SvenBae

A successful team with a young core, would be huge from a business perspective, especially in the Vancouver market. If their goal is to have that team built for when the Sedins are ready to leave, then we are probably well on the way there. However, the development of the team's prospects as of late has been somewhat questionable considering this. Maybe the result of high hopes and a last ditch effort to go for gold one last time with the Sedins, with the rest of the core effectively looking like they are ready to be moved out as well, maybe this will be the last attempt for awhile?

Ugh, Canucks' prospects have terrible luck. Maybe it's our fault for putting too much pressure on our young guys to perform. Taking a look at Horvat (and McCann) and the criticism he has got this season certainly has begun to make me feel that way. Perhaps the best thing moving forward with this franchise might be a period of mediocrity when the team isn't being so highly scrutinized and the prospects can develop at their pace, although, I bet ownership has a role to play in this as well.

Weakness with drafting to suit the western conference is probably a better explanation, especially with Schroeder. Hodgson might have turned out differently if he wasn't rushed to top line minutes in desperation with Buffalo, his development was coming along spectacularly playing behind Kesler and Henrik. Especially, since he would have jumped into 2nd line duties when Kesler stormed out.

Puljujarvi and Laine for Finland are pretty big as well.

Sad to say I'm more excited to watch Team USA than Team Canada this year, Boeser on a line with Tkachuk and Matthews is way more exciting than hoping Virtanen can find a spark. Especially when we might have a shot at one of those two in the draft this year.

Is the criticism not justified? At this point in his development, Jake should only be trending up, however fast he's trending up would be a non-issue as long as there's always progress. But, we have only seen him regress, he has no idea what to work on and is instead trying to work on everything at once, perhaps a result of the lack of "hockey IQ" others have pointed out, or perhaps just plain inexperience with struggling at any level of hockey, since he has likely always dominated. I think for the future, when he can, he should be sent to Utica where Green and Co. can build separate aspects of his game, for him, because tackling this on his own using Willie's tough love approach is not working. I honestly see no indication that he will put the pieces together by himself, and is probably going to need his hand held all the way to the NHL level. First and foremost I'd like to see him sent back to Junior before things become so critical that his confidence in his game is completely destroyed. Get him out from under the microscope in Vancouver and let him slowly put his game together at his own pace, this season in Junior and next season in Utica. And from then on try and introduce him back to the NHL, SLOWLY.

Well, I mean has he shown anything other than pure regression at this point? Disappointing tournament thus far for both Brock and Jake, hopefully they can turn it around.

Can honestly say he might be the only prospect of ours that makes me shake my head with how much skill he has. What a snag by JB if he is able to translate this to the NHL, especially with a power forward frame.

What kind of lines are we looking at for Team USA? Boeser on a line with Schmaltz? Be interesting to see who plays RW with Matthews and is Matthews playing with Tkachuk on his LW?

His numbers were unsustainable, especially when he's only 19, but honestly, this kid looks like a superstar in the making. Been impressed with him .since seeing his intense focus during last WJC

1 goal 1 assist tonight, that makes 5 points in 2 games, and he's listed under leading scorers on theahl.com with only 3 games played

Next year will be exciting. Hopefully Baertschi and Horvat work hard during the summer and have great training camps. Then we can look forward to have a legit 2nd line with; Sedin-Sedin-Burrows Baertschi-Horvat-Vrbata I'd be baffled if the 2nd line is kept the same next season, barring any surprises during this postseason.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows Baertschi-Bonino-Vrbata Higgins/Kenins-Horvat-Hansen Higgins/Kenins-Richardson-Dorsett Hope to see this offensive lineup before series ends.

Only interested in increasing our scoring ability for the future. Draisaitl seems like a perfect compromise so we can hope he falls otherwise I'd like to see us pick up Ehlers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnujGjt-pNU Why not?

With a team like this we might very well see the occurrence of a coach quitting out of sheer frustration.

Always admired his offensive awareness, and now it seems like his confidence with puck control is blooming as well. His offensive upside is definitely starting to balance his physical play.

You must be new to Canucks fandom.

Glad I haven't been watching lately

I just dislike everything right now, and that replay of that OT a few years back makes me miss Jim Hughson.

He will most likely be on the 2nd PP when Kesler returns(and if he's fully healthy). Makes more sense that way anyways, he will probably be more productive on the 2nd line where he can probably utilize being the LD, as a LH shooter.