He's off to a good start.
- boonerbuck

Heard the commentator mentioning- "Brock Boeser, the first round pick"... bmoc!

Thanks for the article Carol.

I do think that it is a little overblown about the Sedin's ice time at this point. If we are going to compare their ice time through 8 games this season I think it should be compared to 8 games in last season.

2014/15
D.Sedin 19:13 seconds
H.Sedin 19:45 seconds
2015/16
D.Sedin 19:58
H.Sedein 20:16

I think it is also relevant to note that 4 of the 8 games so far this season have gone to OT compared to just one last year.

This works out to only a 30/45 second increase on average for the Sedins respectively.

The bigger issue for me is that Dorsett is getting more than 2 minutes more a game. Dorsett is a fine 4th liner but he is being relied upon too much IMO. That is the biggest difference in the line up this year. If WD can't trust the kids he is relying on Dorsett and Prust more.
- belcherbd

All good points. I banged the drum on Dorsett's increased ice time after the Washington game, when he played his most minutes to date as a Canuck.

That being said, Dorsett is averaging 12:00 so far this season and averaged 12:02 last year. His ice time picked up, pretty much, at Game 9 last season and stayed at that higher level for the rest of the year while it looks like the twins' eased off a bit.

Maybe we're just jumping the gun and Willie will get back into rolling four lines more often once he settles on the combos that he likes?

While we wonder if age is catching up to the twins, Kevin Allen of USA Today writes about a bunch of old guys - including two of our old friends - who are tearing it up in the early going.

(Oh yeah - Ryan Miller gets a shout out, too!)

http://www.usatoday.com/s...alleri-mitchell/74640940/

All good points. I banged the drum on Dorsett's increased ice time after the Washington game, when he played his most minutes to date as a Canuck.

That being said, Dorsett is averaging 12:00 so far this season and averaged 12:02 last year. His ice time picked up, pretty much, at Game 9 last season and stayed at that higher level for the rest of the year while it looks like the twins' eased off a bit.

Maybe we're just jumping the gun and Willie will get back into rolling four lines more often once he settles on the combos that he likes?
- Carol Schram

True the lines really have not been set yet. Also Dorsett has earned his minutes with his energetic and responsible play.

True the lines really have not been set yet. Also Dorsett has earned his minutes with his energetic and responsible play.
- thundachunk

I heard somewhere that he's over paid.

All good points. I banged the drum on Dorsett's increased ice time after the Washington game, when he played his most minutes to date as a Canuck.

That being said, Dorsett is averaging 12:00 so far this season and averaged 12:02 last year. His ice time picked up, pretty much, at Game 9 last season and stayed at that higher level for the rest of the year while it looks like the twins' eased off a bit.

Maybe we're just jumping the gun and Willie will get back into rolling four lines more often once he settles on the combos that he likes?
- Carol Schram

As with all things Canucks, I'm sure we are jumping the gun as per usual. I hope he gets back to rolling 4 lines. I like the sound of the new lines in practice today, hopefully they stick.

Just fire WD and bring up Green.

Or just switch the 2.

Just fire WD and bring up Green.

Or just switch the 2.
- Bieksa#3

He's still better than Torts. Too early to jump the gun on WD.

Dorsett getting the same minutes. The Sedins are getting close to the same minutes... it's no surprise the coach is giving them the same minutes... those players were good for him last season....

Right now the line ups are not stable because Vrbada is slumping and whining about it and he has two junior players who are not looking as good as they did in preseason but he's committed to playing them for their 9 games.

It would be great if the kid line was still effective... that takes care of two of our rookies right there... but Bo is also not the same player as he was in the preseason and that's what made that line mostly.

True the lines really have not been set yet. Also Dorsett has earned his minutes with his energetic and responsible play.
- thundachunk

I have no problem with him getting 12 minutes but I hate seeing him promoted late in games when down a goal or trying to prevent one.

For the most part I have been happy with WD as a coach but the one thing that frustrates me is the same that AV did. They completely sit back and turtle when they have a lead in the 3rd and we have seen it come back to bite us early this year and also last year at times.

It's hard to have that " killer instinct" when the goal is to not be scored on.

He's still better than Torts. Too early to jump the gun on WD.
- thundachunk

But not to early for Sbisa, Miller, Sutter, Weber, Higgins, Vrbata, Dorsett or BearGee.

