Carol Schram: More than ever, it's must-win time for the Canucks against Dallas on Monday Despite their current five-game winning streak, the Vancouver Canucks have not been able to gain ground in the Western Conference playoff race. Monday's head-to-head matchup against Dallas is crucial to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Thanks Carol! Oof, that hurts that Bo's out

Has he consistently got the team into the playoffs? Beyond the bubble play-in tournament I mean? That's why I say he's part of the problem. He's good in spots, but he's not someone you can count on to put the team on his back for long stretches, which is what you want/need in a captain/face of the franchise. He's a solid 2C, but that's not good enough if the goal is to win THE CUP. Look at the last few teams that have won the Cup (beyond Tampa Bay x2), they all had at LEAST 2 centers on their 2nd and 3rd lines that on a bad team could easily be their 1C. We could use an upgrade, especially if we're trying to work to being an actual contender and not just trying to make the playoffs if we can every year. We need to stop blaming Green for how bad this team is, because even he gave the team a bump when he first got here. BB will be the same.
- DariusKnight

Has McJesus gotten the Oilers into the playoffs consistently? No. Is he a problem for Edmonton? Would every other team in the NHL like to have McJesus as their "problem"? Unlike other sports, one person can't drag a team to the playoffs in the NHL.

Bo is not a problem, the roster construction and coaching have been problems.

Can they survive without Bo?, Benning did a better job providing depth than given credit for it appears. Miller and petey need to really step it up another notch, be nice if they can get it to the last 2 games meaning something.

That is a lot of work you did there Carol.

Has McJesus gotten the Oilers into the playoffs consistently? No. Is he a problem for Edmonton? Would every other team in the NHL like to have McJesus as their "problem"? Unlike other sports, one person can't drag a team to the playoffs in the NHL.

Bo is not a problem, the roster construction and coaching have been problems.
- NewYorkNuck

No kidding.

I don't want to see him get a big raise or anything but he's a 2C that probably plays 2/3 C on a contending team offensively. However, he's good in all zones.

Can they survive without Bo?, Benning did a better job providing depth than given credit for it appears. Miller and petey need to really step it up another notch, be nice if they can get it to the last 2 games meaning something.
- Bettmanhatesus

The team will have to work harder. Bo has a very good FO win % . They will probably be starting without the puck a lot more. Not much you can do except enjoy the games (or not).

Thank you Carol. Happy Easter.

Bo is A problem, not THE problem, he's GOOD ENOUGH but when your goal is to compete for THE CUP... good enough just isn't good enough. McJesus is a bad comparison since McJesus isn't exactly the star anymore (just one of two) on that team, Draisaitl is (and in my opinion the best player in the world).

Here is the thing, when we went to the SCF in '11, we had Henrik, Kesler (who won the Selke that year), Maholtra (who was a 2C and even the 1C in Ottawa for long stretches before he came to the Canucks), and Lapierre. That's pretty good center depth wouldn't you say? Is Prime Bo as good as Prime Kesler? Seeing as they play similar styles (maybe Kesler was a more power forward-ish than Bo is but I digress) I'd say probably not.

The point is, if your goal is to try and build a team that is just good enough, then sure Bo isn't a problem. But if your goal is to try and eventually compete and win a Cup, which should be the goal of every team, then you need someone better than Bo in that 2C spot. Bo isn't the problem in and of himself, but he's a symptom of the problem in that we think that being GOOD ENOUGH is good enough when we should be wanting more than being just good enough.

I will say in closing, that with all I've said, of all the players that need to be changed on the team Bo is the very last that needs to go.

Although it’s 1 game at a time cliche this upcoming 4 game stretch is the season. Come out of that looking great then it’s 3 games finish of high drama.

The canucks have 3 good centers to make up 3 good scoring lines when healthy and lammy is a good 4th liner, leave the centers alone, minor changes on d and forward depth is what needs to be done imo and we all have opinions.

Bo is A problem, not THE problem, he's GOOD ENOUGH but when your goal is to compete for THE CUP... good enough just isn't good enough. McJesus is a bad comparison since McJesus isn't exactly the star anymore (just one of two) on that team, Draisaitl is (and in my opinion the best player in the world).

Here is the thing, when we went to the SCF in '11, we had Henrik, Kesler (who won the Selke that year), Maholtra (who was a 2C and even the 1C in Ottawa for long stretches before he came to the Canucks), and Lapierre. That's pretty good center depth wouldn't you say? Is Prime Bo as good as Prime Kesler? Seeing as they play similar styles (maybe Kesler was a more power forward-ish than Bo is but I digress) I'd say probably not.

