I think he'd be happy with a 2A/2B situation where he shares similar TOI to another 2C, which in my view would be ideal anyways. Again, I don't knock him, he's definitely our next captain. If I'm building a team with the eventual expectation of winning the Cup, I'm probably trying to draft or find someone better than him to center my top 6 and maybe like Kesler, have him play wing in my top 6 (which I'm sure he'd be fine with too) if I need a boost on offense. You need depth at center to win in the playoffs, these last two playoffs have shown that, both Crosby and Malkin at times were pointless for a series or two and Bonino helped to pick up the slack until they could get going again.
- DariusKnight

While we're all getting high and fantasizing....

If Crosby was our 4lc then we'd have a cup team.....

Also I'd love to have Doughty and Karlson as our bottom pairing defence.

How good would our team be!

(frank), let's play price as our backup! How good would our goaltending be then?
So good.

I am being rapaciously facetious buy the way, but no team has a 53 point 20 goal scorer as their 3lc.

While we're all getting high and fantasizing....

If Crosby was our 4lc then we'd have a cup team.....

Also I'd love to have Doughty and Karlson as our bottom pairing defence.

How good would our team be!

(frank), let's play price as our backup! How good would our goaltending be then?
So good.

I am being rapaciously facetious buy the way, but no team has a 53 point 20 goal scorer as their 3lc.
- Pres.cup

We did... Kesler in 2009/2010 until he broke out and scored 40 goals in 2011... then he believed he was still a 40 goal scorer and started thinking he was better than he was. I'm also being facetious, but no team has a 53 point 20 goal scorer who isn't a dynamic playmaking offensive center as their 1C if they're expecting to try and win the Cup. For the last time, Bo is the guy I want with 2 minutes left protecting the lead, or playing wing on a loaded up first line being the backup faceoff guy and trying to score that clutch goal to tie or win the game in the third period.

So how are guys like Turris, Hoffman, Johanson, Forsberg who outscored Bo by a few points capable of almost winning a cup?? They're no different. If its all about the team, why don't you wait until Bo actually has a FULL team around him, see what he/they can do, then label him. Bcus I think i'm missing the logic here? Or maybe there isn't any....
- Brooks_Light

My friend I 100% agree with the wait and see. I think it is crazy to talk about locking in him 8 years or 6 at 5.5 mil. Wait a year or two see what you have exactly and then pay him.

This structure was made possible by the league to offer bridge deals and keep your stars so why not use it properly instead of locking in and knowing exactly what you have.

While we're all getting high and fantasizing....

If Crosby was our 4lc then we'd have a cup team.....

Also I'd love to have Doughty and Karlson as our bottom pairing defence.

How good would our team be!

(frank), let's play price as our backup! How good would our goaltending be then?
So good.

I am being rapaciously facetious buy the way, but no team has a 53 point 20 goal scorer as their 3lc.
- Pres.cup

If we pick up Tkachuk next year will Bo be our number one or two center? Maybe but maybe not .

I look at the Leafs and they have Matthews Marner and Kadri. Honestly speaking that is a pretty good middle. I think EP can be a Marner like player and if we draft Tkachuk I think his over all game would leap frog him ahead of Bo . Again maybe maybe not.

I don't understand the hurry to announce Bo the next team captain , open up the vaults and hand him the keys to the city.

So how are guys like Turris, Hoffman, Johanson, Forsberg who outscored Bo by a few points capable of almost winning a cup?? They're no different. If its all about the team, why don't you wait until Bo actually has a FULL team around him, see what he/they can do, then label him. Bcus I think i'm missing the logic here? Or maybe there isn't any....
- Brooks_Light

You are spot on. I can't comprehend this logic either

I know this will enrage some of you but I think this team could push for a playoff spot.
- thundachunk

Did you say PLAYOFFS

While we're all getting high and fantasizing....

If Crosby was our 4lc then we'd have a cup team.....

Also I'd love to have Doughty and Karlson as our bottom pairing defence.

How good would our team be!

(frank), let's play price as our backup! How good would our goaltending be then?
So good.

