Pedan didn't look out of place.

I understand you're not on board with the tank Carol. Is it the 22nd ranking of goals for, or the 22nd ranking for goals against, perhaps the 25th ranked powerplay or maybe the 20th ranked penalty kill that makes you think this team is not tanking?

I understand you're not on board with the tank Carol. Is it the 22nd ranking of goals for, or the 22nd ranking for goals against, perhaps the 25th ranked powerplay or maybe the 20th ranked penalty kill that makes you think this team is not tanking?
- A_SteamingLombardi

They're not (frank)in tanking, quit it with that poop!!! They're not a very good team for a lot of different reasons but one of them isn't, they're trying to lose....(frank)!!!

“Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” - Denis Waitley

They're not (frank)in tanking, quit it with that poop!!! They're not a very good team for a lot of different reasons but one of them isn't, they're trying to lose....(frank)!!!
- LeftCoaster

They're not trying to lose, great. I'm happy as hell when they lose.

I understand you're not on board with the tank Carol. Is it the 22nd ranking of goals for, or the 22nd ranking for goals against, perhaps the 25th ranked powerplay or maybe the 20th ranked penalty kill that makes you think this team is not tanking?
- A_SteamingLombardi

You may remember, last summer when I first looked at the schedule I thought it would be a longshot for the Canucks to be in a playoff position at this stage of the season.

The fact that they're in the mix is good news, in my book—even if it's more a factor of other poor performances in the Pacific than anything especially excellent that they've accomplished to date.

I think the team will gradually start to get healthier and will show better when they're not spending half their lives on planes. Even private planes are hard on bodies.

Maybe wishful thinking on my part—and god knows, I don't expect them to take a serious run at the Cup this year. That's too bad—the race is wide open at this point.

I want them to make the playoffs so they can show me they learned from their mistakes against Calgary last year. And what if Markstrom gets crazy-hot like Richard Brodeur did in 1982???

“Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” - Denis Waitley
- LeftCoaster

For some reason I want to find and old auto and go wax on, wax off

They're not trying to lose, great. I'm happy as hell when they lose.
- A_SteamingLombardi

There's a difference between trying to lose, incompetence and not being very good. And leave Carol alone

For some reason I want to find and old auto and go wax on, wax off
- VANTEL

- trying to lose is pathetic, it'll happen naturally for a lot of reasons but trying isn't one of them.

They're not (frank)in tanking, quit it with that poop!!! They're not a very good team for a lot of different reasons but one of them isn't, they're trying to lose....(frank)!!!
- LeftCoaster

I don't believe the players are tanking , but how do you explain JB not making a move last week for a Dman or Centre two weeks before. Opportunities were there and nothing more was done than promote mediocre players like Kenins Vey and a couple of D.

Benning is a bit of a snake oil salesman

I don't believe the players are tanking , but how do you explain JB not making a move last week for a Dman or Centre two weeks before. Opportunities were there and nothing more was done than promote mediocre players like Kenins Vey and a couple of D.

Benning is a bit of a snake oil salesman
- VANTEL

Because it's not as easy as you think it is, that's why. Also, I believe they have NO interest in further sacrificing any of the future.

There's a difference between trying to lose, incompetence and not being very good. And leave Carol alone
- LeftCoaster

There may be a difference but the results is the same, so what ever I/we/you want to call it, it losing

There may be a difference but the results is the same, so what ever I/we/you want to call it, it losing
- A_SteamingLombardi

ok, but losing on purpose/tanking is not why they're in the position they're in.

Because it's not as easy as you think it is, that's why. Also, I believe they have NO interest in further sacrificing and of the future.
- LeftCoaster

Not this time. There are plenty of teams looking to trade . There were a number of quick fixes once we found out Fedun was injured. There is no reason for Higgins on the team still.

Benning is doing the right thing which is nothing at all. Like I said the players and coaches aren't tanking but don't be too sure of JB and TL as the sit by and do nothing .

It is the right move

I don't believe the players are tanking , but how do you explain JB not making a move last week for a Dman or Centre two weeks before. Opportunities were there and nothing more was done than promote mediocre players like Kenins Vey and a couple of D.

Benning is a bit of a snake oil salesman
- VANTEL

I think that's about loyalty.

I do think Jarret Stoll would have been a useful addition at centre, especially with Henrik suffering, but I think he is committed to this group and wants to stay true to them. Think not so much about a hockey team but about your own workplace, and I can see a line of thinking that's about creating a good working environment where players are able—and willing—to give their best.

That's also why I don't think Higgins—or any other veteran—will be put on waivers.

As armchair GMs, it's easy for us to tout bold moves, but I think it's a lot different when you're really the boss.

Working in nightclubs, I've seen my fellow staff members get many second chances when they could just as easily have been canned and replaced by the next good-looking young thing. Once a manager has made an investment in an employee, he'll get every chance to succeed.

