I've been able to follow the games to some extent on the internet, to me it looked like the travelling finally caught up to the team and the Sedins in particular.

I agree that it's always good to see how different individuals work with different pairings, but I'm curious whether people are over reacting to a long road trip with quite a few games pressed into a 14 day schedule?

The announcers even mentioned in the Montreal game that our team looked tired, which to me was obvious.

Ok, well maybe Bert would be a good fit there. It would be great to see him end it in Van...
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Sure why not, Sundin did.

Sure why not, Sundin did.
- moondawg

They want speed .
- VANTEL

This is true that's why Burrows back with the Sedins makes no sense. Hansen has speed sure but he loses puck battles on the wall...LOTS so Hansen back with the Sedins don't make sense either. But WD doesn't have alot of options if he wants to shake things up I still think it's better to leave Vrbata alone there and let their chemistry develop then we can worry about shuffling the bottom 9.

If Hansen and Matthias have earned a promotion to a higher line then give it to them but it has to make sense. Kassian is a way better fit with Sedins as he can win the board battles they need but who knows when he will be back. Vrbata should be back there soone enough.

Burrows down to the third line and Matthias up to play with Bonino. Bonino needs Matthias' speed to create lanes as Bonino ain't the greatest skater. Higgins will come around on a goal streak soon enough.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Higgins Bonino Matthias
Vey Richardson Burrows
Dorsett Horvat Hansen.

Or promote Hansen to play with Richardson and give Burrows a try on the fourth line where he needs to think about his career right now.

Was thinking about picking up the Clint Malarchuk book for my dad's xmas gift...




- hillbillydeluxe

The Malarchuk book is next up after I finish with "Hockey Confidential." I'll let you know how I like it when I get there.

One other note about McKenzie's book: if you've been unwilling to wade into the world of advanced stats, he has a good chapter that not only outlines the basics of the numbers, but also goes behind the scenes with the main characters at the forefront of the movement, many of whom have lurked in the shadows over the years.

The personalities definitely take the edge off all the number-crunching.

The Malarchuk book is next up after I finish with "Hockey Confidential." I'll let you know how I like it when I get there.

One other note about McKenzie's book: if you've been unwilling to wade into the world of advanced stats, he has a good chapter that not only outlines the basics of the numbers, but also goes behind the scenes with the main characters at the forefront of the movement, many of whom have lurked in the shadows over the years.

The personalities definitely take the edge off all the number-crunching.
- Carol Schram

I am not really into advanced stats, but explained differently, who knows.

Just have to figure out what to buy for my dad, besides a Future Shop gift card, that one of my sisters or brothers hasn't already picked up.

Thanks for the comment.

Merry Christmas! (hoping it isn't too early to greet)
and thanks again for your blogs.

This is true that's why Burrows back with the Sedins makes no sense. Hansen has speed sure but he loses puck battles on the wall...LOTS so Hansen back with the Sedins don't make sense either. But WD doesn't have alot of options if he wants to shake things up I still think it's better to leave Vrbata alone there and let their chemistry develop then we can worry about shuffling the bottom 9.

If Hansen and Matthias have earned a promotion to a higher line then give it to them but it has to make sense. Kassian is a way better fit with Sedins as he can win the board battles they need but who knows when he will be back. Vrbata should be back there soone enough.

Burrows down to the third line and Matthias up to play with Bonino. Bonino needs Matthias' speed to create lanes as Bonino ain't the greatest skater. Higgins will come around on a goal streak soon enough.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Higgins Bonino Matthias
Vey Richardson Burrows
Dorsett Horvat Hansen.

Or promote Hansen to play with Richardson and give Burrows a try on the fourth line where he needs to think about his career right now.
- LordHumungous

Why does everyone want to split up Richardson & Matthias?

Why does everyone want to split up Richardson & Matthias?
- Marwood

#tanknation

(hidden agenda)

On a bit of a separate note, I (and I'm sure everyone on the board) would like to know if the Christmas Carol is as nice as the Rest-of-the-Season Carol


(pssst, also checking if Carol actually reads the highly umm 'enlightening' usual board discussion inanity shhhhhhh, don' say nothin' )

This is true that's why Burrows back with the Sedins makes no sense. Hansen has speed sure but he loses puck battles on the wall...LOTS so Hansen back with the Sedins don't make sense either. But WD doesn't have alot of options if he wants to shake things up I still think it's better to leave Vrbata alone there and let their chemistry develop then we can worry about shuffling the bottom 9.

If Hansen and Matthias have earned a promotion to a higher line then give it to them but it has to make sense. Kassian is a way better fit with Sedins as he can win the board battles they need but who knows when he will be back. Vrbata should be back there soone enough.

Burrows down to the third line and Matthias up to play with Bonino. Bonino needs Matthias' speed to create lanes as Bonino ain't the greatest skater. Higgins will come around on a goal streak soon enough.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Higgins Bonino Matthias
Vey Richardson Burrows
Dorsett Horvat Hansen.

Or promote Hansen to play with Richardson and give Burrows a try on the fourth line where he needs to think about his career right now.
- LordHumungous

I personally don't believe Kassian wins any board battles, that's what the Sedins do and they do it better than any one in the league, again my opinion. Kassian with the Sedins would be better to plant himself if front of the goalie.

Personally I am not a fan of Kassian he has not progressed to a top 6, but I was never a fan of the person he replaced either.