I am being rapaciously facetious buy the way, but no team has a 53 point 20 goal scorer as their 3lc.
- Pres.cup

Common sense

We did... Kesler in 2009/2010 until he broke out and scored 40 goals in 2011... then he believed he was still a 40 goal scorer and started thinking he was better than he was. I'm also being facetious, but no team has a 53 point 20 goal scorer who isn't a dynamic playmaking offensive center as their 1C if they're expecting to try and win the Cup. For the last time, Bo is the guy I want with 2 minutes left protecting the lead, or playing wing on a loaded up first line being the backup faceoff guy and trying to score that clutch goal to tie or win the game in the third period.
- DariusKnight

You are changing your argument. This all started when you were claiming Bo is a 3 C and now you are stating he isn't a 1C. Nobody has said he is. He is 2C now and no one knows what his ceiling is

Sort of agree but would not be opposed to fixing the scoring first with another top center
- VANTEL

At this point any top/elite players with elevate the team. I have a feeling you won't be seeing a steady rise but more of a huge bump like Edmonton and Columbus last season. When they start winning again.

If we pick up Tkachuk next year will Bo be our number one or two center? Maybe but maybe not .

I look at the Leafs and they have Matthews Marner and Kadri. Honestly speaking that is a pretty good middle. I think EP can be a Marner like player and if we draft Tkachuk I think his over all game would leap frog him ahead of Bo . Again maybe maybe not.

I don't understand the hurry to announce Bo the next team captain , open up the vaults and hand him the keys to the city.
- VANTEL

I don't think you need to wait on Bo. He is a great player and great person. Lock him up for 6-8 years. I'd rather have him locked up at $6MM instead of having him score 65 points and then have to pay him $8MM after a bridge deal.

While we're all getting high and fantasizing....

If Crosby was our 4lc then we'd have a cup team.....

Also I'd love to have Doughty and Karlson as our bottom pairing defence.

How good would our team be!

(frank), let's play price as our backup! How good would our goaltending be then?
So good.

I am being rapaciously facetious buy the way, but no team has a 53 point 20 goal scorer as their 3lc.
- Pres.cup

How many points did Bonino get? Pretty close to 20 goals if I remember right, depends on if the guy is okay being labelled a "3rd line centre". Bonino always seems to be okay with it

I don't think you need to wait on Bo. He is a great player and great person. Lock him up for 6-8 years. I'd rather have him locked up at $6MM instead of having him score 65 points and then have to pay him $8MM after a bridge deal.
- CanuckDon

Agreed, he's proven himself a regular NHL player, and that he will work on his own game. Go long haul, 5 or 6 million might look like a really good salary in 3 years.

If JB can get Bo for a 5x6 or longer contract, he will have redeemed the Sutter contract in my eyes.

If we pick up Tkachuk next year will Bo be our number one or two center? Maybe but maybe not .

I look at the Leafs and they have Matthews Marner and Kadri. Honestly speaking that is a pretty good middle. I think EP can be a Marner like player and if we draft Tkachuk I think his over all game would leap frog him ahead of Bo . Again maybe maybe not.

I don't understand the hurry to announce Bo the next team captain , open up the vaults and hand him the keys to the city.
- VANTEL

Marner is a winger.

They had the crowd up and yes there was this old 60 year old guy overweight that was dancing and twerking . No it was not me . He was funny as hell though . Never seen so many old people at a concert.
- VANTEL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc5-ZqWxjFs

Marner is a winger.
- manvanfan

I think JVR-Bozak-Marner was their 2nd line? And Kadri/bozak were the 2a and 2b? I never watch eastern games

I think JVR-Bozak-Marner was their 2nd line? And Kadri played 3rd line? I never watch eastern games
- Crazybagoham

Well being next to Ontario I get to watch/listen to a 6 pm eastern game, which 95% of the time is the TML. I guess for a period till the Jet's game comes on at 7 pm. Then the Nucks are 9

Yes you are correct though. I believe.

You are changing your argument. This all started when you were claiming Bo is a 3 C and now you are stating he isn't a 1C. Nobody has said he is. He is 2C now and no one knows what his ceiling is
- CanuckDon

No, I claimed that if you want a Cup WINNING team, he can't be your 1C and ideally not your 2C because he just isn't dynamic enough offensively or a playmaking center. Let's be clear, he is what he is, a 200 foot, great on faceoffs, takes the puck to the net and shoot-first center. I've said it before, I'll say it again, he's the guy you want protecting the lead, taking those crucial defensive zone faceoffs with 2 minutes left in the third to bring it home or loaded up as a winger and backup faceoff guy pressing to score the clutch goal to tie or win the game. I just don't see his ceiling as being high enough to ever be a 1C. Could be he'll make a very good 2C, but if you want Cup wins, you need better options, or else, scoring depth behind him so that he's not relied upon to do it all like he did this year. Which after his appearance at the ASG, his offense dried up as he was put into the 1A/1B center role behind and before Henrik and couldn't deal with the top defensive pair matchups.

