Thank you Carol

It's improved on paper, we'll see come the start of the season. It would be great to see them start like they were fired out of a cannon. They should also benefit from Pouty & Huggy both being at camp.
The defense is still pretty weak and a lot is riding on Demko, especially if the backup sucks alpaca balls.
- Marwood

A two day training camp should get them off to a great start, after two days they should all know the new guy's names.

It's improved on paper, we'll see come the start of the season. It would be great to see them start like they were fired out of a cannon. They should also benefit from Pouty & Huggy both being at camp.
The defense is still pretty weak and a lot is riding on Demko, especially if the backup sucks alpaca balls.
- Marwood

JR admittedly says it's been tough to upgrade the D. They will ride Demko until they can figure it out. They better hope they can stay healthy.

JR admittedly says it's been tough to upgrade the D. They will ride Demko until they can figure it out. They better hope they can stay healthy.
- VanHockeyGuy

That is key. Having one of the better top 9's in the league will help. D is a work in progress it will get handled. Not too worried about Demko's backup in Martin as well he looks to be better than Halak was for us already.

A two day training camp should get them off to a great start, after two days they should all know the new guy's names.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Nothing is determined during camp. Come to camp in shape. Learn a few systems, pre season is where the team is picked anyways.

JR admittedly says it's been tough to upgrade the D. They will ride Demko until they can figure it out. They better hope they can stay healthy.
- VanHockeyGuy

8th best GA in the league. Ahead of the cup champs.

She was lucky she didn't call it among the best in the league.
- Marwood

Awwww...sucks the team is getting better?

8th best GA in the league. Ahead of the cup champs.
- manvanfan

Stats don't matter. Just Doom/Gloom.

Formidable: French word for tremendous or very great
- Shuswap Wap

yes, that is how Carol characterized the top nine in the blog, very smart woman.

That is key. Having one of the better top 9's in the league will help. D is a work in progress it will get handled. Not too worried about Demko's backup in Martin as well he looks to be better than Halak was for us already.
- LordHumungous

Imminent key injuries, lack of depth is what they're gambling won't happen.

Yeah I agree with another poster - term 'internal competition' has been used a lot in the past and I've noticed it usually means no depth. You have a bunch of lotto tickets and flyers you hope pan out to push some of the guys that are lower end or don't belong anyway.

I can get on board that a healthy top 9 with bounce back years from key guys MAY get better results, but betting on everything to go right isn't realistic for one of the most traveled teams. Call me pessimistic if you want, I just don't see a ceiling here that is beyond sneaking into playoffs if all goes right ... and if we did I'd bet it's going to take a herculian effort from demko and more attributed to that. He gonna get a lot of quality chances against again with that D.

Highly unlikely but for league Min, he might be a decent call up once in a while, for another team.

Brings up a lot of hurt feelings for Jim aka Marwood.

Who knows, maybe the KHL had a bigger impact on his game than Green.
- manvanfan

Why on earth would any management team bring a guy back that was let loose amid sexual allegations. I can think of 31 other teams more likely than the Canucks to sign Virtanen

Yeah I agree with another poster - term 'internal competition' has been used a lot in the past and I've noticed it usually means no depth. You have a bunch of lotto tickets and flyers you hope pan out to push some of the guys that are lower end or don't belong anyway.

I can get on board that a healthy top 9 with bounce back years from key guys MAY get better results, but betting on everything to go right isn't realistic for one of the most traveled teams. Call me pessimistic if you want, I just don't see a ceiling here that is beyond sneaking into playoffs if all goes right ... and if we did I'd bet it's going to take a herculian effort from demko and more attributed to that. He gonna get a lot of quality chances against again with that D.
- Sayros

Internal competition is why they signed Chiasson before the season started and waived both Gadjovic and MacEwan. If’s why Gaudette was on the team and Bärtschi was sent down. It’s why…

Yeah I agree with another poster - term 'internal competition' has been used a lot in the past and I've noticed it usually means no depth. You have a bunch of lotto tickets and flyers you hope pan out to push some of the guys that are lower end or don't belong anyway.

I can get on board that a healthy top 9 with bounce back years from key guys MAY get better results, but betting on everything to go right isn't realistic for one of the most traveled teams. Call me pessimistic if you want, I just don't see a ceiling here that is beyond sneaking into playoffs if all goes right ... and if we did I'd bet it's going to take a herculian effort from demko and more attributed to that. He gonna get a lot of quality chances against again with that D.
- Sayros

Thanks Carol, I like that line in the blog "but that top-nine looks formidable"

Wonder how many in here dare to call you a slurper or fanboy(girl)
- Makita

😂😂

So much focus on the D & Demko carrying the team the F depth doesn’t get enough credit. Gonna be fun.

