Dr. Crossbar

True ... But there were also reports he adapted from those issues, which is why he had such a big leap forward.

Exactly. It's easy to go to the salacious or doom and gloom. Sometimes it's just simple. We got a great RHD. Detroit did what they needed to do. It's all on Hronek this season to prove he's worth all these posts I've been making.

Exactly this. I was thinking the same thing. They finally get past the first round and they fire the guy who got them there? Keefe should be rewarded for what he did. If not, it would only be change for change sake.

New in-game, on-bench multi-tasking. Only on TNT.

If they can keep working on Podz to become more physical, improve his board battles, be harder to play against, while also giving him the freedom offensively, that will improve his confidence significantly. I love how he's coachable and willing to put in the work. I'm guessing Tocchet loves that as well. If Podz can really learn from Tocchet, he'll up his value in the lineup as he matures.

Good points and perspective. There was a recent interview with a veteran Detroit reporter ... think it was Sekeres and Price ... maybe D&D ... who said moving Hronek was more financial than anything, getting an early jump on it to get a decent return, and not because Yzerman thought he sucked or there was an issue.

If that gets us winning consistently, more disciplined, more responsible ... so be it. On the flip side, fans also need to embrace the uncomfortable. Tocchet says this earlier in the interview ... "Getting Cole and Soucy, Blueger and Suter ... these guys are very good penalty killers. They're grittier guys. They're willing to block shots. They don't let pucks through them, they knock pucks down. That's what good penalty killers do." That's the type of uncomfortable and sacrifice it takes to win.

This is everything, really, and so, SO needed in every facet of the team and organization ... Tocchet: This team is capable of success. It’s a matter of making everyone understand how hard it is to win. To be a winner, you’ve got to do a lot of uncomfortable things. I was only there 30-something games. . . but I can see there are some players, I don’t know if they realize where we have to go. It’s going to be very uncomfortable to go where we want to go. But if we have that mindset and we’re prepared and we’re willing to go there, we’ll have success. Is that to make the playoffs or win one round? I don’t know. For me, it’s: Are we willing to be uncomfortable as an organization to get to the next level?

We disagree on this. We have more than two star players. This is what I'm talking about ... the same things being said year after year. We actually have Petey, Hughes, Miller, Kuz, Demko ... Remember when people around here were saying a few years ago we need a core of four or five to build around? Well, we have more than two stars. And we have been building around those core guys nicely. Especially since Allvin and Co took over. Imo, Demko is a Top 10 goalie who needs to really solidify that this season. I'm ok with contending for the playoffs where we are right now. It has to happen, imo. And I've been saying all along we now have winners who know how to win behind the bench. I think optics will matter in Tocchet getting any hardware. Squeaking into the playoffs ... not so sure if that gets him anything. Maybe. Well, it certainly wasn't Green but it was Bruce for a minute. So coaching does matter. Especially when we both agree that Tocchet, Gonchar, Foote are winners and will be positively impacting the team. The players have needed to be better and it looks like we finally have the right coaching recipe to make that happen. But it is still up to the players. We'll see who rises and falls this season.

Oh, wow ... did not expect this. I thought society had completely gone to s*** and no one had any more morals, ethics, values or the will to fight this. FINALLY a stand against these ads. They've basically invaded and overwhelmed the public into accepting them ... with the help of some of our favorite stars who were bought off. Just brutal and disappointing. I feel bad for families impacted by gambling and it's addictive hold it has on some people. I don't mind some ads in moderation but also they've been normalizing gambling to a much younger generation. I'm glad this is happening and hopefully other provinces follow suit.

