Thanks - this is great stuff.

I just filled in my NHL bracket challenge bracket and ended up with Washington/Anaheim in the final. Picked the Caps to win the Cup which feels bold despite their season, given that they've only been to the final once before in their franchise history, and got swept by Detroit.

Looking at the playoffs as a whole, I was a bit disappointed to see that the only upset I projected was Chi/StL. There will almost certainly be more....
- Carol Schram

Too many injuries to TB, Det finds a way with vets and Mrazek back to last playoffs form.

Nashville over Anahiem, different team that finally has a 1C. Rinne easily outperforms anderson/gibson.

The problem is, the REAL FANS might be willing to endure the losing, but the media isn't. If JB went up there and said, we suck, we know we suck, we're dumping our vets and going full rebuild, it's going to be ripped and the sad thing is, the vast majority of the fanbase are the Tanbir's of the world who would all fall off the cliff like lemmings spouting the words of Pratt the Pr!ck, Pedo-laugh Jake, Pu**y Price, Blue Jack-off Sekeres and the rest of the 1040 morons. Can you imagine the hysteria on the streets about the Canucks being the new Oilers of this decade?

To Bloated

True, but again, articulate the change so your fan base (who pay the bills) aren't confused. It seems contradictory and disorganized. It only gives those idiots in the media more to write about and for us to female dog about.

To me it seems like Vancouver will support a club that is performing badly as long as there’s a vision in place. I'll use Burkie as an example. Inherited a god awful team, stated his vision clearly, backed up his words, and fans took notice and started shelling out the money even though they weren't winning on the ice.

Right now, fans are leaving in droves because they have no idea what's going on.

I’ll give JB some time to get experienced but if his work up to now is any indication of the future, I ain’t impressed.
- bloatedmosquito

Well true fans, will still go to the games like oilers fans. Home Ice advantage helps the team out. Home ice comes from the fans.

JB plan i think is taking more shape as he talks about it. Right now he feels as if they are building a core for the future and now he is looking for players that are in the 22-28 range to fill in the gap created but poopty drafting for years and years.

JB problem id say is that he can't say rebuild because you can't rebuild when you have the sedins. Since the fans don't hear the word rebuild they expect to win. Unfortunately that isn't going to happen all that easily.

Well true fans, will still go to the games like oilers fans. Home Ice advantage helps the team out. Home ice comes from the fans.

JB plan i think is taking more shape as he talks about it. Right now he feels as if they are building a core for the future and now he is looking for players that are in the 22-28 range to fill in the gap created but poopty drafting for years and years.

JB problem id say is that he can't say rebuild because you can't rebuild when you have the sedins. Since the fans don't hear the word rebuild they expect to win. Unfortunately that isn't going to happen all that easily.
- manvanfan

Who do you think is the new core he's building?

There has been poopty drafting but the development of players in the system and on the NHL roster has been good for 20 years or so. I hope that continues.

I agree about the sedins. Said it before, the roster won't be truely competitive again until the twins retire. They'll retire canucks but I'm not sure when that is.

Wow—Milan Lucic is surprisingly insightful and quotable when talking about the risks the Kings face going up against the hungry Sharks. Are we seeing him start to emerge as a team leader?

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...motviation-190554886.html

Wow—Milan Lucic is surprisingly insightful and quotable when talking about the risks the Kings face going up against the hungry Sharks. Are we seeing him start to emerge as a team leader?

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...motviation-190554886.html
- Carol Schram

According to Dave Pratt we are getting Eriksson and LUcic .

The problem is, the REAL FANS might be willing to endure the losing, but the media isn't. If JB went up there and said, we suck, we know we suck, we're dumping our vets and going full rebuild, it's going to be ripped and the sad thing is, the vast majority of the fanbase are the Tanbir's of the world who would all fall off the cliff like lemmings spouting the words of Pratt the Pr!ck, Pedo-laugh Jake, Pu**y Price, Blue Jack-off Sekeres and the rest of the 1040 morons. Can you imagine the hysteria on the streets about the Canucks being the new Oilers of this decade?

To Bloated
- DariusKnight

Yes, that's all true, but wouldn't a strong GM be able to manipulate the media and fans instead of the other way around? I'll give you Burke again as an example.

I'll never forget when BB pulled the ole "it takes a quarter to move this franchise" bit. Man was that awesome.

Not only did he get the fan's attention but I think it was also a shot at the media to say "get the (frank) on board or you'll be writing about the Thunderbirds by next week if this train leaves town".

Different approach. Different result.

According to Dave Pratt we are getting Eriksson and LUcic .
- VANTEL

He's sure a dreamer but if the Canucks make the right pitch to eriksson I could see him coming here

The problem is, the REAL FANS might be willing to endure the losing, but the media isn't. If JB went up there and said, we suck, we know we suck, we're dumping our vets and going full rebuild, it's going to be ripped and the sad thing is, the vast majority of the fanbase are the Tanbir's of the world who would all fall off the cliff like lemmings spouting the words of Pratt the Pr!ck, Pedo-laugh Jake, Pu**y Price, Blue Jack-off Sekeres and the rest of the 1040 morons. Can you imagine the hysteria on the streets about the Canucks being the new Oilers of this decade?