Another overused pro hockey phrase “internal competition”. So fucking stupid.

When was the last time “internal competition” resulted in any meaningful change for a Canucks team? Any time it was close to happening, the salary cap and waiver exemption status usually dictated who stayed or who went.
- bloatedmosquito

This is the year it’s true. A player like Hog who can bounce back has lots to prove to make the top 9.

😂😂

So much focus on the D & Demko carrying the team the F depth doesn’t get enough credit. Gonna be fun.
- Nighthawk

Petey and miky on the PK together should be fun!

Thanks Carol.

Interesting lineup mock.

lya Mikheyev -- Elias Pettersson -- Brock Boeser

Tanner Pearson -- Bo Horvat -- Conor Garland

Andrei Kuzmenko -- J.T. Miller -- Vasily Podkolzin

Nils Hoglander -- Curtis Lazar -- Dakota Joshua


i've thought about something like this as well, good spread of talent in the top 9.
To me it really hinges on if someone can step up in the top line (Mik) to supplant JTM.

If not, then i suspect we'll revert to something more familiar like:

JTM-EP40-BB
Miky-BoHo-Garland
Kuz-D!cky-Pods
Pearson-Lazar-Joshua/Hogs

I'm hoping for the former

It's improved on paper, we'll see come the start of the season. It would be great to see them start like they were fired out of a cannon. They should also benefit from Pouty & Huggy both being at camp.
The defense is still pretty weak and a lot is riding on Demko, especially if the backup sucks alpaca balls.
- Marwood

Well said & guarded but for you that’s about as optimistic as I’ve ever seen you 😂👍

Kids 1 year older & healthier & coach BB a fully fresh start should show results. Not worried about scoring but interested to seem if team D & breakouts improve.

Thanks Carol.

Interesting lineup mock.

lya Mikheyev -- Elias Pettersson -- Brock Boeser

Tanner Pearson -- Bo Horvat -- Conor Garland

Andrei Kuzmenko -- J.T. Miller -- Vasily Podkolzin

Nils Hoglander -- Curtis Lazar -- Dakota Joshua


i've thought about something like this as well, good spread of talent in the top 9.
To me it really hinges on if someone can step up in the top line (Mik) to supplant JTM.

If not, then i suspect we'll revert to something more familiar like:

JTM-EP40-BB
Miky-BoHo-Garland
Kuz-D!cky-Pods
Pearson-Lazar-Joshua/Hogs

I'm hoping for the former
- dbot

Quit trying to steal Nighthawks job.

I believe the lotto line is most likely finished except in very special cases. Richardinson needs to be a lot better than he was last season. He wasn't even a 4LC last season.

Quit trying to steal Nighthawks job.

I believe the lotto line is most likely finished except in very special cases. Richardinson needs to be a lot better than he was last season. He wasn't even a 4LC last season.
- manvanfan

Internal competition

Yeah I agree with another poster - term 'internal competition' has been used a lot in the past and I've noticed it usually means no depth. You have a bunch of lotto tickets and flyers you hope pan out to push some of the guys that are lower end or don't belong anyway.

I can get on board that a healthy top 9 with bounce back years from key guys MAY get better results, but betting on everything to go right isn't realistic for one of the most traveled teams. Call me pessimistic if you want, I just don't see a ceiling here that is beyond sneaking into playoffs if all goes right ... and if we did I'd bet it's going to take a herculian effort from demko and more attributed to that. He gonna get a lot of quality chances against again with that D.
- Sayros

Yes & No.

The PK at seasons start was horrific & killed confidence. That alone is an easy improvement & less chasing the game. The PP has a ton of depth now. Special teams play will be my focus.

Quit trying to steal Nighthawks job.

I believe the lotto line is most likely finished except in very special cases. Richardinson needs to be a lot better than he was last season. He wasn't even a 4LC last season.
- manvanfan

😂😂

Agree that BB will spread out the top 9 for more scoring depth & line dynamics. The PP will load up as usual.

Quit trying to steal Nighthawks job.

I believe the lotto line is most likely finished except in very special cases. Richardinson needs to be a lot better than he was last season. He wasn't even a 4LC last season.
- manvanfan

😂😂

Agree that BB will spread out the top 9 for more scoring depth & line dynamics. The PK will load up as usual. I don’t have Dlcky top 9 in any projected libe-ups.

Internal competition
- dbot

Pistols at dawn? 🤪