.@botchford: There's no doubt in my mind that there's frustration at the ownership level. It wasn't supposed to be like this. None of the (offseason) moves have worked out. #canucks
- LeftCoaster

Vanek worked out.

lol

You're pissing yourself? Because if you read his post and your responds that is what you're saying.
Perhaps an edit is in order.

Also you need to learn some social graces to avoid angering people in this way in the future.

You're a *&$@ poster
- Pres.cup

Maybe Nucker4U can help with his pom pom posts?

Gilman on Jake Virtanen: "It's not a question of whether he has the tools, it's whether he possess the tool box."


Gilman throwing darts at Benning #glasshouses
- LeftCoaster

He qualified his analogy with imposing player comparison of Eric Lindros. JV attributes: fastest player, ripping shot, hits like a freight train. Just needs thinking game well Center to be more effective.

Interpretation JV is top 6 good even elite with high IQ center. Without right center on his own hockey sense limits impact to middle six.

Which is why my mantra is future fit with EP would be explosive line. Probable for 2019. Rushing scoring power forward with slick skilled speedy center good balance for both.

Gilman: "the best teams are built down the middle. You value centres and defenceman far above wingers. It's easier to find wingers, it's easier to acquire wingers than it is to get a centre."
- LeftCoaster

This is not true,

Chicago focus'd on D first, Toews came later, and kane came right after.
Pitts got lucky with malkin and crosby so they are an anomally, even then they took fluery first.
LA didn't know Kopitar would be as good as he is when they took Bernier(busted) then Hickey and Doughty. It was good for them that Quick turned out. Schenn came next and his trade set up their cups.

But the 3 most winning teams of the last decade, 2 went D first and 1 went G first.

So it seams from the Goalie out isn't the wrong way of building a team. We also have a potential 1C in BO and Peterson already.

Elliotte on Benning’s future: The way it reads to me is that they’re curious about the GM market

#fired
- LeftCoaster

Whatever they decide to do with Benning, I hope they keep Brackett. Be even nicer if Benning stayed too. If not as GM, then in a different role. But that'd be weird.

Who knows tho? Maybe JB is missing being a scout. Maybe that's what makes him tick? Maybe he doesn't wanna be the GM anymore?

I'm fine with whatever JB does. His drafting has just gotten better and better as he's become more comfortable as GM so I'm really pumped for 2018.
- Nucker101

Vanek worked out.

lol
- LordHumungous

I believe he's referring to the team, individual success probably means SFA to ownership.

This is not true,

Chicago focus'd on D first, Toews came later, and kane came right after.
Pitts got lucky with malkin and crosby so they are an anomally, even then they took fluery first.
LA didn't know Kopitar would be as good as he is when they took Bernier(busted) then Hickey and Doughty. It was good for them that Quick turned out. Schenn came next and his trade set up their cups.

But the 3 most winning teams of the last decade, 2 went D first and 1 went G first.

So it seams from the Goalie out isn't the wrong way of building a team. We also have a potential 1C in BO and Peterson already.
- Retinalz

What are you going on about? I believe he's talking about how teams are successful, not in which order they picked their players in, the final product.

Whatever they decide to do with Benning, I hope they keep Brackett. Be even nicer if Benning stayed too. If not as GM, then in a different role. But that'd be weird.

Who knows tho? Maybe JB is missing being a scout. Maybe that's what makes him tick? Maybe he doesn't wanna be the GM anymore?
- storm88

Maybe he's tired of failing on the ice and being called out in the media?

What are you going on about? I believe he's talking about how teams are successful, not in which order they picked their players in, the final product.
- LeftCoaster

It seems like he is saying middle first then d which would make no sense. infact the more sucessful teams drafted their 1 C and acquired their 2C some other way

Whatever they decide to do with Benning, I hope they keep Brackett. Be even nicer if Benning stayed too. If not as GM, then in a different role. But that'd be weird.

Who knows tho? Maybe JB is missing being a scout. Maybe that's what makes him tick? Maybe he doesn't wanna be the GM anymore?
- storm88

Remember when maybes got you babies. Pullout man before it’s too late.

Vanek worked out.

lol
- LordHumungous

I think Gagner and MDZ are doing well too. Gagner is on pace for 36 points at 3.15 aav. Thats below the 100k per point. Hes not a top 6 anymore but forced into it right now.

MDZ on pace for 26 points. Not bad for a 3 million aav D. Brings physicality to a team that needs some.

These players would be better if not forced into roles above them.

They werent going to save the team. They were going to help out.

Burmy and Nilsson have not done well.

