Doesnt matter if he does or not, he'll still be brought up all the time long after he's gone
- WhiteLie

yes youre probably right there

yes youre probably right there
- SMBDragon

You are my #1 suspect to be the most guilty culprit

Bahahahahahahaha!

Sorry Dragon..that was funny.
- LordHumungous

read the signs about not feeding the trolls....

You are my #1 suspect to be the most guilty culprit
- WhiteLie

actually Id rather not, I just want him gone to forget about

Yes, this. The team is no good but big Willie has successfully developed horvat, Baer, gran, shink, tree, Hutton, stretch, etc.....
I don't see how anyone can say he's not a great development couch as he's proven that he is.
Its not his faulty he hasn't been given the horses to run. Plus were going too be drafting high for the next few years, why would we want an x and o couch when we're developing and losing.




- Pres.cup

I saw the winky but that is one way to spin it.

With every coach that I've seen with the franchise, there is always criticism about lines and deployment. the apparent inability to make changes to a game plan during a game and whatever system(s) is being used. playing favourites with certain players while not giving the same opportunities to others.


I don't mind if they fire WD at the end of the season, but unless some talent is injected into the lineup next season, I'm not expecting different results beyond the growth and development of our young players.

have you seen him play in person? Tippet is a rough little ba&tard. Lives around the net, not scared of the corners, plays in both ends. But his offensive IQ is instinctual. He's this years Tkachuk

As for Neal and a mean streak??? I don't know if one fight a season constitutes that a "mean streak"
- Brooks_Light

Gonna be interesting to see how how everyone's comparisons/rankings turn out to look after this draft. I don't see many similarities at all between these 2.

Neal is a dirty bastard, not Tippett.

That's why I don't agree with Vantel's assessment that it's gonna be a busy summer for them. They can't afford multiple moves unless they want to gut the future of the club that they've just spent three years building....it ain't happening.

Probably see a dman traded but that's about it. I can't see any picks being swapped, which Benning has all but confirmed.

They need another star player, the only place your gonna find those is drafting one. Then they'll start selling the Boeser Horvat etc young core to the public more heavily.
- LeftCoaster

For a first hopefully.

I didn't think Shore was a lock? I actually would have had Gaunce ahead of him seeing he creates more chances. He doesn't finnish but neither has Shore.

Canucks do have a wild card in MacEwen and yes he is an overage prospect but those that have watched him are very curious about his game at the pro level and say maybe there is a chance. He is big wide fast and hits very hard.

I expect Boeser and Molino to make the team next year from what I have seen ,and the rest are all maybes .

I do expect a very active summer from Canucks , you can't sell this crap but seeing the two anchors are still here I think the big turn around will be the following year.
- VANTEL

I had Shore listed in the C's part, but forgot to list him with Gaunce in the winger list, either both are 4th liners at best.

I've been watching some of MacEwen lately, he does look pretty decent, even for his age. Hopefully he's not Mallett 2.0

For a first hopefully.
- VanHockeyGuy

Doubt it. More likely that Benning explores a Hutton or Tanev for a top 6 forward type of trade.

Doubt it. More likely that Benning explores a Hutton or Tanev for a top 6 forward type of trade.
- Nucker101

Yes, this. The team is no good but big Willie has successfully developed horvat, Baer, gran, shink, tree, Hutton, stretch, etc.....
I don't see how anyone can say he's not a great development couch as he's proven that he is.
Its not his faulty he hasn't been given the horses to run. Plus were going too be drafting high for the next few years, why would we want an x and o couch when we're developing and losing.




- Pres.cup

Shore was a desperation signing cause they had no more guys to bring up. They don't want JV here. They want Comets to make playoffs as well. JB just trying anything and everything. Which is good to see. Maybe something he throws against the wall will stick.

MacEwen looks big and skilled. If anything the Comets look a lot better next year. Certainly not the Canucks.

