*Buzzsaw*

Anyone pointing fingers at Pearson after what he has been through is about as stupid as you can get. He is a standup player, who never hesitated to support his fellow team mates when things got rough, and never took a day off when he played. Unfortunately his injury was mishandled and now he is enduring a long recovery. I am sure he'll report the instant his doctor gives him the go ahead.

Another sleazy cash focused move on the part of sleazeball Bettman. He is worried that the league will lose homophobic fans who might otherwise put their butts in the seats... so he is removing the jerseys. Sure the league will provide window dressing support for LGBTQ, but nothing which will stand out and thereby offend those who hate. The fact of the matter is LGBTQ individuals are humans, they have existed for as long as humans have been on the planet, they are a part of our society, and most importantly they are free by law to choose how they represent themselves. Their rights are part of the legal code... and only those haters or delusional types who want them back in the closet or in the gas chamber are against them being represented.

Lets be sure of one thing: What Bettman cares about is getting revenue for the NHL and expanding the league. And if it will sell franchises for huge amounts of money, then he is prepared to skew the rules to give the new teams big advantages through the expansion draft. Vegas won the Cup with a good team... they deserved to win with this team.... and this team is not the same one which they got on expansion year and which nearly got them to the Cup. But the foundations of this team were built on the drafts they made in that expansion year... thanks to Bettman's fixing the E-Draft to their advantage. Its the same reason Seattle has done so well. Be sure of another thing: While Bettman is red hot to expand the NHL in the US and make money off new US franchises, he could care less about expanding the NHL in Canada or helping Canadian teams. He would be happier than a pig in sh*t if a Canadian team never won the Cup EVER again. And you best believe he is exercising his influence to assist American teams to do well in the playoffs. Kelly Sutherland is his chosen hack... and you can bet that his despicable influence will continue to be felt.

No, the Hronek trade was definitely not enough. Canucks need a big top 4 D-man to play opposite Hughes. Should be minimum 6'3" 215 lbs and 25 years or younger. Also need a bottom pairing big D... either Schenn or similar... preferably younger. Zadorov would be a good fit.

To early to make an evaluation. We will need to see how he plays and what his production is. Not to mention, will need to see if he is completely recovered from his shoulder injury. In December then you can all rate him.

Pietrangelo did not engage a Florida player, he just stood next to him. Tkachuk then came up behind Pietrangelo and grabbed him in a headlock in a deliberate attempt to injure his neck... he reacted to that.

Barkov has 16 points in 20 games. And his line has had the shutdown role throughout... he is the reason why Mathews and Marner did nothing in the Toronto series. He contributes defensively hugely... and he has been a part of a lot of Florida goals, even if he didn't get an assist. I think he has contributed as much as Tkachuk when you look at total effort at both ends... and he hasn't taken a lot of stupid penalties which led to Vegas goals, which you can't say for Tkachuk.

Disagree. Florida is a really talented team and their placing in the regular season this year was an anomaly. 2023/2024 they will either win their division or come close. And they will probably advance to at least the 2nd round.

Of course a smaller D-man can be effective. But they are also vulnerable to being injured by a hit from a bigger player. Big D are more durable. In the case of Hughes, it is clear he is a #1 D for the Canucks for the forseeable future... but he needs a big strong partner who can protect him. Look at what happened to Morrison in Winnipeg... he got beat two years in a row... he was a target and because of his size he was vulnerable.

The interesting thing about Vegas, is that while they do have good size, they also have a LOT of good skaters. Their 4th line is as fast as any in the league.

Doesn't hurt to have lots of Canadian boys either.

