I think if your team makes it within 1 game of the Stanley Cup then they deserve a chance to get back there, especially if they win another PT along the way. Last year and this year the team has been dealing with cap constraints.

Yeah, nice moves by CBJ and the AVS but they were both bottom dwellers. Several years? We are less than 2 years removed from a 2nd consecutive PT following a game 7 loss of the finals. To even consider firing the GM a couple of years ago would have been asinine. There is no basis for firing a guy that has his team in the top 1/3 of the league every year.

I'm as frustrated as the next guy as I actually pay for a half season, I just don't think that firing the GM is the answer. Take a look around the NHL and every GM out there makes bad moves. The better ones just make more good moves than bad ones.

I may be in the minority but I want Gillis to stay the course this year unless he can pick up somebody at a bargain price or bring in an incredibly young and talented player. I don't even really want to see Edler dealt anymore. Next season we get some breathing room cap wise and in a couple of years that contract should look like a real bargain.
- golfingsince

I'll
Agree if we're in the top half of the western conference this year. But if he stands pat and we miss the playoffs it may be time for him to go. Once the games in hand cycle through we could potentially be in 9th or 10th. I think playing more games than a couple teams in the hunt is giving us a false sense of security. In reality, I think we're an 8-11 team in the west but def. top 16 league-wise.

Agreed that we can't get to the final every year but I would expect a team that was good enough to make it one year and keeps their core intact would continue to be in the conversation for several years afterward (CHI, LA, BOS) not fall off the map entirely. NJ fell off the map recently after a final appearance, but they also lost their 2 best players so that was to be expected.

I agree that simply dumping the guy with no replacement plan is silly. But I for one have been advocating for a change for some time and, had the Aquillini's felt the same, several years is plenty of time to find a quality replacement. I thought the move CBJ made for their new Finnish GM was a strong move, not to mention the Avs bringing in the Roy/Sakic tandem which has provided immediate results.

To simply say, "it can get worse" is to paralyze yourself from ever improving. I never said Gillis was a horrible GM like Sherman or Howson, but since the Cup run I found him to be either not connected with what I believe the gaps to be in this team, too slow to react to those developing gaps, or simply too cautious/conservative to do anything about them. He's not the GM this team needs right now or moving forward.
- AlexF

I think there's something to be said about seeing a decline in process and initiating a change at that moment rather than waiting until the decline has been thoroughly completed before deciding to act. You shouldn't have to hit rock bottom with fans and the media coming out with pitchforks before going in a different direction that you think can improve the team.

Unfortunately you see teams hanging on to depreciating situations far too long in this league. And it happens over and over. Gillis' time will inevitably come to an end. I just hope (as I suspect) that we don't look back and realize it was several years later than it should/could have been, like with AV.
- AlexF

I think there is also something in seeing that there are circumstances beyond the GM's control that have handcuffed the team. AV didn't deserve to get canned until last season, and if it was a full season it may have happened part way through. Again, there was not a better option available.

Gillis has done some really good things here. Even some of the ones that turned out poorly such as the Booth deal, people on these boards were praying we would get him. The Hodgson trade looks better now than it ever has, and might even end up working in our favour.

Again, who do you replace Gillis with? Don't tell me that's on the Aquillini group because they aren't on here suggesting he should go. I want your take.

I'll
Agree if we're in the top half of the western conference this year. But if he stands pat and we miss the playoffs it may be time for him to go. Once the games in hand cycle through we could potentially be in 9th or 10th. I think playing more games than a couple teams in the hunt is giving us a false sense of security. In reality, I think we're an 8-11 team in the west but def. top 16 league-wise.
- I-own_da-Northwest

Minny has played more games than us, only PHX can catch us with games in hand at the moment.

Not in a trade.
- AlexF

Horcoff

Weise I could see. If Gillis can trade Booth without picking up salary or taking back a bad contract he deserves an extension.
- golfingsince

I still wouldn't be surprised to see Booth get traded to a team like the Islanders. They might need help hitting the cap floor and Booth would be an upgrade on one winger at least. Snow might think that a change in scenery would do him good. Might be worth the risk, which for them would be minimal.

Horcoff
- KB3Point0

The good news is that after our game in PHX our schedule seems to be much easier. Only 1 road game left against non-Alberta divisional opponents. Also, only 6 back to backs left on our schedule as of now after already having done it 10 times.

Everyone on this board wants top 6 talent.

Im still dreaming of the day we get to see Shea Weber in a Canucks jersey.

Hamhuis - Weber
Garrison - Tanev
Edler - Bieksa/Corrado.

Everyone on this board wants top 6 talent.

Im still dreaming of the day we get to see Shea Weber in a Canucks jersey.

Hamhuis - Weber
Garrison - Tanev
Edler - Bieksa/Corrado.
- Gullzy

That's an awful contract.

I want the Canucks to have no part of it.

Not to mention the absolutely ridiculous package it would take to acquire him.

Great player, but the combination of cost and contract would cripple the Canucks.

You'd be looking at Kesler, Edler, and Horvat + just to get NSH's attention.

Horcoff
- KB3Point0

No disagreeing but he was the Oilers' captain when traded. Just trying to say he had some pedigree even if it was in decline. I don't Booth or Weise would qualify and could only be traded as part of a package, which would lessen the return.

That's an awful contract.

I want the Canucks to have no part of it.

Not to mention the absolutely ridiculous package it would take to acquire him.

Great player, but the combination of cost and contract would cripple the Canucks.

