I don't buy this. Look at the last 20 years and see what adding a true youg superstar to a loser roster can do for that franchise. One young superstar can change the culture of a club instantly. Stamkos, JT, Toews, etc. Now we have McDavid and Matthews.

If the canucks are lucky and get a 1st overall and are lucky again by winning the lottery when a superstar is available, it could change everything. Brand new culture. Brand new team focus.

It's worth a shot. This season is a perfect example.
- bloatedmosquito

Stamkos, Hedman, Connelly, Drouin.
Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook
JT, Okposo, Bailey, Nino, Strome. Reinhart.

One player does not make a club better in the least.
Most of those players are all top 10 picks after they got the number 1 pick.

Fluery, Malkin, Crosby, Staal

I don't buy this. Look at the last 20 years and see what adding a true young superstar to a loser roster can do for that franchise. One young superstar can change the culture of a club instantly. Stamkos, JT, Toews, etc. Now we have McDavid and Matthews.

If the canucks are lucky and get a 1st overall and are lucky again by winning the lottery when a superstar is available, it could change everything. Brand new culture. Brand new team focus.

It's worth a shot. This season is a perfect example.
- bloatedmosquito

You named three and you can probably add Kopitar.



Before Oilers added Hall nothing, Yakupov, nothing , RNH nothing. OV no cup , Stamkos no cup

Toews also had Hossa UFA

Hawks are about the only team that has done it mostly by drafting

I don't think that would satisfy the "traditional rebuildist"

I think you still need to try and put your best foot forward to ice a competitive NHL roster and signing FA doesn't cost you anything except real money, as long as those players aren't standing in the way of actual prospects who are ready for the show. Eriksson isn't in anyone's way right now. Maybe the term is too long, but that sounds like a tomorrow problem.
- 1970vintage

Well....I'm not trying to satisfy anyone, I'm just saying that's how I'd do it, I march to the beat of my own drum.

Two things, I think/believe Eriksson is standing in the way of Virtanen, and secondly, they could've used that money to acquire someone another team was looking to rid themselves of and getting a draft pick or prospect because of it. Just another way to look at it I guess.

With the Virtanen thing I'd like to see them feed him top six minutes for a prolonged period, like other kids like Ehlers have gotten. Ehlers didn't put up good numbers until the second half of the year but they stuck with him and let him grow....I like that!

fair enough, I've never felt they were on their way until now. They have a nice top six now, a mix of youth, talent, size and skill. The defence is coming along too, for the first time in a long time I see them taking no steps forward this year.
- LeftCoaster

They won't be drafting top 10 for the first time in 10 plus years. Made a lot more improvements after trading a bunch of their 1st overall picks. Drafting along you can't make up a team. Need some Free Agents and some trades.

They won't be drafting top 10 for the first time in 10 plus years. Made a lot more improvements after trading a bunch of their 1st overall picks. Drafting along you can't make up a team. Need some Free Agents and some trades.
- manvanfan

Yes of course, you can't JUST draft a team, but that's where the foundation usually lies.

Stamkos, Hedman, Connelly, Drouin.
Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook
JT, Okposo, Bailey, Nino, Strome. Reinhart.

One player does not make a club better in the least.
Most of those players are all top 10 picks after they got the number 1 pick.

Fluery, Malkin, Crosby, Staal
- manvanfan

Of course. I'm not saying it translates into immediate success but we are talking culture. The statement was putting rookies into a losing environment is terrible for development. People point at the oilers as their example. Then I would point to the red wings and Stevie Y.

It's the cornerstone to building a winning culture and hopfully a championship team.

Well....I'm not trying to satisfy anyone, I'm just saying that's how I'd do it, I march to the beat of my own drum.

Two things, I think/believe Eriksson is standing in the way of Virtanen, and secondly, they could've used that money to acquire someone another team was looking to rid themselves of and getting a draft pick or prospect because of it. Just another way to look at it I guess.

With the Virtanen thing I'd like to see them feed him top six minutes for a prolonged period, like other kids like Ehlers have gotten. Ehlers didn't put up good numbers until the second half of the year but they stuck with him and let him grow....I like that!
- LeftCoaster

It is easy to say draft high when it is not your money.

FA may be a fan but the Aquilini Family is also in it to make money.

With Vrbatas 30 goals Canucks made the playoffs ( extra revenue)

I can tell you one name in next years draft and I would be willing. To bet there is not more than 5 people in here who can tell you who the number two prospect is without looking it up.

Be careful what you wish for.

You named three and you can probably add Kopitar.

Before Oilers added Hall nothing, Yakupov, nothing , RNH nothing. OV no cup , Stamkos no cup

Toews also had Hossa UFA

Hawks are about the only team that has done it mostly by drafting
- VANTEL

Same as I said above. Rebuilding and changing the culture. It's a start. There will be bumps but if done correctly your chances of success increases drastically. Not to mention increasing the speed to achieve your ultimate goal.

Of course. I'm not saying it translates into immediate success but we are talking culture. The statement was putting rookies into a losing environment is terrible for development. People point at the oilers as their example. Then I would point to the red wings and Stevie Y.

It's the cornerstone to building a winning culture and hopfully a championship team.
- bloatedmosquito

We have drafted 3 top 10 picks in the last 4 years. When is it ?enough

Good morning,

It's game day!

And yes, the lines are the same.

What Willie might be thinking, some optimism heading into tonight's game, Comets line combos and could Ryan Miller replace injured Jonathan Quick in L.A.? All in the new blog...

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...-Calgary-Flames/194/79944

It is easy to say draft high when it is not your money.

FA may be a fan but the Aquilini Family is also in it to make money.

With Vrbatas 30 goals Canucks made the playoffs ( extra revenue)

I can tell you one name in next years draft and I would be willing. To bet there is not more than 5 people in here who can tell you who the number two prospect is without looking it up.

Be careful what you wish for.
- VANTEL

The Aquilini's are extremely short-sighted if that's how they view the business. Long term vision will bring success, which brings revenue.

We have drafted 3 top 10 picks in the last 4 years. When is it ?enough
- VANTEL

When you get it right, if Edmonton showed you anything it's not about how many times you pick, it's about who you pick.

We have drafted 3 top 10 picks in the last 4 years. When is it ?enough
- VANTEL

Different strengths in drafts. Sometimes a number 3 picks could be a 10 in a different draft. Unfortunately for Van's drafts when they drafted high, they probably got players that would have been lower in other drafts.

We have drafted 3 top 10 picks in the last 4 years. When is it ?enough
- VANTEL

I want the 1st overall damit. I want a (frank)ing cup. I'm sick and tired of watching bullpoop franchises winning cups while our team's ownership and managment group imploded season after season.

Then I will have had enough.

A losing culture does not help with development. Kids need to learn to win, and having leaders that have won will help with developing younger players.
- Kaynine

Chicago and Pittsburgh would disagree.

Not sure when that became the model or the only model to build with...
- kaptaan

Its not the model. Its just what we here from the Toronto Media.