They're the vets you need around, as you just stated above, they keep the team from becoming the Oilers.

The only run you're gonna see is with new blood years down the road though.
- LeftCoaster

No .

You got Ryan Suter playing rw on our first line and Stamkos getting paid $14m to centre our third line. Nice work pal, you're so good at this.
- Scooby_Doo

Well I guess we trade Sutter for Suter and move him to the wing.
First. Third. Really what is the difference. In that lineup they'd all get 18 minutes and the 4rth would get 6.

Are you finished tanking yet.

Well I guess we trade Sutter for Suter and move him to the wing.
First. Third. Really what is the difference. In that lineup they'd all get 18 minutes and the 4rth would get 6.

Are you finished tanking yet.

- Pres.cup

Bear with me, but on a separate topic, I sense a disconcerting pattern here when it comes to injuries and day to day player management (the Canucks have seemingly been in the top tier of teams who have missed a lot of man-games due to injury over the last few years). I'm wondering if there is something that the training/development staff could be doing better to avoid losing players to injury. Perhaps a different training regime or more minimalistic approach is needed? as obviously there is something going on when we are consistently running into a lot of man-games lost. Who actually oversees these type of dynamics and day to day game-shape metrics?. Thoughts?
- Zogg

This is a topic I plan to dig into once the season is over and I have six months of blogs to fill before the team gets back on the ice again.

The Canucks did a big overhaul of their medical and training staff last summer, around the same time as the scouting and management changes.

Injuries happen, sure. What I've mostly wondered about this season is injury management. Has this group done the best possible job - or even as good a job as the old regime - at getting players back on the ice as quickly and effectively as possible?

Hamhuis' recovery was absolutely phenomenal considering what he went through.

But off the top of my head, I feel like a lot of time was wasted on Brandon Sutter's sports hernia, and the "setback" for Jannik Hansen this week is also a bit worrisome.

Christ!

Imagine that D lineup right now without Hamhuis.
Don't know if I should be happy or sad that he stuck around lol.
- Whiskey-Tango

I am torn on that too. Really though. I just wish he was a bit more physical, once in a while, he pulls out the hip check, but doesn't make many hits on the boards in the corners or behind the net to break up the cycle. And that is the same challenge with all our top dmen- Edler, Tanev and Him, and now Hutton who will likely end up a second pairing dman but isn't the most physical.

The same challenge exists with Bartkowski and Weber.

I like Hamhuis' demeanor, a settling influence, not panicky, but his play has been all over the map this season. Maybe battling through some injuries beyond the broken jaw and wearing the face shield since he has been back.

Curious to see what JB does this off season.

Canucks need better centers, elite centers, at least one, and they need defence, top pairing defence....they're a ways away from that!
- LeftCoaster

Agree. We have Hank. We need one of the kids to step upor add one while they develop or trade out for other needs. Eg Backes at the right term n price is a strong move n adds veteran depth. Our kids either shine or go to AHL. We lack veteran depth n can fill those a bit short term. The D is a whole other problem n will take the most time n effort to rebuild. We don't have the same assets to fix our D as we do for forwards. Its all about the retool MG left JB due to cup runs. Its only year 2 n painful at that but this season with injuries n cannot win at home was our doom. Next year is a brand new start n can only get better.

This is a topic I plan to dig into once the season is over and I have six months of blogs to fill before the team gets back on the ice again.

The Canucks did a big overhaul of their medical and training staff last summer, around the same time as the scouting and management changes.

Injuries happen, sure. What I've mostly wondered about this season is injury management. Has this group done the best possible job - or even as good a job as the old regime - at getting players back on the ice as quickly and effectively as possible?

Hamhuis' recovery was absolutely phenomenal considering what he went through.

But off the top of my head, I feel like a lot of time was wasted on Brandon Sutter's sports hernia, and the "setback" for Jannik Hansen this week is also a bit worrisome.
- Carol Schram

It's a lot easier to keep injured players out of the lineup when you're trying to tank/lose games. The Leafs have so many guys out that makes you wonder how injured they really are.

I bet most injured Canucks players would be in the lineup if we were in the playoffs.

Give stamkos whatever he wants.
Can't get elite centers. He isn't the answer but he is part.

Draft a good D Chychrun if we're lucky.
Trade JM plus for Hamonic

De is so god Damn important

Tanev Edler Hamonic Hutton is a nice top 4 plus Chychrun Pedan Tryamkin hanging around

And yes this is completely possible

Sedins stamkos Sutter Horvat Baer Virtanen Hansen and Boeser will make a decent top 9

It's a lot easier to keep injured players out of the lineup when you're trying to tank/lose games. The Leafs have so many guys out that makes you wonder how injured they really are.

I bet most injured Canucks players would be in the lineup if we were in the playoffs.
- Scooby_Doo

I quietly agree with this message.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming?

Draft matthews
Sign Stamkos.
Trade horvat and Edler for Shea Weber

Hold the fort and compete for the cup next year.

