Carol Schram: Poor power play, struggling Sedins in focus as Vancouver Canucks meet Stars
The Vancouver Canucks will try to salvage one win out of their five-game homestand as they host the Dallas Stars on Thursday night at Rogers Arena.
- Carol Schram

Thanks Carol. Great take on how things are for the team now. It's a realistic approach even though some may double down to be negative nellys.

I would put money on Vegas beating Pheonix in points next season..... Yotes are just a dumpster fire of an organization....
- Crazybagoham

arizon has some decent prospects who might be able to step in and make a difference. The issue is, when Doan and Vrbata are gone, they won't have much leadership and will probably follow the same sort of path EDM had taken the last 10 years prior to this one.

Benning on draft interests: "If there's true No. 1 PP defensemen, we look hard. A top playmaking centre is one thing we'll concentrate on."

Vantel mentioned the D a few weeks back, and several of us debated us needing a high draft pick to find that illusive center.

Benning on draft interests: "If there's true No. 1 PP defensemen, we look hard. A top playmaking centre is one thing we'll concentrate on."

Vantel mentioned the D a few weeks back, and several of us debated us needing high draft picks to find that illusive center.
- VanHockeyGuy

He'll take a centre with our first pick. It would be a mistake not to

He'll take a centre with our first pick. It would be a mistake not to
- NorthNuck

Think last years draft.

Burrows article hit me right in the feels
I am glad we made the trade. I still feel like we got more than enough value there, but he will be missed. Players with the loyalty, heart, and drive he has don't come along very often.

He'll take a centre with our first pick. It would be a mistake not to
- NorthNuck

I wouldnt say mistake, particularly if they ended up outside the top 3. I like Stecher, Juolevi, Tryamkin, but none look like they have the offensive upside that is sorely needed on the PP

Think last years draft.
- VanHockeyGuy

hindsight is 20/20 and its way to early to tell anyway between Juolevi and Tkachuk

Burrows article hit me right in the feels
I am glad we made the trade. I still feel like we got more than enough value there, but he will be missed. Players with the loyalty, heart, and drive he has don't come along very often.
- djlarose

yeah man, his dragon slayer goal was the loudest i ever screamed as a canucks fan, it was by far the sweetest revenge i ever felt as a fan of pro sports.

Virtanen has already lost 18 pounds
- NorthNuck

Great...now he's too light to play in the west...

#bust

I wouldnt say mistake, particularly if they ended up outside the top 3. I like Stecher, Juolevi, Tryamkin, but none look like they have the offensive upside that is sorely needed on the PP
- WhiteLie

Exactly this. We dont have a top pairing Dman in the pipeline. Hopefully OJ is one but he is not driving offense. We need a game changing Dman like a doughty, keith, subban etc.

Centers can come from anywhere. I know the top ones all come from the top end of the draft but if we end up with 3 horvat types that ok too.

Its rebuilding this poop isnt gona fix it self over night. Probably have 3 more years of top 5 picks.

If 1st pick is a center then hopefully theres a solid D prospect in the 2nd or the opposite.

hindsight is 20/20 and its way to early to tell anyway between Juolevi and Tkachuk
- Codes1087

As good as Tkachuk has been he's a fairly one-dimensional player...kind of like a slightly better version of Ferklund.

To be honest I'm glad we went with Juolevi to fill upcoming needs on D. Sure the jury is out on the comparison but the word around here at Mem. Cup. last year was Juolevi has a higher ceiling than Tkachuk. Which I'm hoping will be the case.

Wouldn't be disappointed if we snagged another D at the draft as well.

hindsight is 20/20 and its way to early to tell anyway between Juolevi and Tkachuk
- Codes1087

I wanted to trade back a couple spots for an extra pick and take either of them or sergachev and hes who I wanted to walk away with.

yeah man, his dragon slayer goal was the loudest i ever screamed as a canucks fan, it was by far the sweetest revenge i ever felt as a fan of pro sports.
- Brooks_Light

rivaled or topped the Bure breakaway goal against Flames to advance them on their run in '94.

I wanted to trade back a couple spots for an extra pick and take either of them or sergachev and hes who I wanted to walk away with.
- mauryballstein

I also wanted to trade a couple spots back, but i was hoping for Jost

As good as Tkachuk has been he's a fairly one-dimensional player...kind of like a slightly better version of Ferklund.

To be honest I'm glad we went with Juolevi to fill upcoming needs on D. Sure the jury is out on the comparison but the word around here at Mem. Cup. last year was Juolevi has a higher ceiling than Tkachuk. Which I'm hoping will be the case.

Wouldn't be disappointed if we snagged another D at the draft as well.
- LordHumungous

might be same scenario like last draft. Well let's see if there is lotto luck to move up.

