Any Idea where Todd is based? While it would be nice to have a blogger that is actually based in Vancouver, Ian does an exceptional job stimulating Vancouver Canucks hockey discussions on a daily basis.


The downside of that is he also attracts a boatload of trolls on a daily basis as well
- Chest Rockwell

It's not Ian that attracts the trolls, its the posters, and the site itself

It's not Ian that attracts the trolls, its the posters, and the site itself
- annoyance_101

No it isn't.

No it isn't.
- KB3Point0

Yes, it is, I don't come here to troll Ian, I come here because posters on Ian's blogs think they know everything and I like pointing out they are wrong 99% of the time which actually happens on every single thread on this entire site (hence why i said the site attracts the trolls and not JUST Ian's threads)

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-fill-a-hole-for-canucks/

Yes, it is, I don't come here to troll Ian, I come here because posters on Ian's blogs think they know everything and I like pointing out they are wrong 99% of the time which actually happens on every single thread on this entire site (hence why i said the site attracts the trolls and not JUST Ian's threads)
- annoyance_101

Nope.

Message to Fosco - I read your small book on prospects and Mike Gillis's drafting, sorry I'm still not on the same page as you because I think you're not understanding my point of view. As for 2008 I'll agree with you, Gillis was just hired and did not have ample time to properly prepare for the draft...so he gets a pass.

2009 & 2010 is a different story though. I know you listed off a bunch of players they took, but, I'm not referring to the players they actually took. I'm disappointed in their drafting philosophy and the fact that they didn't manage to find any players (outside of the 1st round) who're capable of pushing for jobs in what is now the 2013/14 season. Again, it's not about the players, it's about them not selecting players to make a push for jobs.

For every kid that's drafted, there's another kid out there who's equally or more talented than them who's drafted later or not at all. That's my opinion from playing at a high level of hockey for many years. Out of those 17 picks, I'd like to say three kids should have already made the push for an NHL position. Regardless if the Nucks have had a winning team or not! Chicago won the Stanley Cup in 2010 yet they've got a 5th round draft pick from 2009 in Marcus Kruger now playing regularly on their team. They've also got a 2nd round pick from 2011 in Brandon Saad playing regularly on their team.

Dallas took Alex Chassion in the 2nd round of 2009, he's played 7 games. They took Reilly Smith in the 3rd round, he's played 40 games. They took Tomas Vincour in the 5th round, he's played 88 games. Kids are pushing for jobs, that's what I wanna see!

So again, it's not about who they've drafted, but rather their drafting philosophy and lack of push for jobs. Maybe I'll have a different mindset after they announce who's made the team this year?
- LeftCoaster

You're expecting too much.

You must be misinformed on the success rates of the later rounds. It's like winning the lottery. The more picks you have, the better chance you have to get a "hit".

There's a lot of discussion about this sort of thing on other boards.

Several of the Canucks later picks in 2009 and 2010 will play in the NHL. That is good drafting.

You can't pick out a handful of successes and say "the Canucks should have picked x in the __ round."

The Canucks have their own later round successes.

You can't select a sample size of two years and claim that the because other teams got a couple NHLers from their later picks and the Canucks didn't, that it's based purely on bad drafting—it has a lot to do with luck, not to mention development, as well.

Especially since a number of Canucks picks in the years you specified, who were well known "project" players, are still developing, and still look likely to have some kind of impact in the NHL.

As for your Dallas comparison, those were all good picks, but Dallas has been a considerably weaker team for a long time—they've had roster spots available.

Who's to say Andersson or Polasek wouldn't have been able to stick if they were forced to join the big club prematurely out of necessity?

The Canucks quality NHL roster has likely been a factor in MG's willingness to draft long-term project prospects.

Sorry for writing another novel. At least it saves you from buying a paper in the airport...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/lain-hopes-to-fill-a-hole-for-canucks/


- LeftCoaster

Hope he's got a lot of pennies for the wishing well.

He's at least a year or two away.

Looked lost more often than not with bottom6 AHL competition.

It's not Ian that attracts the trolls, its the posters, and the site itself
- annoyance_101

The blogger has a massive amount to do with the trolls. We complained enough that we finally got rid of Cloutier and the number of trolls is waaaayyy down on the Oiler threads. And if you check since GARTH got a back seat on the site his posts and trolls are way down as well. Ian attracts trolls. Get him to change if you don't want as many.

You're expecting too much.

You must be misinformed on the success rates of the later rounds. It's like winning the lottery. The more picks you have, the better chance you have to get a "hit".

There's a lot of discussion about this sort of thing on other boards.

Several of the Canucks later picks in 2009 and 2010 will play in the NHL. That is good drafting.

You can't pick out a handful of successes and say "the Canucks should have picked x in the __ round."

