Exactly, this year has been pretty stressful/frustrating, but once the TDL and elimination from the playoffs, watching the games has been a little more enjoyable. Now, its about swallowing our fate and trying to find bright spots within the youth.
- Brooks_Light

I hear you. But until it's mathematical WD wants wins more then anything else it seems. That could help development if he relied a bit more on the young guys.

Funny thing is that with the extremly remote possibility some fans, not here on HB, still hold out hope. Everyone's defitnion of entertainment varies I suppose.

But like you I just want to see some good plays and chemistry out there among the younger guys used more.

His brother is 2 years older and in his 4th full season and really starting to hit his stride now - I wonder if Marcus in 2 years will he be putting up similar numbers?
This is essentially Markus's 1st year of consistent play so its not completely out of the question.
- Brooks_Light

I don't see it personally, Mikael seems to have a higher skill-set and is a better skater. He's also only 13 and a half months older....Feb 26, 1992 vs April 16, 1993.

The top 3 teams in the Metro for sure are the favorites with WAS being the odds on favorite in my book.

I rank the contenders as: WAS, PITT, with MIN/CLB/NYR/CHI/SJ close together. The rest are also-rans destined to lose in the first/second rounds. Whoever comes out of the Metro probably is going to win the Cup again just because of how deep both Washington and Pittsburg are.

My Final 4:

WASH/MON in the East
MIN/SJ in the West

Stanley Cup:

WASH beats MIN in 6
- DariusKnight

Until a BB team proves me wrong in the playoffs i'll never pick a team ( to get that far) he coaches. These stupid division playoff games have Pitt vs CLB in 1st rd. One team is going to be out 1st rd. Not right.

I hear you. But until it's mathematical WD wants wins more then anything else it seems. That could help development if he relied a bit more on the young guys.

Funny thing is that with the extremly remote possibility some fans, not here on HB, still hold out hope. Everyone's defitnion of entertainment varies I suppose.

But like you I just want to see some good plays and chemistry out there among the younger guys used more.
- Nuck4U

I think most here want to see 5-4 losses

He reminds me a little of Hansen, but a more skilled/less gritty/little slower version. I like that he isnt afraid and seems willing to take the role needed on each line, a good compliment player
- WhiteLie

Ya good comparison, I think Granlund is a better shooter for sure. Hansen has stone hands.

I don't see it personally, Mikael seems to have a higher skill-set and is a better skater. He's also only 13 and a half months older....Feb 26, 1992 vs April 16, 1993.
- LeftCoaster

His parents weren't phawking around were they?

Regardless of age, Mikael's in his 4th full year and Markus his 1st/1.5 - I'll cross my fingers for development sake. Even if he doesn't reach his bro's potential, I think he's gonna be a great player and hopefully stick around to round out this new core.

Ya good comparison, I think Granlund is a better shooter for sure. Hansen has stone hands.
- LeftCoaster

yeah man, Hanson couldn't finish a snickers bar....

His parents weren't phawking around were they?

Regardless of age, Mikael's in his 4th full year and Markus his 1st/1.5 - I'll cross my fingers for development sake. Even if he doesn't reach his bro's potential, I think he's gonna be a great player and hopefully stick around to round out this new core.
- Brooks_Light

Haha...no they got right back in the saddle didn't they. Nice middle six guy, which is a win for Benning.

Yeah guess so isn't that what he is getting with the Sedins. Playing with Sutter he tended to try to set him up more. That's when he could shoot, prior to recent hand injury, and got some goals.
- Nuck4U

Both Sedins can pass the puck better than anyone on the team not named Horvat for sure.

He reminds me a little of Hansen, but a more skilled/less gritty/little slower version. I like that he isnt afraid and seems willing to take the role needed on each line, a good compliment player
- WhiteLie

So I guess the Naslund comparisons have stopped. He's a mystery cause he's exceeded expectations and we really don't know what to make of him. Guess kind of like Hansen. But remember it took him years to get there. He did have to come from further back of course. Either way Granlund has proved versatile and a keeper for the next phase. That's a lot different from Vegas draft exposure earlier this season.

yeah man, Hanson couldn't finish a snickers bar....
- Brooks_Light

he definitely got a lot better over the years. I remember early days where a Hansen breakaway was less of an edge of your seat moment than the anthems

So I guess the Naslund comparisons have stopped. He's a mystery cause he's exceeded expectations and we really don't know what to make of him. Guess kind of like Hansen. But remember it took him years to get there. He did have to come from further back of course. Either way Granlund has proved versatile and a keeper for the next phase. That's a lot different from Vegas draft exposure earlier this season.
- Nuck4U

He'll never be a good enough skater to be compared to Naslund.

