1) Rasmus Dahlin, D, Frolunda (Swe.): Not only does he play that sweet, Karlsson-esque game, but Dahlin actually has some decent size at 6-foot-2 and 181 pounds. Expectations will be high, but the kid has the talent and vision to live up to them.
2) Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Barrie Colts (OHL): It’s going to be fun to see what Svechnikov can do with the Colts. He’s big, skilled and powerful, plus he’ll have a couple weapons to play off on a rebuilding team.
3) Joe Veleno, C, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL): Veleno captained Canada to gold at the Ivan Hlinka and though he probably tried to do too much at the start of the tourney, he finished strong. Veleno is smart, hard-working and he makes plays.
4) Adam Boqvist, D, Brynas (Swe.): One of the stars of the Ivan Hlinka, Boqvist helped Sweden to bronze over Russia. He’s a dynamic D-man with puck skills who doesn’t neglect his defensive duties.
5) Brady Tkachuk, LW, Boston University (Hockey East): He’s bigger than brother Matthew, but just as tough around the net. Tkachuk has loads of potential and it will be interesting to see what he can do as an NCAA freshman.
6) Filip Zadina, LW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL): Selfishly, I love that Zadina is coming to Halifax, because it will make it easier for me to watch him. The talented winger has an unceasing motor and has consistently produced above his age.
7) Ryan McLeod, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL): McLeod was fantastic in the OHL playoffs last year and has a lot of great elements to his game. He’s a smart kid and will take on a big role in ‘Sauga this year.
8) Quinn Hughes, D, University of Michigan (BigTen): A Kris Letang clone who stuck around Team USA for the whole WJSS, Hughes will bring all his puckmoving talent to Michigan this fall, where the Wolverines can use his skill.
9) Ty Smith, D, Spokane Chiefs (WHL): Another dynamic puckmover, Smith was great at the Ivan Hlinka and will be one to watch on a Chiefs team that has Kailer Yamamoto and Jaret Anderson-Dolan to play with up front.
10) Ryan Merkley, D, Guelph Storm (OHL): Merkley savaged the OHL in his rookie campaign after going first overall to the Storm. Plays the game a little loose right now, but the offensive rewards far outweigh the defensive risks.


One of those kids is gonna be a Canuck prospect next June, nice group!!
- LeftCoaster

I have a feeling we are finishing out of the bottom 5 but still…some good choices there.

http://vancouversun.com/s...odes-racist-images-online

I have a feeling we are finishing out of the bottom 5 but still…some good choices there.
- LordHumungous

For the Canucks to finish outside of the bottom five a small miracle would be required.

I have a feeling we are finishing out of the bottom 5 but still…some good choices there.
- LordHumungous

That's a pretty bold prediction.

I'd rather give them Sutter, with RNH coming in (hypothetically) you'd have to get rid of a center and he's the worst of the bunch behind Nugent-Hopkins, Horvat and Henrik.
- LeftCoaster

While I agree Sutter makes sense I would like to see the franchise look past Henrik. With the Sedins coming back for at least one season (potentially) there could be a logjam at C but I think we could deal with it.

Tanev on the other hand is most likely going to mis 40 games and considering his soft play and where this team will finish he brings nothing really to the table here. Would like to see some return for him.

RNH for Tanev is a deal we should seriously consider. Tanev's soft play and injuries could be sheltered in EDM and we could use what RNH brings…never hurts to have too many decent centres.
- LordHumungous

I think the Oilers will take RNH for a Pitts first instead. I don't see him coming here.

For the Canucks to finish outside of the bottom five a small miracle would be required.
- LeftCoaster

enter Gagner, MDZ, Nilsson…miracle achieved.

RNH for Tanev is a deal we should seriously consider. Tanev's soft play and injuries could be sheltered in EDM and we could use what RNH brings…never hurts to have too many decent centres.
- LordHumungous

EDM needs to dump salary, Tanev's 3M saves them 3M in cap space.

Trade Sutter back to Pitts if the RNH goes through, like Vantel suggested. Sorted.

That's a pretty bold prediction.
- VanHockeyGuy

There are a lot of bad clubs that will still be struggling. Can't see us finishing below DET, Vegas, NJ or COL but one never knows. I have us around 24th.

