I'm not sure what peoples expectations are. The team finished 12th in the west last year. Did people think that Benning and Linden we're going turn this team into a power house in one summer?
- fiveandagame

They are still hanging on to the past. The people with high expectations are the ones that can't know too much about hockey or that just don't understand the process.

I think at best this team is a bubble team to make the playoffs but I will not be heart broken if they don't. I just want to see the team come together again. After last year, I was really crushed just how bad they all fell apart. It really did look like they gave up. I hope that part of it changes and then the rest will come through drafting and developing young players.

I am really excited this year not because we are gonna win it all but watching my favorite team looking like they love the game again is gonna make a good impression for the future.

Don't need em, we have the Seahawks
- A_SteamingLombardi

Earl #17 in the top 100 is horsesh!t. Best defensive player in the NFL.

They got rid of Kesler for a decent return under the circumstances, they got rid of that nut-bar Booth, they traded Garrison to give us some further cap space and rid us of a NTC, they brought in a solid goaltender, they brought in a 20 goal RH shooter, WTF did you expect them to do...trade Kesler for Crosby?

They made three awesome draft picks to go along with last years good young picks. I just fail to understand expectations when you've got Henrik Daniel Bieksa Hamhuis Edler on you're team all with NTC's?

Obviously there are going to be some trades coming.
- LeftCoaster

Exactly......frankly with those 5 guys alone theres no way we could potentially reach a top 3-5 pick over the next few years anyways.

They are not really ours.
- Grumpy13

Speak for yourself I've been going to games since '77

Exactly......frankly with those 5 guys alone theres no way we could potentially reach a top 3-5 pick over the next few years anyways.
- Delta-Bravo

Benning has a decent drafting record even outside of the first round. I get what you're saying but not all is lost.

Exactly. If we suck fix it, don't throw glue a glitter on it and say it's new.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I think they are trying to fix it. It can't be fixed overnight. They had a very good draft and signed two players that will make them more competitive next year while allowing the prospects time to get ready.

For the past couple of years there has been a massive gap between the core and the prospects. I think they are trying to bridge the gap while improving the prospect pool.

Nope. The exact opposite.

Don't know why that is such a hard concept to grasp for some.
- bloatedmosquito

Too many good players on the team to strip it right down. Not to mention Gillis gave them all NTC's.

Benning has a decent drafting record even outside of the first round. I get what you're saying but not all is lost.
- WhatTheNuck

That's exactly what I'm "attempting" to argue

The Vancouver market will not buy tickets if the team is not winning - bottom line!!!
- LeftCoaster

Exactly. Is this about improving the team or is it about staying relatively competative? We've been relatively competative for years now but what does it get us? Disapointed fan base and poopty draft picks.

Someone posted some time ago stats for success rate of draft picks 1 through 5 and then the rest. 1 through 5 have a much better chance of being impact players. Our drafting has been so bad that this organization needs to pick in the top 5 just to ensure we pick quality.

I just have a different opinion on approach. We'll just need to see what happens. I'm just not as confident as you are.

Vrbata with the Twins seems a bit odd to me. I think it makes more sense to go with him and Bonino as the C-RW combo to spread out the scoring more, but that's just me an lines never stay the same anyways.

Somebody help me. I'm trying to think of a nickname for Grant Clitsome.
- Grumpy13

Vag

Exactly. Is this about improving the team or is it about staying relatively competative? We've been relatively competative for years now but what does it get us? Disapointed fan base and poopty draft picks.

Someone posted some time ago stats for success rate of draft picks 1 through 5 and then the rest. 1 through 5 have a much better chance of being impact players. Our drafting has been so bad that this organization needs to pick in the top 5 just to ensure we pick quality.

I just have a different opinion on approach. We'll just need to see what happens. I'm just not as confident as you are.
- bloatedmosquito

I feel like Lefty's not as confident as his posts suggest.

Too many good players on the team to strip it right down. Not to mention Gillis gave them all NTC's.
- LeftCoaster

Well said. For this reason, I think anyone who says 'tank', cannot understand hockey. I want McDavid like the rest of them but with the core they have I just don't see that happening. Everyone I work with thinks this team has gotten quite a bit worse since the draft and I just shake my head.

Exactly. If we suck fix it, don't throw glue a glitter on it and say it's new.
- A_SteamingLombardi

What do you think they should or should've done?

This is the Vrbata I am hoping we get.

http://youtu.be/NhqqQa16sYo

@patersonjeff: Agent says #Canucks have told Vrbata will play with Sedins


I wonder if Burrows waives now.
- fiveandagame

I feel like Lefty's not as confident as his posts suggest.
- Nucker101

I hope these guys surprise some of you, I really do.

Vag
- LeftCoaster

But that doesn't sound like his name at all

This is the Vrbata I am hoping we get.


- thundachunk[urlhttp://youtu.be/NhqqQa16sYo

Broken and won't link up?

Vrbata with the Twins seems a bit odd to me. I think it makes more sense to go with him and Bonino as the C-RW combo to spread out the scoring more, but that's just me an lines never stay the same anyways.
- Nucker101

Agreed, though i do believe a trade or two is on the horizon.

Higgins.
Burrows.
Hansen.
Matthias.

All fill the same role, all somewhat over-priced.

Well said. For this reason, I think anyone who says 'tank', cannot understand hockey. I want McDavid like the rest of them but with the core they have I just don't see that happening. Everyone I work with thinks this team has gotten quite a bit worse since the draft and I just shake my head.
- WhatTheNuck

Do you work with preschoolers or just people who frequent CDC? Either way, that would explain a lot.

Well said. For this reason, I think anyone who says 'tank', cannot understand hockey. I want McDavid like the rest of them but with the core they have I just don't see that happening. Everyone I work with thinks this team has gotten quite a bit worse since the draft and I just shake my head.
- WhatTheNuck

In terms of roster players:


Out
Ryan Kesler
Jason Garrison
Mike Santorelli
Zac Dalpe
Jordan Schroeder


In
Ryan Miller
Nick Bonino
Radim Vrbata
Linden Vey
Derek Dorsett
Luca Sbisa

This is the Vrbata I am hoping we get.


- thundachunk[urlhttp://youtu.be/NhqqQa16sYo

Are you suggesting he'll fail like this post?

Broken and won't link up?
- I-own_da-Northwest

repaired

But that doesn't sound like his name at all
- bezz44

That reminds me of the best trade in baseball history. Furbush for Fister.