The point is, if your goal is to try and build a team that is just good enough, then sure Bo isn't a problem. But if your goal is to try and eventually compete and win a Cup, which should be the goal of every team, then you need someone better than Bo in that 2C spot. Bo isn't the problem in and of himself, but he's a symptom of the problem in that we think that being GOOD ENOUGH is good enough when we should be wanting more than being just good enough.

I will say in closing, that with all I've said, of all the players that need to be changed on the team Bo is the very last that needs to go.
- DariusKnight

Trading Bo creates a bigger problem…C depth

That makes it Miller & Petey at top 2C then why not keep Bo & he’s 2/3C make Llama 4C. If Petey is a winger Bo is 2C Llama 3C & Dlcky 4C. Last thing to not do is mess with C depth if nobody to replace him. Do you want…

Miller (resigned or a future hole)
Petey
Llama
Dlckinson

Bo is A problem, not THE problem, he's GOOD ENOUGH but when your goal is to compete for THE CUP... good enough just isn't good enough. McJesus is a bad comparison since McJesus isn't exactly the star anymore (just one of two) on that team, Draisaitl is (and in my opinion the best player in the world).

Here is the thing, when we went to the SCF in '11, we had Henrik, Kesler (who won the Selke that year), Maholtra (who was a 2C and even the 1C in Ottawa for long stretches before he came to the Canucks), and Lapierre. That's pretty good center depth wouldn't you say? Is Prime Bo as good as Prime Kesler? Seeing as they play similar styles (maybe Kesler was a more power forward-ish than Bo is but I digress) I'd say probably not.

The point is, if your goal is to try and build a team that is just good enough, then sure Bo isn't a problem. But if your goal is to try and eventually compete and win a Cup, which should be the goal of every team, then you need someone better than Bo in that 2C spot. Bo isn't the problem in and of himself, but he's a symptom of the problem in that we think that being GOOD ENOUGH is good enough when we should be wanting more than being just good enough.

I will say in closing, that with all I've said, of all the players that need to be changed on the team Bo is the very last that needs to go.
- DariusKnight

My Wife asked me why I watch so many Avs and Panthers games yesterday. I told her that I loved the sport so much that I never wanted to stop learning it. That even though I've spent a lifetime following it and being involved, I still liked watching the most successful teams play, to learn what they did to be successful. Because it's always changing.

What I know from learning and watching is that this team isn't anywhere near the elite. They need a lot of growth to get there.

Opinions have and always will be different on how to get there, that's one of the best parts about being a hockey fan.

Win or lose, looking forward to the last remaining games and ahl playoffs which I think Abby has a good chance for a run adding podz, Lockwood and pétan. Micky has been playing well lately but I’m guessing they go with Martin.

My Wife asked me why I watch so many Avs and Panthers games yesterday. I told her that I loved the sport so much that I never wanted to stop learning it. That even though I've spent a lifetime following it and being involved, I still liked watching the most successful teams play, to learn what they did to be successful. Because it's always changing.

What I know from learning and watching is that this team isn't anywhere near the elite. They need a lot of growth to get there.

Opinions have and always will be different on how to get there, that's one of the best parts about being a hockey fan.
- Load Management

Growth from the kids has more to give. Looking forward to them impact more & more. Leaves some redesigning left to be done. Fill up the prospect pool is a MUST.

Thanks Carol! I hadn’t really looked at Nashville’s remaining schedule, that’s some tough work ahead. I imagine the Canucks still need to run the table to pass them but the Preds and Oilers are still within reach.

Growtb from the kids has more to give. Looking forward to them impact more & more. Leaves some redesigning left to be done. Fill up the prospect pool is a MUST.
- Nighthawk

They will only get better, the core is very young and they like each other from what I gather.

No kidding.

I don't want to see him get a big raise or anything but he's a 2C that probably plays 2/3 C on a contending team offensively. However, he's good in all zones.
- golfingsince

What are 30g scorers getting paid now? You have to think that his next deal is going to start with a 7.

They will only get better, the core is very young and they like each other from what I gather.
- Bettmanhatesus

Agree & heard the same. Comes back to more dynamics on the D & drafting.

I’d like to see all or most of the over seas prospects in Abby next year.

