Virtanen is going to be on the opening day roster imo. Benning will make sure of it. Will be fun to see him progress at least. He's definitely physically ready.
- Nucker101

I hope so, I am actually quite excited about the style he plays developing into a proper nhl player.

Probs.
- Nucker101

Who do you think will be the most improved in the west?

I'm thinking Dallas will have the largest improvement in points.

Biggest looser - Anaheim

I hope so, I am actually quite excited about the style he plays developing into a proper nhl player.
- Retinalz

He does definitely bring some attributes this team lacks. Speed/physicality/am aggressive.

In all seriousness, there may not be any better options.

I think you can take solace in the fact that WD doesn't really have a "1st" line, "2nd" line etc. He has a "1st" line and three "3rd" lines, so the minutes will get spread around. No need for you to go all buddhist monk on us and torch yourself in the middle of the street, unless we get to listen to some Rage Against the Machine, then I'm in
- 1970vintage

It will be the Allman Brothers and I'm using Bourbon as an incendiary. Peach-lemon Magic Mushroom Iced tea Punch made will be available.

Who do you think will be the most improved in the west?

I'm thinking Dallas will have the largest improvement in points.

Biggest looser - Anaheim
- 1970vintage

Dallas is my pick too. LA will bounce back as well imo.

Loser is tough to predict, I do think ANA lost more than they gained this summer but they have some young talent that can make up for that. Beauchemin and Beleskey are solid players, both had great playoff runs to boot. STL could have some issues, not a fan of Armstrong as their GM and the locker room might tune out Hitch or may have already done so.

I agree, not sure why people continue to get so caught up in "line 2" or "line 3" when it's clear that the 5v5 ice time is pretty much the same. Marwood should light himself on fire if Higgins is still on the PP, not "line 2".
- Nucker101

Done.

Done.
- Marwood

Dallas is my pick too. LA will bounce back as well imo.

Loser is tough to predict, I do think ANA lost more than they gained this summer but they have some young talent that can make up for that. Beauchemin and Beleskey are solid players, both had great playoff runs to boot. STL could have some issues, not a fan of Armstrong as their GM and the locker room might tune out Hitch or may have already done so.
- Nucker101

LA might bounce back, but I don't see them being a >100 point team, so their gain would be marginal, they only just missed the playoffs.

Agree, StL just seems not to be able to get it together. Never should have let Davidson leave for Columbus.

I just have a feeling that the Bieksa factor is going to drag that franchise down a notch. They'll still make the playoffs, but I could see them finishing 3rd in the division.

Calgary
LA
Anaheim
Vancouver
San Jose
Edmonton
Phoenix

Nashville
Dallas
Chicago
Winnipeg
St Louis
Colorado
Minnesota

LA might bounce back, but I don't see them being a >100 point team, so their gain would be marginal, they only just missed the playoffs.

Agree, StL just seems not to be able to get it together. Never should have let Davidson leave for Columbus.

I just have a feeling that the Bieksa factor is going to drag that franchise down a notch. They'll still make the playoffs, but I could see them finishing 3rd in the division.

Calgary
LA
Anaheim
Vancouver
San Jose
Edmonton
Phoenix

Nashville
Dallas
Chicago
Winnipeg
St Louis
Colorado
Minnesota
- 1970vintage

Calgary ahead of Anaheim?

He moved 2x NTCs . Took the Comets to the top of the league with acquisitions. Solidified the goaltending. Hired a head coach , made good trades before the draft. Drafted well . Moved the Canucks up 16 spots. Your right he sucks.
- VANTEL

I want to make sure people understand, I am not saying Benning will be a great GM or even a good GM. All I said was he had a successful first year. No predictions are being made this point further , it is wait and see, but in my evaluation I give him a B for his first report card.
- VANTEL

According to Bloated belchard, that means you said Benning gets all the credit...

Calgary ahead of Anaheim?
- Retinalz

Yeah

LA might bounce back, but I don't see them being a >100 point team, so their gain would be marginal, they only just missed the playoffs.

Agree, StL just seems not to be able to get it together. Never should have let Davidson leave for Columbus.

I just have a feeling that the Bieksa factor is going to drag that franchise down a notch. They'll still make the playoffs, but I could see them finishing 3rd in the division.

Calgary
LA
Anaheim
Vancouver
San Jose
Edmonton
Phoenix

Nashville
Dallas
Chicago
Winnipeg
St Louis
Colorado
Minnesota
- 1970vintage

Calgary winning the Pacific and Minny last in the central, very bold.

I have SJ the biggest risers, 89 pts and 12 place last year, I see them at 100+ and 3-4.
Nashville loses the most 104 pts and 3rd to 95ish and on the bubble.

