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.
- micah555

Unfortunately we've already got 2 players like that

Much better.

Now what the hell were we talking about?

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

Gillis' early work was the only thing worth mentioning is his embarrassing time here. He never stuck with one philosophy long enough for it to pan out. Flip flopping stinks of a manager with no confidence and was the main reason I didnt have faith in Nonis as well.

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.
- Nucker101

If a team really wanted Markstrom, could they not wait for us to be forced to send him down and claim him off waivers?

If a team really wanted Markstrom, could they not wait for us to be forced to send him down and claim him off waivers?
- eternalcashflow

True. Unless they're afraid a team higher on the waiver priority list will claim him?

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

Oh gawd... you must look like Kesler.

If a team really wanted Markstrom, could they not wait for us to be forced to send him down and claim him off waivers?
- eternalcashflow

They could take the chance he's still available by the time their claim becomes active.

I think Markstrom will fetch us 3rd or 4th rd pick

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.
- fiveandagame

One of the few available... short term.... had to pay extra for this service... standard operating procedure.

@Perry Sokowski

Verbata will be wearing #17 RHF making 5 mil per year. Sound familiar?

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

Didn't answer my question. Do you think teams purposely position themselves to get higher draft picks?

Easy big boy, I'm just saying that some teams have withstood poopty seasons to rebuild their prospect pool and it's worked out well for them in the form of cups. Some have multiple cups.

Are you aware of this strategy?
- bloatedmosquito

I am absolutely aware of that strategy. I am also well aware that those strategies almost cost Pittsburgh their franchise a couple of times.

And just because Toronto won a couple of cups a millennia ago, doesn't mean that strategy works.

I know you are referring to LA and CHI, but when those franchises went through that their fan base couldn't give 2 (frank)s. No way that can happen here.

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.
- Nucker101

You never know with Gillis and FA. Maybe in Gillis last season, he was told he had to do these things.

@ Ian MacIntyre

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Higgins Bonino Kassian
Burrows Vey Hansen
Dorsett Richardson Mathias

Very nice deal for him and the team.
- LeftCoaster

Honest question Lefty: have you had an issue with a single thing Benning has done to date? Like even a little bit?

True. Unless they're afraid a team higher on the waiver priority list will claim him?
- Nucker101

I'm not sure how many teams would really want him though at 1.2 mil contract for a goalie that may not even be an NHL backup yet... Probably a good chance he'd still be there.

Anybody wanna buy a Vrbata jersey with no namebar?

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

I've already said what I would do, use the cap to acquire younger assets, take on someone's bad contract to get the players we want. In 3 yrs we could have a team with no one over 31yrs old.

Anybody wanna buy a Vrbata jersey with no namebar?
- DrChristianTroy

Gillis' early work was the only thing worth mentioning is his embarrassing time here. He never stuck with one philosophy long enough for it to pan out. Flip flopping stinks of a manager with no confidence and was the main reason I didnt have faith in Nonis as well.
- boonerbuck

We have the same owner who personally choose Gillis (without previous experience) to run this organization. How much did Aquaman influence the hockey decisions? How much will the owners effect decisions going forward?

Stop it bloated. Think positive. Think positive. Think positive.

We are all canucks.

How could we not sign this Virtanan Kid. Hold to the dream kid work hard.

Didn't answer my question. Do you think teams purposely position themselves to get higher draft picks?
- bloatedmosquito

Absolutely. They dont tank though. They rebuild, but it sounded like you supported "tanking" which in my opinion is purposely losing. Like what Pittsburgh denies they did with Mario Lemiuex. I can understand what teams do to rebuild and sell off players for picks but not trying to lose. I think all teams should compete in the best way they can regardless. Isnt that what professional sports is supposed to be?

Absolutely. They dont tank though. They rebuild, but it sounded like you supported "tanking" which in my opinion is purposely losing. Like what Pittsburgh denies they did with Mario Lemiuex. I can understand what teams do to rebuild and sell off players for picks but not trying to lose. I think all teams should compete in the best way they can regardless. Isnt that what professional sports is supposed to be?
- WhatTheNuck

Teams tank

I am absolutely aware of that strategy. I am also well aware that those strategies almost cost Pittsburgh their franchise a couple of times.

And just because Toronto won a couple of cups a millennia ago, doesn't mean that strategy works.

I know you are referring to LA and CHI, but when those franchises went through that their fan base couldn't give 2 (frank)s. No way that can happen here.
- PetrolSexual

EDM would be the anomaly, but the manner in which Buffalo went about it is intriguing.

A passionate/profitable fan base that will/could bankrupt the team, yet sucked for 2 years and accumulated prospects (hell of alot better then us) and yet signed a bunch of veteran guys this year that should keep the team competitive while also establishing a "winning" environment and culture, all the while developing youth.

They did go through an ownership transition though and have a step or two up on us in regards to drafting and yet i do like what I'm seeing from Benning and Co.

Honest question Lefty: have you had an issue with a single thing Benning has done to date? Like even a little bit?
- AlexF

Tigers GM Shaun Clouston on Linden Vey: Oh man, huge upside. Tremendous upside. Incredible talent.

I hope he's right!!!