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

I understand where you are coming from but the Sedins both shoot left. It would compliment them well with a right handed shot. Kassian would be better for that and he really showed some promising play-making abilities. These are how I see the lines.

Dank-Hank-Vrbata
Burr-Bonino-Kass
Higgins-Matthias-Vey
Dorsett/Sestito-Richardson-Hansen

It really seems a bit crowded now too. I think a few trades could be done to balance it out and I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen. Did Hansen's NTC kick in yet?

That's quite a haul for Vrbata. I guess it's not wildly over priced and the terms is good, but that doesn't stop me from feeling like we've just welcomed the 2nd coming of Jan Bulis.

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

We are canuck fans so we all hope you are 100% correct. But I remember the exact same conversation we (not you directly but the 'royal' we) all had when gillis was brought in. Bold moves. New approach. Out of the box thinking.

I just hope it's not more of the same.

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.
- Delta-Bravo

Not sure if Matthias fits in that same tier, but I agree that it seems very likely that a forward will get moved and potentially Eddie Lack could also be involved unless they really don't see much in Markstrom or he actually cares some value himself.


But again, hat I've always believed in is having 4 lines you can roll and even a 4th line that can chip in offense like most team's 3rd lines if your top 6 is lacking. The Canucks currently have that with the current roster as is IMO.

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

The man in the boat?

The man in the boat?
- boonerbuck

Fishbreath?

That's quite a haul for Vrbata. I guess it's not wildly over priced and the terms is good, but that doesn't stop me from feeling like we've just welcomed the 2nd coming of Jan Bulis.
- micah555

Oh god, you've just made me more depressed.

I'm heading to the deck for a toke. I'll be back with a better, more positive attitude.

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

Appearance is everything.

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

If Gillies had a friggin brain in his head and he even drafted half decently we wouldn't be where we are. When the team lost out in the first round two years ago he should have traded Kesler, three years ago when Schneiders value was sky high he should have traded him for a high first, he should have traded Burrows instead of signing him to that stupid deal. These are the reasons we have no young players pushing and we have to suffer thru a couple years of transition.

Help is there now, hopefully, but we've got ourselves a gap to deal with.

Oh god, you've just made me more depressed.

I'm heading to the deck for a toke. I'll be back with a better, more positive attitude.
- bloatedmosquito

Vrbata ain't no Bulis. I'm not pumped about this signing, but he's not that (frank)ing brutal to watch.

Appearance is everything.

- boonerbuck

Nucker would be attracted to me if he saw me in real life lol.

What have they done now

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

So you are saying that some management groups don't position their teams so they get high draft picks?

No need to insult people with different opinions. Makes you look dim.

Nucker would be attracted to me if he saw me in real life lol.
- LeftCoaster

Vrbata ain't no Bulis. I'm not pumped about this signing, but he's not that (frank)ing brutal to watch.
- Nucker101

I would have preferred Iginla but I'll take Vbata. 24 hours ago we were wondering who the hell was going to score goals. They brought in a guy that has shown he can score.

What have they done now
- 1970vintage

You're on #TankNation or do you just hate Vrbata's guts?

So you are saying that some management groups don't position their teams so they get high draft picks?

No need to insult people with different opinions. Makes you look dim.
- bloatedmosquito

Insult? Relax. Anyone who says tank puts off the same impression of "dim". Losing on purpose doesnt belong in professional sports.

Oh god, you've just made me more depressed.

I'm heading to the deck for a toke. I'll be back with a better, more positive attitude.
- bloatedmosquito

Plan ahead, been doing that since the Torts hiring

So you are saying that some management groups don't position their teams so they get high draft picks?

No need to insult people with different opinions. Makes you look dim.
- bloatedmosquito

I know what your saying but I'm really not a big fan of the tank. I like to see the team compete, draft we'll (even if that is mid round), develop well and use smart asset management.

Vrbata ain't no Bulis. I'm not pumped about this signing, but he's not that (frank)ing brutal to watch.
- Nucker101

Yeah, I shouldn't hold the Tampa Bay fiasco against him, but last time he was a UFA, he got sent to Europe 18 games in. I just worry about offensive players with no other skills to fall back on if they aren't scoring. If he scores 20 this year, the signing will have been more than fine.

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
- Nucker101

I am ok with this. More moves are on the way. Benning and Co aren't afraid to make moves. When you look at it like this I would say its an improvement especially when you consider the draft and leading up to it. He is changing the culture and showing he wants to revitalize the pieces that aren't going anywhere. We can all be like "what the f@ck is he thinking this is horrible" Truly he is making moves to stay competitive and give stability for the future. Draft well and develop within add pieces as you go to compliment what you already have. I would have let Lack run but goalies are different breed.

Yeah, I shouldn't hold the Tampa Bay fiasco against him, but last time he was a UFA, he got sent to Europe 18 games in. I just worry about skill players with no other skills to fall back on if they aren't scoring.
- micah555

I share similar concerns, he's not much of a defensive player(or top notch as a possession player) either an definitely not physical. Probably gonna be a love/hate thing with him this season, we'll love him when he's putting up points, but he'll get ripped when he goes 3+ games without any points.

We are canuck fans so we all hope you are 100% correct. But I remember the exact same conversation we (not you directly but the 'royal' we) all had when gillis was brought in. Bold moves. New approach. Out of the box thinking.

I just hope it's not more of the same.
- bloatedmosquito

I don't think this regime is. I feel he has a plan. GIllis had no real plan. Moneyball and sleep therapist voodoo crap is a joke.

I don't think this regime is. I feel he has a plan. GIllis had no real plan. Moneyball and sleep therapist voodoo crap is a joke.
- thundachunk

Gillis really (frank)ed up once he got obsessed with size/grit after the SCF...just my opinion though. His moneyball drafting theory also sucked. But he also seemingly learned that lesson during last year's draft.

His trading tactics/strategy and handing out NTC's like candy were also not exactly great qualities.

That's quite a haul for Vrbata. I guess it's not wildly over priced and the terms is good, but that doesn't stop me from feeling like we've just welcomed the 2nd coming of Jan Bulis.
- micah555

Stop gap they can afford out of a nothing group of available free agents. Finding someone to sign here is as difficult as finding a fair price for offense on the open market. Miller went for fair money tho.... he is considered elite.

Both Miller and Vrbata are tradable with limited NTC's and I'll bet a little farm that Benning is going to try and get picks for these guys before their contracts run out. Miller to a contender could get a 1st and a player/prospect even... they will contribute to our futre.