Bo is A problem, not THE problem, he's GOOD ENOUGH but when your goal is to compete for THE CUP... good enough just isn't good enough. McJesus is a bad comparison since McJesus isn't exactly the star anymore (just one of two) on that team, Draisaitl is (and in my opinion the best player in the world).

Here is the thing, when we went to the SCF in '11, we had Henrik, Kesler (who won the Selke that year), Maholtra (who was a 2C and even the 1C in Ottawa for long stretches before he came to the Canucks), and Lapierre. That's pretty good center depth wouldn't you say? Is Prime Bo as good as Prime Kesler? Seeing as they play similar styles (maybe Kesler was a more power forward-ish than Bo is but I digress) I'd say probably not.

The point is, if your goal is to try and build a team that is just good enough, then sure Bo isn't a problem. But if your goal is to try and eventually compete and win a Cup, which should be the goal of every team, then you need someone better than Bo in that 2C spot. Bo isn't the problem in and of himself, but he's a symptom of the problem in that we think that being GOOD ENOUGH is good enough when we should be wanting more than being just good enough.

I will say in closing, that with all I've said, of all the players that need to be changed on the team Bo is the very last that needs to go.
- DariusKnight

The TEAM is not good enough. Bo would be a 1C on a bad team, as per your comparables. On a good team, he'd probably be a lot better than he has been on a poop team the past years.

You're missing the reason I brought McDavid in: you're saying Bo isn't carrying this team to the playoffs. Two of the best players in the world couldn't carry their team to the playoffs consistently... I think you're lumping a lot of unrealistic expectations onto Bo, who's a second line center.

Comparing this TEAM to the TEAM that went to the finals is a joke. Yes, the center depth of the Pres Trophy winning team is much better than this bubble team. That's pretty freaking obvious. That's a team issue, not a Bo Horvat issue.

My Wife asked me why I watch so many Avs and Panthers games yesterday. I told her that I loved the sport so much that I never wanted to stop learning it. That even though I've spent a lifetime following it and being involved, I still liked watching the most successful teams play, to learn what they did to be successful. Because it's always changing.

What I know from learning and watching is that this team isn't anywhere near the elite. They need a lot of growth to get there.

Opinions have and always will be different on how to get there, that's one of the best parts about being a hockey fan.
- Load Management

Championship calibre clubs are deep. Deeper than any Canucks team we've ever seen save possibly 2011.

Removing players that could/should be a part of that depth isn't really a solution IMO, unless the return is substantial both now and in the future.

We need more good players, not less. There's not argument from me that Bo is best suited as a 3C and I love his game. Pay him as a top 3C and add more talent around him. Unfortunately, the pipeline is thin at the moment.

The TEAM is not good enough. Bo would be a 1C on a bad team, as per your comparables. On a good team, he'd probably be a lot better than he has been on a poop team the past years.

You're missing the reason I brought McDavid in: you're saying Bo isn't carrying this team to the playoffs. Two of the best players in the world couldn't carry their team to the playoffs consistently... I think you're lumping a lot of unrealistic expectations onto Bo, who's a second line center.

Comparing this TEAM to the TEAM that went to the finals is a joke. Yes, the center depth of the Pres Trophy winning team is much better than this bubble team. That's pretty freaking obvious. That's a team issue, not a Bo Horvat issue.
- NewYorkNuck

I guess you have to weigh who’s going to do what. If Horvat, Pettersson and Miller are all going to play C, can you afford that? Probably looking at $6.5-7, Petey already at $7ish and Miller in the $8 range.

I guess you have to weigh who’s going to do what. If Horvat, Pettersson and Miller are all going to play C, can you afford that? Probably looking at $6.5-7, Petey already at $7ish and Miller in the $8 range.
- 1970vintage

Horvat is the most natural centre out of the 3. He's never played with a winger better than Boeser. I'm fine with paying the 3 C's some money and bringing in entry level wingers and D.

Championship calibre clubs are deep. Deeper than any Canucks team we've ever seen save possibly 2011.

Removing players that could/should be a part of that depth isn't really a solution IMO, unless the return is substantial both now and in the future.

We need more good players, not less. There's not argument from me that Bo is best suited as a 3C and I love his game. Pay him as a top 3C and add more talent around him. Unfortunately, the pipeline is thin at the moment.
- golfingsince

To me, a lot of the depth from the elite teams comes from having a decent amount of players outperforming their contracts. Or, more recently, pushing the LTIR boundaries to the max. Also, mature youth ready and knocking.

It just seems that value extends further with these teams.