Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Analyzing the Core, Jason Strudwick on Gino Odjick Thoughts on the Canucks' aging core and Jason Strudwick remembers how it felt to be traded for Gino Odjck, as well as another edition of "Who Wore it Best?"

This core is old . I don't expect much for the next two years. Someone pointed out that we have third liners playing 2 and 4 th line on the last blog and I agree with that.

I seen the team diminishing before last year.

I am looking forward to the future but I think the sooner that mgmt realize they need huge changes we will putter along.

This core is old . I don't expect much for the next two years. Someone pointed out that we have third liners playing 2 and 4 th line on the last blog and I agree with that.

I seen the team diminishing before last year.

I am looking forward to the future but I think the sooner that mgmt realize they need huge changes we will putter along.
- VANTEL

ya pretty much.

I just hope you guys don't try to make the playoffs for 5 more years and suffer just missing them like the flames did last decade. Use the assets they have now to get to a solid team quicker (by that I mean the sedins)

ya pretty much.

I just hope you guys don't try to make the playoffs for 5 more years and suffer just missing them like the flames did last decade. Use the assets they have now to get to a solid team quicker (by that I mean the sedins)
- numbear

I don't want to be anywhere near the playoffs this year.

This core is old . I don't expect much for the next two years. Someone pointed out that we have third liners playing 2 and 4 th line on the last blog and I agree with that.

I seen the team diminishing before last year.

I am looking forward to the future but I think the sooner that mgmt realize they need huge changes we will putter along.
- VANTEL

I am not too worried about d or goal...

Forwards-

1st liners- Daniel, Henrik, Vrbata,
2nd liners- Burrows, Bonino
Top 6 bubble? Kassian,
Rookies playing for 2nd/3rd line spot- Jensen, Horvat, Shinkaruk
3rd liners- Higgins,
limbo/undecided- Richardson, Hansen, Matthias, Vey
4th line- Sestito, Dorsett
Bottom 6, Comets or back to Junior - Lain, Zalewsky, Mallett, Gaunce, Grenier, Fox


Question marks for so many players. Hansen could easily slot in on 3rd line, but want to see him or Higgins moved. If Higgins is on the 2nd line to start the season, it will be very disappointing.

edit: I bolded 13 names that I think will be our opening night roster+scratch if no moves are made between now and then and rookies not making the big club. Really expecting to see Higgins or Hansen moved or someone not picked up recently to open up a spot for a kid to win.

I am not too worried about d or goal...

Forwards-

1st liners- Daniel, Henrik, Vrbata,
2nd liners- Burrows, Bonino
Top 6 bubble? Kassian,
Rookies playing for 2nd/3rd line spot- Jensen, Horvat, Shinkaruk
3rd liners- Higgins,
limbo/undecided- Richardson, Hansen, Matthias, Vey
4th line- Sestito, Dorsett
Bottom 6, Comets or back to Junior - Lain, Zalewsky, Mallett, Gaunce, Grenier, Fox


Question marks for so many players. Hansen could easily slot in on 3rd line, but want to see him or Higgins moved. If Higgins is on the 2nd line to start the season, it will be very disappointing.

edit: I bolded 13 names that I think will be our opening night roster+scratch if no moves are made between now and then and rookies not making the big club. Really expecting to see Higgins or Hansen moved or someone not picked up recently to open up a spot for a kid to win.
- hillbillydeluxe

I really don't want to see Sestito back next season.

This core is old . I don't expect much for the next two years. Someone pointed out that we have third liners playing 2 and 4 th line on the last blog and I agree with that.

I seen the team diminishing before last year.

I am looking forward to the future but I think the sooner that mgmt realize they need huge changes we will putter along.
- VANTEL

Sometimes a team just needs a good ol' dismantling (ala Mike Keenan). Struggling to attain mediocrity should never be a team goal. Toronto 2.0


I would be happy just to see this franchise let some younger players get a real chance to develop at the NHL level. That for me would indicate a true cultural change

This will not be a play off team until the Sedins are the 2nd line.

