It's also why they made it to game 7 of the SCF.

If Gillis hadn't re-signed the core to good contracts (Sedins, Burrows, Kesler), he wouldn't have been able to add the depth they needed to make that run.

He brought in Hamhuis, who was crucial in both the regular season and playoffs (his injury lost the team the cup), traded for Ehrhoff, who didn't play as well in the playoffs, but was crucial in the Canucks reg. season success, which certainly played a part in their path to the finals, and he also added Lapierre and Higgins, who were also crucial in the SCF run, without removing roster players.

He's had his misses, for sure, and definitely more misses than hits lately, but he did an excellent job constructing that team, and deservedly won the GM of the year award that season.
- Fosco

If Sundin had taken the 2 year, 20 mil deal the Canucks wouldn't have been able to keep the Sedins and the team would have never made the cup finals. Gillis is lucky his offer was rejected.

Of the players on the roster when he took over, and the players on the roster today, he's essentially signed a couple of good ufas in hamhuis and garrison. Everything else is the same players or a downgrade over the last two years.

The team is declining due to his management and is also now in the worst cap position in the league with several contracts that aren't moveable.

To whoever said the cap going down is the only reason the Canucks are in this situation is blind to the fact that it was widely reported prior to the lockout that the cap would be going down as the owners wanted the players to be taking a lower percentage. It was no surprise and Gillis ignored the situation and instead maxed it out.

He's had an entire year to do something with Luongo and Ballard to prevent the current situation and hasn't been able to do anything. Part of that is because he opened his mouth to the media and announced what he was willing to accept for Luongo at a minimum - now whatever he does looks like a failure. His refusal to accept the contract is a major issue in making a deal just makes him look like more of a blowhard.

He insists on making bold statements he can't back up and continues to make the current situation worse by stalling instead of pulling the trigger on a deal to get the team some cap space and drop bad contracts.

He continues to say he's going to be active as GM and fails to deliver.

I personally love how he's tried to create any kind of demand for Luongo by saying several teams are interested, then somehow nothing happens.

Look, I've been through this. Isles fans suffered with Milbury and ridiculous ownership for years - at least you only have to deal with the bad GM, your ownership is solid. I spent a good part of Milbury's tenure as GM trying to tell myself he had to make the deals he did because ownership pushed him into it. The simple fact is that the guy had no patience and no eye for talent and no clue how to develop it. When Gillis gets canned there will be a ton of Canucks fans here saying that it took far too long and he needed to go. But until then, most of you seem to be in denial.

Hope he gets canned now before he does any further damage to a team that should be a hell of a lot more competitive with what they have than they have been. Look at the talent on this team: Sedins, Burrows, Kesler, Hamhuis, Garrison, Edler, Luongo, Schneider - this is a legit list of talent that only needed a real supporting cast, not the scrubs they've been given by Gillis.

Gillis took a team that had almost all the parts that were needed for a championship and slowly let the depth of the team go, and replaced what he had with lesser talent and some terrible contracts.

AV's shelf life had expired, but the guy stocking the shelves gave him poop to work with.

If Sundin had taken the 2 year, 20 mil deal the Canucks wouldn't have been able to keep the Sedins and the team would have never made the cup finals. Gillis is lucky his offer was rejected.

Of the players on the roster when he took over, and the players on the roster today, he's essentially signed a couple of good ufas in hamhuis and garrison. Everything else is the same players or a downgrade over the last two years.

The team is declining due to his management and is also now in the worst cap position in the league with several contracts that aren't moveable.

To whoever said the cap going down is the only reason the Canucks are in this situation is blind to the fact that it was widely reported prior to the lockout that the cap would be going down as the owners wanted the players to be taking a lower percentage. It was no surprise and Gillis ignored the situation and instead maxed it out.

He's had an entire year to do something with Luongo and Ballard to prevent the current situation and hasn't been able to do anything. Part of that is because he opened his mouth to the media and announced what he was willing to accept for Luongo at a minimum - now whatever he does looks like a failure. His refusal to accept the contract is a major issue in making a deal just makes him look like more of a blowhard.

He insists on making bold statements he can't back up and continues to make the current situation worse by stalling instead of pulling the trigger on a deal to get the team some cap space and drop bad contracts.

