Yep. I said we'd be around 85 pts this year and we managed 81. 4-5 more reg season wins next year will get us close to 90 and still may miss the WC. Petey-Marky factor this year and no Sedins defensively translated to more reg season wins.

Hughes and few Summer changes next season will provide the same about 4-5 more reg season wins. The Edler-Tanev injuries will hurt us again though. Really wish we would move on from those two but what can you do?
- LordHumungous

I think between Tanev and Schenn you can get a full year.

It's really not a question of certain teams just that they have the potential to move up. There are always teams in the top 20 that trend downward. Philly and Minny to name a few.
- LordHumungous

You can say that about any team.
They have so many holes to fill before they are close to a playoff team plus Benning is going to set the franchise back a few years this summer with stupid UFA signings and a tragic trade to try and speed up the process.

We all like to mock Button's rankings greatly

Maybe once in a while Botch included actually knows what they are talking about. (it's rare)
- manvanfan

AVs would be nuts to trade their top 4 for the two Botch mentioned. Botch is get dumber by the day .

Det Minny Buf Ana LA CBJ EDM PHI NYR Ari

Teams I think will finish lower thn us next year . Minivan do your thing.
- VANTEL

Lordy suggested a five place jump in the standings. I just don’t think that’s realistic or reasonable. Every team, even the cup champions will be looking to improve on their areas of weakness in the off season. Some teams will be more successful than others. The five teams directly above Canucks are:

Philadelphia
Minnesota
Chicago
Arizona
Florida

That also assumes that none of the teams behind them improve more than the Canucks do. Edmonton has two players with 100 points, if they figure it out they could easily be a playoff team. Buffalo could be the first half team, or the second half team, who knows.

A successful season in my opinion would be a marginal improvement in the win/loss column even if they finish around the same place in the standings. As long as they don’t chase the playoffs by trading away picks/prospects or signing some retarded UFA contracts I’ll be happy.
- 1970vintage

I do. Like I said for every team that moves up there are teams trending down. You don't have to look at it too mathematically. I said 85 its this year and we had 81. I said around 21st this year and we were 23rd. Not saying we are a PO team next year as I think we still miss but there is no reason we can't move to somewhere into 17-20th spot next year. I think we'll be around the 18th spot personally.

I consider the other 3 teams I picked within 5 points a win

- VANTEL

Standings this year were a bit different than last season. Last year 3 80 point clubs, this year 7 80 point clubs. Two less 100 points this season. Only 1 60 point club

I do. Like I said for every team that moves up there are teams trending down. You don't have to look at it too mathematically. I said 85 its this year and we had 81. I said around 21st this year and we were 23rd. Not saying we are a PO team next year as I think we still miss but there is no reason we can't move to somewhere into 17-20th spot next year. I think we'll be around the 18th spot personally.
- LordHumungous

You can say that about any team.
They have so many holes to fill before they are close to a playoff team plus Benning is going to set the franchise back a few years this summer with stupid UFA signings and a tragic trade to try and speed up the process.
- Marwood

You don't know that yet. Agreed there are holes to fill but it's not as deep as you may think. Again not saying we are a PO team next year but with Hughes and some summer changes we can be in the 17-20 spot. But much of it hinges on a repeat performance from Marky and a Healthy Edler-Tanev. There are intangibles yes but for sure we can move up.

Standings this year were a bit different than last season. Last year 3 80 point clubs, this year 7 80 point clubs. Two less 100 points this season. Only 1 60 point club
- manvanfan

Talent levels are catching up. Any given night team A can beat team B.

Yep. I said we'd be around 85 pts this year and we managed 81. 4-5 more reg season wins next year will get us close to 90 and still may miss the WC. Petey-Marky factor this year and no Sedins defensively translated to more reg season wins.

Hughes and few Summer changes next season will provide the same about 4-5 more reg season wins. The Edler-Tanev injuries will hurt us again though. Really wish we would move on from those two but what can you do?
- LordHumungous

I had said 79 points but after the first win I switched it up to 81 points. I did land on the mark.

DP probably cost them 8 points this season. Tanev and Edler injuries probably cost them 10 points. They upgraded in the wing department during the season. Hughes will bring more wins. Demko more wins then Nilsson.

Natural Progression from youth could add to more wins.

If the team really wants to take a step forward next year Gaudette and Virtanen need to produce more regularly and Eriksson hit's 30 goals

Talent levels are catching up. Any given night team A can beat team B.
- VANTEL

Canucks need to win in regulation more next season to avoid giving the extra point to other teams, especially in their division.

