Should keep the core till the TDL hopefully nearly secure a playoff spot then trade the lot of them. Go into the playoffs with a bunch of new players. Bo was good in the playoffs, maybe that will show that rookies can contribute.
- manvanfan

I really want Benning to sit JV down and tell him what he needs to do in order to make the club and have him in the lineup next season like Bo. Vancouver was his team growing up, players will ofen try harder for their dream team.

Love the Oregon Coast. Right around Seaside in between Cannon Beach there is a road that goes towards the ocean and it takes you to Willys Bait and Tackle where they filmed the final scene to the movie Free Willy. They have the huge Jetty that they made it look like he jumped over.

About half a mile there is a little store / antique/ curios / snack bar/ hang out that this little old lady use to own. She is a nut job but loveable. She showed me a two headed snake and told me how she use to be Walmarts biggest competitor, and how Sam Walton stole her ideas. She showed me a blank piece of paper and told me and the GF to stare at it. Amazingly around two minutes in we both started seeing an image of Jesus appear on the paper. People come from miles and miles to see her and that paper.

The amazing thing is I spent 10 minutes with her and when we returned 2 years later she turned to me and asked where my cocker spaniel was. Thousands of people walk through her store and she remembered me
- VANTEL

I rented a house a block from the beach in Seaside a couple years ago. Great times. Although not a singles town... definately need to bring your own lol

Should keep the core till the TDL hopefully nearly secure a playoff spot then trade the lot of them. Go into the playoffs with a bunch of new players. Bo was good in the playoffs, maybe that will show that rookies can contribute.
- manvanfan

I wanna win every year, that said, I'm firmly behind the position we need a couple of chances at a few high'ish lottery picks to build towards a successful future.

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/hockey/canucks-hockey/Jamieson+Sedins+still+Canucks+liners/11088011/story.html

Some reading about the acquisition of a first line center.
- LeftCoaster

I made essentially the same list a couple of months back was blasted for it....

The article mentions 23 of 30 in the 1st, 18 in the top 10 but fail to mention that 12 of those are in the top 5 and that is what is really concerning IMO.

I really want Benning to sit JV down and tell him what he needs to do in order to make the club and have him in the lineup next season like Bo. Vancouver was his team growing up, players will ofen try harder for their dream team.
- Retinalz

I believe I read that he did that already, along with Travis Green, before he made his debut with the Comets. Which holds true for the Canucks as well.

He was told he CANNOT hurt the team or he simply won't play. He must play the right way! When people reference that term it means you must learn to play without the puck, be in the right positions defensively and stay on the right side of the puck at all times.

I believe I read that he did that already, along with Travis Green, before he made his debut with the Comets. Which holds true for the Canucks as well.

He was told he CANNOT hurt the team or he simply won't play. He must play the right way! When people reference that term it means you must learn to play without the puck, be in the right positions defensively and stay on the right side of the puck at all times.
- LeftCoaster

I meant conditioning wise, i read a report that he would not be able to handle 45 second shifts consistently in the NHL.

Should keep the core till the TDL hopefully nearly secure a playoff spot then trade the lot of them. Go into the playoffs with a bunch of new players. Bo was good in the playoffs, maybe that will show that rookies can contribute.
- manvanfan

That is what happened this year and Benning was too afraid to move any vets to recoup picks if it meant sacrificing experience come playoffs. I doubt he changes his tune next year if we are in the same position.

People need to accept that if the team remains relatively successful, mgmt will continue to slowly change this team. The only way anything drastic happens is if they have a terrible year.

It's a great plan. Not all of the teams had first overall.
- manvanfan

If you're banking on luck to get a new 1C the team is in far worse shape than we thought.

I believe I read that he did that already, along with Travis Green, before he made his debut with the Comets. Which holds true for the Canucks as well.

He was told he CANNOT hurt the team or he simply won't play. He must play the right way! When people reference that term it means you must learn to play without the puck, be in the right positions defensively and stay on the right side of the puck at all times.
- LeftCoaster

From this year onward, we shall see a good utica club year after year. I have my wishes that JV gets a top 6 role next season but I see more of a Bo role on the 4th line. Hopefully some PP time.

