This was posted in the oil thread:



I don't care if he's an idiot. Look at how he destroys John Mitchell (#7). I want a dman on this team that plays just like him.

Even if they play .500 hockey from here on out, they'd be right in the mix for 8th. Dallas had 91 points last year so the Canucks would basically need about a point per game pace to be right around that mark. This hot start has given them a great leg up on the other bubble teams in the West.

I'm not saying they're a lock, especially after last year but if I was forced to bet right now I'd say this team makes it as the 8th seed. I'm still predicting around the 7-9 range. Which is a one spot improvement over my 8-10 prediction in September.

I believe we had some downers in here predicting around 10-11th in the West, you know who you are.
- Nucker101

I am one of the downers. I still think this is the perfect season for Benning to bomb and miss the playoffs. The fan base expectations have never been this low. We have some assets that we can trade for picks in a really deep draft. I would be happy if we pick top 10 and over the moon if we pick top 5.

Even if they play .500 hockey from here on out, they'd be right in the mix for 8th. Dallas had 91 points last year so the Canucks would basically need about a point per game pace to be right around that mark. This hot start has given them a great leg up on the other bubble teams in the West.

I'm not saying they're a lock, especially after last year but if I was forced to bet right now I'd say this team makes it as the 8th seed. I'm still predicting around the 7-9 range. Which is a one spot improvement over my 8-10 prediction in September.

I believe we had some downers in here predicting around 10-11th in the West, you know who you are.
- Nucker101

The hot start last year didn't get them into the play offs. Just saying.
You're right about most being cautiously optimistic and enjoying an entertaining brand of hockey, though.

The hot start last year didn't get them into the play offs. Just saying.
You're right about most being cautiously optimistic and enjoying an entertaining brand of hockey, though.
- Marwood

I think what he's saying is we would need a second consecutive "perfect poopstorm" of failure in order to miss the playoffs or hit the kind of low that we did last year. Definitely in the realm of possibility but it still seems like an outside possibility

Like Marwood, I still don't see them as a playoff team. They have had a pretty easy schedule so far, and while they have managed points against better teams, it will start to even out as the season wears on. For me, making the playoffs will come down to how poorly teams in the other division play (Dallas, Minnesota, Colorado). I think at the end of the season, it will still be SJ, LA and ANA as the top 3 in the Pacific, so making one of those two wild card spots will be about hoping one (or more) of these other teams crap the bed.
- 1970vintage

I agree with all of this except the SJ part.

San Jose is exactly the team they are right now. Not sure if it's the players or the coach but they are not an elite team. Beatable. I would be happy if the canuck saw them in the first round again.

But I got a funny feeling change is coming to their roster and to their coaching staff. Key pieces will be moved out and value will not be coming back. I say SJ takes a step back this season and next.

I agree with all of this except the SJ part.

San Jose is exactly the team they are right now. Not sure if it's the players or the coach but they are not an elite team. Beatable. I would be happy if the canuck saw them in the first round again.

But I got a funny feeling change is coming to their roster and to their coaching staff. Key pieces will be moved out and value will not be coming back. I say SJ takes a step back this season and next.
- bloatedmosquito

I think they are still good enough to finish ahead of the Canucks in the standings by season's end. They badly out played the Canucks and came away with nothing. These games will start to go the right way (better teams will win) as the season progresses.

McDavid out with a hand injury suffered in a fight. No point in tanking for a goon

Like Marwood, I still don't see them as a playoff team. They have had a pretty easy schedule so far, and while they have managed points against better teams, it will start to even out as the season wears on. For me, making the playoffs will come down to how poorly teams in the other division play (Dallas, Minnesota, Colorado). I think at the end of the season, it will still be SJ, LA and ANA as the top 3 in the Pacific, so making one of those two wild card spots will be about hoping one (or more) of these other teams crap the bed.
- 1970vintage

I really think some people underestimating the SJ situation though, that team needs a shakeup or they're going to continue to play below their potential. Dallas is the team I expect to get on a roll eventually, even though I think they have a weak defense they play a good posession style of hockey and Lehtonen is a decent goalie.

Colorado is playing some bad hockey and has an even worse defense than the Stars, they've also put themselves in a big hole. Minny is a lock for the playoffs in my mind.

