I look at it this way , would I rather pay Weber or the big Russian 1.5 to play here. I don't mind paying him a little extra seeing he is already playing pro Hockey. If you can sign him 4 years 1.5 and lock him up for a few years why not. if he is a bust then send him down and he would only cost 600K in cap space but probably bolt bak to Russia
- VANTEL

I don't want Weber. Developing Tryamkin here for a few years and teaching him english, putting him in our system hurts nothing for the exactly the reasons listed above.

I don't want Weber. Developing Tryamkin here for a few years and teaching him english, putting him in our system hurts nothing for the exactly the reasons listed above.
- thundachunk

Get he contract out

x 100

Where other teams have their grit, we have traditionally had more fringe skill/utility players. Have a grit/tough guy in the bottom pairing of your d. One or two on the 4th line. and another gritty winger or two on the second/3rd line.

Frustrating at times when we are getting outplayed, puck is in our zone, and still nobody wants to separate the opposing player from the puck.

It has been better this season than last, but it is a joke to bring in a guy or two to be the toughness and they don't get much support from the rest of the team.
- hillbillydeluxe

Didn't you see my post above? Don't you know we are getting, Stamkos, Ladd, Byfuglien and Lucic.

Edit; and a presidents trophy.

x 100

Where other teams have their grit, we have traditionally had more fringe skill/utility players. Have a grit/tough guy in the bottom pairing of your d. One or two on the 4th line. and another gritty winger or two on the second/3rd line.

Frustrating at times when we are getting outplayed, puck is in our zone, and still nobody wants to separate the opposing player from the puck.

It has been better this season than last, but it is a joke to bring in a guy or two to be the toughness and they don't get much support from the rest of the team.
- hillbillydeluxe

Fully agree

x 100

Where other teams have their grit, we have traditionally had more fringe skill/utility players. Have a grit/tough guy in the bottom pairing of your d. One or two on the 4th line. and another gritty winger or two on the second/3rd line.

Frustrating at times when we are getting outplayed, puck is in our zone, and still nobody wants to separate the opposing player from the puck.

It has been better this season than last, but it is a joke to bring in a guy or two to be the toughness and they don't get much support from the rest of the team.
- hillbillydeluxe

I'd like to have a harder team to play against for sure, but, that has nothing to do with fighting. Who fights on Chicago? Who plays a heavy game for the Blackhawks? Who won the Cup last year?

We need a more skilled team and a bigger team you bet, but with that heaviness has to come skill. I know everyone hates Lucic, except Vantel & I, but he has both of those and would be perfect for where the team is at now.

Virtanen is a great example of a kid with size and skill that this team badly needs, he'll be a great player in three years time but we've gotta have patience to let him get there. That was a great draft with a heavy skilled player and a really skilled young player in McCann.

I'd like to have a harder team to play against for sure, but, that has nothing to do with fighting. Who fights on Chicago? Who plays a heavy game for the Blackhawks? Who won the Cup last year?

We need a more skilled team and a bigger team you bet, but with that heaviness has to come skill. I know everyone hates Lucic, except Vantel & I, but he has both of those and would be perfect for where the team is at now.

Virtanen is a great example of a kid with size and skill that this team badly needs, he'll be a great player in three years time but we've gotta have patience to let him get there. That was a great draft with a heavy skilled player and a really skilled young player in McCann.
- LeftCoaster

I watched McCann fight for a puck last night mid ice and put someone down. He is strong on his skates. While clearly he is a skilled player he has the grit and determination to be a big time top 6 player in this league. When he fills out look out.

Didn't you see my post above? Don't you know we are getting, Stamkos, Ladd, Byfuglien and Lucic.
- thundachunk

If Benning trades players for picks instead of other players and moves Higgens Burrows and yes Miller we will have 26.5 mil in cap space.

Sutters salary goes up a mil. The addition of Gaunce Grenier Shink Tryamkin and Pedan would total around 7 mil so that would leave about 18 mil for three signings .

I watched McCann fight for a puck last night mid ice and put someone down. He is strong on his skates. While clearly he is a skilled player he has the grit and determination to be a big time top 6 player in this league. When he fills out look out.
- thundachunk

McCann is climbing the charts quickly

If Benning trades players for picks instead of other players and moves Higgens Burrows and yes Miller we will have 26.5 mil in cap space.

Sutters salary goes up a mil. The addition of Gaunce Grenier Shink Tryamkin and Pedan would total around 7 mil so that would leave about 18 mil for three signings .
- VANTEL

We would only get of those 2 of those 4 for that 18 mil of space.

We would only get of those 2 of those 4 for that 18 mil of space.
- thundachunk

yes stop being greedy

I love how people acknowledge that the team is rebuilding but in the next sentence think it's a 1 or 2 year process.

LOL bring in the high price UFAs b/c damn this team is close! Make it happen Benning. If you don't, that means you're not rebuilding!!!!!!!

I love how people acknowledge that the team is rebuilding but in the next sentence think it's a 1 or 2 year process.

