I have no problem with the team trying to win and applaud the mgmt group for trying to stay competitive while trying to develop players.

The problem in my eyes is that they haven't been able to stay competitive and have sacrificed some of those developing players in order to stay "competitive".

Its a good goal, an ambitious one and likely one that was mandated from ownership, but IMO you are judged upon what you accomplish not what you want to accomplish.
- belcherbd

I am with you on all above. But not sure about what you mean by bolded part. What sacrifices? Granlund and Guddy trades were additions of young players that fill holes. Was there something else? Canucks better for it for rebuild. Florida seems to miss Guddy a lot.

I don't think there are 'many' forwards ahead of him at all. Theres Nico and Patrick, and we need a centerman. Aggressiveness can be taught and the kid will continue to learn to use his size. I don't know how 20g in 27gms means he doesn't drive offence either??
everything i've seen/read about the kid, he's responsible two way, uses his size to gain space, smooth skater and a ton of skill. And in terms of Middelstadt, do we really want another US college kid to worry about potentially not signing with us?
- Brooks_Light

I disagree, but I'm not a scout and am only going off the two times I saw him.

When I think of driving offense I think of a player carrying the puck into space and distributing it or able to beat players off the rush. What I saw was him being bigger than everyone and doing most his work in front of the net.

I think that you could argue Nico, Patrick, Vilardi, Kostin, Tippett, Tolvanen, Comtois, Popugayev, Mittelstadt would all be in the mix to go before him but I can't claim to be an authority on this.

I wouldn't worry about the NCAA thing. It sucks if it happens but I think it will continue to be rare. Mittelstadt is very smart, very skilled and does everything at speed. I don't think he is anywhere or will be as good but he kind of reminds me of Sid in the way he skates.

Tonight will be quite the test for Sbisa. If is game holds true with the additional minutes, and it continues, it may be time for a few to give him a break. He's improved each season since he was acquired and has been valuable so far.

He might end up being a better trade piece than just someone left exposed for the expansion draft...

Look at this Photograph.

Trade Hansen, Tanev, Edler, Burrows and Miller at TDL and seriously start the rebuild.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Which would be good as well.

Wow...Sportsnet is hyping Mcdavid vs. Kadri 2. Like Mcdavid cares about Kadri or anyone outside of Leaf land
- CanuckDon

It's all they talk about because Kadri stole puck from Mcdavid and scored in OT.

I am with you on all above. But not sure about what you mean by bolded part. What sacrifices? Granlund and Guddy trades were additions of young players that fill holes. Was there something else? Canucks better for it for rebuild. Florida seems to miss Guddy a lot.
- Nuck4U

Impossible to answer this without opening up a can of worms but I'll try to keep it short and succinct.

I think those two trades as well as the Vey, Forsling and Sutter trades are examples of the team trying to accelerate the retool process and create a competitive team. Yes, the players that came back are young and capable of playing NHL minutes but I don't think any of them are going to be significant parts of this team moving forward.

That isn't to say that the draft picks, McCann, Forsling, Shink etc are going to be significant parts of their respective teams but at least there is more time before that is known which is why I said sacrifices.

I don't think there are 'many' forwards ahead of him at all. Theres Nico and Patrick, and we need a centerman. Aggressiveness can be taught and the kid will continue to learn to use his size. I don't know how 20g in 27gms means he doesn't drive offence either??
everything i've seen/read about the kid, he's responsible two way, uses his size to gain space, smooth skater and a ton of skill. And in terms of Middelstadt, do we really want another US college kid to worry about potentially not signing with us?
- Brooks_Light

He sounds good to go for with one of Canucks lower 1st round picks from trading these vets we can afford to let go now. Sounds though he won't be solution in middle and probably used on wing. Maybe better skilled replacement to Guance when we lose him in Vegas expansion.

Impossible to answer this without opening up a can of worms but I'll try to keep it short and succinct.