So I guess the Naslund comparisons have stopped. He's a mystery cause he's exceeded expectations and we really don't know what to make of him. Guess kind of like Hansen. But remember it took him years to get there. He did have to come from further back of course. Either way Granlund has proved versatile and a keeper for the next phase. That's a lot different from Vegas draft exposure earlier this season.
- Nuck4U

I'm not sure I ever saw a Naslund comparison made, but I wouldnt have pegged him as such. He never seemed like a driver to me, like a guy who sparks a line. We know Bo is, we saw flashes from Sven last year, but I think Granlund will always be the complimentary guy. Like a Loui Eriksson now that I think of it

Both Sedins can pass the puck better than anyone on the team not named Horvat for sure.
- LeftCoaster

Totally see that. Why breaking them up would help more with the offense with some of these guys who could finish. Help change the team style a bit more toward rushing the puck off or circling into slot off some of those passes the Sedins can make.

Goldobin has looked decent, but the real test will be in April during the playoffs. We will likely face the Hawks again and that intensity will bring out the best, or worst in a player. Looking forward to playoff hockey again.
- Scooby_Doo

I'm not sure I ever saw a Naslund comparison made, but I wouldnt have pegged him as such. He never seemed like a driver to me, like a guy who sparks a line. We know Bo is, we saw flashes from Sven last year, but I think Granlund will always be the complimentary guy. Like a Loui Eriksson now that I think of it
- WhiteLie

Carol

Totally see that. Why breaking them up would help more offense with some of these guys who could finish. Help change the team style a bit more toward rushing the puck off some of those passes.
- Nuck4U

splitting up the Sedins is pointless. They are struggling while playing with each other, what makes you think they will be any better being split up. I think they need moved to more of a "2nd line" deployment. Both in game and on the PP. Move Bo's line to number 1 and Let Bo's PP line start the PP. He shouldn't be playing behind the Sedins anymore, and I think he has proved that.

splitting up the Sedins is pointless. They are struggling while playing with each other, what makes you think they will be any better being split up. I think they need moved to more of a "2nd line" deployment. Both in game and on the PP. Move Bo's line to number 1 and Let Bo's PP line start the PP. He shouldn't be playing behind the Sedins anymore, and I think he has proved that.
- Codes1087

True that.

Also, I think the Sedin's would actually get a very favorable line combination in most cases.

Pretty funny to see people calling for Willie's head after two back to back victories in California.
This fan base is a general embarrassment. Shameful.

Goldobin has looked decent, but the real test will be in April during the playoffs. We will likely face the Hawks again and that intensity will bring out the best, or worst in a player. Looking forward to playoff hockey again.
- Scooby_Doo

PLAYOFFS

Pretty funny to see people calling for Willie's head after two back to back victories in California.
This fan base is a general embarrassment. Shameful.
- Marwood

I think people have generally been on the fire him side for awhile now. They gave up 90 shots in the two games, their goaltenders won them the games....not Desjardin.

I think people have generally been on the fire him side for awhile now. They gave up 90 shots in the two games, their goaltenders won them the games....not Desjardin.
- LeftCoaster

They won.

Pretty funny to see people calling for Willie's head after two back to back victories in California.
This fan base is a general embarrassment. Shameful.
- Marwood

this team is going to lose more often than not anyways. Judgement should be made based on his decisions going forward and whether they support the rebuild, since the direction was only changed like a week ago.

I was very happy to see that 53-47-60-27-51 were first ones out on the PP a few times, even though the Sedins were rested. Likewise I like the addition of Goldoblin on with the experienced guys as he gets integrated (it injury influenced, but glad the priority was to keep the other unit together rather than adding Sven with the Sedins). If he keeps making decisions like these, I am fine with keeping WD around until this team is ready to be competitive again

splitting up the Sedins is pointless. They are struggling while playing with each other, what makes you think they will be any better being split up. I think they need moved to more of a "2nd line" deployment. Both in game and on the PP. Move Bo's line to number 1 and Let Bo's PP line start the PP. He shouldn't be playing behind the Sedins anymore, and I think he has proved that.
- Codes1087

I'm not against splitting them up. Henrik can play with anyone. I'd like to keep them together for the pp.

If I was to guess, there is a good chance the Sedins start as the top line again next season and Bo either has a slow start or proves he's ready early. (if wd is still coach}

splitting up the Sedins is pointless. They are struggling while playing with each other, what makes you think they will be any better being split up. I think they need moved to more of a "2nd line" deployment. Both in game and on the PP. Move Bo's line to number 1 and Let Bo's PP line start the PP. He shouldn't be playing behind the Sedins anymore, and I think he has proved that.
- Codes1087

They definitely need to rely on Horvat offensively much much more. Henrik is getting 59.7% of zone starts in the offensive zone at even strength, Daniel is getting 60.5%.

Horvat on the other hand is getting 45% at even strength.

ATOI (average time on ice) Henrik is still averaging 19:13 minutes and Daniel 18:29. Horvat is at 17:49, so he's catching them, but he needs to be above them next year.

http://www.hockey-referen...e.com/teams/VAN/2017.html