I think it is likely that they will regress, meaning that the bounces will begin to even out. How many games did they come back late in the 3rd to eventually win? Playing without the puck so much, if that's how they play again this year, will hurt them. Having said that, the team is most likely better this season then last, so perhaps it evens out. I think they'll be in the 93-97 point range, fighting for a playoff spot.
- 1970vintage

This is what I can agree on ...they can't continue to play the way they did most of the season...they won't have as many comebacks and will need offense from new sources

I simply just think they won't play the same way at least not for the majority of the season

the talk of a second team in the province is nonsensical. there are just too many factors against the idea.

firstly, the canucks would do everything in their power to stop it. they would claim their territorial rights for the province (and certainly the lower mainland). and their claim would be justified.

quite frankly a new team would not be creating new hockey fans but more than likely just getting fans to switch allegiances. why does this matter? b/c there will not be a great increase in tv numbers. the value in the canucks property will probably go down b/c some of those that used to watch/follow the canucks would switch over to the new team. if the numbers are big enough, the value of the canucks' advertising would go down. this means local tv and radio. this then relates back to the canucks claiming territorial rights.

secondly, there just isn't the corporate base to satisfy two teams. big corporations don't have endless advertising revenue. they will not double their ad buy just b/c there is a new team. especially when there isn't a bigger audience but just a "different" audience.

thirdly, i just don't see a potential owner who is willing to pay half a billion in franchise fees, a few hundred million in arena upgrades (or building a new one) and x millions to the canucks for territorial fees.

and this is before we even consider the dollar.
- RealityChecker

I agree with you 100%. If we even tried to have another team in BC we might end up losing both of them.

I agree with you 100%. If we even tried to have another team in BC we might end up losing both of them.
- golfingsince

as booner posted earlier, it seems that a lot of people don't look past getting 15-20k people in the rink.

toronto could support a 2nd team easily... but they've got 3x our population and business infrastructure.

It could support an Ahl team though. Hell I'd even make that trip that far south to watch a few games a year.
- I-own_da-Northwest

An AHL team could work but there's not a huge demand for it, to be honest. Granted it has been awhile since I left, but people were pretty content with the Blazers and watching the Canucks on TV.

So where do you put this team ? Once you get out of the Lower Mainland the largest city is Kelowna with about 120,000 people. That won't cut it.

Edit: I forgot Victoria at about 350K but i'm pretty sure lifelong Canuck fans from the interior aren't going to jump ship to support a team on the island.
- golfingsince

There is no way Vic can support an NHL team. We can barely keep a WHL team in business. There is just too much fun stuff to do outside all year round.

An AHL team could work but there's not a huge demand for it, to be honest. Granted it has been awhile since I left, but people were pretty content with the Blazers and watching the Canucks on TV.
- CubanBuffet

Yes, a 2nd NHL team would be an absolute disaster. The Comets, however, could definitely work in Surrey.

There is no way Vic can support an NHL team. We can barely keep a WHL team in business. There is just too much fun stuff to do outside all year round.
- moondawg

Vic = Newlyweds and Nearly deads

I disagree, the province could easily support another team, the Canucks only sell merchandise and tickets because they're the only game in town. Have another team nearby and the Canucks would keep their Lower Mainland fan base, but the rest of the province would likely support the other team, especially if it isn't in the Lower Mainland.
- DariusKnight

Absolutely no chance of that being economically viable anytime soon. As mentioned before there is WAY too much good weather and summer activities to spend money on in BC. BC fans are too fickle to provide the right amount of support for the right amount of time...Lean years?...good luck. Economy is way too unpredictable now and in the future. Sure times will rebound but by then people wll have figured out something else to spend money on.

Vic = Newlyweds and Nearly deads
- VANTEL

HEY, I'm in neither of those categories.