So does forward size: --------------------- # Pos Sh Ht Wt Born Birthplace Michael Amadio 22 RW R 6' 1" 204 May 13, 1996 Sault Ste. Marie, ON, CAN Ivan Barbashev 49 C L 6' 1" 195 Dec 14, 1995 Moscow, RUS William Carrier 28 LW L 6' 2" 218 Dec 20, 1994 LaSalle, QC, CAN Jack Eichel 9 C R 6' 2" 207 Oct 28, 1996 North Chelmsford, MA, USA Brett Howden 21 C L 6' 2" 203 Mar 29, 1998 Calgary, AB, CAN William Karlsson 71 C L 6' 0" 190 Jan 8, 1993 Marsta, SWE Keegan Kolesar 55 RW R 6' 2" 217 Apr 8, 1997 Brandon, MB, CAN Jonathan Marchessault 81 RW R 5' 9" 183 Dec 27, 1990 Cap-Rouge, QC, CAN Nicolas Roy 10 C R 6' 4" 202 Feb 5, 1997 Amos, QC, CAN Reilly Smith 19 RW L 6' 1" 185 Apr 1, 1991 Mimico, ON, CAN Chandler Stephenson 20 C L 6' 0" 209 Apr 22, 1994 Saskatoon, SK, CAN Mark Stone (C) 61 RW R 6' 3" 217 May 13, 1992 Winnipeg, MB, CAN

-------------- # Sh Ht Wt Born Birthplace Nicolas Hague 14 L 6' 6" 230 Dec 5, 1998 Kitchener, ON, CAN Alec Martinez 23 L 6' 1" 210 Jul 26, 1987 Rochester Hills, MI, USA Brayden McNabb 3 L 6' 4" 215 Jan 21, 1991 Davidson, SK, CAN Alex Pietrangelo 7 R 6' 3" 215 Jan 18, 1990 King City, ON, CAN Shea Theodore 27 L 6' 2" 197 Aug 3, 1995 Aldergrove, BC, CAN Zach Whitecloud 2 R 6' 2" 207 Nov 28, 1996 Brandon, MB, CAN

Panthers are done. They will need to get really lucky to win in Vegas... against a very confident team with home ice. Panthers are a beat up team... Tkachuk is a shadow... Barkov and Montour can't bail them out on their own.

Should not consider Lucic under any circumstances. If the Canucks want an enforcer, they should sign Tryamkin. Then they would at least get a younger D man who can play and who can kick a$$... Whereas with Lucic you get a forward who can no longer skate with the league and who is no longer feared.

Look at Stanley Cup contending or winning teams over the years... Canadians are disproportionately represented on them... Vegas is an example. Anyway, I am not advocating for a trade.

The advantages/disadvantages of trading Miller for Dubois: Disadvantages - Miller is a proven better point producer - Miller is a cheaper contract - Questions as to whether the Canucks can fit Dubois in under the CAP... and he would require a long term committment... and his contract might hinder defensive signings Advantages - Miller is 30 years old... his peak was two seasons ago - Dubois is only 24... his point production should improve... especially considering he is a power forward... who peak later - Dubois is in the same age range as the rest of the Canucks' core... he could form a part of a longterm group with Pettersson and Hughes. There are also the intangibles... - Dubois is a Canadian... Canadians are better in the playoffs (proven fact) - Dubois seems to be a prima donna... history of demanding trades All in all, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Give the Panthers credit for fighting back, but I don't think they win the series. They are getting more and more beat up all the time. Obviously Tkachuk, but Gudas, Ekblad and Montour and the rest of the D are also not looking as sprightly as they were a couple series ago. Tkachuk was taught a lesson tonight: - If you are going to act like a jacka$$, taking cheapshots, shooting your mouth and taking runs at everyone on the ice, and the other team is made up of big tough Canadian boys, then be very careful to keep your head up... cause you will pay big time if you don't. I said that two games ago, and I was proven right tonight. I have every respect for a lot of the Panther's team... Barkov, Reinhart, Verhaeghe, Cousins, Duclair... are all standup hard working players. But Tkachuk and Bennett are PoS's and don't deserve to drink from Lord Stanley's Cup.

