Id say it was more of a too young too fast, also like the Winnipeg Jets. To have 9 rookies play in a season.
- manvanfan

For sure. Management went all in on the rookies specially when the injuries started to pile up.

Does anybody else but me ever entertain the idea that some of the kids should start the season in Utica next season? Speaking of Virtanen and McCann.

thats why Ive been advocating a system coming in that gives more instruction on positioning. Breaks some bad habits etc.
Cant stand watching 5 of our guys going to a single corner to retrieve puck. Its stupid. A player can bait us and once our guys are there they have open players....we get suckered like that all the time. Hartley did it in the playoffs.

No one to date has come in and changed squat. Time we do that
- SMBDragon

Bullpoop

Not sure if you guys realized, they are both dolls.

Found this site called www.realdoll.com.
- dshiddy

No they are not. Only the first one is a doll. The second one is a young woman who is into the growing fetish of Doll look alike. She's been all over the net for a couple of years now. She is a little older than she looks too... but still looks like jailbait as intended.

Does anybody else but me ever entertain the idea that some of the kids should start the season in Utica next season? Speaking of Virtanen and McCann.
- manvanfan

Unfair to say this early into the offseason. Mccann is staying in Vancouver with training staff over the summer to train/bulk. He clearly does not want to go down to Utica to start the season. I am hopeful Virtanen shows the same commitment. I think Benning and Willy be keeping tabs on them throughout the summer and will have a watchful eye on their performance in training camps and preseason.

Does anybody else but me ever entertain the idea that some of the kids should start the season in Utica next season? Speaking of Virtanen and McCann.
- manvanfan

Virtanen has shown over the past couple of months that he is ready to be a full-time NHLer. McCann however looks like he'd be a good candidate to go down and play more minutes in the AHL until he matures and gets stronger.

I suspect whoever makes the team out of training camp based on merit will stay with the big club. That's what happened last season with Hutton coming in and sending Corrado off to Fantasy Island.

Does anybody else but me ever entertain the idea that some of the kids should start the season in Utica next season? Speaking of Virtanen and McCann.
- manvanfan

I think a year in the AHL would serve McCann very well towards his future with the team and in the league in general.

Re:Jim Benning,

It's how he expresses himself, or lack there of, that forms my opinion that he's an idiot...in general. I've said all along he's very good at collecting youth; Virtanen, McCann, Baertschi, Etem, Boeser, Demko, Tryamkin all in less than two years.

That's better than Gillis did in five! Sure there's no "highend" kids there but some really impactful ones when you look at a team as a whole.

Benning says poop one day and then contradicts it the next month or two down the line....he's an idiot. He shouldn't be allowed to be interviewed or have pressers anymore.
- LeftCoaster

I once mentioned how people turn on GM's and coaches over nuances. You said you were not one of those people and were a little defensive over the comment. Who cares if he sucks in an interview and contradicts himself. He isnt good in front of a mic.... big deal. That should only matter to Botchford's flock of sheep.

Virtanen has shown over the past couple of months that he is ready to be a full-time NHLer. McCann however looks like he'd be a good candidate to go down and play more minutes in the AHL until he matures and gets stronger.

I suspect whoever makes the team out of training camp based on merit will stay with the big club. That's what happened last season with Hutton coming in and sending Corrado off to Fantasy Island.
- YeOldTimer

During Vans season 2 years ago nhl.com says van had 6 rookies play but really only Horvat hadn't seen NHL action before. This year 6 players who had never had seen nhl action and well we know how it turned out. If van picks a Finn in the first round and he's going to be in the nhl. Do they really need all of the "kids" to play in the nhl or can they be developed just a bit more in the AHL?

Does anybody else but me ever entertain the idea that some of the kids should start the season in Utica next season? Speaking of Virtanen and McCann.
- manvanfan

It's an option that will be used if needed I'm sure. I think now isnt the time to decide that. If McCann comes out of the pre season smoking hot gain, why would JB send him down? That's something they can do when he goes cold unlike last season.