The Canucks have their own later round successes.

You can't select a sample size of two years and claim that the because other teams got a couple NHLers from their later picks and the Canucks didn't, that it's based purely on bad drafting—it has a lot to do with luck, not to mention development, as well.

Especially since a number of Canucks picks in the years you specified, who were well known "project" players, are still developing, and still look likely to have some kind of impact in the NHL.

As for your Dallas comparison, those were all good picks, but Dallas has been a considerably weaker team for a long time—they've had roster spots available.

Who's to say Andersson or Polasek wouldn't have been able to stick if they were forced to join the big club prematurely out of necessity?

The Canucks quality NHL roster has likely been a factor in MG's willingness to draft long-term project prospects.

Sorry for writing another novel. At least it saves you from buying a paper in the airport...
- Fosco

I'm thinking the future will hold more success in terms of 2nd to 7th round picks as they've changed their way of thinking somewhat. 2011 - 2012 - 2013 should be more to my liking.

Hope he's got a lot of pennies for the wishing well.

He's at least a year or two away.

Looked lost more often than not with bottom6 AHL competition.
- Fosco

Ya not looking for him to step in right away, but I definitely like the signing!

The blogger has a massive amount to do with the trolls. We complained enough that we finally got rid of Cloutier and the number of trolls is waaaayyy down on the Oiler threads. And if you check since GARTH got a back seat on the site his posts and trolls are way down as well. Ian attracts trolls. Get him to change if you don't want as many.
- Iggysbff

As he gets paid on hits it's probably in his best interest to attract trolls then. Doubt he'll go out of his way to make less.

As he gets paid on hits it's probably in his best interest to attract trolls then. Doubt he'll go out of his way to make less.
- KB3Point0

I may be wrong, but I believe they get paid on actual blog reads. Not hits.

Ya not looking for him to step in right away, but I definitely like the signing!
- LeftCoaster

It's a free prospect.

He's got a skill set that isn't always easy to find—a big, good skating, physical centre who is good on the draw.

He's still pretty raw, but if he improves his defensive play, he could crack the lineup eventually, and it saves them having to trade an asset to fill that spot in the future.

I'm thinking the future will hold more success in terms of 2nd to 7th round picks as they've changed their way of thinking somewhat. 2011 - 2012 - 2013 should be more to my liking.
- LeftCoaster

They seem to be staying away from the "project" picks the last two drafts.

I also like that they took a couple boom/bust skill guys in Shinkaruk and Subban.

As he gets paid on hits it's probably in his best interest to attract trolls then. Doubt he'll go out of his way to make less.
- KB3Point0

I agree. I think Ian does a great job of walking the fine line of generating enticing hockey conversations and making statements or selecting subject matter that will bring in the trolls, therefore upping his hit count.

what are peoples expectations for Schroeder this year?

Main camp tomorrow!!

Any word on Booth's current injury and when he might be available?

what are peoples expectations for Schroeder this year?
- JohnDwyer

Low.

Main camp tomorrow!!

Any word on Booth's current injury and when he might be available?
- Marwood

He's gonna get moved I hope, as soon as he's cleared!!

Low.
- Marwood

owch, really? I thought he looked pretty good last year..and being on a one way contract, he likely wont be sent to utica..

but i like his game. i think he's developed well for someone his size.

I watched the world jr jame from a couple years back where he and JVR killed it, maybe he could get that back with booth or jensen?

He's gonna get moved I hope, as soon as he's cleared!!
- LeftCoaster

I hope he gets moved as well. He's one real expensive third liner on this team. Hopefully we can get a proven NHL 3LC for him.

He's gonna get moved I hope, as soon as he's cleared!!
- LeftCoaster

And then pigs will fly out of Gillis' ass!

Agreed and well said. I always appreciate Ian's daily efforts but could do with less trolls.
- Marwood

I don't see what's wrong with trolls. Trolls are fun. I think people take trolling too seriously.

The best way to deal with trolls is ignore them. The guys on the Hawk's thread do this perfectly. Totally ignore any comment that appears to be trollish.

The troll needs someone else to engage. Don't engage, no troll. Simple.

Saying that, it would have been an absolutely boring summer on this site if it wasn't for the trolls. So I say...

LONG LIVE THE TROLLS!

owch, really? I thought he looked pretty good last year..and being on a one way contract, he likely wont be sent to utica..

but i like his game. i think he's developed well for someone his size.

I watched the world jr jame from a couple years back where he and JVR killed it, maybe he could get that back with booth or jensen?
- JohnDwyer

...or he could be traded to Toronto to re-kindle that flame.

And then pigs will fly out of Gillis' ass!
- Iggysbff

I'm pretty sure it would lead to a ban if we discussed what flies out of your ass.