Will Vrbata net a first round pick? Is he on the market? The silence can’t be a good thing. Especially if he was promised he would be playing with the twins and WD or ? thought otherwise.
- VanHockeyGuy

Can't win. If he is on the market, you have to move him because he knows he is being shopped and all of a sudden we are desperate to move him and the gm is getting low ball offers... or is that just with goalies?

As with the promises, didn't we touch on this when speculating about Subban? GM can't promise stuff when it is up to the coach to determine ice time and roles.

Would really like to know the behind the scenes stuff between Vrbata and the Sedins.

Hear, hear
- manvanfan

Is that still true?

Not sure if it is true to the extent when AV was coaching, with them getting offensive zone face-offs whenever possible, but that has changed a bit recently? Maybe I'm nitpicking, they do get 1st unit pp and 2nd unit pp is often lucky to get 40+ seconds of a pp. Vey was getting lots of offensive zone faceoffs at the start of last season. Consensus was WD was protecting Vey.

Maybe some of this is people have to earn the opportunities and I guess there is the, you have to have opportunities to earn opportunities.

Sorry about rapid fire posts from me, hopped up on caffeine.


Gold medal game is on at 11:30pst, go Canada!

Is that still true?

Not sure if it is true to the extent when AV was coaching, with them getting offensive zone face-offs whenever possible, but that has changed a bit recently? Maybe I'm nitpicking, they do get 1st unit pp and 2nd unit pp is often lucky to get 40+ seconds of a pp. Vey was getting lots of offensive zone faceoffs at the start of last season. Consensus was WD was protecting Vey.

Maybe some of this is people have to earn the opportunities and I guess there is the, you have to have opportunities to earn opportunities.

Sorry about rapid fire posts from me, hopped up on caffeine.
- hillbillydeluxe

I watch other teams PP and it is a five man operation. The Rangers utilized everyone yesterday ,and there was a fast moving , spreading the opposition out ,firing the puck, man in front screen. We run a two man cycle until an opportunity
may pop up

Yes, JB better take a big D before a forward, the team is not in a position to take BPA.
- VanHockeyGuy

There seems to be enough good D that where Van drafts they should get an equal defencemen to a forward.

I watch other teams PP and it is a five man operation. The Rangers utilized everyone yesterday ,and there was a fast moving , spreading the opposition out ,firing the puck, man in front screen. We run a two man cycle until an opportunity
may pop up
- VANTEL

Hear, hear

Kerby Rychel for Bieksa anyone?

Kerby Rychel for Bieksa anyone?
- chompsey

Taj 1944 brought that up yesterday on Twitter , do you think Bieksa would be of interest to them?

Taj 1944 brought that up yesterday on Twitter , do you think Bieksa would be of interest to them?
- VANTEL

Interest in him yes but rychel may cost more and concussion last season. I'd ask for 2nds

I watch other teams PP and it is a five man operation. The Rangers utilized everyone yesterday ,and there was a fast moving , spreading the opposition out ,firing the puck, man in front screen. We run a two man cycle until something may pop up
- VANTEL

I share your frustration. A lot of this is on WD and maybe JB too.

I guess it may have been at the end of season presser where Henrik talks about the right hand shot on the pp and the addition of Weber making a huge difference.

When the pp struggled, WD took far too long adjusting or trying to change it up. Might be a pic of the 1st unit pp beside the definition of insanity.

Still some of the same issues that JT had as coach. Don't see the solution down the bench, keep putting the Sedins out there. I still don't understand this. Not even trying other options as WD really doesn't think there are other options. Yet Bo and Matthias might have been a different look on the 2nd unit, but they kept sending out Higgins and whoever.

Was a bit surprised Bonino didn't get a chance with the Sedins as I think he was good on the pp with Getzlaf and Perry.

I watch other teams PP and it is a five man operation. The Rangers utilized everyone yesterday ,and there was a fast moving , spreading the opposition out ,firing the puck, man in front screen. We run a two man cycle until an opportunity
may pop up
- VANTEL

The Sedins can kill a PowerPlay like no one else in the league

I share your frustration. A lot of this is on WD and maybe JB too.

I guess it may have been at the end of season presser where Henrik talks about the right hand shot on the pp and the addition of Weber making a huge difference.

When the pp struggled, WD took far too long adjusting or trying to change it up. Might be a pic of the 1st unit pp beside the definition of insanity.

Still some of the same issues that JT had as coach. Don't see the solution down the bench, keep putting the Sedins out there. I still don't understand this. Not even trying other options as WD really doesn't think there are other options. Yet Bo and Matthias might have been a different look on the 2nd unit, but they kept sending out Higgins and whoever.