On a bit of a separate note, I (and I'm sure everyone on the board) would like to know if the Christmas Carol is as nice as the Rest-of-the-Season Carol


(pssst, also checking if Carol actually reads the highly umm 'enlightening' usual board discussion inanity shhhhhhh, don' say nothin' )
- Zogg

Yup, I'm here.

I skim through the pool stuff and the waaaaaay-off-topic stuff, and I often end up reading many hours after the fact, but I check in as often as I can.

Really enjoyed the feedback from yesterday's poll and the wide range of viewpoints on the season so far.

I feel like I know you all so much better than I did at this time last year!

With all the Canucks' days off coming up, brace yourself for plenty more holiday-themed posts in the next few weeks...

Yup, I'm here.

I skim through the pool stuff and the waaaaaay-off-topic stuff, and I often end up reading many hours after the fact, but I check in as often as I can.

Really enjoyed the feedback from yesterday's poll and the wide range of viewpoints on the season so far.

I feel like I know you all so much better than I did at this time last year!

With all the Canucks' days off coming up, brace yourself for plenty more holiday-themed posts in the next few weeks...
- Carol Schram

Knowing us all better can't be a good thing

Knowing us all better can't be a good thing
- VANTEL

Just turned on the TV...3-0 Montreal over LA

Yup, I'm here.

I skim through the pool stuff and the waaaaaay-off-topic stuff, and I often end up reading many hours after the fact, but I check in as often as I can.

Really enjoyed the feedback from yesterday's poll and the wide range of viewpoints on the season so far.

I feel like I know you all so much better than I did at this time last year!

With all the Canucks' days off coming up, brace yourself for plenty more holiday-themed posts in the next few weeks...
- Carol Schram

Thanks for all of your hard work, Carol!!
Your blogs are always well thought and provoke great conversation. I look forward to reading your piece every day.

I'm definitely not ready for "Ice Storm" yet!

Sorry for some of the waaayyyyyyyy off topic stuff.

When's the HB Canucks Thread Christmas Party?

My family and I are going to be giving out Christmas dinner by Hastings and Main. If anyone wants to chip in, give us a hand, or just come down to eat some food, let me know!

P.S it'll probably be at or around Christmas Eve.

Just turned on the TV...3-0 Montreal over LA
- Makita

Why cant we do that against those pesky kings

My family and I are going to be giving out Christmas dinner by Hastings and Main. If anyone wants to chip in, give us a hand, or just come down to eat some food, let me know!

P.S it'll probably be at or around Christmas Eve.
- Gullzy

If you see my girlfriend there can you ask her to bring home some turkey?

Very kind of you and you family

My family and I are going to be giving out Christmas dinner by Hastings and Main. If anyone wants to chip in, give us a hand, or just come down to eat some food, let me know!

P.S it'll probably be at or around Christmas Eve.
- Gullzy

Thats excellent of you and Mrs. Gullzy. Props man.

A Good Freind of mine fed the homeless for a Neknomination a few months back and wound up getting interviewed on TV because of it.

Helping people is a beautiful thing

Yup, I'm here.

I skim through the pool stuff and the waaaaaay-off-topic stuff, and I often end up reading many hours after the fact, but I check in as often as I can.

Really enjoyed the feedback from yesterday's poll and the wide range of viewpoints on the season so far.

I feel like I know you all so much better than I did at this time last year!

With all the Canucks' days off coming up, brace yourself for plenty more holiday-themed posts in the next few weeks...
- Carol Schram

I have to say, very impressive, Carol, especially given your other hockey writing pursuits and commitments. I think I can say on behalf of the vast majority of us here that we've greatly appreciated your coverage of the Canucks and provided some quality discussion material. Add to that, you are quite prolific and even managed to blog throughout the summer (to give us hockey addicts at least a forum to engage in before we imploded from lack of puck & stick).

One last thing, though, you never did answer the question of whether the Christmas Carol is as nice or nicer than the regular-season-Carol (note the incredibly clever word-play

P.s @ ".....the waaaaaay-off-topic stuff".....

Why cant we do that against those pesky kings
- vancity787

I can come up with several reasons, BUT....keep the faith man it's going to happen

Yup, I'm here.

I skim through the pool stuff and the waaaaaay-off-topic stuff, and I often end up reading many hours after the fact, but I check in as often as I can.

Really enjoyed the feedback from yesterday's poll and the wide range of viewpoints on the season so far.

I feel like I know you all so much better than I did at this time last year!

With all the Canucks' days off coming up, brace yourself for plenty more holiday-themed posts in the next few weeks...
- Carol Schram

You poor lady...

On behalf of the male gender, I would like offer an apology... for everything

Thats excellent of you and Mrs. Gullzy. Props man.

A Good Freind of mine fed the homeless for a Neknomination a few months back and wound up getting interviewed on TV because of it.

Helping people is a beautiful thing
- vancity787

The Homeless and Animal Shelter/Hospital Relief are the two charities I'm involved in (that is, I try and at least donate). I think that's great Gullzy, that you are offering your time and efforts to help, I wish you much success. I will be donating to those two charities again this year.

Thank you for all your efforts Carol. It can't be easy juggling it all.

Thats excellent of you and Mrs. Gullzy. Props man.

A Good Freind of mine fed the homeless for a Neknomination a few months back and wound up getting interviewed on TV because of it.

Helping people is a beautiful thing
- vancity787

Thanks bud but there's no Mrs Gullzy yet, too young for marriage.