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Everything posted by IBatch
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Agreed. I think the best case for our team next season is too bite the bullet and go after Manson. Adding him to our group changes everything. Poolman just play him or put him in the minors as a depth call-up. Trading him would cost us. Trading Pearson whittles the cap down, and play Kuzmo. Then sell some of our dead cap space. We do that - next year we have a shot at something special. OEL - Myers QHs - Manson Rathbone/Dermott/Schenn/Poolman. Thats some good depth and a legit top four. We'd have to whittle away at the cap ... and it could come at a cost - but personally believe we could move ourselves out of the 10/11ish spot under Bruce up to the top 6-8th. All you need to be a contender these days. With LA boosting, ANA coming up behind us, and Vegas, EDM, CAL .... we can't stay still. Then next off season we sell of Myers. Fortunately, with this years massive pay day - the covid cap isn't going to take more then next season and the one after it to resolve itself. Right around the time this team really needs the cap.
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Rathbone has a good chance of having a decent career. Too bad we already have one pint sized D on the left side - but have to say Rathbone is pretty jacked for his size. Also a very good AHLer - and keeps getting better. I'm tentative to trade him... could be an Adam Fox mistake. Doubt he's that good - but at the same time i'd like to see what he can do for us at the NHL level with some PP time. Maybe he can be our Rafalski. If i was him, i'd be working like crazy on practicing the right side. If he can be a switch hitter, it's possible we'd be onto something as well. Edit: Quite simply, we need Rathbone to work out for us as a quality, cheap, top four pairing D. That happens it would be cake. Also would take some heat off the JB era and we can just put that one to rest. We need more scoring from our D outside of QHs. And we need better defending as well. Rathbone Manson could be a line ... hard to say for sure but it sure worked out great for COL with Byram/Manson as their second pairing and they are about the same size once you factor in the muscles on this kid (Rathbone). I really truly hope that we go after Manson this off season. There are ways we can whittle the cap down to fit him in AND keep Myers and Miller this season. Then make the tough moves later. Rathbone is part of the solution, not the problem.
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Those Soviets! I find it strange how the leagues got way too many left shot D's - wasn't always like this. Like kids growing up are told by their coaches "play left handed and you will have a better shot at getting drafted" because only 9-10% are naturally left handed. Left wingers are a commodity for a reason too. Not nearly as many quality ones historically, as right wingers. Maybe more should use a flat stick like Kariya and Rocket, Howe etc did - that way you can switch hands and your backhand is way more accurate and deadly. Kariya used to switch hands all the time depending on the play and circumstance. It's simply mind boggling that 150% of all NHL D's shoot left. I'm left handed but played right handed because the sticks available to me were all curved for right handed people. Doesn't take much to get used to IF you start that way, and have an inkling that's why these right handed left shot defenseman were taught that way very early on as well - because of their coaches. They need to pull it back a little. And let these naturally right handed kids play the right side.
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Well some actually agree and i'm one of them. Have been a big fan of Myers, and love having him on the team. Nobody was complaining when he nailed Keith into the boards, and followed it up by dropping some Oiler right after one punched. He was great for us in the bubble despite half the calls simply because he's too tall lol. And one of the few players against Vegas that more then held his own (Motte and Demko the only other two).... Sure it would be great if we had another top four RHD. Schenn played admirably, but we got lucky there. OEL-Myers is a legit top four pairing. Cap sure - about 2-3 million too rich. But without them, man would our D be awful.
