He doesn't play on the PP, and he barely plays the PK, so where else is he going to get ice time? Did you read the blog over at CA by Graphic Comments about firing WD? The justification is this magic stat about trailing by a goal, and how Dorsett leads all skaters when the Canucks are down. But, it doesn't put that stat into perspective. For instance, how many minutes have the Canucks played? How many of those were from behind? I bet the Canucks have played more minutes down by a goal then up by a goal...

If you can demonstrate that in the last 2 minutes of a game, when down by a goal, Dorsett is the leading TOI forward then maybe I start to buy the BS a little more, but no one has so far.

You of all people should know that what you can see from the bench during a game is far different then what you see on TV, or in a Boxcar. I'm not saying I have full confidence in WD to be the guy to lead this team to a championship, or he's a terrible coach. Only that this team is performing about how we expected them to, which is middle of the pack. I would go so far as to say that WD has actually exceeded my expectations for the year so far based on the players he has had available to him, and given the significant injuries the team has sustained.
- 1970vintage

Solid post vintage, anyone can come up with subjective stats to make their point, but I'm surprised that so many will swallow with out looking at the whole picture.

Any thoughts on where Etem/Sutter go when they get in the lineup?
The team is actually playing pretty well, so I'm curious what they do.

Also, hoping Etem is a sign we will be trading a winger or two soon

I hope when Sutters back hes on their line, Bo is starting to look comfortable at second line center, and i liked Sutter with the Sedins.

This draft is important, but Benning has had a two good drafts its looking like so i can see the third to be the same
- phyllee

That's all we can hope for. We have 2 more years to build and Boeser looks solid and hopefully this year's will be a big impact

Any thoughts on where Etem/Sutter go when they get in the lineup?
The team is actually playing pretty well, so I'm curious what they do.

Also, hoping Etem is a sign we will be trading a winger or two soon
- neem55

The team isn't playing that good that there will be a problem slotting them in.

The team isn't playing that good that there will be a problem slotting them in.
- Makita

One poster said Etem played with 4 th liners with NY. Put him in a position to succeed here.

I think once WD starts leaning on the young guys more and trusting them , things will improve.

He doesn't play on the PP, and he barely plays the PK, so where else is he going to get ice time? Did you read the blog over at CA by Graphic Comments about firing WD? The justification is this magic stat about trailing by a goal, and how Dorsett leads all skaters when the Canucks are down. But, it doesn't put that stat into perspective. For instance, how many minutes have the Canucks played? How many of those were from behind? I bet the Canucks have played more minutes down by a goal then up by a goal...

If you can demonstrate that in the last 2 minutes of a game, when down by a goal, Dorsett is the leading TOI forward then maybe I start to buy the BS a little more, but no one has so far.

You of all people should know that what you can see from the bench during a game is far different then what you see on TV, or in a Boxcar. I'm not saying I have full confidence in WD to be the guy to lead this team to a championship, or he's a terrible coach. Only that this team is performing about how we expected them to, which is middle of the pack. I would go so far as to say that WD has actually exceeded my expectations for the year so far based on the players he has had available to him, and given the significant injuries the team has sustained.
- 1970vintage

First of all, he's one of the main penalty killers?

His deployment of his fourth line players in Dorsett, Cracknell & Prust, when the team needs scoring, leaves much to be desired, I don't have time to go through the numbers, Seahawks game is on, but I watch every game and can see for myself.

Yesterday Dorsett had the second most even strength ice behind only Hank, yet he continued to roll out that fourth line late in the 3rd period when we needed a goal. Thankfully Bo got one.

It's not that I don't like Dorsett or his mates, it's that I don't like the icetime they're getting when the team needs scoring. That's on WD.

The team isn't playing that good that there will be a problem slotting them in.
- Makita

I think JB will have to move a forward (or two) by the deadline. Once everyone is healthy:

Sedin
Sedin
Burrows
Hansen (his injury could be significant)
Higgins
Vrbata
Horvat
Baertschi
Virtanen
McCann
Etem
Dorsett
Prust
Cracknel
Vey
Sutter

That's too many!

ya think, I've started to scratch my head over some of WDs decisions but the thing is he's the coach and I'm the armchair coach, I think he trumps me
- Makita

That's the thing, us armchair coaches could do a better job.

Playing Sedins in overtime with Edler does not work, everyone sees that but him.
Playing Higgins leads to losses.
Playing Weber leads to losses.
Sitting McCann for Vey or Cracknell or whomever makes no sense.

