WD didn't change his systems or personnel deployment at all between the two seasons and don't expect it to change much this year.
- belcherbd

same as Ive been saying for over a year....except there was NO system to change. He does use them.
Hopefully Jarvis will institute something

He will be the next captain of the Canucks
- Zogg

Trade him for cap space and sign Pirri

Strangely enough they paid Couturier 4.3 million per over the next six years.
- LeftCoaster

I think they are pretty close. I personally am not that high on Schenn.

I think Bo is the new face of the franchise
- VANTEL

All the qualities are there. I like him a lot. I need to put a number and name on my Jersey. He is on the list. Unless they change the jersey's which I kind of would like to see but Linden was the player at the time that picked this type of logo so I doubt it.

Adding EG & Loui will help a lot.
- Nighthawk

EG will help the D, loui will add offensive but neither will make them better coaches. Team is better yes and the direction is good.....we still need better staff (aside from Jarvis)

https://youtu.be/v1ZHVU6dB2Y

Good clip of the prospects camp. These kids have some skills in the shoutout

EG will help the D, loui will add offensive but neither will make them better coaches. Team is better yes and the direction is good.....we still need better staff (aside from Jarvis)
- SMBDragon

I still think you're jumping to conclusions. Last year was a wash and the year before WD helped coach the team to the playoffs when they shouldn't have made the cut. He will have alot of pressure on him next year but I personally feel you're wrong about him and shouldn't write him off just yet. Last year just wasn't only WD's fault and next year will be a better sample on what he can do to change his strategy.

same as Ive been saying for over a year....except there was NO system to change. He does use them.
Hopefully Jarvis will institute something
- SMBDragon

You can't keep firing coaches so quickly. Too many lately and WD deals with the media so well. You can rag on him all you want but you're wrong in thinking he's not the guy. Jarvis will help alot but I think WD deserves another full year before you drag his name through the mud. The team needs some stability for (frank) sakes.

I still think you're jumping to conclusions. Last year was a wash and the year before WD helped coach the team to the playoffs when they shouldn't have made the cut. He will have alot of pressure on him next year but I personally feel you're wrong about him and shouldn't write him off just yet. Last year just wasn't only WD's fault and next year will be a better sample on what he can do to change his strategy.
- WhatTheNuck

He was also handicapped by all the injuries the Canucks suffered. It really exposed just how weak our depth was and made it obvious we couldn't compete with such a sub-par line-up on a nightly basis. Hopefully management will further address those issues going foward - so far it's looking much better than it did last year, though

He was also handicapped by all the injuries the Canucks suffered. It really exposed just how weak our depth was and made it obvious we couldn't compete with such a sub-par line-up on a nightly basis. Hopefully management will further address those issues going foward - so far it's looking much better than it did last year, though
- Zogg

Exactly. Many things to factor in and Linden seemed pleased with him in spite of them. You can blame anyone you want but the team was just bad.

He was also handicapped by all the injuries the Canucks suffered. It really exposed just how weak our depth was and made it obvious we couldn't compete with such a sub-par line-up on a nightly basis. Hopefully management will further address those issues going foward - so far it's looking much better than it did last year, though
- Zogg

Around halfway through the year Higgins and Prust were removed from the lineup . We played much better then. We were even winning.

At the end Jim brought back Higgins and we started losing again. What was the term we used? Stealth Tank

Around halfway through the year Higgins and Prust were removed from the lineup . We played much better then. We were even winning.

At the end Jim brought back Higgins and we started losing again. What was the term we used? Stealth Tank
- VANTEL

I wouldn't say it was worse after Higgins came back but he was basically the last call up he had available which says alot about both the depth and state of the team by the end of the year. We would have been better as a healthy team and I think we are even better with the small additions so far.

I wouldn't say it was worse after Higgins came back but he was basically the last call up he had available which says alot about both the depth and state of the team by the end of the year. We would have been better as a healthy team and I think we are even better with the small additions so far.
- WhatTheNuck

We r in for a fun season with many storylines coming.

Around halfway through the year Higgins and Prust were removed from the lineup . We played much better then. We were even winning.

At the end Jim brought back Higgins and we started losing again. What was the term we used? Stealth Tank
- VANTEL

The season was already lost then.

I still think you're jumping to conclusions. Last year was a wash and the year before WD helped coach the team to the playoffs when they shouldn't have made the cut. He will have alot of pressure on him next year but I personally feel you're wrong about him and shouldn't write him off just yet. Last year just wasn't only WD's fault and next year will be a better sample on what he can do to change his strategy.
- WhatTheNuck

now I didnt start complaining about WD and Co after last season...it was the season before actually. about a year and a half ago....its not even results based.... its because he simply ISNT an nhl quality coach. He cant win at this level and is constantly out coached.
Youre assuming Im basing it on last year and Im not. I see he's over his head and doesnt have the game we need. So get someone else. No systems, no change to the game when its needed. terrible.
And this is critical of the assistants he brought too. Lidster is god awful D coach.

