He seems to score clutch goals though. Guess we won't know until the 9 games is up. The true test.

Why do you feel mcann will be sent down? There was no reasoning provided
- SMBDragon

It sounds like McCann is well liked, but might not have the body to stand up to the NHL grind. He has the hockey sense, game and skating is fine. I think they are worried that he isn't very big and that might hurt him if he is slotted in as 4th line centre. But if that is their thinking, Vey can't be any bigger..

JV has the body and the skating and can be sheltered a bit more.

But if we have Prust and Dorsett adding the grit, I think they should be able to find a spot for McCann if JV goes back to jr. will be shocked if both stay beyond their 9 games. But wouldn't complain.

Got a real gem in that Virtanen kid.

Id like to see JV hutton Mcann all make it and ship out Vey. He talked about how he wasnt ready and he'd come earn a spot but has yet to even have a single good game while rookies are taking over the team.

and I agree with Vantel, JV comes out every shift and hits and busts his ass. Sorely needed. It's exactly what everyone complained about forever, now its here....keep him.
- SMBDragon

If Gaunce or McCann don't make the team and Vey stays in the lineup, then JB can't be taken at his word; "if a rookie earns a spot on the team, we'll make moves to make room for them."

Vey hasn't earned a spot, and both Gaunce and McCann have. I would guess that McCann does get sent back to juniors rather than spending time on the 4th line with Prust/Dorsett. But Gaunce is a dependable 2 way player that can play either a 3rd or 4th line role at centre or wing.

We'll see if JB has the cahoonies to make those kind of moves.

I suspect JV will stick with the team for the first 9 games, and Hutton will be sent to Utica, but be the first call-up when the defence is inevitably injured.

He seems to score clutch goals though. Guess we won't know until the 9 games is up. The true test.

Why do you feel mcann will be sent down? There was no reasoning provided
- SMBDragon

They need to get rid of players for McCann to have a spot.

If they put him on the 4 th line he would get 9 minutes a night. He would be better dominating in JR.

I think a lot of vets will be moved this year including Hansen , even though I like him.

I think Burrows Hamhuis Prust Weber Higgins Vrbata Hansen.

Next year he will get a third line role . Don't forget we also have Cassels too

Utica needs players as well.
- A_SteamingLombardi

This

Got a real gem in that Virtanen kid.
- Blackstrom2

Very happy with the kid

This is my opening day roster.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Sven Bo JAke
Burrows Sutter Hansen
Gaunce /Prust Cracknell Dorsett

Vey

Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Bartowski
Sbisa Hutton

Weber

Miller
Markstom
- VANTEL

They need to get rid of players for McCann to have a spot.

If they put him on the 4 th line he would get 9 minutes a night. He would be better dominating in JR.

I think a lot of vets will be moved this year including Hansen , even though I like him.

I think Burrows Hamhuis Prust Weber Higgins Vrbata Hansen.

Next year he will get a third line role . Don't forget we also have Cassels too
- VANTEL

The coaches have commented that he wont be getting the same development down there as he would in the NHL. I think he looks good enough to keep....but lets see after his 9 reg season games.

At this point I'd move Vey....Higgins is injured and some players can sit a game here and there too to accommodate the youngsters.

They need to get rid of players for McCann to have a spot.

If they put him on the 4 th line he would get 9 minutes a night. He would be better dominating in JR.

I think a lot of vets will be moved this year including Hansen , even though I like him.

I think Burrows Hamhuis Prust Weber Higgins Vrbata Hansen.

Next year he will get a third line role . Don't forget we also have Cassels too
- VANTEL

McCann to jr is a real, real possibility. But if he can handle it physically then I don't see a problem with him on the 4 th line learning the pro pace and getting experience even 10 minutes a game. It seems to have worked for Bo. Imagine if Bo got sent to jr last year, he likely wouldn't be where he seems to be right now and would likely be on his way to Utica to get pro experience.