This will not be a play off team until the Sedins are the 2nd line.
- Marwood

I think they are still good enough to lead on the top line, last year was a fluke of bad proportions.

This will not be a play off team until the Sedins are the 2nd line.
- Marwood

This is a mental block for an awful lot of Canucks fans, but it's especially true with the Sedins hitting 34 before the season even starts. In fact, it's not just a Sedins issue - far too many of their best players are on the wrong side of 30 (D. Sedin, H. Sedin, Vrbata, Bieksa, Hamhuis, Miller, Higgins, Burrows), and they have to start getting a lot more realistic about that.

This will not be a play off team until the Sedins are the 2nd line.
- Marwood

So even if the second line pans out with Bonino, you don't think we will make the playoffs? Or do you mean make noise in the playoffs?

Guys are going into serious withdraw. Are we a better team than the team last year that was doing pretty good up until Christmas?

Feeling positive.

I really don't want to see Sestito back next season.
- Canuckleafer

No goon? Do we need a replacement or find different grit, with more skill, elsewhere?

So even if the second line pans out with Bonino, you don't think we will make the playoffs? Or do you mean make noise in the playoffs?

Guys are going into serious withdraw. Are we a better team than the team last year that was doing pretty good up until Christmas?

Feeling positive.



No goon? Do we need a replacement or find different grit, with more skill, elsewhere?
- hillbillydeluxe

No, I don't think they make the play offs. An aging core on decline and too many ifs.

No goon? Do we need a replacement or find different grit, with more skill, elsewhere?
- hillbillydeluxe

Dorsett fills the toughness role on a day to day basis, and brings more to the table than Sestito.
I'd like to see Tom in Utica, with the odd call up for games against Calgary or other grudge matches that arise.

So even if the second line pans out with Bonino, you don't think we will make the playoffs? Or do you mean make noise in the playoffs?

Guys are going into serious withdraw. Are we a better team than the team last year that was doing pretty good up until Christmas?

Feeling positive.



No goon? Do we need a replacement or find different grit, with more skill, elsewhere?
- hillbillydeluxe

I think the team has second round potential. People expect the Canucks to barely get into the playoffs. If they win in the first round, all bets are off in my opinion; anything can happen.

I think they are still good enough to lead on the top line, last year was a fluke of bad proportions.
- Yeti1181

Ok, out of necessity, here I go on my usual Sedin rant lol.

You are absolutely correct, the Sedins are damn good enough to still be a top line. Even at 34, the issue of age is very secondary, as has been explained. The Sedins style is not about skating (even at their best they are average skaters), it's also not about a power game.

Their skill lies in exceptional on-ice vision, anticipation, and creativity. These types of characteristics rarely decline with age. As such, one can except the Sedins will not go through the same sort of regression as happens with most players (ones whose games were built around speed). They will continue to rely on the finesse game and, most importantly, now also have a second line, which no longer allows other teams to hone in specifically on the two. That in itself will give the twins the room required to put up some excellent numbers.

P.S. yes, last year was the anomaly of all anomalies - a clusterf*uck of a season where EVERY single players production ended up quite a bit below normal. Unless the whole team suddenly turned to sh*t, then we should be fine, as we will be getting bounce back seasons from the core and the secondary scoring will also be a huge factor. New aggressive, up-temp style, and better communication with players, systems, and I guarantee this team could make some noise if they gel quickly enough.

P.S. and this will also all rest on Miller - if he gets back to his pre 2013 form, we are going to look pretty good

Ok, out of necessity, here I go on my usual Sedin rant lol.

You are absolutely correct, the Sedins are damn good enough to still be a top line. Even at 34, the issue of age is very secondary, as has been explained. The Sedins style is not about skating (even at their best they are average skaters), it's also not about a power game.

