I know this has grown old with a lot of posters, but apart from picks, what did Jim Benning have to work with in order to make trades? No one wanted our shriveled scraps, so all JB had to work with was picks. Sven, IMO, was worth the 2nd. Linden Vey was a gamble, but at the time seemed worth it, and I don't really care for the 2nd that was added in for EG but whatever. I know JB gets a ton of heat for 2nd round picks, but damn what else does he have to work with if he doesn't ship out our prize prospects? I think he should take a little less (not zero) heat for dealing those.
- Codes1087

I was fine with it. He moved a handful of non 1st rounders and got hits and misses on a couple of the trades. It served it's purpose. That strategy is not needed now. JB has said as much in his interviews this season. Of course, there's always the chance of a trade for a prospect or very young player being acquired if it fits the direction of this team. The days of gambling on Vey types are done I think. We now have our own prospects to work into the line up and are college/pro age.

Bieksa said two years ago "We don't need no coach coming in here and telling this veteran group how to play"

Country Club 101
- VANTEL

You'd be saying the same thing if you'd just spent the season playing for Torts.

F&*king Sedins blocking shots and killing penalties - unreal levels of stupidity.

Plenty of quality will emerge from this draft.
I think the argument around it being 'weak' is that there is no standout, generational type player that would make a fan base and management consider an actual tank in the hopes of acquiring.
- dbot

That's true, but it's irrelevant. Toews was not considered this type of generational player, pretty sure Chicago is pretty glad no one else thought so and picked him at 3. In fact, this was another 'weak draft' which just happens to have 4 HOFers in it. 3 of which were picked (surprise, surprise) in the top-5.

edit. this is not a response directed at you, but the logic of 'weak draft' you put forth.

i was thinking we could implement a new law, where you must state your status in the lil info window under your name.
Would make things easier
- dbot

Here is a wild and crazy theory. Aquilini was hiring a new GM/ President and he instructed them he wanted another run at a cup with the Sedin's. Benning and Linden said they would "retool" on the fly to get the job. They probably knew the teams window was closed so they traded a few seconds to add young depth scoring while keeping the best young prospects and first round picks.

It didn't work(although they made the playoffs in year 1), and now they have convinced Aquilini that they need a rebuild. A "competitive" rebuild. A shot at the playoffs, add picks when the opportunity arises and no rentals under any circumstances.
- CanuckDon

I agree, that is mostly likely exactly what occurred.

I believe that Season Ticket Holders are immune to both 'limits' and 'restrictions'.
- Marwood

I hadn't thought of that, but thanks for reminding me, you're a wise one

this bertuzzi statement is exactly what I am talking about. Sometimes it bites you in the ass yes, but sometimes it works out and this is a perfect example. Trade them for max value, before they start to diminish.
- Codes1087

The sad thing is, I dont think they wouldve done it if it wasnt for the lawsuits

Bieksa said two years ago "We don't need no coach coming in here and telling this veteran group how to play"

Country Club 101
- VANTEL

Where is Bieksa now

I am not disagreeing that we have seen a shake up. Our average player age now as opposed to 3 or 4 years ago makes it clearly evident. BUT, we can change our player age average from 34 to 26, that doesn't automatically translate into success (proven now). We are very much deprived of talent (apart from Horvat, and some other young guns), all the way from our current roster, down to the AHL team, down to our prospects. Don't get me wrong, Boeser/Olli/Gaudette/Lockwood/Virtanen are all decent chips, but we need more. Anyone who is satisfied with this roster, or the players we have signed in our system, does not know hockey very well.
- Codes1087

I agree.

I walk to the beat of my own drum....son
- LeftCoaster

Bullpoop. You and Nucker share this account now. Don't you deny it!

I got no problem with an even keel approach to a long season.
The Sedin's have shown plenty of joy/passion when the moment calls for it.
I like their approach.

That may or may not make me a lemming. I haven't been informed yet what my status is yet.
- dbot

I agree, over a long season. I haven't questioned it to date, but there have been moments or stretches where its been rock bottom and others would have said something beside "we played good"

I dont think I have been labelled either

That's true, but it's irrelevant. Toews was not considered this type of generational player, pretty sure Chicago is pretty glad no one else thought so and picked him at 3. In fact, this was another 'weak draft' which just happens to have 4 HOFers in it. 3 of which were picked (surprise, surprise) in the top-5.
- neem55

I thought Toews draft year was considered top heavy.
i could be wrong.

