Its always a goal so yeah.

I think Vrbata is gone regardless and so is Prust. They will be in Montreal soon.

Rumour has it an under achieving RW in Habland for those 2 and a 5th.
- thundachunk

I'm not against moving any pending ufa, actually look forward to it but tempering expectations with JB's track record.

I worry a bit if one of them gets hot, might be worth more in a trade but Canucks might hesitate if they are in a playoff spot.

Just like this time last season, I am looking forward to moves and what the lineup will look like next season. In a challenging spot but headed in the right direction.

DSP ? I still can't see MTL being able to fit 7.5 million or whatever it is pro-rated without moving some salary as well.
- belcherbd

I think there is another deal in the works to move some cap with a defence man.

I think there is another deal in the works to move some cap with a defence man.
- thundachunk

General Fanager is actually projecting that they will have 8.5 in cap space come the deadline so perhaps it was a moot point anyways.

Is there really any evidence for all this nickle and diming attributed to the Aquilinis. I mean does he seriously demand two playoff games a year at the expense of a declining team that is losing fans? He spends to the cap and had no issue eating Tort's salary. When Gillis was here, he spent on sleep doctors and other things. I'm sure he's a greedy SOB, but you don't become a billionaire, by allowing your product to lose overall value. But I guess as long as he gets two games of playoff revenue, everything is ok.
- bazz

Ya no idea. I dont think he is cheap but he does seem to get way to involved from what people in the media say. But if I am the owner I gladly pay half a contract with a half or 1.5 season on it if it gets me more a deal. With an improved team and the quicker you get there the chances for a long playoff run happen quicker too.

The re-thingy is on! Change is here.

How much of what we hear is marketing vs. the real game plan?

They just sent Higgins to the AHL.

Prust won't be here for long.

we are a cap team because of some new contracts and old ones with ntc's, and because we are marketed as a playoff team that spends to the cap to ice the best product possible.

I think there was a change in thinking after Sutter went on ltir. We are far from assured a playoff spot and JB has stood pat, not making a desperate move to acquire a less than ideal centreman. development and going with youth has taken priority over making the playoffs.
- hillbillydeluxe

It be nice if JB came out and stated his game plan like the Leafs did. The fan base here has zero clue what the game plan. Makes if difficult to even want to watch a game not knowing what the hell is going on.

DSP ? I still can't see MTL being able to fit 7.5 million or whatever it is pro-rated without moving some salary as well.
- belcherbd

$8,502,311
CAP SPACE ON DEADLINE DAY
They can fit it, plus we can eat vrbata salary to make it work, why not if it gets us that return?

Here is an interesting article talking about Sbisa and his defensive ability. I'm confident that most of you will dismiss this as fancy stat garbage but I think it is difficult to ignore how some of these stats show Sbisa on a completely different level as the rest of the team and the league.

I also want to point out this isn't coming from a Canuck's perspective but from a Senator blogger.

http://hockey-graphs.com/...following-a-shot-attempt/

Enjoy.

I'm not against moving any pending ufa, actually look forward to it but tempering expectations with JB's track record.

I worry a bit if one of them gets hot, might be worth more in a trade but Canucks might hesitate if they are in a playoff spot.

Just like this time last season, I am looking forward to moves and what the lineup will look like next season. In a challenging spot but headed in the right direction.
- hillbillydeluxe

Considering they lose almost every tie-breaker imaginable I doubt this is a reality.

Its always a goal so yeah.

I think Vrbata is gone regardless and so is Prust. They will be in Montreal soon.

Rumour has it an under achieving RW in Habland for those 2 and a 5th.
- thundachunk

Who is the RW that the rumour is talking about? Kinda the last thing we need is another winger unless we can unload burrows or send JV back to JR.

Id much prefer a Dman coming back and if it has to be a RW then they better not have a cap hit. We also have Rodin probably coming next season too not to mention the guys in Utica.

Considering they lose almost every tie-breaker imaginable I doubt this is a reality.
- golfingsince

I'm a BOliever baby!

(I hope they start putting something stronger in the kool aid... )

What do you guys think about this deal.