Their skill lies in exceptional on-ice vision, anticipation, and creativity. These types of characteristics rarely decline with age. As such, one can except the Sedins will not go through the same sort of regression as happens with most players (ones whose games were built around speed). They will continue to rely on the finesse game and, most importantly, now also have a second line, which no longer allows other teams to hone in specifically on the two. That in itself will give the twins the room required to put up some excellent numbers.

P.S. yes, last year was the anomaly of all anomalies - a clusterf*uck of a season where EVERY single players production ended up quite a bit below normal. Unless the whole team suddenly turned to sh*t, then we should be fine, as we will be getting bounce back seasons from the core and the secondary scoring will also be a huge factor. New aggressive, up-temp style, and better communication with players, systems, and I guarantee this team could make some noise if they gel quickly enough.
- Zogg

I agree with your statement regarding the Sedins whole heartedly man. I bet those two are most likely some of the smartest, most intelligent players in the NHL today. Maybe they have taken a step back, but I still think they're top line players.

I'm being optimistic going into this season. But I hope if GMMG doesn't get the performance we need from them, he starts taking this thing apart. I don't want to go through what Calgary has wen through for the last few years.

Ok, out of necessity, here I go on my usual Sedin rant lol.

You are absolutely correct, the Sedins are damn good enough to still be a top line. Even at 34, the issue of age is very secondary, as has been explained. The Sedins style is not about skating (even at their best they are average skaters), it's also not about a power game.

Their skill lies in exceptional on-ice vision, anticipation, and creativity. These types of characteristics rarely decline with age. As such, one can except the Sedins will not go through the same sort of regression as happens with most players (ones whose games were built around speed). They will continue to rely on the finesse game and, most importantly, now also have a second line, which no longer allows other teams to hone in specifically on the two. That in itself will give the twins the room required to put up some excellent numbers.

P.S. yes, last year was the anomaly of all anomalies - a clusterf*uck of a season where EVERY single players production ended up quite a bit below normal. Unless the whole team suddenly turned to sh*t, then we should be fine, as we will be getting bounce back seasons from the core and the secondary scoring will also be a huge factor. New aggressive, up-temp style, and better communication with players, systems, and I guarantee this team could make some noise if they gel quickly enough.
- Zogg

I agree with everything except your assumption that we will have a better 2nd line this season, its possible but time will tell. This team doesn't have at this point the same shutdown potential without kesler meaning the sedins will see a lot of tough matchups most likely. I still think they rebound but the minutes kesler was eating up are going to be hard to replace.

I agree with your statement regarding the Sedins whole heartedly man. I bet those two are most likely some of the smartest, most intelligent players in the NHL today. Maybe they have taken a step back, but I still think they're top line players.

I'm being optimistic going into this season. But I hope if GMMG doesn't get the performance we need from them, he starts taking this thing apart. I don't want to go through what Calgary has wen through for the last few years.
- Gullzy

Good call, and I agree with you about the Calgary aspect. But I think many people are overexaggerating when they compare the Canucks to the Flames. I feel it was quite a different situation. The Flames had been trending down for quite a while, as had their core assets.

The Canucks still have two very quality stars in the Sedins, Vrbata (if he clicks with the Sedins it is going to be a LOT of fun watching), Kassian - another year and another step in the right direction, Burrows - whose entire season was lost due to injury last year, Bonino - who should inject some enthusiasm and a bit of youth/production, some excellent prospects, one of who may end up on the opening roster, a great bottom six with Hansen, Higgins, Mathias, Dorsset - great tough-as-nails banger with a flair for putting the puck into the net, Richardson, and of course there needs to be a role for Vey.

As far as defense goes, I think we are going to be fine. Juice, Hahmuis, Tanev and Edler are a quality foursome (I have a feeling Edler has a major bounce back season). This Sbisa kid could very well surprise as a 5th or 6th d-man, and then there will be a fight for that 6th and 7th spot (maybe Weber for spot duty?)

And once again, the question mark in goal being, can Miller return to his pre 2013 season and still be able to steal a few games here and there.

