I feel like he's shying away from getting in on the play on defence. He hasn't really been throwing the body around either.

It's harder to be physically dominant against grown men, and I think it is getting to him a little bit.
- Gullzy

I actually agree with you on all counts as I seen the same stuff with JV watching him here in WHL. For the difference is he has the body of a grown man much like Horvat did last year. And I believe we need JV's big body in the lineup regadless of his detriments right now. Willie can manage that with TOI. Once a few go in for JV his confidence will boost an we will see benefits.

Don't look at me, I'm in the process of returning the team to Vancity. That league is brutally difficult to compete with all the keepers and roster spots when you come in midseason

If anyone is looking to start a fresh one though...
- WhiteLie

Dump all your best players for my worst players. It's the thing to do.

I'm up for starting a non keeper league next year. This keeper thing is stupid. Guys value players who won't be good for 4-5 years as if they are Crosby or Seguin. The trading is out of control and with no acting commissioner or voting for veto, it's ridiculous.

I'm in 2 other pools so I'm just running this one for fun while I'm logged in for the other ones.

Sounds like he is playing his safe game, just like Horvat often did for the first half of last season.

That giveaway JV had when he reversed the puck in our end last game was a little disappointing, he had a little time and another option, but I've seen vets do similar when they are tired at the end of a shift.

Wondering what WD is thinking? If he minds having JV on the roster or if JV is progressing as scheduled?

Our lineup is in flux, I expect we will see more injuries and slumps resulting in the lines being shuffled. If JV wasn't here, I guess we would be seeing more of Gaunce and Grenier, which wouldn't be so bad either...
- hillbillydeluxe

I would be ok with more of them in the bottom 6 instead of JV. Youth is youth and I am confident in JV figuring things out and be an impact NHLer one day.

WD is in a tough spot trying to compete. Rebuilding teams like the Oilers can really focus their attention on their future stars and give them plenty of opportunity to learn, but WD has to juggle whats best for the team over whats best for development

45-7 Phucker really knows how to pick em.

Dump all your best players for my worst players. It's the thing to do.

I'm up for starting a non keeper league next year. This keeper thing is stupid. Guys value players who won't be good for 4-5 years as if they are Crosby or Seguin. The trading is out of control and with no acting commissioner or voting for veto, it's ridiculous.

I'm in 2 other pools so I'm just running this one for fun while I'm logged in for the other ones.
- Scooby_Doo

I couldnt do that to Vancity. The team is already at the bottom, I'll let him dig himself out as he sees fit

I dont mind keeper when its only a handful of players. If your draft has 1-3 rounds of keeper players that still leaves the rest of the players eligible to be drafted. I am guessing something like 80% of the players were kept last season? Waivers is bare bones, only goalies that are 3-4 on the depth chart are still available

I missed the Weber cross check, was it bad?
- Scooby_Doo

I thought they said after the cross check, Weber received some retaliation.... should have been offset penalties? They showed a replay, I didn't see it, thought they showed the wrong replay.

Nothing more can Virtanen do in junior. Keep him here...manage his minutes. and there will be more injuries. He will need to fill in. Some big games vs some big heavy clubs coming up and we need all the crashing and banging we can get.
- LordHumungous

The only 2 players that can make that claim are Ehlers and Mcdavid.

Virtanen...... Not even close

I would be ok with more of them in the bottom 6 instead of JV. Youth is youth and I am confident in JV figuring things out and be an impact NHLer one day.

WD is in a tough spot trying to compete. Rebuilding teams like the Oilers can really focus their attention on their future stars and give them plenty of opportunity to learn, but WD has to juggle whats best for the team over whats best for development
- WhiteLie

Youth is youth, but what is funny, is that if JV and McCann weren't in the lineup, we would still have Vey up and not sure who else... Wonder what our record would look like or if Vey would be a different player?

yep, tough spot for WD too. there is no way he can make everyone happy.

The only 2 players that can make that claim are Ehlers and Mcdavid.

Virtanen...... Not even close
- classic321

What NHL knowledge is JV going to get in Jr? Hitting 16 yr olds is not the same as hitting 26 yr olds.