He is a very good player, I just don't want to build around him as our 1C, I want someone much more offensively dynamic and a better playmaker driving our offense. I only said that if I was wanting to win the Cup hopefully I have the depth in front of him that he would be our 3C or a 2A/2B so that he would be free to take the pressure off of the top 2 scoring lines. Not that he is nothing BUT a 3C, just that he'd be 3C because we drafted better centers. Why is this so hard to understand, I love how he plays, I just don't want the team built around him because I want us to draft a better player (maybe EP who knows?).

No, I claimed that if you want a Cup WINNING team, he can't be your 1C and ideally not your 2C because he just isn't dynamic enough offensively or a playmaking center. Let's be clear, he is what he is, a 200 foot, great on faceoffs, takes the puck to the net and shoot-first center. I've said it before, I'll say it again, he's the guy you want protecting the lead, taking those crucial defensive zone faceoffs with 2 minutes left in the third to bring it home or loaded up as a winger and backup faceoff guy pressing to score the clutch goal to tie or win the game. I just don't see his ceiling as being high enough to ever be a 1C. Could be he'll make a very good 2C, but if you want Cup wins, you need better options, or else, scoring depth behind him so that he's not relied upon to do it all like he did this year. Which after his appearance at the ASG, his offense dried up as he was put into the 1A/1B center role behind and before Henrik and couldn't deal with the top defensive pair matchups.

He is a very good player, I just don't want to build around him as our 1C, I want someone much more offensively dynamic and a better playmaker driving our offense. I only said that if I was wanting to win the Cup hopefully I have the depth in front of him that he would be our 3C or a 2A/2B so that he would be free to take the pressure off of the top 2 scoring lines. Not that he is nothing BUT a 3C, just that he'd be 3C because we drafted better centers. Why is this so hard to understand, I love how he plays, I just don't want the team built around him because I want us to draft a better player (maybe EP who knows?).
- DariusKnight

He's 22.... why can't he be a very good 1c? There are plenty of 1cs that don't win a scoring title. My mind goes to Patrice Bergeron or Kopitar.

It seems pretty foolish to write off Horvat's development when hasn't even turned 23 yet, that's just my opinion though. Horvat has the drive and the talent to develop into a 1c, he was our leading scorer this season. I can see him being the all around 1c (like toes, taking important draws, big points at big moments), and Petterson being the flashy, production centre on the 2nd line

You win cups by developing the players you have, not trying to get fictional "better players"

My friend I 100% agree with the wait and see. I think it is crazy to talk about locking in him 8 years or 6 at 5.5 mil. Wait a year or two see what you have exactly and then pay him.

This structure was made possible by the league to offer bridge deals and keep your stars so why not use it properly instead of locking in and knowing exactly what you have.
- VANTEL

I think Bo has proven better than the 2 year bridge deal - those can really come back to haunt you. I also am not a fan of the MAX 8 year deals either (unless its a McD) IMO 5-6 yr is ideal.

However, my main point is that Bo is 21, just completed his 3rd full year, has improved consistently each year, even though he was put in situations that were over his head, has had terrible wingers and has had a ton of defensive responsibilities. Not to mention he's been on a terribly awful team and people are still harping on him and thinking they know his (limited) ceiling. Its a hard argument to swallow. In 3-4 years time, when he actually has a competent team surrounding him, lets see if he proves the naysayers wrong then.

I think Bo has proven better than the 2 year bridge deal - those can really come back to haunt you. I also am not a fan of the MAX 8 year deals either (unless its a McD) IMO 5-6 yr is ideal.

However, my main point is that Bo is 21, just completed his 3rd full year, has improved consistently each year, even though he was put in situations that were over his head, has had terrible wingers and has had a ton of defensive responsibilities. Not to mention he's been on a terribly awful team and people are still harping on him and thinking they know his (limited) ceiling. Its a hard argument to swallow. In 3-4 years time, when he actually has a competent team surrounding him, lets see if he proves the naysayers wrong then.
- Brooks_Light

Spot-on

Spot-on
- LordHumungous

Except Bo is 22yrs old.