As of now I'd say these teams are a lock:
LA
MIN
STL
ANA
CHI

Let's even say SJ makes it so there's 6. And I do think Dallas will turn it around so they'd be #7 for me. After that I'm gonna say 8-10 is between VAN/NSH/COL. As of now I'd say the Canucks get that spot. It wouldn't surprise me if the Canucks did finish ahead of Dallas though because of the hot start.

If the Canucks do only hover around .500 or below I'd say they'll finish 8th. If they don't 9th-10th is more likely.

I am one of the downers. I still think this is the perfect season for Benning to bomb and miss the playoffs. The fan base expectations have never been this low. We have some assets that we can trade for picks in a really deep draft. I would be happy if we pick top 10 and over the moon if we pick top 5.
- Linden_4_Capt

Call me crazy, but I don't see Benning selling at the TDL if the Canucks are sitting in a playoff spot. He'll likely be looking to make more of a "hockey trade" instead of buying rentals or selling rental players IMO. I don't think he'd do that to Desjardins an the team if they've been playing well enough to be in a playoff spot by then.


We're not picking bottom 5.

The hot start last year didn't get them into the play offs. Just saying.
You're right about most being cautiously optimistic and enjoying an entertaining brand of hockey, though.
- Marwood

Yeah, I mentioned that. I just don't see all the drama and injuries happening for a 2nd straight season. A 9th or 10th place finish wouldn't shock me, but at this point around 7-9th is my best prediction when I look at the standings, possession numbers, etc.

I really think some people underestimating the SJ situation though, that team needs a shakeup or they're going to continue to play below their potential. Dallas is the team I expect to get on a roll eventually, even though I think they have a weak defense they play a good posession style of hockey and Lehtonen is a decent goalie.

Colorado is playing some bad hockey and has an even worse defense than the Stars, they've also put themselves in a big hole. Minny is a lock for the playoffs in my mind.

As of now I'd say these teams are a lock:
LA
MIN
STL
ANA
CHI

Let's even say SJ makes it so there's 6. And I do think Dallas will turn it around so they'd be #7 for me. After that I'm gonna say 8-10 is between VAN/NSH/COL. As of now I'd say the Canucks get that spot. It wouldn't surprise me if the Canucks did finish ahead of Dallas though because of the hot start.

If the Canucks do only hover around .500 or below I'd say they'll finish 8th. If they don't 9th-10th is more likely.
- Nucker101

Not a presidents trophy believer I see.

Not a presidents trophy believer I see.
- pker2theend

Ok, as touched on, my point wasn't really addressed with respect to a team issue, it was more of a query as concerns individual play of certain players who many/some felt were finished last year (this implies that these players would play like s*hit right from the get go).

What I"m saying is, that has not been the case, and Burrows and the Sedins are all back to their usual form. Now whether that will continue is another story, but at this point in time, it would be difficult to see the twins regress to last season's performances.

Again, the key point is, if they would in fact have been finished, their play would reflect that immediately and not 20 games into the season.

P.S. as for the team as a whole, I agree that it's still way too early to make any sort of performance juddgement

I agree with all of this except the SJ part.

San Jose is exactly the team they are right now. Not sure if it's the players or the coach but they are not an elite team. Beatable. I would be happy if the canuck saw them in the first round again.

But I got a funny feeling change is coming to their roster and to their coaching staff. Key pieces will be moved out and value will not be coming back. I say SJ takes a step back this season and next.
- bloatedmosquito

I have literally heard that sentiment about SJ voiced for 4 years running, usually after yet another playoff disappointment. Nothing ever seems to happen.

Call me crazy, but I don't see Benning selling at the TDL if the Canucks are sitting in a playoff spot. He'll likely be looking to make more of a "hockey trade" instead of buying rentals or selling rental players IMO. I don't think he'd do that to Desjardins an the team if they've been playing well enough to be in a playoff spot by then.


We're not picking bottom 5.
- Nucker101

Let a man dream damn it!

I have literally heard that sentiment about SJ voiced for 4 years running, usually after yet another playoff disappointment.
- AlexF

This year it's stating to trickle into their play during the regular season as well. Clearly they still have the talent, they played the Canucks hard and their talent shined(Niemi wasn't the best that game, Miller stood on his head). When they get up for games they're still damn good, but then I look at their possession numbers and results against non-rival teams and they're a mediocre team. That tells me that it's clearly getting "stale" in SJ.