All in all, I think there is much more positivity to focus on as opposed to a negative, even doomsday scenario(s)

And as you noted, if things, for whatever reason don't quite pan out, it will be fairly obvious at least a third into the season and management will have to act accordingly, whether through trade or otherwise. But let's not get ahead of ourselves and see how the roster responds as is.

It looks like tank nation is starting up early.

I agree with everything except your assumption that we will have a better 2nd line this season, its possible but time will tell. This team doesn't have at this point the same shutdown potential without kesler meaning the sedins will see a lot of tough matchups most likely. I still think they rebound but the minutes kesler was eating up are going to be hard to replace.
- belcherbd

Good point, but one can also say that the second line was always compromised of a mish-mash of players (mostly due to Kesler's poor injury history). I guess we'll have to see how Bonino and Kassian work out - I think those are the two bigger question marks, rather than focusing or worrying about the Sedins or Burrows (who I have a lot of confidence in).

If anything, I think those players will take the pressure off that first line. I loved what Kesler brought, but it's not like he was a premier play-maker who managed to make everyone around him better. The worst part, of course, being his propensity for injury (he's now 30 and, with the type and style of hockey he's played, I'm sure his body is much more worn down than the average 30 year old player.

Good call, and I agree with you about the Calgary aspect. But I think many people are overexaggerating when they compare the Canucks to the Flames. I feel it was quite a different situation. The Flames had been trending down for quite a while, as had their core assets.

The Canucks still have two very quality stars in the Sedins, Vrbata (if he clicks with the Sedins it is going to be a LOT of fun watching), Kassian - another year and another step in the right direction, Burrows - whose entire season was lost due to injury last year, Bonino - who should inject some enthusiasm and a bit of youth/production, some excellent prospects, one of who may end up on the opening roster, a great bottom six with Hansen, Higgins, Mathias, Dorsset - great tough-as-nails banger with a flair for putting the puck into the net, Richardson, and of course there needs to be a role for Vey.

As far as defense goes, I think we are going to be fine. Juice, Hahmuis, Tanev and Edler are a quality foursome (I have a feeling Edler has a major bounce back season). This Sbisa kid could very well surprise as a 5th or 6th d-man, and then there will be a fight for that 6th and 7th spot (maybe Weber for spot duty?)

And once again, the question mark in goal being, can Miller return to his pre 2013 season and still be able to steal a few games here and there.

All in all, I think there is much more positivity to focus on as opposed to a negative, even doomsday scenario(s)

And as you noted, if things, for whatever reason don't quite pan out, it will be fairly obvious at least a third into the season and management will have to act accordingly, whether through trade or otherwise. But let's not get ahead of ourselves and see how the roster responds as is.
- Zogg

A lot of ifs.
Just saying.

This will not be a play off team until the Sedins are the 2nd line.
- Marwood

this.

and this year isn't a concern for D. But besides Tanev, if they don't bring in some younger guys soon its going to be a problem in a couple years

I think Kassian is going to step up this year. And seems like people are under valuing higgins and richardson. Those three names kept things going at the last part of the season.

I agree with your statement regarding the Sedins whole heartedly man. I bet those two are most likely some of the smartest, most intelligent players in the NHL today. Maybe they have taken a step back, but I still think they're top line players.

I'm being optimistic going into this season. But I hope if GMMG doesn't get the performance we need from them, he starts taking this thing apart. I don't want to go through what Calgary has wen through for the last few years.
- Gullzy

you already are.

except you're stars will be harder to trade then iginla, as they're a package deal.

Struds is a good man...lot's of class

Struds is a good man...lot's of class
- Jeropotato

Re. Gino? Yep.

I am getting tired of sports readers reporting on other sports readers. Damn it is slow in the summer when commentators are commentating on tweets from fellow commentators.

I like the ALS challenge and stuff, just don't care to watch sports highlights and stuck watching Cybalski doing it or Dreger... A couple nights ago did anyone catch That's Hockey with Gino Reda calling Wang - Wong for the whole segment?