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Let's hope he works out to be our next Edler. It's hard to believe, but he was our last 3rd rounder that turned out great ... going back to 2004!!! Crazy. This organization hasn't drafted great ever, aside from the Milford days. We've had a couple excellent drafts but spotty from each GM aside from Milford. That said he did draft during the best period of drafting history in the league as well so maybe it's relative. EDM built a freaking dynasty on the backs of the same drafts. Ugh. Sure hope we get two players out of this one. Every GM goes into the draft expecting one roster player out of it, and hoping for two. The odds are around 1.3-1.5...so 3 players every two drafts on average. On average 12.5% of 3rd rounders play 100 NHL games ... the entire 4-7 round the same. We haven't had a good draft like that since 2004, Nonis first draft. Schneider, Edler, Hansen and Brown. Demko's draft could of been a huge success...too bad it wasn't (McAan, JV)...I truly hope that Allvin can do a better job. But for sure it's a crapshoot. 12.5% of 3rd rounders play 100 NHL games or more. Collectively 4-7 (9) is virtually the same odds as that. About one roster player every 8 years. Ugh. So EP 2.0 ... well we sure are due aren't we?!!
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I touched on this a little already. As a business, organizations have certain flaws/weakness's and strengths that they continually try and improve on. All the CAN franchises, even the Alberta ones but less so (and we used to be right there with them during the peak Sedin era - can thank the NDP for this), which is very high tax rates. That's a weakness that we can't avoid or improve on unless the voters in BC are lucky enough to get a right wing government that will roll the taxes from 53% back to Alberta's which is around 48.5%. Vegas, Seattle, Dallas, Nashville, Tampa, Miami all have no state tax - 36.4%. Miller has lost over 800k each year he's played in Vancouver on a sweetheart deal, imagine what he's going to lose on a 8.5 deal? Those "team friendly deals" in TB, are far from it once you look through that lens. Also why NMC are included! Miller had one coming in which was voided after he was traded lol . Sure he says all the right things - but let's be realistic - a Canadian team bloated with US players is going to have a tougher time with those guys once free agency comes into play. It does level out a little given Canadian players still are the majority ... but it's dwindling, and once you get a taste of what some of these other cities are like and the extra cash (that's a lot of money that could be used as a legacy for their families!) that comes with it. Only the NY and CALI teams share similar tax hits that the Alberta teams do - the rest are in the low 40's. Imagine if we could have a couple extra Millers and or Palat's?!! Or a highest end free agent. It's tough to compete with that so you need to find and use your other strengths when you can - and for us - it's the Swedish connection. It should also be a bit of a Canadian attraction, but really isn't. BC players only maybe. MTL and TO have the monopoly on those guys for good reasons. Most players comes from ONT and Quebec, every small town treats hockey like a religion there. Growing up in BC it's really not the same aside from the interior. Live in a small town, less then 6k... we have3 rinks lol. Victoria growing up? Should of had 30 at least to compete - instead had well around 4. Point is we won't attract the cheap vets like TO and MTL can and do. What we do have is a team that's led the NHL in quality Swedes historically, two just going into the HHOF that now are working in the organization. And a Swede for a GM. After CAN, US - its Sweden and Russia that come next as far as NHL roster players drafted. The KHL keeps some talent away for sure - and the SHL is probably the best developmental league in the world, given it's the second best league now or a very close third (KHL had degraded, and the AHL isn't at all what it used to be with College and Euro routes, 30% of all drafted players now develop in Europe!). Im biased so this is tough to say - because i prefer my Canadian players more then anyone, including US ones, but have to admit this connection gives us an edge. It also helps us attract UFAs from that country, despite the taxes etc. OEL for better or worse, was only willing to waive to come to Vancouver. Klingberg, not a fan of this idea, but will say i'd bet he'd be happy to sign in Vancouver if we had the space and need for him (which yes, no cap, of course sign the guy!). Having a semi-monopoly on the Swedes, and an iron clad link to the SHL league(s), including former players that is the only reason we got EP in the first place (wasn't on our radar until Delorme got the call and was begged to come check him out)... Every team needs skilled players. And every team try's to draft ahead of their draft slot. Hopefully what just occurred means we did get a top 4/6 pick in this draft like some experts felt the new Maki should go. And that EP 2.0, turns out to be like a great second round pick instead of an 80th overall as well. One thing we know about Swedes on our team historically, is they've made a massive impact in club history. I really can't think of any other team that's got that same edge with Sweden. Even without hockey, Vancouver is considered a sister/brother city with Stockholm.
