"But as Vancouver discovered last summer, pursuing “speed and skill” and actually improving it are entirely different animals.

The Canucks thought they were getting loads of the good stuff when they signed six free agents in a 24-hour stretch that kicked off last year’s free-agency period.

Alex Burmistrov was pitched as a great gamble, Sam Gagner was billed as a bargain, Michael Del Zotto was going to add wheels and power-play points, goalie Anders Nilsson was viewed as a potential starter and Anton Rodin represented the scoring depth.

It all looks crazy now, but that’s the promise of July.

None of it worked out anywhere close to what was hoped.

And if Thomas Vanek hadn’t been signed in September, the post-draft off-season would have been a face plant.

The Canucks head into this off-season again looking for “speed and skill.”


Botchford throwing darts at the Canucks/Benning.....can't says I blame him even though I think he's a knob!

good tips. I have a white hoodie and get grief every time I wear it. Who's laughing now mother (frank)ers.
- bloatedmosquito

We can still judge.

We Talkin solid plane white hoody?

Or White with a logo?

Because clearly the logo makes or breaks the Sweater...

"But as Vancouver discovered last summer, pursuing “speed and skill” and actually improving it are entirely different animals.

The Canucks thought they were getting loads of the good stuff when they signed six free agents in a 24-hour stretch that kicked off last year’s free-agency period.

Alex Burmistrov was pitched as a great gamble, Sam Gagner was billed as a bargain, Michael Del Zotto was going to add wheels and power-play points, goalie Anders Nilsson was viewed as a potential starter and Anton Rodin represented the scoring depth.

It all looks crazy now, but that’s the promise of July.

None of it worked out anywhere close to what was hoped.

And if Thomas Vanek hadn’t been signed in September, the post-draft off-season would have been a face plant.

The Canucks head into this off-season again looking for “speed and skill.”


Botchford throwing darts at the Canucks/Benning.....can't says I blame him even though I think he's a knob!
- LeftCoaster

All of their signings were smart and low risk. Gagner being the exception. They should have realized he needs skilled line mates to score. Botchford is a b!txh that won’t be employed for long

"But as Vancouver discovered last summer, pursuing “speed and skill” and actually improving it are entirely different animals.

The Canucks thought they were getting loads of the good stuff when they signed six free agents in a 24-hour stretch that kicked off last year’s free-agency period.

Alex Burmistrov was pitched as a great gamble, Sam Gagner was billed as a bargain, Michael Del Zotto was going to add wheels and power-play points, goalie Anders Nilsson was viewed as a potential starter and Anton Rodin represented the scoring depth.

It all looks crazy now, but that’s the promise of July.

None of it worked out anywhere close to what was hoped.

And if Thomas Vanek hadn’t been signed in September, the post-draft off-season would have been a face plant.

The Canucks head into this off-season again looking for “speed and skill.”


Botchford throwing darts at the Canucks/Benning.....can't says I blame him even though I think he's a knob!
- LeftCoaster

His Voice and schtick are a little much.

But I cant say I disagree with much the logic he presents. He's generally spot on with his opinions, he just delivers said opinions in the douchiest of manners.

All of their signings were smart and low risk. Gagner being the exception. They should have realized he needs skilled line mates to score. Botchford is a b!txh that won’t be employed for long
- CanuckDon

Gagner is slow AF I don't know why Botch thinks he's a "speed" guy?

His Voice and schtick are a little much.

But I cant say I disagree with much the logic he presents. He's generally spot on with his opinions, he just delivers said opinions in the douchiest of manners.
- vancity787

He just comes across as a total selfish Richard!

Gagner is slow AF I don't know why Botch thinks he's a "speed" guy?
- LeftCoaster

I hate Gagner lol. What a huge disappointment this guy has been. At least we only have two more years and unlike Eriksson he could be bought out. Maybe Columbus will want him back after losing in 6

He just comes across as a total selfish Richard!
- LeftCoaster

He has one of the most punchable faces I have ever seen!

15 teams
4 balls
1365 combinations
Canucks at 7.5%
182 chances

I hate Gagner lol. What a huge disappoint this guy has been. At least we only have two more years and unlike Eriksson he could be bought out. Maybe Columbus will want him back after losing in 6
- CanuckDon

15 teams
4 balls
1365 combinations
Canucks at 7.5%
182 chances
- Nighthawk

😂

Gagner is slow AF I don't know why Botch thinks he's a "speed" guy?
- LeftCoaster

yeah, he's not even fast. "quick" maybe, but his top end speed is meh for a guy his size

i hope they don't ditch the lower end ufa signing strategy despite the failures(MDZ imo has trade value and has been a leader here so i view that as a decent signing even though he sucks)

nilsson and gagner sucked, the pro scouts who recommended them should feel shame and benning should think twice before listening to them again

yeah, he's not even fast. "quick" maybe, but his top end speed is meh for a guy his size

i hope they don't ditch the lower end ufa signing strategy despite the failures(MDZ imo has trade value and has been a leader here so i view that as a decent signing even though he sucks)

nilsson and gagner sucked, the pro scouts who recommended them should feel shame
- Nucker101

IMO they need to re-think how they do business, what is their end-goal with these castoffs?

I still haven't heard a "plan" other than Linden or Benning (can't remember) said it's time for the kids to show us what they've got. Shouldn't that be a yearly thing if they concentrated on the draft more since they took power?

