Its painfully obvious why he is sitting in the press box.
- thundachunk

His boneheaded mistakes cost us this game. They wanted to give the PP a shake up and many people agreed it was time but clearly it is a mistake playing him while we are healthy on D.

I'm hoping once they make the decision on our two juniors and Higgins is back, the line combos will stabilize. I'm not expecting much different from the coaches right now. You want this many youngters in the line up at once... then this is going to happen.

Harvat is looking like a rookie this season not last season... that isnt helping right now.

Back away from the ledge
- 1970vintage

Just waiting until the Habs come in and smoke us. With the availability of tickets these days, it's gonna be like a Habs home game for them.

I'm hoping once they make the decision on our two juniors and Higgins is back, the line combos will stabilize. I'm not expecting much different from the coaches right now. You want this many youngters in the line up at once... then this is going to happen.

Harvat is looking like a rookie this season not last season... that isnt helping right now.
- boonerbuck

I think has more to do with the way in which WD is protecting him and his rookie linemates. They don't play much; and when they do, they play with little risk just trying to not get scored on.

His boneheaded mistakes cost us this game. They wanted to give the PP a shake up and many people agreed it was time but clearly it is a mistake playing him while we are healthy on D.
- boonerbuck

Personally I think they need the puck moving abilities of bartkowski to stay in the lineup. Puck moving is a big issue, bigger than offense on D....best offense is a good sound defense.

I think has more to do with the way in which WD is protecting him and his rookie linemates. They don't play much; and when they do, they play with little risk just trying to not get scored on.
- PetrolSexual

Perhaps WD is more AHL material not NHL. Can't think of a single example where WD got the best of another NHL coach.

Personally I think they need the puck moving abilities of bartkowski to stay in the lineup. Puck moving is a big issue, bigger than offense on D....best offense is a good sound defense.
- SMBDragon

Tanev played offensively every night like he did last nigh that would help. Guy was everywhere.

As I mentioned a week ago, love to see benning get Kris Russel. Probably a manageable contract and fills a huge void

Perhaps WD is more AHL material not NHL. Can't think of a single example where WD got the best of another NHL coach.
- SMBDragon

I know.

Like our young players, its a learning process for him as well. However, much like the players he has to learn and get better or have somebody replace him.

Personally I think they need the puck moving abilities of bartkowski to stay in the lineup. Puck moving is a big issue, bigger than offense on D....best offense is a good sound defense.
- SMBDragon

Bartowski has been alright, and is far better then Weber. But all this talk last week about how we better resign bartowski is puzzling to me. I mean he has been out of position a lot. I like him as a 6-7 but no more.
Gotta get some more going blood on the blue line over the next yr or 2 and deal with the growing pains.
I mean, Hutton makes his share of mistakes, but he seems to want to get better. Weber (frank)s up and then looks around like a deer in the headlights

Here's where I think our two juniors stand with staying with the Canucks with so few games left for them and this team slumping.

McCannn has the hockey IQ, the hands and the wheels to be in the NHL right now...with the exception of face offs which can be pretty critical in a coaches eyes.

He's physically weak and experienced players are going to target that. He's a big hit or two from being shy for the rest of the season and at the moment is getting easily pushed off his feet. A year of body growth is needed... junior sucks for him being so close... but it's simply about time.

JV seems to not be quite ready to produce offense in the NHL. His skills and IQ are not there yet. His size and physical strength combined with his speed are NHL ready and he can contribute even through offensive slumps with his very noteworthy physical contributions... it will secure him a spot.

One thing that might factor into the decision whether to keep both or just one is the play of Shink right now. If he keeps lighting the lamp down in Utica... they may think it's time to harvest a winger from the farm and let one of the juniors go have his big year in junior and to strut his stuff in the WJC. If a older rookie can contribute and there is no huge rush to get 19 year old's in... maybe manage the situation a little longer term.

Personally I think they need the puck moving abilities of bartkowski to stay in the lineup. Puck moving is a big issue, bigger than offense on D....best offense is a good sound defense.
- SMBDragon

Bartowski struggles with passing the puck. Sure he can skate it out well,,, then turn it over... but if he passes from our end, it's a turn over in our end

Bartowski struggles with passing the puck. Sure he can skate it out well,,, then turn it over... but if he passes from our end, it's a turn over in our end

- boonerbuck

Well, Weber certainly isn't the answer

Perhaps WD is more AHL material not NHL. Can't think of a single example where WD got the best of another NHL coach.
- SMBDragon

Beating all those teams people thought were better than us last season must account for something. Winning most of the games in our division when that was supposed to be what would crush us must have some examples. Just look at the bonehead the season earlier getting owned almost every game in the new year. The league is full of more experienced coaches (frank)ing things up far worse...


