Hamhuis looks worse than he is because the rest of the Dmen around him are garbage.

For an exception of Hutton. And at times Edler.
- vancity787

hamhuis has been getting beat 1-on-1.

This group of forwards isn't winning a playoff series. D-men are definitely needed, but our forwards are pretty bad at having consistent o-zone time.
- neem55

thats because we cant get out of our zone! thats D's fault right there. no breakout structure....btw thats LAs strength, effective zone clearance plan. Very structured and followed to a T.

the only problem the forwards seem to have is FO%

Cherry said with a healthy Hamhuis in the lineup eating up 30 min/game and Rome in gm 7 we most likely win. Past is past though. I'm looking forward to seeing this new crop of kids really contend in 3-5 years. I'm hoping we get back to that position of winning with a different line up.
- LordHumungous

Cherry can say whatever he likes. The fact is we got beat up and cast off to the side.

We got manhandled . Simple as that. They scared the crap out of players like Edler and Ehrhoff and did whatever they wanted.

Excuses are just that words that mean nothing.

thats because we cant get out of our zone! thats D's fault right there. no breakout structure....btw thats LAs strength, effective zone clearance plan. Very structured and followed to a T.

the only problem the forwards seem to have is FO%
- SMBDragon

I see o-zone time as a pretty big problem for the Canucks, they just seem to have a pretty hard time with it, particularly in the 3rd when it counts. I agree the d is bad and our breakout is bad, I think LA's strength is an ability to pin the opposing team in their end personally. I realize that this is linked to the breakout but it is much more than that. It's players being effective in the offensive end more so than breaking out.

Totally, and in all honesty we let him go and signed Hamhuis who has been stellar as his replacement. I was just pointing out that saying he wouldn't of won here is pretty arbitrary, as when you come within 1 game of winning a different player or two might have been the difference
- neem55

you forget that hamius was out in that final so how could you compare the 2....D was thin due to injuries. ANY of those players back could have made the difference. Your argument is redundant

you forget that hamius was out in that final so how could you compare the 2....D was thin due to injuries. ANY of those players back could have made the difference. Your argument is redundant
- SMBDragon

Well actually I can imagine a reality where we had both players, because I have a wild imagination I guess. hamhuis got injured in the Boston series trying and failing to hip-check Lucic.

We did win in the playoffs, it's not a matter of if or but. Coming within 1 win is a successfull season, dissappointing no doubt, but successfull. no ifs ands or buts about it.
- neem55

Yes Id rather go to the final and lose than not go there. Youre right, its a success.
Wow people are negative here eh?

We have a lot to be happy and thankful for....we could be oilers or leafs fans and endure their pains.

Yes Id rather go to the final and lose than not go there. Youre right, its a success.
Wow people are negative here eh?

We have a lot to be happy and thankful for....we could be oilers or leafs fans and endure their pains.
- SMBDragon

Having a competitive team for ten years is a ride I'm pretty happy about. I hope they keep building that direction. To see that team as flawed when we all know how close those Chicago series were year after year is disappointing. People arfe looking for reason's beyond luck (injurues, calls, puckluck) and unfortunately they are not there. The year we went to the finals, we had lots of luck until that last series.

Aside from Anaheim with games in hand, the standings are playing out the way most of us had surmised before the season began. If Nashville wins tonight things will get interesting fast.

Yes Id rather go to the final and lose than not go there. Youre right, its a success.
Wow people are negative here eh?

We have a lot to be happy and thankful for....we could be oilers or leafs fans and endure their pains.
- SMBDragon

Oilers have 6 cups in the modern NHL. If Canucks had that many I think there would be less female doging

I see o-zone time as a pretty big problem for the Canucks, they just seem to have a pretty hard time with it, particularly in the 3rd when it counts. I agree the d is bad and our breakout is bad, I think LA's strength is an ability to pin the opposing team in their end personally. I realize that this is linked to the breakout but it is much more than that. It's players being effective in the offensive end more so than breaking out.
- neem55

I dont think so. and I think you missed a bit there. You're usually in either D or O zone at any given time. If we are hemmed in D zone we cant be in O zone now can we? So given we are in D zone way too much it greatly reduces O zone time, right?