Unfair to say this early into the offseason. Mccann is staying in Vancouver with training staff over the summer to train/bulk. He clearly does not want to go down to Utica to start the season. I am hopeful Virtanen shows the same commitment. I think Benning and Willy be keeping tabs on them throughout the summer and will have a watchful eye on their performance in training camps and preseason.
- Codes1087

The decision to keep them both with the Canucks rather than going back to junior was supposedly so they could supervise their workouts and training. Now that the Canucks will have more of their own prospects (rather than free agents) playing in Utica, do they have the same level of resources there as they do in Vancouver?

I know Takahashi and his team has individualized programs for each player but I wonder if they have the same quality of facility and trainers there as they do here? It might make sense to invest more there so they can gain every possible advantage in developing the top end kids. Might also make them more attractive when looking to sign college free agents, etc.

During Vans season 2 years ago nhl.com says van had 6 rookies play but really only Horvat hadn't seen NHL action before. This year 6 players who had never had seen nhl action and well we know how it turned out. If van picks a Finn in the first round and he's going to be in the nhl. Do they really need all of the "kids" to play in the nhl or can they be developed just a bit more in the AHL?
- manvanfan

It's going to depend on injuries again. If we don't have a repeat of last season, we can expect more kids in the AHL developing.

I once mentioned how people turn on GM's and coaches over nuances. You said you were not one of those people and were a little defensive over the comment. Who cares if he sucks in an interview and contradicts himself. He isnt good in front of a mic.... big deal. That should only matter to Botchford's flock of sheep.

- boonerbuck

he annoys me more than anything. But I'm hopeful he can continue to draft some really good young players.

The decision to keep them both with the Canucks rather than going back to junior was supposedly so they could supervise their workouts and training. Now that the Canucks will have more of their own prospects (rather than free agents) playing in Utica, do they have the same level of resources there as they do in Vancouver?

I know Takahashi and his team has individualized programs for each player but I wonder if they have the same quality of facility and trainers there as they do here? It might make sense to invest more there so they can gain every possible advantage in developing the top end kids. Might also make them more attractive when looking to sign college free agents, etc.
- YeOldTimer

only Neill, Petitt and Stewart can join Utica next season.

We need Trump.
- hillbillydeluxe

Donald Trump was visiting a primary school in Orlando and visited a grade four class. They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings.
The teacher asked Mr.Trump if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy.' So our illustrious Republican candidate asked the class for an example of a 'tragedy'.
One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs him over and kills him, that would be a tragedy."
"No," said Trump, "that would be an accident."
A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove off a cliff, killing everyone, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," explained Trump. "That's what we would call great loss."
The room went silent. No other child volunteered. Trump searched the room."Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally at the back of the room, Little Johnny raised his hand. The teacher held her breath.
In a quiet voice he said: "If the plane carrying you was struck by a 'friendly fire' missile and blown to smithereens that would be a tragedy."
"Fantastic!" exclaimed Trump, "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?"
"Well," says Johnny, "It has to be a tragedy, because it sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss... and you can bet your sweet ass it wouldn't be an accident either!"
The teacher left the room..

It's going to depend on injuries again. If we don't have a repeat of last season, we can expect more kids in the AHL developing.
- boonerbuck

McCann and Virtanen could be injury call ups. I really like seeing them play in Van but for the long term success of the club, playing big minutes in AHL and being first call ups IMO would help development.