To Bloated
- DariusKnight

The media is like any other business; they are merely selling a product. It is an easier product to sell if you can emotionally engage your consumer base. Anger is the easiest and most effective way for media to get consumers to pay attention. Therefore as a business decision it is better for them to Stoke the fires of anger b/c those people are the ones most likely to tune in (either to vent/agree or scream in angry opposition).

Meanwhile, we the sensible are pretty much forced to turn off the radio/news.

Wow—Milan Lucic is surprisingly insightful and quotable when talking about the risks the Kings face going up against the hungry Sharks. Are we seeing him start to emerge as a team leader?

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...motviation-190554886.html
- Carol Schram

thanks for the share, great article. That series is going to be lights out!

He's sure a dreamer but if the Canucks make the right pitch to eriksson I could see him coming here
- Bigalow

That's a troll post because why the (frank) would we want eriksson on this team? It would contradict everything we've been talking about.

Who do you think is the new core he's building?

There has been poopty drafting but the development of players in the system and on the NHL roster has been good for 20 years or so. I hope that continues.

I agree about the sedins. Said it before, the roster won't be truely competitive again until the twins retire. They'll retire canucks but I'm not sure when that is.
- bloatedmosquito

The new core to me is baertschi, virtanen, boeser, mcCann, horvat, Demko, Hutton, Tanev. whoever Van drafts this year in the first 2 rounds hopefully adds to the core. Gaunce hopefully becomes a leader in the dressing room. Seems to have a mature personality. Brisebois also seems to be a mature individual for his age. As I mentioned before, really won't know for years. I'm just hopeful that the players that are playing as youth right now become the new core.

I have always thought that if the sedins did want to win a cup that they would have to take a 1 year contract on the cheap, at that point the canucks would be making a run.

That's a troll post because why the (frank) would we want eriksson on this team? It would contradict everything we've been talking about.
- bloatedmosquito

If JB actually genuinely thinks we should try for the playoffs next year, Erickson is the logical choice given his scoring pedigree and experience playing with the twins. Problem is, it really doesn't help our secondary scoring much. I agree that it's the wrong move, but it makes a certain amount of sense if you think a Matthews/puujarvi/laine/tkachuk actually insert into top 6 and make a difference.

If JB actually genuinely thinks we should try for the playoffs next year, Erickson is the logical choice given his scoring pedigree and experience playing with the twins. Problem is, it really doesn't help our secondary scoring much. I agree that it's the wrong move, but it makes a certain amount of sense if you think a Matthews/puujarvi/laine/tkachuk actually insert into top 6 and make a difference.
- neem55

I see secondary scoring drastically improving next season.

I see secondary scoring drastically improving next season.
- thundachunk

Eriksson > Vrbata any day of the week

Eriksson > Vrbata any day of the week
- Codes1087

Eriksson over Vrbata any day or Vrbata over Eriksson?

Eriksson > Vrbata any day of the week
- Codes1087

High draft pick > Eriksson > Vrbata

High draft pick > Eriksson > Vrbata
- bloatedmosquito

Mosquito you are dialed in today

Eriksson over Vrbata any day or Vrbata over Eriksson?
- thundachunk

I would rather have Eriksson play on the 1st line, OR second line than Vrbata.

Yes, that's all true, but wouldn't a strong GM be able to manipulate the media and fans instead of the other way around? I'll give you Burke again as an example.

I'll never forget when BB pulled the ole "it takes a quarter to move this franchise" bit. Man was that awesome.

Not only did he get the fan's attention but I think it was also a shot at the media to say "get the (frank) on board or you'll be writing about the Thunderbirds by next week if this train leaves town".

Different approach. Different result.
- bloatedmosquito

In the end, Burkes attitude got him canned. The media had totally turned on him and baited him non stop.

In the end, Burkes attitude got him canned. The media had totally turned on him and baited him non stop.
- boonerbuck

Problem was he bit on almost anything. He never learned in TO either.

I don't think I agree with Carol on Umberger and him being an example of a college player who doesnt want to play here. His was a contract dispute and Burke traded him rather than give him another 200k on a entry level contract. We picked up Martin Rucinski for him. Umberger has had a long NHL career since then.

I don't think I agree with Carol on Umberger and him being an example of a college player who doesnt want to play here. His was a contract dispute and Burke traded him rather than give him another 200k on a entry level contract. We picked up Martin Rucinski for him. Umberger has had a long NHL career since then.
- boonerbuck

Unmeberger was also a whore around the league. He played in a lot of places. He and Kesler hate hate relationship.

Unmeberger was also a whore around the league. He played in a lot of places. He and Kesler hate hate relationship.
- thundachunk

does that make Umberger more or less appealing?

From last thread.

Yes, but when have the canucks had a season without long term injuries? I think that is an inevitable outcome for this franchise due to location and distance of travel.

Most pundits picked Van to be near the bottom of the standings. They were right because they probably factored injuries to key veterans into their estimate.
- bloatedmosquito

Not like this. Our top 2 D and 2nd line C combined for more than two seasons of man games lost.

Just because you have the spin cycle on gentle doesnt mean I won't catch it.