Then it really doesn't matter what kind of product you put on the ice? Let them stay at the bottom of the standings until the cows come home? It would be a shame if Rasmus Dahlin went to that dumpster fire.
- VanHockeyGuy

I meant that the current attendance situation doesnt matter much vs what you can do in the next few seasons. Putting a good product on the ice matters up until you get approval on a new facility; a team with little or no support will not get the public funding they are seeking. They want prime real estate in America's 12th largest market and right now very few people care if the team leaves. Start acting like a legit NHL franchise and the fanbase becomes large enough to give them leverage

Bob McKenzie has Penticton's JONNY TYCHONICK at #38, certainly fills a need for VAN and may be there in the second round.

http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=281730
- VanHockeyGuy

Pronman mentioned him today (with some very high praise) at The Athletic recapping the various Top Prospect games:

Defense pair Jonny Tychonick, Penticton-BCHL – Jacob Bernard-Docker, Okotoks-AJHL: Tychonick was excellent here and further made an argument that he should be a first-round pick this June. I love the way he skates, and while he has skill, the thing that stands out most with the puck is his brain. He sees the ice well and makes quick, good decisions seem easy. He played well and showed good chemistry with his partner Bernard-Docker, who is also a top prospect for the 2018 draft, but more of a projected second or third-round pick. They played together not only at this event but throughout the World Jr. A Challenge and are both committed to join the University of North Dakota.

They’ve known each other for a long time, as they’ve played spring hockey together since they were 10 years old. Tychonic said he looks forward to playing with Bernard-Docker at North Dakota since they are both quick players who can move the puck well. Having opposite handedness just further plays into their current and future synergy.

Bob McKenzie has Penticton's JONNY TYCHONICK at #38, certainly fills a need for VAN and may be there in the second round.

http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=281730
- VanHockeyGuy

As long as we are in the top 10, we have a high chance of getting a top pairing D or a top line winger. Loads of talent at the top

Or early 2nd
- VanHockeyGuy

Well we already have that. I'd like to see another 1st rounder. I'd package Vanek and Guddy together to a bubble team. Lots of d i n the first round, one might drop to us at our second round pick for sure but I'd like to get another somehow.

I meant that the current attendance situation doesnt matter much vs what you can do in the next few seasons. Putting a good product on the ice matters up until you get approval on a new facility; a team with little or no support will not get the public funding they are seeking. They want prime real estate in America's 12th largest market and right now very few people care if the team leaves. Start acting like a legit NHL franchise and the fanbase becomes large enough to give them leverage
- WhiteLie

I've been to about 4 games in the last couple of years, the place is empty. That's why I'm questioning the numbers. Fan's don't understand the game and don't seem engaged. As a hockey player it's a great place to live, but a fan?

Just watched the Top prospects game. Zadina and Svechnikov were definitely the best forwards for each team.

If Van could pick up another late 2nd or with 3rd. Cole Fonstad would be a decent pick up.

Bouchard's stretch passes Certainly starting to set himself apart from the 2nd tier of D. (anyone behind Dahlin and Boqvist)
- manvanfan

I have only seen a few highlights of this kid, so can't give too much of an opinion on him. On those highlights I did see, he had nice offensive skill, but, was a tire fire defensively. Not sure that is what I want as a high pick for a defenseman.
Bouchard looks better every time I see him.
Also, isn't he the kid that Juolevi was mentoring last season and helped him with his game. Could be a very nice fit with the 2 of them.
Kevin Bahl in 2nd round❤

Pronman mentioned him today (with some very high praise) at The Athletic recapping the various Top Prospect games:
- WhiteLie

Fuk, I thought he might go under the radar That all went out the window

I do know the Canucks scouts have been at quite a few Vee's games.

I'm kind of hoping we get a second 1st rounder, there's a lot of d in this draft and no reason to pick one top5 unless it's Dahlin.
- neem55

Boqvist and Bouchard are exactly what we need outside of Dahlin. I would rather pick 5th and take one of them, than pick 3 or 4 and take zadina or tkachuk. We have a serious lack of talent on D right now.

I've been to about 4 games in the last couple of years, the place is empty. That's why I'm questioning the numbers. Fan's don't understand the game and don't seem engaged. As a hockey player it's a great place to live, but a fan?
- VanHockeyGuy

Agreed, but I am sure the new owner is aware of the issues and hoping that the new management can bring improvements. If they can restart and reach the community like Nashville, or even Vegas, they could finally tap the market.. its a longshot

Fuk, I thought he might go under the radar That all went out the window

I do know the Canucks scouts have been at quite a few Vee's games.
- VanHockeyGuy

Well Pronman says he is making an arugment that he should be a first rounder, so not sure if that means hes currently ranked in the 25-40 range. If VAN finishes 29th then they may have a pretty good chance at him at 34

This is the other guy Pronman was talking about with Van Hockey Guy's man
http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=281697
I have always liked the idea of trying to get players with familiarity with each other and both these kids are going to North Dakota together.
So, we take Bouchard, who has played together with Joe Levi, with our 1st, Jonny Ginandtonic, with our 2nd, and the above mentioned kid, who is familiar with Johnny, with the additional 2nd we acquire for Gudbranson.
Easy peasy

Pronman mentioned him today (with some very high praise) at The Athletic recapping the various Top Prospect games:
- WhiteLie

Pronman? The same guy that has Demko as the 5th best goalie prospect and and Vilardi above Petterson (No10)? He has no credibility.

