Carol Schram: Elias Pettersson, Jonathan Dahlen to debut as Canucks open preseason vs Edm Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Dahlen both draw into the lineup as the Vancouver Canucks open their 2018 preseason schedule at Rogers Arena against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.

Carol Schram: Elias Pettersson, Jonathan Dahlen to debut as Canucks open preseason vs Edm
Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Dahlen both draw into the lineup as the Vancouver Canucks open their 2018 preseason schedule at Rogers Arena against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.
- Carol Schram

let's get it on

- Nucker101

- Nucker101

- Nucker101

Thanks Carol!!

Thanks Carol, looking forward to some realish hockey.

Guys on the radio this morning (Rogers) seemed pretty optimistic that this team will surprise some people this year and guys like Hutton and Gudbranson would return to form.

What are your predictions Vinty?

What are your predictions Vinty?
- CanuckDon

For tonight, the end of camp, the season?

What are your predictions Vinty?
- CanuckDon

For tonight, the end of camp, the season?
- 1970vintage

Why would I care about tonight? The season

- RealityChecker

Pain for Garrison, Yes!

Last year the Canucks picked up Pouliot from the Penguins for Pedan and a 4th. At the time, Pouliot was in a very similar position to guys like Gaunce, Granlund, Goldobin, Virtanen, etc. are now. He had been around long enough that he wasn't waiver exempt, but had yet to establish himself as a regular NHL player with a defined role and value.

Instead of saying "If he's not good enough to be on our opening night roster and gets claimed on waivers, good riddance", the Penguins got a draft pick and some AHL depth for him.

If playing Gaudette, Dahlen, etc. on the Comets for a couple of months is necessary until an opportunity comes along to move some of our dead weight for picks, Benning has to do it. Extra draft picks are too valuable at this stage of the team's development not to make asset management a higher priority than "internal competition". Some of the younger guys might outplay a few of the veteran guys, but unless it's by a wide, wide margin, he can't afford to stick to those principals right now.

Last year the Canucks picked up Pouliot from the Penguins for Pedan and a 4th. At the time, Pouliot was in a very similar position to guys like Gaunce, Granlund, Goldobin, Virtanen, etc. are now. He had been around long enough that he wasn't waiver exempt, but had yet to establish himself as a regular NHL player with a defined role and value.

Instead of saying "If he's not good enough to be on our opening night roster and gets claimed on waivers, good riddance", the Penguins got a draft pick and some AHL depth for him.

If playing Gaudette, Dahlen, etc. on the Comets for a couple of months is necessary until an opportunity comes along to move some of our dead weight for picks, Benning has to do it. Extra draft picks are too valuable at this stage of the team's development not to make asset management a higher priority than "internal competition". Some of the younger guys might outplay a few of the veteran guys, but unless it's by a wide, wide margin, he can't afford to stick to those principals right now.
- YeOldTimer

no matter how you spin out, people will be mad.

Dahlen and Gaudette to Utica - Fans angry
Gaunce and Archibald waived (for younger players) - Fans angry
Gaunce/Granlund/Archibald traded - Fans less disgruntled, but still mad

These are the growing pains of having a team that is still technically rebuilding and needing to make some tough roster decisions. It would be impossible to come in here after opening night roster is set, and have everyone be aligned and happy about whatever they choose

Why would I care about tonight? The season
- CanuckDon

I think they will be cautious about loosing players they feel still have a future for nothing, and will start most of the young guys in Utica. I think this because of what Weisbrod said the other day. They are aware of Corradogate, and the mistake they made with Virtanen/McCann.

I think the team will be a step quicker, I think they will generally be more entertaining to watch. Mostly because the twins are gone and one fourth of the playing time won’t rely on cycling the puck non stop.

I think the PP will drop a few places in the overall standings, and the team will struggle to score goals consistently. 4 one game, shut out another, 7 the next game etc. As Pettersson gets more comfortable, and the season progresses it will get better.

I think they will finish with more points than last year, but finish lower in the standings. Overall I think the league will be better, and some of the teams they were fighting for the bottom last year improved a bit more than the Canucks did.

