As the team stands today it won't come from within anytime soon.
- VanHockeyGuy

What is frustrating is we see glimpses of team toughness. Little runs in the season where there is a sustained fore check, pressuring the other team's d, forcing turnovers, creating opportunities.

But you would only see it for a game or two, and then it would disappear. Not sure if it is age and durability of our players, feeling all the bumps and bruises from that style? Or does it depend on the opponent?

Either way, we need more offence from the d. Is there any chance it comes from what we have now? Contract year for Bieksa and Hamhuis, will they be more productive?

You could trade a forward, Vrbata for example, hope Sven can fill the role. Then use that $ to fix other weak areas in the roster, via trade or FA.
- VanHockeyGuy

Therein lies the problem…we don't have what it would take to "pay" for it.
- LeftCoaster

Then it's the status quo, continue with the band aids. Just don't expect a different result anytime soon. Perhaps corporate sponsorship and season ticket holders are okay with this.

Then it's the status quo, continue with the band aids. Just don't expect a different result anytime soon. Perhaps corporate sponsorship and season ticket holders are okay with this.
- VanHockeyGuy

It's the process of building a team from within. Before we need a physical dman we need a Norris caliber defenseman, depth at center, top six scoring wingers….there's a ton of stuff that needs to be done.

Is Cody Franson a Canuck yet?
- Marwood

Soon.

You could trade a forward, Vrbata for example, hope Sven can fill the role. Then use that $ to fix other weak areas in the roster, via trade or FA.
- VanHockeyGuy

Vrbata for Lucic could fix. Sven is probably weaker then Vrbata. If your not physical on the forecheck the other teams D isn't going to have a problem. the key is to punish their D more then they punish ours. Doesn't matter how big or how strong your D is. If they get hit repeatedly they are going to wear down.

Brendan Dillon is exactly what the blue line needs, no doubt. Trade for #23? No.
- VanHockeyGuy

No way for the first rounder. There would have to be another way to get Dillon than that.

Yes he brings some toughness we need but man another left hand shot dman that can't get 15 pts/season for a first?

Yipes

It's the process of building a team from within. Before we need a physical dman we need a Norris caliber defenseman, depth at center, top six scoring wingers….there's a ton of stuff that needs to be done.
- LeftCoaster

Agreed. Until that happens it's patchwork here and there. Expect the same result next season (or worse), as some other teams will be trending upwards.

Vrbata for Lucic could fix. Sven is probably weaker then Vrbata. If your not physical on the forecheck the other teams D isn't going to have a problem. the key is to punish their D more then they punish ours. Doesn't matter how big or how strong your D is. If they get hit repeatedly they are going to wear down.
- manvanfan

Who taught them that, Daniel Sedin?

Agreed. Until that happens it's patchwork here and there. Expect the same result next season (or worse), as some other teams will be trending upwards.
- VanHockeyGuy

Agreed…next year will be more of the same or worse, which is fine with me. You need to take a step back before you can move forward. It's a cycle that every team goes through.

No way for the first rounder. There would have to be another way to get Dillon than that.

Yes he brings some toughness we need but man another left hand shot dman that can't get 15 pts/season for a first?

Yipes
- LordHumungous

My thoughts exactly.

Agreed…next year will be more of the same or worse, which is fine with me. You need to take a step back before you can move forward. It's a cycle that every team goes through.
- LeftCoaster

Just about every good team in the NHL right now had high draft picks for years. Of course, detroit being the exception.

All this talk about D makes that Garrison trade look even more ridiculous. Bieksa should have been traded not Garrison...

This is just ridiculous, but Garrison might just get a Stanley cup out of it...
- kaptaan

Bieksa has a no trade clause and all reports indicated that he had no intention of moving. This isn't EA sports here. Plus, plenty of bottom pairing dmen have their name on the cup. Garrison isn't the reason the Bolts are in the position they're in right now.

Soon.
- LordHumungous

I certainly hope not. He wasn't great defensively in Toronto and played even worse in Nashville.