Youth is youth, but what is funny, is that if JV and McCann weren't in the lineup, we would still have Vey up and not sure who else... Wonder what our record would look like or if Vey would be a different player?

yep, tough spot for WD too. there is no way he can make everyone happy.
- hillbillydeluxe

Quote of the year

I can see JV being lent to the World Junior team, but not McCann

What NHL knowledge is JV going to get in Jr? Hitting 16 yr olds is not the same as hitting 26 yr olds.
- A_SteamingLombardi

So we are developing a 6th overall pick to simply finish his checks



There is more to hockey than hitting.

What NHL knowledge is JV going to get in Jr? Hitting 16 yr olds is not the same as hitting 26 yr olds.
- A_SteamingLombardi

he could work on his offense and overall game. might not be nhl knowledge, but playing almost twice the minutes might be of some benefit along with the wjc experience.

I don't think he is going back, just hoping his game progresses similar to Bo's development and role last season.

I didn't like that Sutter crosscheck on JV (arm) on the perceived late hit/offside whistle.

I can see JV being lent to the World Junior team, but not McCann
- PetrolSexual

Why not call up Gaunce or Grenier to fill in for him?

So we are developing a 6th overall pick to simply finish his checks



There is more to hockey than hitting.
- classic321

What NHL knowledge does he get in Jr?

Quote of the year
- A_SteamingLombardi

Media anyway, they always argue the other side, the other option.

Kids out there late in the game? why is WD setting them up for failure, too much pressure, blah... sitting in the third, how are they supposed to learn and develop unless they are exposed to these situations?

as long as it is a similar development plan to Bo's, I can live with it.

Don't look at me, I'm in the process of returning the team to Vancity. That league is brutally difficult to compete with all the keepers and roster spots when you come in midseason

If anyone is looking to start a fresh one though...
- WhiteLie

I agree. This has become a joke. I hope someone is looking at starting a new one next year

I actually agree with you on all counts as I seen the same stuff with JV watching him here in WHL. For the difference is he has the body of a grown man much like Horvat did last year. And I believe we need JV's big body in the lineup regadless of his detriments right now. Willie can manage that with TOI. Once a few go in for JV his confidence will boost an we will see benefits.
- LordHumungous

I don't blame him for shying away. It is pretty hard to go and play big hits when no one has your back to help you out

What NHL knowledge does he get in Jr?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Being a first line winger (2nd line last year)
-- 20+ minutes a game
-- The chance to be a leader
-- Develop his offensive game which hasn't improved since his draft year.

Ray ferraro said it best.

"There has NEVER been a player who has hurt his development by staying in junior another year"
&
"I have lost count of the amount of players who have ruined their development being rushed to the NHL when they didn't have to be"

Why not call up Gaunce or Grenier to fill in for him?
- hillbillydeluxe

Gaunce got injured last night out for a couple of weeks

So we are developing a 6th overall pick to simply finish his checks



There is more to hockey than hitting.
- classic321

He needs the tutoring of LUcic ( who scored his 7 th last night)

JB on the 1040 this morning, if I have my way the Sedins will retire Canucks

On Trading . Activity has picked up . I have talked to about 8 GMs last week. We want scoring but will not alter our future to find a quick answer. We won't give up our young players.

He likes the team and suggests it is very hard to make a trade.

Being a first line winger (2nd line last year)
-- 20+ minutes a game
-- The chance to be a leader
-- Develop his offensive game which hasn't improved since his draft year.

Ray ferraro said it best.

"There has NEVER been a player who has hurt his development by staying in junior another year"
&
"I have lost count of the amount of players who have ruined their development being rushed to the NHL when they didn't have to be"
- classic321

I disagree. His transition after one more year of Junior to the NHL would be NO different than what it is right now. So he plays 20 minutes a night again this year like he did last year, against worse competition and younger kids.. He has nothing more to gain from junior... His offensive game dipped because he had shoulder surgery, new line mates, etc. The more he is around pro's, sees first hand what the sedin's do on and off the ice + in the off season is the best thing for him. IMO

Bobby Mac was commenting on now the number of drafted college players that play out their full 4 years in college and when finished pick the NHL team they want to play for.

It has been in the back of my mind about TD and BB if this is their plan. Both American kids may want to choose to play there.

Bobby Mac was commenting on now the number of drafted college players that play out their full 4 years in college and when finished pick the NHL team they want to play for.

It has been in the back of my mind about TD and BB if this is their plan. Both American kids may want to choose to play there.
- VANTEL

I don't see that happening with TD, but it is a possibility with BB.

I think him and Hunter could probably step in next year, but it's up to BB to decide if he wants to sign his contract, and turn pro.