Carol Schram: Kevin Bieksa returns to retire as a Canuck. Spencer Martin starts vs. Ducks Despite their grim season-opening record, the Vancouver Canucks are holding a celebration on Thursday as Kevin Bieksa officially retires from hockey as a member of the team that drafted him. The opponent will be the other team he played for, the Anaheim Ducks.

Thanks Carol,


FA mentioned the Canucks had a culture issue when he hired Rutherford.

Bieksa also mentions "the culture and that’s what I was most proud of in my tenure with the Canucks"

This is nothing new, it's just nobody has been able to do anything about it. To me it starts with the leadership in the room or lack thereof.

Cheers Carol, I’ve got Gibby in my hockey pool, so I’m hoping for a 50 save you know what for the Ducks net minder.

Thanks for the new blog.

I don't blame the goalies much at all this year. Hughes may put up great numbers, but he sure sucks in his own end. The rest of the D has not been any better. When your two best Dmen are Burroughs and Schenn (from what I have seen) then the standings are not wrong.

That said I am enjoying the results seeing I would love a top 3 draft pick.

I posted on the last blog Yotes new sponsor for their helmets is Goodwill. How appropriate.

Thanks for the new blog.

I don't blame the goalies much at all this year. Hughes may put up great numbers, but he sure sucks in his own end. The rest of the D has not been any better. When your two best Dmen are Burroughs and Schenn (from what I have seen) then the standings are not wrong.

That said I am enjoying the results seeing I would love a top 3 draft pick.
- VANTEL

Groundhog day.

“That’s the great thing about Vancouver… I always loved the scrutiny and there’s so many great accolades when you’re playing well. And when you’re not, there’s accountability.” - Kevin Bieksa. #Canucks

Groundhog day.
- VanHockeyGuy

I think it was Nucker who said exposing their faults may be the best thing to speed up the change.

Thanks Carol,


FA mentioned the Canucks had a culture issue when he hired Rutherford.

Bieksa also mentions "the culture and that’s what I was most proud of in my tenure with the Canucks"

This is nothing new, it's just nobody has been able to do anything about it. To me it starts with the leadership in the room or lack thereof.
- VanHockeyGuy

The Sedins were the main leaders of Bieksa's team. The same guys who Bo gets linked to for his "poor leadership". People go as far as calling it "the Sedin culture" in the room today.

People forget we had two of the biggest divers in the league in Kesler and Burrows... and then the hair pulling and biting. Bieksa part of the team dividing clique that was a problem. This narrative about how great that team's culture was has many holes in it. I agree it was better than this group but it was nothing special. They choked and had divisions and selfish vets as well... but hey, don't let me get in the way of a great narrative.

Thanks for the new blog.

I don't blame the goalies much at all this year. Hughes may put up great numbers, but he sure sucks in his own end. The rest of the D has not been any better. When your two best Dmen are Burroughs and Schenn (from what I have seen) then the standings are not wrong.

That said I am enjoying the results seeing I would love a top 3 draft pick.

I posted on the last blog Yotes new sponsor for their helmets is Goodwill. How appropriate.
- VANTEL

Demko hasn't played as well as previous season's so far but I think he's played good enough most nights that a good team game would win still. Sadly, that hasn't really happened for more than one game in front of him.

Demko hasn't played as well as previous season's so far but I think he's played good enough most nights that a good team game would win still. Sadly, that hasn't really happened for more than one game in front of him.
- boonerbuck

Exactly.

I think it was Nucker who said exposing their faults may be the best thing to speed up the change.
- VANTEL

How long will it take to compile that list? Seems like a massive undertaking?

I think VAN wins tonight, because I've been ragging on them all day!

I think it was Nucker who said exposing their faults may be the best thing to speed up the change.
- VANTEL

Meanwhile in Seattle ...

Thanks Carol!

Thanks Carol,


FA mentioned the Canucks had a culture issue when he hired Rutherford.

Bieksa also mentions "the culture and that’s what I was most proud of in my tenure with the Canucks"

This is nothing new, it's just nobody has been able to do anything about it. To me it starts with the leadership in the room or lack thereof.
- VanHockeyGuy

Allvin could have done something about it, but instead of trading the player, he signed him long-term.

People will crap on Bo for being a poor leader, but at least he is putting points up and contributing in a positive way. to me he is leading by example..

Allvin could have done something about it, but instead of trading the player, he signed him long-term.

People will crap on Bo for being a poor leader, but at least he is putting points up and contributing in a positive way. to me he is leading by example..
- stefano76

Two days after Halloween and someone in my new neighbourhood already has their Christmas decorations up, some people.

Allvin could have done something about it, but instead of trading the player, he signed him long-term.

People will crap on Bo for being a poor leader, but at least he is putting points up and contributing in a positive way. to me he is leading by example..
- stefano76

Thanks Carol.

I think most have it wrong. It's not lack of leadership. It's too many guys trying to lead and not enough followers.

Allvin could have done something about it, but instead of trading the player, he signed him long-term.

People will crap on Bo for being a poor leader, but at least he is putting points up and contributing in a positive way. to me he is leading by example..
- stefano76

So are you saying JTM is solely responsible for the culture problem?

I'm not sure about that.

Thanks Carol!

3-2 L in OT tonight

Two days after Halloween and someone in my new neighbourhood already has their Christmas decorations up, some people.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Fuck I hate happy festive people.

Meanwhile in Seattle ...


- VanHockeyGuy

It's an exciting team with the young guys stepping up, and to think next year adding potentially another 4 players from the first two rounds....

So many people eating crow over Geno and Pete. Love it. I'm right there at the dinner table eating along as well.

He wasn't the most talented player but the guy had a lot of heart. Many times called the best "pound-for-pound" fighter in the league. He certainly wasn't a heavy-weight and picked his spots but the team sorely misses a guy like him.

It's an exciting team with the young guys stepping up, and to think next year adding potentially another 4 players from the first two rounds....

So many people eating crow over Geno and Pete. Love it. I'm right there at the dinner table eating along as well.
- NewYorkNuck

Yes, it's actually quite amazing how they rebounded, good for them.

I'm happy Russell Wilson is gone, clearly they must be as well!