Ok i have been resisting contributing to this blog , that seems to have hi-jacked by a COB!
Yet i have to face it and say that DEFENSE is not the glaring weakness that some on here would have you believe.
Our MAJOR downfall is our inability to outscore our opponents .
our d when looked at constructively is not bad and i dare say , does seem to have the potential to grow.
why not think of strengthening from within?
try matching strengths with weaknesses , ala, Tanev with Sbisa? our best possession shutdown guy with our most physical yet most incomplete d-man ? it would seem a match made .
Another point of contention would be the closed-mindedness of a righty being a right side guy and a lefty being constricted to the left.
i believe it was the red army team that switched guys around , and that team took Canada's best to beat it .

I guess everyone is entitled to their impression of events and what is occurring with the team but I don't think after a lucky yet unimpressive playoff appearance followed by this season anyone should condemn this management team. I don't care what it is labelled as this is a rebuild has been for 2 years. It's not a re tool, a soft rebuild, its a rebuild so the team is going to lose. That is a symptom of a rebuild. A lot of posters on here are calling for a tank but when we lose they say WD is awful and JB and TL are out of their minds. This is going to take a few years and it's going to come with some poopty results in games, but once they do the team will be reconstructed in a way that will allow a nice long stretch of being competitive. We have young exciting forwards on the team now for the first time in at least a decade and a couple more in Utica. That took some time, next will be the D and then build some depth in Goal. PATIENCE that is the key and it's the least fun way to build a winner but it's the way you do it to have a consistent winner
- Nucknab23

Standing ovation from me, sir. Well said.

it would seem that an ! would be my ideal avatar..

Dank Hank Sutter 7 7 4.4 = 18.4
Sven Bo Stamkos 1.1 .9 9 = 11
Hansen JM JV 2.5 .9 .9 = 4.3
Etem Granlund Dorsett 1 1 2.6 = 4.6
----------------------------------------------------
11.6 9.8 16.9 = 38.3

Tanev/Hutton 4.5 .9 = 5.4
Edler/Sbisa 5 3.6 = 8.6
Biega/Larsen .8 1.5 = 2.3
----------------------------------------------------
9.3 6 = 16.3

Miller. 6
Markstrom 1.5
----------------------------------------------------
7.5

Gaunce/Vey/Pedan .9 1 .8 = 2.7
CAP TOTAL: 64.8m

OS for D RFA's?

Dank Hank Sutter 7 7 4.4 = 18.4
Sven Bo Stamkos 1.1 .9 9 = 11
Hansen JM JV 2.5 .9 .9 = 4.3
Etem Granlund Dorsett 1 1 2.6 = 4.6
----------------------------------------------------
11.6 9.8 16.9 = 38.3

Tanev/Hutton 4.5 .9 = 5.4
Edler/Sbisa 5 3.6 = 8.6
Biega/Larsen .8 1.5 = 2.3
----------------------------------------------------
9.3 6 = 16.3

Miller. 6
Markstrom 1.5
----------------------------------------------------
7.5

Gaunce/Vey/Pedan .9 1 .8 = 2.7
CAP TOTAL: 64.8m

OS for D RFA's?
- Nighthawk

Stamkos prefers to play center to should probably keep that in mind if you are adding him...speaking of do you think you guys will actually make a run at him?

I don't think Stamkos is going to sign here, let alone to play 2nd line wing.

Stamkos prefers to play center to should probably keep that in mind if you are adding him...speaking of do you think you guys will actually make a run at him?
- RatedR80

No. I don't think we will and i don't think he would choose to play for Vancouver given the circumstances.

Fun to think about though.

I could see Sweden as being a fave.
I'm just not sure how much desire to sacrifice and fight their will be for Canada and USA.
- dbot

The fact this thing is taking place right before the season even starts is making me cringe...if guys get hurt during this thing nothing good will come out of it....not like its the Olympics

Here is an option we max Stamkos , say 11 mil, re-sign Hammer cheap, maybe Sbisa money so 3.75 ave or so, virtanen with stammer and either Laine or Puuliarvvi on the left .
resign the twins at a reduced number.

BAM we are a contender! 40-50 goals more per year will move us into a contending slot that can be tweaked to allow us to contend for the cup

Stamkos prefers to play center to should probably keep that in mind if you are adding him...speaking of do you think you guys will actually make a run at him?
- RatedR80

I think they do, but I also think he signs for the highest AAV in the league so that might throw of a few teams especially Vancouver who will need to start thinking of second contracts of a few core pieces for when the team wants/can be more competitive again

No. I don't think we will and i don't think he would choose to play for Vancouver given the circumstances.

Fun to think about though.
- dbot

I remember some media guy saying that Edmonton could be a spot for Stamkos which made me laugh non stop for at least 20 minutes straight....why would he want to come to this poop show? No offense to you guys but I dont think Vancouver is a place he wants to be either

I remember some media guy saying that Edmonton could be a spot for Stamkos which made me laugh non stop for at least 20 minutes straight....why would he want to come to this poop show? No offense to you guys but I dont think Vancouver is a place he wants to be either
- RatedR80

have you ever been to Vancouver and Edmonton?

One of these is not like the other!!!

I remember some media guy saying that Edmonton could be a spot for Stamkos which made me laugh non stop for at least 20 minutes straight....why would he want to come to this poop show? No offense to you guys but I dont think Vancouver is a place he wants to be either
- RatedR80

I think it all depends on what Stamkos thinks he is capable of. If he thinks that Vancouver only needs a second line and he can do it (either by pushing the Sedins down or playing second line) then I could see him playing here. Likewise if he thinks by going to Edmonton, that gives them the freedom to move a forward for a top D and that would make them competitive, then I think he considers it.

