Canucks were one of the eight teams scouting him the other night.

The young players have exceeded expectations . This is why it pains me seeing posts to bring back Hamhuis or Vrbata.

There will be setbacks but Canucks are starting to get noticed. A few weeks ago we were heading straight to the bottom , but the emergence of Bo Sven Hutton Biega are lifting the team up.

Getting rid of old players and replacing them with youth and speed has really changed the outlook.

We can change the rest through trades and buyouts this year.

I posted a list of salaries and signed players yesterday. The Canucks can make extreme change this year if they really want.
- VANTEL

Totally correct.
The Bo Sven and both goalies have pulled this team out of the basement prior to that it was sedins. Since Jan 1 Bo and Sven are putting up nearly all star numbers.

Totally correct.
The Bo Sven and both goalies have pulled this team out of the basement prior to that it was sedins. Since Jan 1 Bo and Sven are putting up nearly all star numbers.
- mauryballstein

Sven was definitely worth a 2nd rounder.

Totally correct.
The Bo Sven and both goalies have pulled this team out of the basement prior to that it was sedins. Since Jan 1 Bo and Sven are putting up nearly all star numbers.
- mauryballstein

have to expect a slump or two along the way, it is great though the way both have been playing. I've even notice Sven in the corners a bit more.

have to expect a slump or two along the way, it is great though the way both have been playing. I've even notice Sven in the corners a bit more.
- hillbillydeluxe

I wonder what he will cost to resign?

I wonder what he will cost to resign?
- dbot

He will probably take a 2 year bridge deal, likely 2-2.5 because he wasn't consistent all year.

He will probably take a 2 year bridge deal, likely 2-2.5 because he wasn't consistent all year.
- Retinalz

I expect the same.

Edit: Just use the Hansen contract as an example.

have to expect a slump or two along the way, it is great though the way both have been playing. I've even notice Sven in the corners a bit more.
- hillbillydeluxe

Ya it was like someone turned a switch on. As soon as he became more physical and going to the dirty areas he started to create chances and put points on the board.

With all the Drouin talk and his lack of production I would think this is a similar case of a player not getting a chance and/or having a coach that treats him like poop. See also Yakupov going from leading the league in rookie scoring to getting put on the 3/4 lines and benched for stretches by that loser Dallas Eakins.

Pirri is apparently a healthy scratch tonight. Possible trade?(not from us)

Ya it was like someone turned a switch on. As soon as he became more physical and going to the dirty areas he started to create chances and put points on the board.

With all the Drouin talk and his lack of production I would think this is a similar case of a player not getting a chance and/or having a coach that treats him like poop. See also Yakupov going from leading the league in rookie scoring to getting put on the 3/4 lines and benched for stretches by that loser Dallas Eakins.
- mauryballstein

Yep, him and Horvat seem to be feeding off one another.

I really don't have much interest in Drouin unless the price is right and I'm kind of hoping the price won't be right.

Yep, him and Horvat seem to be feeding off one another.

I really don't have much interest in Drouin unless the price is right and I'm kind of hoping the price won't be right.
- hillbillydeluxe

They will be the best 3rd line in the league next year after we sign Stamkos.

Sven was definitely worth a 2nd rounder.
- Retinalz

Yes...earlier in the year people were saying he was terrible, I felt he needed a bit of time. Now look.
But I didnt see Vey coming back and sticking. Maybe he couldnt handle the extra pounds he put on over the summer

The will be the best 3rd line in the league next year after we sign Stamkos.
- fiveandagame

That would be a real coup.

Not expecting it to happen, but we might have a chance. He wants to get paid, we will have cap space.

Yes...earlier in the year people were saying he was terrible, I felt he needed a bit of time. Now look.
But I didnt see Vey coming back and sticking. Maybe he couldnt handle the extra pounds he put on over the summer
- SMBDragon

I think Sopel came into camp with more muscle bulk one year and was less effective. Might just take a while to get used to the new you?

Like the idea of Vey seeing he needed to get stronger and he worked on it. Vey has looked good with Etem and Burrows.

That would be a real coup.

Not expecting it to happen, but we might have a chance. He wants to get paid, we will have cap space.
- hillbillydeluxe

I don't know what he wants. If the paycheck is the biggest thing that is stopping him from resigning him in TB then the Canucks definitely have a chance. The only thing real competitive advantage Vancouver would have if Stamkos goes UFA is money. If he is motivated by other personal reasons or wants to go to a team that is in "the window", Vancouver will be out of it.

I have been hoping that in this off season Benning puts the majority of his time and effort into the defense, but if a player of Stamkos's ability becomes available you have to take a shot.