Maybe I should post a link to Kings positional play

hamhuis has been getting beat 1-on-1.
- neem55

I've seen that happen to lots of top Dmen. Don't make him a 6th d-man.

Oilers have 6 cups in the modern NHL. If Canucks had that many I think there would be less female doging
- VANTEL

this is true if 2000 and beyond are considered post-modern NHL. Otherwise, not true. 80's was a completely different league, I can't even watch those games the goaltending is so bad.

Having a competitive team for ten years is a ride I'm pretty happy about. I hope they keep building that direction. To see that team as flawed when we all know how close those Chicago series were year after year is disappointing. People arfe looking for reason's beyond luck (injurues, calls, puckluck) and unfortunately they are not there. The year we went to the finals, we had lots of luck until that last series.
- neem55

They have had a competitive regular season team for ten years they have had a competitive playoff team for one year.

I don't think anyone is complaining about the Canucks regular season. It is the playoffs where things fall apart. Making the playoffs is easy. Winning in the playoffs is the challenge

Did you think we were going to compete for a cup next year? I think we are going to miss the playoffs next year at least I'm hoping that's the case, I've given up hope on missing the playoffs this year.
- A_SteamingLombardi

No. I don't think we're in contention for the cup for the next couple years.
But that doesn't mean i am happy to see a backend like Vantel suggested.

Oilers have 6 cups in the modern NHL. If Canucks had that many I think there would be less female doging
- VANTEL

kinda thought someone would use that.
Modern? no that was the 80s....around 25-30 years ago.

I know we were the better team in 2011....we have a cup win in my heart. Im happy we went there, it was quite a thrilling ride.

For what it's worth, I think this team is well on track to building a cup winner. They have some very good pieces in play. Still work to be done , but heading strong in the right direction

I've seen that happen to lots of top Dmen. Don't make him a 6th d-man.
- vancity787

Look man, I like Hamhuis as much as anyone he's a great guy. But he's lost a step and is less effective than he was a few years ago. On some teams (like ours) he's top 4, but on some he isn't and he's only declining. If he went to Chicago for teurovienen you wouldn't hear me complaining, or Dallas for a pick... I'd love to see him win. But facts are facts, his numbers are declining.

kinda thought someone would use that.
Modern? no that was the 80s....around 25-30 years ago.

I know we were the better team in 2011....we have a cup win in my heart. Im happy we went there, it was quite a thrilling ride.
- SMBDragon

Judging by your Avi you were strong enough to flip some of the cars

kinda thought someone would use that.
Modern? no that was the 80s....around 25-30 years ago.

I know we were the better team in 2011....we have a cup win in my heart. Im happy we went there, it was quite a thrilling ride.
- SMBDragon

Modern NHL is after 68 when team went from 6 to 12

It was a thrilling ride indeed but it was not as close as some think. Yes one game away and miles and miles apart.

When Horton got ladi out everything. Changed. The Canucks were a finesse team and after that hit it turned into a schoolyard brawl

this is true if 2000 and beyond are considered post-modern NHL. Otherwise, not true. 80's was a completely different league, I can't even watch those games the goaltending is so bad.
- neem55

yes....makes you think its just a scarecrow in net w goalie gear on

Tit's and butts
- VANTEL

Fixed

That had crossed my mind.

I only want to throw big money at difference makers that are still young. Players that will help us for years and years . Otherwise stay the course and Draft and develop.

Don't tie ourselves down with bringing back Hamhuis for four years.

I have also got off the Buff and Lucic bandwagon. When I said bring them in , I had no idea the youth of the team would have been so good so fast. So I retract Lucic and Buff.
- VANTEL

This is where we disagree i think.
I've been pleasantly surprised with a number of the young guns, but that doesn't mean i don't want to see solid proven vets brought in.

Good young players often regress a bit in their sophmore years.
Vetran leadership is necessary to guide young players imo.

I am still on board with bringing a pos like Lucic if available.

Judging by your Avi you were strong enough to flip some of the cars
- vancity787

can't he be strong and sensitive?

They have had a competitive regular season team for ten years they have had a competitive playoff team for one year.

I don't think anyone is complaining about the Canucks regular season. It is the playoffs where things fall apart. Making the playoffs is easy. Winning in the playoffs is the challenge
- VANTEL

going to the conference finals and losing is a competetive team.