I can’t believe what I’m reading. You guys want to make a face puncher the highest paid player on the team? You think having a guy who spends more time in the box then he does on the ice will prevent goals against? Would one of Gudbranson or Dorset somehow made a 7-1 game more tolerable because they dropped the gloves, “protecting” who, Stetcher from a face wash?
- 1970vintage

Where the (frank) did you get that from?

The team as it stands today doesn't have the desire/ability to stand up for themselves.

Very embarrassing.
- VanHockeyGuy

How do you know that? Because Stercher didn’t drop his gloves when he got a little face wash? Would that have made you feel better? The team isn’t very good to begin with, and has several players out of the lineup. This conversation just proves that people here actually thought they had a chance, if only they were tougher, they could win the big one.

Sorry, which kids are being protected, or not protected here? Do you think if D Sedin dropped his gloves and had a slap fight the rest of the team would feel safer on the ice. Would the Canucks have hoisted the cup if only for that one incident?
- 1970vintage

I would like to see a team that sicks up for one another, even if it means getting your ass kicked.

Where the (frank) did you get that from?
- manvanfan

You. You said it doesn’t help that the three highest paid players something something. How does that not help?

The team as it stands today doesn't have the desire/ability to stand up for themselves.

Very embarrassing.
- VanHockeyGuy

After a 7-1 loss, that aspect of the team's game is not the most embarassing.

Focusing on that just seems like a way to voice the frustration of watching a truly sh!tty team.

I would like to see a team that sicks up for one another, even if it means getting your ass kicked.
- VanHockeyGuy

They did get their ass kicked, it was 7-1. You think someone should have gotten it kicked again sticking up for Virtanen? Why does he need sticking up for, he seemed to be handling himself just fine.

Once again I see.
- VanHockeyGuy

Everyone else is the problem.

You. You said it doesn’t help that the three highest paid players something something. How does that not help?
- 1970vintage

If you got that we need to make the highest paid player the enforcer from that. I'll try my best, the highest paid players on the team are punching bags. They won't and aren't standing up for anyone in any way. Not Great leaders, no i'm not saying that the Sedin's need to fight someone. Maybe throw a hit once a game. Don't let the other team push you around and slap you in the face.

Having a variety of views is great, having someone/some people dogmatically stick to their opinions in light of research and facts is dumbfounding. Especially when it's something concrete like percentages and numbers.

Look, I think you get a shorter end of the stick around here on some things, but dear god the majority of it is you. If you step back and see how many people have a problem with you/think you're a problem, even if you don't know why or think everyone else is wrong, that has to be somewhat concerning and enlightening. The sheer volume. There's no great conspiracy: you rub the vast majority of people the wrong way, constantly.
- NewYorkNuck

This will be dismissed as hyperbole.

After a 7-1 loss, that aspect of the team's game is not the most embarassing.

Focusing on that just seems like a way to voice the frustration of watching a truly sh!tty team.
- RealityChecker

It's a bit odd that the team started the season better then anyone expected. I bolded that because it was very true to everyone. Even though they were barely over .500.

They have now lost for significant time, the same two players they lost last year. You can now add in to that Sutter for an extended period. 1st line center after that.

I am not saying we need 10 enforcers on forward. Truth is DD is the only one they had. EG kept players from the front of the net. That helped out the goalies and the forwards. Most of the forwards are out battled infront of their own net as well.

There's a difference between providing or challenging a concept, and just being a grating personality. Case and point from this thread (paraphrased):

- Nucker says there is a difference in drafting and odds if you fall further down the standings. You say the difference is negligible.
- Nucker provides statistics and facts supporting his case: in draft order (being able to only slide three spots), odds (percentage based on draft order), and a table showing the percentages of a player's impact based on where they're drafted from recent history (if you plot the numbers on a graph, there will be a measurable downward trend throughout)
- through all of this, you stick to your unsubstantiated claims and then try to use Nuckers argument as your own, sans explanation.

There was a John Oliver bit recently that I think fits here (HB gonna censor some words):



Anywho, going to go back to skipping over your posts. Have a good day.
- NewYorkNuck

Did that make you feel better? Nucker got the distinction made and it ended. But whatever misrepresent things to justify your reaction.

Did that make you feel better? Nucker got the distinction made and it ended. But whatever misrepresent things to justify your reaction.
- Nuck4U

You have patronizing down to a science. Well done, son.

This will be dismissed as hyperbole.
- Marwood

Oh King know it all your oracle has failed you.

