Come on...sure goaltending was important. But Utica has a brutal roster. He deserves some credit
- CanuckDon

I definitely do, just tempering the expectations a bit. The way he gets talked about by some (despite being passed over the past few seasons) you'd think he will turn this team completely around. I think there will be improvements in many areas, but dont think he will perform the same miracles with an equally awful lineup in the NHL

Gerard Gallant would be a coach I'd look at to replace numb nuts.

they are signed at 10 million a year for multi year contracts. Lets just wait and see how Chicago will be doing when they are near the end of those contracts.
- Codes1087

And Hossa is signed for 4 more years and is 38 now.

I definitely do, just tempering the expectations a bit. The way he gets talked about by some (despite being passed over the past few seasons) you'd think he will turn this team completely around. I think there will be improvements in many areas, but dont think he will perform the same miracles with an equally awful lineup in the NHL
- WhiteLie

For sure. We will suck next year no matter who is coaching

Looking ahead to this draft & more down the road.....

Although we have added more winger talent depth at C & D we still have lots of work to do. UFA's r not the answer since rare many top talent hits the market let alone top C's & D's & trading for them is very costly. With us most likely to pick a C this draft to go with Gaudette thats a good step going forward. That said never can have enough top D prospects in the system. Problem is cannot get enough picks fast enough. Next draft has a Dahlin that we need luck to get & thats hard to expect. Stud D IMO r ALWAYS the best choice but patience & good fortune play such a pivotal role its not something we can realistically bank on.

I'm surprised nobody asked the twins if they were open to being split up next season for 5v5.

I definitely do, just tempering the expectations a bit. The way he gets talked about by some (despite being passed over the past few seasons) you'd think he will turn this team completely around. I think there will be improvements in many areas, but dont think he will perform the same miracles with an equally awful lineup in the NHL
- WhiteLie

Next year is a new year & the line up & new coach will be a fresh start.
Expectations will vary but we can expect more growth if not the results in the win column being the measuring stick. New core to emerge & a new Identity is what we need to see. Its all about patience.

Brock Boeser heading back to school this weekend, 3 courses to finish, including Canadian Geography! Was just learning about BC when signed

— JAY JANOWER (@DOUBLEJGLOBALBC) April 11, 2017

And Hossa is signed for 4 more years and is 38 now.
- A_SteamingLombardi

The guy is still a horse unlike Gaborik & Brown & only 1 contract.
He alone is not hamstringing the Hawks.

I definitely do, just tempering the expectations a bit. The way he gets talked about by some (despite being passed over the past few seasons) you'd think he will turn this team completely around. I think there will be improvements in many areas, but dont think he will perform the same miracles with an equally awful lineup in the NHL
- WhiteLie

Green is a very good coach in respects to getting his players to play his system and works very well with young players, instructing them to how to be complete players.

I certainly have no problem letting Green get a crack at coaching this team but IMO he is still the ideal coach to be sending the kids to learn from. I'm not sold his "systems" or in game adjustments will be any better than WD.

The Canucks need to commit to allowing their prospects to develop in the AHL and junior leagues, something they have for the most part refused to do.

For sure. We will suck next year no matter who is coaching
- CanuckDon

I still hate you if you were wondering

For sure. We will suck next year no matter who is coaching
- CanuckDon

Suck as far as not a PO team is fine.
Suck with horrible games night in night out would be the Titanic.
I don't see the latter being the case.

Green is a very good coach in respects to getting his players to play his system and works very well with young players, instructing them to how to be complete players.

I certainly have no problem letting Green get a crack at coaching this team but IMO he is still the ideal coach to be sending the kids to learn from. I'm not sold his "systems" or in game adjustments will be any better than WD.

The Canucks need to commit to allowing their prospects to develop in the AHL and junior leagues, something they have for the most part refused to do.
- belcherbd

Agreed. The "refusal" to let players marinate in junior leagues is due to ownerships desire to sell tickets

What makes you think NSH can take down the hawks?

Mine are:

CHI
MIN
ANA
SJS

NYR
OTT
WAS
PIT(really not sure about this one)
- NorthNuck

Just a feeling. NSH can roll 4 lines at you and have three pretty solid dmen that can score...plus better goaltending and to me Rinne is due in the PO's. NSH has kind of flown under the radar and I'm not sure they are getting the credit they deserve. Usually get 1 or 2 upsets in rd 1 I think this could be one of them.

But I've called the Hawks out before and they end up still winning cups...

I still hate you if you were wondering
- belcherbd

but it's not Monday flagged

Green is a very good coach in respects to getting his players to play his system and works very well with young players, instructing them to how to be complete players.

I certainly have no problem letting Green get a crack at coaching this team but IMO he is still the ideal coach to be sending the kids to learn from. I'm not sold his "systems" or in game adjustments will be any better than WD.

The Canucks need to commit to allowing their prospects to develop in the AHL and junior leagues, something they have for the most part refused to do.
- belcherbd

This is definitely the area where I have lesser expectations and where I think goaltending has propped his results a bit.

I agree with this whole post though

Looking ahead to this draft & more down the road.....

Although we have added more winger talent depth at C & D we still have lots of work to do. UFA's r not the answer since rare many top talent bits the market let alone top C's & D's & trading for them is very costly. With us most likely to pick a C this draft to go with Gaudette thats a good step going forward. That said never can have enough top D prospects in the system. Problem is cannot get enough picks fast enough. Next draft has a Dahlin that we need luck to get & thats hard to expect. Stud D IMO r ALWAYS the best choice but patience & good fortune play such a pivotal role its not something we can realistically bank on.
- Nighthawk

I disagree... The development curve for D is such that drafting and developing a particular targeted skillset should yield great results and allow you to focus early picks on elite offensive skillsets which are evident at that age. It's just that nobody in this sport thinks outside the goddamn box.

Agreed. The "refusal" to let players marinate in junior leagues is due to ownerships desire to sell tickets
- CanuckDon

That was a one off year with JV & McCant lol
Hope that is over with & stay the course we r now on.
Exception is a kid makes the club on sheer talent & is ready. Eg BB

For sure. We will suck next year no matter who is coaching
- CanuckDon

and "the pain" is coming.

That was a one off year with JV & McCant lol
Hope that is over with & stay the course we r now on.
Exception is a kid makes the club on sheer talent & is ready. Eg BB
- Nighthawk

I agree. Sounds like Aquilini has finally backed off

and "the pain" is coming.
- zazzle

It can't get any worse...it really can't. The hockey the veterans have been playing the last 5 years has been brutal from an entertainment perspective. At least some of these new kids can skate and have a bit of offensive flair

I disagree... The development curve for D is such that drafting and developing a particular targeted skillset should yield great results and allow you to focus early picks on elite offensive skillsets which are evident at that age. It's just that nobody in this sport thinks outside the goddamn box.
- DrChristianTroy

Oh i've believed D stepping into the NHL is the hardest thing to do other than in goal. Furthermore other than a Pronger type D picking D early over elite F's is not the way to go. Explains why a Seth Jones slips down. Elite C historically r picked 1st.

It can't get any worse...it really can't. The hockey the veterans have been playing the last 5 years has been brutal from an entertainment perspective. At least some of these new kids can skate and have a bit of offensive flair
- CanuckDon

yes it can but let's not go there.

Brock Boeser heading back to school this weekend, 3 courses to finish, including Canadian Geography! Was just learning about BC when signed

— JAY JANOWER (@DOUBLEJGLOBALBC) April 11, 2017

- WhiteLie

He's that kid that every parent wish they had

yes it can but let's not go there.
- zazzle

I suppose we good finish 31st next season