I wouldnt say mistake, particularly if they ended up outside the top 3. I like Stecher, Juolevi, Tryamkin, but none look like they have the offensive upside that is sorely needed on the PP
- WhiteLie

Stecher and Hutton can both be PP Dmen and we don't know Trees offensive abilities cause Willie won't put him on the PP. We desperately need another Centre of Horvats skill level or better

arizon has some decent prospects who might be able to step in and make a difference. The issue is, when Doan and Vrbata are gone, they won't have much leadership and will probably follow the same sort of path EDM had taken the last 10 years prior to this one.
- Codes1087

I can just see Vegas rolling 4 lines (they'll have salary so can get a bunch of free agents just to get to the floor) picking up one of these solid goalies (MAF/Bishop/Miller) and becoming a bubble team. I'll be interested to see who they use their 1st on this season.

Stecher and Hutton can both be PP Dmen and we don't know Trees offensive abilities cause Willie won't put him on the PP. We desperately need another Centre of Horvats skill level or better
- NorthNuck

I don't think we desperately need anything in particular right now, We need another C (or two with the McCann trade), probably another good goalie prospect in the pipeline, a goal scoring winger, a PP d man.


As long as JB finds gems again, and doesn't waste this first rounder on a Winger ( a month ago I wanted a winger, but we stocked the cupboards a bit since then)... I won't be too picky about what position he drafts as long as the player can put up points

Exactly this. We dont have a top pairing Dman in the pipeline. Hopefully OJ is one but he is not driving offense. We need a game changing Dman like a doughty, keith, subban etc.

Centers can come from anywhere. I know the top ones all come from the top end of the draft but if we end up with 3 horvat types that ok too.

Its rebuilding this poop isnt gona fix it self over night. Probably have 3 more years of top 5 picks.

If 1st pick is a center then hopefully theres a solid D prospect in the 2nd or the opposite.
- mauryballstein

I think Keith is a good comparable for OJ myself. Likely not THAT good, but Keith isn't flashy, he is more defensive than offensive. But can carry the puck out, has a great first pass and can put a shot on net. Often in areas that allow for a good tip in or rebound. OJ seems to have a lot of that ability. Time will tell if he can take it to an elite level though.

As good as Tkachuk has been he's a fairly one-dimensional player...kind of like a slightly better version of Ferklund.

To be honest I'm glad we went with Juolevi to fill upcoming needs on D. Sure the jury is out on the comparison but the word around here at Mem. Cup. last year was Juolevi has a higher ceiling than Tkachuk. Which I'm hoping will be the case.

Wouldn't be disappointed if we snagged another D at the draft as well.
- LordHumungous

To me drafting BPA is drafting the player with the highest ceiling and the highest likelihood of meeting or exceeding that potential, thats why I liked the Juolevi pick. Tkachuk looks great now, but I would imagine that in a short period of time Puljujarvi (who seems forgotten since the draft) and Dubois will end up better players despite Tkachuk's head start at the NHL level

To me drafting BPA is drafting the player with the highest ceiling and the highest likelihood of meeting or exceeding that potential, thats why I liked the Juolevi pick. Tkachuk looks great now, but I would imagine that in a short period of time Puljujarvi (who seems forgotten since the draft) and Dubois will end up better players despite Tkachuk's head start at the NHL level
- WhiteLie

Like Johnny, Tkachuk will get scouted for next season and will slump. OJ was definitely the Quality pick. These kids coming out of Finland are really hardworking. I have a feeling Tkachuk will have down years, Dustin Brown comes to mind (though Tkachuk is way more offensively gifted)

To me drafting BPA is drafting the player with the highest ceiling and the highest likelihood of meeting or exceeding that potential, thats why I liked the Juolevi pick. Tkachuk looks great now, but I would imagine that in a short period of time Puljujarvi (who seems forgotten since the draft) and Dubois will end up better players despite Tkachuk's head start at the NHL level
- WhiteLie

Ya anyone who thinks the players all develop at the same time is foolish. You have to give these guys 5 years before you can start whos better than who talk.

Stecher and Hutton can both be PP Dmen and we don't know Trees offensive abilities cause Willie won't put him on the PP. We desperately need another Centre of Horvats skill level or better
- NorthNuck

I think all 3 have complimentary PP skills, in that they are the puck distributors but not the threat. IMO a #1 PP defenseman is a threat, like Karlsson, Burns, Doughty, Lindholm/Vatanen, Weber, Ellis, Mike Green in his prime, etc.

Of who we have I think Stecher could possibly become that, but looking at his UND time it still ran primarily through Boeser and the forwards

I think Keith is a good comparable for OJ myself. Likely not THAT good, but Keith isn't flashy, he is more defensive than offensive. But can carry the puck out, has a great first pass and can put a shot on net. Often in areas that allow for a good tip in or rebound. OJ seems to have a lot of that ability. Time will tell if he can take it to an elite level though.
- Retinalz

I see OJ as a hamhuis, vlasic or tanev type dman. He will be a good steady player who can play with anyone.

I dont see him as having any potential to lead the team in scoring from the back end and if he is then we are in trouble.