Was a bit surprised Bonino didn't get a chance with the Sedins as I think he was good on the pp with Getzlaf and Perry.
- hillbillydeluxe

Higgins needs to go.

I share your frustration. A lot of this is on WD and maybe JB too.

I guess it may have been at the end of season presser where Henrik talks about the right hand shot on the pp and the addition of Weber making a huge difference.

When the pp struggled, WD took far too long adjusting or trying to change it up. Might be a pic of the 1st unit pp beside the definition of insanity.

Still some of the same issues that JT had as coach. Don't see the solution down the bench, keep putting the Sedins out there. I still don't understand this. Not even trying other options as WD really doesn't think there are other options. Yet Bo and Matthias might have been a different look on the 2nd unit, but they kept sending out Higgins and whoever.



Was a bit surprised Bonino didn't get a chance with the Sedins as I think he was good on the pp with Getzlaf and Perry.
- hillbillydeluxe

It has been like that for years. This isn't new to this mgmt only.

The talent depth on this team is not that deep. That is why I have a hard time understanding the need to hang onto the old core and unwillingness to let go.

Taj 1944 brought that up yesterday on Twitter , do you think Bieksa would be of interest to them?
- VANTEL

They have to interested in all options on D, Columbus may just be the right trade partner.

They have to interested in all options on D, Columbus may just be the right trade partner.
- VanHockeyGuy

I don't see Columbus as a favourable destination to a Dman with a NTC

It has been like that for years. This isn't new to this mgmt only.

The talent depth on this team is not that deep. That is why I have a hard time understanding the need to hang onto the old core and unwillingness to let go.
- VANTEL

That said, they can ill afford to let Matthias walk, he's a big C that has value, if we are lucky we might get a 3rd.

I don't see Columbus as a favourable destination to a Dman with a NTC
- VANTEL

Not talking about a D going to Columbus, only as a potential trade partner.

I don't see Columbus as a favourable destination to a Dman with a NTC
- VANTEL

Disagree. They really came on the second half this season and are a young up and coming team. Why wouldn't a dman want to hop on that train?

If I'm JB I offer Bieksa and perhaps a Dane Fox?

I mean Bieksa would get you a lot more at the TDL, so I think rychel for Bieksa straight up is not a bad deal.....

That said, they can ill afford to let Matthias walk, he's a big C that has value, if we are lucky we might get a 3rd.
- VanHockeyGuy

I agree

Watching Fury right now. One hell of a movie. Check it out if you havent.

Disagree. They really came on the second half this season and are a young up and coming team. Why wouldn't a dman want to hop on that train?

If I'm JB I offer Bieksa and perhaps a Dane Fox?

I mean Bieksa would get you a lot more at the TDL, so I think rychel for Bieksa straight up is not a bad deal.....
- chompsey

I agree Columbus had a great second half and are a very good young team. I am just not sure Bieksa would say yes. The other side is CBJ might say KB had a bad year and not want to give up a young prospect for him.

I would love it, I am not sure the other parties would

Watching Fury right now. One hell of a movie. Check it out if you havent.
- vancity787

seen it

I don't see Columbus as a favourable destination to a Dman with a NTC
- VANTEL

Trade Matthias to Columbus for the negotiating rights to Mike Reilly.

I agree Columbus had a great second half and are a very good young team. I am just not sure Bieksa would say yes. The other side is CBJ might say KB had a bad year and not want to give up a young prospect for him.

I would love it, I am not sure the other parties would
- VANTEL

You make a very reasonable point. They may not want KB. But he does offer a lot to a young team and may see a great opp if he's not wanted in Van.

But, it's true, CBJ may not be interested in him......

Trade Matthias to Columbus for the negotiating rights to Mike Reilly.
- VanHockeyGuy

No harm no foul

It has been like that for years. This isn't new to this mgmt only.

The talent depth on this team is not that deep. That is why I have a hard time understanding the need to hang onto the old core and unwillingness to let go.
- VANTEL

I have a hard time accepting Higgins is part of or should be considered part of the core. I am in denial.

Last season, I was impressed with how the team performed with all the injuries on defence. The same thing has to happen next season, put other players in different roles and give them an opportunity to make mistakes, learn and develop.

The reason I think Higgins should be moved is to open up opportunities for other players to play on the 2nd line and 2nd pp. But if I was JB, I'd want to keep him for the 3rd or 4th line and pk.

Is everyone, ever on the same page?