I think Aquilini's hand in all of this has been obvious all along... and it really pisses me off. Meddling (frank)er.

Doesn't excuse Gillis' s inability to talk sense into him... You'd think an arrogant ex-agent would be better at knowing how to make his case & get his way.
- DrChristianTroy

More from that poster...

- Internal debate as to what constitutes a rebuild/retool.
- Ownership wants Kesler as part of retool, but Management contends he offers best return (don't know how this jives with trade request).
- Canucks actively shopping Edler to get the pieces they need instead, so they can keep Kesler in the fold.
- Burrows will waive NTC for MTL.
- Management and Owners are not aligned

This made me lol. 11th of 14 teams, but realistically still a playoff team. not only is vancouver currently 22nd in the NHL, they could be passed by 3 teams if they win their games in hand. That would put them just outside the draft lottery.

The rapid decline of the sedin's, the overall horribleness of Edler, the lack of secondary scoring, and arguably the biggest bonehead gm/loudmouth coach makes it look like a slow rebuild for the nucks fans.

Cheers!
- GardinerExpress

How did you like those TWO short-handed goals on one penalty tonight? Good luck in the playoffs.

This made me lol. 11th of 14 teams, but realistically still a playoff team. not only is vancouver currently 22nd in the NHL, they could be passed by 3 teams if they win their games in hand. That would put them just outside the draft lottery.

The rapid decline of the sedin's, the overall horribleness of Edler, the lack of secondary scoring, and arguably the biggest bonehead gm/loudmouth coach makes it look like a slow rebuild for the nucks fans.

Cheers!
- GardinerExpress

Actually it puts us in the draft lottery, why do you think we all want to tank. (frank) you're dumb.

More from that poster...

- Internal debate as to what constitutes a rebuild/retool.
- Ownership wants Kesler as part of retool, but Management contends he offers best return (don't know how this jives with trade request).
- Canucks actively shopping Edler to get the pieces they need instead, so they can keep Kesler in the fold.
- Burrows will waive NTC for MTL.
- Management and Owners are not aligned
- Nucker101

Hmmm, interesting... IMO we don't have the organizational depth for a Cup-capable retool. Gotta rebuild using our most valuable pieces to acquire our future stars & keep certain vets/leaders (who might not be as valuable in trade) to mentor the next gen.

I wish, but theres no way we bottom out with likes of Buffalo, Edmonton and Florida dominating the positioning.
- Whiskey-Tango

We are the worst team in hockey now.

Let me start by saying this is not a troll, it is sincere.

I feel bad for Canucks fans. I saw the window to win a Cup pass for the strong Ottawa teams of the mid-2000's. The same thing is happening to Vancouver.

You guys had a really great team and made it to a Cup final but that core is on the decline or moving on and the window has passed. Very similar to Ottawa that peaked with a 2007 Cup Final appearance.

So I know that feeling and hope your management sees it and puts in place a plan that doesn't leave you with a mediocre team that fights for a playoff berth year after year.

Let me start by saying this is not a troll, it is sincere.

I feel bad for Canucks fans. I saw the window to win a Cup pass for the strong Ottawa teams of the mid-2000's. The same thing is happening to Vancouver.

You guys had a really great team and made it to a Cup final but that core is on the decline or moving on and the window has passed. Very similar to Ottawa that peaked with a 2007 Cup Final appearance.

So I know that feeling and hope your management sees it and puts in place a plan that doesn't leave you with a mediocre team that fights for a playoff berth year after year.
- maaddmike

The best thing that can happen is keep losing ,get a high draft pick and this summer clean house. Get rid of the GM ,coach and trade the core . Even if we have one more bad year and get in the McDavid sweeps I am fine with that too. Right now we are one of the worst teams in the league and we can go one more year.

We are the worst team in hockey now.
- VANTEL

the islanders would beg to differ

The best thing that can happen is keep losing ,get a high draft pick and this summer clean house. Get rid of the GM ,coach and trade the core . Even if we have one more bad year and get in the McDavid sweeps I am fine with that too. Right now we are one of the worst teams in the league and we can go one more year.
- VANTEL

Doesn't matter anyways, if we fire the GM and it's true that Aquilini is the puppet master nixing this trade/that trade, what makes you think he won't have his hand up the next gm's A$$ as well?
If he fires gillis and this is true, then he should pull a Jerry Jones and just be an owner/GM himself.

Doesn't matter anyways, if we fire the GM and it's true that Aquilini is the puppet master nixing this trade/that trade, what makes you think he won't have his hand up the next gm's A$$ as well?
If he fires gillis and this is true, then he should pull a Jerry Jones and just be an owner/GM himself.
- I-own_da-Northwest

i have similar feelings about ed snider, although i wish he would just go away

i have similar feelings about ed snider, although i wish he would just go away
- Flyfreaky

Fatman, we miss you in the Leafs thread.

Come back!!

Fatman, we miss you in the Leafs thread.

Come back!!


- faceto27

there's too much impotence in leaf nation right now, i need to be where the action is

Gillis vs Snow

discuss

Gillis vs Snow

discuss
- the_cause2000

Both are better GMs than Nonuts.