This is the other guy Pronman was talking about with Van Hockey Guy's man
http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=281697
I have always liked the idea of trying to get players with familiarity with each other and both these kids are going to North Dakota together.
So, we take Bouchard, who has played together with Joe Levi, with our 1st, Jonny Ginandtonic, with our 2nd, and the above mentioned kid, who is familiar with Johnny, with the additional 2nd we acquire for Gudbranson.
Easy peasy
- Reubenkincade

If it only was.

Pronman? The same guy that has Demko as the 5th best goalie prospect and and Vilardi above Petterson (No10)? He has no credibility.
- CanuckDon

Meh, every (pre and post) draft ranker has their hits and misses. I care more about what he writes about each player than how he ranks them

Well we already have that. I'd like to see another 1st rounder. I'd package Vanek and Guddy together to a bubble team. Lots of d i n the first round, one might drop to us at our second round pick for sure but I'd like to get another somehow.
- neem55

Vanek was interviewed recently and said he is sick of being dealt at TDL and doesn't want to leave...Guddy on the other hand will most likely sign with a different club so may as well get assets for him now.

Pronman? The same guy that has Demko as the 5th best goalie prospect and and Vilardi above Petterson (No10)? He has no credibility.
- CanuckDon

Seriously??

If it only was.
- VanHockeyGuy

I probably blew our chances of getting any of these kids. Any time I like a player they usually are the player taken right after our selection.
It is a pretty decent draft depthwise, so I am confident we will end up with some nice prospects out of this draft.

Meh, every (pre and post) draft ranker has their hits and misses. I care more about what he writes about each player than how he ranks them
- WhiteLie

Funny how we attach so much to draft 'misses'. Sure we whine and cry about missing on Ehlers or Nylander but how about Boston in 2015? They had THREE first round picks and passed on Barzal, Connor, Chabot, Boeser and Aho...

Vanek was interviewed recently and said he is sick of being dealt at TDL and doesn't want to leave...Guddy on the other hand will most likely sign with a different club so may as well get assets for him now.
- LordHumungous

I watched an interview with Vanek within 2 weeks that said he's made his money and wants to play for a cup. He doesn't make that call either way, what he wants really doesn't matter.

I have a little more faith in the Coyotes' new ownership's willingness to spend to be competitive. That being said, I think Chayka has learned from Pegula's spending spree in Buffalo and will approach this at a more appropriate pace. I think it will take them a while to shed their previous regime's reputation but I think they are ready to actually behave like a real NHL franchise (if only long enough to secure a new facility)
- WhiteLie

If they can’t start generating enough revenu to support the team, they will never be able to afford all these talented kids coming out of their ELCs

I watched an interview with Vanek within 2 weeks that said he's made his money and wants to play for a cup. He doesn't make that call either way, what he wants really doesn't matter.
- neem55

Very true. But with this MNGT group he will probably be asked how he 'feels' about being moved at TDL and will be in a Van Uni right after. Even Vanek understands the business of hockey and I'm on board with trading him to a contender , but we risk not being able to re sign him if we boot him out the door... and he has been a good addition here.

Vanek was interviewed recently and said he is sick of being dealt at TDL and doesn't want to leave...Guddy on the other hand will most likely sign with a different club so may as well get assets for him now.
- LordHumungous

I don't mind Vanek, but, he appears too be far to slow when we play the teams with above average speed.
It will be bad enough having our 2 slow as molasses Sedin's back next season.
Time to move onto some players with a little more speed. Imo

Meh, every (pre and post) draft ranker has their hits and misses. I care more about what he writes about each player than how he ranks them
- WhiteLie

No - that is his current ranking. He has Pettersson at 10 and Demko as the fith best goalie as of 2 weeks ago. He is a biased hack with no credibitliy.

Edit: you did say pre or post. He is still trash!

Pronman mentioned him today (with some very high praise) at The Athletic recapping the various Top Prospect games:
- WhiteLie

Pretty sure posting quotes from behind a paywall is against the rules...

No - that is his current ranking. He has Pettersson at 10 and Demko as the fith best goalie as of 2 weeks ago. He is a biased hack with no credibitliy.
- CanuckDon

I did say "post draft rankings". The guy acknowledged that Vilardi is slow and hasnt played much this year but still believes in his skill/vision to come through. He frequently mentioned that some players are just his guys and will sink or swim supporting them. I think he'll be wrong to have Vilardi that high, but I dont think his goalie rankings were wrong.

For every list that Pronman, Bob Mac, Button, ISS, etc. produce, there will be players over ranked and under ranked