Benning and Aquilini are idiots....nuff said.

Edit: aww (frank) it, so is Linden
- LeftCoaster

At least they aren't going through menopause

It never seems to happen though.
- thundachunk

It typically doesn't... this will be the last chance that teams get to recoup anything for guys who might otherwise be exposed though, so for teams with fewer worries about who to protect there may be the chance to get someone for cents on the dollar

It typically doesn't... this will be the last chance that teams get to recoup anything for guys who might otherwise be exposed though, so for teams with fewer worries about who to protect there may be the chance to get someone for cents on the dollar
- lumlums

Whos dollar?

Whos dollar?
- thundachunk

Canadian dollar on the US dollar then...?

Canadian dollar on the US dollar then...?
- lumlums

mexican peso

Or he could be the next Cam Neely.
- thundachunk

Cam Neely was a much better player than VIrtanen at his age, he also was much more mature. He also score 20 goals playing on the 3rd line behind Tanti and Snyl, so no, I don't see Virtanen ever touching Neely calibre and even then, I think the Neely horror has been a bit overblown. At the time it was a decent trade, Neely was not going to become what he ultimately did in Vancouver as Tanti was in his prime and nobody was trading Smyl, the captain.

Pederson was ultimately a mistake, but at the time, the Canucks had no 1C that could distribute the puck effectively to Tanti. Had Pederson not gotten injured, the trade wouldn't have been quite so horrible, as it is Pederson retired the year after the trade and Cam went on to be a HHOF.

Can we please stop talking about acquiring Kane? IF, it ever happens we can puke about it then. Until then, there's no reason to have an upset stomach all because of speculation.

Also, we should throw JV away in a trade because he hasn't accomplished anything by the age of 20. Then the next time we draft top 6 we can pass on highly skilled players to select a banger with skill because we don't have that dynamic.

Also, we should throw JV away in a trade because he hasn't accomplished anything by the age of 20. Then the next time we draft top 6 we can pass on highly skilled players to select a banger with skill because we don't have that dynamic.
- golfingsince

By 20 years old, most of his draft class (at least near his draft position) have all established themselves as regular NHLers and are producing according to their talent/skill/development cycle. Jake hasn't yet, I think it's fair to say that IF and again I say IF we can get someone more skilled who's more mature (and for the record, that's not E. Kane and I also don't want him near the team) and who's able to produce in the NHL for a package that includes Jake, wouldn't that be fine?

I tend to shake my head at this idea that just because we drafted Jake and because he's from here and happens to be a power forward that the second we even THINK about trading him, shades of Neely comes up, or that we'd be 'throwing him away'. The best case scenario is that he isn't traded this year, and has a productive year playing 1st line/PP1 minutes in Utica and produces like a top 6 winger he's projected as and acts like a professional down there and all this trade talk goes away. The thing is, it hasn't happened yet, and while there's signs that it might, there's more indications that he's still having issues with immaturity and that his lack of pure hockey IQ is hampering his effectiveness.

Personally, I would be fine with trading Jake if he's part of a package that gets us either a 1C prospect (like a S. Reinhart or Strome (ARI) etc.) or a top 6 scoring winger that isn't E. Kane. You can find a dozen Virtanens in the draft.

Cam Neely was a much better player than VIrtanen at his age, he also was much more mature. He also score 20 goals playing on the 3rd line behind Tanti and Snyl, so no, I don't see Virtanen ever touching Neely calibre and even then, I think the Neely horror has been a bit overblown. At the time it was a decent trade, Neely was not going to become what he ultimately did in Vancouver as Tanti was in his prime and nobody was trading Smyl, the captain.

Pederson was ultimately a mistake, but at the time, the Canucks had no 1C that could distribute the puck effectively to Tanti. Had Pederson not gotten injured, the trade wouldn't have been quite so horrible, as it is Pederson retired the year after the trade and Cam went on to be a HHOF.
- DariusKnight

Neely was a better player, but Virtanen is a comparable based on physical ability as well as his knack for scoring. Many fans do not want to risk losing out on that skillet, not just yet anyways.
Also that Neely & 1st (Wesley) trade was never a "decent "trade it was brutal. Let's hope Virtanen can turn into a quality player along the lines of Neely.

Whos dollar?
- thundachunk

Toronto's dollar compared to the rest of Canada's dollar.

Neely was a better player, but Virtanen is a comparable based on physical ability as well as his knack for scoring. Many fans do not want to risk losing out on that skillet, not just yet anyways.
Also that Neely & 1st (Wesley) trade was never a "decent "trade it was brutal. Let's hope Virtanen can turn into a quality player along the lines of Neely.
- Reubenkincade

It's more likely that Virtanen tops out as Kassian has in Edmonton than Neely. The time of the big scoring power forward is fading as the league is more about speed, pin-point passing for the one-timer sniping to counter the fact that goalies now are much bigger, better, faster and more athletic than their counterparts during the 80's and 90's during Neely's heyday.

That said, I'd love it if Virtanen did develop into what he's projected to be, I just question whether he has the maturity and whether he can learn to use what tools he has to compensate for his lack of high end hockey IQ and whether or not this team will be able to put him in a position to succeed. I think we can all agree that he's nowhere near ready for primetime yet and that until he proves himself in Utica, he might be still in the plans but if there's an upgrade for the team that makes sense, he's not untouchable.

It's more likely that Virtanen tops out as Kassian has in Edmonton than Neely. The time of the big scoring power forward is fading as the league is more about speed, pin-point passing for the one-timer sniping to counter the fact that goalies now are much bigger, better, faster and more athletic than their counterparts during the 80's and 90's during Neely's heyday.

