Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Preparing to Pick at No. 5 in Next Week's Draft Unless something dramatic happens, the Vancouver Canucks are expected to use their No. 5 pick in next week's draft rather than trading up or down.

From last thread:

Well, it sounds like JB is bucking the trend or popular opinion... everyone is saying the team should tank and start from scratch, acquire as many draft picks as possible and go from there... we aren't seeing that.
- hillbillydeluxe

That's what I don't understand.

Why not play to the strengths of your team? That includes management. JB has the reputation of being a great evaluator of young talent. Let him work his magic for (frank) sakes.

If not, then why hire a rookie GM without credibility amongst his peers?

Edit: Oh yeah... and first bit©hes!

From last thread:



That's what I don't understand.

Why not play to the strengths of your team? That includes management. JB has the reputation of being a great evaluator of young talent. Let him work his magic for (frank) sakes.

If not, then why hire a rookie GM without credibility amongst his peers?

Edit: Oh yeah... and first bit©hes!
- bloatedmosquito

Clearly it is because of the success other GM's have had in similar circumstances.

From the last thread as well:

I'm not a hockey guy. I've played at a low level but don't have a clue about the intricacies of managing a pro hockey team. But the scenario you point out above just makes sense to me, especially for some western teams.

I think it will take some time for the mentality of managers, coaches, and players to change. But it will eventually.
- bloatedmosquito

It'll change until a team that's traditional wins again, then it'll change back again. There's no sure way to win in the NHL, since hockey isn't a sport like baseball where it's essentially one on one with batters vs. pitchers. At the end of the day, the team that's healthiest and has the most depth in all positions usually wins. Whatever the system or method or style that they play, it always comes down to depth and health in the playoffs.

On a different note, I'd love for the NHL to change their playoff format and instead of having an West-East champions facing each other in the SCF, why not rank all 16 playoff teams 1-16 and go from there? Then the travel would be a little more equal for Western teams since most of the Central teams are in the Central timezone and far away from the Pacific, whereas right now, the Metropolitan and Atlantic teams can almost drive to their games and go home at night.

Clearly it is because of the success other GM's have had in similar circumstances.
- Aetherial

Similar circumstances? Is this sarcasm? My detector is not working today.

Drafting at 5 is probably Vans best bet. Take whoever is left from Tkatchuk Dubois and getting excited about adding a top line talent.

From the last thread as well:



It'll change until a team that's traditional wins again, then it'll change back again. There's no sure way to win in the NHL, since hockey isn't a sport like baseball where it's essentially one on one with batters vs. pitchers. At the end of the day, the team that's healthiest and has the most depth in all positions usually wins. Whatever the system or method or style that they play, it always comes down to depth and health in the playoffs.

On a different note, I'd love for the NHL to change their playoff format and instead of having an West-East champions facing each other in the SCF, why not rank all 16 playoff teams 1-16 and go from there? Then the travel would be a little more equal for Western teams since most of the Central teams are in the Central timezone and far away from the Pacific, whereas right now, the Metropolitan and Atlantic teams can almost drive to their games and go home at night.
- DariusKnight

I like this idea but eastern team owners would never allow it to happen.

From last thread:



That's what I don't understand.

Why not play to the strengths of your team? That includes management. JB has the reputation of being a great evaluator of young talent. Let him work his magic for (frank) sakes.

If not, then why hire a rookie GM without credibility amongst his peers?

Edit: Oh yeah... and first bit©hes!
- bloatedmosquito

I am not sure if JB lacks credibility among his peers, he has been around, Buffalo and Boston.

I'd like to see what he can do with more picks though, instead of trading them away but the other perspective may be he identifies players he wants from other teams and pursues them, some say over pays, while other gm's may be afraid to pull the trigger/lose a trade.

look at the lineup he inherited, we constantly go back and forth on what players are worth, we always hear we over value our guys and then hear we over pay when trades are made it sounds screwed up to me. so and so wasn't worth much, we had to add and then guys say we over paid. nuts.

I think once JB is done overhauling the lineup, he will hold onto more picks, draft and develop without rushing players into the lineup... if he is around that long or the approach doesn't change...

I am not sure if JB lacks credibility among his peers, he has been around, Buffalo and Boston.

I'd like to see what he can do with more picks though, instead of trading them away but the other perspective may be he identifies players he wants from other teams and pursues them, some say over pays, while other gm's may be afraid to pull the trigger/lose a trade.

look at the lineup he inherited, we constantly go back and forth on what players are worth, we always hear we over value our guys and then hear we over pay when trades are made it sounds screwed up to me. so and so wasn't worth much, we had to add and then guys say we over paid. nuts.

I think once JB is done overhauling the lineup, he will hold onto more picks, draft and develop without rushing players into the lineup... if he is around that long or the approach doesn't change...
- hillbillydeluxe

that's the plan. team will get competitive and then add pieces drafted and developed here to augment the lineup. Hopefully at some point in the next 5 years get to a point where challenging for West. conf. supremacy is doable and a shot at the cup.

- LeftCoaster

flag and ignore.

Drafting at 5 is probably Vans best bet. Take whoever is left from Tkatchuk Dubois and getting excited about adding a top line talent.
- ClarksonDavid

When Benning took over the team it was in a bad situation regarding prospects and depth, in part because of having a very competitive team for a decade, but mostly due to inept drafting.

