Should be a full ten minute segment on TSN tonight to cover it
- LeftCoaster

Hopefully it doesn't interfere with the Jays game.

Darius is 100% correct on his points. Our fanbase is extremely fickle and the demographics don't help the situation. If we don't push for the playoffs this year you will be able to pick up seats for $15. If I am running the business I'd telling Benning playoffs or find a new job.
- CanuckDon

Ownership is obviously setting a mandate for Linden & Benning, I'm not sure it's playoffs, but it's certainly be as competitive as you can while the Sedins are here. If that's four playoff games or be entertaining for our paying fan base, it's irrelevant IMO.

If it were up to me the Sedins would be gone when their current deal is up. And I agree with your previous statement that the Canucks are rebuilding thru the draft just as well as teams like Calgary, even though their young players are better than ours.

Canucks close to extension with Markstrom...

Not really. It has become apparent (to me, anyways) that the Aquillini's are directing and they want to win now. So this is what we are stuck with. I was really hoping that they would just sit back and let the hockey people build a contender throw drafting & developing but........
- Marwood

I'm having a hard time accepting reality.

I'm having a hard time accepting reality.
- bloatedmosquito

Despite my insistence Benning is a bit of a knucklehead, he has drafted really well in his two years, three drafts, here. He's collected young guys like Virtanen, Gudbranson (via McCann), Demko, Tryamkin, Boeser, Brisebois, Juolevi, etc. to add to Horvat and Hutton. The next core is being established.

This year should bring another lottery pick, although with slightly less odds, which will add to that group.

Despite my insistence Benning is a bit of a knucklehead, he has drafted really well in his two years, three drafts, here. He's collected young guys like Virtanen, Gudbranson (via McCann), Demko, Tryamkin, Boeser, Brisebois, Juolevi, etc. to add to Horvat and Hutton. The next core is being established.

This year should bring another lottery pick, although with slightly less odds, which will add to that group.
- LeftCoaster

I agree. Benning doesn't need as many picks as other GM's to find future players (at least I hope). I truly believe we can make the playoffs in two years and at least push for them this year.

Canucks close to extension with Markstrom...
- Scooby_Doo

Interesting side note is that the Canucks need to expose a signed and eligible goalie for the expansion draft, but with Markstrom, Miller and Bachman's deals ending they currently have zero. I wonder how signing Markstrom and the exposure threat will impact the team's ability to bring in someone (or a reduced rate Miller) who knows he could be selected by Vegas. Without a second goalie signed, Markstrom would have to be exposed and I think he would be selected (not panicking... just interesting )

To be fair they still have JVR, Bozak, Lupul, Kadri, Komarov, Laich, Martin, Michalek, Greening, Hunwick and Polak
- walshyleafsfan

For now

Interesting side note is that the Canucks need to expose a signed and eligible goalie for the expansion draft, but with Markstrom, Miller and Bachman's deals ending they currently have zero. I wonder how signing Markstrom and the exposure threat will impact the team's ability to bring in someone (or a reduced rate Miller) who knows he could be selected by Vegas. Without a second goalie signed, Markstrom would have to be exposed and I think he would be selected (not panicking... just interesting )
- WhiteLie

Sign bachman and expose him

For now
- Retinalz

They'll trade some at the deadline then re-sign Polak and Winnik again. Rinse and repeat. The total return for the Leafs upon Winnik's retirement will be outstanding.

Hutton and 2017 first for Barrie

Sbisa and Sven for Kane.

Buf will not get a huge return. They want him gone
- VANTEL

I would never give up Hutton and our 1st for Barrie.. I understand what Barrie brings to the table but this team should not be moving a 1st rounder for many years.. If we're retooling on the fly, the only way to do that Is to keep our firsts and build the next core with them.. And as optimistic as we wanna be, that pick could easily be another top 10 or top 5 pick again this year

Horvat, Virtanen... Burns and Jones came via trade. Vlasic is all we are missing and that could very well be Juolevi.
- Scooby_Doo

Horvat,Virtanen are not Couture and Pavelski right now and might never be ...you can't compare yourself to the Sharks

Sign bachman and expose him
- Retinalz

Would Bachman want to still sign in Van though? Particularly if this year he gets reduced starts because of Demko, maybe Garteig is the real deal too. I doubt they see him as the ideal backup to Markstrom at the NHL level either, so what do you do if he signs and isnt claimed? Its a ways off, but its an interesting wrinkle to follow

Canucks close to extension with Markstrom...
- Scooby_Doo

Good call on todays poll question on 1040.
"Will the Canucks miss Dan Hamhuis?"

What Shanny is doing is going to take awhile, some Leaf fans think this is gonna be a quick turnaround, I disagree.

You've got two more years at the bottom IMO.
- LeftCoaster

Exact same can be said for Vancouver.

I'm having a hard time accepting reality.
- bloatedmosquito

Which is why mother nature has provided us weed.

Exact same can be said for Vancouver.
- ClarksonDavid

I would say slightly longer for the Canucks as they don't have that number one center in place for when Hank retires. I've always maintained you've gotta build thru the middle of the ice and defence. You need great wingers too, but the middle is so important.

Horvat,Virtanen are not Couture and Pavelski right now and might never be ...you can't compare yourself to the Sharks

- Redmile247

In 3-4 years they might be. Which is when the Sharks started retooling...
I'm not getting in a pissing match, just pointing out similar situations if you want to get down to it.

Which is why mother nature has provided us weed.
- Marwood

Does weed grow naturally or was it manmade? Serious question, I have no clue

Good call on todays poll question on 1040.
"Will the Canucks miss Dan Hamhuis?"
- Marwood

The only thing we will miss is the draft picks we should have gotten from Dallas.

Does weed grow naturally or was it manmade? Serious question, I have no clue
- LeftCoaster

Naturally.
The curing of the buds is the crucial step.

The only thing we will miss is the draft picks we should have gotten from Dallas.
- Scooby_Doo

Let it go, man. Let it go.

Anyone else excited about the change in size of goalie equipment?? I think its a great rule being implemented considering things have been getting out of control over the last decade or so. Some other rules I'd love to see change 1) home team wears WHITE jerseys again. 2) puck goes through the blue crease icing is waived off. 3)shootout goals should count on yearly total.

#starvingfortopics

In 3-4 years they might be. Which is when the Sharks started retooling...
I'm not getting in a pissing match, just pointing out similar situations if you want to get down to it.
- Scooby_Doo

Despite what some of the Flamers fans are saying, they're rebuilding while the Canucks are "going for it", our drafting hasn't been too dissimilar from theirs over the past four years, we're on the same path as they are.

In the past four years Calgary has drafted five times in the first round, 4th, 6th, 6th, 22nd & 28th.

The Canucks have drafted six times in the first round, 5th, 6th, 9th, 23rd, 24th & 24th.

Despite keeping the Sedins, which they claim we should get rid of like they did with Iginla, they only finished two points ahead of the Canucks last year.

So tell me Flames fans, how is your current path so different than the Nucks?

Would Bachman want to still sign in Van though? Particularly if this year he gets reduced starts because of Demko, maybe Garteig is the real deal too. I doubt they see him as the ideal backup to Markstrom at the NHL level either, so what do you do if he signs and isnt claimed? Its a ways off, but its an interesting wrinkle to follow
- WhiteLie

Bachman will want a paycheque like most fringe players. If he doesn't sign, offer Corey Hirsh an AHL minimum deal and expose him. This isn't an issue.