Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Day: December 13 vs. New York Rangers, AV Returns The Vancouver Canucks will look to snap a three-game winless streak when they host the New York Rangers on Saturday night at Rogers Arena.

Carol - I've been waiting around all day for you...I've missed you



Ok I'll read it now...

Hopefully AV gets a good reception.

I really like the potential in Matthias's game - good hands, big body and not too physical but uses it when going to the net.

So with guys like Matthias, Dorsett, Sestito and Richardson coming up to UFA status, as Carol mentioned, it begs the question, what do they do come the TDL?

Matthias will be 27, Dorsett 28, Richardson 30 and Sestito...well who really cares because we know he's a gonner.

From last blog:

No kidding. For what it's worth Vantel I think you can do whatever the hell you want. Anyone who claims some inherent advantage to sucking for a season in a free league needs their head examined and their panties straightened.
- AlexF

Agreed for the most part. As long as a team is being dressed then it's all good. (frank), he beat my sad-sack bunch of poop team

His first three picks were good, not sure about his 4 th pick yet and I like his 5 th pick
- VANTEL

Once you get past the 2nd round you're really just hoping to get something for your scouts efforts. The first two rounds should be relatively easy (in theory that is) with everyone and their mother knowing who's ranked where.

It's the later rounds where the scouts earn their money, that said, the chances of a 5th 6th or 7th round pick ever playing in the NHL are really remote.

Matthias is a big body forward having a great start, a great trade chip or core player. Same with Dorsett. You don't want to mess with the chemistry when the team is playing this well, but you also need to stock the shelves and fill holes. Size and grit is a prerequisite for playoff success so I don't see Benning doing anything with these guys unless the team tanks.

So with guys like Matthias, Dorsett, Sestito and Richardson coming up to UFA status, as Carol mentioned, it begs the question, what do they do come the TDL?

Matthias will be 27, Dorsett 28, Richardson 30 and Sestito...well who really cares because we know he's a gonner.
- LeftCoaster

As ever, I think it'll largely depend on where we are in the standings. It means more to the Benning, the Aquilinis, and this city to make the playoffs and/or not break-up a team that has found some balance than to get whatever modest return for any of those guys because they were afraid to lose them for nothing.

Once you get past the 2nd round you're really just hoping to get something for your scouts efforts. The first two rounds should be relatively easy (in theory that is) with everyone and their mother knowing who's ranked where.

It's the later rounds where the scouts earn their money, that said, the chances of a 5th 6th or 7th round pick ever playing in the NHL are really remote.
- LeftCoaster

4 th pick was second round Vey at 50.

Not complaining but his UFA status hurts his development and handcuffs the team. He should be in the AHL another year

So with guys like Matthias, Dorsett, Sestito and Richardson coming up to UFA status, as Carol mentioned, it begs the question, what do they do come the TDL?

Matthias will be 27, Dorsett 28, Richardson 30 and Sestito...well who really cares because we know he's a gonner.
- LeftCoaster

Depends on where we are at the TDL. If we are firmly entrenched in a PO spot then Benning hopefully will add an ingredient we need by getting rid of an ingredient we don't need. With the current lineup regardless of line juggling it's gonna be so tough to make the playoffs. If we are 6-9 pts back at the TDL look for us to be sellers. I could still see Dorsett and Matthias getting resigned but Richardson (as good as he has been) not sure we can take the risk on many more injuries with that guy...hard to say. Sestito is just Sestito so whether he stays or goes really doesn't matter unless they are trying to open roster spots for youth...which they should be.

Requirements: top 9 winger (20 goals) and a Top 5 Dman by the TDL and it has to happen via some shrewd work by JB...or I'm thinking we can kiss the playoffs goodbye.

As ever, I think it'll largely depend on where we are in the standings. It means more to the Benning, the Aquilinis, and this city to make the playoffs and/or not break-up a team that has found some balance than to get whatever modest return for any of those guys because they were afraid to lose them for nothing.
- AlexF

I think Dorsett and Mathias need to be re-signed.

