Babcock with apparent message to #Leafs Nylander and Kapanen: “If you’re not going to compete, it doesn’t matter how much skill you have."
- LeftCoaster

bust(s)

Babcock with apparent message to #Leafs Nylander and Kapanen: “If you’re not going to compete, it doesn’t matter how much skill you have."
- LeftCoaster

fair. they were a little overmatched by the caps.

need to learn from it and get better. long way to go.

bust(s)
- pker2theend

You don't think he earned his ice time in the AHL?

He has dominated in the AHL as an 18/19 year old and one of the top leagues in Europe as a 17 year which like you said means nothing in the NHL but there really isn't any more he can prove in other leagues.
- belcherbd

U don't think i said he didn't? Pampered i said n am i wrong?

As for NHL ready he is not until he can handle the pace n less space.
Only playing n improving can do that.

fair. they were a little overmatched by the caps.

need to learn from it and get better. long way to go.
- Tumbleweed

I've heard that somewhere else, oh ya 1st overall Oiler rookies all said that.

U don't think i said he didn't? Pampered i said n am i wrong?

As for NHL ready he is not until he can handle the pace n less space.
Only playing n improving can do that.
- Nighthawk

Well I would say pampered is insinuating he doesn't deserve the ice time he receives, what else does it mean in this context?

Calgary fans arguing about Shinkaruk and how bad he has been for the Stockton Heat the last few days lol. -4 with 1 goal in 3 games. Limited ice time in all 3 games. AWFUL on the backcheck is what is being discussed.

I've heard that somewhere else, oh ya 1st overall Oiler rookies all said that.
- A_SteamingLombardi

virtanen and mccann for lupul and bozak

Your focus, once again, is on the wrong people. Tanev and Edler aren't the Canucks problem, it's the players they DONT HAVE that's the problem. Tanev transitions the puck to the forwards better than any dman we have, it's well documented in the analytics community.

Edler plays way too many minutes because the team doesn't have a true #1/2 guy, that's not his fault. He provides offence in spurts, his current 20 points puts him top 50 in defensemen scoring with around ten less games played.

The real issue is managements inability to add to Tanev and Edler! Sbisa, Bartkowski, Hamhuis, Biega & Weber are the crap that's not gonna improve the defense.

Edler for Hamonic would be a good start to rebuilding the "D" but it's unlikely because of Edlers full NTC. Let Hamhuis walk, he was brutal in the first 30 games this year.
- LeftCoaster

This post should be required reading.

Edler was a perfectly serviceable #3/4 D man when Hamhuis, Bieksa and Erhoff were in their prime and playing well. Gillis' plan was to have balance among the top 4 and for a couple of years it worked. (After the spring of 2011 rule changes they ended up being too soft collectively, but that's another issue.) He's been playing like his confidence is shot, and that most likely comes from expectations on him being too high.

The Canucks D would be much improved if they could get back closer to that balance by replacing Hamhuis and Bartkowski with 2 better players. Hamhuis' D positioning has been ok of late but he was getting beaten badly before his injury. He also is contributing absolutely nothing offensively. Bartkowski's decision-making is just not NHL caliber, he isn't strong enough and doesn't put up points.

Once you build up the supporting cast I think Edler and Tanev start to look like bargains again.

Calgary fans arguing about Shinkaruk and how bad he has been for the Stockton Heat the last few days lol. -4 with 1 goal in 3 games. Limited ice time in all 3 games. AWFUL on the backcheck is what is being discussed.
- Codes1087

Babcock with apparent message to #Leafs Nylander and Kapanen: “If you’re not going to compete, it doesn’t matter how much skill you have."
- LeftCoaster

That's what good coaches do

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=2199
http://www.hockeydb.com/i...s/pdisplay.php?pid=117125
looks to be about the same size to me..
- onesmallleap

5'10 185 in 1985 was a lot different than it is now. The size of the opponents RNH plays against is a significant difference.