He continues to say he's going to be active as GM and fails to deliver.

I personally love how he's tried to create any kind of demand for Luongo by saying several teams are interested, then somehow nothing happens.

Look, I've been through this. Isles fans suffered with Milbury and ridiculous ownership for years - at least you only have to deal with the bad GM, your ownership is solid. I spent a good part of Milbury's tenure as GM trying to tell myself he had to make the deals he did because ownership pushed him into it. The simple fact is that the guy had no patience and no eye for talent and no clue how to develop it. When Gillis gets canned there will be a ton of Canucks fans here saying that it took far too long and he needed to go. But until then, most of you seem to be in denial.

Hope he gets canned now before he does any further damage to a team that should be a hell of a lot more competitive with what they have than they have been. Look at the talent on this team: Sedins, Burrows, Kesler, Hamhuis, Garrison, Edler, Luongo, Schneider - this is a legit list of talent that only needed a real supporting cast, not the scrubs they've been given by Gillis.

Gillis took a team that had almost all the parts that were needed for a championship and slowly let the depth of the team go, and replaced what he had with lesser talent and some terrible contracts.

AV's shelf life had expired, but the guy stocking the shelves gave him poop to work with.
- Isles_since_6

Bang on. I actually forgot about the Sundin debacle.

If I was Ownership I would have fired both Gillis and AV, apologized to Luongo and traded Schneider for what I assume would be a boatload.

Then you buy out Booth and trade Ballard. Boom...your Cap issues are gone.

Edit. As a Leaf fan I know also what it's like to have a blowhard GM, making proclamations he has no chance of fulfilling.

You know he's 33 right? Just getting ready to start a 4 year contract? Barring some return to 30 goal form. his value is likely at its highest right now. And it's not a 1st rounder.
- djamon

How old is Iginla?

How old is Iginla?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Iggy looked old out there .He looked like he was 40

How old is Iginla?
- A_SteamingLombardi

How many 40 goal seasons has Burrows had?

How many 40 goal seasons has Burrows had?
- djamon

It's been pointed out many times that it's not all about points as concerns Burrows. He is a heart and soul type player who shows up every night. His intangibles are off the charts and he also is a decent point-producer.

Bang on. I actually forgot about the Sundin debacle.

If I was Ownership I would have fired both Gillis and AV, apologized to Luongo and traded Schneider for what I assume would be a boatload.

Then you buy out Booth and trade Ballard. Boom...your Cap issues are gone.

Edit. As a Leaf fan I know also what it's like to have a blowhard GM, making proclamations he has no chance of fulfilling.
- djamon

You forgot we had Burke too.......twice.....

How many 40 goal seasons has Burrows had?
- djamon

I really do think Burrows could get a 1st right now, nothing more but a 1st yes.....

Iggy looked old out there .He looked like he was 40
- VANTEL

totally agree. He wasn't a threat all playoffs and seemed to be invisible most nights.

I really do think Burrows could get a 1st right now, nothing more but a 1st yes.....
- chompsey

I would compare Burrows value to something similar to a younger Hartnell. I think he would actually have a fair bit of value around the league. I think Edler has more value, but Burrows isn't going to be viewed as scraps. Raymond on the other hand would be viewed as garbage.

***edit*** to clarify, I am NOT saying Burrows would bring the physical intimidation Hartnell does, more that he can get into the dirty areas and chip in as well.

I would compare Burrows value to something similar to a younger Hartnell. I think he would actually have a fair bit of value around the league. I think Edler has more value, but Burrows isn't going to be viewed as scraps. Raymond on the other hand would be viewed as garbage.

***edit*** to clarify, I am NOT saying Burrows would bring the physical intimidation Hartnell does, more that he can get into the dirty areas and chip in as well.
- Isles_since_6

That's actually a fairly good comparison (and also agree with your edit). If the Canucks had a few more Burrows type players we would be set up quite nicely.

You forgot we had Burke too.......twice.....
- chompsey

I actually really liked Burke until he went to Toronto. Then it almost seemed like he assumed everyone would die for the chance to play for the Leafs and if he said something (like, we're going to move up for Tavares) that people would fall over themselves to make it happen. It's almost like he went a bit soft in the head when he went to the Leafs.