I ran the simulator 29 times. Thats how long it took to get 1st overall

What we need to do is win a lottery where there are generational player involved. oh wait, never mind.

I guess theres always 2018 and Dahlin.
- storm88

This is a great point on why pure tanking to get the lowest seed for the lotto draft is an archaic method to rebuilding or getting competitive. Without a real generational player the motivation is even more absurd. How many years between Crosby and Macdavid? Yes it's a rarity.

But drafting is key in getting quality picks in all rounds. So building by keeping your draft picks and trying to get a few more is valid. So if that's called the draftist model then fine. It doesn't mean the team can't be entertaining or try to compete. Even trade for position. Or sign free agents that fit the team rebuild to fill holes. As long as they draft and develop then it's all good.

The difference between draftist and tanker could be it's not about being as bad as possible to finish as low as possible.

Doubt it. More likely that Benning explores a Edler or Tanev for a top 6 forward type of trade.
- Nucker101

- NorthNuck

Edler isn't going anywhere. He would have been gone by now if he was.

For manvanfan:

Our guy we discussed a couple months ago had a nice first round of playoff action. I hope we consider signing this kid.

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...s/pdisplay.php?pid=170225

Edler isn't going anywhere. He would have been gone by now if he was.
- Codes1087

Maybe. But his time is coming. If not this off season then next. JB is stripping away the last of the vets as he can see new players taking over.

Gonna be interesting to see how how everyone's comparisons/rankings turn out to look after this draft. I don't see many similarities at all between these 2.

Neal is a dirty bastard, not Tippett.
- Nucker101

Well if that Lawrence guy isn't full of sh!t (probably is) over at HF then your boy Necas will probably be our pick. I find it hard to believe that Benning would be so down on Mittelstad.

Maybe. But his time is coming. If not this off season then next. JB is stripping away the last of the vets as he can see new players taking over.
- Nuck4U

I think we see him playout his final 2 years after this year in Van. He would have been gone by now if they were able to. Tanev is more likely to go. His clause doesn't kick in until Sept.

On competition in camp. I wonder if the team going to China is who they have picked to start the season.

TL said they will have another team in Vancouver at the same time. I would guess that's made up of all the rookies and waiver exempt players. The ones bound for the Comets. This will be early on. So it might really be less of a real battle for spots later on.

The easy move is keep the guys who are not waiver expempt but servicable up to start the year and see how it goes. Wait for injuries or performance to waiver and bring in quality call ups.

Why it may only be OJ who is the new rookie to start the season if they don't want him back in junior.

I think we see him playout his final 2 years after this year in Van. He would have been gone by now if they were able to. Tanev is more likely to go. His clause doesn't kick in until Sept.
- Codes1087

I wouldn't be to concerned about Tanev's modified NTC, as it is an 8 team no trade clause, leaving 22 teams he could be traded to.

I think we see him playout his final 2 years after this year in Van. He would have been gone by now if they were able to. Tanev is more likely to go. His clause doesn't kick in until Sept.
- Codes1087

Yes agree. Odds are on last contract year trade for Edler..

Doubt it. More likely that Benning explores a Hutton or Tanev for a top 6 forward type of trade.
- Nucker101

That would surprise the hell out of me. I don't think they go that balls deep in this rebuild, or at least not that quickly.

I wouldn't be to concerned about Tanev's modified NTC, as it is an 8 team no trade clause, leaving 22 teams he could be traded to.
- Reubenkincade

Not concerned about Tanev at all. I would assume there are 25 teams that would happily make room for a D-man like Tanev.

Edler isn't going anywhere. He would have been gone by now if he was.
- Codes1087

He sticks around as long as the twins are here. Edler's like the retarded third brother. Have you ever seen Edler speak live? Have you ever seen him do a in-between period interview on HNIC? Ever?

I guess there's a really weird dynamic with him being sheltered from the public and media by veteran players.

Doubt it. More likely that Benning explores a Hutton or Tanev for a top 9 forward type of trade.
- Nucker101

fixed