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Everything posted by Dr. Crossbar
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[Report] Canucks sign GM Jim Benning to contract extension
Dr. Crossbar replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
I'll second that. Lotta wrong mofos up in this thread! -
[Report] Canucks sign GM Jim Benning to contract extension
Dr. Crossbar replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Just to clarify ... Stingy, like bee stingy? Or Stingy, like cheap? -
[Report] Canucks sign GM Jim Benning to contract extension
Dr. Crossbar replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
I was planning to see a movie today but this thread has been on fire all day! Way more entertaining! -
[Report] Canucks sign GM Jim Benning to contract extension
Dr. Crossbar replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
You're both right, imo, vacuumly speaking of course. -
[Report] Canucks sign GM Jim Benning to contract extension
Dr. Crossbar replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
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[Report] Canucks sign GM Jim Benning to contract extension
Dr. Crossbar replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
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Life & Economic Opportunities in Vancouver
Dr. Crossbar replied to Hugor Hill's topic in Off-Topic General
I've lived in downtown Vancouver for 26 years. It was expensive then as it is now. But I knew that when I got here. I grew up in a "have not" province on the east coast in a city with very little opportunity, ongoing economic depression, and a culture of struggling and settling for less. That's aside from 9-10 months of snow, sleet, cold, wind, ongoing hurricanes, and the weather being a real obstacle that you can never truly predict. I had one of those epiphany moments in my life that I realized I don't HAVE to live this life. I don't HAVE to struggle and settle. I can leave. So, first and foremost, I moved here to improve my quality of life in a city with an abundance of opportunity. I also came out here to change who I was and to change my mindset to align to better opportunities. I came out here to make something of myself and make my dreams come true. Sounds cliche but those were the most important things to me. Not once in 26 years have I ever felt like something was impossible here in Vancouver. Growing up on the east coast, though, everything felt impossible even though many things are so much more affordable. For me, it's quality of life and opportunity. But my definition of that doesn't mean a house, kids, cars, family, etc. I grew up in all of that in the burbs and I wanted something different. I nearly died when I was 16 and spent years recovering from an accident. So by the time I got out of university, the last thing I wanted to do was lock myself into a pipeline of a house, kids, and huge financial burdens. I find many people make those decisions before they know who they are and what they truly want in life. So, to have the quality of life I want, and always dreamed of, there are sacrifices. And this is a big one that factors into it. I've sactificed home ownership (doesn't mean I always will or don't have investments) to have access to things like Stanley Park, the beaches, waterftont, seawall, various venues, restaurants, proximity to business, and being central in a beautiful neighborhood where I can walk anywhere. I nearly bought in Langley but it really felt like what I left years ago on the east coast - strip malls, high debt, traffic, two car garage, backyard, etc. I've sacrificed owning a car. I don't need one living downtown. I work from home. If I do, there's EVO, Car2Go, etc, or renting one for a trip. If I need to get to the airport, Skytrain is perfect. I've sacrificed having kids. I was more focused on career, making something of myself that wasn't possible on the east coast, and maintaining a quality of life that made me happy. It just evolved that way. These are conscious choices I made based on the quality of life I wanted and what was important to me. It's interesting, too ... I know people who have families downtown, are happy, and do fine. They make it work. I think people tend to forget that owning a home is only one aspect of life. I know a lot of people who have no desire to own a home in Vancouver and are perfectly happy here. I know a lot of people who also gave up owning a home to have more flexibility. What I'm paying for is a higher quality of life with accessability to opportunity. I knew that the moment I got here. I never expected for Vancouver to be affordable on the same level as the east coast. I'll say it this way ... and I don't mind being the minority ... rent and bills are manageable but most of the net income isn't being spent on car payments, gas, car insurance, car repairs, kids, the house, oil/gas, lawn mowers, snowblowers, guest rooms, kids sports league fees, school trips, school clothes, patio furnishings, ongoing home decor, the swimming pool, boat, motorcycle, four-wheeler, camper, BBQs, workshop, tools, kitchen repairs, toys, video games, entertainment rooms, and on and on and on. -
I'm hopeful with Green. I'm curious to see how he adapts and balances from the mindset of developing youth to chasing playoffs with players that can win. He's dealing with another level of expectation now. He can't sit back on the approach of "as long as the effort is there night in and night out", that's only one part of the equation now. I really want to see his decision-making win games for us and be the difference when our backs are against the wall.