Like I have been saying. I don't think they hired this coach with playoff aspirations. If people want to blame anyone for playoff failures... blame management for not getting one of the experienced coaches available for playoff success. There wasnt much available... victim of timing... and that is the previous GM's fault.

I was happy the way WD handled having the rookie Horvatt in the line up last season. Don't know why that didnt buy him some faith... now he has 3 more rookies and isnt in a position to handle it exactly the same way. Already the youth movement is becoming a big complicated job for the coach. Horvatt is struggling while depended on... he had to make controversial decisions on Vey and Corrado... he os locked into Sven who I havent even noticed since pre season... the pressure is building with the 9 game mark coming up for the juniors... people are pretty inconsiderate in their criticisms it appears.

Well, Weber certainly isn't the answer
- PetrolSexual

No. I thought before yesterday that the puck handling would be the same between the two. They both can skate it out as well. I thought Weber would help the PP... but he wasnt a factor there... just a factor in the two goals that killed us

Bartowski has been alright, and is far better then Weber. But all this talk last week about how we better resign bartowski is puzzling to me. I mean he has been out of position a lot. I like him as a 6-7 but no more.
Gotta get some more going blood on the blue line over the next yr or 2 and deal with the growing pains.
I mean, Hutton makes his share of mistakes, but he seems to want to get better. Weber (frank)s up and then looks around like a deer in the headlights
- Bieksa#3

I think hutton is more capable of fixing his mistakes... and still makes less of them than a number of D on the team.

New blood... we should trade Vrbada and Edler for a blue chip D prospect or very young player #1 potential. Islanders?

I think hutton is more capable of fixing his mistakes... and still makes less of them than a number of D on the team.

New blood... we should trade Vrbada and Edler for a blue chip D prospect or very young player #1 potential. Islanders?

- boonerbuck

Apparently they both have NTC... the full version. They won't go anywhere, anytime soon.

Vrbata may or may not leave depending on how the season goes and if we have an in house or other replacement for his skill set.

I think hutton is more capable of fixing his mistakes... and still makes less of them than a number of D on the team.

New blood... we should trade Vrbada and Edler for a blue chip D prospect or very young player #1 potential. Islanders?

- boonerbuck

I don't see any bluechip d prospects in new York

A few I like

Madison Bowey
Morrisey(not happening)
Adam Larsson
Slater Koukousk
Anthony DeAngelo
Jacob Chycerun
Dumba
Reilly
Theodore
Lindholm
Vaatanan
Trouba(not happening

I don't see any bluechip d prospects in new York

A few I like

Madison Bowey
Morrisey(not happening)
Adam Larsson
Slater Koukousk
Anthony DeAngelo
Jacob Chycerun
Dumba
Reilly
Theodore
Lindholm
Vaatanan
Trouba(not happening
- Bieksa#3

I don't know why I was thinking Islanders. I'm thinking back to the teams I was looking at a couple of weeks ago.

They do have Pulock who I like...

Apparently they both have NTC... the full version. They won't go anywhere, anytime soon.

Vrbata may or may not leave depending on how the season goes and if we have an in house or other replacement for his skill set.
- kaptaan

You are wrong.

Vrbada has to provide a 5 team list upon request. Edler is fully protected. He may want a change of scenery soon... only one way to find out.

more cowbell

more cowbell
- Marwood

you've had enough. You're driving.

Sutter sucks, Sbisa is the worst defender in the league, Dorsett's contract is too expensive and long, Benning is a terrible negotiator, Kassian would be better in Vancouver on IR (and in rehab) then Prust in the lineup, the Canucks should have drafted Ehlers instead of Virtanen, Lack is a better goalie then Miller

Did I miss anything?
- 1970vintage

Nope.

Just waiting until the Habs come in and smoke us. With the availability of tickets these days, it's gonna be like a Habs home game for them.
- PetrolSexual

It's always been 60/40 (or more) habs fans to Canuck fans. There's just no call for the bandwagon in October/November.

I don't know why I was thinking Islanders. I'm thinking back to the teams I was looking at a couple of weeks ago.

They do have Pulock who I like...
- boonerbuck

They got a few complimentary guys. As u said Pullock, DaHaan and Peletch.
Madison Bowey is my first choice when u consider u wouldn't have to give up a kidney
Shea Theodore #2 abd
Slater Kouskouk is my 3rd for same reason

I'm hoping once they make the decision on our two juniors and Higgins is back, the line combos will stabilize. I'm not expecting much different from the coaches right now. You want this many youngters in the line up at once... then this is going to happen.

Harvat is looking like a rookie this season not last season... that isnt helping right now.
- boonerbuck

He did start slow last yr and was a slow starter in the OHL