An AHL team could work but there's not a huge demand for it, to be honest. Granted it has been awhile since I left, but people were pretty content with the Blazers and watching the Canucks on TV.
- CubanBuffet

No I visit family on a regular basis there and that's the sense that I still get. I've always found it a bit strange that they are knowledgeable sports fans and enjoy watching, but they are not pushing for more. Possibly that blue collar mentality mixed with plenty of activities to do. Content is definitely the right word to describe the area's feeling on sports entertainment

Vic = Newlyweds and Nearly deads
- VANTEL

I guess it's been a while since you've been over here


All the nearly deads aren't nearly anymore, and all the newly weds are divorced and re-married with kids and step kids.

This is pure gold:

http://canucksarmy.com/20...-murders-from-last-season
- CanuckDon

How Virtanen is able to knock a guy four feet back when the guy is going in a forward direction is unreal...! wow!!

Can't wait for him to be NHL ready. He'll need someone out there with him to take on the meatheads who can't handle a hit or their teammate getting hit clean.

I guess it's been a while since you've been over here


All the nearly deads aren't nearly anymore, and all the newly weds are divorced and re-married with kids and step kids.
- 1970vintage

Or left for Alberta, Ontario or some where they can afford to live...I think there is a large demographic of 40+ year olds in this city.

Holy cat sh!t is it ever good not to hear about Sbisa and Miller for a change, and I enjoyed DariusKnights new alignment and playoff structure, something outside the box for a change.

How Virtanen is able to knock a guy four feet back when the guy is going in a forward direction is unreal...! wow!!

Can't wait for him to be NHL ready. He'll need someone out there with him to take on the meatheads who can't handle a hit or their teammate getting hit clean.
- kaptaan

Doing it against 170 lb junior might be easier than a 215 lb NHLer, maybe he will be the next Raffe Torres

I guess it's been a while since you've been over here


All the nearly deads aren't nearly anymore, and all the newly weds are divorced and re-married with kids and step kids.
- 1970vintage

It has been a while

Or left for Alberta, Ontario or some where they can afford to live...I think there is a large demographic of 40+ year olds in this city.

Holy cat sh!t is it ever good not to hear about Sbisa and Miller for a change, and I enjoyed DariusKnights new alignment and playoff structure, something outside the box for a change.
- Makita

The problem with Sbisa is he does not get the proper respect he deserves. If he added more cowbell , he would be just fine

Doing it against 170 lb junior might be easier than a 215 lb NHLer, maybe he will be the next Raffe Torres
- VANTEL

A few of those hits are highlighted as the victims are 220lbs plus. He also crushed men when with Utica so I don't think he will have any issues

The problem with Sbisa is he does not get the proper respect he deserves. If he added more cowbell , he would be just fine
- VANTEL

Does he have 3.6 mil worth of cowbell?

Does he have 3.6 mil worth of cowbell?
- A_SteamingLombardi

I will ask Nucker

Vic = Newlyweds and Nearly deads
- VANTEL

Newly weds, nearly deads, and college kids

I disagree, the province could easily support another team, the Canucks only sell merchandise and tickets because they're the only game in town. Have another team nearby and the Canucks would keep their Lower Mainland fan base, but the rest of the province would likely support the other team, especially if it isn't in the Lower Mainland.
- DariusKnight

I have a place near Cranbrook and its 50-50 Nucks/Flames with the locals. All you main news are out of Calgary. Hell closer to Lethbridge than Vancouver

I have a place near Cranbrook and its 50-50 Nucks/Flames with the locals. All you main news are out of Calgary. Hell closer to Lethbridge than Vancouver
- geta02it

Edmonton is, indeed, closer to Lethbridge than Vancouver

Edmonton is, indeed, closer to Lethbridge than Vancouver
- stevekariya

I saw what you did there and sir, I salute your efforts!

I have a place near Cranbrook and its 50-50 Nucks/Flames with the locals. All you main news are out of Calgary. Hell closer to Lethbridge than Vancouver
- geta02it

Half of Calgary is Canucks fans...

I hate this new age of micro-managed computer driven stats when anything as small as a 15 minute delay for a glass replacement can screw with every dynamic stat that they seem to collect.

Good Riddence.


Now... Carol.... there will be nothing new in Canuckland for at least three weeks. You are the best Canuck blogger we have ever seen here on buzz and we want you to know that you don;t have to do dailies right now. Take a few weeks off!