Calgary fans arguing about Shinkaruk and how bad he has been for the Stockton Heat the last few days lol. -4 with 1 goal in 3 games. Limited ice time in all 3 games. AWFUL on the backcheck is what is being discussed.
- Codes1087

Flagged for outrageous lies and slander. Shink would have been our future Markus Naslund

Hillbilly, I agree with you 100%. I don't think it's that far off to say broadcasting trends will start to change because canada can't ignore Vancouver anymore. Our population is growing like mad. Wealthy and we consume. Trust me, networks are going to start to change their tactics. Which we all can agree is a good thing.
- bloatedmosquito

It's no longer the size of the market. It's the concentration of demographics, interests, buying trends, response rates, etc. I think ultimately the BC market seems ignored because corporate Toronto can't actually get us to buy anything. Lifestyles and behaviour are different from back east.

Gaunce in tonight
- LeftCoaster

Center or Wing? They have said for the past two years he's going to be a winger in the NHL but he's been playing C in Utica of late. Interesting development if they play him in Cracknell's spot.

To be honest I never watch/listen to the video. I just read the article.

If Gaunce gets a chance to play in cracknell's spot I'm happy.
- bloatedmosquito

I'm the same, if someone posts a hockey video link I close it, if it's print I read it...what the (frank), probably takes the same amount of time, I just can't stand watching talking heads....

I'm hoping to see Pedan, too.
- Marwood

After the trade deadline I think they can only make 4 callups? That could limit the number of random auditions we see. Not sure if injury replacements count against the four or not.

Gaunce is set to play fourth-line RW tonight.

That and more in the new blog:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ryamkin-to-Sign/194/75274

Calgary fans arguing about Shinkaruk and how bad he has been for the Stockton Heat the last few days lol. -4 with 1 goal in 3 games. Limited ice time in all 3 games. AWFUL on the backcheck is what is being discussed.
- Codes1087

I wonder if those angry Calgary fans have 2nd teams?

I'm the same, if someone posts a hockey video link I close it, if it's print I read it...what the (frank), probably takes the same amount of time, I just can't stand watching talking heads....
- Makita

Same.

I think it was you, could be wrong, but I believe you pointed out he was getting top minutes, top pairing and the Comets were likely going to make the playoffs and it was all good experience for his development - no need for him to sit in the pressbox with the Canucks. Whatever it was you said, it sounded good to me.

agree on Pedan and his role in regards to fighting, I want him to be the nuclear deterrent that rarely to never has to drop the gloves.
- hillbillydeluxe

Ideally you want most of your team to be like this. Team toughness of everyone not being afraid to drop and go when an opponent tries to take liberties against them or one of their teammates. In 2010 team toughness was defined as being able to get back up and then go out on the power play to win the game. Most of the league lost respect for the Canucks because of that. It made strategic sense at the time, but once the refs put the whistles in their pocket they just ended up getting steamrolled over and over.

I wasn't against sending the kids back, either or both.

Heard it suggested McCann could end up in Utica next season, sounds like we should expect some drama if that is the case.

Ready to play in the NHL this year but not next?

i was thinking of the Draisitl situation with Edmonton last season, they sent him back, McCann didnt get sent back, largely I'm assuming because Sutter was injured, and not because McCann was ready... and some injuries to potential callups from Utica too.


JV has looked like he belongs of late.
- hillbillydeluxe

Canucks wanted to control their training and education this year. Another year in junior wouldn't have helped their development and may actually have been detrimental in a variety of ways. I can see JM going bouncing back and forth next year. So he can run power plays, learn to penalty kill, etc. Especially since so many of the other forwards will be waiver-eligible next year.

JV does look like he belongs in the NHL. If he starts to become inconsistent with his play I could see them sending him down for stretches though.

+ 5 Son! It would great to let him ride the pine until the Leafs offer him a contract in the summer
- CanuckDon

Actually we want to do the opposite. Have him play with the Sedins and rack up nice points. Then let the Leafs sign him to 3 year 5mil and try and flip him at TDL.