Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Day: October 26 vs. Washington Capitals, Home Again After going 1-2-0 on their recent road trip, the Vancouver Canucks open a three-game homestand on Sunday against the Washington Capitals.

Team needs a bit of a shake-up, hopefully Benning is always working the phones. Probably a bottom six move which would include Richardson or Matthias type players; we need Bo in the line-up!!

If Benning doesn't do something about our defense, it won't matter about our forwards. This could be a long losing streak if we have to rely on Bieksa, Edler, Sbisa and Weber to defend for us at this point.

If Benning doesn't do something about our defense, it won't matter about our forwards. This could be a long losing streak if we have to rely on Bieksa, Edler, Sbisa and Weber to defend for us at this point.
- DariusKnight

Time for some fresh meat from top to bottom, team is pretty stale all around!! Our 7ack of speed is going to hurt us badly.

Team needs a bit of a shake-up, hopefully Benning is always working the phones. Probably a bottom six move which would include Richardson or Matthias type players; we need Bo in the line-up!!
- LeftCoaster

We need Bo badly. Three-zone player with the ability to win crucial faceoffs. Gotta see what he can do in his 9 games IMO. Key here is obviously containing OvenChicken and keeping him off the PP. Caps are gonna score less with Trotz's style but still have weapons to be sure. We know where OV parks himself so get 'er done.

I think Vantel is on to something when saying changes could be made after the 20-25 game window. We'll see but if marked improvements from Hansen, Matthias and especially Kassian aren't apparent shuffling should happen. Sbisa/Weber as well.

I'm not sold on Matthias on the third line at all. He is a better fit with Dorsett just to get out there and skate D men into the boards....if he decides to hit that is.

Vey is a much better fit on the third line right now. Yes Vey has defensive issues like most new players but he has good ice coverage and has the ability to cover all three zones. More creative with the puck than Matthias as well.

Seeing Vey produce on the PP and even Vrbata to some extent shows how important it is to have the right hand shot on the PP strategically placed. We have had none of that since the departure of Salo and Ehrhoff (even though Ehrhoff was a MASSIVE defensive liability) so it is nice to see the PP coming around...for now. And yes I know Ehrhoff was a left hand shot but he had PP presence...

Might need Miller Time to come up with another few circus like saves too!

Awe well, as long as they get Horvat, Corrado and Jensen in the line up soon, I dont care where this team ends up this season. Add a D man maybe... reduce Bieksas playing time... increase Kassians...

We need Bo badly. Three-zone player with the ability to win crucial faceoffs. Gotta see what he can do in his 9 games IMO. Key here is obviously containing OvenChicken and keeping him off the PP. Caps are gonna score less with Trotz's style but still have weapons to be sure. We know where OV parks himself so get 'er done.

I think Vantel is on to something when saying changes could be made after the 20-25 game window. We'll see but if marked improvements from Hansen, Matthias and especially Kassian aren't apparent shuffling should happen. Sbisa/Weber as well.

I'm not sold on Matthias on the third line at all. He is a better fit with Dorsett just to get out there and skate D men into the boards....if he decides to hit that is.

Vey is a much better fit on the third line right now. Yes Vey has defensive issues like most new players but he has good ice coverage and has the ability to cover all three zones. More creative with the puck than Matthias as well.

Seeing Vey produce on the PP and even Vrbata to some extent shows how important it is to have the right hand shot on the PP strategically placed. We have had none of that since the departure of Salo and Ehrhoff (even though Ehrhoff was a MASSIVE defensive liability) so it is nice to see the PP coming around...for now. And yes I know Ehrhoff was a left hand shot but he had PP presence...

Might need Miller Time to come up with another few circus like saves too!

- LordHumungous

I've never heard that one before

Awe well, as long as they get Horvat, Corrado and Jensen in the line up soon, I dont care where this team ends up this season. Add a D man maybe... reduce Bieksas playing time... increase Kassians...
- boonerbuck

Yup all of this, the sooner this team transitions to a younger line-up the better off we are IMO. We need to get our hands on some younger dmen, maybe Sanheim and Robert Hagg from Philly?

Mother(frank)ing OvenChicken.

Yup all of this, the sooner this team transitions to a younger line-up the better off we are IMO. We need to get our hands on some younger dmen, maybe Sanheim and Robert Hagg from Philly?
- LeftCoaster

For Hansen+Sestito obviously

I didn't get a chance to see the Colorado game but I expect the nucks to come out strong against the Caps just like the Blues game after being lit up against the Stars.

I actually haven't watched the Canucks lose yet this season (Col, Dal, TBL) and I am watching tonight so we should be fine. I said that being .500 at the end of October would be good enough for me considering the changes to the team this year.
As bad as Sbisa has looked at times, the reality is we are stuck with him, no one will pick him up with that salary. I think we are stuck with this D-core unless Corrado/Andersson/Sanguetti take a step forward, as the price for D is through the roof right now.
That said Hamhuis and Beiksa have not played to their potential (injuries?) and Stanton while starting well has been injured. Getting healthy and getting used to the new D system will make a difference.