I have a feeling we are finishing out of the bottom 5 but still…some good choices there.
- LordHumungous

Our goal tending is weaker.

Our D is a little stronger

The Sedins are older

No Hansen

I don't see how we don't finish bottom 3


Most experts have us finishing 30 th

There are a lot of bad clubs that will still be struggling. Can't see us finishing below DET, Vegas, NJ or COL but one never knows. I have us around 24th.
- LordHumungous

But winning the draft lottery right?

EDM needs to dump salary, Tanev's 3M saves them 3M in cap space.

Trade Sutter back to Pitts if the RNH goes through, like Vantel suggested. Sorted.
- VanHockeyGuy

Very true.

And yes Sutter back to PIT would be fine as they are looking for a 3LC.

I am totally OK with RNH here I think he and Bo would push each other to be better.

There are a lot of bad clubs that will still be struggling. Can't see us finishing below DET, Vegas, NJ or COL but one never knows. I have us around 24th.
- LordHumungous

I'm sticking with 5OA. Too much off season change.

EDM needs to dump salary, Tanev's 3M saves them 3M in cap space.

Trade Sutter back to Pitts if the RNH goes through, like Vantel suggested. Sorted.
- VanHockeyGuy

Tanev 's cap hit is 4.4

Tanev 's cap hit is 4.5
- VANTEL

i stand corrected

I don't think Tanev gets traded unless its a block buster. MDZ could get traded at TDL or Gudbrandson but the RH side would be very weak unless they sign a guy like Franson to replace Tanev

Our goal tending is weaker.

Our D is a little stronger

The Sedins are older

No Hansen

I don't see how we don't finish bottom 3


Most experts have us finishing 30 th
- VANTEL

Im an expert and I have us6 points out of a playoff spot.

I don't think Tanev gets traded unless its a block buster. MDZ could get traded at TDL or Gudbrandson but the RH side would be very weak unless they sign a guy like Franson to replace Tanev
- VANTEL

Gudbransen is going to put up a career season. Book it.

I don't think Tanev gets traded unless its a block buster. MDZ could get traded at TDL or Gudbrandson but the RH side would be very weak unless they sign a guy like Franson to replace Tanev
- VANTEL

would fuel the speculation

Our goal tending is weaker.

Our D is a little stronger

The Sedins are older

No Hansen

I don't see how we don't finish bottom 3


Most experts have us finishing 30 th
- VANTEL

All fair points of course I'm just trying to draw on some of the positives that could take place.

Gagner adding 40-50 points.

Healthy Gudbranson and if MDZ is healthy he can be a 30 pt dman.

More points for Stecher and possibly a better season for Edler.

Bo pushing 60 pts which I think is possible.

Granlund and baertchi moving up the points ladder as well.

A full 40 pt season for Sutter.

And a couple of surprises…Boeser maybe Goldy and a few other prospects that might make it in due to injuries. Boeser has shown he may be a 30-40 pt guy his first year.

Having said injuries that of course is the kicker which we are usually decimated by Feb but this year could change that.

Markstrom and Nilsson I hope will push each other to be better.

And I know this is not the popular opinion but I am so glad Miller is gone. Marky's numbers were identical with around 25 games played and with a lower GAA. Miller did play well at times but we will not miss his 2-3 muffins per game.

Agree missing Hansen will hurt and his diversity up and down the lines and even Burrows to some extent…but we had to move on from those guys.

Out
Burrows 20 points 55 games
Hansen 13 points 28 games
Sbisa 13 points 82 games
Tree 9 points 66 games

In
MDZ 18 points 51 games
Gagner 50 points 82 games
Wiercoich 12 points 52 games
Burmistrov 16 points 49 games

If healthy
Dorsett 4 points in 14 games. Potential 20 points in 82 games
Guds 6 points 30 games potential for 15 points in 82 games.

On paper statistically the team has improved.

Goalies
Miller 18-29
Nilsson 10-10

Tanev 's cap hit is 4.4
- VANTEL

Has a salary of 5 and a modified NTC now.

For the Canucks to finish outside of the bottom five a small miracle would be required.
- LeftCoaster

Small?

Small?
- Marwood

Well...I don't like to be a showoff!

White Rock won its second game at the Little League tournament beating Venezuela 7-3. They slammed Italy the other day too. We never win there so it is nice to see the kids do well