[quote=belcherbd]
I know you said maybe Boeser but I might as well say maybe Goldobin for all that's worth.....before anyone jumps in, yes I believe Boeser will be better and is likely better now but 9 games or whatever it was don't mean much to me.

I have Horvat, Sedins, Eriksson, Tanev, Edler, Gagner, Baertschi, Sutter all better than Granlund, Stecher and Boeser.



well, we shall see. I think Granlund will be better than Baertchi and Boeser will be better than Eriksson or Sutter. Gagner, Horvat and Tanev are either in their prime or entering their prime so the argument that they will be older and slower isn't accurate.

[quote=belcherbd]

The Sedins will start out as the players everyone else needs to out produce. If that's accomplished by individual performance and coaching then it will have been a good development year.

do you really think that the majority of the people who will go to the exhibition games will really care about the quality of the play? let alone, be knowledgeable enough to recognize good play or star players?

this is a big league sports spectacle that features recognizable city names for the potential "fans."

showcasing the play on the ice is secondary to just showcasing the league from the media coverage of the "spectacle."
- RealityChecker

Its like the outdoor games for the casual fan. Regular/diehard fans understand its a money making scheme at the expense of quality hockey, casual ones still love it

Don't really give a poop about the team's performance. Only things that matter:

1) Continuing a proper rebuild

2) Cap/asset management

3) Prospect/young roster player development


Yes, we complain about the poop roster, but that's far from the biggest complaint. And no Benning/Linden supporter can defend some of the (frank) ups they've made in those 3 areas.
- Nucker101

I don't disagree. I want a more exciting product and I don't care about the standings either.

The Canucks and Kings are being sent because half of our citizens are Asian not because they are good teams. I agree with you though
- CanuckDon

This is the smartest thing you've said all thread

This is the smartest thing you've said all thread
- Redmile247

Personally, I think it's all a waste of time. I know China's massive population is intriguing for the NHL, but I just don't see the interest developing. China/Japan are more drawn to superstar individuals, which is why they buy a poop load NBA merch and watch NBA games. Obviously having Asian players helps too.

If the NFL wasn't already so powerful/rich, I think they'd be more invested in exploring the Chinese market as well and they have more individual marketability than the boring NHL personalities.

Not one poster has predicted playoffs but carry on. The most optomistic poster has predicted a 20th place finish. You negative nancies are too much sometimes
- CanuckDon

Thunda

Who do you have lower than the Canucks?
- Nucker101

I think Vegas NJ COL and DET should be bottom 5.

This is the smartest thing you've said all thread
- Redmile247

No, I fully agree with you. The fans will know LA/ Van and that's what matters
- CanuckDon

Yeah you guys got it. Time zone proximity and Asian populations are extra benefits for some synergy. I've heard from colleagues a lot of ex-pats are buying up tickets just to see live NHL hockey.

Thunda
- VANTEL

doens't count, he has been drunk since June

doens't count, he has been drunk since June
- CanuckDon

Lucky Bastard

- CanuckDon

Jays suck ....hockey is starting soon ...get used to it

Not one poster has predicted playoffs but carry on. The most optomistic poster has predicted a 20th place finish. You negative nancies are too much sometimes
- CanuckDon

I actually think this team is much better positioned to make playoffs than last year and would put money on that before getting 1OA.

I'm just busting your balls buddy.

I actually think this team is much better positioned to make playoffs than last year and would put money on that before getting 1OA.

I'm just busting your balls buddy.
- belcherbd

all good bud

[quote=CanuckDon]

Broken ass site....

I agree they are not getting older and worse. But disagree with the Stecher, Granlund, Boeser hype.

Don't really give a poop about the team's performance. Only things that matter:

1) Continuing a proper rebuild

2) Cap/asset management

3) Prospect/young roster player development


Yes, we complain about the poop roster, but that's far from the biggest complaint. And no Benning/Linden supporter can defend some of the (frank) ups they've made in those 3 areas.
- Nucker101

1&3 don't happen if the players on sh!t roster don't perform well enough in top roles so the prospects can be eased into NHL minutes.

I actually think this team is much better positioned to make playoffs than last year and would put money on that before getting 1OA.

I'm just busting your balls buddy.
- belcherbd

I'd rather put down money on last place than playoffs. But I'm guessing somewhere between 3rd-5th last. Mainly because I actually like MDZ and Gagner as players and also like Green's structured system.

Personally, I think it's all a waste of time. I know China's massive population is intriguing for the NHL, but I just don't see the interest developing. China/Japan are more drawn to superstar individuals, which is why they buy a poop load NBA merch and watch NBA games. Obviously having Asian players helps too.

If the NFL wasn't already so powerful/rich, I think they'd be more invested in exploring the Chinese market as well and they have more individual marketability than the boring NHL personalities.
- Nucker101

Yeah it doesn't really make sense at first glance, but when a market share is so huge and isn't being utilized it's simple math ....even a small percentage is huge dollars ...with the Olympics soon ...maybe a bit of a bargaining tool for the nhl too

[quote=belcherbd]


I think Hutton will take another step forward . Try him and Tanev . MDZ and EG as third pair

1&3 don't happen if the players on sh!t roster don't perform well enough in top roles so the prospects can be eased into NHL minutes.
- Nuck4U

Arizona has had a poop team and recently have been pretty patient with their top prospects so what's stopping the Canucks? And a proper rebuild is actually way easier to do when the team sucks since the fans/owner/media will be 100% on board with it and vets will be more likely to waive NTC's.

I'm not buying it.

I'd rather put down money on last place than playoffs. But I'm guessing somewhere between 3rd-5th last. Mainly because I actually like MDZ and Gagner as players and also like Green's structured system.
- Nucker101

Last place is the mayweather bet
Playoffs is the connor bet

One gives you something cool to cheer for and would pay out big
THe other is just the smarter bet

[quote=VANTEL]
I think Hutton will put up more points for sure, but his defensive game is still really lacking.

MDZ - Tanev is promising for sure, on paper they seem like a great match for each other.

Personally, I think it's all a waste of time. I know China's massive population is intriguing for the NHL, but I just don't see the interest developing. China/Japan are more drawn to superstar individuals, which is why they buy a poop load NBA merch and watch NBA games. Obviously having Asian players helps too.

If the NFL wasn't already so powerful/rich, I think they'd be more invested in exploring the Chinese market as well and they have more individual marketability than the boring NHL personalities.
- Nucker101

Hockey is growing in Asia. The Philippines just won the South East asia cup over Thailand and most of the team has spent time in Canada. The same interest is growing in China

Hockey is growing in Asia. The Philippines just won the South East asia cup over Thailand and most of the team has spent time in Canada. The same interest is growing in China
- VANTEL

I'm sure it is, I mean they have nowhere to go but up. But I'm more intrigued by having Euro teams in the NHL in the future. I see that as a more worthwhile investment as air travel/tech continues to improve over time. Euro fans are intense sports fans, the environment/enthusiasm/passion/money they'll bring to the NHL would be amazing.