We'll make the playoffs before any individual wins an award. It's interesting, though, that every year no matter what improvements we make people/experts say the same thing, that we won't make the playoffs. And many of those same people are the ones saying we need more depth on D and need to improve our blueline in order to make playoffs. We did just that and people still say we won't make playoffs. A healthy Demko, better back ups in Silovs and Martin, better D, better forward depth, better fitness, better structure and accountability ... we should be able to get into the playoffs. I agree with you about EP and the competition. He has to put up a monster season and we don't really know his ceiling. Is it really an Aho type player, or more as he matures. His best years are ahead of him, so we'll see. I think it's becoming more and more obvious that he's easily also one of the better defensive forwards in the league. I can see him in Selke contention. We all know he's been a one-man, two-way show at times. Game breaking. I'm not sold on Tocchet being up for Jack Adams. I'm rooting for him and not impossible, though. But ... I mean, just look at the amazing achievement that Bruce accomplished when he took over and the improbable turnaround. What he did was absolutely amazing and he got snubbed for a Jack Adams nomination. Granted, we didn't make the playoffs, sure, but it was still an amazing accomplishment that - imo - should have been recognized with a nomination. So just imagine what Tocchet needs to do. I'd say in order for Tocchet to get the Jack Adams we have to be a noticeably better regular season team, not just squeak into the playoffs, and then win a couple rounds. He's going to have to make it irrefutable and force the votes. Also, look at how well Hughes has been doing since breaking into the league and he barely gets any recognition. It's the same standard for any Canuck ... they really have to raise their game and force others to notice them. I will say it was nice to see Demko officially ranked as a Top 10 goalie in the league this week.

That just might make people happy with Hronek.

That was a quick turnaround. Lol Everybody went from ... Bruce, there it is! We love Bruce! To How dare they fire Bruce! I'm leaving. To Screw Rick Tocchet! Not our coach. To He could win Jack Adams Don't disagree but ... just sayin ...

Yeah, I did mean 10 points. Thanks for the correction. You're right about 8 points. I remember watching one of those games, and I think it was more than once. Also think Gretzky scored 5gs in a game four times. Good call on Bernie Nicholls. He doesn't get enough credit. People unfairly dismissed him back in the day. That was a monster season he had. He had a couple 100 (+) point seasons. He also had a number a great seasons Loved watching the Stastny brothers. I think you're right had Marian been there.

At some point soon, say 2-4 years, we're going to see a natural upswing in our prospects taking the next steps, filling in depth holes, the way it should be. This, imo, is where Allvin is doing a remarkable job in a short amount of time. He needs to stay focused on this area. This season is really important in guys taking a big step forward and the team starting their window. The plan of assembling a core with most entering their prime at the same time is here and now - as those guys age out, we'll have younger guys to fill the holes. I'm still on the fence with Hoglander and Podz. They're sorta now representing the old regime. They gotta bring it this year. I'm really curious about Klimovich because he wasn't rushed into the league at all. I keep forgetting about him. Also curious about Linus Karlsson.

I actually met Gretzky twice early in his career when I was a kid. Also, my older sister used to live in Edmonton during the Oilers rise to glory. I used to visit her and go to games at Northlands ... it was a really exciting time. The first meeting was 1980 or 81 through our minor hockey organization and a number of us had dinner with him followed by a Q&A. It was really cool and special memory. The second was at one of our local malls on the east coast and he was promoting Mr. Big chocolate bars, signing posters, taking pics. It was another special memory. I also saw a few Team Canada/Canada Cup games as well. Looking back, I was really fortunate. There's no one who can touch Gretzky, imo, he was simply the greatest ever. He was just so dominant. I don't think we'll see that type of domination in hockey again in our lifetimes. He was certainly my favorite player growing up and electrifying to watch. I still can't believe he didn't break Sittler's 10 points in a game record. But 92 goals ... 120 assists ... in one season ... unbelievable!!! And two seasons later he also had an 87 goal season and 118 assists ... just crazy! Not to mention the two 70+ goal seasons, one 60+, four 50+, and three 40+ goal seasons. Mindboggling!!!! Edit: Thanks to @Kevin Biestra for the goals/points correction.

Once upon a trade, not so long ago Hronek used to work on the docks, Seider got more time He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough Allvin works the phones all day, looking for a Dman He brings home a Wing, for picks, mmm, for picks He says, "We can't hold on to what we've got It makes a big difference if we make it or not We've got Filip Hronek and that's a lot ... for us We'll give it a shot Whoa, we're half way there

As optimistic as I am, I'm not holding my breath on any of our guys winning awards ... unless they have a monstrous season. Canucks players have to work harder just to be recognized or even nominated let alone win an award. I really hope guys like Petey, Hughes, Demko, even Kuz use that as motivation.

Yeah, I see it now. Thanks. Just quickly looked at it before.

You're right. I see it. I just glanced at it initially. Thanks s lot.