He’d be better than Eriksson, that’s for sure, but that’s a pretty low bar.
- LeftCoaster

Ya, it is a low bar for sure, but Green likes that line for match up, so why not have the better player on that line?
Ultimately, Toffoli, but I don't expect we will see him in tonight's game.
It will weaken the 4th line, but maybe Jake can get it together if playing with Beagle, his speed would replace Motte's and maybe he would get a bit more physical.

I disagree, lack of offensively talented middle six forwards, without Toffoli, is a bigger issue. They defended ok last night for being so badly outplayed. Tanev played really well last night.
- LeftCoaster

D needs work. I do however agree with TT though. Hopefully tonight he's in.

Ya, it is a low bar for sure, but Green likes that line for match up, so why not have the better player on that line?
Ultimately, Toffoli, but I don't expect we will see him in tonight's game.
It will weaken the 4th line, but maybe Jake can get it together if playing with Beagle, his speed would replace Motte's and maybe he would get a bit more physical.
- Reubenkincade

Gaudette needs to be in there somewhere, he’ll provide secondary scoring even if he’s a bit of a defensive liability.

D is currently the biggest challenge on this team. JB won't be signing UFA's this off season so it's a stop gap trade or go with what's in the system. No easy answer as things stand now.
- VanHockeyGuy

I don't know how Benning can say there will be no UFA this year. This year is unlike no other year in the NHL. Because a lot of teams wont be able to sign some players there will be a lot of free agents looking for jobs.

TB has Bogosian Schenn and Shattenkirk all looking for jobs. There will be other teams also. If you are looking at signing Stecher( I am not picking on him ) or one of the three mentioned at the same price who are you taking?

D needs work. I do however agree with TT though. Hopefully tonight he's in.
- VanHockeyGuy

For sure it does, but this is predominantly a one line team as Bo usually works his magic on his own. It’s not a deeply built forward group, as I said earlier, it’s chalked full of overpaid bottom feeder forwards. Having Beagle AND Sutter is a total waste.

Sutter is terrible 5 on 5 but he’s a much needed face-off and special teams guy, you don’t need two of them though. The fourth line had a really bad game last night.

Gaudette needs to be in there somewhere, he’ll provide secondary scoring even if he’s a bit of a defensive liability.
- LeftCoaster

Disagree. When defense is a concern, I don't think it is a good idea to play another player who has poor defensive skills. Rather see Bailey, as I believe he would provide some extra speed and physicality, over another flyweight in the lineup.

I don't know how Benning can say there will be no UFA this year. This year is unlike no other year in the NHL. Because a lot of teams wont be able to sign some players there will be a lot of free agents looking for jobs.

TB has Bogosian Schenn and Shattenkirk all looking for jobs. There will be other teams also. If you are looking at signing Stecher( I am not picking on him ) or one of the three mentioned at the same price who are you taking?
- VANTEL

If they get lucky enough to shed some $, I'd prefer a "hockey trade" for a good young D should an opportunity present itself.

Disagree. When defense is a concern, I don't think it is a good idea to play another player who has poor defensive skills. Rather see Bailey, as I believe he would provide some extra speed and physicality, over another flyweight in the lineup.
- Reubenkincade

Defence isn’t a concern, they’ve only allowed two goals per game against a much deeper team. IMO the biggest issue is, if they key in on the first line and shut them down we have zero chance.

If they get lucky enough to shed some $, I'd prefer a "hockey trade" for a good young D should an opportunity present itself.
- VanHockeyGuy

I think they will do both. I think a trade is coming I also think they will sign one UFA but it will be less than 2 mil.

For sure it does, but this is predominantly a one line team as Bo usually works his magic on his own. It’s not a deeply built forward group, as I said earlier, it’s chalked full of overpaid bottom feeder forwards. Having Beagle AND Sutter is a total waste.

Sutter is terrible 5 on 5 but he’s a much needed face-off and special teams guy, you don’t need two of them though. The fourth line had a really bad game last night.
- LeftCoaster

I understand and don't disagree with your logic but I'm on VHG's side on this one. While both areas need help, I think the more pressing concern is on D.

Moving forward, during a long season and "normal" playoffs, the need for D will be a more pressing concern. We know that this team needs a strong top 2 pairs and probably 4 "serviceable" players below them to compete at the contender level.

You're right though that secondary scoring needs to be addressed. The team is definitely top heavy in that regard (and dollar heavy in the bottom six.)

I don't know how Benning can say there will be no UFA this year. This year is unlike no other year in the NHL. Because a lot of teams wont be able to sign some players there will be a lot of free agents looking for jobs.