LOL bring in the high price UFAs b/c damn this team is close! Make it happen Benning. If you don't, that means you're not rebuilding!!!!!!!
- RealityChecker

If they were rebuilding they would have dumped the old core. Canucks have always said they are retooling on the fly.

https://twitter.com/teens...status/660093976641318914

I love how people acknowledge that the team is rebuilding but in the next sentence think it's a 1 or 2 year process.

LOL bring in the high price UFAs b/c damn this team is close! Make it happen Benning. If you don't, that means you're not rebuilding!!!!!!!
- RealityChecker

What is the road map for the rebuild? The team is in transition and will still be in transition for the foreseeable future. This is also a cap team, comes with the brand and playoffs as a constant goal.

When pending big name ufa's are mentioned, I'd like to see JB be aggressive and overpay a little for a shorter contract, 2 or 3 year contract. Then use guys like Gaunce or whoever else is ready.

What is the road map for the rebuild? The team is in transition and will still be in transition for the foreseeable future. This is also a cap team, comes with the brand and playoffs as a constant goal.

When pending big name ufa's are mentioned, I'd like to see JB be aggressive and overpay a little for a shorter contract, 2 or 3 year contract. Then use guys like Gaunce or whoever else is ready.
- hillbillydeluxe

When teams are rebuilding , everyone is available to be moved, like what TO did. That is not the case so as you said we are transition or retooling. Even though the word rebuild is being mentioned ,we are certainly not a rebuild team with so many untouchables

When teams are rebuilding , everyone is available to be moved, like what TO did. That is not the case so as you said we are transition or retooling. Even though the word rebuild is being mentioned ,we are certainly not a rebuild team with so many untouchables
- VANTEL

Time is slowly taking care of the untouchables.

Even if we are retooling, for the right deal, just about everyone should be available. Wouldn't expect many moves at the same time if we are in the hunt, but could live with one or two ufa's being moved.

I still expect TO to get worse before they get better.

this just in from a text from a reliable source...

"Hamonic, Okposo, prospects(one major D prospect) and #1 for Ryan Jonansen and a #2. The Jackets would then move Hamonic on to Calgary..."


Stay tuned....interesting times ahead.

EK.

who would the Flames move?

What is the road map for the rebuild? The team is in transition and will still be in transition for the foreseeable future. This is also a cap team, comes with the brand and playoffs as a constant goal.

When pending big name ufa's are mentioned, I'd like to see JB be aggressive and overpay a little for a shorter contract, 2 or 3 year contract. Then use guys like Gaunce or whoever else is ready.
- hillbillydeluxe

If you advocate short term big name UFA's you are implicitly saying that the team can contend within the next couple/few years with the addition of a couple players. I disagree.

The roadmap to the rebuild according to TL/JB is transitioning from the old core to new while remaining competitive (playoff bubble). This allows the team to sprinkle in young draft picks while allowing them to develop in a somewhat competitive environment.

I wanted a total strip down (burn this mf'er down) 2 years ago. Didn't and will not happen. I've come to peace with that.

However, I'd be pi$$ed if they tried to take a short cut by signing overpriced UFAs.

Bring in UFAs when the new core (Horvat, Mcann et al) is on the threshold of their potential.

Remember how long it took the Sedins and Kesler to develop into their potential. Bringing in free agents too early would have been futile if the real stars weren't ready to take the next step.

A UFA's best years will be the first 3-4 years of their contract which is why I agree (generally) with your short term overpayment plan. However, the new core will only be emerging into their potential in 3-4 years.

Patience.... Even when it hurts seeing a mediocre product for the next couple seasons. Save the cap space for when you really need it.

Time is slowly taking care of the untouchables.

Even if we are retooling, for the right deal, just about everyone should be available. Wouldn't expect many moves at the same time if we are in the hunt, but could live with one or two ufa's being moved.

I still expect TO to get worse before they get better.
- hillbillydeluxe

Benning just said this week "If it is up to me , the Sedins will retire as Canucks" I take that as untouchables and they have earned the right.

If you advocate short term big name UFA's you are implicitly saying that the team can contend within the next couple/few years with the addition of a couple players. I disagree.

The roadmap to the rebuild according to TL/JB is transitioning from the old core to new while remaining competitive (playoff bubble). This allows the team to sprinkle in young draft picks while allowing them to develop in a somewhat competitive environment.

I wanted a total strip down (burn this mf'er down) 2 years ago. Didn't and will not happen. I've come to peace with that.

However, I'd be pi$$ed if they tried to take a short cut by signing overpriced UFAs.

Bring in UFAs when the new core (Horvat, Mcann et al) is on the threshold of their potential.

Remember how long it took the Sedins and Kesler to develop into their potential. Bringing in free agents too early would have been futile if the real stars weren't ready to take the next step.

A UFA's best years will be the first 3-4 years of their contract which is why I agree (generally) with your short term overpayment plan. However, the new core will only be emerging into their potential in 3-4 years.

Patience.... Even when it hurts seeing a mediocre product for the next couple seasons. Save the cap space for when you really need it.
- RealityChecker

If you offer the UFAs 3 year deals such as they did with Miller and Vrbata (2 years , then that should fall into plan. The quality of UFAs need to be better than Vrbata and Miller though at that price

Good morning,

Sorting through the good and the bad from last night's game, a great feature on Sbisa, and AV remembers 2011...

