Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: World Championships, Comets to the Brink, How Old? Vancouver Canucks Dan Hamhuis and Nick Bonino got off to a good start at the World Championships in the Czech Republic, while the Utica Comets must win to stay alive in the Calder Cup Playoffs tonight.

Fist?

Sanguinetti has 3 goals in 4 games. I heard they were called in OT for too many men on the ice, which led to the goal. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Where do they end up?

Babcock
McLellan
Malkin
Chara
Sharp
Lucic
Vrbata
Thornton
Wilson ( SJ)
Bieksa
Ederle
Kessel
Phaneuf
Franson

Personally I'd trade Vrbata for a late 1st and 2nd....I think Sven will score 15 and Bo will score 20. We won't lose to much offense we badly need more picks in this draft

I will accept higgins on the nucks for next season if he is playing 4th line and PK only. No pp no moving up and downs he line up

I'd take any 1st for Vrbata. Nashville I'm talking to you.

Personally I'd trade Vrbata for a late 1st and 2nd....I think Sven will score 15 and Bo will score 20. We won't lose to much offense we badly need more picks in this draft
- CanuckDon

Moving Vrbata is pointless unless you move the twins aswell.

Either none go or they all go and Im thinking the latter isnt going to happen.

I will accept higgins on the nucks for next season if he is playing 4th line and PK only. No pp no moving up and downs he line up

The prominence of Higgins shows a great lack of depth and trust by WD, and this was the case with AV and JT.

The guy is used in every situation and gets lots of ice time. I am hoping he is dropped at least to the 3rd line and off the 2nd pp.

If players aren't ready to step up into these roles or the team doesn't feel they are ready, then it will be Higgins all the time. I thought Game 5 against the Flames was one of his best games. He actually started hitting after turning away from a few earlier in the game.

Part of the problem with Higgins is he isn't very physical and plays a lot. Which may be why we aren't a hard team to play against. I am not sure if he was ever physical but that is a big problem with the team, the guys that are most often leaned on don't bring that style of game.

The prominence of Higgins shows a great lack of depth and trust by WD, and this was the case with AV and JT.

The guy is used in every situation and gets lots of ice time. I am hoping he is dropped at least to the 3rd line and off the 2nd pp.

If players aren't ready to step up into these roles or the team doesn't feel they are ready, then it will be Higgins all the time. I thought Game 5 against the Flames was one of his best games. He actually started hitting after turning away from a few earlier in the game.

Part of the problem with Higgins is he isn't very physical and plays a lot. Which may be why we aren't a hard team to play against. I am not sure if he was ever physical but that is a big problem with the team, the guys that are most often leaned on don't bring that style of game.
- hillbillydeluxe

Well that's what I said 4th line and PK only.
Higgins, McCann, Dorsett.
2 vets to insulate the rookie and hopefully McCann can help them out offensively a bit.

Well that's what I said 4th line and PK only.
Higgins, McCann, Dorsett.
2 vets to insulate the rookie and hopefully McCann can help them out offensively a bit.
- manvanfan

That's a great line.

Well that's what I said 4th line and PK only.
Higgins, McCann, Dorsett.
2 vets to insulate the rookie and hopefully McCann can help them out offensively a bit.
- manvanfan

I think WD is hooked on Higgins. Wish the team would go cold turkey but I think as long as he is on the team he will be getting top6 minutes.

This is no joke, but I am the 1 millionth visitor for 4 different ads on this hockeybuzz page.

All I need is a bird to poop on me and I will be guaranteed to win the lottery.

This is no joke, but I am the 1 millionth visitor for 4 different ads on this hockeybuzz page.

All I need is a bird to poop on me and I will be guaranteed to win the lottery.
- hillbillydeluxe

Lucky bastard , wish I was the one millionth visitor

Moving Vrbata is pointless unless you move the twins aswell.

Either none go or they all go and Im thinking the latter isnt going to happen.
- vancity787

Don't see the connection. Moving Vrbata who hs been here one yer could bring a nice piece back just like Ottawa gave up Silfverberg for Ryan . I know the deal was bigger than that , but Vrbata could add a young player if traded .

The prominence of Higgins shows a great lack of depth and trust by WD, and this was the case with AV and JT.

The guy is used in every situation and gets lots of ice time. I am hoping he is dropped at least to the 3rd line and off the 2nd pp.

If players aren't ready to step up into these roles or the team doesn't feel they are ready, then it will be Higgins all the time. I thought Game 5 against the Flames was one of his best games. He actually started hitting after turning away from a few earlier in the game.

Part of the problem with Higgins is he isn't very physical and plays a lot. Which may be why we aren't a hard team to play against. I am not sure if he was ever physical but that is a big problem with the team, the guys that are most often leaned on don't bring that style of game.
- hillbillydeluxe

Higgins got 12 g and 24 assist playing second line. That is pathetic. I really don't care if he kills penalties. Didn't help us in the playoffs. Move in a player from the Comets. He has stayed long enough.