TB has Bogosian Schenn and Shattenkirk all looking for jobs. There will be other teams also. If you are looking at signing Stecher( I am not picking on him ) or one of the three mentioned at the same price who are you taking?
- VANTEL

Are you bi-polar? Why are you here? I thought you hated all the idiots here?

Honestly I just like busting your balls but if you just say I got upset and I enjoy chucking the poop with everyone, despite some obvious personality clashes with a few posters, it’d all be swept under the carpet.

XO 🌹

Defence isn’t a concern, they’ve only allowed two goals per game against a much deeper team. IMO the biggest issue is, if they key in on the first line and shut them down we have zero chance.
- LeftCoaster

Recency bias. I'm enjoying the playoffs and excited about how the core is playing but I'm not making judgments off this series.

Are you bi-polar? Why are you here? I thought you hated all the idiots here?

Honestly I just like busting your balls but if you just say I got upset and I enjoy chucking the poop with everyone, despite some obvious personality clashes with a few posters, it’d all be swept under the carpet.

XO 🌹
- LeftCoaster

You have three accounts


Stick to hockey Hefty

Are you bi-polar? Why are you here? I thought you hated all the idiots here?

Honestly I just like busting your balls but if you just say I got upset and I enjoy chucking the poop with everyone, despite some obvious personality clashes with a few posters, it’d all be swept under the carpet.

XO 🌹
- LeftCoaster

You have three accounts


Stick to hockey Hefty
- VANTEL

touché

But serious, we’ve been chukin poop at each other for years, it’s nothing personal, I just like bustin your balls.

touché

But serious, we’ve been chukin poop at each other for years, it’s nothing personal, I just like bustin your balls.
- LeftCoaster

Not a problem .

I watched one game now in two days. I will watch tonight also. We are going to get the Grandkids and pull out the turtle pool in the back yard , BBQ and go bike riding. I honestly thought I would be watchin more hockey but this is just too nice outside.

Enjoy the day . Go Canucks.

Defence isn’t a concern, they’ve only allowed two goals per game against a much deeper team. IMO the biggest issue is, if they key in on the first line and shut them down we have zero chance.
- LeftCoaster

Some poor defensive coverage by the forwards, cost the team at least 2 goals last night, the 1st 1 where Zacmac went on offense when Blues had the puck and the OT goal, when no one covered for the pinching defenseman.
That to me is a defense concern.

I watched one game now in two days. I will watch tonight also. We are going to get the Grandkids and pull out the turtle pool in the back yard , BBQ and go bike riding. I honestly thought I would be watchin more hockey but this is just too nice outside.

Enjoy the day . Go Canucks.
- VANTEL

Virtanen’s 24th birthday today, hopefully he gets a birthday goal or two.

Some poor defensive coverage by the forwards, cost the team at least 2 goals last night, the 1st 1 where Zacmac went on offense when Blues had the puck and the OT goal, when no one covered for the pinching defenseman.
That to me is a defense concern.
- Reubenkincade

That’s nothing to do with the defensemen, it’s poor defensive coverage by the forwards. Same as the OT goal. Hughes goes for an ill advised skate when the first line is on and no one fills that gap...boom, game over.

Virtanen’s 24th birthday today, hopefully he gets a birthday goal or two.
- LeftCoaster

Hopefully that dumb ass comes to realize how he can be a game changer.

Hopefully that dumb ass comes to realize how he can be a game changer.
- VanHockeyGuy

I think what you see is what you get. It was a terrible pick at 6th overall, but whatever, he can be a good third liner.

That’s nothing to do with the defensemen, it’s poor defensive coverage by the forwards. Same as the OT goal. Hughes goes for an ill advised skate when the first line is on and no one fills that gap...boom, game over.
- LeftCoaster

I never said it was the defenseman, I thought they played well as a unit, I said defense is a concern, hence, why I don't think it is a good idea to play another weak defensive forward in Gaudette.

Edit: It was an ill-advised skate by Hughes, but I am not going to pick on him, as it offends people.😁

I never said it was the defenseman, I thought they played well as a unit, I said defense is a concern, hence, why I don't think it is a good idea to play another weak defensive forward in Gaudette.
- Reubenkincade

Ah...gotcha.

Hopefully that dumb ass comes to realize how he can be a game changer.
- VanHockeyGuy

he needs a wake up call. perhaps a virulent std (which is probably imminent anyway) that makes him reassess his whole lifestyle and priorities.

(it worked for you. )