This year it's stating to trickle into their play during the regular season as well. Clearly they still have the talent, they played the Canucks hard and their talent shined(Niemi wasn't the best that game, Miller stood on his head). When they get up for games they're still damn good, but then I look at their possession numbers and results against non-rival teams and they're a mediocre team. That tells me that it's clearly getting "stale" in SJ.
- Nucker101

They needs Torts to shake things up. I am not sure about the travel though. Might be too far for Torts to drive daily.

They needs Torts to shake things up. I am not sure about the travel though. Might be too far for Torts to drive daily.
- Linden_4_Capt

At this point they need to trade one of Marleau/Joe(convince one to waive), and probably bring in a new coach as well just for the sake of change IMO.

They don't have the deepest prospect pool so eventually they will have to trade some older assets for younger players and picks(like the Kesler trade).

This year it's stating to trickle into their play during the regular season as well. Clearly they still have the talent, they played the Canucks hard and their talent shined(Niemi wasn't the best that game, Miller stood on his head). When they get up for games they're still damn good, but then I look at their possession numbers and results against non-rival teams and they're a mediocre team. That tells me that it's clearly getting "stale" in SJ.
- Nucker101

Maybe, but I think the following scenario is more likely. They'll improve this season and make the playoffs as something like a 4 or 5 seed. If they're paired against the right teams they may even win a round or two. Management will feel they just need a tweak here or there to remain competitive. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Maybe, but I think the following scenario is more likely. They'll improve this season and make the playoffs as something like a 4 or 5 seed. If they're paired against the right teams they may even win a round or two. Management will feel they just need a tweak here or there to remain competitive. Lather, rinse, repeat.
- AlexF

I'd bet against that, I think the 4th seed in the Wets is a huge stretch for them, even 5th would be a nice season for them. Anything more than 1 playoff series would win also surprise me quite a bit. They don't pay in the biggest hockey market so people aren't realizing that they haven't been the same regular season Sharks of the past, and it's not due to horrible goaltending either as both of their goalies have decent save percentages.

It's not normal for the Sharks to have only a +1 goal differential and 8 wins during a 17 game stretch.

Maybe, but I think the following scenario is more likely. They'll improve this season and make the playoffs as something like a 4 or 5 seed. If they're paired against the right teams they may even win a round or two. Management will feel they just need a tweak here or there to remain competitive. Lather, rinse, repeat.
- AlexF

That's too easy. After 4+ years of the same old crap, even the most nervous of GMs will pull the trigger to go in a new direction. Enough is enough. I think this is the year but only time will tell.

That's too easy. After 4+ years of the same old crap, even the most nervous of GMs will pull the trigger to go in a new direction. Enough is enough. I think this is the year but only time will tell.
- bloatedmosquito

Per my understanding, the Sharks are not a lucrative franchise and have reported slightly profitable to operating loses over quite a few recent seasons, including those with decent playoff success. I read somewhere some time ago that the ownership there don't feel they have market for a rebuild and will therefore look to ice the best possible team every year. Playoffs are more than a goal they are a requirement. A major roster shakeup of, say, trading Thornton and Marleau might set the team back too far for management's comfort.

Burrows and Higgins are definitely not ideal top 6 players but we can hope Kassian starts producing like one (though his window seems to be dwindling). The question is are we better off using bandaid solutions until we develop some higher end players or take value from another area to improve what seems to be working for now? We are weak on D for the moment and finally are improving our prospect pool, so can we afford the huge cost it would take for a top 6 forward?
- bezz44

At this point ,Kassian has pretty well come out and said the pressure throws him off,just let me play my game.

Just looking at the injury list for the league and it's littered with ex Canucks.

Raymond
Cooke
Grabner
Torres
Brown
Ohlund
Booth
Volpatti
- A_SteamingLombardi

Salo

That bothers me as well, especially when you have Higgins and Burrows on the PP2 which has only scored in one game this year. (frank)ing unbelievable
- bezz44

Yeah, cause they get boatloads of PP time