You have patronizing down to a science. Well done,son.
- Marwood

You're his Dad? Wow that has to make for horrible family get togethers.

It's a bit odd that the team started the season better then anyone expected. I bolded that because it was very true to everyone. Even though they were barely over .500.

They have now lost for significant time, the same two players they lost last year. You can now add in to that Sutter for an extended period. 1st line center after that.

I am not saying we need 10 enforcers on forward. Truth is DD is the only one they had. EG kept players from the front of the net. That helped out the goalies and the forwards. Most of the forwards are out battled infront of their own net as well.
- manvanfan

about your bolded part: hasn't the team started out better than anyone expected practically every season since they should have started the rebuild?

focussing on toughness when the team desperately needs talent is wrong headed imo.

of course you want to build a skilled AND tough team but trying to address toughness in the short term is a good way to lose focus on the longer term rebuild.

Everyone else is the problem.
- Marwood

No ...just me and my Rosy effect... how thorny...right.. wait...maybe the problem is trying to tickle... but with Cacti... darn my pr!cked green thumb....

You have patronizing down to a science. Well done, son.
- Marwood

you know you can ignore right? i'm going to suggest you try that.

(from personal experience, it increases the comedy/entertainment while lowering the frustration)

It's a bit odd that the team started the season better then anyone expected. I bolded that because it was very true to everyone. Even though they were barely over .500.

They have now lost for significant time, the same two players they lost last year. You can now add in to that Sutter for an extended period. 1st line center after that.

I am not saying we need 10 enforcers on forward. Truth is DD is the only one they had. EG kept players from the front of the net. That helped out the goalies and the forwards. Most of the forwards are out battled infront of their own net as well.
- manvanfan

Would adding Kane or same type...talented and tough... balance out things?

about your bolded part: hasn't the team started out better than anyone expected practically every season since they should have started the rebuild?

focussing on toughness when the team desperately needs talent is wrong headed imo.

of course you want to build a skilled AND tough team but trying to address toughness in the short term is a good way to lose focus on the longer term rebuild.
- RealityChecker

I wouldn't say so.

When is the good time to focus on toughness? Since it probably takes a hell of a lot longer then skill does. Toughness is usually from players that have been in the league for longer.

Toughness is probably similar to a power forward. Skill if you got enough of it, it's going to show right away.

I wouldn't say so.

When is the good time to focus on toughness? Since it probably takes a hell of a lot longer then skill does. Toughness is usually from players that have been in the league for longer.

Toughness is probably similar to a power forward. Skill if you got enough of it, it's going to show right away.
- manvanfan

At least to where you can defend yourself.

Would adding Kane or same type...talented and tough... balance out things?
- Nuck4U

It probably would add some toughness and talent. Unfortunately the price for that is too much for a rebuilding club such as Van is.

What can you do?

A bad game of hockey is still better than a good day of listening to ones wife nag
- VANTEL

words of wisdom

I wouldn't say so.

When is the good time to focus on toughness? Since it probably takes a hell of a lot longer then skill does. Toughness is usually from players that have been in the league for longer.

Toughness is probably similar to a power forward. Skill if you got enough of it, it's going to show right away.
- manvanfan

i wouldn't trade for "toughness" right now. chances are that the cost will be higher than the team can afford during the season.

nor would i try to draft for anything other than bpa at the top of the draft.

unless an affordable trade presents itself (unlikely) i would add toughness through lower/mid-range ufa's in the summer. i would not sign kane(!!).

getting a tougher team should be a longer range goal, not a reaction to a 7-1 loss.

i wouldn't trade for "toughness" right now. chances are that the cost will be higher than the team can afford during the season.

nor would i try to draft for anything other than bpa at the top of the draft.

unless an affordable trade presents itself (unlikely) i would add toughness through lower/mid-range ufa's in the summer. i would not sign kane(!!).

getting a tougher team should be a longer range goal, not a reaction to a 7-1 loss.
- RealityChecker

The difference in the team that had DD and EG has been noticeable to me since EG went down. The first games, there was push back. Excitement. That has dwindled.

I wasn't suggesting draft toughness at the top. That's why I said toughness takes longer to show.

Toughness isn't just hitting or fighting though. It's being strong on the puck. Strong in the corners.

It probably would add some toughness and talent. Unfortunately the price for that is too much for a rebuilding club such as Van is.
- manvanfan

That is where free agency and having cap room come into play for the affordability of the rebuild.