He reported at 228 and was out of shape. It showed on the ice. The staff didn't approve. JV admitted he was overweight. If you saw the pic of him in Sept I posted, he looks soft and fat. He spent his summer clubbing around town.
- boonerbuck

same pic as Kyle Wellfed back in the day?

I rewound it on the old betamax and swear McLeod had a look before the hit, while there was still some space between him and Sven.

anyway, I guess that is the way it has been going lately with what the nhl has been calling or disciplining.

all the best to Sven for a speedy and full recovery.
- hillbillydeluxe

He knew EXACTLY what he was doing.

Which one?

Edit: nvm, i found it.


- Whiskey-Tango

(frank) if he was that big i wouldve put him in net.

(frank) if he was that big i wouldve put him in net.
- SRam19

He'd get stuck in the net.

Then again, that could be quite effective

Yeah, that's how I see it.
- boonerbuck

What defines a 1st line ? ice time, deployment, opponents, production?

Sorry I should have been more specific. I am not talking about him earning his ice time in general, I am talking about the current slump he is in. I understand it would take bigger balls than what WD is sporting to sit Daniel but at least send some kind of message. I'm sure classy Sedin will understand and get the message. It's worth trying isn't it?
- Bakwas

I certainly don't think it could hurt. WD must be aware that this season and last are not going to look great on him so I actually kinda respect him for sticking with his methods even if I disagree with them.

He knew EXACTLY what he was doing.
- Scooby_Doo

100%. It's extremely obvious.

Sorry I should have been more specific. I am not talking about him earning his ice time in general, I am talking about the current slump he is in. I understand it would take bigger balls than what WD is sporting to sit Daniel but at least send some kind of message. I'm sure classy Sedin will understand and get the message. It's worth trying isn't it?
- Bakwas

I think the 1st 'message' would be splitting them up, before scratching Danny.

100%. It's extremely obvious.
- CanuckDon

Hard to tell, but McLeod doesn't deserve the benefit of doubt.

Regardless, it sounds like Baertschi doesn't actually have a concussion as he traveled with the team.

Maybe we won't get to see Boucher after all

What defines a 1st line ? ice time, deployment, opponents, production?
- belcherbd

ALL of the above

Hard to tell, but McLeod doesn't deserve the benefit of doubt.

Regardless, it sounds like Baertschi doesn't actually have a concussion as he traveled with the team.

Maybe we won't get to see Boucher after all
- belcherbd

He lunges into the side of his head Sometimes I think Willie is trying to get fired

What defines a 1st line ? ice time, deployment, opponents, production?
- belcherbd

Ice time and production should go hand in hand for a 1st line. If your coach is not obsessed with shut down matchups, then I'd consider Ice time as the definition. I only care to define it for our team.

Let's name the lines colors instead. That would complicate the debate, wouldn't it?

Check this article out, now that he's no longer a Laff they're calling a spade a spade "No.5 caliber defenseman"
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...turns-dion-phaneuf-trade/
- neem55

Typical Laffs fans.

Although to be fair, it's been great seeing guys like Spatso announce they rated Dion highly all this time. It's like the hockey world after Kessel was traded to the Pens.

He lunges into the side of his head Sometimes I think Willie is trying to get fired
- CanuckDon

i'm not defending McLeod, but it doesn't seem malicious from my pov.
I'd throw my shoulders up (reactionary) too, if i was suddenly next to an opponent.

Sure he hit him, Sven didn't see it, wasn't trying to hurt him.
My .02

i'm not defending McLeod, but it doesn't seem malicious from my pov.
I'd throw my shoulders up (reactionary) too, if i was suddenly next to an opponent.

Sure he hit him, Sven didn't see it, wasn't trying to hurt him.
My .02
- dbot

Perhaps he wasn't trying to hurt him...only he knows that. But he did deliver a forearm shiver to a vulnerable opponent. I am not necessarily complaining that he wasn't suspended I am just saying he knew what he was doing. I've never "
accidentily" elbowed a player from that position.