Once you get past the 2nd round you're really just hoping to get something for your scouts efforts. The first two rounds should be relatively easy (in theory that is) with everyone and their mother knowing who's ranked where.

It's the later rounds where the scouts earn their money, that said, the chances of a 5th 6th or 7th round pick ever playing in the NHL are really remote.
- LeftCoaster

Luck also comes into play here as well, late bloomers, injured players, a coaches familiarity with a prospect. You need to have lots of eyes on the ground in your own back yard. Something MG never seemed to get, and we payed the price.

I think Dorsett and Mathias need to be re-signed.
- VANTEL

Yep, size and grit. Stock up on those types.

Depends on where we are at the TDL. If we are firmly entrenched in a PO spot then Benning hopefully will add an ingredient we need by getting rid of an ingredient we don't need. With the current lineup regardless of line juggling it's gonna be so tough to make the playoffs. If we are 6-9 pts back at the TDL look for us to be sellers. I could still see Dorsett and Matthias getting resigned but Richardson (as good as he has been) not sure we can take the risk on many more injuries with that guy...hard to say. Sestito is just Sestito so whether he stays or goes really doesn't matter unless they are trying to open roster spots for youth...which they should be.

Requirements: top 9 winger (20 goals) and a Top 5 Dman by the TDL and it has to happen via some shrewd work by JB...or I'm thinking we can kiss the playoffs goodbye.
- LordHumungous

I think the team has a good chance of making the playoffs, which is the goal. Beyond that, they still need work.

I think Dorsett and Mathias need to be re-signed.
- VANTEL

Are you tanking?

As ever, I think it'll largely depend on where we are in the standings. It means more to the Benning, the Aquilinis, and this city to make the playoffs and/or not break-up a team that has found some balance than to get whatever modest return for any of those guys because they were afraid to lose them for nothing.
- AlexF

Agreed - those aren't the kind of guys that are gonna bring you huge returns or high draft picks so they might as well run with them and try to compete in the playoffs.

I think Dorsett and Mathias need to be re-signed.
- VANTEL

Agreed!

I think Dorsett and Mathias need to be re-signed.
- VANTEL

What are you thinking the lineup will look like next year?

Danny Henrik Vrbata
Bonino
Matthias Richardson
Dorsett Horvat

That is the framework I am thinking of... with Jensen slotting in somewhere and maybe one or two of Hansen, Higgins, and Burrows moving on. And the acquisition of a top 6 finishing winger.

So with guys like Matthias, Dorsett, Sestito and Richardson coming up to UFA status, as Carol mentioned, it begs the question, what do they do come the TDL?

Matthias will be 27, Dorsett 28, Richardson 30 and Sestito...well who really cares because we know he's a gonner.
- LeftCoaster

Says who?

4 th pick was second round Vey at 50.

Not complaining but his UFA status hurts his development and handcuffs the team. He should be in the AHL another year
- VANTEL

Vey? He's an RFA not a UFA next year. He was acquired so the team could compete this year IMO, they really wanna make the playoffs.

Says who?
- Scooby_Doo

I know people

What are you thinking the lineup will look like next year?

Danny Henrik Vrbata
Bonino
Matthias Richardson
Dorsett Horvat

That is the framework I am thinking of... with Jensen slotting in somewhere and maybe one or two of Hansen, Higgins, and Burrows moving on. And the acquisition of a top 6 finishing winger.
- hillbillydeluxe

I don't think Benning is done yet, teams are all in wait mode. If the right pieces become available at a fair price, I think we will see a couple of positional trades.

I think the team has a good chance of making the playoffs, which is the goal. Beyond that, they still need work.
- VanHockeyGuy

With the current lineup we have the ever so 'slightest' chance of making it in to the top 8 in the west and we will need some help getting there.

If a few smart aquisitions/trades are made our chances will be upgraded to 'good' chance of making the playoffs.

With Miller's inconsistency and us being one of the worst teams in the league right now 5/5 it is gonna be super tough to get in.

I don't think Benning is done yet, teams are all in wait mode. If the right pieces become available at a fair price, I think we will see a couple of positional trades.
- VanHockeyGuy

Let's hope!