He's 22.... why can't he be a very good 1c? There are plenty of 1cs that don't win a scoring title. My mind goes to Patrice Bergeron or Kopitar.

It seems pretty foolish to write off Horvat's development when hasn't even turned 23 yet, that's just my opinion though. Horvat has the drive and the talent to develop into a 1c, he was our leading scorer this season. I can see him being the all around 1c (like toes, taking important draws, big points at big moments), and Petterson being the flashy, production centre on the 2nd line

You win cups by developing the players you have, not trying to get fictional "better players"
- Crazybagoham

Is it foolish? He lead our team in scoring with 53 points, not taking any of his accomplishments away, but that's more of a knock against the talent on our team than on him. Also remember that players don't peak at 27 anymore, they peak early and then decline after they reach UFA age.

Is it possible he develops into a 1C? I suppose it's possible, I just would prefer to have a better option in front of him because I look at how badly his offense dried up near the end of the year when you'd expect him to get more points because teams would ease up on the Canucks because they aren't trying to make the playoffs. I look at that and say, if the team were trying to make a run to the post-season and actually win a round, could we count on him for offense? Before we commit to building the team around him, that needs to be answered and I think the answer RIGHT THIS MOMENT, is /not yet/. Could we? Sure, but before I give him 5-6 years and 1st line money, I want to see him score at least 70, preferably 80 points over the next two years before I do and then yeah, by all means, break the bank for him.

We did... Kesler in 2009/2010 until he broke out and scored 40 goals in 2011... then he believed he was still a 40 goal scorer and started thinking he was better than he was. I'm also being facetious, but no team has a 53 point 20 goal scorer who isn't a dynamic playmaking offensive center as their 1C if they're expecting to try and win the Cup. For the last time, Bo is the guy I want with 2 minutes left protecting the lead, or playing wing on a loaded up first line being the backup faceoff guy and trying to score that clutch goal to tie or win the game in the third period.
- DariusKnight

But most would have a 20g 33a 21 year old as their 2lc... which is what is advocate Bo is. Provided the center alive him puts up more points... although i could see the minutes played being similar.

Also Kessler was 2lc in 2010

No, I claimed that if you want a Cup WINNING team, he can't be your 1C and ideally not your 2C because he just isn't dynamic enough offensively or a playmaking center. Let's be clear, he is what he is, a 200 foot, great on faceoffs, takes the puck to the net and shoot-first center. I've said it before, I'll say it again, he's the guy you want protecting the lead, taking those crucial defensive zone faceoffs with 2 minutes left in the third to bring it home or loaded up as a winger and backup faceoff guy pressing to score the clutch goal to tie or win the game. I just don't see his ceiling as being high enough to ever be a 1C. Could be he'll make a very good 2C, but if you want Cup wins, you need better options, or else, scoring depth behind him so that he's not relied upon to do it all like he did this year. Which after his appearance at the ASG, his offense dried up as he was put into the 1A/1B center role behind and before Henrik and couldn't deal with the top defensive pair matchups.

He is a very good player, I just don't want to build around him as our 1C, I want someone much more offensively dynamic and a better playmaker driving our offense. I only said that if I was wanting to win the Cup hopefully I have the depth in front of him that he would be our 3C or a 2A/2B so that he would be free to take the pressure off of the top 2 scoring lines. Not that he is nothing BUT a 3C, just that he'd be 3C because we drafted better centers. Why is this so hard to understand, I love how he plays, I just don't want the team built around him because I want us to draft a better player (maybe EP who knows?).
- DariusKnight

I see your point, but just consider that in 2-4 years when he's developed even more and has even better players with him, why isn't conceivable to expect him to score 80 points and lead the team as the #1C? He's improved by from 25-40-52 in each year, so thats .36, .48,.64 PPG - guys that have led their teams to SFC, like Johanson, Forsberg, Couture, Palvelski, Turris, Hoffman had pretty much the exact same trajectory as Bo, so i just don't understand why you feel he has a limit? I don't think we've come close to seeing his full potential, especially if/when he gets some better teammates.

You are changing your argument. This all started when you were claiming Bo is a 3 C and now you are stating he isn't a 1C. Nobody has said he is. He is 2C now and no one knows what his ceiling is
- CanuckDon

Lol