The coach is clueless. Power play hasn't scored in a month, it's a joke.
- Scooby_Doo

Sedins looked really good in OT last night. ... just saying

I think JB will have to move a forward (or two) by the deadline. Once everyone is healthy:

Sedin
Sedin
Burrows---Trade or press box, bring in as injuries happen
Hansen (his injury could be significant)
Higgins----Trade
Vrbata----Trade
Horvat
Baertschi
Virtanen
McCann
Etem------??? Don't know enough
Dorsett----???
Prust
Cracknel---AHL
Vey-------AHL or Trade
Sutter

That's too many!
- 1970vintage

Sedins looked really good in OT last night. ... just saying
- Pres.cup

I hope you're joking.
That line change in ot that led to the winner was atrocious. Best part was neither got a minus as they just got to the bench.

I hope you're joking.
That line change in ot that led to the winner was atrocious. Best part was neither got a minus as they just got to the bench.
- Scooby_Doo

That is what I was thinking too . The new guys get hit with the minus

I hope you're joking.
That line change in ot that led to the winner was atrocious. Best part was neither got a minus as they just got to the bench.
- Scooby_Doo

That was a brutal line change, that goal should be on them.

First of all, he's one of the main penalty killers?

His deployment of his fourth line players in Dorsett, Cracknell & Prust, when the team needs scoring, leaves much to be desired, I don't have time to go through the numbers, Seahawks game is on, but I watch every game and can see for myself.

Yesterday Dorsett had the second most even strength ice behind only Hank, yet he continued to roll out that fourth line late in the 3rd period when we needed a goal. Thankfully Bo got one.

It's not that I don't like Dorsett or his mates, it's that I don't like the icetime they're getting when the team needs scoring. That's on WD.
- LeftCoaster

That's one game, a snapshot. The season to date suggests that the case is that he actually averages TOI based on a 4th line role. Again I will suggest that what is seen from the bench is different then what you can see on TV. If the coaching staff don't like what they see from a player regarding their play away from the puck, they aren't likely to receive additional ice. I don't know, I wasn't there.

Anyway, I think the team will look much different next season, another injection of youth and another parting with vets. Hopefully JB gets something for expiring contracts, I think they can replace the minutes internally for anyone they trade.

That was a brutal line change, that goal should be on them.
- Makita

I can't believe Hank just said (frank) it, I'm out

I can't believe Hank just said (frank) it, I'm out
- LeftCoaster

The pass pretty much went between his skates too.

First of all, he's one of the main penalty killers?

His deployment of his fourth line players in Dorsett, Cracknell & Prust, when the team needs scoring, leaves much to be desired, I don't have time to go through the numbers, Seahawks game is on, but I watch every game and can see for myself.

Yesterday Dorsett had the second most even strength ice behind only Hank, yet he continued to roll out that fourth line late in the 3rd period when we needed a goal. Thankfully Bo got one.

It's not that I don't like Dorsett or his mates, it's that I don't like the icetime they're getting when the team needs scoring. That's on WD.
- LeftCoaster

Shhhh quit shining the spotlight on the ninja tank

I hope you're joking.
That line change in ot that led to the winner was atrocious. Best part was neither got a minus as they just got to the bench.
- Scooby_Doo

Do you get +/ - in overtime?

Sedins looked really good in OT last night. ... just saying
- Pres.cup

Lol right up till they gassed out made a bad change that cost us the win....but yeah they looked good

So, who are the teams that will likely be looking to add established depth players at the TDL? I hadn't realized the Blues were right up against the cap!

Ducks, Preds, Panthers, Wings, Caps and Stars all with cap space and a chance to make some noise in the playoffs (Ducks have to get in first...) Burrows could be a good fit in Fla with his high cap hit and low salary (relative).

Hawks not looking so good. Play calls are not there.

Linden just said at the townhall that Higgins is up for trade.

That was a brutal line change, that goal should be on them.
- Makita

Did you see the play where Daniel shot it over the net though, beautiful padding to break Danny out.
Bo looked great too.

My ot goat is Bart, every time he got the puck he skates over to a group of lightning players and passes the puck to. ... no one.
Set up in the offensivezone, pass back to Bart, he takes to steps to the inside and passes it back over the blue line. ... to no one. ...

Yes it was a brutal line change but there was no way the twins at the end of a soft are going to catch a guy who has the puck at the red line when they are still in the zone pay the blue line, them getting of of the ice quickly is the best thing to do. They should have been of quicker bet they where having a dominant possession shift in the o zone.

Linden just said at the townhall that Higgins is up for trade.
- VANTEL

They're having a town hall meeting in January?

They're having a town hall meeting in January?
- 1970vintage

It's on Twitter now