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

I very carefully said 1OA not last place.... But I think this team has actual NHL and AHL depth for the first time since the mid 2000's.

I'm not sure if MDZ will be good or not but definitely nice to have a couple guys who can potentially be top 4. I think Gagner will help a lot.

Goaltending though

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.
- Nucker101

AZ brought in some capable vets to take hard minutes to ease in prospects.

Canuck team sucking is a red herring. It's the new layer of vets replacing the older ones so they can provide cover for prospects. That's the rebuild development aspect that's needed. Otherwise, team is stuck in the cycle of failure with prospects floundering when exposed. Only savior or generational talent has turned that organ grinder around.

[quote=VANTEL]

I'm on board with those pairing as well. I also don't mind the idea of Edler Gudbranson and an offensive dou of Stecher MDZ.

Edit.

As much as I've poop on Gudbrandon, we need that trade to work out and I think he should be tested and given a quality linemate to see if he can sink or swim. We desperately need some size and snarl playing regular minutes.

I very carefully said 1OA not last place.... But I think this team has actual NHL and AHL depth for the first time since the mid 2000's.

I'm not sure if MDZ will be good or not but definitely nice to have a couple guys who can potentially be top 4. I think Gagner will help a lot.

Goaltending though
- belcherbd

This is why I think they will be bottom 3, pending a critical injury to someone like Cory Schneider or MAF (both of whom could keep their teams above VAN).

I really like Markstrom and hope he brings his AHL-MVP game this year, but I cant seem reasonably either goalie performing above average for 40+ games

[quote=belcherbd]




Yea we have to set these guys up to succeed not set them up to fail.

This is why I think they will be bottom 3, pending a critical injury to someone like Cory Schneider or MAF (both of whom could keep their teams above VAN).

I really like Markstrom and hope he brings his AHL-MVP game this year, but I cant seem reasonably either goalie performing above average for 40+ games
- WhiteLie

Him or Nilsson should be traded at TDL next year

[quote=belcherbd]
@ Belcher

I love your cloaking device!! Very cool!

We need more snarl throughout the line up. I hope this Ryan White PTO works out. I'm tired of watching this team get slapped around and then skate away as the rest of the team reacts by doing 'the mannequin'.

Booth to Det on PTO . Bye bye Vanek


Give Booth a couple of brownies and a couple cases of shotgun shells and he is on board

Him or Nilsson should be traded at TDL next year
- VANTEL

When Demko is ready for the NHL one of them will be traded. Two years is the cushion on the clock now.

When Demko is ready for the NHL one of them will be traded. Two years is the clock set.
- Nuck4U

Why? Back up goalies are a dime a dozen .Trade for a third and hire new back up next year

Why? Back up goalies are a dime a dozen .Trade for a third and hire new back up next year
- VANTEL

Why? Back up goalies are a dime a dozen .Trade for a third and hire new back up next year
- VANTEL

They don't know who will be a number one so it's a tandem until Demko comes in as a backup to start his NHL career. Then competes to earn #1.

[quote=belcherbd]
I guess I'm just not seeing the depth. What I see is a group of support/role players at this time of their careers being asked to form the core of the team while being surrounded with crappy/mediocre depth NHL'ers and youth that needs to be in the AHL or heavily sheltered.

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

the league still needs to keep its brand globably recognizable.

while, i agree, that in the short term this really is a waste of time, i still believe that the league needs to do these things.

you're not going to convert a lot of these foreign sports viewers but they still should be able to recognize the sport/league. without aggressive global marketing, the nhl will look amateurish (more than it already does) compared to the other big leagues.

this is in addition to actually converting new fans. even a fraction of a tiny percent of the population represents real revenue growth for the league.

They don't know who will be a number one so it's a tandem until Demko comes in as a backup to start his NHL career.
- Nuck4U

Who ever plays better next year keep , the other one trade. If numbers are similar trade the more expensive one, or the one that gets the better return

[quote=Marwood]

I don't what's going on....I blame Makita.

I have no problem with White PTO, I think it's just as likely he signs with another team.

the league still needs to keep its brand globably recognizable.

while, i agree, that in the short term this really is a waste of time, i still believe that the league needs to do these things.

you're not going to convert a lot of these foreign sports viewers but they still should be able to recognize the sport/league. without aggressive global marketing, the nhl will look amateurish (more than it already does) compared to the other big leagues.

this is in addition to actually converting new fans. even a fraction of a tiny percent of the population represents real revenue growth for the league.
- RealityChecker

Why it's a big mistake to stay out of Olympics. Only nation hockey is the number one sport business wise is Canada and maybe Finland. It's second in Russia, Sweden etc... in the USA it's in danger of being surpassed by soccer.

[quote=belcherbd]
Hey Belcher, if you blame Makita just PM CaptEO and let him know.

Why it's a big mistake to stay out of Olympics. Only nation hockey is the number one sport business wise is Canada and maybe Finland. It's second in Russia, Sweden etc... in the USA it's in danger of being surpassed by soccer.
- Nuck4U

That's why I find it funny. They're out of the Olympics and started a crappy World Cup plus they dropped ESPM coverage on their last US TV deal. ESPN is broadcast much more internationally than NBC sports.

Just seems like they're all over the place with their goals.

[quote=Marwood]

Who ever plays better next year keep , the other one trade. If numbers are similar trade the more expensive one, or the one that gets the better return
- VANTEL

One season sample isn't enough to know who of the two can continue to shoulder the starts to bring in Demko. Think of them as development stop gaps.

Another year won't change implementing what you say. Don't understand what the rush is to move two relatively young and inexpensive goalies?

That's why I find it funny. They're out of the Olympics and started a crappy World Cup plus they dropped ESPM coverage on their last US TV deal. ESPN is broadcast much more internationally than NBC sports.

Just seems like they're all over the place with their goals.
- Nucker101

Other sports don't shut down their season for three weeks during their season.

A one season sample isn't enough to know who of the two can continue to shoulder the starts to bring in Demko. Think of them as development stop gaps.

Another year won't change implementing what you say. Don't understand what the rush is to move two relatively young and inexpensive goalies?
- Nuck4U

Do it your way you get one trade . Do it my way you get two trades. I like my way better

[quote=A_SteamingLombardi]
Bocce balls.

I guess I'm just not seeing the depth. What I see is a group of support/role players at this time of their careers being asked to form the core of the team while being surrounded with crappy/mediocre depth NHL'ers and youth that needs to be in the AHL or heavily sheltered.

- Nucker101[\quote]

I'm comparing to last year and I think Gagner, MDZ, Burmistov, Goldobin, Wiercioch, Gaunce are legit NHL players or depth.

Boeser, Megna, Molino, Holm, Chaput, Boucher, Biega, Rodin, Subban, McEnemy, Virtanen, Demko are legit AHL depth who might be able to surprise. These guys will be in both leagues where last year some were full time NHLers.

Dahlen and Tryamkin are wild cards that still could end up in either league at some point....I'm sure I'm missing some but the team IMO has more legit depth opposed to hopes and prayers. They still have poopty high end talent but there are always teams that overachieve and while I'm not predicting it I think it more likely than the dumpster fire we had last year.