Yeah but we lacked scoring last year , if you have guys like Vey and Shink who can put up numbers then you don't mind brain farts on the defensive end. Oilers had a bunch of kids in the 80 s that out scored their mistakes. It would be more fun to watch than all these 3-2 games we sleep through

I think if you held a poll most Canuck fans would rather watch Vey and Shink instead of Higgins and Richardson
- VANTEL

I would rather watch boring, crap hockey for another year than see someone tossed into the deep end when he isn't ready. There have already been a significant number of changes already, let's see how they fare before doing anything rash. If Shinkaruk isn't in the AHL at the very least 10 games into the season then I will consider that management buckling to fan pressure which is not a good thing

Yeah but we lacked scoring last year , if you have guys like Vey and Shink who can put up numbers then you don't mind brain farts on the defensive end. Oilers had a bunch of kids in the 80 s that out scored their mistakes. It would be more fun to watch than all these 3-2 games we sleep through

I think if you held a poll most Canuck fans would rather watch Vey and Shink instead of Higgins and Richardson
- VANTEL

Key word.

Key word.
- fiveandagame

Yup, Shinkaruk hasn't even played a single NHL game yet. Jensen IMO is still ahead of him on the scoring winger depth chart

Not really but would be fun to watch.
- VANTEL

The only reason I would classify Oilers the last couple of years as "fun to watch" is because I am a Canucks fan.

Yup, Shinkaruk hasn't even played a single NHL game yet. Jensen IMO is still ahead of him on the scoring winger depth chart
- bezz44

Well he better wake up if he wants to stay there.

I haven't been impressed with Jensen but he has been pretty well rounded nothing that flashed brilliance though. I really like Jensen he deserves every chance to make the team. So far though Shinkaruk has generated chances using speed and energy made some mistakes. So its Jensen is lose right now.
- thundachunk

I think with Virtanen Shink Burrows Daniel down the Left side they should look at moving him.


I love the idea Hansen Lack Jensen for Byfuglien

Hamhuis Bieksa
Edler Byfuglien
Sbisa Tanev

Staton Weber

I would rather watch boring, crap hockey for another year than see someone tossed into the deep end when he isn't ready. There have already been a significant number of changes already, let's see how they fare before doing anything rash. If Shinkaruk isn't in the AHL at the very least 10 games into the season then I will consider that management buckling to fan pressure which is not a good thing
- bezz44

At some point you've gotta give kids a chance to sink or swin in the NHL though, so I see Vantel's point of view. Last year the Sharks, who are a Cup contending team, let Tomas Hertl on their team as a 19 year after playing in the Czech league and putting up decent numbers.

You're never going to be a perfect prospect, kids that put up numbers in other professional leagues, lower leagues, have to be given the opportunity to grow while in the NHL. I guess I'm referring to a kid like Jensen.

I would rather watch boring, crap hockey for another year than see someone tossed into the deep end when he isn't ready. There have already been a significant number of changes already, let's see how they fare before doing anything rash. If Shinkaruk isn't in the AHL at the very least 10 games into the season then I will consider that management buckling to fan pressure which is not a good thing
- bezz44

I think this happens a lot with this franchise. I believe that's why the media acts so entitled. They know they have an influence.

I think with Virtanen Shink Burrows Daniel down the Left side they should look at moving him.

I love the idea Hansen Lack Jensen for Byfuglien

Hamhuis Bieksa
Edler Byfuglien
Sbisa Tanev

Staton Weber
- VANTEL

No Corrado?

At some point you've gotta give kids a chance to sink or swin in the NHL though, so I see Vantel's point of view. Last year the Sharks, who are a Cup contending team, let Tomas Hertl on their team as a 19 year after playing in the Czech league and putting up decent numbers.

You're never going to be a perfect prospect, kids that put up numbers in other professional leagues, lower leagues, have to be given the opportunity to grow while in the NHL. I guess I'm referring to a kid like Jensen.
- LeftCoaster

Hertl is good player but he was insulated buy Thornton, Marleau, Couture, Burns ect. I think with Bonino and Kassian pencilled into the top 6, those 2 guys have to prove themselves first before we start introducing a handful of rookies as well.

I see Horvat making the starting line up and Vey as the 13th forward. 2 rookies on the roster is a good start.

I think this happens a lot with this franchise. I believe that's why the media acts so entitled. They know they have an influence.
- bloatedmosquito

Ownership at the very least is listening to what fans have to say, as they answer directly to our wallets

All though that might look sexy on paper you are asking a lot. There is a lot question marks in that line up: 3 rookies, and 2nd line duty for both Bonino and Kassian. This is my guess for opening night:

Sedin / Sedin / Vbata
Burrows / Bonino / Kassian
Higgins / Richardson / Hansen
Mathias / Horvat / Dorsett
Vey

1 rookie makes it (Horvat) because he can win faceoffs and plays a solid defensive game. He could work his way up to the 3rd line and bump Richardson to the 4th.

The 4th line actually looks like a hockey line and not a bunch of castaways thrown together to fill out a roster

Higgins and Hansen are proven NHL players that can take some pressure off the top 2 lines. What happens if Bonino and Kassian struggle. If that happens you are putting a lot of responsibility on Horvat. Shinkaruk and Vey.
- fiveandagame

I think one is going to make it but my line up looks a little different.

Sedins Vrbada
Burrows Bonino Shinkaruk
Higgins Vey Kassian
Mattias Richardson Hansen

Dorsett

This just feels like a good mix. Unless Horvat is 100% NHL ready.

As good as Richardson looked last year, his underlying numbers weren't anything to brag about. I'd rather they keep Matthias, and ship out Richardson and Sestito to make room for the kids.

