I remember him asking to leave, but may have been over money.

For all the winning the Oilers did in the 80s, they've made up for it with a whole lot of losing since. That and the city I'm sure have contributed to it. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia I imagine are ugly cities too.
- Scooby_Doo

Weight never asked to be moved it was well known what he commanded on the market and it was a foregone conclusion we couldn't pay. There were no trade demands but Weight probably was tired of seeing Cujo, Geurin and others get moved for financial reasons.

I wonder what they call him in the room, Horvsey, Horvs...
- 1970vintage

Or just Kessel. Can't get much more valuable then that. Have you heard what Toronto is gonna get for him?

I like Despres but I'm not sure he is ready for top 4 right now. His physicality would be a welcome addition fore sure. I definitely think there is a trade to be made with the Pens for a young D-man tho. Dumoulin and Harrington are two very good looking prospects as well as Despres, Pouliot who are a tier above at this point.
- belcherbd

They are shopping for D are they not?

This team is no more a contender than it was 2 weeks ago, they are playing really well and are having some surprising contributions from the bottom 6 and call ups. You can't expect Bo to keep scoring on 20% of his shots and Kenins to continue this hotstreak or Biega/Sbisa/Clendening/Weber/Stanton being everyday players.
Right now enjoy the wins and realize the team has a good shot of the playoffs but don't be surprised if/when the team falters again. Ebbs and Flows, I expect to see lots of Tank Pictures in here at some point this season after a few poor games again.

Bieksa is overrated in the media and if the right deal came along I would be all for moving him, I just really doubt he is willing to move on. He brings a lot of nice intangibles to the team and leadership but I don't think it would be too crazy to suggest he is a 5/6 guy at this point of his career.
- belcherbd

The team is playing with speed and hitting. They are not also making bonehead giveaways like when Bieksa is in the lineup.

Like it or not they are a better team with having three young energy players, and good puck movement on the back end

Big trip last night after the game, they probably had to travel 20 miles to their next hotel.
- LeftCoaster

They're actually staying at the same hotel in Manhatten, as the trip over to NJ is a quick trip across the river.

I think they are staying there all weekend, and busing it over to Nassau as well.

I wonder what they call him in the room, Horvsey, Horvs...
- 1970vintage

Whore

This team is no more a contender than it was 2 weeks ago, they are playing really well and are having some surprising contributions from the bottom 6 and call ups. You can't expect Bo to keep scoring on 20% of his shots and Kenins to continue this hotstreak or Biega/Sbisa/Clendening/Weber/Stanton being everyday players.
Right now enjoy the wins and realize the team has a good shot of the playoffs but don't be surprised if/when the team falters again. Ebbs and Flows, I expect to see lots of Tank Pictures in here at some point this season after a few poor games again.

Bieksa is overrated in the media and if the right deal came along I would be all for moving him, I just really doubt he is willing to move on. He brings a lot of nice intangibles to the team and leadership but I don't think it would be too crazy to suggest he is a 5/6 guy at this point of his career.
- belcherbd

Finally playing a bit like they did at the start of the season. Which is the real Vancouver Canucks?

Not expecting to win the cup, and if there are any deals to be made that will help the club down the line, more so than the present, I hope Benning makes them.

Horvat has been playing well. I hope WD stays the course and keeps bringing him on slowly. Not sure if he is going to hit the wall or the less minutes at the start of the season will allow him to keep up his recent pace.

I wouldn't mind seeing Bieksa go, but I don't see him waiving his ntc. Not the end of the world though. The young guys in the lineup has really given the team some jump.

The team is playing with speed and hitting. They are not also making bonehead giveaways like when Bieksa is in the lineup.

Like it or not they are a better team with having three young energy players, and good puck movement on the back end
- VANTEL

What is this speed u speak of? With the exception of a couple players our team is as slow on their skates as oilers scouts are at the draft table

I like Despres but I'm not sure he is ready for top 4 right now. His physicality would be a welcome addition fore sure. I definitely think there is a trade to be made with the Pens for a young D-man tho. Dumoulin and Harrington are two very good looking prospects as well as Despres, Pouliot who are a tier above at this point.
- belcherbd

You don't think he could beat out Clendenning or Weber for that spot now?