I believe I read that he did that already, along with Travis Green, before he made his debut with the Comets. Which holds true for the Canucks as well.

He was told he CANNOT hurt the team or he simply won't play. He must play the right way! When people reference that term it means you must learn to play without the puck, be in the right positions defensively and stay on the right side of the puck at all times.
- LeftCoaster

He definitely has looked lost once the game slows down in his own zone from what I have seen in the AHL this year but has been fantastic off the rush and playing at pace.
I think mgmt will have to weigh the defensive risk to the physicality/speed/fan appreciation of having him play next year and won't be surprised if they take the risk.

I meant conditioning wise, i read a report that he would not be able to handle 45 second shifts consistently in the NHL.
- Retinalz

I also believe Benning has stated publicly Jake needs to be in better shape, so I'm willing to bet he knows what the expectations are this summer.

If you're banking on luck to get a new 1C the team is in far worse shape than we thought.
- VanHockeyGuy

Why because I don't want to loss every year to try and get the first. One first overall doesn't translate success. I don't think there is a single team that has got a first has paired it with another top 5.

Some it has worked for other not so much.

Pit 5,1,2,1,2 and won a cup and has been a contender

Chi 3,7,3,1 and has 2 cups and has been a contender

LA 13,11,11,11,4,2,5 and has 2 cups and has been a contender

CLB 4, 8, 1, 4, 8, 6, 6, 7, 6, 21, 4,--,2,14,16 since their inception and it hasn't done anything for them.

NYI has had 7 top 5 picks since we picked the sedins and 5 top 5 in the last 6 years. They have a franchise player and are doing better but still are not a contender.

Honestly I think that when you look at how many of the best teams in the league have needed these consecutive years of high picks to get where they are it makes it even more impressive what the Canucks, Sharks, Wings and Bruins have done over the period of time without the picks.

Of course only the Bruins have won and (frank) those guys.

Edit. Should add the rangers as a team that also has not had picks but has been consistently successful.
- belcherbd

The difference between the winners and losers, is that the winners drafted good goalies. Fluery, Niemi/Crawford, and Quick are/were the difference makers.

That is what happened this year and Benning was too afraid to move any vets to recoup picks if it meant sacrificing experience come playoffs. I doubt he changes his tune next year if we are in the same position.

People need to accept that if the team remains relatively successful, mgmt will continue to slowly change this team. The only way anything drastic happens is if they have a terrible year.
- belcherbd

He gave the core group of guys a chance to prove themselves in the playoffs and they failed. Also, he's limited by what he can do with the NTC's and the twins NMC's.

Next year Hamhuis and Bieksa's deals are done, Vrbata has one year left and Burrows will have one year left after next season. Changes in the next two season are absolutely inevitable.

From this year onward, we shall see a good utica club year after year. I have my wishes that JV gets a top 6 role next season but I see more of a Bo role on the 4th line. Hopefully some PP time.
- manvanfan

You've gotta earn your right to play there!! Unlike Edmonton. If Jake makes the team he'll be a bottom six player until he proves himself just like Bo did...and rightfully so.

If you're banking on luck to get a new 1C the team is in far worse shape than we thought.
- VanHockeyGuy

It's hockey. Luck shadows every team.

Central Scouting Final Ranking for Centers, left out #1 & 2 OA. Trade up, trade down?

4 STROME, DYLAN
6 MARNER, MITCHELL
8 ZACHA, PAVEL
11 BARZAL, MATHEW
14 KONECNY, TRAVIS
15 HARKINS, JANSEN
18 CHLAPIK, FILIP
28 NOVAK, THOMAS
29 WHITE, COLIN

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=761663

Central Scouting Final Ranking for Centers, left out #1 & 2 OA. Trade up, trade down?

