hd71

Imho, i think he takes over as 5th dman after about 20 games played. Next year he is 3rd. If he goes to Europe and comes back, i dont see him as anything different. I was trying to play down my expectations

I don't think there is anything left for him in Junior. If he went back there would be no challenge and as a result no growth. Complacency would set in, bad habits. I think he is ready, at the very least as a 7th d-man. whether he stays or not remains to be seen but if he doesn't then he should go to Europe.

Down by a goal, nearing the end of the third, Canucks have the power play and the coaches put Edler and Tanev on the ice...Are you fn kidding me?! Hutton should have been on the ice, to make a pass or to shoot- I have more faith in him then Edler right now. Kid is making 5 foot passes into guys wheelhouse, or 80ft passes to the opposing blueline for scoring chances. I can't even remember when Edler last scored on a shot from the point. All his shots get blocked, that's why Weber was getting the goals last year- his shots were getting through so they let him run with it. And Tanev? ok, Edler, has a hard shot but he is not a good set up man, telegraphs everything he does, but still, Tanev? Our least offensive defenceman? And the coaches say they want to see what the kids can do- well why not leave them in the game in important situations and see how they do.

I agree that he should probably start in Utica, but I think he could handle a season at the 5/6 spot if it came to it. Remember he was top pair d-man in Maine, getting all those minutes even in 39 games or so. That should have him strong enough to handle it.

No one is talking about him being slow anymore, lol He fell in the draft cause he was slow, the knock on him until this summer's young stars was he was slow, always mentioned as a throw in in a trade, and now not a word about any of that. Shows he has worked hard on his skating, and improved a couple steps. But I also think that it's how hard he works. As he said, he leaves it all out there every time he's on the ice. A guy who is off a step in speed but digs down and uses all he has, is faster than a guy with lots of speed but doesn't use it all or only uses it bursts once in a awhile. whatever the case is it's working. One thing is for sure- Gaunce is shutting up his critics!

Hansen has been our fastest guy for years- I wonder how Sven and Jake stack up to him....looking forward to skills competition to find out

Along with being productive on the board, and his leadership as a returning guy, the coaches will be looking for his toughness too after the first game against the Russians where there was little physical pushback

looked up his height as most sites list at 5'11" but a couple say 6'1" On his Czech team's site it lists him at 185cm, or 6' (6.0695 feet to be more accurate) here is a link to page talking about Trinec's trainor and training regimen with pictures.. sorry I have to go to work and can't translate whole article right now..google is your friend http://www.hcocelari.cz/clanek.asp?id=Pavel-SajlerPodarilo-se-posunout-kondici-hracu-o-dalsi-stupen-vyse-3553

I believe he played more lw than center last year

Happy, excited, looking forward to having him in our system. He was my guy all along, even when they were thinking of trading up to get #1 overall, I was happy about the thought of getting Reinhart, but hoped we could swing a deal to keep 6 and get them both So he had surgery, he is still 17 and will heal, and as for those who are all about his hockey IQ and that he is going to be a bust just because he had more goals than assists(!?) - He is a skater, a banger and a goal scorer - Kesler was not a passer but a shooter, Brett Hull back in the day- all he did was shoot and score. There are tonnes of guys who have made careers out of being goal scorers (not saying he's going to be Kes or brett hull but just making a point) Welcome to the team, Jake, glad to have ya!

I like Virtanen, would love to see him here, will admit there are two or three guys I like where the 'nucks select but he is my preference. here are a couple links from thehockeywriters.com on Virtanen http://thehockeywriters.com/jake-virtanen-the-next-ones-2014-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/ http://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-draft-war-room-jake-virtanen/

You may think I'm a pansy, but some integrity and humility and respect is not a bad thing.

When the riots happened, I didn't riot but the whole city got a black mark. The canucks are attached to Vancouver and therefore what they do reflects on the citizens of the city.

I am a lifelong Canucks fan, Always a fan- win or lose. This is my home team, and I cheer for the home team because they represent me in the league, in the media and around the world. I'm proud of it. That is why it hard to accept this hiring. This guy is arrogant, abusive, loudmouth, disrespectful and happy to throw players under the bus. He doesn't represent me, my city or my province. Gillis waited and waited til the coaching candidates were picked up and thought he had to take this guy because nobody else wanted to coach under him. I may just have to cheer for my team from afar this year because I don't think my stomach could take his circus behaviour and seeing him behind the bench. I think the team needed a new voice, and someone who could light a fire or two but torts is waaayy too over the top.