Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Review: Limping Into Break After Late Nashville Loss The Vancouver Canucks limped into the All-Star Break after their second straight third-period collapse led to a 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night at Rogers Arena.

From last blog

I am liking this new age GM'ng more and more. I think Talon started it at Chicago and is now doing it in Florida. Leafs started last year as well as Buff. I hope JB gets on it as well.
The process is simple. Unless young players make the team and force your hand, you keep them in the minors. In the off season or at TDL get performers. Pay for them but keep picks. Leafs got guys like Grabner, Winnik, Parrenteau, Boyes, Mathias. Florida got guys like Jagr, Oli, Thorton. These guys are always available for free as UFA. Grab them and give them quality minutes to boost their production and value. They don't always work out but you only need 1-2 to work out. They are almost always a 1-2yr contract guys. If they help you get in the playoffs then great, if not then flip them at TDL for picks and build through that. It speeds up the process.
Quite opposite of what Oilers were doing.
Prust didn't work out but we need players like Lui.

I think Daniel is part of Tank Nation . Those two horrible changes led to both Preds goals. I think he want Patrik Laine on his line next year

Canucks don't look all that bad. The game was not particularly exciting but they deserved a better result.

As for the trade deadline, some predictions:

Vrbata to Montreal for a first or a second and prospect.

Hamhuis to a contender (Dallas or Islanders) for a first; the Canucks resign him in the off-season.

Higgins is traded for a 4th.

Prust is traded to a contender for a 3rd

Whether the Canucks get any roster players by the deadline, who knows, but look for them to make an offer for Stamkos (which they shouldn't), Loui Erickson (to play with the Sedins), Lucic (which they shouldn't), and Andrew Ladd (who they should get). Justin Schultz might be a good pick up; he needs a change in scenery.

'If you're part of Tank Nation, the Canucks have dropped to fifth in the Pacific and 23rd overall, with potential to go lower before their next game against Columbus in eight days' time'...

Thank you Carol!

We should be bottom 5 by the end of the 2nd week of Feb if Miller keeps starting. Don't think for one minute that JB don't know what he's doing...

Great article. I raged when I saw willie "deploy" the same pp unit that has been very unsuccessful the last few months. The fact that he still hasn't rewarded Hansen with pp time is weird. Maybe he's no good at 5 on 4 in practice? But Burrows/Vrbata of all people on that power play still is a little lame to see, vets getting gifted ice time.

I would hope Willie goes with this once Hank is back

Dank-Sutter-Hank
Baertschi-Horvat-Hansen
Mccann-Vey-Etem
Dorsett- Cracknell-Virtanen

Tanev-Edler
Hutton-Sbisa
Bart (UGGGGHHH)- Biega

Trade Vrbata/Burrows/Prust/the 1st rounder this year in a package for a real D man for the top 4.... so that Sbisa/ Hutton can play less minutes. I know trading the First Rounder is bad blah blah blah but this team is fairly competitive and it's probably going to end up a 15-20 pick imo and those assets NEED to go to a substantial young defenceman and that's more important than getting lucky in the draft after 5 years of development (we have kids ready now) rebuild on the fly JB, trade the first and other good assets for a young established d man that can grow with the team. McCann/Horvat/Baertschi/Vey/Etem/Virtanen/Shiunkaruk are our future Offense as well as Demko/ Markstrom, lets solidify the d corps now while we are competitive with the sedins/ sutter/hansen. No point in using our first pick, am I crazy? I hope JB pursues Vatanen/Hamonic HARD

I am pretty sure that rumor on the main blog generated from yesterday when LeBrun made a comment How good would Louie look with the twins

Now it's a full blown rumor

Canucks buyers

I am pretty sure that rumor on the main blog generated from yesterday when LeBrun made a comment How good would Louie look with the twins

Now it's a full blown rumor
- VANTEL

I know right? That's such an easy connection to make too, they were line mates for almost every olympic game.Every GM would consider bringing that back together, but JB would be crazy to trade the most expensive rental on the market right now.

RIP Ryper. Thanks for the memories.

No point in using our first pick, am I crazy?
- Crazybagoham

Not crazy.

Only the NHL allows for drafting teen agers. Look at past NFL and NBA drafts. First rounders are stars, almost making an immediate impact. The stupid NHL continues to cling to an outdated draft which is comparable to throwing dice.

if you can turn a first round pick, especially a late first, into a player three or four years older, more mature, and ready to play with men, then do it.

Canucks buyers
- VANTEL

well only if its for that young d man, anything else is ridiculous, we have kids itching to come up right now on forwards at least

I think Daniel is part of Tank Nation . Those two horrible changes led to both Preds goals. I think he want Patrik Laine on his line next year
- VANTEL

Apparently, it was Edler's fault.

Apparently, it was Edler's fault.
- Marwood

Maybe he wants a new partner?

Trade him for 2 Webbers. #teamdefense.

'If you're part of Tank Nation, the Canucks have dropped to fifth in the Pacific and 23rd overall, with potential to go lower before their next game against Columbus in eight days' time'...

Thank you Carol!

We should be bottom 5 by the end of the 2nd week of Feb if Miller keeps starting. Don't think for one minute that JB don't know what he's doing...


- LordHumungous

still a lot of games bro, if you think JB is purposefully tanking you have never seen a Buffalo game.

Not crazy.

Only the NHL allows for drafting teen agers. Look at past NFL and NBA drafts. First rounders are stars, almost making an immediate impact. The stupid NHL continues to cling to an outdated draft which is comparable to throwing dice.

if you can turn a first round pick, especially a late first, into a player three or four years older, more mature, and ready to play with men, then do it.
- pmg2008

this.

Trade him for 2 Webbers. #teamdefense.
- Linden_4_Capt

Shea?

Shea?
- VANTEL

No the cheaper one.

Mike? :3

No the cheaper one.
- Linden_4_Capt

As long as it's not Yannik

Mike? :3
- Crazybagoham

No the crappier one.

Canucks don't look all that bad. The game was not particularly exciting but they deserved a better result.

As for the trade deadline, some predictions:

Vrbata to Montreal for a first or a second and prospect.

Hamhuis to a contender (Dallas or Islanders) for a first; the Canucks resign him in the off-season.

Higgins is traded for a 4th.

Prust is traded to a contender for a 3rd

Whether the Canucks get any roster players by the deadline, who knows, but look for them to make an offer for Stamkos (which they shouldn't), Loui Erickson (to play with the Sedins), Lucic (which they shouldn't), and Andrew Ladd (who they should get). Justin Schultz might be a good pick up; he needs a change in scenery.
- pmg2008

I'll have him in Vancouver tomorrow. No need to pay me, this one is on the house.

I'll have him in Vancouver tomorrow. No need to pay me, this one is on the house.
- Wildschwein