Big test tonight for coaches on down. If the Canucks win, I can see them taking it in 7. If the Blues win, they'll win in 6.

4-2 Canucks
- NewYorkNuck

5-2 Blues

I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer, I really like what’s going on with the youth movement in Vancouver, however, I’ve said this before that they are not built for the playoffs. They need to be a much deeper, more talented, better defensive team that doesn’t rely on all-star goaltending to win when they’re not scoring in bunches.

I’ll probably catch hell for this, but, look what AV did in Philly when they lost 5-0 to a quicker team in Montreal. He FINALLY made an in-series adjustment and they started playing a 2-2-1 to slow Montreal down....boom, back to back shutouts.

Green needs to adjust to what’s happening.
- Pacificgem

I don't think that's being a Debbie Downer and I don't think a lot of people will disagree with your general sentiment (though might quibble at some of it.)

The team isn't at contender level. I think this is obvious to everyone. The deficiencies that you point out have to be addressed.

The fact that these can be addressed (though I'm dubious that this management team will) provides optimism going forward that the team can actually be a contender.

So, it's not being a Debbie Downer, it's looking at what the next steps/moves should be to get to the next level. It's actually optimistic if you take the longview.

I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer, I really like what’s going on with the youth movement in Vancouver, however, I’ve said this before that they are not built for the playoffs. They need to be a much deeper, more talented, better defensive team that doesn’t rely on all-star goaltending to win when they’re not scoring in bunches.

I’ll probably catch hell for this, but, look what AV did in Philly when they lost 5-0 to a quicker team in Montreal. He FINALLY made an in-series adjustment and they started playing a 2-2-1 to slow Montreal down....boom, back to back shutouts.

Green needs to adjust to what’s happening.
- Pacificgem

I didn't take it as being hard on the team. You posted what you thought.

The same as I am not waiving pom poms. I can't say how the game is going to end without seeing how it starts.

All I am saying is everyone here has one time or another said any team can win on any given night. I am just saying Canucks need to make this one of those nights.

They are better coached defensively, and have size offensively, plus we play that stupid passive box. It will never happen but Stecher should be benched for OJ. Edler is brain farting again from fatigue or drinking (or both) and Stecher is too small and not smart enough to cover for him. Could bench JV also so that he gets motivated for game 6
- TJTD

I think Benning has taken the Canucks as far as he can, and he’s done an excellent job of finding talented young players in the draft, but most things he’s tried outside of acquiring Miller hasn’t worked. Pearson was good, but if you look at the big picture it cost them Jared McCann and the 33rd overall pick to get him.

I just played Bocce last weekend in the woods behind our cabin as an event in a beer olympics. Got bumped off the podium by 1 point
- NorthNuck

You sick bastard

I didn't take it as being hard on the team. You posted what you thought.

The same as I am not waiving pom poms. I can't say how the game is going to end without seeing how it starts.

All I am saying is everyone here has one time or another said any team can win on any given night. I am just saying Canucks need to make this one of those nights.
- VANTEL

For sure, if there’s any let-down in the Blues game or their goaltending goes south the Canucks can easily win a game.

5-2 Blues




- NorthNuck

markstrom steals this one 40+ saves to allens >25 saves

3-1 nucks with an eng 🤞

I don't think that's being a Debbie Downer and I don't think a lot of people will disagree with your general sentiment (though might quibble at some of it.)

The team isn't at contender level. I think this is obvious to everyone. The deficiencies that you point out have to be addressed.

The fact that these can be addressed (though I'm dubious that this management team will) provides optimism going forward that the team can actually be a contender.

So, it's not being a Debbie Downer, it's looking at what the next steps/moves should be to get to the next level. It's actually optimistic if you take the longview.
- RealityChecker

I think one optimistic point to take from this is that the Canucks are just coming out of their rebuild. Ya, they have highly paid vet guys, but those were the insulators for the youth. How many years were the Blues or the Caps playoff contenders before they actually became champs?

The Canucks are ahead of schedule. The next step is finding the right guys to round the team out. Their deficiencies are sort of purpose-built into the roster — they weren’t expected to compete this soon — so transitioning out of the Beagles and Sutters is just the next step of the plan. Having the core get more experienced and bigger is what’s really going to move the needle.

I think one optimistic point to take from this is that the Canucks are just coming out of their rebuild. Ya, they have highly paid vet guys, but those were the insulators for the youth. How many years were the Blues or the Caps playoff contenders before they actually became champs?