Pat Quinn is still my all time favorite for a talker, but the guy would back up what he said. Loved listening to that guy, plus he liked to coach a more open style of hockey with a lot of skill and skating. I've been hoping the Kings wouldn't win the cup again this year because that style of hockey is disgusting to watch.

I would compare Burrows value to something similar to a younger Hartnell. I think he would actually have a fair bit of value around the league. I think Edler has more value, but Burrows isn't going to be viewed as scraps. Raymond on the other hand would be viewed as garbage.

***edit*** to clarify, I am NOT saying Burrows would bring the physical intimidation Hartnell does, more that he can get into the dirty areas and chip in as well.
- Isles_since_6

Burrows value is at the trade deadline where teams are looking for scrappy players, and ones who score and kill penalties aint too shabby either.....

That's actually a fairly good comparison (and also agree with your edit). If the Canucks had a few more Burrows type players we would be set up quite nicely.
- Zogg

I think Burrows type players (minus the diving rep) are an extremely important part of a team. They get in and do the dirty work, take the abuse, generally piss off everyone else around the league but you'd want them on your team:

marchand is one I'd consider to be a Burrows type player. Cooke is way too far over the line.

I actually really liked Burke until he went to Toronto. Then it almost seemed like he assumed everyone would die for the chance to play for the Leafs and if he said something (like, we're going to move up for Tavares) that people would fall over themselves to make it happen. It's almost like he went a bit soft in the head when he went to the Leafs.

Pat Quinn is still my all time favorite for a talker, but the guy would back up what he said. Loved listening to that guy, plus he liked to coach a more open style of hockey with a lot of skill and skating. I've been hoping the Kings wouldn't win the cup again this year because that style of hockey is disgusting to watch.
- Isles_since_6

Too bad the game has passed him by. I remember the day he was fired, I was CRUSHED! Best GM Vancouver ever had.....

Burrows value is at the trade deadline where teams are looking for scrappy players, and ones who score and kill penalties aint too shabby either.....
- chompsey

I think he has value all year round. He doesn't only show up when he wants to, he's there night after night. He's not a popular player around the league and he's not a pretty player, but these are players you win the dirty games with.

I think Burrows type players (minus the diving rep) are an extremely important part of a team. They get in and do the dirty work, take the abuse, generally piss off everyone else around the league but you'd want them on your team:

marchand is one I'd consider to be a Burrows type player. Cooke is way too far over the line.
- Isles_since_6

He hasn't been diving since the SCF

Too bad the game has passed him by. I remember the day he was fired, I was CRUSHED! Best GM Vancouver ever had.....
- chompsey

I don't think there is a person around the league that would say anything negative about Quinn. He played the game the same way he talked it, tough, borderline dirty and brutally honest. It was even more impressive that he recognized skill and speed was the way to go when coaching a team. That kind of game is so much more entertaining for fans. There has to be a physical element to it, but if scoring chances for each team are in single digits over the course of the game it's just fugly hockey. Boston at least can score, LA is just awful hockey for anyone to watch. Kind of like the Devils were in their cup days. Brutally painful hockey for anyone who wasn't a die hard fan of that franchise.

I would love to see the Isles win another cup, but I couldn't take watching such boring hockey. Loved how they played against pittsburgh and just wish we had a goalie. That being said, I was expecting to see them get swept so it was a pretty gutty effort and I enjoyed the hell out of it.

He hasn't been diving since the SCF
- VANTEL

not saying that he is, but I bet the perception around the league from people who don't see the team is still that he's a diver. I'd love him on the Isles, don't get me wrong, his game is grit and I admire that, and think he has value. He probably will continue to carry that label, just like every hit Matt Cooke and Raffe Torres make are looked at more closely.

So next year it is

Sedin Sedin Kassian
Schenn MacKinon Nino N
Booth Schroeder Hansen

Gonchar signed with Dallas 2 yrs /5 mil per

If Sundin had taken the 2 year, 20 mil deal the Canucks wouldn't have been able to keep the Sedins and the team would have never made the cup finals. Gillis is lucky his offer was rejected.

