Stormriders

Totally agree. Everyone forgets what I think is one of your main points, . . . playing with subpar wingers most of his career. Can you spell Loui Eriksson ? Hard to remember much of any season where he had two real top six wingers. Couple that with the harder match up he's had, and I think up until this year he has been underrated. Next, can we talk about the value, both defensively and the power play, the value of his faceoffs !!

In what world does he have more points than Lammy? Juolevi had and has ZERO points. He also last played on the 18th so hardly a regular.

Not Hog !! Our first, fine, Schmidt, no problem, but Hog is like a first and will be a driving force for years to come. Jones is great, but you need to pick and choose who you add into this deal and that's not on the table for me.

To me, the simple equation is: based on the two contracts, just signed, given the choice of the two, which player and contract would you pick. To me, hands down Lowry. He makes that Winnipeg 3rd line one of if not the best 3rd line in hockey [put Copp back on the line, as he has been moved because of injury]. Pearson, who I like but don't think is a true 2nd line player of a cup team, can be replaced much more easily than Lowry. If Winnipeg hadn't resigned him, who would you try and sign in the off season for your 3rd line centre before him ?? Come cup run, Lowry will be a beast !

Nascent, wow what a great word. I learn every day, thank you.

NO, not at all. We trade a 1st and a 3rd for Miller. Then Tampa trade's our first [2020/2021] and a former 1st, [Foote a 14th overall] for Coleman [a far inferior player than Miller}. Put another way, Tampa trade a smaller version of Miller for two overall first's. After it's all over, if they hadn't traded Miller, they would have Miller, a far superior player than Coleman, plus Foote, less our 3rd. So, would you rather have Miller and Foote [as if you didn't do anything], or Vancouver's 1st and third in 2020 vs. lose Foote, Miller in exchange for Vancouver's 3rd 2020 and Coleman. Does that make any sense? NOT as all !!!

Ok, I am still not a fan of Loui, and still don't think his production and the 'eye test' suggests he should be on the second line, but I have to concede that he is playing so much better and this is the best that Loui has played for some time. He definitely has played better and helped this line, and is contributing to the team's success.

I think you give Loui a little too much credit. While his stats have been better in the last several games, I agree with the other posters that think Bo doesn't need Loui, and, the Loui should never be on the 2nd line. The numbers are just bad for a second liner with good minutes [2 non-empty net goals all year]. Without the empty netters, he would have a total of 4 points and I think at least one of those was from an empty netter [too lazy to look it up], . . . you can't make this stuff up. BTW, looks like Green agrees Mott should get a chance when he benched Loui and put Mott with Bo. Didn't score but was a LOT faster and looked more dangerous.

Totally disagree. I agree if his cap was less AND he was playing on the fourth line, then yes people would be more ok with his play [but just ok, not over the moon]. Who else on the team could have 4 goals and 2 assists in 26 games and there not be a revolt to get him off the 2nd line. That is TERRIBLE production by any standard. Personally I would give a guy like Mott a chance for 4 or 5 games, although not before Virtanen. At least he has speed and gets in and forechecks hard. Loui is what he is, and that's a fourth line player at most. Don't delude yourself that it is just because his cap hit is so high.

I just don't get all this talk now and in the past about Jake playing on the PP in front of the net. They have try him there in the past with little success. I have never seen him be particularly effective in screening, but more importantly, I don't remember him being good in front of the net DEFLECTING pucks. While he has great skills, I have never been impressed with his hands, like I was with someone like Burrows, who I thought was very underrated for having great hands [and great hand/eye co-ordination, allowing him to be very successful close in. So if you don't really like being in front of the net, and you are not particularly adept at deflections, maybe this isn't a great role for you on the PP. Not saying he couldn't have a role on the PP, just not screening and deflecting.

Can't believe he has surpassed my expectations in only 9 games this year. I am now more excited to watch the next game to see what he does next. He turned a struggling PP into a much more dynamic one, by thinking and playing at a much faster pace than Edler, who I always thought was overrated on the PP but was often the best option. He executes and reacts so much faster, making it much harder for the opposing team to defend. Can you image, once Petey and Brock start firing on all cylinders, how exciting and productive our PP will be. Can't wait !!

Thanks, would never had found this otherwise. Had really wanted to see this !!

And what's the chance of that, on the Vancouver Canucks? He will play for the Canucks this year for sure, unless he himself gets re-injured.