The prominence of Higgins shows a great lack of depth and trust by WD, and this was the case with AV and JT.

The guy is used in every situation and gets lots of ice time. I am hoping he is dropped at least to the 3rd line and off the 2nd pp.

If players aren't ready to step up into these roles or the team doesn't feel they are ready, then it will be Higgins all the time. I thought Game 5 against the Flames was one of his best games. He actually started hitting after turning away from a few earlier in the game.

Part of the problem with Higgins is he isn't very physical and plays a lot. Which may be why we aren't a hard team to play against. I am not sure if he was ever physical but that is a big problem with the team, the guys that are most often leaned on don't bring that style of game.
- hillbillydeluxe

Higgins got 12 g and 24 assist playing second line. That is pathetic. I really don't care if he kills penalties. Didn't help us in the playoffs. Move in a player from the Comets. He has stayed long enough. He probably got 4 goals in the second half.

Don't see the connection. Moving Vrbata who hs been here one yer could bring a nice piece back just like Ottawa gave up Silfverberg for Ryan . I know the deal was bigger than that , but Vrbata could add a young player if traded .
- VANTEL

Moving Vrbata, the teams MVP is a sign this organization has given up.

So if infact they have given up why keep around the two other 7 million dollar guys.

Their is a great connection between the two.

If Vrbata gets traded, then blow the (frank)ing thing up.

Edit:

Comparing Ryan two Vrbata is stupid. Completly different ages, completely different skill sets.

Moving Vrbata, the teams MVP is a sign this organization has given up.

So if infact they have given up why keep around the two other 7 million dollar guys.

Their is a great connection between the two.

I've Vrbata gets traded, then blow the (frank)ing thing up.
- vancity787

That is what we are hoping for. The core has been here long enough and are fading fast. Truthfully I don't care if the Twins do get traded which they won't, but they don't really hurt the team neither , yet.

I think it is a great idea to trade old assets.

I tried to explain that I wasn't comparing Ryan to Vrbata but I think you missed that. Ryan brought back a few valuable pieces , I would be happy with one valuable piece for Vrbata

Higgins got 12 g and 24 assist playing second line. That is pathetic. I really don't care if he kills penalties. Didn't help us in the playoffs. Move in a player from the Comets. He has stayed long enough. He probably got 4 goals in the second half.
- VANTEL

I can't argue with this, he shouldn't be a second liner. What I am trying to say that he is heavily leaned on because we still lack depth or at least WD doesn't trust in the depth we have.

I'd have not regrets seeing him moved. It would force other players to pick up the slack. But if you look at Matthias and Richardson as key pk guys and they aren't back next year, I don't think Higgins will be going anywhere. Then maybe we will see some of the younger guys being given these pk roles.

That is what we are hoping for. The core has been here long enough and are fading fast. Truthfully I don't care if the Twins do get traded which they won't, but they don't really hurt the team neither , yet.

I think it is a great idea to trade old assets.
- VANTEL

Keep him this year, Play him exclusivley with the Sedins. Get him 30-40 Goals, have his stock rise massively and trade his ass at the deadline for something tasty.

Keep him this year, Play him exclusivley with the Sedins. Get him 30-40 Goals, have his stock rise massively and trade his ass at the deadline for something tasty.
- vancity787

Problem is he is not playing with the twins and won't be, so he will probably be scoring 20 . It is better to move a 30 goal guy at the draft instead of a twenty goal guy with 8 weeks left on his contract

Higgins got 12 g and 24 assist playing second line. That is pathetic. I really don't care if he kills penalties. Didn't help us in the playoffs. Move in a player from the Comets. He has stayed long enough. He probably got 4 goals in the second half.
- VANTEL

So move him to the 4th line. He's still got a cheap contract. He sucks as a 2nd but as a 4th seems reasonable.

I can't argue with this, he shouldn't be a second liner. What I am trying to say that he is heavily leaned on because we still lack depth or at least WD doesn't trust in the depth we have.

I'd have not regrets seeing him moved. It would force other players to pick up the slack. But if you look at Matthias and Richardson as key pk guys and they aren't back next year, I don't think Higgins will be going anywhere. Then maybe we will see some of the younger guys being given these pk roles.
- hillbillydeluxe

Sorry I don't get the love for Higgins ? 12 goal second liners that don't hit, or fight . Why do we want to repeat this again and again . Just because he doesn't make mistakes?

Give me a third liner that will make a couple mistakes, score 15 and bruise the other team

So move him to the 4th line. He's still got a cheap contract. He sucks as a 2nd but as a 4th seems reasonable.
- manvanfan

He doesn't hit or bruise other teams to be bottom 6 . He is not fast. His goals have dropped off the planet.

Just take him to the glue factory