I still think there are plenty of GMs that are dumb enough to think Prust can provide "grit" (aka late missed hits because he's out of position and never has the puck) because you need that kind of "veteran presence" to go deep.

Or something.

I'm not confident in Benning's ability as a salesman on Vrbata but if we can get a Bieksa return and maybe an extra pick or something tossed in for Hamhuis I'll be content with the deadline.
- Lindenis#1

I think Benning needs to make a call on where he sees this team's direction.

As is we have zero chance of winning the cup and likely we're on the outside of the playoff bubble. Accruing guys like Sven and Etem and waiting for the prospects to mature will not get us anywhere further along because the Sedins will eventually retire, thereby removing the only elite talent we have on this roster.

Is an odd spot to be in given that, most ways you look, we appear to be moving sideways.

I still think there are plenty of GMs that are dumb enough to think Prust can provide "grit" (aka late missed hits because he's out of position and never has the puck) because you need that kind of "veteran presence" to go deep.

Or something.

I'm not confident in Benning's ability as a salesman on Vrbata but if we can get a Bieksa return and maybe an extra pick or something tossed in for Hamhuis I'll be content with the deadline.
- Lindenis#1

Hamhuis will get way more than a 2nd. Luke (frank)ing schenn just got a 3rd, solid prospect and a cap dump.

All this Etem talk and we've overlooked the best news of the day: Burrows back with the Sedins. We'll find out soon enough if he's got anything left to give.

I think Benning needs to make a call on where he sees this team's direction.

As is we have zero chance of winning the cup and likely we're on the outside of the playoff bubble. Accruing guys like Sven and Etem and waiting for the prospects to mature will not get us anywhere further along because the Sedins will eventually retire, thereby removing the only elite talent we have on this roster.

Is an odd spot to be in given that, most ways you look, we appear to be moving sideways.
- AlexF

Yup. I wana poop the bed for the next 2 seasons hopefully have a couple more productive years with the sedins as 2nd liner types and maybe make a push then. We dont have a realistic chance at the playoffs with out mortgaging the future.. I would like to trade Edler now while his value is high but deal him for a high end Dman prospect like bowey, theodore etc and a pick. I would hope to do the same with hamhuis too which if he was willing to sign an extension we might be able to get or at least minus the pick too.

If we can acquire a Dman or 2 who are a couple years into their career it would really speed things up with the rebuild.

Jesus, someone needs to stop flagging every other post, I've just cleared up another dozen or so, check your thumbs before submitting. thanks.

All this Etem talk and we've overlooked the best news of the day: Burrows back with the Sedins. We'll find out soon enough if he's got anything left to give.
- Max.Betts

Maybe he'll score a few and get traded

I see virt as a Evander Kane type. Fast, hits prob a 20 goal 20 assist type.
- mauryballstein

If our highest draft pick in 15 years tops out as a 40 point generator then we're on the road to nowhere fast.

If our highest draft pick in 15 years tops out as a 40 point generator then we're on the road to nowhere fast.
- AlexF

Im hoping for more but just dont see more than that myself

Yup. I wana poop the bed for the next 2 seasons hopefully have a couple more productive years with the sedins as 2nd liner types and maybe make a push then. We dont have a realistic chance at the playoffs with out mortgaging the future.. I would like to trade Edler now while his value is high but deal him for a high end Dman prospect like bowey, theodore etc and a pick. I would hope to do the same with hamhuis too which if he was willing to sign an extension we might be able to get or at least minus the pick too.

If we can acquire a Dman or 2 who are a couple years into their career it would really speed things up with the rebuild.
- mauryballstein

Conveniently tanking for 2 seasons doesn't get us to contender status either I'm afraid. We're too far removed from that now.

Putting it another way, imagine if we had the last 2 #1 overall picks suddenly on this roster: Ekblad and McDavid. Is the team better? Sure. Would that team be ready to make a deep playoff run? No way. 1st round and out at best.

We're facing a lengthy turnaround job.

Jesus, someone needs to stop flagging every other post, I've just cleared up another dozen or so, check your thumbs before submitting. thanks.
- Makita

Would that be me

Jesus, someone needs to stop flagging every other post, I've just cleared up another dozen or so, check your thumbs before submitting. thanks.
- Makita

mine was accidental as i was trying to hit comment button on a tablet. but it was on vantel so it is ok.

Conveniently tanking for 2 seasons doesn't get us to contender status either I'm afraid. We're too far removed from that now.

Putting it another way, imagine if we had the last 2 #1 overall picks suddenly on this roster: Ekblad and McDavid. Is the team better? Sure. Would that team be ready to make a deep playoff run? No way. 1st round and out at best.

We're facing a lengthy turnaround job.
- AlexF

Interesting you've mentioned this Alex, if the oilers make the playoffs and McJesus is healthy I think you are quite wrong. The draisitl/Hall combo and Mcdavid as a 1-2 I think is a threat to any team, particularly if against another soft pacific team. Florida similarly has a really strong d-corps and Luongo, and so I think can easily make it past the first round. It all depends on the matchup, I think that those two teams are both set up to be very good for the next many years. Right now Florida is on quite a tare, pretty bad timing to support you comment when they are beating some of the best teams in the league handedly.