As with all things Canucks, I'm sure we are jumping the gun as per usual. I hope he gets back to rolling 4 lines. I like the sound of the new lines in practice today, hopefully they stick.
- belcherbd

I do worry a bit that the lines wont settle until 4-5 games after the decision is made regarding the junior eligible players, which gets the team awfully close to American thanksgiving and the trend of playoff spots being held for the duration of the season

He's still better than Torts. Too early to jump the gun on WD.
- thundachunk

He hasn't learned from any of his mistakes.

But not to early for Sbisa, Miller, Sutter, Weber, Higgins, Vrbata, Dorsett or BearGee.
- A_SteamingLombardi

or Prust & Bartowski.
The new trainer is useless and must be fired immediately. He's done nothing to help this team win.

Dorsett getting the same minutes. The Sedins are getting close to the same minutes... it's no surprise the coach is giving them the same minutes... those players were good for him last season....

Right now the line ups are not stable because Vrbada is slumping and whining about it and he has two junior players who are not looking as good as they did in preseason but he's committed to playing them for their 9 games.

It would be great if the kid line was still effective... that takes care of two of our rookies right there... but Bo is also not the same player as he was in the preseason and that's what made that line mostly.
- boonerbuck

I think Bo is still doing a lot of the same things that worked last year and preseason, the difference is he is saddled with two rookies instead more reliable players.
Even more importantly this is why preseason success means very little come the regular season.
Hansen being returned to his line will help a lot IMO.

I also don't get all the Vrbata hate? He is slumping to start the year as are many other good players in the league, this always happens.

I have no problem with him getting 12 minutes but I hate seeing him promoted late in games when down a goal or trying to prevent one.

For the most part I have been happy with WD as a coach but the one thing that frustrates me is the same that AV did. They completely sit back and turtle when they have a lead in the 3rd and we have seen it come back to bite us early this year and also last year at times.

It's hard to have that " killer instinct" when the goal is to not be scored on.
- belcherbd

AV was like that with years and years of NHL head coaching experience. At least you hope a rookie coach grows out of that in a couple of years or so... many do...

I think Bo is still doing a lot of the same things that worked last year and preseason, the difference is he is saddled with two rookies instead more reliable players.
Even more importantly this is why preseason success means very little come the regular season.
Hansen being returned to his line will help a lot IMO.

I also don't get all the Vrbata hate? He is slumping to start the year as are many other good players in the league, this always happens.
- belcherbd

Don't need to ask me about the hate. I see him whining and see the frustration in his body language... but I have faith he will score over 20 goals for us providing he doesnt get traded first. I think he is a better player that he is getting credit for. People talk about his game away from the puck like he's liability... that was not the case last season and even in the Detroit game he did a couple of timely back checks... just to hear about his game away from the puck after...

I think anyone in the way of rookie ice time is considered a piece of poop by some of our fans right now... just like the coach... hates young players apparently... not giving his 5 guys 23 or under more ice time than the vets... 3 of them rookies...

I think Bo is still doing a lot of the same things that worked last year and preseason, the difference is he is saddled with two rookies instead more reliable players.
- belcherbd

That's the weird part, though. MacIntyre indicates that Baertschi & Virtanen's possession numbers are fine.

Willie does seem to be addressing that with today's latest lines - moving Jake up with Sutter and adding Hansen for some defensive responsibility with Bo & Sven.

He hasn't learned from any of his mistakes.
- Bieksa#3

Until these 9 games are out of the way... it's hard to tell. It's still kind of like a preseason imo.

I find it so hard to believe that you stood behind AV til *almost* the end but apparently this coach is supposed to learn more than AV learned in like 6 or 7 years... all in his first.

But not to early for Sbisa, Miller, Sutter, Weber, Higgins, Vrbata, Dorsett or BearGee.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Sutter does not belong on this list. He has been spectacular but I would argue he is doing better than Bonino would have.

I know this is canucks tread but I just wanted to say FU dallas cowboys. I hate your face.

Sutter does not belong on this list. He has been spectacular but I would argue he is doing better than Bonino would have.
- vancity787

Nor does Miller or Sbisa.

I know this is canucks tread but I just wanted to say FU dallas cowboys. I hate your face.
- thundachunk

Im not a Canucks fan posting in a Canucks thread but I will agree with anything saying FU to the Cowboys

Dont worry Booner I wont jinx it this time and actually after last night we should be considered to be even...but on that note I hope you guys beat the Habs tomorrow just to shut their fans up if anything

Sutter does not belong on this list. He has been spectacular but I would argue he is doing better than Bonino would have.
- vancity787

Sorry, I didn't mean for anyone to take me serious.