I still think you're jumping to conclusions. Last year was a wash and the year before WD helped coach the team to the playoffs when they shouldn't have made the cut. He will have alot of pressure on him next year but I personally feel you're wrong about him and shouldn't write him off just yet. Last year just wasn't only WD's fault and next year will be a better sample on what he can do to change his strategy.
- WhatTheNuck

Well said. WD has been a winner at every level and got a non-playoff Van team to the playoffs with little to no toughness or 3rd or 4th line personnel. Last season he did not have the personnel available to make it all work through the injuries and intangibles. Let's give him this year to adapt a bit. Adding Gudbranson and Eriksson and possibly another top 9 winger expectations will be much higher. And I said it before a few months back if this Van club makes the PO's this season and somehow manages to win a round…. We can expect WD to be back for another 3 years. And there is nothing wrong with that. Lidster on the other hand is another story...

now I didnt start complaining about WD and Co after last season...it was the season before actually. about a year and a half ago....its not even results based.... its because he simply ISNT an nhl quality coach. He cant win at this level and is constantly out coached.
Youre assuming Im basing it on last year and Im not. I see he's over his head and doesnt have the game we need. So get someone else. No systems, no change to the game when its needed. terrible.
And this is critical of the assistants he brought too. Lidster is god awful D coach.
- SMBDragon

The only thing I assume is your lack of evidence stating WD is the issue. You preach no systems but obviously something clicked in the first year because we shouldn't have made the playoffs period. He has come in and created relationships with all the players and was a factor for Larsen to sign. It's obvious he's a well liked guy by people who have played under him. Lidster I don't know much about besides him as a player. I'll be paying alot more attention to the deployment this year as will many others.

Well said. WD has been a winner at every level and got a non-playoff Van team to the playoffs with little to no toughness or 3rd or 4th line personnel. Last season he did not have the personnel available to make it all work through the injuries and intangibles. Let's give him this year to adapt a bit. Adding Gudbranson and Eriksson and possibly another top 9 winger expectations will be much higher. And I said it before a few months back if this Van club makes the PO's this season and somehow manages to win a round…. We can expect WD to be back for another 3 years. And there is nothing wrong with that. Lidster on the other hand is another story...
- LordHumungous

Personally, I don't buy into that, when your team allows 250 goals against, you're not employing defensive systems properly. Anyone can be taught to defend, as opposed to offensive instincts, which you either have, or you don't.

It's really boring hockey to watch, but defence wins games.

Personally, I don't buy into that, when your team allows 250 goals against, you're not employing defensive systems properly. Anyone can be taught to defend, as opposed to offensive instincts, which you either have, or you don't.

It's really boring hockey to watch, but defence wins games.
- LeftCoaster

thats right. Thats what Ive been saying the last 1.5 years, there is nothing in place for a defensive system. There needs to be a framework positionally for D to work in, where passes should be directed, patterns to exit own zone etc. As soon as the current crew came in behind the bench the D sucked and looked lost.

thats right. Thats what Ive been saying the last 1.5 years, there is nothing in place for a defensive system. There needs to be a framework positionally for D to work in, where passes should be directed, patterns to exit own zone etc. As soon as the current crew came in behind the bench the D sucked and looked lost.
- SMBDragon

Beyond Edler and Tanev, and Hamhuis the last 32 games, the defence pretty much sucked. Hutton showed an offensive flair but he wasn't great defensively.

Hopefully the addition of Gudbranson and Tryamkin helps reduce Tanev and Edlers minutes!!!

The only thing I assume is your lack of evidence stating WD is the issue. You preach no systems but obviously something clicked in the first year because we shouldn't have made the playoffs period. He has come in and created relationships with all the players and was a factor for Larsen to sign. It's obvious he's a well liked guy by people who have played under him. Lidster I don't know much about besides him as a player. I'll be paying alot more attention to the deployment this year as will many others.
- WhatTheNuck

dude I've posted tons of evidence over the last 1.5 years about this issue. Im not doing it again, I lack the time lately. Just read back please.

For those who want to know more about how other good teams do it (the kings in this case) and what we SHOULD be doing read these. You'll get a better idea of what Im saying system wise....theres more but it will make sense of structure, deployment and why we need someone behind the bench with a solid understanding of this. Jarvis will help this way but we need a HC with this skill. It wins


http://www.hockeybuzz.com...re-so-Important/179/73849
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=63074

dude I've posted tons of evidence over the last 1.5 years about this issue. Im not doing it again, I lack the time lately. Just read back please.

For those who want to know more about how other good teams do it (the kings in this case) and what we SHOULD be doing read these. You'll get a better idea of what Im saying system wise....theres more but it will make sense of structure, deployment and why we need someone behind the bench with a solid understanding of this. Jarvis will help this way but we need a HC with this skill. It wins


http://www.hockeybuzz.com...re-so-Important/179/73849
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=63074
- SMBDragon

How was Willie able to win a Calder cup and excel as a junior coach while being incompetent? Pure stupid luck?

Beyond Edler and Tanev, and Hamhuis the last 30 games, the defence pretty much sucked. Hutton showed an offensive flair but he wasn't great defensively.

Hopefully the addition of Gudbranson and Tryamkin helps reduce Tanev and Edlers minutes!!!
- LeftCoaster

The loss of Salo years ago hurt us badly and the roster has never recovered from it D wise.
The D personnel turnover the last 2 years has finally some light coming ahead. Love tree, good talent and knows how to use his size....EG seems to be great at protecting his net...hopefully wo too many P mins. Excellent choices perhaps for screens too.

I'd say these guys as they work their way up in the ranks can help take the load off edler tanev and allow edler to use his offense skills much more as well...so yes Id agree with you. If OJ can come in in a years time and over the season work up the lineup to pair w edler then tanev is expendable. Edler OJ would be great PP combo offensively

How was Willie able to win a Calder cup and excel as a junior coach while being incompetent? Pure stupid luck?
- CanuckDon

He's not incompetent what so ever, because you don't agree with him doesn't mean he's incompetent. It's the best league in the world with the best players and coaches, I'm seeing a learning curve for him, he's gotta adapt because what works at lower levels won't work against coaches who've been in the league for 500 to 1000 games and players that can carry out those coaches plans to a tee!

How was Willie able to win a Calder cup and excel as a junior coach while being incompetent? Pure stupid luck?
- CanuckDon

thats junior, very different ....Im talking NHL.
At the nhl level he's getting schooled almost every game.
Even the HNIC announcers were mocking him about road coaches coming in and spanking him on a regular basis.