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Big time disappointment this off-season so far?
IBatch replied to Canuckfanforlife82's topic in Canucks Talk
I seriously thought about that ... but didn't mention it. Gretzky and Coffey were my two favourite players growing up. Coffey lol was considered "somewhat soft" and has more fight majors then anyone the past decade or so career wise then anyone 1/4 as talented ... Charmin back then .., is 120 grit today. Edit: Baggins i know you and a lot of folks let's just say at least 45 or older, that have paid any attention to this sport know that the "Swedes" we've have had over the years are not the problem. Naslund and early Sedin teams had Brashear and Brookbank, and the guy who did good against Probert (Crowder) Ciccone an arms length list of guys that were decent fighters (and Hordichuk was meh! but some people think he was an animal...probably the same ones that think Lidstrom was the greatest D ever, simply because they don't have a proper reference point) ... they were protected decently enough up until a few years after the lockout. Then the league changed. This league is leaning towards skill now more then ever. At least some lessons have been passed down. The hate factor barely exists anymore. It's gone almost entirely. People rave over the CHI slaying the dragon moment, but i'm sorry the early 90's CAL - VAN games were 5 x's as exciting and brutal. Even the WNP ones. Sad but true. And uber skilled as well. Someone had to replace the void from the battle of Alberta, and VAN stepped up to do just that. Swedes - well i'm ok with evolving. Most CAN and US players these days are no different that have the same skillset. It's just the way it is now. Also seems a tad racist to even suggest it (ok wrong term let's say "countryist" )I'd still rather a CAN or US player all things equal skill-wise but that's a historical bias as well. Nowadays? Man Slegr would be a brute lol. Same with Ruttu. Enough said right there. Because they were both far from it, -
Big time disappointment this off-season so far?
IBatch replied to Canuckfanforlife82's topic in Canucks Talk
Allvin, Sedins, Gradin in the past ... we have Stockholm syndrome lol. Quite literally. For decades it was questioned if a European would ever captain a team to a cup until Lidstrom finally did it.... we are talking 30 years of that more or less...since Ovi and just now Landeskog. At least we have a solid pipeline in place, and with the other disadvantages Vancouver (and most other CAN teams), might ad well take advantage of what we can. We got lucky with our first pick this year. Let's hope he turns into something. -
WWE Wrestler Kevin Owens Surprises Bruce Boudreau During NHL Draft
IBatch replied to fivethej's topic in Canucks Talk
Sure was. But can say that Bruce has the biggest personality i've ever seen from a coach before. When your listen to Quins players talk about him, and the reverence they had for the man it brings a tear to the eye, left us way too young. Was a much better coach/GM/manager then a player, but despite that, as soon as he walked into the dressing room the guys were ready to go to war for him, and through walls if needed. I've been waiting for a team like that again for a very long time. Bruce .... well can't wait to see what this team can do in the post season. Seems to have the same respect from his players. Green might get another chance and don't think he was nearly as bad as some think he was - roster is the roster. Too cerebral maybe. Bruce - well our post Green record speaks for itself, good enough for 10-11th in the league, also good enough for a second spot in our division. Hope he doesn't lose his lustre if and when the team struggles. He's refreshing to say the least. And with the game the way it is now like each regular season game is a prize fight lol - post, pre-game stuff (which i'm not at all a fan of, save that for the post season!!) he's off to a great start to say the least. Because of Quin, Larry Robinson and a few other greats, i've always preferred a players coach which is exactly what you've got with Bruce. It paid massive dividends given how Green was too into the details. The details of course are important too. When it comes to the post season the bubble was encouraging. Only Quins teams got the same or more from their players ever come the post season - and it was always more. In a really tough era almost everyone played above their regular season play. That had a lot to do with Quin. Ive got some hope the same will be true if we can make the playoffs under Bruce. -
Big time disappointment this off-season so far?
