward.

As long as it seems , it is what needs to be done.



But if you will excuse me I am going to still hope for a top five draft pick this year and next
- VANTEL

If it happens it happens and the franchise will most likely be better off for it in the long term. That being said, the six guys he mentioned, Virtanen, McCann, Demko, Horvat, Hutton and Boeser can all have excellent careers and win Cups with the right mix of players.

If it happens it happens and the franchise will most likely be better off for it in the long term. That being said, the six guys he mentioned, Virtanen, McCann, Demko, Horvat, Hutton and Boeser can all have excellent careers and win Cups with the right mix of players.
- LeftCoaster

No doubt . That is where Edmonton failed there was no mix. Everything was centred around the top 6

If you are going to fail, there should be some reward.
- hillbillydeluxe

Everything always comes back to Sh1t or get off the pot

No doubt . That is where Edmonton failed there was no mix. Everything was centred around the top 6
- VANTEL

Edmonton is at fault for not making trades after the picks.

BPA is an okay way to draft, but only if you are able to turn that pick into a trade that gets you what you need. If you can't trade for what you need, then you draft it.

Edmonton is at fault for not making trades after the picks.

BPA is an okay way to draft, but only if you are able to turn that pick into a trade that gets you what you need. If you can't trade for what you need, then you draft it.
- hillbillydeluxe

If I was a GM I would be careful of what I would trade for RNH Yak or Eberle. I hope JB never gets in the mix for any of them . They have lost a lot of lustre IMO .

Chicago put Viktor Tikonov on waivers

If I was a GM I would be careful of what I would trade for RNH Yak or Eberle. I hope JB never gets in the mix for any of them . They have lost a lot of lustre IMO .
- VANTEL

Eberle seemed to be the most steady of the three you listed, in regards to production. Don't know what is happening to him this season. I knew Eberle wasn't big, but thought he was at least 6ft . Nuge and Yaks aren't very big either.

I can understand your hesitation, they are high picks, thought to have high end talent, but have yet to show high end production after 3 or 4 years in the league.

If we had RNH centring a line instead of McCann, how much further would we be ahead and for how long? so many areas need improvement.

Time, it all takes time, just make it interesting JB, and we can get through it. But players have to play with some heart.

Eberle seemed to be the most steady of the three you listed, in regards to production. Don't know what is happening to him this season. I knew Eberle wasn't big, but thought he was at least 6ft . Nuge and Yaks aren't very big either.

I can understand your hesitation, they are high picks, thought to have high end talent, but have yet to show high end production after 3 or 4 years in the league.

If we had RNH centring a line instead of McCann, how much further we would be ahead and for how long? so many areas need improvement.

Time, it all takes time, just make it interesting JB, and we can get through it. But players have to play with some heart.
- hillbillydeluxe

Even though RNH is ahead at this stage I would stay with MCCann. EDM would want an overpayment. If it was Ryan Johansen I wouldnt mind overpaying but RNH isn't a number one centre