So JV was recalled earlier in the season, did he actually dress for a game?

I remember there was some drama around JB sending him down 'just for a conditioning stint' and then recalling him soon afterwards, but i don't recall if he actually played again in the bigs or not.

Either way, he's been paying his dues in the AHL, we've recalled Grenier, Gaunce, LaBatte (plus used Chaput, Megna, SKille, etc).
I don't have any problem giving JV a shot, especially if Boucher screws the poucher.

Ice time and production should go hand in hand for a 1st line. If your coach is not obsessed with shut down matchups, then I'd consider Ice time as the definition. I only care to define it for our team.

Let's name the lines colors instead. That would complicate the debate, wouldn't it?

- boonerbuck

That's more or less how I see it. The players the coach puts out on the ice the most are the " top line".

That said Horvat's line for the most part has been the only thing keeping some hope alive and he is 3rd most used so I understand the debate.

Perhaps he wasn't trying to hurt him...only he knows that. But he did deliver a forearm shiver to a vulnerable opponent. I am not necessarily complaining that he wasn't suspended I am just saying he knew what he was doing. I've never "
accidentily" elbowed a player from that position.
- CanuckDon

Right. I agree with that.

So, he knew what he was doing, but what he was doing wasn't exactly wrong (in that it was not suspendable).

So JV was recalled earlier in the season, did he actually dress for a game?

I remember there was some drama around JB sending him down 'just for a conditioning stint' and then recalling him soon afterwards, but i don't recall if he actually played again in the bigs or not.

Either way, he's been paying his dues in the AHL, we've recalled Grenier, Gaunce, LaBatte (plus used Chaput, Megna, SKille, etc).
I don't have any problem giving JV a shot, especially if Boucher screws the poucher.
- dbot

I don't care if JV is recalled or he isn't recalled. I just know there will be wide spread hysteria either way

Perhaps he wasn't trying to hurt him...only he knows that. But he did deliver a forearm shiver to a vulnerable opponent. I am not necessarily complaining that he wasn't suspended I am just saying he knew what he was doing. I've never "
accidentily" elbowed a player from that position.
- CanuckDon

I have....maybe not in the head on purpose but I'll definitely make as much contact I can get away with and then blame it on my skating

Right. I agree with that.

So, he knew what he was doing, but what he was doing wasn't exactly wrong (in that it was not suspendable).
- dbot

Sure...He could have gotten 1 game or none. it was borderline.

I have....maybe not in the head on purpose but I'll definitely make as much contact I can get away with and then blame it on my skating
- belcherbd

That's my excuse too!

I have....maybe not in the head on purpose but I'll definitely make as much contact I can get away with and then blame it on my skating
- belcherbd

I hit people every game and make it look like an accident...it's never an accident. My favourite move is to back into them while looking in the other direction. It's a highly effective body check that never gets called

So JV was recalled earlier in the season, did he actually dress for a game?

I remember there was some drama around JB sending him down 'just for a conditioning stint' and then recalling him soon afterwards, but i don't recall if he actually played again in the bigs or not.

Either way, he's been paying his dues in the AHL, we've recalled Grenier, Gaunce, LaBatte (plus used Chaput, Megna, SKille, etc).
I don't have any problem giving JV a shot, especially if Boucher screws the poucher.
- dbot

he needed "stuff"

So JV was recalled earlier in the season, did he actually dress for a game?

I remember there was some drama around JB sending him down 'just for a conditioning stint' and then recalling him soon afterwards, but i don't recall if he actually played again in the bigs or not.

Either way, he's been paying his dues in the AHL, we've recalled Grenier, Gaunce, LaBatte (plus used Chaput, Megna, SKille, etc).
I don't have any problem giving JV a shot, especially if Boucher screws the poucher.
- dbot

JV was called up because he need to pick up some stuff. Didn't play.

Grenier has been called up twice this season I think and hasn't played. Gaunce started the season with the Canucks as did Skille. Chaput and megna "earned" their call ups by producing in the AHL, Labate earned his by being physical.

JV has done none of this.