I do respect your opinion Carol because of how close you follow this team and have good information on them on a daily basis. But I do disagree with your accessment of WD.

First, if he is thinking about his own stats then that is selfish and only putting his stats over the team is reason for dismissal. Second, I do not feel he is responsible for the development of Bo, Baer, and Granlund as I do not think Crow and AV are responsible for the development of the Sedins, Burrows, Hansen, Kessler etc. These guys are pro's that want it, want to become better, want to win. As for Bo, Baer, and Granlund....Bo was a 4th line center to start this year after being the best player for the last half of last year. Baer and Granlund came to Van at 22 yrs old and already had the talent and just needed a change of scenery.

WD's playing of boarder line NHL player (Megna and Dorsett) while guys like Bo and Baer sit on the bench late in games needing a goal is ridiculous. His deployment of his goalies, knowing that Miller needs some rest to stay sharpe, is confusing.

The last 2 yrs we have been close to a playoff position in late Feb only to collapse because of the way he plays his players hurts us. The Sedins are older and are burnt out but yet they play 18-20 min a night.

I know the players respect him because he is a good communicator, doesn't yell or scream or call his players out but his coaching ability is limited. He is not the guy to take this team through what's about to come.
- Kaynine

serves me right for trying to navigate puckanyalics in my phone...
- belcherbd

it's a challenge on the IPhone

I for one will never criticize rolling of 4 lines. Certain times you have to shorten a bench not when your up 4-0 middle way through the second.

It's comical because the things Willie does are comical.

So a vet doesn't make the play and Van doesn't score. Would have went into overtime then. Sometimes you have to take chances. It's easy for Willie. Stroll down to Goldy "Nice play kid, you can't be leaving the zone like that though." If he does it again, he sits. Instead "hey glad you scored a goal now please don't get up again."

It's a terrible power play that isn't changed ever.

His use of goalies. Will never know if Marky is capable if he doesn't get any games.

A guy that knows the future is youth and reluctance to play them.
- manvanfan

From a player's perspective, I am sure they appreciate WD holding him accountable for flying the zone. Its hard to say how the game unfolds if that play never happens, but I dont think thats why he was benched. Him being new and only a morning skate to his Canuck career is probably why. In the last 4 minutes of a 1-goal game it was Bo and Henrik alternating turns at C to ensure the win. He has to now balance winning for the guys that keep him in games, and giving learning experiences to the youth, it'll be interesting.

As for Markstrom, I am a big fan of his. I want him to play a ton and get into a rhythm because I think he plays better the more he does, but Miller is having a career resurrecting season. He has stolen more games for Van this year than any other player, can't fault WD for trying to win.

Reluctance to play them is just an outside perception of the situation. Just like we thought Virtanen was gifted his NHL spot. In both cases prefer things earned, not handed to our players

Would Van fans be ok with paying that much for 2nd or 3rd liners and the painful losing that accompanies a full scale youth movement?
- TheTaoOfSemenko

It is not my money so yes.

From a player's perspective, I am sure they appreciate WD holding him accountable for flying the zone. Its hard to say how the game unfolds if that play never happens, but I dont think thats why he was benched. Him being new and only a morning skate to his Canuck career is probably why. In the last 4 minutes of a 1-goal game it was Bo and Henrik alternating turns at C to ensure the win. He has to now balance winning for the guys that keep him in games, and giving learning experiences to the youth, it'll be interesting.

As for Markstrom, I am a big fan of his. I want him to play a ton and get into a rhythm because I think he plays better the more he does, but Miller is having a career resurrecting season. He has stolen more games for Van this year than any other player, can't fault WD for trying to win.

Reluctance to play them is just an outside perception of the situation. Just like we thought Virtanen was gifted his NHL spot. In both cases prefer things earned, not handed to our players
- WhiteLie

Jake and McCann situation were both mishandled so poorly. Both should have went back to junior.

Miller has been awesome. I said Miller was a better goalie then Marky at the start of the year. At some point have to find out if Marky is capable for a run of games.


should have started already.

Hopefully Goldobin dumps the puck in deep for a line change next time instead of scoring a breakaway goal.


Learn the Canucks system you (frank)ing Russian.

That may come in handy after his contract expires.
- VanHockeyGuy

He seems like a really good guy, when he does eventually get fired I hope he gets another gig somewhere in hockey(assuming he wants one).


If Dallas (frank)ing Eakins is still coaching in the AHL then I'm sure WD will get offers from plenty of AHL/CHL teams.

That's not true. The Sedins get easy zone starts and I bet coaches match their best checking line against Horvat. Nobody fears the Sedins
- CanuckDon

Meh. i'm not going to look it up, but i think the Sedin's still face tough matchups.
You think otherwise.

All i know is that Bo was thrown to the wolves last year and he suffered.
This year, i think he is being sheltered a bit and not having that pressure of handling the toughest assignments, lots of minutes and lots of PP1 time and he's excelling.

i'm good with that.

That doesn't mean that if you gave him more time he would necessarily continue excelling or producing at a similar rate.

Especially when Goldobin didn't even have a practice with the team before he played. You could see on his first shift that he had no clue what line he was on, when he was supposed to change, and where to go on the ice.