Sven was definitely worth a 2nd rounder.
- Retinalz

I think this is one of JB's steals. He took a guy from a team loaded with young talent that wasn't getting a fair deal. Whether he was in the coaches doghouse or managements or just too much young depth and didn't fit the mould who knows? I would say that playing on the 2nd line and contributing this much and proving at the beginning of the season (when he wasn't scoring) he can play defensively responsible is a huge plus. This is one of those situations that another team was able to give you an opportunity that your current team couldn't. Good pick. I defended Bart at the beginning of the season due to his defensive improvement and hoped he would start to find the back of the net. I am glad it worked out so far.

I don't know what he wants. If the paycheck is the biggest thing that is stopping him from resigning him in TB then the Canucks definitely have a chance. The only thing real competitive advantage Vancouver would have if Stamkos goes UFA is money. If he is motivated by other personal reasons or wants to go to a team that is in "the window", Vancouver will be out of it.

I have been hoping that in this off season Benning puts the majority of his time and effort into the defense, but if a player of Stamkos's ability becomes available you have to take a shot.
- fiveandagame

I'm not even sure Vancouver really has that much of an edge financially either when you consider tax and cost of living in the city compared to those tax-free states.

Yes...earlier in the year people were saying he was terrible, I felt he needed a bit of time. Now look.
But I didnt see Vey coming back and sticking. Maybe he couldnt handle the extra pounds he put on over the summer
- SMBDragon

I definetly have come fuul circle on Sven, wasn't vewry impressed but he and Bo have shown some nice chemistry the past 10 games or so.

I'm not even sure Vancouver really has that much of an edge financially either when you consider tax and cost of living in the city compared to those tax-free states.
- WhiteLie

The contract would be in USD while living in Canada. As of right now his 10 million USD per year contract would be worth 14 mill CAD in Vancouver.

I wonder if there is something going on TB. There has seemed to be a lot of drama down there the last couple of years. Especially for a non-typical hockey market.

I don't know what he wants. If the paycheck is the biggest thing that is stopping him from resigning him in TB then the Canucks definitely have a chance. The only thing real competitive advantage Vancouver would have if Stamkos goes UFA is money. If he is motivated by other personal reasons or wants to go to a team that is in "the window", Vancouver will be out of it.

I have been hoping that in this off season Benning puts the majority of his time and effort into the defense, but if a player of Stamkos's ability becomes available you have to take a shot.
- fiveandagame

One thing I don't think you're taking into account is Vancouver is a very desirable place to live. I know this is all just speculation and he will probably stay in TB but when you can pay the money he wants and offer him a desirable place to live and a team that is going through a positive transition and make him a big part of that. Leaders look at these things and want to be a part of it.

The negative side of things is its a Canadian hockey market. Does he want to be in the limelight? Does he want the fame and attention that goes along with it? He is relatively unscathed in TB. If he came here its 365. Some players were not meant for a Canadian market. We could hope that he is the opposite of this and thrives under the conditions we would put on him.

To finish off I think it is highly unlikely that he comes here and this is all just pure speculation. I can dream though.

I definetly have come fuul circle on Sven, wasn't vewry impressed but he and Bo have shown some nice chemistry the past 10 games or so.
- neem55

earlier on you could see he was making smart offensive plays, just wasnt putting it in the net. Was only a matter of time.

thankfully sooner than later

One thing I don't think you're taking into account is Vancouver is a very desirable place to live. I know this is all just speculation and he will probably stay in TB but when you can pay the money he wants and offer him a desirable place to live and a team that is going through a positive transition and make him a big part of that. Leaders look at these things and want to be a part of it.

The negative side of things is its a Canadian hockey market. Does he want to be in the limelight? Does he want the fame and attention that goes along with it? He is relatively unscathed in TB. If he came here its 365. Some players were not meant for a Canadian market. We could hope that he is the opposite of this and thrives under the conditions we would put on him.

To finish off I think it is highly unlikely that he comes here and this is all just pure speculation. I can dream though.
- thundachunk

If he really wants to be in the Cdn market and be part of a rebuild, it makes much more sense he would go to Toronto.

He would be the guy there but would still be second fiddle to the Sedin's here.
He is from Ontario and would have the opportunity to lift it from despair.

While the benifits of living in Van are nice, I think you put too much emphasis on something that a pro player wouldn't have much time to appreciate unless he lives here in the off-season.

Yep, him and Horvat seem to be feeding off one another.

I really don't have much interest in Drouin unless the price is right and I'm kind of hoping the price won't be right.
- hillbillydeluxe

Earlier this year he was dragging Horvat down by trying to play too safe and not going to the dirty areas. WD must have laid it out for Beartchi...gotta start playing in the corners and net front presence. He has done that now Horvat and Baer compliment each other as they will create space for each other in the offensive zone. What a difference.

Solid win last night from our boys.

Reviewing Boston and setting up Pittsburgh in the new blog:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...n-to-Pittsburgh/194/74224