I'm a canuck fan: I trust management ONLY when they do exactly what I want.
- RealityChecker

And how often do they do that?

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=871027
This is one of many articles you can find on his impact. He's a pure supporter/mentor of offensive forwards, aside from the Sedins there is no one else that can help these kids find and learn offense. Of the remaining 30+ guys, who else is going to help in that area? Vrbata=gone, Burrows=buyout candidate, Hansen=not a natural scorer, Higgins=AHLer and thats it. Dorsett, 29, has limited offensive skills, and Sutter, 27, has never topped 40 points. And I would add to the argument, how can Daniel or Henrik really relate to these kids when the two of them have played 99% of their careers only with each other?

Lucic has been a hot/cold guy, very polarizing and those that play his game tend to breakdown faster or drop off the cliff quickly (Clarkson comes to mind, though Lucic has always been better). Purcell to me is just a safe 3rd Liner who can move up or down a bit who I think could be had for cheaper and shorter term

Yeah, I just think the Canucks have enough bottom 6 talent on Forwards. Take a 1-2 year risk on an offensive guy rather than another grinder.

No problem! I enjoy talking to different opinions. Its much more interesting

EDIT: Also I dont have strong opinions on this topic either, I am not advocating for any particular moves and wont be upset over it if none of the player I mention are signed
- WhiteLie

Can you actually see Aquillini calling Linden and Benning into the office and saying he has their back ? If they want to do nothing , he is fine with it?

And how often do they do that?
- bloatedmosquito

At my riot trial, I was advised by my lawyer not to answer that question.

Can you actually see Aquillini calling Linden and Benning into the office and saying he has their back ? If they want to do nothing , he is fine with it?
- VANTEL

I am not sure. I know the Aquillini's want to get the playoff dates, but he has to be pretty oblivious/ignorant to the situation if he thinks there are quick fixes out there. I dont think TL/JB will be idle, but I just was saying I am indifferent on the moves they will eventually make and though I was defending the idea of bringing in Hudler I will not be mad/upset/bothered when it doesnt happen

At my riot trial, I was advised by my lawyer not to answer that question.
- RealityChecker

At my riot trial, I was advised by my lawyer not to answer that question.
- RealityChecker

You should use the Miss Congeniality defence:

You had a bad reaction to a new prescription that “made you feel funny” and was responsible for the loss of impulse control that sent you looting through London Drugs.

Lawyers are the lowest form of life on this planet.

And how often do they do that?
- bloatedmosquito

For me, they're finally (last two years) doing what I've wanted all along. Drafting and developing players, mostly building thru the draft.

For me, they're finally (last two years) doing what I've wanted all along. Drafting and developing players, mostly building thru the draft.
- LeftCoaster

and not trading draft picks for rentals at the tdl...

another CS article on CA.

http://canucksarmy.com/20...n-and-jim-benning-s-class

For me, they're finally (last two years) doing what I've wanted all along. Drafting and developing players, mostly building thru the draft.
- LeftCoaster

They have started to do that but let's see if they stick to the plan. I think there may be a lot of empty seats this coming season so it will be interesting to see if Aquaman will tolerate operating losses.

and not trading draft picks for rentals at the tdl...

another CS article on CA.

http://canucksarmy.com/20...n-and-jim-benning-s-class
- hillbillydeluxe

Good read/find! Thanks for posting

They have started to do that but let's see if they stick to the plan. I think there may be a lot of empty seats this coming season so it will be interesting to see if Aquaman will tolerate operating losses.
- bloatedmosquito

You can finish last or win the Cup and still draft well. That's what I mean! We finally have a GM who understands the scouting and drafting aspect of building. IMO they've never had that before.

For me, they're finally (last two years) doing what I've wanted all along. Drafting and developing players, mostly building thru the draft.
- LeftCoaster

best way to build a long term contender. if the majority of your core is your draft picks, you will have relative cost certainty for longer allowing you to pick up better ufa's or higher priced players through trade. (yup, i can be captain obvious as well).

in my opinion, you need a solid core of approx 6-8 players. from that core, to be a real contender, you need 2-5 elite players. you then fill out the rest of the roster with complementary players based on the makeup of your core (again, i'm being captain obvious).

based on the team right now, the only players that project elite to me are ones that haven't played a single pro game (boesser and demko). so, that projection is equal parts wishful thinking and "projection" on my part.

the bigger core, is being filled out by solid players eg horvat, jake, mccann (?), baertschi (?). could any of those become elite? sure, but it would be a bit of a surprise. being a solid top 6 player and part of a good, strong core is not a knock against them either.

i'm not sure there are any players that project to be a part of a solid core on d. there could be but we are too early to tell. and since they take longer to develop, we're not going to know quite yet.

