If Markstrom asks for too much money and term, the Canucks will let him walk. They have much higher priority players to sign going forward in the next couple of years. A 30 year old goalie looking for term isn't one of them.

And one of the things Jim Benning did was 'protect' Demko by not rushing him to play in the NHL too soon behind what he knew was a very bad team. If it wasn't for Markstrom during that period, the Canucks were Detroit Red Wing West.

If I was a Canuck fan I would be very excited about the future. But I said the same thing about the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto and Carolina. None of them have won squat yet. Now everybody is excited about the Canucks and Rangers. We'll see, NHL is a hard league to win in.
- RickJ

Their D corp is aging. Tanev was exposed for being ordinary. Edler is on the backside of his career. Myers is decent as a 4. Stechler is meh. Hughes will be good but still has some work to do.
They will be a playoff team but as of now, their forward depth is lacking in star power after Pettersen and Horvath.

Chunk, he’s a good goalie, like Elbows I’m not a fan, something is not right there. Let somebody else overpay for him.
- Angotti

I'm surprised you're not a fan of Lehner. He has been top notch in every way from what I could see this year. Anyways, this is sweet that the Conference Finals start right away in this bubble situation.

Can already see the difference when Vegas going up against men instead of boys

I think Strome's "slowness" problem is more about stamina than speed. Early in shifts he does OK, it's when he's out there too long that his legs get heavy and he slows down to the point it limits him, especially in defensive coverage. I doubt he will ever be much faster than he is right now when he's "fresh" but if he can (1) keep his shifts short, and (2) work on improving his stamina, his offensive skills will be a net plus versus his defensive deficiencies.
- EbonyRaptor

Neither were fast, but always thought the same of Rozsíval in his last couple years with the hawks, played a great first 30 seconds on his shifts, but after that, we were in trouble.

Can already see the difference when Vegas going up against men instead of boys
- BetweenTheDots

...and the their bodyguard is suspended.

...and the their bodyguard is suspended.
- wiz1901

They play each other tough...sloppy, not much flow

Their D corp is aging. Tanev was exposed for being ordinary. Edler is on the backside of his career. Myers is decent as a 4. Stechler is meh. Hughes will be good but still has some work to do.
They will be a playoff team but as of now, their forward depth is lacking in star power after Pettersen and Horvath.
- Elbows15

You are right about some parts of the dee but Tanev will be gone they will promote their first rounder xOlli Juolevi who finally looks ready, and Jett Woo still can get there.

and as far a forwards, they drafted a lot of good ones instead of defenders b/c at the picks they were better than any defenseman prospects: Kole Lind a sniper who needed muscle,Tyler Madden, and shrimpy Nils Hoglander is a player...

I don't think they lose what they have gained now they got a bigger taste of Cup juice.

and here's the thing, they will try and keep Toffoli, Sutter is gone in a year at his 4.3 + and they will decide soon on Viratna=en and get something for the eratic drafted too early kid.

and dont forget when they sign Markström, they probably trade Dem=ko before the expansion draft and they CAN get a defender that way to add to the group...

You are right about some parts of the dee but Tanev will be gone they will promote their first rounder xOlli Juolevi who finally looks ready, and Jett Woo still can get there.

and as far a forwards, they drafted a lot of good ones instead of defenders b/c at the picks they were better than any defenseman prospects: Kole Lind a sniper who needed muscle,Tyler Madden, and shrimpy Nils Hoglander is a player...

I don't think they lose what they have gained now they got a bigger taste of Cup juice.

and here's the thing, they will try and keep Toffoli, Sutter is gone in a year at his 4.3 + and they will decide soon on Viratna=en and get something for the eratic drafted too early kid.

and dont forget when they sign Markström, they probably trade Dem=ko before the expansion draft and they CAN get a defender that way to add to the group...
- wiz1901

Now that's analysis unparalleled

...and the their bodyguard is suspended.
- wiz1901

Ehhh Reaves really wont add much , sure against the young smaller teams he's an intimidating force but the Stars are men playing in a men's league.

Ehhh Reaves really wont add much , sure against the young smaller teams he's an intimidating force but the Stars are men playing in a men's league.
- BetweenTheDots

How's that?

How's that?
- just69sayin

The last 2 series Vegas played mostly in the opponents end. From what i saw last night Dallas held their own and played a heavy game and weren't pinned in their own end for long stretches. Reaves is an effective player in the opponents end but if he's going to have to play defense in his own end then advantage Stars because he's really not a good hockey player. I think that's only the 2nd time Vegas was held under 30 SOG in the playoffs, not counting the 3 games vs Stars, Avs, Blues, 1st time while losing for most of the game. Announcers were making excuses for them but it sure seemed to me the Stars were finishing their checks vs the skilled players of Vegas last night.

New blog! Part 1 of a 5-part series to do a season review of the Blackhawks.

Part 1: Season Review of the Defensemen.

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=107258