I picked Florida to win this series... but I'm changing my mind. The lack of maturity on the part of certain Florida players makes a Panther's win far less likely. Tkachuk and Bennett are POS's who won't win anything if they continue. They did absolutely ZERO offensively and compounded that by behaving like jackasses. I feel sorry for Barkov, who is an exceptional two way player, and who had a terrific game 1, his line was going for Florida, but his team go no support from the Tkachuk line. What sh*tbirds Tkachuk and Bennett are.... just disgusting human beings. Florida needs him and the rest of his line to step up and be physical, but in a smart way, but instead him and Bennett spent the game headhunting and trying cheapshots. But they are not going to scare Vegas, who are mostly a bunch of big tough Canadian boys who won't be intimidated... in fact I think that more likely Tkachuk is going to get his a$$ handed to him at some point. I also thought that while Goalie Bob was beaten mostly by good shots, that he looked a little off his game compared to the previous series. If he's not standing on his head, Florida will have a lot tougher time... cause Vegas has some cold clinical snipers who will beat you from all angles. Thought Eichel had a terrific game, both ways, he was controlling play in the offensive zone, and could have set up another couple goals. And Stone was sniffing around the net all night... before he cashed in. If he gets hot, then all bets are off... he is capable of winning a game on his own with his nose for the net.

Comparison: Forwards Even: Both teams have very good balance of scoring... with perhaps Florida having a slight advantage in the top six, and Vegas in the bottom six. Both have stars... Panthers with Barkov and Tkachuk and Vegas with Stone and Eichel. Both teams can score buckets of goals, but both are defensively responsible. Slight edge offensively to Panthers, slight edge defensively to Golden Knights. Defense Even: Vegas has a steadier 'defensive' back end with Pietrangelo and Theodore, the Panthers have a little more 'offensive' potential with Brandon Montour. Both D-Corps are big, physical and steady. Goaltending Advantage Panthers: Bob the goalie is about as hot as you can get... Adin Hill has played well, but he is not the same calibre. I think the series should be close, but I am picking Panthers to prevail. The one thing which could change the equation is playoff experience. Vegas has more... and more Cup winners. I also think they have more maturity and discipline. But being a bunch of jerks hasn't stopped other teams from winning the Cup.

On paper Dallas had the equal team... but in practice they were'nt close. Oettinger didn't outplay Hill, and Benn and Seguin were invisible. On the other hand Eichel played well and Marchessault showed he is one of the best offensive/defensive forwards around. Vegas showed their scoring balance, all their lines contributed. And their defense was solid if unspectacular through most of the series. But they have paid a price... they will be a lot more fatigued than Florida... and I think their D is a bit beat up.

Not if other teams don't want him for the price we might demand.

WTF are people talking about a Miller trade??? Every NHL contender needs two high level centers... if we lose Miller where does that leave the Canucks? No we didn't luck out and get a chance to pick Bedard in the draft... or even another top 5 center, so PLEASE, stop talking about a Miller trade. Not going to happen. If anyone goes, it will be a Winger... or maybe a bottom sixer.

Actually even though Tkachuk got the OT winners, Barkov was just as much a factor or perhaps even more. The key for the Panthers is they have two really strong lines... with Barkov anchoring one and Tkachuk the other. And Barkov is a really good shut down center... a big reason Mathews did nothing in the Leafs series.

Feel sorry for Carolina. They are a really good team. But they lost 4 games by a whisker... and got swept. Bob too hot. Not sure what the heck Sebastien Aho was doing during the playoffs... not his usual self. The last goal by Tkachuk... Aho is standing there... all he has to do is go to Tkachuk and impede him from getting to the front of the net... and he moves to the opposite direction. The Panthers story is the classic one... they were the team who last year dominated the league in the regular season... then got swept in against Tampa. This year they were in a funk for most of the season... then they started to get something going... by the time they hit the playoffs they were red hot. And their play has continued. Not that I think it would have mattered, but I think there was goaltender interference by #9 in that last goal.