In hindsight, I'd still take Laine over Matthews.
- we_are_all_canucks

Agreed. Laine's already scored 31 goals.

I really don't understand what LA is doing trading for Iginla and Bishop. Do they really think they have any kind of chance in the post season?
- NorthNuck

I think the Bishop deal is more to help them make the playoffs, they need every point they can get and won't play Quick in every single game coming off of that serious injury. It was a pretty reasonable price, but it won't help them in the playoffs since Quick is Sutter's guy.

Don't understand Iggy...they need more speed but maybe Sutter can get something out of him. They probably weren't willing to pay up for Hanzal or Hansen.

AH...you gotta love TO...

Get 1OA...rebuild over. Can we claim that with if we get Patrick?

McDavid is generational like Crosby...Matthews is not. Matthews as good as he is regardless of linemates will be looking up at McDavid in the scoring race his entire career.
- LordHumungous

Unbelieveable, I know that Rogers owns the Leafs/Raptors/Argos/TFC and by extension TSN but Jesus, how can you even suggest with a straight face that you'd never trade Matthews for McDavid and that somehow Matthews is better than him because he's scored 31 goals with rookie wingers while McDavid with whatever scrubs he has, has star wingers and isn't as good.

In hindsight, I'd still take Laine over Matthews.
- we_are_all_canucks

I agree. One of my accounts watched Matthews grow up in Phoenix. Seems like a great kid though.

Laine? He is in that group with Eichel, Marner, Matthews...
- boonerbuck

For sure...guy is going to be an Ovie/Stamkos type of scorer.

Saw this on the Province:

Benning has been blasted repeatedly for not moving along the Canuck rebuild quickly enough, and yet only four players remain from the NHL team he inherited just 2½ years ago from Mike Gillis: Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Alex Edler and Chris Tanev.

No more country club
- CanuckDon

And that's great. But now JB has to build. How long is that going to take at this rate?

Still have the twins. Another year to jettison a few more vets. Four years to tear down maybe more. Another four to build?

I know I need to have patience but it's hard when you are faced with the timeline.

I can't believe you guys watch TSN.

It's awful.

Really? A soft group of entitled veterans that have continually refused change. As much of a d!ck as Torts was, he nailed it. I want a fast skilled team that will stand up for each other. No more turning the other cheek when somebody gets in your grill
- CanuckDon

You mean the veterans that were told by management they were the core and they were going to be built around? Which group of players are you talking about? The Sedins? Hansen and Burrows? Kesler? Higgins? Bieksa? Guys that when management came to them and said things need to change, didn't stand in the way and get snooty about it like Brandon Prust? Or are you mad that the players didn't do the job of the GM and say "Hey pal, trade me for the 4th overall pick!"?

The only thing that Torts got right was that the team needed a new generation of players to come in. But there weren't any.

He couldn't have done a worse job coming in to a team that had been successful and telling them "The way you guys do stuff sucks. Do things my way and I'll still scream your head off"

Laine? He is in that group with Eichel, Marner, Matthews...
- boonerbuck

Yeah. Laine as well. The kid's a beaut

Hansen and Burrows were probably two of the most hard-working blue collar guys on the team. Both guys were longshots to even make the NHL and have carved out 10+ year careers in the NHL now through determination...country club
- Nucker101

I can remember the belly aching over both those guys not earning their ice time when they were young... it was a little more prolonged for Hansen... he seemed to just skate for all he was worth and not actually do anything... patience... don't give up on young players.... right?

And that's great. But now JB has to build. How long is that going to take at this rate?

Still have the twins. Another year to jettison a few more vets. Four years to tear down maybe more. Another four to build?

I know I need to have patience but it's hard when you are faced with the timeline.
- bloatedmosquito

I think they can be back in the playoffs within 3 years if they can add Mittelstad, Nico or Patrick at the draft (wishful thinking I know). The next core is starting to come together slowly. But yes, it's going to require some patience which sucks.

And that's great. But now JB has to build. How long is that going to take at this rate?

Still have the twins. Another year to jettison a few more vets. Four years to tear down maybe more. Another four to build?

I know I need to have patience but it's hard when you are faced with the timeline.
- bloatedmosquito

If you want to consider this the start of the tear down, they could be on the upswing as early as 2019 with a little luck and smart cap management.

A rebuild isn't a decade long thing like it was for the Oilers. Once you commit to it and have someone in charge with a few IQ points it can go in a hurry.

In hindsight, I'd still take Laine over Matthews.
- we_are_all_canucks

Never. You don't win with wingers. You need all the elite centers you can get.

