I'd rather be optimistic than join the sky is falling crowd. Has anybody on here said the Canucks are a contender? They could surprise and grab a wild card spot or they may miss the playoffs. The important thing is the team improves and we see growth with the kids
- CanuckDon

when we made the playoffs in WD's first year it was a shock to many around the league.

And as shocking as it is, the Sedins are still effective, don't know for how long. improved defense just by signing Guddy and replacing Weber and Bartkowski.

We have gotten a little better and if we can stay healthy, a wildcard spot sounds like a definite possibility, but teams around us are improving too.

Jesus....some people shouldn't be allowed to reproduce.
- LeftCoaster

i'm pretty sure at this point, florida should just be detached from the mainland and allowed to drift away to sea.

thanks florida but we don't need your crazy any more.

Any bets on Lombardi buying out Dustin Brown?
- LeftCoaster

Tough call. On one hand, I could see him hoping that expansion takes him, but that contract is an albatross and would likely deter LV who will have their pick of a lot of good players/contracts. The other side of it is that Lombardi got burned before when taking Richards' word he would be better, its a big buyout but I am leaning towards it happening if he cant orchestrate a trade and eating salary/cap

i'm pretty sure at this point, florida should just be detached from the mainland and allowed to drift away to sea.

thanks florida but we don't need your crazy any more.
- RealityChecker

The fastest growing state, in term of population, in the United States. It's only gonna get worse!

I'd rather be optimistic than join the sky is falling crowd. Has anybody on here said the Canucks are a contender? They could surprise and grab a wild card spot or they may miss the playoffs. The important thing is the team improves and we see growth with the kids
- CanuckDon

I hope for this and an entertaining product. Willie's first season was extremely entertaining, lots of scoring and end to end plays. Even heading into the 3rd period down a goal or two, they still managed to win some and make others close. My slight pessimism comes from the likelihood of injuries. I think full healthy roster, they are a solid wildcard contender, but there just always seem to be a key injury or two to derail the push somewhere

Tough call. On one hand, I could see him hoping that expansion takes him, but that contract is an albatross and would likely deter LV who will have their pick of a lot of good players/contracts. The other side of it is that Lombardi got burned before when taking Richards' word he would be better, its a big buyout but I am leaning towards it happening if he cant orchestrate a trade and eating salary/cap
- WhiteLie

They need Lou out of Toronto. He's traded multiple albatross contracts

Clarkson - in full
Phaneuf - in full
Kessel - ate a bit

Ironically the best player still worthy of being paid, was the one he had to eat a portion of.

Still no sign of a toddler dragged into a lagoon by an alligator at a DisneyWorld resort last night right in front of his parents. @NEWS1130

WTF
- LeftCoaster

I'd rather just be realistic and be pleasantly surprised if they overachieve. As Lefty said, people are going to be pretty disappointed once reality sets in.
- golfingsince

I hope Canucks fans are disappointed if they miss the playoffs

Still no sign of a toddler dragged into a lagoon by an alligator at a DisneyWorld resort last night right in front of his parents. @NEWS1130

WTF
- LeftCoaster

Somehow bad parenting is involved here. Just like the lady that let her kid jump into the Gorilla exhibit.
Not sure why they are still looking for this kid, what do they expect to find?

when we made the playoffs in WD's first year it was a shock to many around the league.

And as shocking as it is, the Sedins are still effective, don't know for how long. improved defense just by signing Guddy and replacing Weber and Bartkowski.

We have gotten a little better and if we can stay healthy, a wildcard spot sounds like a definite possibility, but teams around us are improving too.
- hillbillydeluxe

That's the thing, I never ever see our fans account for everyone else's players and teams getting better. The Canucks were 21 points behind Nashville for the first Wild Card spot, 12 points behind Minny for the last one.

There were FOUR teams in between the last playoff spot and the Canucks, and all those teams are improving IMO. Colorado, Phoenix, Winnipeg & Calgary are all young and improving teams.

Not to mention the top teams, Dallas, Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis in the central. LA, SJ & Anaheim in the West....Canucks haven't got a chance of catching ANY of those teams IMO.

They need Lou out of Toronto. He's traded multiple albatross contracts

Clarkson - in full
Phaneuf - in full
Kessel - ate a bit

Ironically the best player still worthy of being paid, was the one he had to eat a portion of.
- storm88

He managed to get out of the in season cap hit, but MLSE is still paying Horton's equally large salary and it still plays into the 10% summer overage that they have to spend

Ironically, if they buy Brown out the cap hit they will be left with should be about what he's worth...

I hope for this and an entertaining product. Willie's first season was extremely entertaining, lots of scoring and end to end plays. Even heading into the 3rd period down a goal or two, they still managed to win some and make others close. My slight pessimism comes from the likelihood of injuries. I think full healthy roster, they are a solid wildcard contender, but there just always seem to be a key injury or two to derail the push somewhere
- WhiteLie

Yes, develop the youth and try to push for a wildcard spot. If this doesn't happen, at least entertain the fanbase! I think EG will add some entertainment when he smashes a few Oilers

Play offs.

My only hope is they play a more competitive brand of hockey this year and like Don says, see some growth in the kids.

Play offs.
- Marwood

Expect nothing and you won't be disappointed I guess.

I hope Canucks fans are disappointed if they miss the playoffs
- CanuckDon

Luckily the Sedins should be able to play until 50 without losing a step.

Play offs.
- Marwood

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fjDS0jKiE

Bickell and TT for 2nd and 3rd.

Chicago traded Teravainen just to get rid of Bickells contract

Luckily the Sedins should be able to play until 50 without losing a step.
- golfingsince

I'm not so sure they'll have the desire it takes to train so hard at the age of 38 when their current contracts expire. I remember that was Nick Lidstroms deal, he said I just don't have it in me anymore, I want to spend more time with my family.

I could very well see the twins saying the same thing. Just me though, and what do I know.

My only hope is they play a more competitive brand of hockey this year and like Don says, see some growth in the kids.
- LeftCoaster

This is the right attitude ...as long as you see the kids improving and the games becoming better and better to watch as a fan than that's perfect ...being in the playoff race or making it in just becomes an added bonus

Trade: #Blackhawks get second-round pick (2016) and third-round pick (2017) from #Canes for Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teravainen.

I'm not so sure they'll have the desire it takes to train so hard at the age of 38 when their current contracts expire. I remember that was Nick Lidstroms deal, he said I just don't have it in me anymore, I want to spend more time with my family.

I could very well see the twins saying the same thing. Just me though, and what do I know.
- LeftCoaster

I'm suggesting the disappointment doesn't come from missing the playoffs, more the realization that we're trying to take shortcuts to building a team that will shortly be without a 1st line.

I'm suggesting the disappointment doesn't come from missing the playoffs, more the realization that we're trying to take shortcuts to building a team that will shortly be without a 1st line.
- golfingsince

Gotcha

PS: by then I hope they at least have a second line

Gotcha

PS: by then I hope they at least have a second line
- LeftCoaster

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ary--Malkin-Buzz1/1/77557