[Bo Horvat | #53 | C]

Horvat is ready to play a 3c role if he has responsible wingers that can lessen the pressure (ie Higgins/Burrows/Hansen etc).

As many have said, sending him to Junior is pointless, he will not learn anything and if anything will pick up bad habits. Since he can't go to the AHL he's better served here, and given his size, skating ability can certainly play a valuable role defensively without placing offensive pressure on him.

He is GREAT in the circle and having him work on that skill alone in the NHL is worth having him here...as the more experience he gets vs NHL'ers at faceoffs will only help him that much more when he is needed to move up the roster.

He's ready and will show it. Unlike Gaunce, his skating is NHL level and that is the biggest risk.

Many people are ignoring that Willie coached young players when they are putting together their 'expected lineups'...we didn't bring in Willie to coach only vets.

I expect to see the following players push/make the team, and by mid season if they show they can stick some vets will be moved.

Horvat

Jensen

Corrado

[[Rumor] Canucks will make a serious attempt at Iginla]

 

Even though Iggy wants a cup, I'm sure linden told him that if the team is struggling that he would trade him to a contender at the deadline. Only way I see iginla signing here

interesting point you raise. strategically, Iggy and his agent may actually want to sign here if the above is agreed to (which would make sense from both parties perspectives).

Why?

Well Iggy can get more term/money out of us than he will from others most likely. Many teams are going to give the same type of deal Boston gave him, one and keep proving you're not too old, and next year you'll get a one year again.

If he signs here, he can likely get a three year deal, good money and as you say, if we're struggling at the deadline, as long as the cap hit isn't monstrous, which it won't be, all the usual favorites will come running again....

For us, we get the additional top six guy with incredible leadership skills for at least the year and maybe more....

Hmmm...

[[Rumor] Canucks will make a serious attempt at Iginla]

Iginla and Linden likely go way back so perhaps they are just hanging out. Or maybe Trevor wants the D

meant to say 'isn't'! a big deal, changed!

[[Rumor] Canucks will make a serious attempt at Iginla]

I don't think Linden having lunch with Iggy (if true) is a big deal... If, as expected there is interest by Vancouver, he is simply having the discussion every team interested in him will have. Rather than just talking to his agent, given the proximity and relationship (played against each other NHLPA, team Canada), Linden is being smart by reaching out in person. A lunch is simply a lunch and a pitch, really means little until we know who else is bidding and what Linden pitched, what Iggy wants etc. Part of the 'process' lol, nothing more

[[Rumor] Canucks will make a serious attempt at Iginla]

Tank on purpose/rebuilding from scratch is media and fan BS, so many people are use to having a contender here they think making the playoffs is a waste unless you are rolling in with the prez trophy. People talk about the west as if it's impossible to penetrate yet the Wild took the Hawks to the brink last season in the 2nd round. Favorites of course not, but sh#t happens, injuries, upsets, hot streaks, you don't waste seasons in the bottom the league because you think a couple picks are going to guarantee you a cup because they don't you win by making it to the dance as many times as possible.

EXACTLY!!!

You don't have to be a 'favorite' to win, to win the cup! If that were the case we'd have a couple already as would Ottawa a number of years ago!

What we need is

A. Our players to put last year behind them and get back to playing the way we are capable of. Our ENTIRE team had off years last year ex probably Kesler! If that happens well you can't win.

B. Clearly there was something in the room (whether that was Lou/Kes/Torts or combination thereof, we will never, know - regardless its dealt with).

C. Anyone suggesting a pair of the best players in the NHL are done at 33 is on crack, I love how bandwagoner/negative Nancy's call the Sedin's done, yet forget their start to December and that people were screaming in December to lock them up. Our team was run to the ground by a lack of depth and a coach who wouldn't play more than 7 guys....any objective/normal hockey fan can see that. That will change and the TEAM will play better because of it. PS we weren't that far from the playoffs even after ALL THOSE PLAYERS HAVING OFF YEARS PEOPLE!!

D. All we need is a team that can get in and that has the depth to compete. Our players certainly have to have rebound years, our stars have to start playing like stars again (Sedins, Edler, Hammer, Burr), our youth has to take the next step, we need to add a bit more size and speed. Then, its up to chemistry.

