Carol Schram: Canucks' Jacob Markstrom hits the ice, NHL tries to set return to play plan Thatcher Demko checked in with the local media and revealed that while he's itching to get back on the ice, Jacob Markstrom is now getting practice time back home in Sweden. Meanwhile, the NHL is pushing toward establishing next steps for its return-to-play plan but Kevin Bieksa is skeptical about whether the league will be able to re-start. Plus, critical dates and prospect notes.

That Juolevi pick is a real downer four years after the draft, but what can you do, he looked good as a junior...so unfortunate

Thanks Carol

I like Comet Corey a lot and value his opinion but he probably seen 2 more Comet games than I did on AHL network streaming.

Juolevi at the beginning of the year was horrendous in his own end and did improve as the year went on . He did end up with the highest minus on the team for +\-. It doesn't always paint the correct picture but he still needs to improve . He is very smart with the puck but basically is a stick checker in his own end.

I never seen fault in Rafferty's game. He made a few mistakes like all other team members. Just like Edler can have a bad game so did Rafferty but there was never a trend. He was plus 17 and I think that number is accurate for how he played.

Thanks Carol!

Thanks Carol!

That Juolevi pick is a real downer four years after the draft, but what can you do, he looked good as a junior...so unfortunate
- LeftCoaster

Definitely a player that should have been chosen in the 3 rd or fourth round.

That Juolevi pick is a real downer four years after the draft, but what can you do, he looked good as a junior...so unfortunate
- LeftCoaster

At #5 in front of Tkachuk and Keller, it was an absolute poop pick. Total flop.

At #5 in front of Tkachuk and Keller, it was an absolute poop pick. Total flop.
- bloatedmosquito

Sergachev, McAvoy, Chychrun and Fabbro all right there too.

At #5 in front of Tkachuk and Keller, it was an absolute poop pick. Total flop.
- bloatedmosquito

Puljujarvi also a terrible pick. We probably would have taken him if Oilers didn't.

Lots of first round picks in that draft that still haven't turned out.

You are right though terrible pick for #5

Puljujarvi also a terrible pick. We probably would have taken him if Oilers didn't.

Lots of first round picks in that draft that still haven't turned out.

You are right though terrible pick for #5
- VANTEL

I think Puljujarvi's going to be a good NHL player, just not in the right situation in Edmonton. Sometimes it's just not a good fit. He had a fantastic year in Finland. Confidence is a huge thing for him.

I think Puljujarvi's going to be a good NHL player, just not in the right situation in Edmonton. Sometimes it's just not a good fit. He had a fantastic year in Finland. Confidence is a huge thing for him.
- LeftCoaster

He did have a good year but its not the NHL.

I think he would be an okay player in NHL but . I always think back to Anton Rodin having a great year in the SHL . Didn't do quite as well here.

Maybe trade OJ for JP

If the league does manage to get the playoffs going sometime soon I'm betting there'll be a lot of wild results. I believe Bieksa when he says most guys aren't training very much. Will be interesting to see who shows up and who doesn't.

If the league does manage to get the playoffs going sometime soon I'm betting there'll be a lot of wild results. I believe Bieksa when he says most guys aren't training very much. Will be interesting to see who shows up and who doesn't.
- NorthNuck

I'll be like the 70's and 80's all over again with guys getting in shape after the season gets going

I'll be like the 70's and 80's all over again with guys getting in shape after the season gets going
- LeftCoaster

Yeah Guy Lafleur would drop from 3 packs of smokes a day to 2 when the season started.

Every draft I suggest a trade down option if sweetened enough. Nobody here ever agrees with this. Always the same retort is higher in the draft the better.

I wanted Sergachev or trade down for McAvoy. It was possible we could of had EP & another 2nd from VGK.

Beats the hell out of who we passed on.

He did have a good year but its not the NHL.

I think he would be an okay player in NHL but . I always think back to Anton Rodin having a great year in the SHL . Didn't do quite as well here.

Maybe trade OJ for JP
- VANTEL

I think that deal helps the Oil more than us. Rather have D prospects liking our F’s as we stand now.

Every draft I suggest a trade down option if sweetened enough. Nobody here ever agrees with this. Always the same retort is higher in the draft the better.

I wanted Sergachev or trade down for McAvoy. It was possible we could of had EP & another 2nd from VGK.

Beats the hell out of who we passed on.
- Nighthawk

And what if vegas took the deal Jim proposed and traded up and took EP, and we were forced to take glass and a 2 rounder that never amounts to anything.

And what if vegas took the deal Jim proposed and traded up and took EP, and we were forced to take glass and a 2 rounder that never amounts to anything.
- Codes1087

JB didn’t propose the deal. No guarantee VGK take EP. McPhee imo doesn't draft all that special. If you don’t want extra picks that’s fine. The never amounts to anything 2nd for Toffoli then was worth it.

JB didn’t propose the deal. No guarantee VGK take EP. McPhee imo doesn't draft all that special. If you don’t want extra picks that’s fine. The never amounts to anything 2nd for Toffoli then was worth it.
- Nighthawk

Benning to McPhee "do you have any appetite to move up?"
Benning to weisbrod "I just went up to George and asked him if he wanted to move up a pick"
Benning after to weisbrod "they are going to sit, theyre not going to do the deal"

Sort of sounds like Benning offered that trade no?

https://youtu.be/63ApK-RKqdc

Benning to McPhee "do you have any appetite to move up?"
Benning to weisbrod "I just went up to George and asked him if he wanted to move up a pick"
Benning after to weisbrod "they are going to sit, theyre not going to do the deal"

Sort of sounds like Benning offered that trade no?

https://youtu.be/63ApK-RKqdc
- Codes1087

Yeah Guy Lafleur would drop from 3 packs of smokes a day to 2 when the season started.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I think some of them used to smoke in between periods.

Thanks Carol!!

Plans for the weekend:

Golf in the AM and anniversary dinner tomorrow night at our favorite restaurant.

Watch some PGA Sunday, Mountain Bike all afternoon.

Monday yardwork

Hey Vinsty or Cuban I need a wine for slow cooker pork on Sunday...thoughts?

At #5 in front of Tkachuk and Keller, it was an absolute poop pick. Total flop.
- bloatedmosquito

Patience.

Patience.
- LordHumungous

Not how we do things around here.

JV was considered total bust earlier this season and most on here wanted him dumped.

OJ's injuries have for sure been disappointing, but i'll wait till I see him play before making a call.

PS
NZ has moved down to level 2 (4 being the worst).
We had our first small gathering last night. Rotisserie chickens on the Weber.
So nice to get together with friends and share food again.

I think some of them used to smoke in between periods.
- LeftCoaster

Chain smoke in between periods.