Im sure he also thinks/knows that him being on a roster makes free agents want to join his team, so thats more for him to consider. In the end I dont think Van/Edm get him, but I give both more credit since they could make intriguing offers

have you ever been to Vancouver and Edmonton?

One of these is not like the other!!!
- onesmallleap

- Codes1087

Stamkos and Tavares haven't earned a spot on this team in my opinion.

have you ever been to Vancouver and Edmonton?

One of these is not like the other!!!
- onesmallleap

Been to both but im not talking the city life or scenery im talkin hockey.....Stamkos is going to want to play for a contender which none of us are...I asked you guys a few days ago about what direction your team wants to go in and no one answers....you really think Stamkos is gonna go to Vancouver? Really? nothing against the city this is a hockey discussion...if you are Benning how do you sell your team to Stamkos? and dont say money because lots of teams could line up with cash for him and ill also add USD > CAD

Been to both but im not talking the city life or scenery im talkin hockey.....Stamkos is going to want to play for a contender which none of us are...I asked you guys a few days ago about what direction your team wants to go in and no one answers....you really think Stamkos is gonna go to Vancouver? Really? nothing against the city this is a hockey discussion...if you are Benning how do you sell your team to Stamkos? and dont say money because lots of teams could line up with cash for him and ill also add USD > CAD
- RatedR80

well i'll ask you this...where does the player have to live 80% of the year?

I think it all depends on what Stamkos thinks he is capable of. If he thinks that Vancouver only needs a second line and he can do it (either by pushing the Sedins down or playing second line) then I could see him playing here. Likewise if he thinks by going to Edmonton, that gives them the freedom to move a forward for a top D and that would make them competitive, then I think he considers it.

Im sure he also thinks/knows that him being on a roster makes free agents want to join his team, so thats more for him to consider. In the end I dont think Van/Edm get him, but I give both more credit since they could make intriguing offers
- WhiteLie

Ill have to disagree...no way he comes here and tbh we dont need a Stamkos we need top pairng RHD..hey if you guys manage to sign him then ill be the first one here saying what a great signing it is

well i'll ask you this...where does the player have to live 80% of the year?
- onesmallleap

Vancouver IS recognized around the world as a TOP 5 spot to live in the WORLD.

So an athlete , at the pinnacle of his class should see the option of being a semi-international star via Vancouver and the diverse population we offer

well i'll ask you this...where does the player have to live 80% of the year?
- onesmallleap

Tampa looks pretty good and the taxes there are non exisitant....many factors to think about when deciding on where you want to play...for him I think it will be about who gives him the best chance at the cup...can you honestly say Vancouver is that place? You dont have to reply with "Edmonton isnt" because Stevie Wonder can see that

well i'll ask you this...where does the player have to live 80% of the year?
- onesmallleap

If that's his concern, i think he'll stay in Florida then

Been to both but im not talking the city life or scenery im talkin hockey.....Stamkos is going to want to play for a contender which none of us are...I asked you guys a few days ago about what direction your team wants to go in and no one answers....you really think Stamkos is gonna go to Vancouver? Really? nothing against the city this is a hockey discussion...if you are Benning how do you sell your team to Stamkos? and dont say money because lots of teams could line up with cash for him and ill also add USD > CAD
- RatedR80

The currency is a reason for playing in Vancouver. Do realize he will get paid in USD and be purchasing goods and services in CAD? If it's about $ he will want to play in Canada. The Canucks aren't that far away from contending again so it's possible

The currency is a reason for playing in Vancouver. Do realize he will get paid in USD and be purchasing goods and services in CAD? If it's about $ he will want to play in Canada. The Canucks aren't that far away from contending again so it's possible
- CanuckDon

I think taxes would play a bigger role than cost of living.

The Canucks are very far away from contending.

If he wanted to go to a rebuild, he'd go to Toronto.
If he wants to go to a contender, he'll stay in Tampa.
He's not coming here boys.

Dank Hank Sutter 7 7 4.4 = 18.4
Sven Bo Stamkos 1.1 .9 9 = 11
Hansen JM JV 2.5 .9 .9 = 4.3
Etem Granlund Dorsett 1 1 2.6 = 4.6
----------------------------------------------------
11.6 9.8 16.9 = 38.3

Tanev/Hutton 4.5 .9 = 5.4
Edler/Sbisa 5 3.6 = 8.6
Biega/Larsen .8 1.5 = 2.3
----------------------------------------------------
9.3 6 = 16.3

Miller. 6
Markstrom 1.5
----------------------------------------------------
7.5

Gaunce/Vey/Pedan .9 1 .8 = 2.7
CAP TOTAL: 64.8m

OS for D RFA's?
- Nighthawk

you left out burrows contract, should it be here still....another 4.5
Expect hammer to be signed as well

I think taxes would play a bigger role than cost of living.

The Canucks are very far away from contending.

If he wanted to go to a rebuild, he'd go to Toronto.
If he wants to go to a contender, he'll stay in Tampa.
He's not coming here boys.
- dbot

Couldnt have said it any better...wasnt even trying to knock the Canucks but the reality is I dont see it happening and it appears im not the only one and correct on Toronto...the Toronto kid coming back to help with the rebuild I imagine would mean more to him then helping the Canucks