I'm hoping couturier + 1st is a possibility...
- I-own_da-Northwest

Gillis vs Snow

discuss
- the_cause2000

Gillis gets crapped on by everyone... but he's not a complete idiot like Snow.

The Luongo situation for example:
-He signs Lu to a long, lucrative contract (that's what it took to keep him in Van)
-2 years into that contract, Lu loses his job to his backup, and demands a trade
-Gillis tries to get some kind of value for Lu for nearly 2 years. Eventually, decides to trade Schneider to get an actual valuable piece (Horvat), while still having solid goaltending with Lu and Lack
-Torts decides that the team has the best chance to win with Lack in net after the olympics, gives him 3 straight starts, including the heritage classic
-Lu and his agent are upset again... so Gillis gives his agent permission to talk to other teams (agent goes straight to Florida, as that is where Lu wants to be)
-Rather than invite another ridiculous distraction, Gillis trades Lu to Florida (his top choice), getting 2 serviceable players in return (and keeping $800,000 from Lu's contract).
-Lu gets his wish, Gillis gets shat on.

Snow trades lottery picks for Tomas Vanek

Gillis gets crapped on by everyone... but he's not a complete idiot like Snow.

The Luongo situation for example:
-He signs Lu to a long, lucrative contract (that's what it took to keep him in Van)
-2 years into that contract, Lu loses his job to his backup, and demands a trade
-Gillis tries to get some kind of value for Lu for nearly 2 years. Eventually, decides to trade Schneider to get an actual valuable piece (Horvat), while still having solid goaltending with Lu and Lack
-Torts decides that the team has the best chance to win with Lack in net after the olympics, gives him 3 straight starts, including the heritage classic
-Lu and his agent are upset again... so Gillis gives his agent permission to talk to other teams (agent goes straight to Florida, as that is where Lu wants to be)
-Rather than invite another ridiculous distraction, Gillis trades Lu to Florida (his top choice), getting 2 serviceable players in return (and keeping $800,000 from Lu's contract).
-Lu gets his wish, Gillis gets shat on.

Snow trades lottery picks for Tomas Vanek
- nucks_94

you lost me after "he's not a complete idiot"

you lost me after "he's not a complete idiot"
- Flyfreaky

Not surprising...

Not surprising...
- nucks_94

Gillis vs Snow

discuss
- the_cause2000

Leafs back to back games with double shorties in the same powerplay. Discuss.

From apparently a poster who knows someone from inside the organization...


" Hearing some interesting things today. Contradicts a lot of other stuff. Apparently the deal for Luongo is identical to the deal they were offered last year but ownership said absolutely no to a salary hold back. Was also the reason the Leaf deal fell through. Water boy was adamant that they would not retain salary. MG tried to get this deal done so he could keep CS."



Not sure if it's legit, but I'm really starting to blame Aqulini more than Gillis here.
- Nucker101

This would not surprise me in the least, it seems as though most of Gillis's transactions or signings at times contradict exactly what he said a few months prior. Almost like decisions were executed at the drop of a hat.

Something is definitely fishy, first Coho, Lou and now Kesler, and those are the one's we know of at the moment....

This is what i think will happen if in fact the Aquilini's are meddling. Information get's leaked by management about how ownership is steering the boat, then on the pretense of public disapproval for Aquilini, Gillis resigns in an attempt to keep his job prospects open. We are already starting to see some of this with the "ownership not wanting to sign off on Kesler" etc.

This would not surprise me in the least, it seems as though most of Gillis's transactions or signings at times contradict exactly what he said a few months prior. Almost like decisions were executed at the drop of a hat.

Something is definitely fishy, first Coho, Lou and now Kesler, and those are the one's we know of at the moment....

This is what i think will happen if in fact the Aquilini's are meddling. Information get's leaked by management about how ownership is steering the boat, then on the pretense of public disapproval for Aquilini, Gillis resigns in an attempt to keep his job prospects open. We are already starting to see some of this with the "ownership not wanting to sign off on Kesler" etc.
- Whiskey-Tango

if this is true, you have a huge mess on your hands, melding owners are franchise killers

More from that poster...

- Internal debate as to what constitutes a rebuild/retool.
- Ownership wants Kesler as part of retool, but Management contends he offers best return (don't know how this jives with trade request).
- Canucks actively shopping Edler to get the pieces they need instead, so they can keep Kesler in the fold.
- Burrows will waive NTC for MTL.
- Management and Owners are not aligned
- Nucker101

Apparently the Ducks are pretty pissed! They thought they had a deal but Aquillini ended up turning it down too late and they were unable to make other alternative deals. They cleared up all that space to get a player and say they thought Kesler was done and the delays from the Nucks made them end up getting nothing.

Apparently the Ducks are pretty pissed! They thought they had a deal but Aquillini ended up turning it down too late and they were unable to make other alternative deals. They cleared up all that space to get a player and say they thought Kesler was done and the delays from the Nucks made them end up getting nothing.
- Iggysbff

well, the ducks are pretty stupid for not having plan b or even c ready to roll

well, the ducks are pretty stupid for not having plan b or even c ready to roll
- Flyfreaky

Burke kinda said the same thing. Had some deals on the table but other teams ran out of time to execute.
I have a really hard time believing no one wouldn't have upped the ante on Vanek. Mtl got him for nothing.