the team still needs some elite talent and that usually happens through drafting and developing. the fan base needs to draft "patience."

best way to build a long term contender. if the majority of your core is your draft picks, you will have relative cost certainty for longer allowing you to pick up better ufa's or higher priced players through trade. (yup, i can be captain obvious as well).

in my opinion, you need a solid core of approx 6-8 players. from that core, to be a real contender, you need 2-5 elite players. you then fill out the rest of the roster with complementary players based on the makeup of your core (again, i'm being captain obvious).

based on the team right now, the only players that project elite to me are ones that haven't played a single pro game (boesser and demko). so, that projection is equal parts wishful thinking and "projection" on my part.

the bigger core, is being filled out by solid players eg horvat, jake, mccann (?), baertschi (?). could any of those become elite? sure, but it would be a bit of a surprise. being a solid top 6 player and part of a good, strong core is not a knock against them either.

i'm not sure there are any players that project to be a part of a solid core on d. there could be but we are too early to tell. and since they take longer to develop, we're not going to know quite yet.

the team still needs some elite talent and that usually happens through drafting and developing. the fan base needs to draft "patience."
- RealityChecker

This is the reason why I want people to stop proclaiming JB as some type of Drafting Jesus. Until one of his draft picks actually makes a difference on NHL ice has he proved anything yet?

and not trading draft picks for rentals at the tdl...

another CS article on CA.

http://canucksarmy.com/20...n-and-jim-benning-s-class
- hillbillydeluxe

Enjoyed that article, thanks hillbilly. Three things stand out for me, 1st Demko is very well adjusted, knows what he wants and what it takes to get there. 2nd, Benning and Linden really know how to interact with young players, and Demko gives them respect in that regard, and 3rd, Carol has submitted 2 articles to the Canucks Army in 24hrs and nothing here...


Just joking Carol, we all you and hope you're having a wonderful time in Russia

You can finish last or win the Cup and still draft well. That's what I mean! We finally have a GM who understands the scouting and drafting aspect of building. IMO they've never had that before.
- LeftCoaster

Very true. But it's harder to draft well if you trade away picks for immediate returns. If an owner has an eye on the bottom line he might pressure his GM to expedite the rebuild by trading for impact players now.

Not saying it will happen but there is definitely a precedent set throughout the NHL.

best way to build a long term contender. if the majority of your core is your draft picks, you will have relative cost certainty for longer allowing you to pick up better ufa's or higher priced players through trade. (yup, i can be captain obvious as well).

in my opinion, you need a solid core of approx 6-8 players. from that core, to be a real contender, you need 2-5 elite players. you then fill out the rest of the roster with complementary players based on the makeup of your core (again, i'm being captain obvious).

based on the team right now, the only players that project elite to me are ones that haven't played a single pro game (boesser and demko). so, that projection is equal parts wishful thinking and "projection" on my part.

the bigger core, is being filled out by solid players eg horvat, jake, mccann (?), baertschi (?). could any of those become elite? sure, but it would be a bit of a surprise. being a solid top 6 player and part of a good, strong core is not a knock against them either.

i'm not sure there are any players that project to be a part of a solid core on d. there could be but we are too early to tell. and since they take longer to develop, we're not going to know quite yet.

the team still needs some elite talent and that usually happens through drafting and developing. the fan base needs to draft "patience."
- RealityChecker

I dont necessarily disagree with this part, nor do I think you're saying they can't improve, but I see those comments regarding lacking a #1 center in the organization and feel the notion is similar. There are questions regarding what their peak will be, but I think this notion that they aren't or can't be is premature. I know I get the impression that they wont pan out as elite whenever our draft picks don't crack the NHL as teenagers or they dont light up the league in their first 2-3 seasons, but outside of the exceptional most take a few years to hit their stride. I look at a Scheifele in Winnipeg as having a really good season this year, his third and at age 23. Still not an elite player yet but hes looking more like a #1 Center. Patience

I do fear the insanity that will come when Boeser's rookie season has him with 15 or 20 points and he's downgraded from elite

Enjoyed that article, thanks hillbilly. Three things stand out for me, 1st Demko is very well adjusted, knows what he wants and what it takes to get there. 2nd, Benning and Linden really know how to interact with young players, and Demko gives them respect in that regard, and 3rd, Carol has submitted 2 articles to the Canucks Army in 24hrs and nothing here...


