[[Report] Nucks to name new head coach following GM hire - Barry Trotz leading candidate]

8 missed playoffs, 5 first round exits and 2 second round exits.

I suppose with Nashville, that is a pretty decent performance, however I remain to be convinced he is the best available. Having said that, if Benning wants him I will be right behind him.

Coach evaluation seems so difficult. What seems to work in one Club is a disaster in another and vice versa. I'm glad I don't have the responsibility for the hiring.

I would say though that we are a slightly on the side of veteran team hoping to get younger and the new man must have a synergy effect with regard to the young players as well as the trust of the established core players

[Weise says Lucic threatened him during handshake]

" .. I love it when a common cause unites us all .. we should all pull together like this for our team next year .. just support every player and give them the benefit of the doubt .. +1."

This would indeed be refreshing. I am looking forward to a season of harmony. Apologies for the butchery

"All across Canuck nation such a strange vibration

Linden's devotion
There's a whole generation with a new expectation
Linden's devotion, BC in motion"

[ECF: (4) Montreal Canadiens vs (5) New York Rangers]

Habs won imo because NYR made the same mistake we made against Boston in 2011. They got involved in too many distractions.

Hats off to Montreal, they saw the way this series was going, as Boston did, and decided to get under the Rangers skin as a way to put them off their game.

Hopefully AV will get them back on track for the next game.

Rangers need to regroup and the Final awaits them.

[Who will Benning draft?]

Listening to Linden though, you have got to wonder who in the top 6 he expects to be "leading the franchise" That to me implies a special talent which is noticeably ahead of the rest. Reinhart or Draisaitl for me.

Which means the Canucks are going to deal, probably with Florida or Buffalo. If that is the case it would be good if we could keep our 6 and maybe pick up Dal Colle as well.

[Who will Benning draft?]

"I realise size isn't everything but size with talent is what we require."

Of course I didn't just say "bigger" you will notice, that would have been a bit silly on my part. After all if that was the case we could draft any 6'4" 240lbs plug to top 6 position.

No, the size must come with the talent. And you know the old saying "a good big one beats a good small one every time.

[Who will Benning draft?]

One thing most of us agree on I'd imagine is :

While we are in the West, we need to get bigger and faster. However for me that applies as much to the D as the top 6.

I realise size isn't everything but size with talent is what we require. If it means we trade players for prospects and picks and wait a bit longer, I'm ok with that.

I don't buy into the opinion held by some that we are soft but I do think we have lacked a physicality needed to contend in the SC, especially to fight our way out of the West.

There will also come a time, mid season, where we have to decide if Lack will be able to carry us. Anyone watching complete games of this season's SC will see right away that you don't get far without a top net minder. I think Lack has these qualities but the question is, is he ready to carry the franchise now.

[[Confirmed] Jim Benning signs as new Canucks GM]

I am hopeful that we now have a GM with some consistency in his thought processes and his actions. A GM who doesn't view the fans as people who's intelligence should be insulted day after day and above all a GM who "doesn't sweat the small things, while he sweats.

[[Confirmed] Jim Benning signs as new Canucks GM]

He may have his own ideas, I'm sure the Providence coach was mentioned as a possibility on here. (although under contract and highly thought of by Boston) I think a personal relationship may be favourable in such a tandem, although not essential.

I would even suggest those favouring Stevens may see an attribute in his coaching style that Benning likes. I actually think it is all up in the air, and we are just as likely to have a name, so far, not touted for the post. That's what makes the waiting so exciting.

[[Report] Nucks to name new head coach following GM hire - Barry Trotz leading candidate]

Well I think the Canuck core matches and betters the Habs and up until they met NYR and lost their No1 goalie they were doing fine. I would also say they would match NYR if they had a goalie like Lundqvist.

The Habs all play to roles and know their roles and imo that is all this Canucks core needs. Someone who is simpatico with their core's optimum style and can design a system around it.

We seem too keen to throw our players under the bus.

Oh and many of us seem to have forgotten Santo and the impact he made before being injured. If he regains that form after his injury, he will be a welcome addition.

[ISS/CS Draft Rankings - 2014 NHL Entry Draft]

I just hope one of Dal Colle and Draisaitl drop to us. Those are the guys I really want in the first round other than Ekblad, Reinhart and Bennett. So basically any of the top 5 ranked players.

According to the latest list (see OP's update) Draisailti has come in at 6th, so we may yet be able to acquire him if that's who we want.

[ISS/CS Draft Rankings - 2014 NHL Entry Draft]

Apologies if this has already been posted but some good info on Leon here. He seems quite a dynamic player, and his through the legs pass in the video was outstanding awareness.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2014/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Leon-Draisaitl

I must admit Dal Colle is the guy I would want. He seem to have great vision, great positioning sense and above all he is a sniper par excellence. He also plays with and has a great chemistry with Cassels.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2014/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Michael-DalColle

[[Report] Nucks to name new head coach following GM hire - Barry Trotz leading candidate]

I would like to see exciting hockey, I think you can win and be exciting too.

It amazes me how many commentators and journalists (and even fans of other teams) are now prepared to praise the 2011 team and their dynamic style, who were for whatever reason, loath to do it at the time. I suppose that is life.

If I was to define it I would probably highlight the 2011 Canucks and NYR and the Habs in this years SC.

I think it involves maximising the Sedins where they are most potent, I loved the interplay between Raymond, Sammy and Kesler and would love to see Kesler get back to that type of game with the right partners. What I don't want to see ever again is collapsing defence.

A form return for Burr would help and someone who can carry the puck out of defence and make the kind of stretch passes we used to make. For me that player would be PK. Maybe we will get it down the line from his brother.

[[Report] Torts wanted to buy out Alex Burrows]

I don't understand how we can make any judgements on a player or players who have spent a season plagued with injuries or for that matter playing unaccustomed roles.

I think we need to get everyone fit and rolling, with a coach more in tune to our style of play, to make a proper assessment of any of our players.

[[Confirmed] Jim Benning signs as new Canucks GM]

I just can't wait to get the new GM appointed and see what his take is on the team and the new coach. Exciting times ahead.

Not that the last year hasn't been exciting but personally I prefer a calmer approach, with less controversy.

[So can we assume A V wasn't the problem?]

AV seems to have awoken and reinvigorated the Rangers and it has helped immensely to have inherited a goalie like Lundqvist. I don't think we can count the Habs out yet but I fear for them with such an inexperienced net minder.

[So can we assume A V wasn't the problem?]

I'm really enjoying the way the Rangers are playing.

Since Kreider came back they seem to be much more effective. AV's quick line changes seemed to confuse the Habs.