I agree with this. He's not a PWF. He's not even that big really
- bezz44

Yeah but he has not even proven he is an NHLer this year so I don't see rewarding him with top 6 minutes nor do I see him slotted in as a centre when most of the games he plays he is invisible

Understood…I just think it's such a great experience for our younger players to make the playoffs. If the Canucks get a 15th or 16th pick I still think it'll be a good one. Plus they can always trade up a few spots.
- LeftCoaster

If they package Horvat, Bonino Corrado, Tanev & Lack they should be able to get this years first overall. Then trade Edler to Toronto for Phaneuf and re-sign Miller to a 10 year extension. That my friends is how you build Presidents Trophy dynasties!!!

Yeah but he has not even proven he is an NHLer this year so I don't see rewarding him with top 6 minutes nor do I see him slotted in as a centre when most of the games he plays he is invisible
- VANTEL

He should certainly not be a center. But don't discount the fact that he has been injured and in and out of the lineup all year. That is not to make excuses for him, but I do think he is not being used in a way that allows him to use his skillset to the team's advantage

If they package Horvat, Bonino Corrado, Tanev & Lack they should be able to get this years first overall. Then trade Edler to Toronto for Phaneuf and re-sign Miller to a 10 year extension. That my friends is how you build Presidents Trophy dynasties!!!
- Marwood

Happy Tuesday Marwood!

If they package Horvat, Bonino Corrado, Tanev & Lack they should be able to get this years first overall. Then trade Edler to Toronto for Phaneuf and re-sign Miller to a 10 year extension. That my friends is how you build Presidents Trophy dynasties!!!
- Marwood

Happy Tuesday Marwood!

I honestly believe he's miscast as a "power forward" because he's tall. The guy has a great pair of hands and should be in a top six role, that said, he's gotta earn it. Kassian seems very reluctant to put himself in a position to succeed offensively??
- LeftCoaster

You said it and tweaked.

He has to earn the opportunity. And then show he belongs.

I can sympathize a bit with him because Higgins has been on the 2nd line for most of the year and has only shown he deserves to be there maybe a third of the time...

I honestly believe he's miscast as a "power forward" because he's tall. The guy has a great pair of hands and should be in a top six role, that said, he's gotta earn it. WD seems very reluctant to put him in a position to succeed offensively??
- LeftCoaster

excuses excuses excuses.

you create your own role by the way you play. He hasn't shown that he can be a skilled forward or a power forward, or a good PK'er, or a reliable defensive player, or a good forechecker, or even be a hard working forward for that matter. The guy needs to pick up his work rate if he wants to succeed in whatever role he wants to make for himself.

Pretty sure Burrows never thought he would be a topline player but he worked his ass off in every aspect of the game to get that chance.

WD said yesterday, he doesn't know what player he will get from Zack from one game to the next. Time to move on.
- Marwood

I saw that…but…you've gotta have patience with kids in you're system. How many times do teams give up too early on kids that later become good NHL players. What's the harm in having patience with him?

He's played 180 games thus far in the league, it's been said it takes around 200 games to see what you've got in a player, give him a top six role and see what he does with it.

If they package Horvat, Bonino Corrado, Tanev & Lack they should be able to get this years first overall. Then trade Edler to Toronto for Phaneuf and re-sign Miller to a 10 year extension. That my friends is how you build Presidents Trophy dynasties!!!
- Marwood

I hate Tuesdays

excuses excuses excuses.

you create your own role by the way you play. He hasn't shown that he can be a skilled forward or a power forward, or a good PK'er, or a reliable defensive player, or a good forechecker, or even be a hard working forward for that matter. The guy needs to pick up his work rate if he wants to succeed in whatever role he wants to make for himself.

Pretty sure Burrows never thought he would be a topline player but he worked his ass off in every aspect of the game to get that chance.
- Mungo

To me he's definitely proven that he's got some mental issues. He's also shown he's got some skill; be interesting to see what they do with him.

excuses excuses excuses.

you create your own role by the way you play. He hasn't shown that he can be a skilled forward or a power forward, or a good PK'er, or a reliable defensive player, or a good forechecker, or even be a hard working forward for that matter. The guy needs to pick up his work rate if he wants to succeed in whatever role he wants to make for himself.

