DrJockitch

Yes, I agree with that. So these would be nice pieces to add but first you need Crosby, Malkin and Letang. I think Pitt is probably pretty happy how things have gone without Sutter, but again Crosby, Malkin, Letang. I guess I have moved over to the team that says sell off any asset for that lottery ticket so that when you get some players to build a championship around then you build the team around them. That takes good management, and vision. Benning has shown he is a little more than half of what a good GM needs to be. Yes the most important half, and he seems to be learning, but his foibles are interfering with the part of the job he is good at.

Well my prediction three years ago was that we were going to suck and then get worse when the Sedin's retired. Next year the draft is in Vancouver, may be the only chance we get to win the "lottery." After picking seven this year we won't be a lot further along next year.

I agree with this. Tryamkin wanted something different than the fans of this team wanted and that is his choice. If anything I think Benning bent over too far for this guy, no AHL clauses and such. Tryamkin thought he was too special to let the team try to do what was best for his development and then ran away when he figured out it wasn't easy to play in the NHL. Too bad, great toolset. Who knows maybe he will turn into a good player for us in five years or so.

I get trading Tanev but I take a little more basic look at things. He is a good pro player. There are a lot of not so good pro players on this team that should go first. Guddy, Gagner, Sutter, MDZ, Hutton ... Having solid good pros to build around is the concept that is being used, then why surround them with seriously flawed pro players. That being said, for a good enough return everyone over the age of 25 should be available and probably a few under.

I wish this were true but I just can't be that optimistic. Too many years of this. Some great prospects, really a 180 from when Benning took over. Could be so much better though if he managed the professional side of the game as well as he has the amateur. I just look at the group of prospects and see wingers, wingers and wingers. Pettersen looks amazing but think he is going to be a winger in the pros. I just look at the Ducks and think would this kid be able to line up against any of their centres from a physical perspective. Gaudette may work out great but may not. College kids are hard to predict. I think this board under-rates OJ as a D prospect but not sure there are any other even B level D prospects. I hope Chatfield or Briseboise or MacKenzie work out but they are still big time projects. Looking at the D prospects on other clubs that are already struggling to climb out of the cellar such as Carolina, we really look very, very thin. Demko looks great but again, predicting goalies is so difficult. Markstrom used to be one of the best prospects in the league. So I see one really good prospect on D, C and G. . To assume that these are automatic locks to develop into top flight pros while playing on a team that is going to be awful for the next few years (because their pro NHL players just aren't that good) is a big assumption. Sure there is a ton of really good winger prospects but try trading a winger for a centre or D man. We have worked ourselves up to what most likely a 7th OA pick in the draft this year. This is most likely getting us a B+ D prospect which will be a good addition but unless we start getting rid of some of the NHL guys for prospects or picks the process has a long way to go to make a Cup competitive team. A little lottery luck would go a long way to helping as well but that seems even less likely than every prospect hitting what CDC thinks they will. To try to be positive at the end, again I feel like our prospect pool has dramatically improved though is a little imbalanced. Would love to see 5 rookies in the lineup next year with Gaudette, Pettersen, OJ, Demko and one of the other wingers. If we happen to get lucky in the lottery that may be number 6. I know this won't happen but a guy can wish.

While the idea of Gaudette and Petterson in the line up next year sounds great, we will not go into the year with two rookie centres. JB just isn't wired that way. At least one or both of these guys will start on the wing if they are both in the NHL. In 3 years though could well be Bo, Elias, Adam and Brendan playing centre 1-4.

I paid under $2k a year to go to UBC, makes me feel old.

Yeah he plays wing on Suzuki's line. Knows his role. Even in warm up he spends most of his time in the crease, nobody else was doing it. John Leclair kind of game, shoveling pucks into the net while standing in the crease.

Just got back from the Knights, Attack game. I thought he had two assists, set up two goals in exactly the same way. Spends most of his time in his office and added some toughness. Looked like a man amongst boys though his skating has a long way to go if he is going to make NHL. Nick Suzuki had a pair and was dangerous looking.