The fact that he got a goal is more because of good luck, goal sucking and Bishop being really bad. Most NHL goalies would stop that shot and scoring off the rush in the NHL is really rare and hasn't happened since the advent of the Dead Puck Era and 7' tall goalies, extensive game and player scouting, and video coaches in the skybox sending advice/adjustments to the coaches on the bench.
- DariusKnight

that was a well placed shot, not sure you can say most goalchies would stop that shot...

Meh. i'm not going to look it up, but i think the Sedin's still face tough matchups.
You think otherwise.

All i know is that Bo was thrown to the wolves last year and he suffered.
This year, i think he is being sheltered a bit and not having that pressure of handling the toughest assignments, lots of minutes and lots of PP1 time and he's excelling.

i'm good with that.

That doesn't mean that if you gave him more time he would necessarily continue excelling or producing at a similar rate.
- dbot

i'm pretty sure he'll be the team's no. 1 center next season... will do the Sedin's good to be moved down and maybe split up next season... let hank center the 2nd line and put dank on the 3rd line...

that was a well placed shot, not sure you can say most goalchies would stop that shot...
- kaptaan

Unless you're a swiss-goalcheese like Jonas Hiller, that guy had a lot of holes in his game.

ba dum bump.

i'm pretty sure he'll be the team's no. 1 center next season... will do the Sedin's good to be moved down and maybe split up next season... let hank center the 2nd line and put dank on the 3rd line...
- kaptaan

As much as I wish this were true. I give it a 1/10 probability.

Hopefully Goldobin dumps the puck in deep for a line change next time instead of scoring a breakaway goal.


Learn the Canucks system you (frank)ing Russian.
- Nucker101

Unless you're a swiss-goalcheese like Jonas Hiller, that guy had a lot of holes in his game.

ba dum bump.
- dbot

Excellent Rap lyrics .

i'm pretty sure he'll be the team's no. 1 center next season... will do the Sedin's good to be moved down and maybe split up next season... let hank center the 2nd line and put dank on the 3rd line...
- kaptaan

i'm pretty sure he will be too.
i am not disparaging Bo in any way shape or form, i'm just saying WD has been bringing him along slowly, smartly and it is paying dividends, as opposed to throwing him in the deep end, like he was last year, due to injuries, where he suffered, and I think that's a smart move on WD's part that deserves credit.

Unless you're a swiss-goalcheese like Jonas Hiller, that guy had a lot of holes in his game.

ba dum bump.
- dbot

that was a well placed shot, not sure you can say most goalchies would stop that shot...
- kaptaan

Ok, but if it wasn't Bishop who had a horrible night, it's less likely that it goes in don't you agree? Goals off of the rush in the NHL are extremely rare, and that's not taking away from what Goldie did as yes, it was a good shot. I'm just not sure with above-average goaltending that most playoff teams have that he scores on that play.

Jake and McCann situation were both mishandled so poorly. Both should have went back to junior.

Miller has been awesome. I said Miller was a better goalie then Marky at the start of the year. At some point have to find out if Marky is capable for a run of games.


should have started already.
- manvanfan

Yes we all know it should have started years ago but his bosses finally admitted this week that they are focussing more on the future. Before then it was always talk about playoffs, it wasn't WD that said this was a playoff team. Even now the players were saying after the win they need to string a few together, so I dont think the push to win games will go away. Unless management says something about how he uses these kids and Markstrom, its probably status quo the rest of the year

that was a well placed shot, not sure you can say most goalchies would stop that shot...
- kaptaan

Really perfect placement and with the speed he was coming in with, I think it would have beat the majority of the goalies in the league

sven-bo-ericksson
goldy-hank-granlund
dank-sutter-dahlen
Boucher-Gaunce-Cramarossa

Hutton-Tanev
Sbisa-Stecher
Tryamkin-Gudbranson

Trade Edler for a first

sven-bo-ericksson
goldy-hank-granlund
dank-sutter-dahlen
Boucher-Gaunce-Cramarossa

Hutton-Tanev
Sbisa-Stecher
Tryamkin-Gudbranson

Trade Edler for a first
- kaptaan

sorry man. That is garbage, unless this is like a 2019 roster and we've moved JV and BB and resigned the Sedin's, in which case i'm sure the Flyers are appreciating the bump in support from west coast fans.

ISS just released their March rankings.

http://www.eliteprospects...017&layout=&ranking=Rank3

Lots of movement. Tippet at #3, Necas at #17, Glass is moving up...

ISS just released their March rankings.

http://www.eliteprospects...017&layout=&ranking=Rank3

Lots of movement. Tippet at #3, Necas at #17, Glass is moving up...
- boonerbuck

I don't pay a lot of attn to prospects, but at first glance, Tippet seems like a JB kinda guy.

Eeli Tolvanen sure has dropped.

5v5 points per 60.

Baertschi
Horvat
Hansen
Hank
Dank
Granlund
Sutter
Eriksson


Edit ignore that first list that was 5v5 home.
- belcherbd

Can we see goldy on that list

Hopefully Goldobin dumps the puck in deep for a line change next time instead of scoring a breakaway goal.


Learn the Canucks system you (frank)ing Russian.
- Nucker101