Pretty sure Burrows never thought he would be a topline player but he worked his ass off in every aspect of the game to get that chance.
- Mungo

There is a double standard though. Higgins goes dry for half the year and stays in the top 6. Sbisa gives up a bad goal every game and stays in the lineup. Vey gets PP1 time right off the bat, same with Clendening. Miller has a bunch of stinkers, still plays 90% of the games... Kassian has had a VERY short leash by comparison

There is a double standard though. Higgins goes dry for half the year and stays in the top 6. Sbisa gives up a bad goal every game and stays in the lineup. Vey gets PP1 time right off the bat, same with Clendening. Miller has a bunch of stinkers, still plays 90% of the games... Kassian has had a VERY short leash by comparison
- bezz44

pretty sure Higgins is still rock solid defensively and contributes on the PK. It's not just about scoring goals.

EV TOI

Higgins - 12:27
Kassian - 11:55

seems like pretty even playing time IMO

I saw that…but…you've gotta have patience with kids in you're system. How many times do teams give up too early on kids that later become good NHL players. What's the harm in having patience with him?

He's played 180 games thus far in the league, it's been said it takes around 200 games to see what you've got in a player, give him a top six role and see what he does with it.
- LeftCoaster

I also, recall Brad Richardson saying he has to show up everyday ready, whether it be for practise or a game. It worries me when team mates question a team mates work ethic. With 20 games to go before the 200 game mark, I'm not convinced he will see the light.

There is a double standard though. Higgins goes dry for half the year and stays in the top 6. Sbisa gives up a bad goal every game and stays in the lineup. Vey gets PP1 time right off the bat, same with Clendening. Miller has a bunch of stinkers, still plays 90% of the games... Kassian has had a VERY short leash by comparison
- bezz44

But Higgins "tries hard" every game


I friggin hate when people say that! The National Hockey League is a results driven league; why Higgins gets that much rope is beyond me??

To me he's definitely proven that he's got some mental issues. He's also shown he's got some skill; be interesting to see what they do with him.
- LeftCoaster

Definitely,

hope he can put it all together. Sucks seeing players with so much potential not achieve their potential

pretty sure Higgins is still rock solid defensively and contributes on the PK. It's not just about scoring goals.

EV TOI

Higgins - 12:27
Kassian - 11:55

seems like pretty even playing time IMO
- Mungo

That's small comfort when your job is to score goals. Why don't we just scratch the Sedins because they are crummy penalty killers

I also, recall Brad Richardson saying he has to show up everyday ready, whether it be for practise or a game. It worries me when team mates question a team mates work ethic. With 20 games to go before the 200 game mark, I'm not convinced he will see the light.
- Marwood

Yes I remember reading that as well. His maturity level has to get better for him to take that next step, similar to what Seguin went through. Not saying he's talented like Seguin but their maturity level and off-ice stuff.

But Higgins "tries hard" every game


I friggin hate when people say that! The National Hockey League is a results driven league; why Higgins gets that much rope is beyond me??
- LeftCoaster

Boom! It's not about principles, it's about winning. This is what pissed me off with Torts. You don't stick to your guns because that's what you believe, because you will (frank)ing lose. If something isn't working, try something else

That's small comfort when your job is to score goals. Why don't we just scratch the Sedins because they are crummy penalty killers
- bezz44

everyone has a role on a team.


tell me what Kassian's is please.

He should certainly not be a center. But don't discount the fact that he has been injured and in and out of the lineup all year. That is not to make excuses for him, but I do think he is not being used in a way that allows him to use his skillset to the team's advantage
- bezz44

All I hear are excuses. Sorry , I have trouble giving the guy a break anymore. He has been mostly a disappointment in the three years here.

everyone has a role on a team.


tell me what Kassian's is please.
- Mungo

I agree with this, and why does it make sense to put a defensively responsible but snake-bitten player in a scoring role while you have a weaker defensive player with an offensive skillset stifled in a checking role? He has no role on this team because he is not regularly in the lineup. Give him a chance to succeed, and if he fails, then he has made his own bed. Same chance that Vey et. al have been given

There is a double standard though. Higgins goes dry for half the year and stays in the top 6. Sbisa gives up a bad goal every game and stays in the lineup. Vey gets PP1 time right off the bat, same with Clendening. Miller has a bunch of stinkers, still plays 90% of the games... Kassian has had a VERY short leash by comparison
- bezz44

Higgins would not even be part of my team if I had a say

All I hear are excuses. Sorry , I have trouble giving the guy a break anymore. He has been mostly a disappointment in the three years here.
- VANTEL

Believe me, I am right there with you in frustration, but to me it seems totally worth it to give him a chance to succeed (we aren't going to be winning the SC this year...) in order to say with absolute certainty that he isn't going to meet expectations

Higgins would not even be part of my team if I had a say
- VANTEL

You have to work with what you have

Higgins would not even be part of my team if I had a say
- VANTEL

I'm pretty hopeful Benning makes some nice changes to the team so they get younger and faster.