IBatch replied to Canuckfanforlife82's topic in Canucks Talk
While i agree with this to a degree, it's very simple to find videos of 100 US/CAN players that can't fight or are equally or even more wimpy then the guys you just posted videos on. Naslund - that was one cheap shot he took in the scrum...at least he tried lol. As for Edler, he was throwing massive hits early on in his career (and Ohlund did throughout - was obliterating guys in the eastern conference who weren't used to him in Tampa, check out some of those hits! A regular highlight reel machine ... also did ok against Iginla, the league's last true power forward from the school of hard knocks in the 90's) ... Landeskog is no slouch either - easily on par with Miller as far as toughness goes if not tougher. So some tough Swedes do exist. Bertuzzi? 250lbs of can't fight lol. A bully too. What i do agree on, is as a country they don't offer the same grit the average Canadian or US player does. And i'd always take the same skill level from a US or CAN player as a result. Doesn't mean that player isn't equally avoidant though. Horvat. Brock. Not exactly "tough" either. Despite been two of our skilled players and having decent size. Is Patrick Kane a brute? Nope. EP, stoked we have him. The only problem i have with our team is we don't have a pack mentality - and maybe that's coming from the leadership we've had since the Sedin era. The Naslund era? Well that was still tough hockey - and what happened to Moore after his dirty hit on Naslund! Over the top pay back. It's still a black mark on our teams history, the beginning of the end of what was the best line in hockey for 3 years in a row. Keith? Well damn, it took a decade before any pay back happened - and Myers wasn't even aware of that lol. Love me some Myers. And he's often picked on this site because of his cap hit. Ugh. For better or worse, this city has a tight connection to Sweden and we might as well embrace it. Gradin. Those connections are why we drafted EP, and can say was disgusted that during the MTL game too many vowels wasn't taken out (was there - first game i got to see him play and was super excited!) ... Matheson too. They have video replay on tablets - that's on Green. And Bomber. And the team as well which is also full of US players. Edit: I know we were trying to go on the PP (again!!) when D Sedin was getting treated like a speed bag lol. But will also say, i don't care how big you are, if that was me i'd have taken at most two before clocking Marchand, or if it was Chara at least trying to drop him too. That still bugs me too. -
Big time disappointment this off-season so far?
IBatch replied to Canuckfanforlife82's topic in Canucks Talk
Sign whom exactly? They are just as rare as they are in the draft now - all rounds. Used to be almost all decent players could handle themselves. And there was a ton of power forwards that would just make mincemeat out of guys like Reaves. Marchment just passed away and he was just meh tough, despite the PIMs. We won't see a guy with over 2000pims likely ever again. Or a guy like Gillies who didn't need the PIMs to make guys crap their shorts. -
Big time disappointment this off-season so far?
IBatch replied to Canuckfanforlife82's topic in Canucks Talk
Maybe, just maybe and we should accept this: Miller just doesn't move the needle as much as we think he should. Kesler. Well. What did he get us? We think this but maybe the reality is well the guy above! -
That's cherry picking. A lot of his bios have his skating as very good and one of his strengths. The guys still 17 as well... Brock and Horvat both had to work on theirs and they did - and we're heavily criticized for their skating coming into the draft. I wouldn't call this a "meh" pick that will take 4-5 years ... we should know within a year or two where this kid is going to land. Forwards don't take as long as defenseman. He also had mono which may or may not have affected some of his play (for sure he lost games as a result) and dominated his peer group. Playing in the SHL at 17 is the same thing or better then playing in the AHL or KHL. Im cautiously optimistic, this kid has the tools to make the NHL and really help our cap, within two years. Having the best shot in the draft is something you can't teach. Willing to wait and see, but early days there is nothing not to like about this. We just missed the playoffs, and got a chance on a top ten pick anyways. One who would have ranked higher then 4-9 by most experts, IF he wasn't bigger and didn't have mono. We were lucky.
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Who cares? I hope one day Toews instead of pouting over a rebuild that simply had to occur after both him and Kane signed their monster deals, gets over himself and his 90ish IQ and has an "AHA" moment and figures out why that team went from great to mediocre overnight to bad.