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...-But-Still-Loss/194/72860

If you advocate short term big name UFA's you are implicitly saying that the team can contend within the next couple/few years with the addition of a couple players. I disagree.

The roadmap to the rebuild according to TL/JB is transitioning from the old core to new while remaining competitive (playoff bubble). This allows the team to sprinkle in young draft picks while allowing them to develop in a somewhat competitive environment.

I wanted a total strip down (burn this mf'er down) 2 years ago. Didn't and will not happen. I've come to peace with that.

However, I'd be pi$$ed if they tried to take a short cut by signing overpriced UFAs.

Bring in UFAs when the new core (Horvat, Mcann et al) is on the threshold of their potential.

Remember how long it took the Sedins and Kesler to develop into their potential. Bringing in free agents too early would have been futile if the real stars weren't ready to take the next step.

A UFA's best years will be the first 3-4 years of their contract which is why I agree (generally) with your short term overpayment plan. However, the new core will only be emerging into their potential in 3-4 years.

Patience.... Even when it hurts seeing a mediocre product for the next couple seasons. Save the cap space for when you really need it.
- RealityChecker

Don't confuse, or I am trying not to confuse what JB will do or what I hope JB will do.

Even through what is going on, the team wants to say they are a playoff team, want to sell it to prospective ticket buyers and with being a playoff team, the pitch is, once there, you never know... but nobody is really expecting them to win the cup.

I think they will continue to spend to the cap. part of the advertising and commitment of ownership to get a commitment from ticket buyers. depending on how many prospects we have in the lineup, we might have a nice chunk to spend on a high end ufa. guess there is still the challenge to find the right ones on a club to mentor the kids.

we seem to mostly agree, I just don't think the club will wait to bring in ufa's. maybe not the high price ones, there will always be some balance. maybe JB will leave more cap space.

patience... as long as the kids are pushing for playing time and seeing some, time should fly by.

If you offer the UFAs 3 year deals such as they did with Miller and Vrbata (2 years , then that should fall into plan. The quality of UFAs need to be better than Vrbata and Miller though at that price
- VANTEL

I will agree with you in that I would take 20 goals from Lucic over 20 goals for Vrbata.

Benning just said this week "If it is up to me , the Sedins will retire as Canucks" I take that as untouchables and they have earned the right.
- VANTEL

Beyond them, we don't really have any except for the prospects that JB wants to see develop... and the vet players the team is loyal to... damn team is untouchable.

If you advocate short term big name UFA's you are implicitly saying that the team can contend within the next couple/few years with the addition of a couple players. I disagree.

The roadmap to the rebuild according to TL/JB is transitioning from the old core to new while remaining competitive (playoff bubble). This allows the team to sprinkle in young draft picks while allowing them to develop in a somewhat competitive environment.

I wanted a total strip down (burn this mf'er down) 2 years ago. Didn't and will not happen. I've come to peace with that.

However, I'd be pi$$ed if they tried to take a short cut by signing overpriced UFAs.

Bring in UFAs when the new core (Horvat, Mcann et al) is on the threshold of their potential.

Remember how long it took the Sedins and Kesler to develop into their potential. Bringing in free agents too early would have been futile if the real stars weren't ready to take the next step.

A UFA's best years will be the first 3-4 years of their contract which is why I agree (generally) with your short term overpayment plan. However, the new core will only be emerging into their potential in 3-4 years.

Patience.... Even when it hurts seeing a mediocre product for the next couple seasons. Save the cap space for when you really need it.
- RealityChecker

Not true IMO - bringing in a guy like say Lucic as a UFA helps in the development of the youth. This still allows for a kid like McCann and Virtanen to develop and build confidence knowing the have a tough quality veteran on their wing. Plus they still have a chance to win games. Assumption being they actually played together, but you get the point.

Look at Edmonton, they brought in ZERO UFA's worth mentioning to insulate those kids and now none of them know what it's like to win or feel confident.

Don't confuse, or I am trying not to confuse what JB will do or what I hope JB will do.

Even through what is going on, the team wants to say they are a playoff team, want to sell it to prospective ticket buyers and with being a playoff team, the pitch is, once there, you never know... but nobody is really expecting them to win the cup.

I think they will continue to spend to the cap. part of the advertising and commitment of ownership to get a commitment from ticket buyers. depending on how many prospects we have in the lineup, we might have a nice chunk to spend on a high end ufa. guess there is still the challenge to find the right ones on a club to mentor the kids.

we seem to mostly agree, I just don't think the club will wait to bring in ufa's. maybe not the high price ones, there will always be some balance. maybe JB will leave more cap space.

patience... as long as the kids are pushing for playing time and seeing some, time should fly by.
- hillbillydeluxe

I hear ya.

I don't need to see the team spend to the cap and if they do so to appease some marketing plan, I will go full Nucker.

I understand how fickle this entertainment fan base is (I won't even say hockey fan base) but I need management to see the forest for the trees. If they can't or won't (due to ownership directive), than heap scorn on them. They will deserve it.