E. LA has 2 cups in three years. As great as they look, they also have alot of cockyness on that team, I can see them getting their party on a bit too much now and forgetting about hockey. People say its hard in a cap world to have a dynasty, which is true, but I also think it has to do with the generational attitude as well. These young men, are making a hell of alot more money, have a hell of alot more distractions at their disposal now than did the Isles and Oilers of the 80s and because of media are ALL stars.....distractions abound, don't be surprised to see LA not go far next year - its very hard in this day an age to say as motivated.

I agree with all you said, and I am curious to see what Benning does to solidify his lineup going into September, I do expect to see some big moves yet to come, whether that's a trade, UFA or RFA signing.

[[Rumor] Canucks will make a serious attempt at Iginla]

I love this idea!!!

Alot of people barking he's old, we need to play youth etc etc. Well let me state a few things first before.

A. We need to have a MIX of youth and experience to bring our young players along, you can't throw em to the wolves like Edmonton unless you want to bust them (which clearly edmonton is on the verge of). Even Chicago won with a mix.

B. We don't have enough young studs who are ready. This is a FACT! Even TL and JB said, we are missing a push from the bottom, translated = not enough NHL ready youth. Have we built a nice stable now, yes of course, do they need more time in Junior/AHL yes!

C. Iginla scored 30? last year, not done. He is a leader at the level of Messier (hate him all you want was a great leader), Linden, etc - don't need the peanut gallery commenting 'lost me at messier' - if thats all you got move along, read the point. This helps our leadership group tremendously in developing our youth (Likely a big reason why we are interested in him). Imagine our players learning from the SEDINS AND IGINLA? Imagine if we had a guy like that in the room to take Kesler by the throat? Ya...leadership is bleeding out of his ears. Size, scoring, lost a step sure but he'll also help the PP.

D. Fills a hole and takes pressure of Jensen and Kassian. Bring in Horvat and you have our three next leaders learning from 3 of the best in the league.

E. Sign Erhoff and Miller. and we have a team that not only makes the playoffs but if we get hot, really with the group below, just never know vs what we have now.

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER

CapGeek Armchair GM Roster

FORWARDS

Nicklas Jensen ($0.863m) / Henrik Sedin ($7.000m) / Jarome Iginla ($4.500m)

Daniel Sedin ($7.000m) / Bo Horvat ($0.894m) / Zack Kassian ($1.551m)

Shawn Matthias ($1.750m) / Nick Bonino ($1.900m) / Alexandre Burrows ($4.500m)

Chris Higgins ($2.500m) / Brad Richardson ($1.150m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)

Linden Vey ($0.900m) /

DEFENSEMEN

Dan Hamhuis ($4.500m) / Chris Tanev ($3.500m)

Alexander Edler ($5.000m) / Christian Ehrhoff ($4.000m)

Ryan Stanton ($0.550m) / Kevin Bieksa ($4.600m)

Luca Sbisa ($2.175m) /

Frank Corrado ($0.591m) /

GOALTENDERS

Ryan Miller ($5.000m)

Eddie Lack ($1.150m)

BUYOUTS

David Booth ($0.000m)

Keith Ballard ($0.000m)

BURIED

Jacob Markstrom ($0.275m)

RETAINED SALARIES (1.16% of upper limit)

Roberto Luongo ($0.800m15.00%)

BONUS OVERAGE

$0

------

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(estimations for 2014-15)

SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,282,444; BONUSES: $858,333

CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $717,556

[BUF initiate compliance buy out on Ehrhoff]

Sign him and make a few small roster moves and we are both in a great transition spot (using youth) and also competing well enough that if we get in, we can make some noise.....see my roster below

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER

CapGeek Armchair GM Roster

FORWARDS

Nicklas Jensen ($0.863m) / Henrik Sedin ($7.000m) / Jarome Iginla ($4.000m)

Daniel Sedin ($7.000m) / Bo Horvat ($0.894m) / Zack Kassian ($1.651m)

Shawn Matthias ($1.750m) / Nick Bonino ($1.900m) / Alexandre Burrows ($4.500m)