I think those two trades as well as the Vey, Forsling and Sutter trades are examples of the team trying to accelerate the retool process and create a competitive team. Yes, the players that came back are young and capable of playing NHL minutes but I don't think any of them are going to be significant parts of this team moving forward.

That isn't to say that the draft picks, McCann, Forsling, Shink etc are going to be significant parts of their respective teams but at least there is more time before that is known which is why I said sacrifices.
- belcherbd

I see the issue was don't fill in the development gaps. Yes, Sutter and Vey plus Baer trades did cost draft picks. Forlsing was young for young for different shot and didn't work. Mcann like you said we will see. Hunter we have seen isn't going to do it.

But Guddy makes older Tanev/Edler expendable to bring back in trade a better option for rebuild then Mcann. As for core theses players are there now. How long they last depends on their & team development.

It's all they talk about because Kadri stole puck from Mcdavid and scored in OT.
- Nuck4U

You should talk about more.

You should talk about more.
- Canada Cup

LOL. We will be talking about Kadri and what part of him gets dislodged by Saturday. You guys can have the 2 points as long as it comes with the price of the pound of flesh of body parts impacted in Leafland.

LOL. We will be talking about Kadri and what part of him gets dislodged by Saturday. You guys can have the 2 points as long as it comes with the price of the pound of flesh of body parts impacted in Leafland.
- Nuck4U

Who's Saturday? Does he play with grit? Sign him long term.

Who's Saturday? Does he play with grit? Sign him long term.
- nucks_94

Saturday is Pedan's Russian street name

Who's Saturday? Does he play with grit? Sign him long term.
- nucks_94

Lol The collective rock them sock them group Don & Booner are pushing for line up on 12/3.

Ryan Strome has been healthy scratched twice now, hes 23, had good seasons in the past, wonder what he would cost, i think hed mesh well with the Sedins

LOL. We will be talking about Kadri and what part of him gets dislodged by Saturday. You guys can have the 2 points as long as it comes with the price of the pound of flesh of body parts impacted in Leafland.
- Nuck4U

Funeral services were held for Matt Martin before the team left on this trip. Because, you know, Gudbranson.

Funeral services were held for Matt Martin before the team left on this trip. Because, you know, Gudbranson.
- Canada Cup

League said if Gudbranson does anything major there will be severe consequences

Ryan Strome has been healthy scratched twice now, hes 23, had good seasons in the past, wonder what he would cost, i think hed mesh well with the Sedins
- phyllee

Saw that article about him sounding bewildered about benching. Though maybe any trade should be about how player fits in with young core.

Saw that article about him sounding bewildered about benching. Though maybe any trade should be about how player fits in with young core.
- Nuck4U

Hes 23, has a right hand shot, put up good numbers a few years back but slacked last year and to start this year, maybe playing with the sedins could help him come back.

Game Night!

I got my Game face on!

Wait... it's Minnesota. Going to watch reruns of 'the Middle'

League said if Gudbranson does anything major there will be severe consequences
- phyllee

I don't expect any fireworks

Funeral services were held for Matt Martin before the team left on this trip. Because, you know, Gudbranson.
- Canada Cup

You onlt wish they would waste their time going after Martin.

League said if Gudbranson does anything major there will be severe consequences
- phyllee

I wouldn't worry about Guddy. "Matt the sack Martin" will jump another young small skilled guy. Then get thrown out of the game to avoid a tilt with a real fighter.

League said if Gudbranson does anything major there will be severe consequences
- phyllee

I don't get why the media made such a big deal about what Gudbranson said... I would guess that the average number of lives that are threatened at an NHL game is around 10... Nobody is actually going to murder anyone (unless you're Todd Bertuzzi)

Game Night!

I got my Game face on!

Wait... it's Minnesota. Going to watch reruns of 'the Middle'
- Beatle_john

It might be girls gone wild the hockey edition stay tuned.