If Higgins is traded there is a good chance they are making room for him.
- LordHumungous

But that would have to be done relatively quickly. Unless, they try to stretch the 9 games (would they sit him several games at a time?), he will be sent down by November. Once down, he has to stay the full season with his Jr team.

I am just not sure where Bennings head is at. Of course JV should have another year in JR. but he is a better option than anyone we have ready right now. Benning could easily fast track him

I am just not sure where Bennings head is at. Of course JV should have another year in JR. but he is a better option than anyone we have ready right now. Benning could easily fast track him
- VANTEL

I think Shinkaruk is ahead of him at this point. By ahead, I mean more likely to make the Canucks this year.

But that would have to be done relatively quickly. Unless, they try to stretch the 9 games (would they sit him several games at a time?), he will be sent down by November. Once down, he has to stay the full season with his Jr team.
- RealityChecker

Very true. If Benning hasn't made a trade before seasons start there is a good chance they will give him the 9 games just not in a row.

I think Shinkaruk is ahead of him at this point. By ahead, I mean more likely to make the Canucks this year.
- Scooby_Doo

Maybe talent wise Shink is ahead , but the two things are Benning wants toughness ,and Shink is not his pick so I think he would favour JV.

Second line centres usually get between 4-5 mil per
- VANTEL

lol

I am just not sure where Bennings head is at. Of course JV should have another year in JR. but he is a better option than anyone we have ready right now. Benning could easily fast track him
- VANTEL

There is a chance this may happen. They may roll the dice like with Horvat and hope for another good start and eventually keep him on the entire season. With Horvat last year it was fairly evident he could stick...with JV there are few questions but like you said hard to say what MNGTs thoughts are on JV right now. But to me with all this talk of a Higgins trade it may seem they are making room for another young player...

lol
- Nucker101

21 goal second line centres

There is a chance this may happen. They may roll the dice like with Horvat and hope for another good start and eventually keep him on the entire season. With Horvat last year it was fairly evident he could stick...with JV there are few questions but like you said hard to say what MNGTs thoughts are on JV right now. But to me with all this talk of a Higgins trade it may seem they are making room for another young player...
- LordHumungous

That's the big thing, what is mgmt thinking. Nothing would surprise me.

21 goal second line centres
- VANTEL

33 point.

I don't know if he is ready or not but....Canucks need one more roster spot filled for under 1.2. It is either him, Grenier Cassels Gaunce or Biega as the front runners.
- VANTEL

True story.

21 goal second line centres
- VANTEL

Bonino once scored 20 goals as well...with more points.

33 point.
- Scooby_Doo

Now you're catching on . You see it too . He is 150 k cheaper than our first line Burrows who also had 33 points and 6 less goals

Bonino once scored 20 goals as well...with more points.
- Nucker101

Aside from his cap hit, I'm glad Bonino will not be the 2nd line pivot.

I would like Bo to grab the reigns and get the 2nd line at some point this season. This would allow Sutter to be a good 3rd line anchor. He will be overpaid but if he does well, I won't care.

Clearly I don't have the animus towards Sutter or the faith in Bonino that you do.

Bonino once scored 20 goals as well...with more points.
- Nucker101

He had better wingers.

Aside from his cap hit, I'm glad Bonino will not be the 2nd line pivot.

I would like Bo to grab the reigns and get the 2nd line at some point this season. This would allow Sutter to be a good 3rd line anchor. He will be overpaid but if he does well, I won't care.

Clearly I don't have the animus towards Sutter or the faith in Bonino that you do.
- RealityChecker

There's not a massive difference between the two imo, the actual trade just baffles me.

He had better wingers.
- VANTEL

Sutter had 3 primary assists, he's a winger that can take faceoffs.

There's not a massive difference between the two imo, the actual trade just baffles me.
- Nucker101

Then there was the extension...

Then there was the extension...
- Scooby_Doo

That too

Sutter had 3 primary assists, he's a winger that can take faceoffs.
- Nucker101

That can take RH faceoffs. Very important piece of the puzzle. Just think next year we won't have to chase the puck for twenty seconds witha second line C that can actually win

That too
- Nucker101

It's going to be a long year for you

There's not a massive difference between the two imo, the actual trade just baffles me.
- Nucker101

Just the difference in skatng and defensive ability makes it worthwhile to me from a player vs player standpoint.

How long did Steaming Lombardi get banned for?
- VANTEL

Sept.1.

Sept.1.
- Marwood

Get me banned please

Lost power/internet/cable for three days, come back and we're still talking about Sutter/Sbisa/Prust... God I want the season to start already so that we have actual games to talk about.

I've said this many times, Benning was hired to get us to the retirement of the Sedins and most of his moves were made in the short term to take advantage of expiring contracts and character guys that will nursemaid our prospects into becoming solid NHL regulars that will play a hard-nosed style of game that's suited for winning in the playoffs.

Once Benning drafts or acquires the pieces needed for the Sedin succession (likely this next off-season), that's when he will be on the hot seat by ownership. He'll have a 2 year (maybe 3) window after the Sedins retire in which to try and show that his new core can contend for the Cup and if not, will be replaced by ownership. None of his moves will hamper us in the long-term, and none (save for Sutter and Tanev) are signed for longer than the Sedins.

All this angst makes me shake my head and start to believe those that think that Vancouver isn't a very good sports market. People are too wrapped up on the names on the back, rather than the name on the front. Other than our D-core which needs to be addressed, I am excited to see our team compete and play hard and actually make life tough for other teams (even if they don't win) and be the team that nobody likes to play against because they just keep coming and coming at you.

I'm like Vantel, I'm tired of the soft, perimeter puck possession type team. I want a team that's going to ram the puck down your throat, instead of playing keep away in the corner until the pretty pass/perfect shot opens up.