Looking forward to another high draft pick(s), some growing pains and some late season roster turnover.

no matter how you spin out, people will be mad.

Dahlen and Gaudette to Utica - Fans angry
Gaunce and Archibald waived (for younger players) - Fans angry
Gaunce/Granlund/Archibald traded - Fans less disgruntled, but still mad

These are the growing pains of having a team that is still technically rebuilding and needing to make some tough roster decisions. It would be impossible to come in here after opening night roster is set, and have everyone be aligned and happy about whatever they choose
- Codes1087

I would argue that the majority of people (corporations) who buy tickets really aren't that emotionally invested in the team. So who cares what some of the the fans might say.

Building a winner takes both a long term and a short term approach. Get your future top six guys playing important roles for the Comets and building some confidence. Move your scrubs for additional assets when other teams get desperate and are willing to part with something of value.

In the short term you might also lose a few extra games which helps with your draft lottery odds.

Thanks Carol

no matter how you spin out, people will be mad.

Dahlen and Gaudette to Utica - Fans angry
Gaunce and Archibald waived (for younger players) - Fans angry
Gaunce/Granlund/Archibald traded - Fans less disgruntled, but still mad

These are the growing pains of having a team that is still technically rebuilding and needing to make some tough roster decisions. It would be impossible to come in here after opening night roster is set, and have everyone be aligned and happy about whatever they choose
- Codes1087

lets not kid ourselves, those that are getting waived wont be because the younger players, itll be the vets like gagne beagle shaller and the other dead weight that block the path. the kids will have to be miles ahead to crack the lineup over those with 'experience'

trading is the best option but probably harder to find partners early on

I would argue that the majority of people (corporations) who buy tickets really aren't that emotionally invested in the team. So who cares what some of the the fans might say.

Building a winner takes both a long term and a short term approach. Get your future top six guys playing important roles for the Comets and building some confidence. Move your scrubs for additional assets when other teams get desperate and are willing to part with something of value.

In the short term you might also lose a few extra games which helps with your draft lottery odds.
- YeOldTimer

I totally get what you are saying, and don't disagree. I would have to argue tho, that despite the "want" for management to get an asset in return for these players instead of losing them to waivers, I don't think its always that easy. I think most NHL teams often pick up the phone and gauge interest on players before they decide to put them on waivers. I imagine its a last resort.

lets not kid ourselves, those that are getting waived wont be because the younger players, itll be the vets like gagne beagle shaller and the other dead weight that block the path. the kids will have to be miles ahead to crack the lineup over those with 'experience'

trading is the best option but probably harder to find partners early on
- johnnykarate

MDZ and Gagner I imagine would be more enticing players for other teams to acquire in a trade, than players like Gaunce and Archibald (given their contract situation this year).

I think they will be cautious about loosing players they feel still have a future for nothing, and will start most of the young guys in Utica. I think this because of what Weisbrod said the other day. They are aware of Corradogate, and the mistake they made with Virtanen/McCann.

I think the team will be a step quicker, I think they will generally be more entertaining to watch. Mostly because the twins are gone and one fourth of the playing time won’t rely on cycling the puck non stop.

I think the PP will drop a few places in the overall standings, and the team will struggle to score goals consistently. 4 one game, shut out another, 7 the next game etc. As Pettersson gets more comfortable, and the season progresses it will get better.

I think they will finish with more points than last year, but finish lower in the standings. Overall I think the league will be better, and some of the teams they were fighting for the bottom last year improved a bit more than the Canucks did.

Looking forward to another high draft pick(s), some growing pains and some late season roster turnover.
- 1970vintage

MDZ and Gagner I imagine would be more enticing players for other teams to acquire in a trade, than players like Gaunce and Archibald (given their contract situation this year).
- Codes1087

Why do you keep including Archie? He’s a great story and all, but he will likely be the Captain in Utica this season.

Thanks Carol, looking forward to some realish hockey.

Guys on the radio this morning (Rogers) seemed pretty optimistic that this team will surprise some people this year and guys like Hutton and Gudbranson would return to form.
- 1970vintage

They certainly are the opposite of the hate vortex on TSN.