A lot of ifs.
Just saying.
- Marwood

From previous predictions and such, thank god the games are played on the ice and not paper.

Looking forward to training camp.

How many Rookies will be in the lineup after the 9 game deal is done?

Will any of Jensen, Horvat, Shinkaruk, Gaunce, Fox, etc.. still be on the team 20 games in?

I'm surprised no one noticed I wrote GMMG in my post earlier haha! GMJB

I'm surprised no one noticed I wrote GMMG in my post earlier haha! GMJB
- Gullzy

I was just about to point that out!!

this.

and this year isn't a concern for D. But besides Tanev, if they don't bring in some younger guys soon its going to be a problem in a couple years

I think Kassian is going to step up this year. And seems like people are under valuing higgins and richardson. Those three names kept things going at the last part of the season.
- numbear

Unless Bonino, Kassian, Vey or some other kid takes a HUGE step forward, which is highly unlikely, there's no one on the Canucks to displace the twins and take over the first line spot. Therefore, they'll have to compete as they are for a playoff spot until some of the younger kids like Horvat are ready….if they come around at all?

Unless Bonino, Kassian, Vey or some other kid takes a HUGE step forward, which is highly unlikely, there's no one on the Canucks to displace the twins and take over the first line spot. Therefore, they'll have to compete as they are for a playoff spot until some of the younger kids like Horvat are ready….if they come around at all?
- LeftCoaster

There's 82 games in a season. Who knows when it might click for one of Kassian or Vey? They could be on the cusp all season, and finally breakthrough in the playoffs. I'm happy we got a good teacher/tactician as our new coach. Hopefully his style rubs off on the youngins, and we finally see guys like Tanev and Kassian take the next step.

I have more optimism going into this season than I did last year.... excited to see how a few guys do. IF these guys just play the way they can, not even talking career highs, they will be a top 10 offensive team.. IMO

I have more optimism going into this season than I did last year.... excited to see how a few guys do. IF these guys just play the way they can, not even talking career highs, they will be a top 10 offensive team.. IMO
- kneughter

People are so quick to trade Higgins and Hansen forgetting that they're both 15-20 goal players. I think this team can bounce back, but the atmosphere round these parts helps me tone down the homerism haha.

Edit: I actually think Vrbata can score 35 this year

People are so quick to trade Higgins and Hansen forgetting that they're both 15-20 goal players. I think this team can bounce back, but the atmosphere round these parts helps me tone down the homerism haha.

Edit: I actually think Vrbata can score 35 this year
- Gullzy

Sometimes you need to give younger players, that have proven they belong, a chance. Thus, I have no problems getting rid of either of Higgins or Hansen providing a younger/ish player can contribute 10 to 15 goals…which is not out of the realm of possibilities.

People are so quick to trade Higgins and Hansen forgetting that they're both 15-20 goal players. I think this team can bounce back, but the atmosphere round these parts helps me tone down the homerism haha.

Edit: I actually think Vrbata can score 35 this year
- Gullzy

I agree.. no reason why he can't get 30-40 with Sedins. We COULD have 5-6 20 plus goal scorers

Sometimes you need to give younger players, that have proven they belong, a chance. Thus, I have no problems getting rid of either of Higgins or Hansen providing a younger/ish player can contribute 10 to 15 goals…which is not out of the realm of possibilities.
- LeftCoaster

I think that's a good strategy if your team isn't good enough to compete at all, but I still think that this team can compete; maybe even win the cup under ideal conditions.

2014-15 is going to alter this teams course regardless of the outcome. If we're winning, we'll load up come trade deadline. If we're losing, we're going to make room for the kids.

Massive year upcoming.

I agree.. no reason why he can't get 30-40 with Sedins. We COULD have 5-6 20 plus goal scorers
- kneughter

LOL you went where I didn't have the balls to go. I'll say it now, I think Vrbata is going to score 40 goals this year.

I agree with your statement regarding the Sedins whole heartedly man. I bet those two are most likely some of the smartest, most intelligent players in the NHL today. Maybe they have taken a step back, but I still think they're top line players.

I'm being optimistic going into this season. But I hope if GMMG doesn't get the performance we need from them, he starts taking this thing apart. I don't want to go through what Calgary has wen through for the last few years.
- Gullzy

Lol, Freudian slip?

People are so quick to trade Higgins and Hansen forgetting that they're both 15-20 goal players. I think this team can bounce back, but the atmosphere round these parts helps me tone down the homerism haha.

Edit: I actually think Vrbata can score 35 this year
- Gullzy

Perhaps that's a good thing. Tempering one's expectations is a good mechanism to mitigate such homerisms, Gullzy lol. But I agree with you, I think Vrbata can reach that 30-35+ goal level with the benefit of quality icetime/powerplay time with the Sedins. He's a shoot-first, ask questions later player which, when playing with the Sedins, is precisely what is required. His shot totals have been in and around that 250 mark, so we know that he's engaged offensively in the play. Let's hope he is able to bring that to Vancouver.

Perhaps that's a good thing. Tempering one's expectations is a good mechanism to mitigate such homerisms, Gullzy lol. But I agree with you, I think Vrbata can reach that 30-35+ goal level with the benefit of quality icetime/powerplay time with the Sedins. He's a shoot-first, ask questions later player which, when playing with the Sedins, is precisely what is required. His shot totals have been in and around that 250 mark, so we know that he's engaged offensively in the play. Let's hope he is able to bring that to Vancouver.
- Zogg

To reach a 30-40 goal mark this season he'll either have to a) shoot more or b) score more on the same amount of shots. I don't think he can reach that same shooting percentage from his 35 goal season (15.1%), but with the Sedins he'll have an opportunity to get into more advantageous areas, more O-Zone starts, more Powerplay time. Hopefully that all pays off.

If he can shoot 12% on 300 shots, he'll score 36. That's 3.6 shots per game. Some crazy totals; let's see what happens.

There's too much optimism here, quick, someone throw a wrench into things….where's Vantel?

There's too much optimism here, quick, someone throw a wrench into things….where's Vantel?
- LeftCoaster

Five games until Miller throws his new team under the bus.
Vrbata pulls a hamstring at camp and is out until the new year.
Bonino goes on a bath salt binge and is looking at hard time.

There's too much optimism here, quick, someone throw a wrench into things….where's Vantel?
- LeftCoaster

I did laugh when posters were saying Vrbata will score 35-40.

I think Bonino Vey Kassian Horvat will be the ones everyone watches this year and MGMT will see it is time to change the guards.

Looking forward to a second line of Virtanen McCann Kassian in two years.

Interesting.

http://www.theprovince.co...+2016/10134492/story.html

I did laugh when posters were saying Vrbata will score 35-40.

I think Bonino Vey Kassian Horvat will be the ones everyone watches this year and MGMT will see it is time to change the guards.

Looking forward to a second line of Virtanen McCann Kassian in two years.
- VANTEL

So looking forward to three years down the road if they continue to draft well, now the development part.

So looking forward to three years down the road if they continue to draft well, now the development part.
- LeftCoaster

Yeah I. Like the balance of skill with Shink and toughness of Virtanen . Power down the middle . It looks good for the future of the forwards, plus the lesser knowns like J Jensen and Gaunce.

Interesting.

http://www.theprovince.co...+2016/10134492/story.html
- LeftCoaster

I still think miss the playoffs and you get a one in 14 chance of drafting in any of the 14 spots.

I'm covering golf all day today so needed to get this blog up early.

Remembering the days where three rookies could run the Canucks' first line:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=61930

I'm excited to see what Grenier can do in the AHL this year. He'll probably get his chance at the show sometime this season.