Give stamkos whatever he wants.
Can't get elite centers. He isn't the answer but he is part.
- I'm all for Stamkos👍

Draft a good D Chychrun if we're lucky.
- this is very possible n I'm down with that👍

Trade JM plus for Hamonic
- don't see us getting him sorry👎

De is so god Damn important
- our biggest problem that will take yeomans work to correct👍🏼

Tanev Edler Hamonic Hutton is a nice top 4 plus Chychrun Pedan Tryamkin hanging around

And yes this is completely possible

Sedins stamkos Sutter Horvat Baer Virtanen Hansen and Boeser will make a decent top 9
- The_Kuze

This is a topic I plan to dig into once the season is over and I have six months of blogs to fill before the team gets back on the ice again.

The Canucks did a big overhaul of their medical and training staff last summer, around the same time as the scouting and management changes.

Injuries happen, sure. What I've mostly wondered about this season is injury management. Has this group done the best possible job - or even as good a job as the old regime - at getting players back on the ice as quickly and effectively as possible?

Hamhuis' recovery was absolutely phenomenal considering what he went through.

But off the top of my head, I feel like a lot of time was wasted on Brandon Sutter's sports hernia, and the "setback" for Jannik Hansen this week is also a bit worrisome.
- Carol Schram

Thanks Carol, it would be an interesting analysis to be sure. Looking forward to your in-depth comments on what I think is one of those topics that doesn't seem to get too much press, but by the same token, I feel is a very important issue to address/discuss (obviously if you can't consistently ice a healthy line-up you are going to be constantly behind the eight ball). And I confess I can't remember when we had a full healthy line-up (except for a few games prior to Sutter re-injuring himself with the broken jaw)

If Van really is in rebuild then should be doing the same as the TML.
- manvanfan

Flagged many times...aggressively and angrily flagged

I won't go into a full roster listing because it pisses off Scooby ( maybe I will )

But if we did sign Backes I don't think this is a bottom 10 team

Sedin Sedin Sutter
JV Backes Hansen
Sven Bo Vey

I won't go into a full roster listing because it pisses off Scooby ( maybe I will )

But if we did sign Backes I don't think this is a bottom 10 team

Sedin Sedin Sutter
JV Backes Hansen
Sven Bo Vey
- VANTEL

Agree 100%👍🏼
Creating depth is Bo at 3C

Agree 100%👍🏼
- Nighthawk

Matt Martin on the fourth line could add some grit and he can score, like Maroon

I won't go into a full roster listing because it pisses off Scooby ( maybe I will )

But if we did sign Backes I don't think this is a bottom 10 team

Sedin Sedin Sutter
JV Backes Hansen
Sven Bo Vey
- VANTEL

Hansen is being traded at the draft for a first rounder. Likely Minnesota, Colorado, Dallas, Montreal, Boston or a few other teams.

Vey isn't coming back.

Hansen is being traded at the draft for a first rounder. Likely Minnesota, Colorado, Dallas, Montreal, Boston or a few other teams.

Vey isn't coming back.
- Scooby_Doo

Hansen I can see being traded.

Ask yourself this, why would they put Vey out on first PP unit, second line , and last minute of play ( empty net) , if their plan is to get rid of him. Why would they be grooming him in all the key situations instead of a player they intend to keep? That would be pretty dumb don't you think?

Hansen I can see being traded.

Ask yourself this, why would they put Vey out on first PP unit, second line , and last minute of play ( empty net) , if their plan is to get rid of him. Why would they be grooming him in all the key situations instead of a player they intend to keep? That would be pretty dumb don't you think?
- VANTEL

I don't mind Vey on the wing and as a special teams guy, but he was on the Canucks leaked available list.

I don't mind Vey on the wing and as a special teams guy, but he was on the Canucks leaked available list.
- LeftCoaster

Yup he was , Benning always said for the right price everyone is available

Bo as 3rd line center, where he should be, and Backes as 2nd line center has merit to it if they want to compete at all. Otherwise they'll finish last overall next year with Bo and Jared as their centers behind Henrik.

Yup he was , Benning always said for the right price everyone is available
- VANTEL

I don't see a market for Vey, but I don't begrudge Benning for taking a chance on him. I just think their mindset is different now than it was two years ago.

Hansen I can see being traded.

Ask yourself this, why would they put Vey out on first PP unit, second line , and last minute of play ( empty net) , if their plan is to get rid of him. Why would they be grooming him in all the key situations instead of a player they intend to keep? That would be pretty dumb don't you think?
- VANTEL

Willie is pretty dumb, and loyal to guys from junior.
Vey isn't and never will be that good.

I don't see a market for Vey, but I don't begrudge Benning for taking a chance on him. I just think their mindset is different now than it was two years ago.
- LeftCoaster

Can you do it? Huge lead and Nucker is getting hammered...

Matt Martin on the fourth line could add some grit and he can score, like Maroon
- VANTEL

I like M Martin tons n he is a big add👍

Can you do it? Huge lead and Nucker is getting hammered...
- Scooby_Doo

We'll see - offensive numbers are better this week but goaltending isn't?