Always enjoy this blog. So many great comments about the games and the teams. Especially Vantel. HB could use more like you, sir.

That said, I have a serious question: It took Calgary a few seasons to solve the Iginla dilemma. And nobody in their wildest dreams could have imagined we would be this good, this fast. In hindsight, Iginla should have been gone several years sooner.
That said,what about the Sedins? They are 2 of the best and most respected players in the game and I can't imagine one without the other. Do you trade them? Let them decide when they've had enough? It's bound to be really tough but do you see similarities with our Iginla dilemma? Or has no one been willing to talk about life after the Sedins yet?
- itwasin

We talked about this a bit after last season's debacle... Some on here were all for trading them, going full rebuild, etc.

The reality is that they both had great bounce back seasons, we are in the playoffs, and they could still lead us on a bit of a run...

Plus, they have full NMCs and cost $14M per year against the cap (combined). It would be a tough trade to ever get full value for. I'd rather them play out their contracts and mentor some of the young guys we have coming up.

I don't see the comparables really ...Iggy needed a center ...we had bare cupboards ...I think the better play is to bring in more kids like Bo and allow them to work their way to being top 6 players and then eventually you have the twins on line two
- Redmile247

Shinkaruk and Gaunce had decent first seasons in the AHL. With Virtanen and McCann being highly touted and Cassels being a very good surprise, Van has some in the cupboards but it's still young. Lacking those good prospects in the 22-24 range that can come up and take over as second liners.

Agree with everyone saying promote Bo and bring up Sven. I don't think it will happen but that is what I would do. Give your bottom and top 6 a kick in the ass by bringing Bo into the top 6 (Higgins goes down) and Sven into the bottom 6 while taking someone out who isn't performing well enough. Kenins would be my choice, too many bad plays and he just doesn't seem to have the skillset to play with Bo and Hansen

No hearing for Hamhuis

We talked about this a bit after last season's debacle... Some on here were all for trading them, going full rebuild, etc.

The reality is that they both had great bounce back seasons, we are in the playoffs, and they could still lead us on a bit of a run...

Plus, they have full NMCs and cost $14M per year against the cap (combined). It would be a tough trade to ever get full value for. I'd rather them play out their contracts and mentor some of the young guys we have coming up.
- nucks_94

This is all that needs to be said really. Unless this franchise begins to alienate them, it seems impossible that they finish their careers anywhere else. And I for one am okay with that

Agree with everyone saying promote Bo and bring up Sven. I don't think it will happen but that is what I would do. Give your bottom and top 6 a kick in the ass by bringing Bo into the top 6 (Higgins goes down) and Sven into the bottom 6 while taking someone out who isn't performing well enough. Kenins would be my choice, too many bad plays and he just doesn't seem to have the skillset to play with Bo and Hansen
- bezz44

Not necessarily disagreeing but if we're relying on Bo Horvat to turn the tide in this series we're in serious trouble. The Sedins should be playing the top minutes every night and should probably get Vrbata on their line to see if that can rekindle some scoring. I'm all good with the Horvat line getting 2nd line minutes though and replacing Kenins with someone else. The Bonino line has been almost entirely irrelevant this series thus far.

Not necessarily disagreeing but if we're relying on Bo Horvat to turn the tide in this series we're in serious trouble. The Sedins should be playing the top minutes every night and should probably get Vrbata on their line to see if that can rekindle some scoring. I'm all good with the Horvat line getting 2nd line minutes though and replacing Kenins with someone else. The Bonino line has been almost entirely irrelevant this series thus far.
- AlexF

Funny, the flames are relying on an 18 and a 20 year old to 'turn the tide'. But it would be crazy for anyone to expect the same from Horvat? OK.

I have trouble understanding how anyone can say Burrows instigated that fight. Not sure if Russell instigated it either. Unless someone has some audio of what was said right before the fight.

"want to fight?", "them's fightin' words!" and gloves are dropped.
- hillbillydeluxe

YouTube it ...burrows grabs Russell and turns him around and drops the gloves ...even the commentators say it was burrows who instigated it

oh man, I should stop asking other forums what they would want for players.

Edler for the 7th, they asked for horvat and elder for the 7th.

in NJ some guy wants bonino straight up for eric gelinas. I had no idea a top 6 forward gets you a 5/6 D

Not necessarily disagreeing but if we're relying on Bo Horvat to turn the tide in this series we're in serious trouble. The Sedins should be playing the top minutes every night and should probably get Vrbata on their line to see if that can rekindle some scoring. I'm all good with the Horvat line getting 2nd line minutes though and replacing Kenins with someone else. The Bonino line has been almost entirely irrelevant this series thus far.
- AlexF

I wanted to see Matthias/Bonino/Vrbata to see if the line can bring a bit more offense. Wouldn't mind seeing Dorsett up there instead of Higgins as another option.

They need to shake it up a bit. Maybe Sven on the second line instead of Higgins and move Higgins to the Horvat line?

They need to mix it up.

Shinkaruk and Gaunce had decent first seasons in the AHL. With Virtanen and McCann being highly touted and Cassels being a very good surprise, Van has some in the cupboards but it's still young. Lacking those good prospects in the 22-24 range that can come up and take over as second liners.
- manvanfan

I think just having the twins to insulate the youth ..let the kids get their feet wet for a season or two and then see how things go ...no need to trade the twins and Edmonton the situation ...I think the management group in Van can see this

YouTube it ...burrows grabs Russell and turns him around and drops the gloves ...even the commentators say it was burrows who instigated it
- Redmile247

What qualifies as instigating? If Russell said something to Burrows, before Burrows grabs him, who is the instigator?