You'd be looking at Kesler, Edler, and Horvat + just to get NSH's attention.
- Fosco

I was thinking

Bieksa - Kesler - Shinkaruk - 1st

Weber + Craig Smith

Bo steps up and we sign a top 6 centre through FA


and honestly I could care less about the repercussions of a contract. Does the move improve an aspect of our team? Yes it does. I'd say we'd have the best god damn defence core in the league.

I was thinking

Bieksa - Kesler - Shinkaruk - 1st

Weber + Craig Smith

Bo steps up and we sign a top 6 centre through FA
- Gullzy

Good luck with that contract. And good luck trying to replace Kesler through free agency. Defense is fine, this team needs scoring(preferably with grit/size).

I was thinking

Bieksa - Kesler - Shinkaruk - 1st

Weber + Craig Smith

Bo steps up and we sign a top 6 centre through FA
- Gullzy

I don't think that's enough to get it done. And I wouldn't want the Canucks to offer that much, even.

I think the Weber-to-Vancouver ship sailed even before he signed that awful contract. If I'm not mistaken, Weber has expressed that he doesn't want to be a Canuck.

EDIT: and it doesn't really improve the team. The Canucks problem, at least when relatively healthy, is at forward, not D.

They need offense.

The D-corps when healthy is one of the best in the league.

Good luck with that contract. And good luck trying to replace Kesler through free agency. Defense is fine, this team needs scoring(preferably with grit/size).
- Nucker101

I would hate to have a team full of just Grit/Size. I think if you're adding a guy like Weber, who already is one of the grittier players in the league; you can afford to add a skill guy who is not as truculent. ex. Valtteri Filppula

Everyone on this board wants top 6 talent.

Im still dreaming of the day we get to see Shea Weber in a Canucks jersey.

Hamhuis - Weber
Garrison - Tanev
Edler - Bieksa/Corrado.
- Gullzy

I don't think that's enough to get it done. And I wouldn't want the Canucks to offer that much, even.

I think the Weber-to-Vancouver ship sailed even before he signed that awful contract. If I'm not mistaken, Weber has expressed that he doesn't want to be a Canuck.

EDIT: and it doesn't really improve the team. The Canucks problem, at least when relatively healthy, is at forward, not D.

They need offense.

The D-corps when healthy is one of the best in the league.
- Fosco

I have to say though, the team could really use a true PMD.

I would hate to have a team full of just Grit/Size. I think if you're adding a guy like Weber, who already is one of the grittier players in the league; you can afford to add a skill guy who is not as truculent. ex. Valtteri Filppula
- Gullzy

FYI, might be a spot in the pool open for you.

AlexF inquired first, but it looks like there could be another. I'll PM you as soon as I know.

I have to say though, the team could really use a true PMD.
- golfingsince

Yeah, they do.

They have a couple better than average puck movers, but none of the top 4 is what a contender would have.

But Shea Weber isn't a true PMD.

I don't think that's enough to get it done. And I wouldn't want the Canucks to offer that much, even.

I think the Weber-to-Vancouver ship sailed even before he signed that awful contract. If I'm not mistaken, Weber has expressed that he doesn't want to be a Canuck.

EDIT: and it doesn't really improve the team. The Canucks problem, at least when relatively healthy, is at forward, not D.

They need offense.

The D-corps when healthy is one of the best in the league.
- Fosco

You cant ever have too much of a good thing.

My philosophy is one that addresses one need and moves on. If I see things I don't like, Ill fix the smallest issue first; and then move onto the bigger issue.

Our D was the best with Erhoff in it, and since he's left, our team hasn't been the same. I think we should somehow address that role first. Wether is be through the draft, through FA, or through trade. Just my two cents.

Everyone has their own takes on things, and their own perspective. This is just mine. I hope I explained myself well enough that maybe you consider what im saying has merit.

Yeah, they do.

They have a couple better than average puck movers, but none of the top 4 is what a contender would have.

But Shea Weber isn't a true PMD.
- Fosco

Nope. Just goes to show how much we miss Erhoff.

3, maybe a slump buster though. Would be nice to see him go on a tear.
- golfingsince

In Jr he was very streaky

FYI, might be a spot in the pool open for you.

AlexF inquired first, but it looks like there could be another. I'll PM you as soon as I know.
- Fosco

Thanks Fosco, hopefully its soon.

I think there is also something in seeing that there are circumstances beyond the GM's control that have handcuffed the team. AV didn't deserve to get canned until last season, and if it was a full season it may have happened part way through. Again, there was not a better option available.

Gillis has done some really good things here. Even some of the ones that turned out poorly such as the Booth deal, people on these boards were praying we would get him. The Hodgson trade looks better now than it ever has, and might even end up working in our favour.

Again, who do you replace Gillis with? Don't tell me that's on the Aquillini group because they aren't on here suggesting he should go. I want your take.
- golfingsince

You do realize this is a low-level spit-balling hockey forum that is the ridicule of much of the hockey blogoshpere, don't you? I think you might be taking the opinions expressed on this site too seriously.

I don't research hockey enough to know the potential quality of GM candidates throughout the globe. I already mentioned several moves I liked in Sakic and Kekäläinen. Yzerman was also a good move by TB. There are undoubtedly other possibilities out there that would be promising.

In Jr he was very streaky
- Bieksa#3

Pure goal scorers usually are. It often gets better as they mature, but not always.

Good luck with that contract. And good luck trying to replace Kesler through free agency. Defense is fine, this team needs scoring(preferably with grit/size).
- Nucker101

Yeah even I can't believe people here still want Weber