If things go well they will but you can say that about every team.
- Bettmanhatesus

Actually you can't... based on statistics. No other team deals with injuries like the canucks. It puts our team at unique statistical disadvantage in the league. Historically, things don't go well.

So how do you combat it? Come up with a way to make injuries not happen (impossible) or have exceptional depth and coaching to deal with a distinct disadvantage. Until that happens I don't think you can consider this team cup contenders.

No it’s not... We’re the 2028 Stanley Cup Champions. Plan the parade.
- DrChristianTroy

Funny.

All I'm saying is that we're going to have to be exceptional to be true contenders. And that ain't happening in two years.

Funny.

All I'm saying is that we're going to have to be exceptional to be true contenders. And that ain't happening in two years.
- bloatedmosquito

I wasn’t joking. And I agree.

I know. That's why I was saying to keep celebrating winning the cup in October.
Champ. lol
- Marwood

lol

Funny.

All I'm saying is that we're going to have to be exceptional to be true contenders. And that ain't happening in two years.
- bloatedmosquito

Unfortunately, some people believe you are a cup contender, by making the playoffs.
This team is maybe 2 years away from being a consistent playoff hopeful and at least 4 years away from cup contention. Imo

At the start of the season we were all happy go lucky with how awesome they were playing. Now injuries are happening and not key injuries but still. Schedule gets tougher.

I think this team is better than the way it's played in the past 5 games which has led me to be a little harder on Green. I knew they weren't going to keep putting up 5 games a goal but this team has quite a bit of offence that has slowed to a crawl. It's much better than 2 goals a game.

Defence was scoring and that has dried up pretty good. If you are going to stretch pass from your own zone, the defenders are not going to be involved by the time they get there.
- manvanfan

The team is better...no question. But not to the point where the playoffs are in play. They will be in the WC hunt next year but contention? 2-3 years away.

5-6 more wins in regulation is a win for this season IMO. Pick at around 11-15 all good.

I know everyone was high on keeping Tanev-Edler -Sutter and as decent as they were early on keeping them here is redundant. When Benn and Myers were signed and Hughes stepped in Edler and Tanev should have been gone. So we can move on and build around our new D core. But oh no gotta keep the country club alive lol

You had to know Sutter wouldn't play a full season. Now we have 5 starters out and the depth needs to step up over the long haul. Same old story...we beat top 10 teams then when teams on B2B's or bottom 10 clubs roll into town we are the red carpet country club. Good teams that are playoff bound will always find ways to get points on Back to backers or against the weaker clubs. But not us lol

Once we get past that point and the Edler Tanev Sutters of the world we'll be fine. But until then it's a 90 point season

Unfortunately, some people believe you are a cup contender, by making the playoffs.
This team is maybe 2 years away from being a consistent playoff hopeful and at least 4 years away from cup contention. Imo
- Reubenkincade

Playoffs are a real possibility next year with improvements. Contention? Toss a dart lol

Sad songs say so much.
- bloatedmosquito

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X23v5_K7cXk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X23v5_K7cXk
- LordHumungous

For whatever reason, gay just worked in the 80's. Just part of the music scene.

The team is better...no question. But not to the point where the playoffs are in play. They will be in the WC hunt next year but contention? 2-3 years away.

5-6 more wins in regulation is a win for this season IMO. Pick at around 11-15 all good.

I know everyone was high on keeping Tanev-Edler -Sutter and as decent as they were early on keeping them here is redundant. When Benn and Myers were signed and Hughes stepped in Edler and Tanev should have been gone. So we can move on and build around our new D core. But oh no gotta keep the country club alive lol

You had to know Sutter wouldn't play a full season. Now we have 5 starters out and the depth needs to step up over the long haul. Same old story...we beat top 10 teams then when teams on B2B's or bottom 10 clubs roll into town we are the red carpet country club. Good teams that are playoff bound will always find ways to get points on Back to backers or against the weaker clubs. But not us lol

Once we get past that point and the Edler Tanev Sutters of the world we'll be fine. But until then it's a 90 point season
- LordHumungous

That might be a year or two away for some prospects to take a developmental step forward. Or some more trades that somehow work out in Van's favour.

Funny.

All I'm saying is that we're going to have to be exceptional to be true contenders. And that ain't happening in two years.
- bloatedmosquito

Having "contender" status doesn't mean too much honestly. There is so much randomness in hockey that year to year, unless you are a bottom 10 team, pretty much anything can happen.

Look at the last couple stanley cup winners. Nobody thought St. Louis was winning the cup last year, and the year before that, everyone was saying Washington's time as a contender had passed.

Plenty of teams have been perennial contenders for the last decade and have accomplished nothing in terms of cup wins.

Sad songs say so much.
- bloatedmosquito

I'm having a Deep Purple morning.