Interesting you've mentioned this Alex, if the oilers make the playoffs and McJesus is healthy I think you are quite wrong. The draisitl/Hall combo and Mcdavid as a 1-2 I think is a threat to any team, particularly if against another soft pacific team. Florida similarly has a really strong d-corps and Luongo, and so I think can easily make it past the first round. It all depends on the matchup, I think that those two teams are both set up to be very good for the next many years. Right now Florida is on quite a tare, pretty bad timing to support you comment when they are beating some of the best teams in the league handedly.
- neem55

I can't really follow your post. I suspect you didn't read mine.

I mentioned the addition of one player (from Florida) to our team not making enough of a difference and you mention how the team of Florida is doing. I mention including one player (from Edmonton) and you give me Edmonton line combos.

My post was a response to another post of tanking for 2 seasons then making a cup push. Including McDavid and Ekbald (which would have been the very best scenario for tanking over the past 2 seasons) still doesn't turn us in to a contender. That was the point I was trying to make.

I can't really follow your post. I suspect you didn't read mine.

I mentioned the addition of one player (from Florida) to our team not making enough of a difference and you mention how the team of Florida is doing. I mention including one player (from Edmonton) and you give me Edmonton line combos.

My post was a response to another post of tanking for 2 seasons then making a cup push. Including McDavid and Ekbald (which would have been the very best scenario for tanking over the past 2 seasons) still doesn't turn us in to a contender. That was the point I was trying to make.
- AlexF

You're quite right, I completely misread your post, apologies. I do, however, think that this team with Mcdavid and Ekblad on it would legitimately be a contender though. It's exactly what we need: a d-man that can play 23-25 minutes a night and second line center. But tanking to do a cup run is silly, you tank to rebuild for a few years from now.

RJ gets a goal with his new team

I am one of few Rangers fans that will miss Etem and believe he never got a fair shake. Constantly playing on a line with Tanner Glass who only allows his line mates to never have the puck. I don't know what management and AV thought Etem could do in the press box or on the fourth line. Anyway I hope he succeeds with you guys and he turns it around.
- Anthony5967

Cool I hope so. AV has his whipping boys and also has his golden piles of poo that can do no wrong (see tanner glass). Once youre in the doghouse its impossible to get out. Something goes wrong in a game its your fault...even though you werent even given ice time.
Weiss is a good example of a player you went somewhere else and has been better.

Has your scoring down to a lucky goal a game yet? It will. Enjoy AV, he's good for a year or two until the poop he installs in the team starts to fester and stink. We here are still trying to undo the damage from his 7 years here.

looks great on TV though eh?

Changing gears here for a minute - Who do y'all think has been the biggest loser in a Canucks jersey in the last 10 years??

My vote is for David Booth - played approx. 120 games in three years - missed approx. 100 - grand total of 26 goals in three years, coming off a 23 goal season in Florida before getting traded. Meanwhile he's out on one of his injuries french kissing a fu&*ing grizzly bear!

Cool I hope so. AV has his whipping boys and also has his golden piles of poo that can do no wrong (see tanner glass). Once youre in the doghouse its impossible to get out. Something goes wrong in a game its your fault...even though you werent even given ice time.
Weiss is a good example of a player you went somewhere else and has been better.

Has your scoring down to a lucky goal a game yet? It will. Enjoy AV, he's good for a year or two until the poop he installs in the team starts to fester and stink. We here are still trying to undo the damage from his 7 years here.

looks great on TV though eh?
- SMBDragon

Works the lozenges like a pro, and his interviews are classic king of the understatement.

we dont have 2016 CBJ pick. It's any year 2016-2018 at their discretion, and you can damn well guarantee if they finish last they wont be shipping the 31st overall pick this way
- Max.Betts

OK. So heres an idea then....Vrbatta, higgins + the return of their 2nd rd pick

for their 2016 1st rd pick

Works the lozenges like a pro, and his interviews are classic king of the understatement.
- DariusKnight

absolutely...great smile and laugh....positive memories that way...dumb as a stump in the playoffs though....doesnt know what X's and O;s are...they had to hire newel brown to tic tac toe them to winning side of a playoff round

Jesus, someone needs to stop flagging every other post, I've just cleared up another dozen or so, check your thumbs before submitting. thanks.
- Makita

I've got some rather large mitts, however, I'm not flagging people, although I'd like to punch a few people....lol....just kidding.

Is it ok to not like Jim Benning?

although I'd like to punch a few people..
- LeftCoaster

if we formed our own lynch mob makita would have some time off....

Im down for it

Well, at least this proves that Benning is awake. No idea who this guy who is clearly named after a cheese is but we can always use more cheese.

I've got some rather large mitts, however, I'm not flagging people, although I'd like to punch a few people....lol....just kidding.

Is it ok to not like Jim Benning?
- LeftCoaster

OH HELL! I went to quote you .... and I flagged instead. I am an

OH HELL! I went to quote you .... and I flagged instead. I am an

- Beatle_john