Again, not disagreeing that talent won't emerge from this draft year, just that it appears even more of a gamble than a draft with clear cut, can't miss assets.

JB already said that in latest interviews. The point of contention is that he's not all in on moving everyone out for picks. He's trying to balance development by remaining somewhat competitive. The belief here is that young guys develop better habits when playing in meaningful games. Plus the mentor roles.
- Nuck4U

Possibly, but I think as recent as signing Eriksson, this group thought they were doing more than just bringing guys as mentors.

JB isn't difficult to read and when he says he thinks the team has assembled is a playoff team, I believe him. I also think that anyone who is trying to make the playoffs believes they have a chance even if it is a small one, to be able to go on a run.

Bieksa said two years ago "We don't need no coach coming in here and telling this veteran group how to play"

Country Club 101
- VANTEL

I agree, over a long season. I haven't questioned it to date, but there have been moments or stretches where its been rock bottom and others would have said something beside "we played good"

I dont think I have been labelled either
- WhiteLie

What is said to the media, or displayed on the bench with grumpy faces/smashing sticks may not be the whole story.

I have to think that behind closed doors...things might be different.

Sure, he says their mindset has been "We're gonna get to the playoffs. We're gonna try to do that every night."

How does not getting a shot on goal for half a game against the worst team in the league not stir something in them? Or when they went winless in 9 games? Is that what a playoff team does or are they ok with missing it?

Dallas is a team that expected to be a playoff team and a cup contender. They are tied with Vancouver and this is how their captain reacted during a bad game:



Some will call it a tantrum or whatever, but I dont remember the last time I saw the Canucks frustrated with how they have played and there have been some embarrassingly bad moments
- WhiteLie

If you condone that as leadership then that's a poor example of what to do. As for game play they have been in almost all of them. Only a couple back to backs where they were drained of energy. WD didn't choose to add in players sitting out for boost. So don't know maybe it's a personality thing for you on players displaying emotions. Either way this is way off from being Country Club and where this discussion started.

Bieksa said two years ago "We don't need no coach coming in here and telling this veteran group how to play"

Country Club 101
- VANTEL

Come on Trump, no alternative facts.

“I don’t think we need somebody to come in and crack the whip,” defenceman Kevin Bieksa said Thursday.

“We can work together toward a common goal. I still believe in this team and that the core can win and that we’re young enough to win. We’re more mature and even-keeled, and maybe (coach’s rants) is appropriate on rare occasions, but every coach has his own strategy and opinions on how they should act.

“We’ve grown up a lot together and we’re accountable. I think we can handle that stuff internally with the players.”

Bullpoop. You and Nucker share this account now. Don't you deny it!

- boonerbuck

no....but you can readily find him in the VFZ.

Come on Trump, no alternative facts.
- belcherbd

See

I thought Toews draft year was considered top heavy.
i could be wrong.

Again, not disagreeing that talent won't emerge from this draft year, just that it appears even more of a gamble than a draft with clear cut, can't miss assets.
- dbot

So we should tank next year but not this year ??!? Just seems so silly to pick and choose. I don't get it, won't get it anytime soon. You need high picks in every round to make them more valuable as either picks or trade chips. Period. We need so many positions filled. Period.

Sure, he says their mindset has been "We're gonna get to the playoffs. We're gonna try to do that every night."

How does not getting a shot on goal for half a game against the worst team in the league not stir something in them? Or when they went winless in 9 games? Is that what a playoff team does or are they ok with missing it?

Dallas is a team that expected to be a playoff team and a cup contender. They are tied with Vancouver and this is how their captain reacted during a bad game:



Some will call it a tantrum or whatever, but I dont remember the last time I saw the Canucks frustrated with how they have played and there have been some embarrassingly bad moments
- WhiteLie

Even though I've been disappointed with his overall play, I have seen E.G get pretty dam emotional, both in the wins and losses

I just realized that as of saturday(?) we are going to start seeing a lot of weak goals for awhile as goalies will need to adjust to new pads.

So we should tank next year but not this year ??!? Just seems so silly to pick and choose. I don't get it, won't get it anytime soon. You need high picks in every round to make them more valuable as either picks or trade chips. Period. We need so many positions filled. Period.
- neem55

Don't ask me. I am firmly against tanking any year.
See my status that i recently updated
<---------------------

Come on Trump, no alternative facts.
- belcherbd

that pretty much looked like the PC version of what Vantel said to me.

Come on Trump, no alternative facts.
- belcherbd