I like Bryan Allen and Brendan Dillon another comparable that you called him. They are perfect for bottom pairing.

He is a better leader and is better skilled . He is not a bottom pairing Dman . He is great for a second pairing .
- VANTEL

Brendan Dillon is another good one, I like that kid too.

Better skilled? Not to date Gudbranson's not, Bryan Allen put up 17 points as a 5/6 guy for Vancouver in his third season (league was higher scoring though) and then put up 25 points in his fourth season with Florida as their 3/4 guy.

Gudbranson put up 13 points as a career high thus far, which isn't very good.

Ya I said I'm happy to have him considering his age and physicality. That's perfectly fine by me. Doesn't change the fact Bryan Allen was a decent dman. Unless you just don't like him because I thought he was ok lol?
- LeftCoaster

I would say Allen was more of a complimentary player - a very solid 5 or 6 d-man who would play with grit. He never struck me as being a key addition to any of the teams he's been on

Brendan Dillon is another good one, I like that kid too.

Better skilled? Not to date Gudbranson's not, Bryan Allen put up 17 points as a 5/6 guy for Vancouver in his third season (league was higher scoring though) and then put up 25 points in his fourth season with Florida as their 3/4 guy.

Gudbranson put up 13 points as a career high thus far, which isn't very good.
- LeftCoaster

Some additional offense would be great, but as long as we have a good solid denefseman who can hit, clear the net, and fight when need be, I will be very happy. I think Guldbranson can be that player - and who knows, perhaps his offense will also come as he gets a bit older

Some additional offense would be great, but as long as we have a good solid denefseman who can hit, clear the net, and fight when need be, I will be very happy. I think Guldbranson can be that player - and who knows, perhaps his offense will also come as he gets a bit older
- Zogg

You're posting on a regular basis. Nice to have you back, Zogg!

Brendan Dillon is another good one, I like that kid too.

Better skilled? Not to date Gudbranson's not, Bryan Allen put up 17 points as a 5/6 guy for Vancouver in his third season (league was higher scoring though) and then put up 25 points in his fourth season with Florida as their 3/4 guy.

Gudbranson put up 13 points as a career high thus far, which isn't very good.
- LeftCoaster

You went to the arena the other day and seen some of the future of the team.

I heard and read only high revues from others and you. The speed and skill of the team was something that stood out. You seen first hand of what a bang up job Benning is doing to fill needs. I even heard one writer say " Fianlly we have decent prospects"

There is a good core in the making. No flashy names , only a solid bunch of players .

Before I respond, I'll say this….I like having Gudbranson, he's a good second pairing guy.

That said, he's not "strong defensively"….YET, he's just ok. That's why the Panthers analytical guys wanted to trade him, his shot suppression numbers weren't very good. Although he had some of the toughest assignments in terms of level of competition. But I firmly believe he's about to become a better player, AND, he's only 24 years old!

Ed Jovanovski was a similar player but better of course. He could put up points, skate, hit, fight, you name it. He played from 99 to 06, so only ten years ago, not 30.

To date, Bryan Allen is a good comparable to Gudbranson.
- LeftCoaster

Bryan Allen is not a good comparable to EG. EG is a better skater and defender. Don't let bias get in the way. Sure, his shot suppression numbers weren't great but don't forget QOC and the fact he was playing half the season with an anchor in Mitchell. If a player is starting in the D zone the majority of his shifts and Patrick Kane is lining up across from him of course the opponent will get some shots. Are the shots coming from the slot or the perimeter? Why was he leading the Panthers in ice time in the playoffs if he wasn't a good defender? It certainly wasn't to provide offense. But sure, some nerd crunching numbers is more knowledgeable about hockey than the Panthers coaches

I would say Allen was more of a complimentary player - a very solid 5 or 6 d-man who would play with grit. He never struck me as being a key addition to any of the teams he's been on
- Zogg

I guess it depends on the depth of a team really. There's nothing glaring to separate the two at this point though. People just want Gud to be what he hasn't proven yet. Which is fine. I hope he becomes a better player.

You know what's crazy? Florida has 8 centres on NHL contracts, and only 6 wingers. And that's counting Mccann as a LW.

You went to the arena the other day and seen some of the future of the team.

I heard and read only high revues from others and you. The speed and skill of the team was something that stood out. You seen first hand of what a bang up job Benning is doing to fill needs. I even heard one writer say " Fianlly we have decent prospects"

There is a good core in the making. No flashy names , only a solid bunch of players .
- VANTEL

Hey man I've even saying all along I love Bennings drafting, he's doing an excellent job there. He's just gotta continue to assemble a great prospect pool and the team will unfold nicely in five or so years.

