Vrbata is the closest thing to a replacement for Samuelsson that we have seen and that key/ringer faceoff guy for the bottom 6 is still missing

I am guessing that Manny has a bit more vision back or he is just playing better- with more confidence since the injury. Towards the end of Manny's time here he would often be out there just for the faceoff. Wish him all the best.
- hillbillydeluxe

It was a very fishy move by Giliis at the time, and in my eyes pointed to him trying to clear up cap space to get another player. Malholtra is a classy guy, I imagine he was pretty pissed to be told we don't want you and I'm going sit on my high horse and pretend I am protecting you by keeping you out.

I don't get how face off winning can't be taught. You'd think studying film, and timing, you could teach one of these young guys how to win face offs.

Go to the school of Manny. Use your leg to block out the other guys stick.

Manny makes it look so easy.

http://video.canadiens.nh...ocenter/console?id=633074

It was a very fishy move by Giliis at the time, and in my eyes pointed to him trying to clear up cap space to get another player. Malholtra is a classy guy, I imagine he was pretty pissed to be told we don't want you and I'm going sit on my high horse and pretend I am protecting you by keeping you out.
- belcherbd

Quite a few of Gillis’s moves did not make sense. His arrogant justifications did not make sense. It’s refreshing to see a management team that is functional.

And yes, Gillis is an idiot. I would love to have that dominance at the face off dot. Plus he could teach our youth, instead of Montreals.

Quite a few of Gillis’s moves did not make sense. His arrogant justifications did not make sense. It’s refreshing to see a management team that is functional.
- VanHockeyGuy

Big call this early. Gillis looked functional after a few months as well (and quite a bit after that).

Big call this early. Gillis looked functional after a few months as well (and quite a bit after that).
- AlexF

Way to early to give them a functional grade, but what has transpired over the last few months is more refreshing than the last couple of years...lets save the praise until after the trade deadline...be it buyers or sellers.

Also catching up on hockey sh!t and came across this...Marwood the article is not what you think...think bi-polar tuesday.

[url] http://canucksarmy.com/2014/10/7/john-tortorella-great-coach-or-greatest-coach

Way to early to give them a functional grade, but what has transpired over the last few months is more refreshing than the last couple of years...lets save the praise until after the trade deadline...be it buyers or sellers.

Also catching up on hockey sh!t and came across this...Marwood the article is not what you think...think bi-polar tuesday.


- Makita[url] http://canucksarmy.com/2014/10/7/john-tortorella-great-coach-or-greatest-coach

Thanks, Makita! Vintage posted it a couple of days ago, had a good giggle reading it.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to most of you!!!

Big call this early. Gillis looked functional after a few months as well (and quite a bit after that).
- AlexF

Benning appears to be a real, approachable, upfront person. Gillis was the opposite (from day one); his arrogance was a detriment to the team.

Big call this early. Gillis looked functional after a few months as well (and quite a bit after that).
- AlexF

Agreed. You gotta be in a "wait and see" mindset as a fan with this management/coaching group right now. It's way too early.

Benning appears to be a real, approachable, upfront person. Gillis was the opposite (from day one); his arrogance was a detriment to the team.
- VanHockeyGuy

Being a good GM is a lot more than just being likeable. Look at Bill Belichick, coach and GM of one of the most successful franchises in NA pro sports during this century and a lot of people think he's a total a-hole.

Thanks, Makita! Vintage posted it a couple of days ago, had a good giggle reading it.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to most of you!!!
- Marwood

Yeah (frank) you too

Being a good GM is a lot more than just being likeable. Look at Bill Belichick, coach and GM of one of the most successful franchises in NA pro sports during this century and a lot of people think he's a total a-hole.
- Nucker101

It hurt his ability to make deals.

Being a good GM is a lot more than just being likeable. Look at Bill Belichick, coach and GM of one of the most successful franchises in NA pro sports during this century and a lot of people think he's a total a-hole.
- Nucker101

He's a massive cheater as well

He's a massive cheater as well
- A_SteamingLombardi

Even better.

Being a good GM is a lot more than just being likeable. Look at Bill Belichick, coach and GM of one of the most successful franchises in NA pro sports during this century and a lot of people think he's a total a-hole.
- Nucker101

thats because he is an a-hole.

It hurt his ability to make deals.
- VanHockeyGuy

I guess....but why would another GM not make a deal that would help his team and prolong his career as an NHL GM just because he doesn't like a guy? I also doubt GM's do each other any favours . If I were an owner, I wouldn't hire a guy who's going to let personal feelings get in the way of making my team better.

thats because he is an a-hole.
- vancity787

And a damn good coach. I know he has Brady, but there's other teams that have had elite QB's that haven't come close to the same amount of success.

I guess....but why would another GM not make a deal that would help his team and prolong his career as an NHL GM just because he doesn't like a guy? I also doubt GM's do each other any favours . If I were an owner, I wouldn't hire a guy who's going to let personal feelings get in the way of making my team better.
- Nucker101

I don't think Gillis could ever get out of the player agent mindset. That probably did not go over too well with his fellow GM's. That Kurt Overhardt persona.

I don't think Gillis could ever get out of the player agent mindset. That probably did not go over too well with his fellow GM's. That Kurt Overhardt persona.
- VanHockeyGuy

Gillis got us to within a game of the Stanley Cup. Let's see if Benning can one-up that. Because in the end, that's all that matters. I'll leave the approachability to the PR team and the likeability to the ice-girls.

Gillis got us to within a game of the Stanley Cup. Let's see if Benning can one-up that. Because in the end, that's all that matters. I'll leave the approachability to the PR team and the likeability to the ice-girls.
- AlexF

That is the bottom line

Ryan Kesler is not inside me I assure you.
- vancity787

Haha, not until your tucked in to your race car bed and start dreaming tonight!

Haha, not until your tucked in to your race car bed and start dreaming tonight!
- HughJasscok

Is it true that RNH shoulder problems are from fisting you?

Gillis got us to within a game of the Stanley Cup. Let's see if Benning can one-up that. Because in the end, that's all that matters. I'll leave the approachability to the PR team and the likeability to the ice-girls.
- AlexF

Hmmm, I wonder how Benning would have done walking into that roster that Gillis did? I also wonder how Gillis would achieve a cup final with this roster had he only been hired right now?

Its night and day. Gillis walked into a team in their prime ready to do things... Benning walked into a team ready to retire....

Oh by the way, Torts won a cup since we are using this logic... its all that matters right? Why did they fire him?

Is it true that RNH shoulder problems are from fisting you?
- A_SteamingLombardi

What problems? He's fixed and he feels fine!

And a damn good coach. I know he has Brady, but there's other teams that have had elite QB's that haven't come close to the same amount of success.
- Nucker101

Like who?

Every "elite QB" in the NFL has won a Super Bowl since the Pats last hoisted the Lombardi as far as I know (Peyton, Drew, Rahhdjaz as well as some bums like Rapistburger, Eli & Flacco)... Unless you're counting AFCCG appearances as "success"... Belichick/Brady really haven't accomplished sh!t since spy-gate and who really knows if they'd have won any without cheating...