I dont understand why Jensen is floating around in the pre-season? He's more or less been penciled in because we know his development is beyond what he's showing in these two games. Torts is likely to lean towards grit if he doesnt show something soon. Jensen is risking leaving Torts with an impression that may pigeon hole him and timing to get out of it may be more difficult to come by in the reg season.

I really dont know what to expect but I have a fear that Jensen one day may Opt for Europe again especially under the weight of Torts.

If I were Nick, I'd block shots. Fail safe....
- boonerbuck

Agreed.

I thought he played a pretty simple "Torts" type game against the Sharks, but he's become less effective offensively as camp has progressed, and he wasn't even doing the simple things well last night.

I think confidence is an issue. Hopefully a few weeks in Utica will settle him down.

Even though Hunter has looked better the last two games, I still think Jensen will get the most NHL games of any of the forward prospects this season, since Hunter likely won't get more than 9 games and can't be called up once he's sent to the WHL.

*If I had to choose* between Gaunce and Jensen for a winger position, I'd take Gaunce. He's already looking like he could be a gritty utility player at the very least and I've been looking at him as a poor man's Trevor Linden from his draft on.

I still think Gillis acquires a depth center.
- boonerbuck

Whether a C or otherwise, I can't see Gillis sitting still if the remainder of the pre-season performances from our prospects follow a similar pattern.

Jensen strikes me as a moody guy, which isn't the greatest when describing an athlete as they seem to show up when inspired and no one (including themselves) can predict when that will happen. That's the same boat I place Kassian in, Edler to a certain extent as well.

I don't mind players taking nights "off" every so often over an 82 game season. It's normal. But for our prospects the chips are down in these games and Jensen hasn't given much reason to think he's ready.

Shinkaruk - our best prospect going but at 18 and a bit lite he's more than likely heading back to juniors after his cup of coffee. Horvat the same. Gaunce for me is 50/50 right now.

So if this plays out as I'm guessing then Jensen, Shinkaruk, and Horvat will be in juniors by late October. Guance might be too. Which leaves us with something like:

Sedin-Sedin-Kassian
Burrows-Kesler-Booth
Higgins-Schroeder-Hansen
Sestito-Richardson-Santorelli

Yeah, I think we'll need some help...

Camp Cuts: Canucks place Zach Hamill, Pascal Pelletier, and Colin Stuart on waivers

Blog up

Whether a C or otherwise, I can't see Gillis sitting still if the remainder of the pre-season performances from our prospects follow a similar pattern.

Jensen strikes me as a moody guy, which isn't the greatest when describing an athlete as they seem to show up when inspired and no one (including themselves) can predict when that will happen. That's the same boat I place Kassian in, Edler to a certain extent as well.

I don't mind players taking nights "off" every so often over an 82 game season. It's normal. But for our prospects the chips are down in these games and Jensen hasn't given much reason to think he's ready.

Shinkaruk - our best prospect going but at 18 and a bit lite he's more than likely heading back to juniors after his cup of coffee. Horvat the same. Gaunce for me is 50/50 right now.

So if this plays out as I'm guessing then Jensen, Shinkaruk, and Horvat will be in juniors by late October. Guance might be too. Which leaves us with something like:

Sedin-Sedin-Kassian
Burrows-Kesler-Booth
Higgins-Schroeder-Hansen
Sestito-Richardson-Santorelli

Yeah, I think we'll need some help...
- AlexF

We reach disaster level if Kesler is injured for any amount of time.

One thing I do believe is that Torts will more likely opt to use Higgins as a C in a pinch. Gillis always talked about that option but it was never really played out by AV no matter how bad things got.

*If I had to choose* between Gaunce and Jensen for a winger position, I'd take Gaunce. He's already looking like he could be a gritty utility player at the very least and I've been looking at him as a poor man's Trevor Linden from his draft on.

I still think Gillis acquires a depth center.
- boonerbuck

Agreed on Gaunce. I think he develops into a very nice 3rd liner, already has NHL size, but he'd probably be a better bet for next year.

We reach disaster level if Kesler is injured for any amount of time.

One thing I do believe is that Torts will more likely opt to use Higgins as a C in a pinch. Gillis always talked about that option but it was never really played out by AV no matter how bad things got.
- boonerbuck

Higgins is ok as a bottom 6 utility guy but struggles against better competition. I've never been a big fan.

If Kesler goes with a significant injury you can pack the season up at the same time.

Blog up
- IanEsplen

Think again B!tch.

Think again B!tch.
- bloatedmosquito

Something like "the specified thread does not exist" springs to mind.

Blog up
- IanEsplen

What happened to that Caps Blog??

What happened to that Caps Blog??
- Byfuglien Ate Me

That's twice now Ian's blog has been posted and then pulled...

What happened to that Caps Blog??
- Byfuglien Ate Me

It wasn't about the Canucks and was therefore denied by the hockey gods. Carry on...

It wasn't about the Canucks and was therefore denied by the hockey gods. Carry on...
- AlexF

Ok, thx Alex.

*Goes back to eating pail of Gravy*

Ok, thx Alex.

*Goes back to eating pail of Gravy*
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Can I like the spoon when you are done?

Can I like the spoon when you are done?
- bloatedmosquito

Don't you ever touch my Spoon

You can have whats left, Its a 5 gallon Pail, I don't always finish it....

Blog lost in the Bermuda Rectangle....

Blog lost in the Bermuda Rectangle....
- boonerbuck

Ek was trying to upgrade his iPhone to ios7 at the same time. Either that or a fresh hamster is required on the wheel. I love technology.

Blog up
- IanEsplen

Looks like it's time for the "We're doomed, throw in the towel and blow everything up" blog.

I'm sure you're "Grabo is going to save the Caps" blog was super excellent.

So Luongo got one vote and that validates your opinion that he's currently the best goalie in the world?

Blog up
- IanEsplen

Tell us whats going on Ian !!!

So Luongo got one vote and that validates your opinion that he's currently the best goalie in the world?
- 1979AD

So Ian posted a vote to highlight that Luongo might not be as bad as HB trolls would suggest and that validates your opinion that we fans somehow think he's best G on earth?

So Luongo got one vote and that validates your opinion that he's currently the best goalie in the world?
- 1979AD

Yes.

That's exactly right.

Bravo.

Agreed on Gaunce. I think he develops into a very nice 3rd liner, already has NHL size, but he'd probably be a better bet for next year.
- Nucker101

I think they might be evaluating Gaunce for a 4th line spot at this point.

After seeing how he's quietly improved this camp I would be entirely comfortable with that, but I still think it's the wrong choice in terms of his development.

Sometimes necessity requires a few risks, though.

I think at this point he's earned a few games.

I think they might be evaluating Gaunce for a 4th line spot at this point.

After seeing how he's quietly improved this camp I would be entirely comfortable with that, but I still think it's the wrong choice in terms of his development.

Sometimes necessity requires a few risks, though.

I think at this point he's earned a few games.
- Fosco

Gaunce has good defensive responsibilty awareness at this point in his career. Not great wheels by any stretch, but he's in the right place at the right time kind of thing. I could see him starting the year on the 4th line, which is ok by me!

So Luongo got one vote and that validates your opinion that he's currently the best goalie in the world?
- 1979AD

Absolutely. There is no doubt in anyone's mind here, that he is the greatest goaltender EVER!!