Not this time. There are plenty of teams looking to trade . There were a number of quick fixes once we found out Fedun was injured. There is no reason for Higgins on the team still.

Benning is doing the right thing which is nothing at all. Like I said the players and coaches aren't tanking but don't be too sure of JB and TL as the sit by and do nothing .

It is the right move
- VANTEL

JB & TL should go tuna fishing and post all the pics on twitter.

There is literally nothing to lose by making a claim for this guy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rundblad

I think that's about loyalty.

I do think Jarret Stoll would have been a useful addition at centre, especially with Henrik suffering, but I think he is committed to this group and wants to stay true to them. Think not so much about a hockey team but about your own workplace, and I can see a line of thinking that's about creating a good working environment where players are able—and willing—to give their best.

That's also why I don't think Higgins—or any other veteran—will be put on waivers.

As armchair GMs, it's easy for us to tout bold moves, but I think it's a lot different when you're really the boss.

Working in nightclubs, I've seen my fellow staff members get many second chances when they could just as easily have been canned and replaced by the next good-looking young thing. Once a manager has made an investment in an employee, he'll get every chance to succeed.
- Carol Schram

Having loyalty to players he didn't bring in is dumb. If that was the case Bieksa Lack and Garrisson would still be on the team. We seen last year having loyalty to false expectation of going deep in the playoff leaves empty lockers and no assets woth your UFAs

I don't buy that he thinks a team sitting in 21 St place today is expected to do a deep run. He could have had Stoll Richards or traded for Schenn when we were down D.

Other GMs are putting deadbeat players on waivers every other day.We have a perfect team for a bottom 10 finish . Higgins is a fantastic player to reach those goals. My opinion is that is why he is still on the team instead of his stellar play

Having loyalty to players he didn't bring in is dumb. If that was the case Bieksa Lack and Garrisson would still be on the team. We seen last year having loyalty to false expectation of going deep in the playoff leaves empty lockers and no assets woth your UFAs

I don't buy that he thinks a team sitting in 21 St place today is expected to do a deep run. He could have had Stoll Richards or traded for Schenn when we were down D.

Other GMs are putting deadbeat players on waivers every other day.We have a perfect team for a bottom 10 finish . Higgins is a fantastic player to reach those goals. My opinion is that is why he is still on the team instead of his stellar play
- VANTEL

Bieksa, Lack and Garrison were all moved in the offseason, when cooler heads prevail. I think locker-room chemistry is more of an issue during the season.

Bieksa, Lack and Garrison were all moved in the offseason, when cooler heads prevail. I think locker-room chemistry is more of an issue during the season.
- Carol Schram

Hi Carol,

I really like your blogs. The videos and the tweets only enhance a well written article.

First time/long time. I only have one question, what do you think the canucks can get for burrows? I'll hang up and listen.

Bieksa, Lack and Garrison were all moved in the offseason, when cooler heads prevail. I think locker-room chemistry is more of an issue during the season.
- Carol Schram

Rumor is is they tried to move Higgins but there was no takers. If Benning is putting loyalty to a player whom he didn't bring in over the better of the team I would be very disappointed.

Do you honestly feel that Higgins makes us a better team?

I did read your blog then first game he missed where you pointed out the Canucks anemic PK was 10 for 10 the first night he was out.

Rumor is they tried to move Higgins but there was no takers. If Benning is putting loyalty to a player whom he didn't bring in over the better of the team I would be very disappointed.

Do you honestly feel that Higgins makes us a better team?

I did read your blog then first game he missed where you pointed out the Canucks anemic PK was 10 for 10 the first night he was out.
- VANTEL

They're not (frank)in tanking, quit it with that poop!!! They're not a very good team for a lot of different reasons but one of them isn't, they're trying to lose....(frank)!!!
- LeftCoaster

Thank you.
The notion of my team deliberately losing makes me puke.

I don't believe the players are tanking , but how do you explain JB not making a move last week for a Dman or Centre two weeks before. Opportunities were there and nothing more was done than promote mediocre players like Kenins Vey and a couple of D.

Benning is a bit of a snake oil salesman
- VANTEL

Easy

Asking prices to high.
If Tinordi an ex 1st rounder MB wants too much for a bust.
Schenn overpayed n not cap friendly.

Rumor is is they tried to move Higgins but there was no takers. If Benning is putting loyalty to a player whom he didn't bring in over the better of the team I would be very disappointed.

Do you honestly feel that Higgins makes us a better team?

I did read your blog then first game he missed where you pointed out the Canucks anemic PK was 10 for 10 the first night he was out.
- VANTEL

Yep. I'm interested to see what he does tonight. As I also said before, I wonder if this injury issue has been lingering since he disappeared without any clear-cut moment of trauma when we knew he got hurt?

I'm not saying the team is better with him right now. Just musing on why he's still around.