The Canucks are ahead of schedule. The next step is finding the right guys to round the team out. Their deficiencies are sort of purpose-built into the roster — they weren’t expected to compete this soon — so transitioning out of the Beagles and Sutters is just the next step of the plan. Having the core get more experienced and bigger is what’s really going to move the needle.
- NewYorkNuck

Very good points

I think Benning has taken the Canucks as far as he can, and he’s done an excellent job of finding talented young players in the draft, but most things he’s tried outside of acquiring Miller hasn’t worked. Pearson was good, but if you look at the big picture it cost them Jared McCann and the 33rd overall pick to get him.
- Pacificgem

Meh, I’d give JB another year. I think he is just starting to see his drafting prowess come back to him. He’s said he doesn’t want to sign any outside UFAs because they have everything they need in house. We are just starting to see his long-term idea of this team, so let’s see how it goes.

I think he needs to be judged on moving bad contracts out moving forward, to see where the team can be.

I think one optimistic point to take from this is that the Canucks are just coming out of their rebuild. Ya, they have highly paid vet guys, but those were the insulators for the youth. How many years were the Blues or the Caps playoff contenders before they actually became champs?

The Canucks are ahead of schedule. The next step is finding the right guys to round the team out. Their deficiencies are sort of purpose-built into the roster — they weren’t expected to compete this soon — so transitioning out of the Beagles and Sutters is just the next step of the plan. Having the core get more experienced and bigger is what’s really going to move the needle.
- NewYorkNuck

Exactly.

When TL was hired, I wanted a rebuild. At this point, I wanted a new core based on high skilled players (that were most likely drafted high). I wanted this period to be about solidifying themselves as a young playoff team ready to take the next step.

That's exactly what we have.

(I'll leave aside my disagreements with how we got here and the roster/cap the team has... and especially the "ahead of schedule" comment.)

You sick bastard
- VANTEL

I was like "How best to phrase this? Hmmm..."

Meh, I’d give JB another year. I think he is just starting to see his drafting prowess come back to him. He’s said he doesn’t want to sign any outside UFAs because they have everything they need in house. We are just starting to see his long-term idea of this team, so let’s see how it goes.

I think he needs to be judged on moving bad contracts out moving forward, to see where the team can be.
- NewYorkNuck

There is a divided group on what is a bad contract and what isn't . Everyone agrees Loui is terrible .

If you listened to SN650 or read on Twitter some people think Beagle and Sutter have had good playoffs. Most people are wanting Myers to come back as quick as possible and others think he is a terrible signing.

Ask Bo if he thinks Sutter is a terrible signing.

I seen Beagles stats the other day you can do that about anyone when they have a bad game. I also seen Beagle many times come to rescue of other players in a lot of scrums.

Young players learn what it takes from the guys that have been there. Even though some don't like the contract means everyone hates them.

I never thought this was the cup winning team but I do think we will see one soon.

Meh, I’d give JB another year. I think he is just starting to see his drafting prowess come back to him. He’s said he doesn’t want to sign any outside UFAs because they have everything they need in house. We are just starting to see his long-term idea of this team, so let’s see how it goes.

I think he needs to be judged on moving bad contracts out moving forward, to see where the team can be.
- NewYorkNuck

Your comment about the insulators was on point though, I totally agree with that, but it’s time to move on from them which is easier said than done given that they were offered contracts slightly above their actual value. Not easy in today’s game to get rid of the contracts.

I was like "How best to phrase this? Hmmm..."
- NorthNuck

I just played Bocce last weekend in the woods behind our cabin as an event in a beer olympics. Got bumped off the podium by 1 point
- NorthNuck

As long as you had fun. It's about the company and the drinks.

I think one optimistic point to take from this is that the Canucks are just coming out of their rebuild. Ya, they have highly paid vet guys, but those were the insulators for the youth. How many years were the Blues or the Caps playoff contenders before they actually became champs?

The Canucks are ahead of schedule. The next step is finding the right guys to round the team out. Their deficiencies are sort of purpose-built into the roster — they weren’t expected to compete this soon — so transitioning out of the Beagles and Sutters is just the next step of the plan. Having the core get more experienced and bigger is what’s really going to move the needle.
- NewYorkNuck

was it lebrun that called the canucks the pre-cup hawks? its a big year for the core to take a step forward but i really hope they take a hard look at the supporting group and make the tough decisions

There is a divided group on what is a bad contract and what isn't . Everyone agrees Loui is terrible .

If you listened to SN650 or read on Twitter some people think Beagle and Sutter have had good playoffs. Most people are wanting Myers to come back as quick as possible and others think he is a terrible signing.