Team needs a bit of a shake-up, hopefully Benning is always working the phones. Probably a bottom six move which would include Richardson or Matthias type players; we need Bo in the line-up!!
- LeftCoaster

I actually disagree. I don't think the team can be shaken up.

First of all, (after what, 7 games?) the team is better than I would have thought. The Top line is kicking ass and we're getting some secondary scoring.

Secondly, I'm not sure how one can fix our defense without a total rebuild...and that's where the problem lies. Unless they can get their act together via good coaching, we've got a defense which is weak from the top pairing on down. Corrado and Stanton 'might' be an improvement over Sbisa and Weber, but not the other 4 defense men who have one goal and are a collective minus.

Any chance that the Nucks can swap Dman and come out on top? I strongly doubt it.

Thirdly, I just don't think that anyone from the farm is going to come in and kick some ass. Bo might be good, but will he be heads and shoulders above Mathias or Richardson?

The only thing I can see helping the team right now is time, trading (who knows what?) for a face off man or a goalie getting smoking hot. Sorry guys and gals, think it's going to be a long season.

Team needs a bit of a shake-up, hopefully Benning is always working the phones. Probably a bottom six move which would include Richardson or Matthias type players; we need Bo in the line-up!!
- LeftCoaster

Yeah, Richardson isn't going anywhere. Guy is one of our better bottom six guys and has a cup ring to show for it. Guys like Benning value that kind of experience. Hansen, Matthias, are expendable. Horvat or Jensen might work in there stead. Jensen would need to be on the third line with Vey or on the second with Higgins or burrows moved down.

Hansen and Matthias become more valuable as other teams get injuries... so I don't think anything happens this early into the season.

I think I will continue holding my tongue for another day.

The sun is out so have a great day guys.

Yeah, Richardson isn't going anywhere. Guy is one of our better bottom six guys and has a cup ring to show for it. Guys like Benning value that kind of experience. Hansen, Matthias, are expendable. Horvat or Jensen might work in there stead. Jensen would need to be on the third line with Vey or on the second with Higgins or burrows moved down.

Hansen and Matthias become more valuable as other teams get injuries... so I don't think anything happens this early into the season.
- kaptaan

I agree. This is why Im looking at our kids instead of trades. I think this team may make a move for a bit of depth later(no shake up) if things are still upside down with faceoffs and D. It will be a depth d man and a depth bottom six that can win faceoffs.... but only after they have given Bo and Corrado a chance to help those areas I hope.

I'd support a fire sale this TDL if this team is out of reach-ish of a playoff spot. Not all but take your pick of a few...

I think I will continue holding my tongue for another day.

The sun is out so have a great day guys.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Snow here in Quesnel... (frank) your day.

Yup all of this, the sooner this team transitions to a younger line-up the better off we are IMO. We need to get our hands on some younger dmen, maybe Sanheim and Robert Hagg from Philly?
- LeftCoaster

It's Philly, so who knows, but I think they would be trying to acquire D, not trade it.

I'd support a fire sale this TDL if this team is out of reach-ish of a playoff spot. Not all but take your pick of a few...
- boonerbuck

Even if they are still in the race-wild card and just making it, I don't think this team will get far in the playoffs. I support any trade of pending ufa's and such as long as we are getting picks and/or prospects back.

I wouldn't mind Richardson resigned if the $ makes sense and Dorsett too. Don't see Matthias or Hansen coming back next year.

Still hoping they make the playoffs especially if Horvat is in the lineup. Could be a great experience for him.

Benning won't make any moves till this team is at least 3 or 4 games below .500.



But yeah Sbisa sucks. Awesome skater ZERO VISION.

Benning won't make any moves till this team is at least 3 or 4 games below .500.



But yeah Sbisa sucks. Awesome skater ZERO VISION.
- classic321

I think he wants to wait a bit, 20 games or so, to see players in different roles and situations.

Benning doesn't appear to have any reservations when it comes to making moves and there appears to be more gm's willing to deal with him.

Snow here in Quesnel... (frank) your day.

- boonerbuck

but it must be purrrty? *ducking*

I'd support a fire sale this TDL if this team is out of reach-ish of a playoff spot. Not all but take your pick of a few...
- boonerbuck

I would like to see us get faster. Henrik is already down playing speed as a factor. It was very noticeable against 2 faster teams in Tampa and Colorado and those two teams haven't found there stride yet.

Snow here in Quesnel... (frank) your day.

- boonerbuck

You living in Quesnel Booner?

Team needs a bit of a shake-up, hopefully Benning is always working the phones. Probably a bottom six move which would include Richardson or Matthias type players; we need Bo in the line-up!!
- LeftCoaster

Bo looked solid in AHL stint. Jensen has really awesome which is surprising because it usully takes a bit for him to build some confidence. I think he has come to realize he is at a point where he will make the NHL or be a full time AHLer or go back home. He really looks like he wants it right now.