4 STROME, DYLAN
6 MARNER, MITCHELL
8 ZACHA, PAVEL
11 BARZAL, MATHEW
14 KONECNY, TRAVIS
15 HARKINS, JANSEN
18 CHLAPIK, FILIP
28 NOVAK, THOMAS
29 WHITE, COLIN

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=761663
- VanHockeyGuy

Would love to get Barzal due to his elite level skating and his play-making ability as a center. Potential number one center written all over him. Awesome vision and hockey IQ.

Central Scouting Final Ranking for Centers, left out #1 & 2 OA. Trade up, trade down?

4 STROME, DYLAN
6 MARNER, MITCHELL
8 ZACHA, PAVEL
11 BARZAL, MATHEW
14 KONECNY, TRAVIS
15 HARKINS, JANSEN
18 CHLAPIK, FILIP
28 NOVAK, THOMAS
29 WHITE, COLIN

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=761663
- VanHockeyGuy

Problem is we need to Draft D-Men now and Centre later. With 3 years of sedins we have time to train a future #1 Centre, we have no#1 dman now, so unless we get more draft picks, we better be drafting d

Would love to get Barzal due to his elite level skating and his play-making ability as a center. Potential number one center written all over him. Awesome vision and hockey IQ.
- LeftCoaster

Out of them Marner or barzal would be my choices because we have 3 centers rounding out all to be 2 way centers and lack that scoring Center.

He gave the core group of guys a chance to prove themselves in the playoffs and they failed. Also, he's limited by what he can do with the NTC's and the twins NMC's.

Next year Hamhuis and Bieksa's deals are done, Vrbata has one year left and Burrows will have one year left after next season. Changes in the next two season are absolutely inevitable.
- LeftCoaster

Failed miserably. Blew a 3 goal lead in an elimination game vs a one-line Calgary Flames club. This core is done...and soft.

Changes HAVE to come now. As Vantel claimed before if fans have to stare at this stale core year after year it will be reflected in the stands.

Pretty sure Aguilinis don't want 5000-7000 'walk ups' every game night.

Benning will switch out 2-3 players this year but the question remains will it be an FA, Rookies stealing jobs or finally some of the Utica talent coming in? Drafting?

Problem is we need to Draft D-Men now and Centre later. With 3 years of sedins we have time to train a future #1 Centre, we have no#1 dman now, so unless we get more draft picks, we better be drafting d
- Retinalz

I agree with that as well, its a mess.

Failed miserably. Blew a 3 goal lead in an elimination game vs a one-line Calgary Flames club. This core is done...and soft.

Changes HAVE to come now. As Vantel claimed before if fans have to stare at this stale core year after year it will be reflected in the stands.

Pretty sure Aguilinis don't want 5000-7000 'walk ups' every game night.

Benning will switch out 2-3 players this year but the question remains will it be a FA, Rookies stealing jobs or finally some of the Utica talent coming in? Drafting?
- LordHumungous

Something's up with Vrbata, no ones talking, probably not happy. Move him Now!

Failed miserably. Blew a 3 goal lead in an elimination game vs a one-line Calgary Flames club. This core is done...and soft.

Changes HAVE to come now. As Vantel claimed before if fans have to stare at this stale core year after year it will be reflected in the stands.

Pretty sure Aguilinis don't want 5000-7000 'walk ups' every game night.

Benning will switch out 2-3 players this year but the question remains will it be an FA, Rookies stealing jobs by finally having some of the Utica talent coming in? Drafting?
- LordHumungous

Fixed. Our rookies are pretty much all coming from Utica unless JV or Mcann or Cassels are NHL ready.

Failed miserably. Blew a 3 goal lead in an elimination game vs a one-line Calgary Flames club. This core is done...and soft.

Changes HAVE to come now. As Vantel claimed before if fans have to stare at this stale core year after year it will be reflected in the stands.

Pretty sure Aguilinis don't want 5000-7000 'walk ups' every game night.

Benning will switch out 2-3 players this year but the question remains will it be an FA, Rookies stealing jobs or finally some of the Utica talent coming in? Drafting?
- LordHumungous

Nailed it.