Ask Bo if he thinks Sutter is a terrible signing.

I seen Beagles stats the other day you can do that about anyone when they have a bad game. I also seen Beagle many times come to rescue of other players in a lot of scrums.

Young players learn what it takes from the guys that have been there. Even though some don't like the contract means everyone hates them.

I never thought this was the cup winning team but I do think we will see one soon.
- VANTEL

There’s also a major difference between a bad signing in a bad contract, Brandon Sutter was not a bad signing, he’s a valuable bottom six player that kills penalties takes important face offs etc. But when it comes time to move on from contracts like that because you have a push internally or they’re not performing anymore it’s just much tougher to do when they’re slightly overpaid as he is, same goes for Beagle. There’s no way you need a Sutter and a Beagle.

I think Benning has taken the Canucks as far as he can, and he’s done an excellent job of finding talented young players in the draft, but most things he’s tried outside of acquiring Miller hasn’t worked. Pearson was good, but if you look at the big picture it cost them Jared McCann and the 33rd overall pick to get him.
- Pacificgem

They need a coaching change, as well.

There’s also a major difference between a bad signing in a bad contract, Brandon Sutter was not a bad signing, he’s a valuable bottom six player that kills penalties takes important face offs etc. But when it comes time to move on from contracts like that because you have a push internally or they’re not performing anymore it’s just much tougher to do when they’re slightly overpaid as he is, same goes for Beagle. There’s no way you need a Sutter and a Beagle.
- Pacificgem

I like what Sutter did here even though he was injured a lot. I always thought his purpose with the team was to have a bit of leadership down the middle when the Twins left until Bo was comfortable to step in. Thankfully Petey came in and sped it up even more.

It is time for Sutter to go.

was it lebrun that called the canucks the pre-cup hawks? its a big year for the core to take a step forward but i really hope they take a hard look at the supporting group and make the tough decisions
- johnnykarate

Hawks added Hossa when they were ready to take the next step. That was a huge add. This is why I've griped about the team's cap situation. This is the point in the development arc to look at adding big UFAs to fill in the larger gaps. But, it is what it is.

was it lebrun that called the canucks the pre-cup hawks? its a big year for the core to take a step forward but i really hope they take a hard look at the supporting group and make the tough decisions
- johnnykarate

was it lebrun that called the canucks the pre-cup hawks? its a big year for the core to take a step forward but i really hope they take a hard look at the supporting group and make the tough decisions
- johnnykarate

If you look at the depth the Hawks had beyond the three best players, Toews, Kane & Keith, you can see what a horrible comment that was. He’s looking at Pettersson, Boeser & Hughes, which is fair enough, but look at the Hawks depth.

There is a divided group on what is a bad contract and what isn't . Everyone agrees Loui is terrible .

If you listened to SN650 or read on Twitter some people think Beagle and Sutter have had good playoffs. Most people are wanting Myers to come back as quick as possible and others think he is a terrible signing.

Ask Bo if he thinks Sutter is a terrible signing.

I seen Beagles stats the other day you can do that about anyone when they have a bad game. I also seen Beagle many times come to rescue of other players in a lot of scrums.

Young players learn what it takes from the guys that have been there. Even though some don't like the contract means everyone hates them.

I never thought this was the cup winning team but I do think we will see one soon.
- VANTEL

A lot of these points can be both. What I mean is Sutter can be “playing well” AND be a bad signing/contract. Do I believe the Canucks are better off with Sutter in the lineup vs not in the lineup? Yes, absolutely if the alternative is Bailey, or Grayovac or Lind or whoever else they have on their extended roster. Do I expect more from a player in the near $4.5m range? Absolutely. When you compound that with Lui (also “playing well”), Beagle, Roussel it gets worse. I never liked the Myers signing because I just never really liked his overall game. Would I prefer he wasn’t injured? Given the options on D, hells yeah I wish he was in the lineup.

Anyone who doesn't think the Blues are dominating 5v5 is delusional, don't even need to see the stats, eye test is good enough.


ROR's line is just dominating every Canuck line, he's been the most dominant player in this series, the Canucks have no answer for him.

Canucks only chance is Marky playing amazing(or Allen sh!tting the bed) and PP lighting it up.
- Nucker101

Where the Blues are destroying us is their ability to keep the puck in our zone and furthermore our half of the ice for very long stretches.

IMO they need to play D that can get the puck out, make a long pass. We need a forward with speed playing high at all times.