Dank/Hank/Vrbata
Shink/Bonino/Kassian
Burrows/Horvat/Vey
Higgins/Matthias/Hansen
Dorsett

That's a pretty deep lineup if you ask me. Every line has a nice balance of youth and vets, or a new player.

Ownership at the very least is listening to what fans have to say, as they answer directly to our wallets
- bezz44

Some franchises become so arrogant due to many profitable seasons (think maple leafs).

At some point you've gotta give kids a chance to sink or swin in the NHL though, so I see Vantel's point of view. Last year the Sharks, who are a Cup contending team, let Tomas Hertl on their team as a 19 year after playing in the Czech league and putting up decent numbers.

You're never going to be a perfect prospect, kids that put up numbers in other professional leagues, lower leagues, have to be given the opportunity to grow while in the NHL. I guess I'm referring to a kid like Jensen.
- LeftCoaster

I am all for giving someone a chance but if you list out all of the variables we will have this season it is pretty overwhelming:
Hope Kassian can play in the top 6
Hope Bonino can play in the top 6
Hope Burrows bounces back
Hope Sedins bounce back
Hope Vey swims
Hope Miller is still a high end goalie

That being said, would I be upset if a guy like Horvat, who has a very low risk threshold makes the team? No! There is a big difference between a man-child Tomas Hertl and a still-diminutive Hunter Shinkaruk coming off a major injury in which he essentially lost a year of hockey

I think one is going to make it but my line up looks a little different.

Sedins Vrbada
Burrows Bonino Shinkaruk
Higgins Vey Kassian
Mattias Richardson Hansen

Dorsett

This just feels like a good mix. Unless Horvat is 100% NHL ready.
- thundachunk

Shinny doesn't play RW.

Some franchises become so arrogant due to many profitable seasons (think maple leafs).
- bloatedmosquito

If the Canucks tank this year I'd think they'd be in the same boat.

As good as Richardson looked last year, his underlying numbers weren't anything to brag about. I'd rather they keep Matthias, and ship out Richardson and Sestito to make room for the kids.

Dank/Hank/Vrbata
Shink/Bonino/Kassian
Burrows/Horvat/Vey
Higgins/Matthias/Hansen
Dorsett

That's a pretty deep lineup if you ask me. Every line has a nice balance of youth and vets, or a new player.
- Gullzy

God I hate that 2nd line. Way too many questions. I get the feeling the 2nd line is going to be:

Higgins / Bonino / Burrows

I am all for giving someone a chance but if you list out all of the variables we will have this season it is pretty overwhelming:
Hope Kassian can play in the top 6
Hope Bonino can play in the top 6
Hope Burrows bounces back
Hope Sedins bounce back
Hope Vey swims
Hope Miller is still a high end goalie

That being said, would I be upset if a guy like Horvat, who has a very low risk threshold makes the team? No! There is a big difference between a man-child Tomas Hertl and a still-diminutive Hunter Shinkaruk coming off a major injury in which he essentially lost a year of hockey
- bezz44

I wasn't referring to Shinkaruk, I honestly believe he needs to score at the AHL level and prove himself after a year off, that and he's never played against men for a full year either.

I see you point, we have a lot of what if's, I still think Jensen could be given a chance on the 3rd line at RW. He's cheaper than Hansen yet he can provide anything Hansen does with time. That's where asset management comes into play.

No Corrado?
- bloatedmosquito

Not sure

I wasn't referring to Shinkaruk, I honestly believe he needs to score at the AHL level and prove himself after a year off, that and he's never played against men for a full year either.

I see you point, we have a lot of what if's, I still think Jensen could be given a chance on the 3rd line at RW. He's cheaper than Hansen yet he can provide anything Hansen does with time. That's where asset management comes into play.
- LeftCoaster

I am all for something like that, but I definitely think we need to limit our rookies to Vey+one realistic option. The only realistic options as I see it are Jensen/Horvat/Corrado, and Corrado is as good as guaranteed to be going back to Utica

I think one is going to make it but my line up looks a little different.

Sedins Vrbada
Burrows Bonino Shinkaruk
Higgins Vey Kassian
Mattias Richardson Hansen

Dorsett

This just feels like a good mix. Unless Horvat is 100% NHL ready.
- thundachunk

Why are we demoting Kassian? I have heard that Burrows Bonino and Kassian have looked good.

I think one is going to make it but my line up looks a little different.

Sedins Vrbada
Burrows Bonino Shinkaruk
Higgins Vey Kassian
Mattias Richardson Hansen

Dorsett

This just feels like a good mix. Unless Horvat is 100% NHL ready.
- thundachunk

Why are we demoting Kassian? I have heard that Burrows Bonino and Kassian have looked good.

God I hate that 2nd line. Way too many questions. I get the feeling the 2nd line is going to be:

Higgins / Bonino / Burrows
- bloatedmosquito

My sense is that WD isn't going to give lines a distinction (If that makes sense). On any night, the Horvat line could be the "2nd line", Bonino's on another. If they are going to bring youth into the line up, they'll split up the vets to balance out the whole line.

Question marks are good IMO. The only way we'll know if they can play, is if they play.

I think with Virtanen Shink Burrows Daniel down the Left side they should look at moving him.


I love the idea Hansen Lack Jensen for Byfuglien

Hamhuis Bieksa
Edler Byfuglien
Sbisa Tanev

Staton Weber
- VANTEL

I love the idea as well. Sadly, I don't think that would do it. Buff is too versatile - he's up there in hits, points, shots and can play both D and W.

I think you would have to add either a draft pick or another prospect or roster player (which, that being the case, I would not do if I were the Canucks, especially given Buff is a bit of an enigma)