Funny, the flames are relying on an 18 and a 20 year old to 'turn the tide'. But it would be crazy for anyone to expect the same from Horvat? OK.
- bloatedmosquito

Bo Horvat - 25 points
Sedins - 76 & 73 points

Who do you rely on?

Gaudreau & Monahan - 64 & 62 points
Next best CGY forward (Bouma) - 34 points

Who do you rely on?

Age has nothing to do with it. I thought that would have been obvious but maybe not.

Bo Horvat - 25 points
Sedins - 76 & 73 points

Who do you rely on?

Gaudreau & Monahan - 64 & 62 points
Next best CGY forward (Bouma) - 34 points

Who do you rely on?

Age has nothing to do with it. I thought that would have been obvious but maybe not.
- AlexF

The Sedins will get their points here and there, as will Monahan and Gaudreau. We are currently losing this series because Calgary's depth players are outperforming ours. To turn the tide, we need to have one of our bottom lines really step up. From the look of the first 3 games, Bo's line is as good a bet as any.

I think just having the twins to insulate the youth ..let the kids get their feet wet for a season or two and then see how things go ...no need to trade the twins and Edmonton the situation ...I think the management group in Van can see this
- Redmile247

The twins are keeping Van afloat and have been for years. CAn't let them go haha

I love that the nucks were sending a message last night, but Bieksa should be suspended for jumping Ferland at the end of the game. That should of been an instigator and instant suspension. I understand why Bieksa went after him but at that time Ferland was playing hockey and Juice decided to get some free shots in.

Burrows hit on JG was shoulder to shoulder and it looked like he instigated the fight with Russel, but Russel came running for him after the hit and in my mind makes him a willing combatant and as much of an instigator.

The Hamhuis hit also looked like a suspendable hit but he might get away from it because of his rep and because it was borderline.

IMO Bieksa should be suspended 1 game. My guess is both Burrows and Bieksa get 1 game.

Aside from that the Canucks need to go back to playing their strengths, the track meet approach isn't going to work. The Bonino line has been god-awful as well, Vrbata looks like a shell of his regular season self.

Bo Horvat - 25 points
Sedins - 76 & 73 points

Who do you rely on?

Gaudreau & Monahan - 64 & 62 points
Next best CGY forward (Bouma) - 34 points

Who do you rely on?

Age has nothing to do with it. I thought that would have been obvious but maybe not.
- AlexF

Ok, but we are watching an 18 year old with no NHL experience walk into a playoff series and have an immediate impact. IMO you play the players that's making a difference regardless of experience, regular season stats, team loyalty, or dollars paid.

I stated age as an example of NHL inexperience only. It's hilarious to watch a very veteran team be schooled in some areas of the game by a team with very little experience, regular season or playoffs.

What qualifies as instigating? If Russell said something to Burrows, before Burrows grabs him, who is the instigator?
- hillbillydeluxe

If ...if ...its actions that are penalized ...in this case burrows actions were instigating that fight

YouTube it ...burrows grabs Russell and turns him around and drops the gloves ...even the commentators say it was burrows who instigated it
- Redmile247

Suspend Burrows for 3 games. Canucks lose this series and has a scape goat for management instead of looking at he obvious that our D core is weak and has no offense. If we think Lack is ready then get rid of Miller and use that 6 mill on improving d and scoring. We need a legit 2lc. this team has too many holes and for far too long we have looked at excuses instead of evidence.
We get blown out by Chi, LA- We need better goaltending when it was evident that we need players that can keep up the physical play of playoffs.
We lose to Boston and blame the refs yet it was evident that we didn't have secondary scoring.
I really hope for JB to be different and not look for excuses but rather look at the evidence of where the holes are and start addressing them. If FA is all for winning I am sure he will be ok with eating the salary of Miller and KB to clear the cap space if we cant trade them.

The Sedins will get their points here and there, as will Monahan and Gaudreau. We are currently losing this series because Calgary's depth players are outperforming ours. To turn the tide, we need to have one of our bottom lines really step up. From the look of the first 3 games, Bo's line is as good a bet as any.
- nucks_94

The depth player Kenins/Horvat/Richardson/Dorsett/Hansen/Matthias have been fine, the Sedins have been okay. The Bonino line has been the worst at both ends of the ice.

MY NEW TRADE PROPOSAL(S) THAT NO ONE CARES ABOUT!!!

Edler to Philadelphia for the 7th pick.

Bonino to New Jersey for Eric Gelinas and 3rd at 67 or 41st florida's 2nd
- manvanfan

Nothing wrong with moving Edler to Philly. They have been high on him since day 1 and Philly can provide assets we need. Gillis had Edler out there a few years back for Carolinas 6th overall and man I always wonder who we could have snagged...

If ...if ...its actions that are penalized ...in this case burrows actions were instigating that fight
- Redmile247

They also use intent to determine these things.

Okay Just traded

Bonino to New Jersey for Eric Gelinas and NJ's 3rd plus a Dinner.

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...s/pdisplay.php?pid=106632

6'4" 210 :D

Nothing wrong with moving Edler to Philly. They have been high on him since day 1 and Philly can provide assets we need. Gillis had Edler out there a few years back for Carolinas 6th overall and man I always wonder who we could have snagged...
- LordHumungous

Yeah Philly guys said we had to add horvat for it to work. I called the police.

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 2m2 minutes ago

Hearing Alex Burrows' Game 3 instigator is likely to be rescinded -- making him eligible for Game 4.