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
- VANTEL

I see him as 2nd line Lucic style without the attitude. He has a very strong power game, just needs the confidence to do it more often. His first NHL goal was a beauty.

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

So if we take Matthews(provided we get 1st overall) which player are we trading for defense? This next draft needs to address our lack of high end defensive depth. Aside from Hutton and Tanev(and edler i guess) we only have 5/6/7 dmen on the team and coming up unless someone really surprises and reaches that next step at a young age(looking at Brisbois or Neil)

So if we take Matthews(provided we get 1st overall) which player are we trading for defense? This next draft needs to address our lack of high end defensive depth. Aside from Hutton and Tanev(and edler i guess) we only have 5/6/7 dmen on the team and coming up unless someone really surprises and reaches that next step at a young age(looking at Brisbois or Neil)
- Retinalz

After the first/second round, draft all defensemen that's where the best ones come from.

So if we take Matthews(provided we get 1st overall) which player are we trading for defense? This next draft needs to address our lack of high end defensive depth. Aside from Hutton and Tanev(and edler i guess) we only have 5/6/7 dmen on the team and coming up unless someone really surprises and reaches that next step at a young age(looking at Brisbois or Neil)
- Retinalz

I dont know if we will get Mathews but we will get a high end draft pick. There are some good UFA Dmen this year and we should have some cap space. I don't see them giving Vrbata or Hamhuis a new contract that frees up 9 mil to get a Dman

I do hope we part ways with Edler also via trade.

So if we take Matthews(provided we get 1st overall) which player are we trading for defense? This next draft needs to address our lack of high end defensive depth. Aside from Hutton and Tanev(and edler i guess) we only have 5/6/7 dmen on the team and coming up unless someone really surprises and reaches that next step at a young age(looking at Brisbois or Neil)
- Retinalz

If we were to land Matthews, then you have to look at McCann, Horvat, Sutter, or Cassels as possible trading chips to land a good d prospect.

I like McCann and Horvat, still curious to see what Cassels can do but if we were to acquire a high end centre, then at least one of those guys is expendable. Not sure if any could play the wing and move someone else...

No use having depth in one area and nothing in another.

I dont know if we will get Mathews but we will get a high end draft pick. There are some good UFA Dmen this year and we should have some cap space. I don't see them giving Vrbata or Hamhuis a new contract that frees up 9 mil to get a Dman

I do hope we part ways with Edler also via trade.
- VANTEL

This is going to be an interesting TDL and summer for Jim Benning, in that he needs to pick a direction for the team. Re-signing guys like Vrbata and Hamhuis is a complete non-starter if you ask me, that's a step backwards!!!

This is going to be an interesting TDL and summer for Jim Benning, in that he needs to pick a direction for the team. Re-signing guys like Vrbata and Hamhuis is a complete non-starter if you ask me, that's a step backwards!!!
- LeftCoaster

Yup.

This is going to be an interesting TDL and summer for Jim Benning, in that he needs to pick a direction for the team. Re-signing guys like Vrbata and Hamhuis is a complete non-starter if you ask me, that's a step backwards!!!
- LeftCoaster

100%

If we were to land Matthews, then you have to look at McCann, Horvat, Sutter, or Cassels as possible trading chips to land a good d prospect.

I like McCann and Horvat, still curious to see what Cassels can do but if we were to acquire a high end centre, then at least one of those guys is expendable. Not sure if any could play the wing and move someone else...

No use having depth in one area and nothing in another.
- hillbillydeluxe

Cassels has one assist and zero goals in 15 AHL games this year, he has zero value!!!

This is going to be an interesting TDL and summer for Jim Benning, in that he needs to pick a direction for the team. Re-signing guys like Vrbata and Hamhuis is a complete non-starter if you ask me, that's a step backwards!!!
- LeftCoaster

What's your take on Re-signing Weber Prust Bartowski Cracknell and Biega

#Canucks Desjardins confirms Markstrom starts/Higgins an option/expects Prust/Sbisa to play vs BOS #TSN1040

What's your take on Re-signing Weber Prust Bartowski Cracknell and Biega
- VANTEL

Only Bartkowski and Biega.

Only Bartkowski and Biega.
- LeftCoaster

Same here.

Only Bartkowski and Biega.
- LeftCoaster

And maybe Prust. See how he finishes this season.

#Canucks Brock Boeser is 3rd in SOG/GP and 6th in PPG for NCAA drafted freshman

And maybe Prust. See how he finishes this season.
- Marwood

IMO I'd like to see a younger faster player in his spot.

IMO I'd like to see a younger faster player in his spot.
- LeftCoaster

And bigger.

I dont know if we will get Mathews but we will get a high end draft pick. There are some good UFA Dmen this year and we should have some cap space. I don't see them giving Vrbata or Hamhuis a new contract that frees up 9 mil to get a Dman

I do hope we part ways with Edler also via trade.
- VANTEL

I'm pretty sure we had this exact same conversation this time last year, and I will say it again. The Canucks are more likely to a playoff spot than a top5 pick.

Top 5 pick would be great but I don't think it's possible, so I hope we push for the playoffs and if we get in its more experience for our young players. Prior to 2011 this team lost in the playoffs badly sometimes but it gave that group experience.

#Canucks Desjardins confirms Markstrom starts/Higgins an option/expects Prust/Sbisa to play vs BOS #TSN1040
- LeftCoaster

I was hoping Hutton would be back..

I dont know if we will get Mathews but we will get a high end draft pick. There are some good UFA Dmen this year and we should have some cap space. I don't see them giving Vrbata or Hamhuis a new contract that frees up 9 mil to get a Dman

I do hope we part ways with Edler also via trade.
- VANTEL

Edler via trade, sign Yandle

Hutton-Hamonic
Yandle-Tanev
Sbisa-?

I'm pretty sure we had this exact same conversation this time last year, and I will say it again. The Canucks are more likely to a playoff spot than a top5 pick.

Top 5 pick would be great but I don't think it's possible, so I hope we push for the playoffs and if we get in its more experience for our young players. Prior to 2011 this team lost in the playoffs badly sometimes but it gave that group experience.
- belcherbd

Again 9 wins 18 losses is favouring me . Vrbata scored 30 last year and I hate saying Boninos 17 got us a few more wins . We were two losses away last year from drafting where Calgary drafted in 13 th . I don't think that is going to repeat itself.

Cassels has one assist and zero goals in 15 AHL games this year, he has zero value!!!
- LeftCoaster

He is a prospect, coming off injury and wear & tear from the Memorial Cup run, not sure how much training and work he got in this past summer. He has some value.

And we aren't drafting Matthews today, maybe Cassels will be looking a little better by the end of the season?

We could also trade McCann or Horvat if we draft a future #1 centre.

He is a prospect, coming off injury and wear & tear from the Memorial Cup run, not sure how much training and work he got in this past summer. He has some value.

And we aren't drafting Matthews today, maybe Cassels will be looking a little better by the end of the season?
- hillbillydeluxe

I hope so because I was really hopeful with that pick.

I think both Hutton and Higgins are back in tonight, as well as Prust & Hamhuis, with Markstrom starting.

Here's the new blog:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...uins-Panic-Mode/194/73030

Drafting D is a priority.
All our Centres can move to the wing no probs.
Move out any Vets other than the Sedins Tanev Dorsett Hansen n Sbisa.
The kids r fine n Bo needs time n steady wingers.