Unbelieveable, I know that Rogers owns the Leafs/Raptors/Argos/TFC and by extension TSN but Jesus, how can you even suggest with a straight face that you'd never trade Matthews for McDavid and that somehow Matthews is better than him because he's scored 31 goals with rookie wingers while McDavid with whatever scrubs he has, has star wingers and isn't as good.
- DariusKnight

They have to cater to their viewers, it doesn't need to make sense. Keep your customers happy. I do think guys like Dreger actually believe it though.

I can remember the belly aching over both those guys not earning their ice time when they were young... it was a little more prolonged for Hansen... he seemed to just skate for all he was worth and not actually do anything... patience... don't give up on young players.... right?
- boonerbuck

34 points in 72 AHL games in his first season

43 points in 50 AHL games in his second season

Made the NHL after that


As long as they progress, I definitely agree that they shouldn't be given up on. Which is why I like the Dahlen and Goldobin additions, both have progressed since being drafted.


Burrows was more of a mini miracle story, you won't find too many players in the NHL with a similar resumé

Miller is all that's left, really. And it doesn't seem as if any of his 5 teams are on board with him. (Which is weird because if Anaheim expects to do anything they need insurance for Gibson and Bernier is trash)

The way that Montreal has been adding useless 4th liners it makes me wonder if they'd like a useless 3rd pairing defenceman like Sbisa.
- Lindenis#1

Sbisa has looked solid this season so why not. Miller moving was a long shot at best. Not much of a blow up though as a UFA. They could still resign him

And that's great. But now JB has to build. How long is that going to take at this rate?

Still have the twins. Another year to jettison a few more vets. Four years to tear down maybe more. Another four to build?

I know I need to have patience but it's hard when you are faced with the timeline.
- bloatedmosquito

I said when Benning was hired that it was an eight year cycle because of the situation Gillis left us in. Look at that... four and four makes eight....

Sbisa has looked solid this season so why not. Miller moving was a long shot at best. Not much of a blow up though as a UFA. They could still resign him
- Nuck4U

Shhh... not now.

And that's great. But now JB has to build. How long is that going to take at this rate?

Still have the twins. Another year to jettison a few more vets. Four years to tear down maybe more. Another four to build?

I know I need to have patience but it's hard when you are faced with the timeline.
- bloatedmosquito

Bo Sven and Granlund all around the 20 goal mark in their first three years .

We have new faces that will be on the roster as soon as next game. Boeser will probably be a 20 goal scorer in four years .

You need patience my man.

Toronto and Edmonton are one concussion away from sucking again. We don't have a franchise player .

Never. You don't win with wingers. You need all the elite centers you can get.
- Lindenis#1

Laine has something most players don't have though. I think you gotta go Laine (if you have and centres).

Future of the NHL should be good with those handful of kids though.

34 points in 72 AHL games in his first season

43 points in 50 AHL games in his second season

Made the NHL after that


As long as they progress, I definitely agree that they shouldn't be given up on. Which is why I like the Dahlen and Goldobin additions, both have progressed since being drafted.


Burrows was more of a mini miracle story, you won't find too many players in the NHL with a similar resumé
- Nucker101

Nice that the math works. Now the intangibles are the real key when it comes to NHL play.

Never. You don't win with wingers. You need all the elite centers you can get.
- Lindenis#1

Tell that to Teemu Selanne and Jari Kurri.
I always thought you won by scoring more than the other team.

Don't get me wrong, I think Matthews is a keeper. Just commenting on the obviously Toronto biased TSN comparison to McDavid.

Laine has something most players don't have though. I think you gotta go Laine (if you have and centres).

Future of the NHL should be good with those handful of kids though.
- walshyleafsfan

So what? You need to run 2 top centers if you ever want to win a damn thing. They don't grow on trees.

Finding talented, albiet not game breaking, wingers is pretty easy. All it took JB was a couple of vets, a prospect swap and a couple second rounders to bring Baertschi, Vey, Granlund, Goldobin, Dahlen, etc.

Tell that to Teemu Selanne and Jari Kurri.
I always thought you won by scoring more than the other team.

Don't get me wrong, I think Matthews is a keeper. Just commenting on the obviously Toronto biased TSN comparison to McDavid.
- we_are_all_canucks

Teemu Selanne who didn't win a cup until he had a HOF defence and a in-his-prime McDonald, Getzlaf and Pahlsson anchoring his team at center?

Jarri Kurri who played on teams with (frank)ing Gretzky and Messier down the middle?

Teemu Selanne who didn't win a cup until he had a HOF defence and a in-his-prime McDonald, Getzlaf and Pahlsson anchoring his team at center?

Jarri Kurri who played on teams with (frank)ing Gretzky and Messier down the middle?
- Lindenis#1

Yes.