Bryan Allen is not a good comparable to EG. EG is a better skater and defender. Don't let bias get in the way. Sure, his shot suppression numbers weren't great but don't forget QOC and the fact he was playing half the season with an anchor in Mitchell. If a player is starting in the D zone the majority of his shifts and Patrick Kane is lining up across from him of course the opponent will get some shots. Are the shots coming from the slot or the perimeter? Why was he leading the Panthers in ice time in the playoffs if he wasn't a good defender? It certainly wasn't to provide offense. But sure, some nerd crunching numbers is more knowledgeable about hockey than the Panthers coaches
- CanuckDon

I think I qualified all the points you just made in your post if care to read back

I think I qualified all the points you just made in your post if care to read back
- LeftCoaster

And I countered your points regarding shot suppression...several times over

Hey man I've even saying all along I love Bennings drafting, he's doing an excellent job there. He's just gotta continue to assemble a great prospect pool and the team will unfold nicely in five or so years.
- LeftCoaster

It's more than drafting. Carcone D Aoust and Stecher never drafted. Benning is a lot more than a one trick pony

You're posting on a regular basis. Nice to have you back, Zogg!
- Marwood

Thanks Marwood - appreciate the love (now gimme some more cowbell )

It's more than drafting. Carcone D Aoust and Stecher never drafted. Benning is a lot more than a one trick pony
- VANTEL

He's ok, made some quality moves and some head scratchers too, not the best, not the worst.

I've always maintained drafting is the key to any successful franchise, and that this man can do. He had a large mess to clean up when he arrived. I would argue his drafting is already better, three drafts, than all the Gillis and Nonis years combined, considering Nonis admitted he stuck with Burkes list his first year as GM.

It's more than drafting. Carcone D Aoust and Stecher never drafted. Benning is a lot more than a one trick pony
- VANTEL

You're just naming people.

Afternoon gents

You're just naming people.

Afternoon gents
- walshyleafsfan

Now you see how it works.

I name undrafted players like Laplante Carcane Stecher and then Jim Goes out and signs them to 3 years contract.


See your many years of lurking in here is finally paying off

It's more than drafting. Carcone D Aoust and Stecher never drafted. Benning is a lot more than a one trick pony
- VANTEL

D'Aoust was never given a contract.
Carcone was probably only given a contract so Florida couldn't have the chance to sign him.

you right in saying that Crosby, malkin, Kessel and Letang are better than The Sedins and Edler

But come on after that, Kunitz, Cullen, Bonino and Hagelin??? Hows that any different or better than our team?

The D on paper looks atrocious - Daley, Dumoulin, Schultz??

The kids like Rust and Sheary were huge in the playoffs - who could've seen that coming?

and I don't know who Matt Murray is

No one saw this team winner a cup, no one
- Brooks_Light

Ok I'll admit that if you can trade the sedins and edler for Crosby, Malkin, and letang than you have a shot , also if you could somehow find a bonino that would help too



Maybe you could trade for a kessel too ...

D'Aoust was never given a contract.
Carcone was probably only given a contract so Florida couldn't have the chance to sign him.
- manvanfan

feckin JB rides again.


tuesdays

How do you know that?

Players like Burrows who was slow and ineffective last year have been training all summer to be faster and more productive. He swears he is coming back in first line shape.

Tanev who had a weak shot last year has hired a shooting coach .

JV has been training with the twins

Tryamkin was in the gym weeks ago traing on fitness.

The team knows their weaknesses and will be trying to fix them all summer so how can you say with 100 % certainty that I will be disappointed?
- VANTEL

All this may help them improve ...but how do you know if the shooting coach will help tanev or burrows in better shape is a guarantee ....I'm not one of those fans from other teams who thinks you guys are screwed for years to come but you have to be patient as if will probably be a few years before you can be where you think you are now

D'Aoust was never given a contract.
Carcone was probably only given a contract so Florida couldn't have the chance to sign him.
- manvanfan

DAoust is still a PTO but he had an impressive showing so far.

I don't think Benning just signs someone to spite another team.

feckin JB rides again.


tuesdays
- hillbillydeluxe

(frank)en Love Tuesdays. Is there any news on Pedan or Grenier? I'm guessing they are both looking for one way contracts. The news on Hudler coming to Van is off now? Hudler could play with Sven and Horvat and do the same he did with Jonny and Sean.

All this may help them improve ...but how do you know if the shooting coach will help tanev or burrows in better shape is a guarantee ....I'm not one of those fans from other teams who thinks you guys are screwed for years to come but you have to be patient as if will probably be a few years before you can be where you think you are now
- Redmile247

I guess if we finish in the PO we will find out who is right.

DAoust is still a PTO but he had an impressive showing so far.

I don't think Benning just signs someone to spite another team.
- VANTEL

I know I was kidding. Does he get an invite to D'Aoust get a tryout to prospect camp too?

Hi,

Here's the new blog, with words from Willie from a coaching conference last week, and a new breath of hope for a possible NHL franchise in Seattle...

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...o-Seattle-Alive/194/78244