We have to start thinking about replacing Bieksa

The team is playing with speed and hitting. They are not also making bonehead giveaways like when Bieksa is in the lineup.

Like it or not they are a better team with having three young energy players, and good puck movement on the back end
- VANTEL

Can they sustain it? That is the question.

What is this speed u speak of? With the exception of a couple players our team is as slow on their skates as oilers scouts are at the draft table
- Bieksa#3

Dorsett Kenins play with speed

Hansen gets a breakaway a game. You need speed to do that

You don't think he could beat out Clendenning or Weber for that spot now?

We have to start thinking about replacing Bieksa
- VANTEL

Weber yes Clendening no.

The team is playing with speed and hitting. They are not also making bonehead giveaways like when Bieksa is in the lineup.

Like it or not they are a better team with having three young energy players, and good puck movement on the back end
- VANTEL

I'm not here to fully defend KB. But there are a few things to consider.

He is old, nearing his mid-30's I believe. And when Hamhuis went down, he had to up his minutes and it wore him down. That is when he started making mistakes.

Hopefully this injury will rest him up, and he can come back with some energy.

We are seeing the same thing with Hamhuis. Playing a a player in his 30's for 25+ minutes a night will wear them down, and in the end they lose puck battles and make brain farts.

Can they sustain it? That is the question.
- thundachunk

Can old guys like Higgins and Burrows sustain it?

The Messiah!! The messiah has returned for the canucks!! Haha
- MaWLz

Enjoy the game? Good to see you survived the exit of MSG wearing a nucks jersey.

Dorsett Kenins play with speed

Hansen gets a breakaway a game. You need speed to do that
- VANTEL

I said all season that Hansen has been our most consistent player.

Can old guys like Higgins and Burrows sustain it?
- VANTEL

Yes they are seasoned athletes.

I'm not here to fully defend KB. But there are a few things to consider.

He is old, nearing his mid-30's I believe. And when Hamhuis went down, he had to up his minutes and it wore him down. That is when he started making mistakes.

Hopefully this injury will rest him up, and he can come back with some energy.

We are seeing the same thing with Hamhuis. Playing a a player in his 30's for 25+ minutes a night will wear them down, and in the end they lose puck battles and make brain farts.
- moondawg

Don't get me wrong , I am not knocking KB . He has made brain farts for years but all in all he has been decent. It is just everyone has an expiration date. His is close , time to start looking at options.

I don't think this is a cup contender, but with the additions I think they are heading in the right direction.

Yes they are seasoned athletes.
- thundachunk

Hanging on to Higgins is wrong. He doesn't score. He doesn't have big hits or speed. He kills penalties. That can be easily upgraded.

Don't get me wrong , I am not knocking KB . He has made brain farts for years but all in all he has been decent. It is just everyone has an expiration date. His is close , time to start looking at options.

I don't think this is a cup contender, but with the additions I think they are heading in the right direction.
- VANTEL

I agree. If the old guys minutes are managed we will see those bad games less often.

It is nice to see the young guys step in and be able to handle some tough teams to play against.

Hamhuis looked tired last night. When he got walked around by Marty St. Louis, I was not happy. He basically gave him a one handed love tap, and an open door to the net.

Hanging on to Higgins is wrong. He doesn't score. He doesn't have big hits or speed. He kills penalties. That can be easily upgraded.
- VANTEL

Oh I'm on the Higgins band wagon to move him. He has arguably been our best PK man though. That is a huge hole to fill. Young players don't do the Pk near as well as he can. It will take a lot more time.

Hanging on to Higgins is wrong. He doesn't score. He doesn't have big hits or speed. He kills penalties. That can be easily upgraded.
- VANTEL

Trade Higgins to NY Islanders for a 3rd RD pick. Or even the Rags might take that deal.

Trade Higgins to NY Islanders for a 3rd RD pick. Or even the Rags might take that deal.
- moondawg

That is viable as the y could use a special teams guy and he wouldn't be going to a losing team. I could see something like this actually working push for 2nd.

Higgins for glenx

Higgins for glenx
- Bieksa#3

Higgins for MDC.