Any thoughts on Virtanen from the Canucks diehards on here?? Would really appreciate some opinions.
- joegreif17

JV was given top6 minutes, was inconsistent and ended up in the AHL. Now he needs to go up hill and earn every second of icetime.

It seems like he is saying middle first then d which would make no sense. infact the more sucessful teams drafted their 1 C and acquired their 2C some other way
- Retinalz

I don't think he's referring to that at all but rather where Cup winners had strength. Like Gretzky/Messier Lemieux/Francis Yzerman/Fedorov Sakic/Forsberg Bergeron/Krejci H. Sedin/Kesler etc.

no .
- Kelly'sHero's

Hate all you want, they are going to overpay someone for defence and Seabrook fits the bill.

.@rayferrarotsn: Matthew Tkachuk is a really good player. Brady is better, in my opinion. I think Brady is an outstanding player. Brady plays like his dad. He's a good skater, he's smart, he's got good hands, absolute menace to society on the ice. He's going to be a great player
- LeftCoaster

ferraro knows what he is talking about, that is an opinion I respect.

I think Gagner and MDZ are doing well too. Gagner is on pace for 36 points at 3.15 aav. Thats below the 100k per point. Hes not a top 6 anymore but forced into it right now.

MDZ on pace for 26 points. Not bad for a 3 million aav D. Brings physicality to a team that needs some.

These players would be better if not forced into roles above them.

They werent going to save the team. They were going to help out.

Burmy and Nilsson have not done well.
- manvanfan

If we remember in the summer ppl were carving Van for these signings and we all said they were signed to fill the gaps until the young guys mature.....well ppl need to temper their expectations as to what Gagner and MDZ represent. Like you said, neither has been terrible and they are doing what we all wanted them to do, fill the void. Van is a bottom 5 team, no more.

The issue that happened was our start, ppl started to think we might have a chance at the playoffs. That alone has allowed the expectation to grow and become skewed.

Hate all you want, they are going to overpay someone for defence and Seabrook fits the bill.
- neem55

Gudbranson and a second for Seabrook (1.5 retained) and a first

I don't think he's referring to that at all but rather where Cup winners had strength. Like Gretzky/Messier Lemieux/Francis Yzerman/Fedorov Sakic/Forsberg Bergeron/Krejci H. Sedin/Kesler etc.
- LeftCoaster

never won the cup and never will

You are right that a strong 1c 2c is needed, but not always required. Chi didn't have a strong 2c for their 3rd cup and possibly their 2nd. Kane made that 2c look like one. they also didnt draft their 2c's. either trade or ufa.
Van may already have the pieces to be successful in the future, the only question mark on forwards is if EP will be a C or winger. I thnk this year we need to load up on D.

If we remember in the summer ppl were carving Van for these signings and we all said they were signed to fill the gaps until the young guys mature.....well ppl need to temper their expectations as to what Gagner and MDZ represent. Like you said, neither has been terrible and they are doing what we all wanted them to do, fill the void. Van is a bottom 5 team, no more.

The issue that happened was our start, ppl started to think we might have a chance at the playoffs. That alone has allowed the expectation to grow and become skewed.
- Kaynine

Saw a tweet from hockey writers. 10 worst teams win pct. Islander at .540 were 10th. Before Horvat injury thats where Van was at.

Essentially Van had a pretty good start and would have needed to continue to be better.

ferraro knows what he is talking about, that is an opinion I respect.
- neem55

The limited amount WJC and highlights. I would say that Brady is just as skilled as Matthew but with a better all around game.

100%

I’ll take character guys like Bo, Eriksson and Sutter who all could’ve gotten more from someone else over mercenaries like McJesus and Drai

These are the guys you win with and build a culture around
- Nucker101

Don't lump Horvat in with chumps like Eriksson you imbecile

From the 70s?
- RealityChecker

never won the cup and never will

You are right that a strong 1c 2c is needed, but not always required. Chi didn't have a strong 2c for their 3rd cup and possibly their 2nd. Kane made that 2c look like one. they also didnt draft their 2c's. either trade or ufa.
Van may already have the pieces to be successful in the future, the only question mark on forwards is if EP will be a C or winger. I thnk this year we need to load up on D.
- Retinalz

True, but they were successful and they were the best team two years running.

P. Sharp was with Chicago for all three Cups and he played a big part as their second line center in the playoffs the first two.

Gudbranson and a second for Seabrook (1.5 retained) and a first
- Pres.cup

I was going to quickly dismiss this, but I don't hate getting another 1st. Problem is, if they win were only moving up around 3 to 5 spots. 6 more years of dclining Sebrook is just not worth it IMO. If it was for seabrook and a 1st straight up, I could stomach that a lot more. That is a cap dump, we should be gaining a lot for taking that long of a cap on.