Would like to see Dahlen go here in December when contract is up with second tier team. Could also go play with Elias but would be nice to see him with Petrus and OJ.

Who new the peak of Sam Bennet's career would be as "18 year old Sam Bennet" in the playoff series against us. Sad to see your career peak so young. Isn't he in a contract year, that is a tough one to figure out.

Some of the statistical modeling they do on Canucksarmy to project prospects corrects for this. Yes, players that are dominant from a younger age tend to be better players. Of course it is a predictor but not a huge determinant. Regardless though, very encouraging the phenomenal season he is having so far.

You may have gone a step too far.

I thought I had read that he only signed until Jan 31 to recover from Mono at home in easier, less contact league. He could still spend half the year in Vancouver, Utica or move up to the SEL or whatever they are calling their top league now. By the time February rolls around it may be time to bring him in to see if can help PP.

I was thinking same thing, hoping he ends up playing with one of those teams.

Problem is it is like a well built arch without the keystone. We have a good group of young guys to drop a top flight prospect or two into, we just have no lottery luck. Need big guy in the middle and one on D as well, the rest of the team is actually pretty well built, just need the hardest things to get. (even if OJ and Petterson work out)

You may be getting your wives mixed up there.

He will be playing with Petrus Palmu as well who is tearing it up on TPS.

Was not expecting him to be ready this year anyway. Sometimes the players that are very smart and efficient look lazy and disinterested. They are in position so don't need to hustle into it making dramatic looking plays. A lot of what Olli does is very subtle especially away from the puck. He makes great little pick plays on offence, seems to read the play very well. These things don't show up on the scoreboard always but have a big influence on the team's success. Kind of like how when Jake is in front of the net and the Canucks score, there is no assist for the screen but it directly influenced what happened. Olli has been walked around a few times and is having to find a way to adjust to the NHL forecheck. I imagine for a D man there is no substitute that can get you ready for the speed and size of true NHL forwards. Do wish he could go to AHL this year. Going to Finland and working with Salo would be my preference for the year even though I could go see him more in London.

This page has taken an odd turn. New scouting technique. Bagues can inspect their buttocks and Sutter can check out their balls.

Hey good for you Toews. Like to see confident self aware people. Begs the question though, why are spending so much time arguing with someone on a message board if not looking for validation? If you like having a good debate-lets not call it an argument because that has connotations of conflict that are not necessary-then have a debate. There is a great diversity of opinions here, many of which I disagree with. I have come on here and have been very critical of Sutter and Vanek signings, some people like them. I don't agree with that but hey we are all just fans in the end. If Robb is who he says he is, and I have no reason to doubt that, his background is important in placing context to his opinion. Doesn't mean you need to agree with it but anyone who even had a cup of coffee in the pros deserves some respect. If he is not who he says he is then that is just weird, but he was already a little weird and mazel tov it is just a hockey fan board.

It may be worth noting too that OJ was a pretty slow starter in London last year. Bo is to, maybe it is something to do with playing for the Knights, they save it for the playoffs.

Man what did Burmistrov do to you, that is just mean putting him on that line.

This is a pet peave of mine. Players need strength not bulk. The muscle needs to be put on right or it is just dead weight that needs to be accelerated and maneuvered. When your game is speed and skill you need to have a high power to weight ratio. Focus on the power and flexibility and stay lean in the areas you don't need the extra weight. We see a little of this happening with OJ this year where he focused on getting bigger and seems to be having trouble with quickness since. Happened with Sopel, happened with Jake, now same mistakes being made with OJ and maybe Petterson. Lessons need to be learned and knowledge applied. Looks like he is doing great this year so far. Hope for continued growth in his game and improved strength and appropriate weight gain.

The first one was recovering from shoulder surgery. Not sure about second. edit: Oops flipped the timeline in my head. Yes, was number of games played in NHL.