Bieksa has a no trade clause and all reports indicated that he had no intention of moving. This isn't EA sports here. Plus, plenty of bottom pairing dmen have their name on the cup. Garrison isn't the reason the Bolts are in the position they're in right now.
- Canuckleafer

look at Chris Dingman (not a D) but guy has 2 rings

I certainly hope not. He wasn't great defensively in Toronto and played even worse in Nashville.
- Canuckleafer

It's hard because in toronto he was a top 4 D but on most teams he wouldn't be. Sadly i'd put him ahead of bieska now. Have to move out KB's contract first. Even then i'd rather go with Stanton haha.

Use the money to sign Belesky.

Agreed…next year will be more of the same or worse, which is fine with me. You need to take a step back before you can move forward. It's a cycle that every team goes through.
- LeftCoaster

People talk about tanking and such, but there is a good chance we will be on the bubble the next few seasons.

Have to think after next season, we could have a different team with Bieksa and Hamhuis' contracts expiring. Don't think Bieksa will be back and Hamhuis may be back but at a lesser $ amount or gone altogether.

Change is always coming just takes a while sometimes.

People talk about tanking and such, but there is a good chance we will be on the bubble the next few seasons.

Have to think after next season, we could have a different team with Bieksa and Hamhuis' contracts expiring. Don't think Bieksa will be back and Hamhuis may be back but at a lesser $ amount or gone altogether.

Change is always coming just takes a while sometimes.
- hillbillydeluxe

I sure hope JB moves out expiring contracts for something.

People talk about tanking and such, but there is a good chance we will be on the bubble the next few seasons.

Have to think after next season, we could have a different team with Bieksa and Hamhuis' contracts expiring. Don't think Bieksa will be back and Hamhuis may be back but at a lesser $ amount or gone altogether.

Change is always coming just takes a while sometimes.
- hillbillydeluxe

I believe it's an ever evolving thing. If the Canucks take a step back next year and all the other teams that fell back this year come back to where they should be, it'll necessitate change in the form of a good draft pick and more youth.

The Canucks need a dozen things before they have playoff success. We're not even close right now.
- LeftCoaster

We all know that, someone has to tell Aquilini.

Bieksa has a no trade clause and all reports indicated that he had no intention of moving. This isn't EA sports here. Plus, plenty of bottom pairing dmen have their name on the cup. Garrison isn't the reason the Bolts are in the position they're in right now.
- Canuckleafer

This is Tuesday no common sense allowed today.

This is Tuesday no common sense allowed today.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Since it is Tuesday
Edler/Lack/23rd for LD/16th/2nd or 3rd

It's hard because in toronto he was a top 4 D but on most teams he wouldn't be. Sadly i'd put him ahead of bieska now. Have to move out KB's contract first. Even then i'd rather go with Stanton haha.

Use the money to sign Belesky.
- manvanfan

Absolutely, with the horrible d Toronto had last season, it isn't hard to be in the top two pairs at all.

I believe it's an ever evolving thing. If the Canucks take a step back next year and all the other teams that fell back this year come back to where they should be, it'll necessitate change in the form of a good draft pick and more youth.
- LeftCoaster

Canucks very likely will take a step back next year, I actually thought they took a step back this year but were so unlucky and poorly coached the previous year it looked like an improvement.

Unfortunatly I think Mgmt has made it very clear they are not willing to take a step back and we will see moves that are detrimental to the future of the club but might help maintain the status quo for a couple of more seasons.

I certainly hope not. He wasn't great defensively in Toronto and played even worse in Nashville.
- Canuckleafer

No support whatsoever in TO in terms of D partners or goaltending and he still put up 30+ pts per season. Not utilized properly in NSH at all with little to no PP time and TOI down under 15min/game. He's a big hitter, right hand shot that can work the PP. Sedins have been dying for a right hand shot PP guy since Salo (and Ehrhoff) left so I can see why mngt may look at Franson if the price is right.

He's probably gonna want north of 5.5 anyway and Benning said they won't be looking much at FA Dmen over 5mil. But I can totally understand why they might look at him. He hasn't been utilized properly in TO and NSH and on the PP with the Sedins may flourish.