Miller, Prust, Burrows and Vrbata to Montreal for Eller + 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
- Scooby_Doo

I think for Vancouver to ship off Vrbata Miller Burrows and Prust , we would need to give them a first second third and fourth , throw in Higgins too

Considering they lose almost every tie-breaker imaginable I doubt this is a reality.
- golfingsince

In the past 9 seasons only twice have tie-breaker actually been needed to establish a playoff team and one was the lockout season. They will be close and it will likely come down to injuries and how good the goaltending is down the stretch.

Here is an interesting article talking about Sbisa and his defensive ability. I'm confident that most of you will dismiss this as fancy stat garbage but I think it is difficult to ignore how some of these stats show Sbisa on a completely different level as the rest of the team and the league.

I also want to point out this isn't coming from a Canuck's perspective but from a Senator blogger.

http://hockey-graphs.com/...following-a-shot-attempt/

Enjoy.
- belcherbd

Haven't you been reading here about how good he is?

It's Tanev / Edler / Hamhuis that are the problem.

In the past 9 seasons only twice have tie-breaker actually been needed to establish a playoff team and one was the lockout season. They will be close and it will likely come down to injuries and how good the goaltending is down the stretch.
- belcherbd

However, what it does suggest is that the Canucks rarely play a game without giving their opponent at least 1 point. It's all fine and dandy when you're playing the east but it's not good enough against the teams you're fighting for a playoff position.

However, what it does suggest is that the Canucks rarely play a game without giving their opponent at least 1 point. It's all fine and dandy when you're playing the east but it's not good enough against the teams you're fighting for a playoff position.
- golfingsince

I agree, and in no way am I suggesting that they are a shoe in, but I still think it will be close and while they are getting their ass kicked in the tie breakers, specifically ROW's, history has shown that it is rare that teams end up being tied in points once the season ends.

Who is the RW that the rumour is talking about? Kinda the last thing we need is another winger unless we can unload burrows or send JV back to JR.

Id much prefer a Dman coming back and if it has to be a RW then they better not have a cap hit. We also have Rodin probably coming next season too not to mention the guys in Utica.
- mauryballstein

Rodin has a season ending injury. I think he may have cut a tendon . Not sure of the details. I heard them talking on the 1040 yesterday

Rodin has a season ending injury. I think he may have cut a tendon . Not sure of the details. I heard them talking on the 1040 yesterday
- VANTEL

Yup, got cut by a skate during practice. Too bad for him and hopefully he can recover.

http://canucksarmy.com/20...-major-injury-in-practice

Mike Zalewski re-signed to a 2 year contract and called up from Utica

I agree, and in no way am I suggesting that they are a shoe in, but I still think it will be close and while they are getting their ass kicked in the tie breakers, specifically ROW's, history has shown that it is rare that teams end up being tied in points once the season ends.
- belcherbd

I was more using it as evidence that they only win about 1 of 4 games in regulation, 4th worst in the league. What they do have going for them is 20 home games left, and decent goaltending. Maybe if Hank and Hamhuis come back quickly enough they'll be able to squeak in, but I doubt it.

Mike Zalewski re-signed to a 2 year contract and called up from Utica
- Codes1087

2-way contract as well.

Yup, got cut by a skate during practice. Too bad for him and hopefully he can recover.

http://canucksarmy.com/20...-major-injury-in-practice
- belcherbd

Thanks

2-way contract as well.
- Codes1087

He has been showing up on the scoreboard frequently as of late.

Here is an interesting article talking about Sbisa and his defensive ability. I'm confident that most of you will dismiss this as fancy stat garbage but I think it is difficult to ignore how some of these stats show Sbisa on a completely different level as the rest of the team and the league.

I also want to point out this isn't coming from a Canuck's perspective but from a Senator blogger.

http://hockey-graphs.com/...following-a-shot-attempt/

Enjoy.
- belcherbd

What happens if you convince us all that Sbisa is the worse defensemen to ever play the game? He will still be a Canuck, because none of us have the pull to make a change. I'll save my hacking on him until he's traded or released.

He has been showing up on the scoreboard frequently as of late.
- VANTEL

Makes you wonder why the immediate call up... Trade incoming?

2-way contract as well.
- Codes1087

Priests replacement