Chris Higgins ($2.500m) / Brad Richardson ($1.150m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)

Linden Vey ($0.935m) /

DEFENSEMEN

Dan Hamhuis ($4.500m) / Chris Tanev ($3.500m)

Alexander Edler ($5.000m) / Christian Ehrhoff ($4.000m)

Ryan Stanton ($0.550m) / Kevin Bieksa ($4.600m)

Luca Sbisa ($2.175m) /

GOALTENDERS

Ryan Miller ($5.550m)

Eddie Lack ($1.150m)

BUYOUTS

David Booth ($0.000m)

Keith Ballard ($0.000m)

RETAINED SALARIES (1.16% of upper limit)

Roberto Luongo ($0.800m15.00%)

BONUS OVERAGE

$0

------

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(estimations for 2014-15)

SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $67,601,333; BONUSES: $850,000

CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $1,398,667

[BUF initiate compliance buy out on Ehrhoff]

Not according to Anaheim fans he's not. They're happy they could dump him in the deal with us and were tired of his injuries and defensive play not being good enough. He's physical, but isn't a lock to be more than a 3rd pairing D-man, and not even at that if he's outperformed by Stanton. Edler and Hamhuis are still higher on the depth chart as well.

Sbisa was expendible bc of the emergence of Vatanen, fact they have Theodore in junior as well as a few other prospects.

Sbisa isn't 'not good enough' - he is very capable of being a 3/4 and Desjardins knows his game from his time in the WHL.

Suggesting 'ducks fans say' is the same as saying what people on this site say, which as you know, can be very biased and wrong most of the time.

[BUF initiate compliance buy out on Ehrhoff]

Now there is a team that's tanking. How will they get to the salary floor? They'd be about 20 million away from it if they buy out Ehrhoff.

Definitely! Maybe they'll trade for Clarkson! lol

[[Rumor] Ryan Miller to Vancouver Thread]

 

Whatever they do they can not go with Lack + Markstrom next season, at the very least get a vet backup that can play 30+. I'm with a lot of people though would prefer Hiller because he's cheaper but maybe Miller has the shorter term so who knows.

I said on another thread, Brodeur, he's the perfect bridge, we only need a year for Lack to prepare....Brodeur will only want a year and he's a proven winner who can help teach lack a great deal about the mental side.

He, Hasek, and Roy were 3 of the mentally toughest goalies to play the game in the modern era, who better to learn from?

[[Rumor] Ryan Miller to Vancouver Thread]

This is stupid if true.

I had a feeling Aquaman would still have a huge influence and under no circumstances would he want to rebuild and risk losing more ticket revenue.

I'm new here and have been reading similar arguments throughout the site. That aquilini is 'meddling' lol.

Firstly, every team needs to go into the year with the attitude it is going to try and win a cup/championship, whichever league/level they are at. Why? Because if you don't you breed a culture of accepting losing. Now is that what we fans want? I think not.

Further, the fact that managment (see management not owner) is not giving up sends a message to this team, we don't give up, we don't want quitters, you don't give up. If you do, leave - ie Kesler.

Signing Miller is not a terrible idea depending on term. Lack is a terrific goalie but not ready, he needs another year to learn the game, improve, deal with the pressure etc.

Will Miller sign for 1-2 years? 1 probably not, 2, maybe. That gives us a chance regardless. Miller may not be the same goalie as we once new but he may still have some of it in him.

Our group is not as bad as last year suggested, if the Twins bounce back, which they will, as will Burr and Edler, we get an equivalent contribution from Bonino, and Jensen and Kassian take the next big steps, who knows what happens.

Add in more depth and size and you just never know. Chemistry is a weird thing, sometimes it just happens.

Would you have picked the Rangers in December (well out of the playoffs, rumblings of AV being a terribile hire and Torts the right one) to have made the finals? Nope, no one did.

I am not suggesting we will get there, what I am suggesting is you CANNOT have a defeatist attitude in life if you want to succeed, and I for one am glad the Canucks aren't just 'rolling over', especially at the start of their new era.

We don't need to breed losing as we start introducing younger players to our lineup, like Edmonton is on the cusp of.