I like that Benning has added organizational depth with young players like Etem, Pedan, Vey, Baertschi & Granlund thru trades, BUT, his best/most talented additions have been thru the draft. In my humble opinion players like Demko, Virtanen, Boeser, McCann, Tryamkin, Brisebois, etc. are the future top guys.

He's not gonna get higher-end talent thru the trade route, so I agree, I wish he'd concentrate on the draft more as the team needs a number one center for the future.

I like Dan Murphy. He looks a little like a ventriloquist dummy but he seems like a nice guy.

@Lefty

I am sure that once he finishes bridging the age gap, he will be able to focus on picks and drafting. I would rather he trade picks to bridge the age gap, than draft a bunch of kids and tell them to take over for the sedins in a couple years and become the Oilers v2.0

Now 34, Umberger was drafted with the Canucks' 16th pick in 2001, but couldn't come to terms with the team on an entry-level contract. After leaving college, he sat out the 2003-04 season. The Canucks dealt away his rights to the New York Rangers at the 2004 trade deadline, but he signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Flyers later that summer, leaving the Rangers empty-handed.

It would be pretty fitting if Brian Burke called him up and finally offered him that $1 million dollar contract he was holding out for as a rookie.

I am sure that once he finishes bridging the age gap, he will be able to focus on picks and drafting. I would rather he trade picks to bridge the age gap, than draft a bunch of kids and tell them to take over for the sedins in a couple years and become the Oilers v2.0
- Retinalz

Haven't you heard the Oilers are winning the cup within the next 1-3 years

“A glass of wine or a beer, and I think in two years they win the Cup. That may be a little eager, but I don’t think more than four.” — 2015 Ron MacLean, high on Edmonton

He also said they'd make the playoffs this year. He was certainly high on something.

@Lefty

I am sure that once he finishes bridging the age gap, he will be able to focus on picks and drafting. I would rather he trade picks to bridge the age gap, than draft a bunch of kids and tell them to take over for the sedins in a couple years and become the Oilers v2.0
- Retinalz

IMO he should be done trying to bridge that gap with the addition of Gudbranson! He now has Hutton, Tryamkin & Gudbranson as NHL dmen to supplement Edler & Tanev, he also has Horvat, Baertschi, Virtanen, Granlund & Etem as NHL forwards to supplement Hank, Dany, Sutter, Hansen, Louis Eriksson and Dorsett....it's time to start concentrating on drafting more talent like Demko and Boeser.

Agree Lefty- or else there will be another gap in a few years with the next GM if there is one at that point in time.

IMO he should be done trying to bridge that gap with the addition of Gudbranson! He now has Hutton, Tryamkin & Gudbranson as NHL dmen, he also has Horvat, Baertschi, Virtanen, Granlund & Etem as NHL forwards....it's time to start concentrating on drafting more talent like Demko and Boeser.
- LeftCoaster

IMO he should be done trying to bridge that gap with the addition of Gudbranson! He now has Hutton, Tryamkin & Gudbranson as NHL dmen to supplement Edler & Tanev, he also has Horvat, Baertschi, Virtanen, Granlund & Etem as NHL forwards to supplement Hank, Dany, Sutter, Hansen, Louis Eriksson and Dorsett....it's time to start concentrating on drafting more talent like Demko and Boeser.
- LeftCoaster

Come on...live a little Lefty. Let's just trade 3 more 2nd round picks and then we can focus on the draft

Come on...live a little Lefty. Let's just trade 3 more 2nd round picks and then we can focus on the draft
- CanuckDon

thick and rich

Agree Lefty- or else there will be another gap in a few years with the next GM if there is one at that point in time.
- anavar

Benning is in a tough spot right now but doing decent. Ownership wants playoffs while I'm sure Benning and Linden want to draft/develop but hey what can he do?

Both?

IMO he should be done trying to bridge that gap with the addition of Gudbranson! He now has Hutton, Tryamkin & Gudbranson as NHL dmen to supplement Edler & Tanev, he also has Horvat, Baertschi, Virtanen, Granlund & Etem as NHL forwards to supplement Hank, Dany, Sutter, Hansen, Louis Eriksson and Dorsett....it's time to start concentrating on drafting more talent like Demko and Boeser.
- LeftCoaster

Agreed, but Gudbranson was a requirement to be done IMO. The only way I see pick being needed now would be to upgrade players, and even then looking at later rounds. I know you want us to keep our picks, but if you can find upgrades on Sven/granlund/etc and pay with 4th/5th(even a 3rd depending on the return) you do it(so long as you are not trading Sven+4th for a 30 y/o upgrade)

Benning is in a tough spot right now but doing decent. Ownership wants playoffs while I'm sure Benning and Linden want to draft/develop but hey what can he do?

Both?
- LordHumungous

Apparently. I for one am fine with this approach (rebuild on the fly or whatever).
I'm against the tank approach and also obviously don't think we're in a position to really push for a cup...so....draft well and make moves to get those young players with upside.

Benning is in a tough spot right now but doing decent. Ownership wants playoffs while I'm sure Benning and Linden want to draft/develop but hey what can he do?

Both?
- LordHumungous

Tried that. People got upset.