You don't know that yet. Agreed there are holes to fill but it's not as deep as you may think. Again not saying we are a PO team next year but with Hughes and some summer changes we can be in the 17-20 spot. But much of it hinges on a repeat performance from Marky and a Healthy Edler-Tanev. There are intangibles yes but for sure we can move up.
- LordHumungous

They said they are going after a top 6 winger and a young defenseman this summer. One is going to cost dollars & term and the other will cost prospects & picks. Doing one or both will be a step backwards, in my opinion.

You don't know that yet. Agreed there are holes to fill but it's not as deep as you may think. Again not saying we are a PO team next year but with Hughes and some summer changes we can be in the 17-20 spot. But much of it hinges on a repeat performance from Marky and a Healthy Edler-Tanev. There are intangibles yes but for sure we can move up.
- LordHumungous

I think the Canucks have already started filling holes . I think if Edler does go down they can call up Sautner who can be reliable in his absent .

I hope Pearson Leivo and the new kid Rafferty can fill a few spots. Lets see how the team looks next year but I think we start out next year with less problems than this years start.

I think the Canucks have already started filling holes . I think if Edler does go down they can call up Sautner who can be reliable in his absent .

I hope Pearson Leivo and the new kid Rafferty can fill a few spots. Lets see how the team looks next year but I think we start out next year with less problems than this years start.
- VANTEL

He will be the right side minute muncher, by seasons end.

Ben Birnell
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#Canucks GM Jim Benning said Comets coaching staff has worked hard with young players: It is a learning experience for (them). It is a process. I think the coaches have done a good job.”

Asked if Trent Cull will return next season: Yes, he will be back next year

Edit:
Ben Birnell
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To clarify: Benning was referring to it being a learning process for the young players.

https://www.nhl.com/canuc...e-hockey-news/c-306699334

They said they are going after a top 6 winger and a young defenseman this summer. One is going to cost dollars & term and the other will cost prospects & picks. Doing one or both will be a step backwards, in my opinion.
- Marwood

Maybe...maybe not. We'll see.

I think the Canucks have already started filling holes . I think if Edler does go down they can call up Sautner who can be reliable in his absent .

I hope Pearson Leivo and the new kid Rafferty can fill a few spots. Lets see how the team looks next year but I think we start out next year with less problems than this years start.
- VANTEL

People around here seem to forget that Pearson-Leivo if playing a full 82 games are both on pace for over 20 goals. They will provide scoring depth for us next year which we need. Add Hughes (and maybe OJ) into the mix for a little more offence from the backend. Sautner looked to be very reliable.

They said they are going after a top 6 winger and a young defenseman this summer. One is going to cost dollars & term and the other will cost prospects & picks. Doing one or both will be a step backwards, in my opinion.
- Marwood

The young D won't come cheap. Do you wait and develop one?

https://twitter.com/bruin...tatus/1115410720043278336

People around here seem to forget that Pearson-Leivo if playing a full 82 games are both on pace for over 20 goals. They will provide scoring depth for us next year which we need. Add Hughes (and maybe OJ) into the mix for a little more offence from the backend. Sautner looked to be very reliable.
- LordHumungous

Hughes had 3 assists in 5 games . I am not a stats guy but I read in his 5 games he had something like 55 zone exits and the next closest was Edler with 32 . That is impressive for a young kid.

Sautner and Briesbois do look very reliable and I much prefer them over Hutton. The cost alone could be a good reason but I always thought Hutton got caught making bad decisions that led to many 2 on 1 s that usually ended in the back of the net.

If we can get 20 from Pearson and 15 from Leivo along with their steady play then that is a plus.

JB may also go the route he did when he acquired Adam Clendening for Gustav Forsling

Someone he thinks may be further ahead in development.

Hughes had 3 assists in 5 games . I am not a stats guy but I read in his 5 games he had something like 55 zone exits and the next closest was Edler with 32 . That is impressive for a young kid.

Sautner and Briesbois do look very reliable and I much prefer them over Hutton. The cost alone could be a good reason but I always thought Hutton got caught making bad decisions that led to many 2 on 1 s that usually ended in the back of the net.

If we can get 20 from Pearson and 15 from Leivo along with their steady play then that is a plus.
- VANTEL

Nice moves by JB, he's not always dumb.

Comets on Friday look like this:
Pyatt-Kero-Boucher
Bancks-Woods-MacEwen
Gaunce-Darcy-Lind
Gadjovich-Hamilton-Jasek

LeBlanc-Sifers
Thow-Blujus
Anselmini-Graham

Anybody wonder why the Comets sucked so bad at the end of the season. That defence is I hope they sign a few free agent D either it be college/CHL/ europe.

The centres are just as bad if not worse. Kero is fine but Woods, Darcy, Hamilton.

The young D won't come cheap. Do you wait and develop one?
- VanHockeyGuy

It really depends on who they go after. Teams in Cap trouble may be looking for a Virtanen type contract.