Actually edm might gain the most points but still be in the bottom 3 is that considered a riser?

According to Bloated belchard, that means you said Benning gets all the credit...

- boonerbuck

Hilarious,

Calgary winning the Pacific and Minny last in the central, very bold.

I have SJ the biggest risers, 89 pts and 12 place last year, I see them at 100+ and 3-4.
Nashville loses the most 104 pts and 3rd to 95ish and on the bubble.

Actually edm might gain the most points but still be in the bottom 3 is that considered a riser?
- belcherbd

You're probably right, in all likelihood Edmonton will improve by between 20-30 points, brining their point total to what, 80?

I just tried to remember all the teams in the west, and that's the order they came out in. I have no idea where any of them will finish

My gut tells me Colorado will be worse not better (I heard from Scooby's barber, who heard from one of the players that they guys really don't like Roy).

Sure, Mini will probably be better, maybe they'll be the surprise team along with Dallas to challenge for the division title?

Calgary winning the Pacific and Minny last in the central, very bold.

I have SJ the biggest risers, 89 pts and 12 place last year, I see them at 100+ and 3-4.
Nashville loses the most 104 pts and 3rd to 95ish and on the bubble.

Actually edm might gain the most points but still be in the bottom 3 is that considered a riser?
- belcherbd

SJ will be near the bottom of the league, Nashville will say where they're at, Chicago will dip with the losses of Saad and Sharp.

SJ will be near the bottom of the league, Nashville will say where they're at, Chicago will dip with the losses of Saad and Sharp.
- DariusKnight

Lucky bastards

I've said before that I like Benning, he's done a good job. But he's also done his fair shares of bad jobs. Sbisa signing(could have gotten him for less if took to arbitration), Dorsett signing(think it should have been 600k less). He has over paid on trades and gotten less than we could have gotten on others, but these things happen when teams know you want to get rid of something. I just hope Sbisa starts in AHL(nobody will take him off waivers for 3.6) as i think he needs it to develop to be serviceable in the final 2 years of his contract. I hate Sbisa on the team now, but can see where Benning thinks he can be what we need.
- Retinalz

Sbisa barely got more than he was guaranteed. Why drag a player into arb over a very small increase to the min?

Maybe the message is... Rewards for playing physical and making the opposition pay... instead of playing like a wussycat like Kassian who makes it easy for the opposition and was dumped the (frank) out of Van.

Sbisa barely got more than he was guaranteed. Why drag a player into arb over a very small increase to the min?

Maybe the message is... Rewards for playing physical and making the opposition pay... instead of playing like a wussycat like Kassian who makes it easy for the opposition and was dumped the (frank) out of Van.
- boonerbuck

Considering the contract is without an NTC and only for 3 years, he's a stop-gap until we have enough NHL-ready D-prospects to replace him. It's not as if Benning said he's a core piece (or gave him a contract like he's one ala Tanev/Sutter)

I said he had a good year. You were the one that elevated the discussion. It should have been a comment that was said and move on to the next comment.

I really don't have expectations good or bad for this year. It is wait and see.
- VANTEL

He cant help himself... I dont know how many times he responds to something I didnt say... after correction he just keeps insisting on it.

One more time Belch... we called JB rookie season a success... stop going on about us calling the future a success.

Virtanen with a beauty! the kid is looking like he's going to be tough to leave off the opening night roster
- Zogg

Unlike so many of our first rounder in the last...I don't even know how long it's been but this kid has his physical game to fall back on during times of slump. I like his chances of staying...

The canucks can only be judged by the shifts that they played bad.
The Oilers and Jets can only be judged by the shifts they played well.

This about sums up nuckers posts over the last yr or so
- Bieksa#3

Virtanen is going to be on the opening day roster imo. Benning will make sure of it. Will be fun to see him progress at least. He's definitely physically ready.
- Nucker101

He sure showing he wants it....not taking it for granted.

Considering the contract is without an NTC and only for 3 years, he's a stop-gap until we have enough NHL-ready D-prospects to replace him. It's not as if Benning said he's a core piece (or gave him a contract like he's one ala Tanev/Sutter)
- DariusKnight

When Sbisa is gone we are all going to laugh at all the doomsday predictions spewed over this resigning... I understand being disappointed in him still being here... but this contract is nothing once the Sedins are gone and the real rebuild is in full swing.

He cant help himself... I dont know how many times he responds to something I didnt say... after correction he just keeps insisting on it.

One more time Belch... we called JB rookie season a success... stop going on about us calling the future a success.



- boonerbuck

considering how much time you spend going through posts that happened hours ago, its amazing that you are unable to comprehend any of it. Maybe you should take a bit take a bit more time to sort through this all.

Looking forward to reading your response to every post from today saying the same thing again and again.