Having "contender" status doesn't mean too much honestly. There is so much randomness in hockey that year to year, unless you are a bottom 10 team, pretty much anything can happen.

Look at the last couple stanley cup winners. Nobody thought St. Louis was winning the cup last year, and the year before that, everyone was saying Washington's time as a contender had passed.

Plenty of teams have been perennial contenders for the last decade and have accomplished nothing in terms of cup wins.
- NorthNuck

A goalie and coaching change last season took the Blues from the bottom to the top.

Year before that Washington did minor things.

Teams at the top tweak, teams at the bottom make big changes.

What is Van going to do?

I'm having a Deep Purple morning.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Make sure you reach out to us if you ever have a Leonard Cohen morning. We're here to help.

Unfortunately, some people believe you are a cup contender, by making the playoffs.
This team is maybe 2 years away from being a consistent playoff hopeful and at least 4 years away from cup contention. Imo
- Reubenkincade

I just can't see Green taking us there. Until he's replaced I can't see it yet.

The team is better...no question. But not to the point where the playoffs are in play. They will be in the WC hunt next year but contention? 2-3 years away.

5-6 more wins in regulation is a win for this season IMO. Pick at around 11-15 all good.

I know everyone was high on keeping Tanev-Edler -Sutter and as decent as they were early on keeping them here is redundant. When Benn and Myers were signed and Hughes stepped in Edler and Tanev should have been gone. So we can move on and build around our new D core. But oh no gotta keep the country club alive lol

You had to know Sutter wouldn't play a full season. Now we have 5 starters out and the depth needs to step up over the long haul. Same old story...we beat top 10 teams then when teams on B2B's or bottom 10 clubs roll into town we are the red carpet country club. Good teams that are playoff bound will always find ways to get points on Back to backers or against the weaker clubs. But not us lol

Once we get past that point and the Edler Tanev Sutters of the world we'll be fine. But until then it's a 90 point season
- LordHumungous

Only thing I want from this season is a calder and a descent draft position.

Only thing I want from this season is a calder and a descent draft position.
- bloatedmosquito

Demko should be in contention for the Calder, but, I think Makar wins it. A decent pick in the top 15 is not out of the question, some nice players available in this draft.

Demko should be in contention for the Calder, but, I think Makar wins it. A decent pick in the top 15 is not out of the question, some nice players available in this draft.
- Reubenkincade

It's so early to be calling trophies but I agree Makar is the runaway favorite right now. Hughes is still close enough to catch up if/when Makar slows down though.

It's so early to be calling trophies but I agree Makar is the runaway favorite right now. Hughes is still close enough to catch up if/when Makar slows down though.
- NorthNuck

I agree it is to early, just saying, I think Demko has been the best Rookie on the Canucks. Hughes may be in the conversation as the season rolls along, just not at this moment, unless it is based solely on points.

Only thing I want from this season is a calder and a descent draft position.
- bloatedmosquito

Hughes will contend for the Calder but don't expect to pick in the top 10.

Pits won the cup twice with Crosby and Malkin. They usually missed the playoffs if either spent significant time injured. EDM will be the same, most teams are. A lot of strong teams miss the playoffs when one of their top 2 misses significant time.
- Retinalz

They actually won the Cup three times with Crosby and Malkin, however, their second one in 2016 Malkin missed 25 regular season games, but played all of the playoffs.

In 2017 for their third Cup Malkin also missed 20 regular season games, but again played all the playoffs, should have won his second Conn Smythe.

It's so early to be calling trophies but I agree Makar is the runaway favorite right now. Hughes is still close enough to catch up if/when Makar slows down though.
- NorthNuck

Unfortunately, Hughes will never catch up. Makar gets to play with & factor in on MacKinnon production while TG puts the Hughes/Tanev pairing w/ Horvat’s line which is not a stylistic match in the slightest - compatible 5 man units are something that should’ve been considered to fix our 5v5 struggles before resorting to a never ending blender which completely (frank)s all chemistry/continuity.

Good morning,

Notes on Thursday's game, Seguin loves the Canucks, Podkolzin and the Utica Comets' upcoming weekend, in the new blog:

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...or-the-Canucks/194/102646

Unfortunately, Hughes will never catch up. Makar gets to play with & factor in on MacKinnon production while TG puts the Hughes/Tanev pairing w/ Horvat’s line which is not a stylistic match in the slightest - compatible 5 man units are something that should’ve been considered to fix our 5v5 struggles before resorting to a never ending blender which completely (frank)s all chemistry/continuity.
- DrChristianTroy

Love Quinn...special talent, a much needed piece for many years, however, Makar is just a better player IMO. Also, QH gets a lot of PP time with Petey, BB and Miller right now.

I'm having a Deep Purple morning.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Sounds painful.