This is my opening day roster.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Sven Bo JAke
Burrows Sutter Hansen
Gaunce /Prust Cracknell Dorsett

Vey

Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Bartowski
Sbisa Hutton

Weber

Miller
Markstom
- VANTEL

Waive or trade Vey when Higgins comes back.

I know it's preseason, but Markstrom has looked solid so far. He is huge. On his knees he still covers three quarters of the net.

The coaches have commented that he wont be getting the same development down there as he would in the NHL. I think he looks good enough to keep....but lets see after his 9 reg season games.

At this point I'd move Vey....Higgins is injured and some players can sit a game here and there too to accommodate the youngsters.
- SMBDragon

I would move Vey and Weber too

Send Vey to utica trade Weber for a third round pick

McCann to jr is a real, real possibility. But if he can handle it physically then I don't see a problem with him on the 4 th line learning the pro pace and getting experience even 10 minutes a game. It seems to have worked for Bo. Imagine if Bo got sent to jr last year, he likely wouldn't be where he seems to be right now and would likely be on his way to Utica to get pro experience.
- bazz

I'm on the McCann train too . If it's between him and Vey , without a doubt I take JM

I will not be suprise to see : sven/bo and jv together on the last pre season game. If they have another good game they might be our second line this year.

P.s last time i posted i said i didn't like Sven. Maybe i should give him another chance and look/analyst the way he play a little bit more.

I will not be suprise to see : sven/bo and jv together on the last pre season game. If they have another good game they might be our second line this year.

P.s last time i posted i said i didn't like Sven. Maybe i should give him another chance and look/analyst the way he play a little bit more.
- Yannick72

Everyone was against Sven , he did nothing before last night. He was also playing with the living dead as linemates.

Everyone was against Sven , he did nothing before last night. He was also playing with the living dead as linemates.
- VANTEL

Do you think having 3 rookies on the second line will be too much responsablility.
I think they should be fine until they it a slump.

1-1 Comets and Crunch after 1 period

Fox with the goal

Do you think having 3 rookies on the second line will be too much responsablility.
I think they should be fine until they it a slump.
- Yannick72

It had been done many times before. Ride it until it breaks

I'm on the McCann train too . If it's between him and Vey , without a doubt I take JM
- VANTEL

McCann by nature seems to have more of the attitude to be on a fourth line if necessary. I don't think his game would get undone by playing with plumbers. He'll just get fewer points. Vey just isn't cut out for fourth line even for a short period. I would only be concerned about McCann being strong enough to handle the beating. Vey, I don't care. If he is chosen then beat away.

At this point I'm not sure Burrows is going to flourish or be effective still without being on the Sedin line which may strap us a bit. Weber is going to get an opportunity to continue his PP success so he won't be in the press box as of yet IMO. I still think they are gonna try Vey on the 4th line even though he hasn't earned it. I like that you moved Bartkowski to the top 4.

Sedin Sedin Burrows
Baertchi/Higgins Sutter Vrbata
Hansen Horvat Virtanen
Prust Vey/McCann Dorsett

Cracknell-Gaunce-Higgins/baertchi? tough call

Edler Tanev
Hammer Bartkowski
Sbizza Weber

Hutton - Corrado has not impressed which is too bad.

Miller
Markstrom

sounds like someone hasn't seen the Baertschi-Horvat-Virtanen line last night

McCann by nature seems to have more of the attitude to be on a fourth line if necessary. I don't think his game would get undone by playing with plumbers. He'll just get fewer points. Vey just isn't cut out for fourth line even for a short period. I would only be concerned about McCann being strong enough to handle the beating. Vey, I don't care. If he is chosen then beat away.
- bazz

It is what it is.

sounds like someone hasn't seen the Baertschi-Horvat-Virtanen line last night
- BeatStriker

Watched the whole game...one good game by Baertchi out of 7 so far does not make a line my friend...

The future is a little brighter after last nights game.

I never been that excited for a opening night line up so many possibility.

The future is a little brighter after last nights game.
- thundachunk

It was the Oilers

I was more impressed with the SJ game

Bo and JV remind me of when Kesler and Burrows started with the Canucks