I get it. I'm not naïve. Small successes are crucial for development. Making the playoffs is good for growth of young players. Growing a winning culture early and getting taste is very important. So is losing series. This team would learn from it and be better. We all know the playoffs are a whole other monster.

Every team's goal at the beginning of the season is to make the playoffs. That's the goal. Watching this team right now its not unrealistic. We are a fast fun team to watch.
- thundachunk

My only "issue" with them being a surprise playoff team is how management would react to it.

I'd hate to see them suffer the gentleman's sweep and then for whatever reason management does some backwards ass Oiler-style targetting of players who would have helped a year ago in one series versus adding pieces for sustained success.

Until this management group stops moving the goalposts and claiming they won I don't have a lot of confidence in them seeing the forest for the trees.

Whew!

My supersized blog just posted, with Pettersson's heroics, World Juniors notes, plans for Demko and Goldobin and Carey Price's return for the Habs.

So.Much.Hockey.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...iminates-Canada/194/96927

My only "issue" with them being a surprise playoff team is how management would react to it.

I'd hate to see them suffer the gentleman's sweep and then for whatever reason management does some backwards ass Oiler-style targeting of players who would have helped a year ago in one series versus adding pieces for sustained success.

Until this management group stops moving the goalposts and claiming they won I don't have a lot of confidence in them seeing the forest for the trees.
- Lindenis#1

I only worry if the team has some real success in the playoffs which will determine how JB and Co react. Then it is not a question of if they do something stupid. They will do something stupid.

I only worry if the team has some real success in the playoffs which will determine how JB and Co react. Then it is not a question of if they do something stupid. They will do something stupid.
- thundachunk

It's pretty (frank)ed up when fans are worried about the lack of patience from ownership/management, usually in pro sports it's the other way around

I only worry if the team has some real success in the playoffs which will determine how JB and Co react. Then it is not a question of if they do something stupid. They will do something stupid.
- thundachunk

I'd just (frank)ing hate it if they had a bad run on the PK or something and for whatever reason the conclusion became "we need to get better at blocking shots". Or Boeser or Goldobin or Baertschi has a bad defensive play and management goes "Well poop they might score a bunch but if we had New Tim Schaller instead we would have won" and make some dumbass trade.

Basically I'm terrified of becoming the Oilers where management took the wrong lessons (grit>talent and losing to Anaheim was because Anaheim was tougher so add more toughness) from success and sunk the team.

I'd just (frank)ing hate it if they had a bad run on the PK or something and for whatever reason the conclusion became "we need to get better at blocking shots". Or Boeser or Goldobin or Baertschi has a bad defensive play and management goes "Well poop they might score a bunch but if we had New Tim Schaller instead we would have won" and make some dumbass trade.

Basically I'm terrified of becoming the Oilers where management took the wrong lessons (grit>talent and losing to Anaheim was because Anaheim was tougher so add more toughness) from success and sunk the team.
- Lindenis#1

The laughing stock managements all share one common trait. They overvalue the hell out of role/depth players.

(frank) the Habs.

4-3 Canucks
- manvanfan

The laughing stock managements all share one common trait. They overvalue the hell out of role/depth players.
- Nucker101

Grit=effort>ability.

"That team has a tough player who is gritty and skilled. We need that guy. *sees a player who is tough and gritty with no skill* Oh perfect! Now we're good!"

I fine with Thunda's prediction. Mine was always they're a year or two away from being a playoff team. Not just qualifying and going out in the first round.
- VanHockeyGuy

I thought a 2020

4-1 Nucks


EP scores all 4
- Nucker101