"But as Vancouver discovered last summer, pursuing “speed and skill” and actually improving it are entirely different animals.

The Canucks thought they were getting loads of the good stuff when they signed six free agents in a 24-hour stretch that kicked off last year’s free-agency period.

Alex Burmistrov was pitched as a great gamble, Sam Gagner was billed as a bargain, Michael Del Zotto was going to add wheels and power-play points, goalie Anders Nilsson was viewed as a potential starter and Anton Rodin represented the scoring depth.

It all looks crazy now, but that’s the promise of July.

None of it worked out anywhere close to what was hoped.

And if Thomas Vanek hadn’t been signed in September, the post-draft off-season would have been a face plant.

The Canucks head into this off-season again looking for “speed and skill.”


Botchford throwing darts at the Canucks/Benning.....can't says I blame him even though I think he's a knob!
- LeftCoaster

Was going was going blah blah blah. A team adds mediocre depth... a hack in the media turns it into failed promises.

This is what I mean about being resilient to media noise.

Was going was going blah blah blah. A team adds mediocre depth... a hack in the media turns it into failed promises.

This is what I mean about being resilient to media noise.

- boonerbuck

What do you hope they do this summer regarding UFA signings?

What do you hope they do this summer regarding UFA signings?
- LeftCoaster

Find a 2C playmaker short term
Point shot threat

IMO they need to re-think how they do business, what is their end-goal with these castoffs?
- LeftCoaster

stopgaps/placeholders to avoid rushing prospects and then hopefully being able to liquidate some of them into draft picks


I'm 100% on board with the strategy, but the targets need to be specific players with specific strengths/abilities, or else you're better off not doing it at all. Goalies are a bit random/crazy so even if you give them a pass on Nilsson.

Also, they have less roster space to sign more of these type of guys heading into this summer compared to years past. So they have to be more selective this time around, unless it's dirt cheap guys like Burmistrov/Weircoch/Holm

They need to identify what they failed to analyze when targeting Gagner.

stopgaps/placeholders to avoid rushing prospects and then hopefully being able to liquidate some of them into draft picks


I'm 100% on board with the strategy, but the targets need to be specific players with specific strengths/abilities, or else you're better off not doing it at all. Goalies are a bit random/crazy so even if you give them a pass on Nilsson.

Also, they have less roster space to sign more of these type of guys heading into this summer compared to years past. So they have to be more selective this time around, unless it's dirt cheap guys like Burmistrov/Weircoch/Holm

They need to identify what they failed to analyze when targeting Gagner.
- Nucker101

I agree, however, there's presently a TON of guys under contract already, I'd like them to go after a guy like Speeza and give Pettersson a year on the wing in the NHL to adjust.

In the process they also get a good draft pick for taking on that contract. To me that's all I'd like to see. Be nice to sign Tavares and Evander Kane but that's wishful thinking on my part.

That defense needs some serious tinkering

I agree, however, there's presently a TON of guys under contract already, I'd like them to go after a guy like Speeza and give Pettersson a year on the wing in the NHL to adjust.

In the process they also get a good draft pick for taking on that contract. To me that's all I'd like to see. Be nice to sign Tavares and Evander Kane but that's wishful thinking on my part.

That defense needs some serious tinkering
- LeftCoaster

I’d be on board with that as well.

Agree on the defense, they only have 2 top 4 dmen and 1 can’t stay healthy

I agree, however, there's presently a TON of guys under contract already, I'd like them to go after a guy like Speeza and give Pettersson a year on the wing in the NHL to adjust.

In the process they also get a good draft pick for taking on that contract. To me that's all I'd like to see. Be nice to sign Tavares and Evander Kane but that's wishful thinking on my part.

That defense needs some serious tinkering
- LeftCoaster

Ideally I'd like us to jettison Eriksson, Gagner and Hutton for a bag of pucks, trade Tanev for as much as we can get then offer Tavares max money for 4 years. He immediately becomes our 1C and takes some pressure off Bo and Pettersson and gives Pettersson time to learn on his wing to be our 1C when it's time to go for the Cup.

Ideally I'd like us to jettison Eriksson, Gagner and Hutton for a bag of pucks, trade Tanev for as much as we can get then offer Tavares max money for 4 years. He immediately becomes our 1C and takes some pressure off Bo and Pettersson and gives Pettersson time to learn on his wing to be our 1C when it's time to go for the Cup.
- DariusKnight

Benning would have to send a draft pick to someone, even if they ate part of Eriksson's salary, and that's a showstopper for a rebuilding team. Nucks are stuck with him!

Tavares ain't coming to a poop team like the Canucks, as much as I want him to, it just isn't happening. He's 27 and in the prime of his career without seeing too many playoff games. He'll sign where he's got a chance to win immediately imo.

Benning would have to send a draft pick to someone, even if they ate part of Eriksson's salary, and that's a showstopper for a rebuilding team. Nucks are stuck with him!

Tavares ain't coming to a poop team like the Canucks, as much as I want him to, it just isn't happening. He's 27 and in the prime of his career without seeing too many playoff games. He'll sign where he's got a chance to win immediately imo.
- LeftCoaster

No I know, I said ideally, not that it was likely to happen.

U18 are on in Russia. K'Andre Miller after the game vs Canada and a period against the Swiss, is helping his draft stock. He's better then both Samuelsson's.

- VANTEL