Do you have any suggestions or just complaints? There is nothing to talk about until the draft lottery
- CanuckDon

While I think we are making the same point on LA... I just didn;t mention more names.... you fill have a hard time convincing me that Fleury is nothing but a slightly above average goalie who was fortunate enough to get on a hot streak in the playoffs one year. Now ---- you have to admit, for everyone who has your opinion on Fleury, there is an equal number who share mine. To me, Pitts should have won more cups and I look to Fluery for that.
- Beatle_john

Fluery is kind of like Luongo really. Both have amazing regular season stats, but have been questionable in many playoff series. I think at the end of his career, his stats may put him in the HOF myself, there's just not that many goalies with those kinds of win numbers(he's likely to finish his career top-10).

I am sorry if I am risking Leaf trolls to come in but anyone get suspicious that they call up 4 Marlies for tonight's easy win over Buffalo, who conspicuously enough has shut down Kane for the season?
- Beatle_john

I was here anyway.

Just as an FYI, 4 Marlies went down and 4 different Marlies came up. Plan all along was to mix guys in and out of the line up to give the brass a chance to see them playing high calibre teams like the Sabres.

I was here anyway.

Just as an FYI, 4 Marlies went down and 4 different Marlies came up. Plan all along was to mix guys in and out of the line up to give the brass a chance to see them playing high calibre teams like the Sabres.
- Canada Cup

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...nucks-9-game-losing-skid/

New Drance article, interesting notes:

Were much worse without Edler (shocker)
Bo is picking his game up (again, shocker)
Made me think Etem is maybe been more productive than I thought, given the context of how bad we are right now. (this actually was a bit surprising and I'm still faaar from sold on Etem)

Some nice stats to back these points up though.

I was here anyway.

Just as an FYI, 4 Marlies went down and 4 different Marlies came up. Plan all along was to mix guys in and out of the line up to give the brass a chance to see them playing high calibre teams like the Sabres.
- Canada Cup

Makes total sense.

People can label it TANK but to me that's solid team management. If you're rebuilding you have to see if you have any diamonds in the rough. Too many examples of low pedigree players playing meaningful minutes in the NHL. Got to assess what you have at the NHL level.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/9-things-know-canucks-9-game-losing-skid/

New Drance article, interesting notes:

Were much worse without Edler (shocker)
Bo is picking his game up (again, shocker)
Made me think Etem is maybe been more productive than I thought, given the context of how bad we are right now. (this actually was a bit surprising and I'm still faaar from sold on Etem)

Some nice stats to back these points up though.
- neem55

I am not sure I understand the dislike for Etem. Yes he is fairly similar to Raymond in that he is snakebit (despite some good chances and opportunities), but he is a young, fast NHL player that the team basically got for free with literally no one worthy to replace him. I understand that he leaves you wanting more, but I think almost everyone expected Jensen to go back to Europe, so it was a free NHL player under 25 with speed.. I dont see why people are writing him off

Makes total sense.

People can label it TANK but to me that's solid team management. If you're rebuilding you have to see if you have any diamonds in the rough. Too many examples of low pedigree players playing meaningful minutes in the NHL. Got to assess what you have at the NHL level.
- bloatedmosquito

I agree. I think Leafs have done a good job getting picks/prospects. I think we are in better locker room shape with the Sedins in there.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/9-things-know-canucks-9-game-losing-skid/

New Drance article, interesting notes:

Were much worse without Edler (shocker)
Bo is picking his game up (again, shocker)
Made me think Etem is maybe been more productive than I thought, given the context of how bad we are right now. (this actually was a bit surprising and I'm still faaar from sold on Etem)

Some nice stats to back these points up though.
- neem55

Etem seems lazy. I think he has poor work ethic. It would translate to why a kid with talent like that would move around so much.

Makes total sense.

People can label it TANK but to me that's solid team management. If you're rebuilding you have to see if you have any diamonds in the rough. Too many examples of low pedigree players playing meaningful minutes in the NHL. Got to assess what you have at the NHL level.
- bloatedmosquito

Really it is a great time (better than pre-season) to see what rookies look like in real game situations, to try different line combinations, different PP and PK strategies. You have nothing to lose. If anything it puts you in a better position for a high draft pick.

Personally, I would shut down the Sedins. Save them for next year. I would guess that season ticket holders may have a difference of opinion on that though.

Etem seems lazy. I think he has poor work ethic. It would translate to why a kid with talent like that would move around so much.
- thundachunk

Agreed.
I think if he finds a role he will be fine.
Could learn a thing or two from Hansen.