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Most proud of the legacy, values, and foundation of this man ...
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Great expectations can lead to bitter disappointment
Dr. Crossbar replied to BrockBoester's topic in Canucks Talk
Well, I'm not afraid of being disappointed. So I don't alter my behavior, opinions, ideas, viewpoints, etc, out of a fear of (or resistance to) being disappointed. It's a hard question to really answer accurately because everyone associates/handles disappointment in different ways. Not doing something out of fear of being "let down" isn't the best reasoning. Now, in this case, though, expectations are a good thing. They raise standards and accountability. And there's real, legitimate reason for excitement and an abundance of excitement if one wants to get really, really excited ... like Pointer Sisters, lose control and I think I like it excitement. I'm more in the camp of ... the more fans who are excited, the better atmosphere and transferable positive energy to the team on the ice. They feel it and feed off of it. With the additions of Ferland, Miller, Myers, Benn, Fantenberg ... plus Hughes ... the organization is committed to getting into the playoffs to start the win now era. That's the message they're sending. It's time to **** or get off the pot. Playoffs or bust! And if we don't make the playoffs, find the problems and keep correcting. Turn disappointment and negativity into solution finding, forward movement, and continued improvement. If Green is given the players to win with, or take the next step, and we fall short, of course he needs to be in the hot seat. We can't waste any time of the careers of Pettersson, Boeser, Hughes, and the new era, and from this season onward playoffs should be expected as long as the organization continues to improve the club. Let's get it done!!! Go time! -
If Loui Eriksson stays what can make you come to terms with it?
Dr. Crossbar replied to JM_'s topic in Canucks Talk
I'm fine with Loui being here if we use him properly to his strengths. I'd like to see what he can do for us in a more specific role in front of the net, playing to his timing and positioning down low and off the rebound. This is where he was most successful. I've said it a number of times on here that I feel we misread his 30 goal season to be more offensively diverse than what it really was. And because we weren't playing a net presence type of game, plus had more holes in our Top 9, I think there's some legitimacy to why he struggled offensively in how he was used. Like Jimmy M said above, he needs to be with linemates that can generate rebounds. If we're relying on Loui to be an offensive weapon from the rush, perimeter or from the corners, it's not happening. -
I wouldn't mind that if they were thinking interim solution. I wonder if he'd even want it at this stage. But ... Would be funny if by "ready" ... they were really trying to give it to Edler last year and he was like, "No, I'm not ready. Maybe next year if I'm still here." And now the team is asking him again and he's like, "No, not ready yet!" Behind closed doors, Green is like, "Come on, man!" And then the season starts, Green goes back to him. Edler's quiet in the locker room, "Nope, still not ready!" And the team is like, "Why isn't Eddy captain?" The next day Green is back in front of the media, saying, "You know, we don't want to put pressure on someone who's not ready." Lol ... My dog days of summer sitcom take.
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Agree with you. I mentioned the shared leadership part in my first post.
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Could very well be ... he did say they don't want to put that pressure on someone who's not ready.
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Yeah, not disagreeing with anything you pointed out. I just looked at his comment and saw a relation to the overall approach and understand the benefits. I can't say it's not reflective of the overall approach because I see the similarity and tie-in. If they just fluked upon that, well, there is a benefit ... lol. You raise an interesting point about the possibility of Horvat not being interested or turning it down. I don't think he'd turn it down because he doesn't want the role or responsibility. Like you said, outside optics crowned him future captain years ago when no other prospects were here. That really left no room for anyone else. I can see him turning that scenario down. I think it's more likely he'd want it to be a team decision and happen organically if it's right for the team ... even if it isn't him. The interesting part is when Green says they don't want to put that type of pressure on someone who's not ready. This upcoming year will be Horvat's sixth season. Who knows, could just be smoke & mirrors deflection.