Couldn't disagree more with the bolded. Do you really think management and the coach would deliberately try and restrict the points a player gets to save a few dollars later on his contract. By that logic, we shouldn't have had Petey on the PP last year because it's going to cost us later !! Their BIGGEST goal is to make the playoffs and start this ball rolling. They want Hughes to be a huge success that drives offense.

A better shot, . . . are you kidding me? Bertuzzi had a GREAT shot, . . . Jake can't hit the net.

This guy is very underrated. He is tied for his best career year in points with 29 in only 60 games, with 17 games remaining. He is fourth in scoring with 2 more goals and 3 more points than Goldie. Best summer signing by far when you consider the other elements he brings to this team, including his grit, agitation, and speed. And he can play anywhere up and down the lineup. He's had some great games and made some incredible passes for what he came in here billed as. VERY pleasant surprise and now an important member of this club, representing an element every team needs.

So this may have been discussed and I missed it, but why is he not on the first PP?

It's political. JB just signed him. Looks bad on him if he isn't played, so tie goes to the new signee. So if there is a younger player in the system, that is 'close', not necessarily better, he wins, especially this early in the season. Take Gaunce for example. They are close, with imho Gaunce getting the + because he still has some upside at his age. But it would not look good on JB to be sitting him and playing Gaunce. Plus, if Gaunce didn't show anything better than he has, it would be a wash, and a wash goes to the more experienced newly signed guy, right? And there are others, and you know that Wink. Just a poor signing as it turns out, that does NOT make us a better team. He is not a difference maker and if you are signing a FA, they should be a difference maker, or why sign them?

Just finished watching the game, tape delayed and there was lots of things to like, but Schaller wasn't one of them. I know it's been said before, but over a third of the way through the season and at the age of 28, this is it folks. It's obvious JB again bought high, thinking last year was the start of him maybe being a bit of a late bloomer and a trend, but it is obvious now it was a temporary aberration. He is an ok 4th liner with no offensive upside, that doesn't play the heavier tougher game he was touted for, and is not an improvement on players we already have. JB gambled and got two of the three free agent signings right. He is taking away the opportunity from other players we have in the system for no benefit to us. He will be sitting a lot for the rest of the year once Gaudette returns. Not even a placeholder.

Certainly an upgrade on Leipsic, as well as Gagner ! Basically we gave up Carcone and Leipsic [through having to waive him] for Leivo. To me that's a very good deal. I think what we saw of Leivo is basically what you get. Sure it was fortunate to get a goal in his first game and that's not going to happen every night, but the rest of it is. I have watched him in Toronto [TV only] and this is what he brings most nights: energy, good release, works hard, goes to tough areas, finishes his checks and wants to compete. + 1 to Benning.

I would be shocked if he didn't start on the 1st unit, and if that doesn't happen, it will within the first month. This guy is easily the best PP quarterback today in the Canuck's system, and is what he excels at. It's like this year when some suggested EP might start in Utica, and others said maybe centre in a few years, . . . and look what happened. He has already played with the top NHLrs and didn't look out of place. Hughes is elite offensively and a PP specialist.

He has shown nothing, even after being gifted (because of all the injuries NOT his play) some great opportunities. Last night less than 8 minutes and still showed nothing. If his ‘potential’ offence was overrated, and it appears it clearly was, where is this hard hitting, tough, hard to play against guy ? Not even a placeholder. While I know there are a lot of Gaunce haters on here, I think he brings more with more potential, certainly at a much cheaper cost. The other two two free agents we signed I am good with, this another clear mistake. He is 28, this is what he is.

Should be on his way to Utica with the injured players coming back, . . . . total waste of space. I think the limited points he has in the NHL are flattering, considering the opportunities he has had. All sizzle no steak. Not even a placeholder, and Schaller isn't that far being him if he keeps playing like he has.

Disappointed in Schaller so far. I just don’t see a significant upgrade over Gaunce, especially for the increased cost and cap (I know it doesn’t make any difference right now). Plus when Gaunce did play this year as centre his faceoff numbers were good and he is as good or better at defending ( check out his team stats from last year). To me Schaller needs to show more offensive production and gritt than he has. Only a quarter the way through his first season here so maybe he will show more, but at 28 I suspect this is all we will get. Another questionable signing.

Never. Show us the link to your statement. He had 7th in his final ranking.