Of the players on the roster when he took over, and the players on the roster today, he's essentially signed a couple of good ufas in hamhuis and garrison. Everything else is the same players or a downgrade over the last two years.

The team is declining due to his management and is also now in the worst cap position in the league with several contracts that aren't moveable.

To whoever said the cap going down is the only reason the Canucks are in this situation is blind to the fact that it was widely reported prior to the lockout that the cap would be going down as the owners wanted the players to be taking a lower percentage. It was no surprise and Gillis ignored the situation and instead maxed it out.

He's had an entire year to do something with Luongo and Ballard to prevent the current situation and hasn't been able to do anything. Part of that is because he opened his mouth to the media and announced what he was willing to accept for Luongo at a minimum - now whatever he does looks like a failure. His refusal to accept the contract is a major issue in making a deal just makes him look like more of a blowhard.

He insists on making bold statements he can't back up and continues to make the current situation worse by stalling instead of pulling the trigger on a deal to get the team some cap space and drop bad contracts.

He continues to say he's going to be active as GM and fails to deliver.

I personally love how he's tried to create any kind of demand for Luongo by saying several teams are interested, then somehow nothing happens.

Look, I've been through this. Isles fans suffered with Milbury and ridiculous ownership for years - at least you only have to deal with the bad GM, your ownership is solid. I spent a good part of Milbury's tenure as GM trying to tell myself he had to make the deals he did because ownership pushed him into it. The simple fact is that the guy had no patience and no eye for talent and no clue how to develop it. When Gillis gets canned there will be a ton of Canucks fans here saying that it took far too long and he needed to go. But until then, most of you seem to be in denial.

Hope he gets canned now before he does any further damage to a team that should be a hell of a lot more competitive with what they have than they have been. Look at the talent on this team: Sedins, Burrows, Kesler, Hamhuis, Garrison, Edler, Luongo, Schneider - this is a legit list of talent that only needed a real supporting cast, not the scrubs they've been given by Gillis.

Gillis took a team that had almost all the parts that were needed for a championship and slowly let the depth of the team go, and replaced what he had with lesser talent and some terrible contracts.

AV's shelf life had expired, but the guy stocking the shelves gave him poop to work with.
- Isles_since_6

I agree about the part about Luongo. I think most Canucks fans do.

But you seem to ignore the fact that the Canucks would not have made it to game 7 of the SCF if it weren't for Gillis's moves. It's as simple as that.


Many of the moves Gillis made were to make a strong push for the cup, which they did.

Unfortunately they were one win short.

Did it put the Canucks in a worse position for the future? Yes. But sometimes that's the price you have to pay if you think the team is a contender. It's called "win now."

Has he made more bad moves than good since then? Yes.

But his moves were still instrumental in the cup run, which is why he won GM of the year.

EDIT: You call guys like Hamhuis, Ehrhoff, Higgins, and Lapierre scrubs?

Most may be depth moves, but they were good ones that didn't take any players from the roster, and were all crucial in the SCF run.

They are also better than the depth moves Burke and Nonis gutted the system for, like Keith Carney, Brian Smolinski, and Martin Rucinsky....I'm probably missing a few even worse...

So next year it is

Sedin Sedin Kassian
Schenn MacKinon Nino N
Booth Schroeder Hansen


- VANTEL

It is what it is.

Potentially, we do have that player if somehow the new coach can motivate Kassian, who, IMO, is better than Lucic if he can put it together....

We need a true #1 d-man and a 2nd line center (move Kesler to the wing) and a hulking 3rd line center....

Edler for Schenn
Sign Bryan Bickell
Get Colorados 1st overall pick somehow - do it MG - dammit!! and draft Seth Jones or better yet trade for Eric Johnson and groom him slowly (Tanev, Jensen and our 1st?)


*exhale*
- chompsey

IMO Kassian is in the same stage as Bertuzzi and Brad Isbister were with the Isles. Big forwards who show flashes but are wildly inconsistent. The real question is what he's going to be. Really hard to tell at this point. He could easily be either.

Too bad the game has passed him by. I remember the day he was fired, I was CRUSHED! Best GM Vancouver ever had.....
- chompsey

Wasn't he part of the reason why Bure left Vancouver?