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I like what he's doing with this approach. At first I thought we should have been more decisive but I get it now. It's really reflective of the overall approach as a team for the future and not rushing things, making sure we build things right. This spreads out the leadership on the ground level and estsblishes a culture of shared leadership first.
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BC Place ... second show. Bought tix at Zulu records.
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I still have my Ozzy tix for next year ... lol First concert in BC was Pink Floyd, Division Bell
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I'm in the same wheelhouse as you. Lost count after a few hundred. I try to keep track. Those will be great shows. I may go to the Maiden show. Haven't seen them since two tours ago. Funny, my very first concert ever was Maiden and Twisted Sister in the 80s. Have the PNE shows next and floor seats for ZZ Top, STYX, Vince Neil, Billy Idol, Hammer, and Vanilla Ice ... lol
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For those that think JB doesn't have a plan.
Dr. Crossbar replied to Arrow 1983's topic in Canucks Talk
I think "the plan" is getting easier to see. I believe it consisted of three basic parts - with the Sedins, transition to youth, post-Sedins. It began with two key decisions - to keep the Sedins and to honor most ntc/nmcs. That provided a built-in, pre-existing timeline. It also provided the opportunity to create change, draft and develop, and stay competitive while also allowing those contracts to peel away and organically become more trade friendly with time. While I do believe the early aspect of the plan was to give the Sedins opportunity for another shot, as best as possible, I also believe they (management/ownership) knew the transition to youth would ultimately take priority with more prospects in the system after three years. And I also believe the Sedins knew it, too. You could see the shift away from the "with the Sedins" the season before the they retired. Not only were they getting slower but at times they were visibly frustrsted on the ice. My guess is they could sense that part of the plan was closing, and by their final season, they knew it had closed. Again, I don't believe it's a coincidence that Linden and the Sedins left in the same timeframe. -
I loved it. RZ was better than MM, imo. Zombie's setlist could have been better tho.
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Saw Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson on Sunday night ... it was awesome!
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Had friends do the Rogers tour, said it was cool. You never know who you'll meet. Could be a day when a lot of players are there. For beer/food ... head to the Alibi Room in Gastown. Postmark Brewing is only a few blocks east from there not far away. Stanley Park Brewing just opened in the park as well. Check out Tap & Barrel Waterfront, it's right beside the Olympic Cauldron. Collective Soul and Gin Blossoms are playing the PNE on the 24th, Smokey Robinson on the 23rd ... STYX on the 25th. There's a 3-hour boat cruise and dinner to Bowen Island or other harbour tours. Just google boat cruise Vancouver.
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Great straightforward analysis. I like how he broke down the moves versus objectives, ended with questions about our bottom six center depth and addressed the Boeser contract without overblowing it and playing to emotions. From a journalistic pov, this was a 3-minute soundbite type interview. He could have chosen to fill up that time with negativity or controversy but didn't. This is what analysis looks like without the emotional triggers or incendiary hot points.
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From a grading standpoint, I'll give Benning an A for the act/execution of addressing our needs, improving the team, and making the team better with great price tags. I really love how what needed to happen actually happened. That doesn't make us A caliber or instant contenders but certainly takes advantage of the talent we have in Petey, Horvat, Boeser, and Hughes and gives them something serious to build on to win. We are improved, harder to play against, have more grit, size, physicality and pushback, better offensive and defensive production potential, and more versatility. After the Miller signing, I thought we'd possibly get Myers and that's it. But to get Benn, Fantenberg, and then Ferland really changes the culture of this team. Although we still have issues and concerns on D, this year will shake out and make obvious exactly what we need but from a much improved place. I do think the new signings should allow our D stabilze their roles with less scrambling than what we've seen. But I don't like our potential for injury on D and the possibility of our depth taking hit and having to rely on the inexperience of possibly Juolevi, Brisbois, Sautner, Rafferty, Teves, etc. That would be invaluable to their development and experience long term but could sink our chances of playoffs dreams short term this season. We're better positioned with our forwards to weather injuries than D. But I believe this coming season marks the beginning of our ascent to the new era. I believe we'll get into the playoffs and surprise a lot of critics. We were better than anyone thought we'd be last season and I think we'll follow the same trajectory next season. Especially with the holes in our lineup adeptly addressed in such a short amount of time.