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[Signing] Penguins re-sign Kris Letang
IBatch replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
So am i. It's ok. The gift that keeps on giving! What makes me happy is how amazing Friedman has done with his career. When he was cutting his teeth in the WCE era circuit, he bugged me so bad with how little space he gave the players - kept leaning in like we wanted to french them or something. Now this guy is the number one insider, can grow one heck of a crAzy ass beard (i like him better for it too lol) - but still once a week, you just know this guys sitting on the toilet in the morning and at night with a notepad wondering what sort of sh!t he's going to add too his 31 (it should he 32 now - poor Seattle! or should i say lucky us?!!) things he's going to say that some just hang on as thread worthy news each and every week. -
[Signing] Penguins re-sign Kris Letang
IBatch replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Don't forget Lidstrom. Who the media gifted one more Norris to tie Harvey at 40 "just because" ... even though his play had slipped, has any other defenseman won a Norris and being a minus player? Nope. "Perfect Human" who couldn't beat the guys in their mid to late 30's before him in his 20's...Ugh. At least people know what a great defenseman looks like that watched him play. Yes i saw the after 40 part but this is a drum i won't ever stop beating. Lidstrom gets way too much love from anyone younger then 45. Chelios ... that guy was an animal. What he did to keep up with guys half his age was incredible. I especially loved watching a 41 year Gary Roberts beat the tar out of a 230lb Ben Eager as well. People who weren't around in the 80's-90's have no idea how talented and tough that era was. Roberts was a tough nut back then too but not a top power forward either. League used to have 20-30 guys just like him. Edit: Roast away. But to me Lidstrom was the 2000's Larry Murphy. Just didn't have the same level of competition, they all aged out not Neidermayer and Pronger who also did nothing in the 90's to earn anything. Gonchar lol. He should never enter the HHOF. Phaneuf! Wow awesome. Rafalski ...it was an absolute graveyard of quality D's. -
[Rumour] John Klingberg to hit free agency
IBatch replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Yep. Think he will do exactly that. And he knows old school is going to take another 5-6 years. Of some serious pain. Vegas was a fluke. Seattle... by the time our team is past its peak apex with this core they will just be making some noise. It's like we replaced ARI with Seattle lol. ARI what a laughing stock they've become, that team needs an exorcism or something. -
[Rumour] John Klingberg to hit free agency
IBatch replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
They also have to ice a team. -
[Rumour] John Klingberg to hit free agency
IBatch replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Me neither. He's no Kronwall. Who got a massive deal at the same age. At least guys like that don't rely on speed and skill entirely. Sure it would be great to have him on the team - but only if the cap is good considering. Feel it will not be ok. And he'd be a massive anchor 3-5 years down the road when EP/QHs are peaking. -
[Rumour] John Klingberg to hit free agency
IBatch replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
It's a big pass. I'd much rather spend less and get our stay at home D for QHs. Or even OEL. Klingberg would be fine at 5 x 5. He's not coming here for that though is he? We'd get a modest bump in points from the D, maybe 10 from Myers. But we lose some toughness and net stuff ... gain some certainty on our right side. Myers bad cap switches to Klingberg. 27 EVP compared to 17...that's all we can expect. Maybe OEL/Klingberg becomes a great pairing though, that's about the only upside i can think of. Hard to know for sure, just seems like an expensive venture with too much risk. -
[Rumour] John Klingberg to hit free agency
IBatch replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Seattle has no state tax and needs to build a team. Klingberg to Seattle is a possibility given they are one of a few teams that can actually give Klingberg what he wants (full term deal), and the money will be the same as if he got the deal in Dallas. Wouldn't at all surprise me if that is where he lands. If he wanted to win a cup? Well there are other places to go. Money seems to be his major motivation. -
[Rumour] John Klingberg to hit free agency
IBatch replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Wow that kid has a viscous right hook!