Just joking Carol, we all you and hope you're having a wonderful time in Russia
- Makita

benning didn't talk to demko after demko got eliminated. that surely means that demko doesn't want to play for vancouver. the only course of action is benning trades demko before the team loses him for nothing. it's obvious demko will never play here and that benning has no idea how to manage players or prospects. #assetmanagement



***oh wait, i forgot to flip my calendar from april to may***

This is the reason why I want people to stop proclaiming JB as some type of Drafting Jesus. Until one of his draft picks actually makes a difference on NHL ice has he proved anything yet?
- bloatedmosquito

His picks are better than what other Canuck GM's accomplished in their first two drafts.

So should people stop with the drafting jesus stance...yes, but on the other side should people stop with the hasn't proven anything stance...yes.

Allow development before proclaiming a win or lose, it's a bit early...IMO

benning didn't talk to demko after demko got eliminated. that surely means that demko doesn't want to play for vancouver. the only course of action is benning trades demko before the team loses him for nothing. it's obvious demko will never play here and that benning has no idea how to manage players or prospects. #assetmanagement



***oh wait, i forgot to flip my calendar from april to may***
- RealityChecker

just wait, it will start all over again...remember it's either "Drama Queens or Circle Jerk Gangs" here.

I dont necessarily disagree with this part, nor do I think you're saying they can't improve, but I see those comments regarding lacking a #1 center in the organization and feel the notion is similar. There are questions regarding what their peak will be, but I think this notion that they aren't or can't be is premature. I know I get the impression that they wont pan out as elite whenever our draft picks don't crack the NHL as teenagers or they dont light up the league in their first 2-3 seasons, but outside of the exceptional most take a few years to hit their stride. I look at a Scheifele in Winnipeg as having a really good season this year, his third and at age 23. Still not an elite player yet but hes looking more like a #1 Center. Patiences

I do fear the insanity that will come when Boeser's rookie season has him with 15 or 20 points and he's downgraded from elite
- WhiteLie

i mostly agree with you.

like you mentioned, i don't believe they can't. it's just that i don't necessarily think they will and that is also me trying to prevent unreasonable expectations on some of these youngsters. bo could explode to become an anze kopitar player but i'm not going to expect that. i think that he's exactly what a contender needs in any event. a young player who is improving and willing to put in the time and effort to improve. in 3 years, if he's a solid two way 2nd line c, i think that's tremendous. a team doesn't win without that type of player.

with respect to a 1C, i think that the need is less obvious if the team has elite wingers. the first line just has to have 1 or 2 elite players that can drive the line. in a best case scenario, that would be the centre. however, if the team has elite wingers, you just need to find a centre who can play to his linemates' strengths eg brendan morrison.

You should use the Miss Congeniality defence:

You had a bad reaction to a new prescription that “made you feel funny” and was responsible for the loss of impulse control that sent you looting through London Drugs.

Lawyers are the lowest form of life on this planet.
- bloatedmosquito

I think ICBC is the lowest form of life.

At my riot trial, I was advised by my lawyer not to answer that question.
- RealityChecker

i mostly agree with you.

like you mentioned, i don't believe they can't. it's just that i don't necessarily think they will and that is also me trying to prevent unreasonable expectations on some of these youngsters. bo could explode to become an anze kopitar player but i'm not going to expect that. i think that he's exactly what a contender needs in any event. a young player who is improving and willing to put in the time and effort to improve. in 3 years, if he's a solid two way 2nd line c, i think that's tremendous. a team doesn't win without that type of player.

with respect to a 1C, i think that the need is less obvious if the team has elite wingers. the first line just has to have 1 or 2 elite players that can drive the line. in a best case scenario, that would be the centre. however, if the team has elite wingers, you just need to find a centre who can play to his linemates' strengths eg brendan morrison.
- RealityChecker

Totally agree with it all
My comment on the notion was just based on how fast everyone was turning on McCann from the beginning of the season where he was scoring goals and was anointed as the #1C to now trade bait
Tempering expectations is important, guys develop at different rates but we do have a fair amount of C's in the organization with upside that we could focus on Tkachuk and some other wingers to get that balance of "elite" on the top line that you mentioned

I think ICBC is the lowest form of life.
- SRam19

His picks are better than what other Canuck GM's accomplished in their first two drafts.

So should people stop with the drafting jesus stance...yes, but on the other side should people stop with the hasn't proven anything stance...yes.

Allow development before proclaiming a win or lose, it's a bit early...IMO
- Makita

Totally agree with the above. But let me ask you this... Purely from a production perspective, what do you think have been the best canuck draft picks in the last 10 years?

Mason Raymond?
Michael Grabner?
Bo Horvat?

Going further back it gets a little easier...

Cory Schneider
Alexander Edler
Jannik Hansen
Ryan Kesler
R.J. Umberger
Kevin Bieksa
Twins

I don't understand the statement that JB has done "better than what other Canuck GM's accomplished in their first two drafts".

What do you base this on?