Donald Trump was visiting a primary school in Orlando and visited a grade four class. They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings.
The teacher asked Mr.Trump if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy.' So our illustrious Republican candidate asked the class for an example of a 'tragedy'.
One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs him over and kills him, that would be a tragedy."
"No," said Trump, "that would be an accident."
A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove off a cliff, killing everyone, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," explained Trump. "That's what we would call great loss."
The room went silent. No other child volunteered. Trump searched the room."Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally at the back of the room, Little Johnny raised his hand. The teacher held her breath.
In a quiet voice he said: "If the plane carrying you was struck by a 'friendly fire' missile and blown to smithereens that would be a tragedy."
"Fantastic!" exclaimed Trump, "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?"
"Well," says Johnny, "It has to be a tragedy, because it sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss... and you can bet your sweet ass it wouldn't be an accident either!"
The teacher left the room..
- LeftCoaster

he annoys me more than anything. But I'm hopeful he can continue to draft some really good young players.
- LeftCoaster

He's probably better at trading than he's shown. I really don't think anyone could have done better with Gillis' expiring UFA's who give two team lists and only one of them is willing to make an offer. Also, trying to fill the generation gap by trading for young players already in pro is not an easy task. You knowingly are going to have as many fails as successes with this approach but it has to be done or the young players he inherited would be old by the time his own picks are in their prime. Other GM's we had in the past would rather trade off the picks for mature players and keep widening the generation gap.

only Neill, Petitt and Stewart can join Utica next season.
- manvanfan

As of right now, Neill is about the only one I can see playing in Utica.

Petitt and Stewart look Kalamazoo bound

only Neill, Petitt and Stewart can join Utica next season.
- manvanfan

Let's see who we draft and which players out of college we can sign.

Let's see who we draft and which players out of college we can sign.

- boonerbuck

Stecher, Cagguila and Garteig

Donald Trump was visiting a primary school in Orlando and visited a grade four class. They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings.
The teacher asked Mr.Trump if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy.' So our illustrious Republican candidate asked the class for an example of a 'tragedy'.
One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs him over and kills him, that would be a tragedy."
"No," said Trump, "that would be an accident."
A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove off a cliff, killing everyone, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," explained Trump. "That's what we would call great loss."
The room went silent. No other child volunteered. Trump searched the room."Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally at the back of the room, Little Johnny raised his hand. The teacher held her breath.
In a quiet voice he said: "If the plane carrying you was struck by a 'friendly fire' missile and blown to smithereens that would be a tragedy."
"Fantastic!" exclaimed Trump, "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?"
"Well," says Johnny, "It has to be a tragedy, because it sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss... and you can bet your sweet ass it wouldn't be an accident either!"
The teacher left the room..
- LeftCoaster

Little Johnny... always up to mischief.

Donald Trump was visiting a primary school in Orlando and visited a grade four class. They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings.
The teacher asked Mr.Trump if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy.' So our illustrious Republican candidate asked the class for an example of a 'tragedy'.
One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs him over and kills him, that would be a tragedy."
"No," said Trump, "that would be an accident."
A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove off a cliff, killing everyone, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," explained Trump. "That's what we would call great loss."
The room went silent. No other child volunteered. Trump searched the room."Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally at the back of the room, Little Johnny raised his hand. The teacher held her breath.
In a quiet voice he said: "If the plane carrying you was struck by a 'friendly fire' missile and blown to smithereens that would be a tragedy."
"Fantastic!" exclaimed Trump, "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?"
"Well," says Johnny, "It has to be a tragedy, because it sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss... and you can bet your sweet ass it wouldn't be an accident either!"
The teacher left the room..
- LeftCoaster

classic

McCann and Virtanen could be injury call ups. I really like seeing them play in Van but for the long term success of the club, playing big minutes in AHL and being first call ups IMO would help development.
- manvanfan

We'll see. If one of them is the best player in camp again,,,, I wouldnt hesitate to keep him in the line up til he cools off.

only Neill, Petitt and Stewart can join Utica next season.
- manvanfan

Unless they send McCann down and sign Demko, Stecher, and other college UFA's.

Also potentially, Tryamkin, Rodin, etc. If they struggle during the season perhaps they can convince these guys it would be better to play in the AHL for a short stint and then get called back up rather than going back to Europe for the year. Might be easier to convince them if the training facilities are on par or better than what the Canucks have.