Agreed.
I think if he finds a role he will be fine.
Could learn a thing or two from Hansen.
- Whiskey-Tango

The whole team could learn a thing or 2 from Hansen.
Higgins was a supreme hard worker as well that is not what got him demoted.

http://www.tsn.ca/which-c...ttractive-future-1.462417

This poll is quite funny. The Leaf section mentions both defense and goaltending as areas of great concern and 12 picks in a mediocre draft, yet they are leading as top candidate for Canadian team in best position

http://www.tsn.ca/which-c...ttractive-future-1.462417

This poll is quite funny. The Leaf section mentions both defense and goaltending as areas of great concern and 12 picks in a mediocre draft, yet they are leading as top candidate for Canadian team in best position
- WhiteLie

TSN
The day must really be slow.

Hall is a hell of a player, I don't think many can deny
Nugent Hopkins is also a tremendous player who can skate super well.
Yakupov is a train wreck
and McDavid is a star, there is no denying he will be the face of the franchise for years to come.
- Codes1087

McDavid & Draisaitl r bonafides
Hall is a good scorer n not much else..slightly overrated & good trade bait.
- Eberle is better to keep around IMO if Hall fetches D
RNH is brittle & a 2C on any good team at best.
Yak is what he is in basically a poor draft year

Then don't call people 'idiots'. Also, having a sense of humour helps. A lot.
- Marwood

Even better is when he calls a bunch of people fools and morons and then on the same page denies it. I don't even think he is aware of it.

Really it is a great time (better than pre-season) to see what rookies look like in real game situations, to try different line combinations, different PP and PK strategies. You have nothing to lose. If anything it puts you in a better position for a high draft pick.

Personally, I would shut down the Sedins. Save them for next year. I would guess that season ticket holders may have a difference of opinion on that though.
- we_are_all_canucks

U cannot be serious?
How do u arrive at JB simply shuts the twins down as if pawns?
BLATANT tank without a leg to stand on is not an option. The Twins who never allow it.

I am not sure I understand the dislike for Etem. Yes he is fairly similar to Raymond in that he is snakebit (despite some good chances and opportunities), but he is a young, fast NHL player that the team basically got for free with literally no one worthy to replace him. I understand that he leaves you wanting more, but I think almost everyone expected Jensen to go back to Europe, so it was a free NHL player under 25 with speed.. I dont see why people are writing him off
- WhiteLie

haven't written him of either, I think you're right the Jensen trade seems good and Etem is still finding his game. I just also agree that there may be some work ethic issues(like Thunda and others have said), time will tell.

Jewish with a side of baby back ribs and a bacon milkshake.
- A_SteamingLombardi

You are definitely not Orthodox

McDavid & Draisaitl r bonafides
Hall is a good scorer n not much else..slightly overrated & good trade bait.
- Eberle is better to keep around IMO if Hall fetches D
RNH is brittle & a 2C on any good team at best.
Yak is what he is in basically a poor draft year
- Nighthawk

Yak just is a bust, wouldnt say poor draft year though, Murray, Galchenyuk, Trouba, Lindholm, Reilly, Forsberg, and in the third round ghost. For a team that needed defence they just made a bad call

Something borrowed from the Paul Reinhart times here....

JB should approach Hank & strongly urge him to take off maintenance days whenever his back or other issues need it. We all know how competitive he is & a leader by example of hard work & conditioning but he & the team might be better served in the long run. On these days off Hank can support in other ways & act like an assistant coach with the kids & give tips & advice during practices. 1 on 1 he can help them out immensely IMO.

You are definitely not Orthodox

- boonerbuck

Going off on a tangent...

I played competitve Mixed-Orthodox fastball & we won B2B Provincials.
Funny thing is my buddy looked into the name & what he found was that Jewish ppl wanted a league of their own & somehow the name was borrowed & hence the type of league & pitching style was born here. There was no correlation to religion whatsoever either.

haven't written him of either, I think you're right the Jensen trade seems good and Etem is still finding his game. I just also agree that there may be some work ethic issues(like Thunda and others have said), time will tell.
- neem55

Yeah I wasnt saying you had, but there has been quite a bit of criticism given towards Etem that, with some puck luck, might actually have good numbers so far. I am hoping this is a similar situation to Sven, where people will be critical of Etem and pucks just eventually start going in. Something hasnt clicked yet, but hopefully a fresh offseason will get him going for next year. I only pointed it out because I'm puzzled at the number of comments which lump him in with Vey as "I dont care what happens to him", and have him missing from roster projections for next season, the kid is only 23

For all those who say tanking is the way to go, remember this: Teams like the Oilers, Leafs, Jets and Flames have fan bases that are patient and don't mind spending money to watch their teams lose. As well, unless it's CFL season there's nothing else to do in those cities that really would compete for the dollars that hockey fans would spend on. Vancouver doesn't have that luxury, we have a history of fans jumping on and off the bandwagon and leaving the building emptish when the team isn't doing well. FA is not the kind of person to spend all this money and not get a return on investment. While it might be the /best/ way back to respectability, with the way the market is, it may be that FA himself won't be patient enough with the losing and the fans staying away and tickets having to be lowered in response to try and keep people coming in the doors long enough to do it properly. Just something to consider.
- DariusKnight

Really? Nothing else to do in Toronto?

Wow!