That said, I'd love it if Virtanen did develop into what he's projected to be, I just question whether he has the maturity and whether he can learn to use what tools he has to compensate for his lack of high end hockey IQ and whether or not this team will be able to put him in a position to succeed. I think we can all agree that he's nowhere near ready for primetime yet and that until he proves himself in Utica, he might be still in the plans but if there's an upgrade for the team that makes sense, he's not untouchable.
- DariusKnight

The problem with JV for me is he has the talent but did not reach near potential. Whether it is because of injury or other reason, so far he has disappointed. Pile that up with the headlines and controversy it becomes a pain in the ass

Keep Makita away from tall buildings
- VANTEL

Lol you're a pretty funny guy, listen I'm not married to any player on the canucks including the coaching staff.

I have read on here that the defense is exciting and the strong point of the canucks. I come back to the coast and finally get to see my beloved Canucks. Woohoo finally some exciting defensive strong hockey.

Well I gotta say, my interpretation of strong defensive play is different than several here, then I read posts like well the D played strong but the team can't score. WTF am I supposed to do, get in the swallowers line to lap up some of this BS or make my own opinions known.

I wasn't impressed with what i was watching, but those are observations of those particular games. I'm not going to praise a players bad play because he is a canuck, regardless of who he is, Fcuk me, play bad get criticized play well get praise...

Lol you're a pretty funny guy, listen I'm not married to any player on the canucks including the coaching staff.

I have read on here that the defense is exciting and the strong point of the canucks. I come back to the coast and finally get to see my beloved Canucks. Woohoo finally some exciting defensive strong hockey.

Well I gotta say, my interpretation of strong defensive play is different than several here, then I read posts like well the D played strong but the team can't score. WTF am I supposed to do, get in the swallowers line to lap up some of this BS or make my own opinions known.

I wasn't impressed with what i was watching, but those are observations of those particular games. I'm not going to praise a players bad play because he is a canuck, regardless of who he is, Fcuk me, play bad get criticized play well get praise...
- Makita

The problem with JV for me is he has the talent but did not reach near potential. Whether it is because of injury or other reason, so far he has disappointed. Pile that up with the headlines and controversy it becomes a pain in the ass
- VANTEL

My problem with JV is he wasnt Ehlers.

Lol you're a pretty funny guy, listen I'm not married to any player on the canucks including the coaching staff.

I have read on here that the defense is exciting and the strong point of the canucks. I come back to the coast and finally get to see my beloved Canucks. Woohoo finally some exciting defensive strong hockey.

Well I gotta say, my interpretation of strong defensive play is different than several here, then I read posts like well the D played strong but the team can't score. WTF am I supposed to do, get in the swallowers line to lap up some of this BS or make my own opinions known.

I wasn't impressed with what i was watching, but those are observations of those particular games. I'm not going to praise a players bad play because he is a canuck, regardless of who he is, Fcuk me, play bad get criticized play well get praise...
- Makita

Do you remember the D last year? This year is much better. It is not where it is suppose to be but is trending up.

Do you remember the D last year? This year is much better. It is not where it is suppose to be but is trending up.
- VANTEL

They play different without Edler in the line up. Not so much Tanev but the team dynamic without him in the line up is very good.

If two 1st round picks in the 2014 draft don't pan out JB needs to be fired.

If two 1st round picks in the 2014 draft don't pan out JB needs to be fired.
- thundachunk

McCann got us Gudbrandson . I worked out nicely

McCann got us Gudbrandson . I worked out nicely
- VANTEL

Extremely

Do you remember the D last year? This year is much better. It is not where it is suppose to be but is trending up.
- VANTEL

Maybe, and then maybe not. I'm not comparing anything that happened last year or even comparing with other teams, am I supposed say, hey this D is great because they're better than last year....or I am supposed to evaluate the game and the players that are playing at that moment.

That is were "MY" criticism lies, the Anaheim game was one of the worst defensive performances I've watched this year (don't give a fcuk about last year), the Toronto game was better.

Maybe, and then maybe not. I'm not comparing anything that happened last year or even comparing with other teams, am I supposed say, hey this D is great because they're better than last year....or I am supposed to evaluate the game and the players that are playing at that moment.

That is were "MY" criticism lies, the Anaheim game was one of the worst defensive performances I've watched this year (don't give a fcuk about last year), the Toronto game was better.
- Makita

I think when you're dealing with such a young defence group, you're going to get a lot of inconsistency. Half the group is in their 1st or 2nd NHL season. Hopefully, as the season progresses, this inconsistency starts to level out a bit and we see more solid defensive efforts.

Maybe, and then maybe not. I'm not comparing anything that happened last year or even comparing with other teams, am I supposed say, hey this D is great because they're better than last year....or I am supposed to evaluate the game and the players that are playing at that moment.

That is were "MY" criticism lies, the Anaheim game was one of the worst defensive performances I've watched this year (don't give a fcuk about last year), the Toronto game was better.
- Makita

Dude we finished 28 th last year , how do you think this magical D that you want happens? Do you think you close your eyes and click your heels three times and you have a magic D?

This team has been free falling since 2011 they finally made a little improvement in the right direction.

I think when you're dealing with such a young defence group, you're going to get a lot of inconsistency. Half the group is in their 1st or 2nd NHL season. Hopefully, as the season progresses, this inconsistency starts to level out a bit and we see more solid defensive efforts.
- nucks_94

I totally agree, they are young and inexperienced, but I believe I'm being accused of hating them and wanting Edler and Tanev and no youth.

Should we not be critical of sloppy play regardless of who there are?