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Everything posted by IBatch
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Same with my brother and I but we both moved away (early 2000’s and me 2009) and the last four years not so hot (still get to one away game a year at least) but before it was every game we went to almost, at one point my brothers record was sick 22-5-3 or something (mine was pretty great too). That included watching at least six Keenan era bomb games...where we actually won AND I got to see gems like Enrico Ciccone live. We would have gone to more games if we could (Island boys) but we went when we could. And he’d joke sometimes that the team should pay him to watch all the games. edit: Pacific Coliseum record perfect 100.
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Looks like one Mr. Shawn P Roarke knows what he's talking about ;)
IBatch replied to BrockBoester's topic in Canucks Talk
I’d agree our division is weaker then most, and that the Central is now stacked but as another poster pointed out we didn’t fair well against it last year and would add we took a good amount of points playing better teams in other divisions too. Agree with your assessments but also think SJ is a team that could miss out on the playoffs if things don’t go right for them, they lost a lot of key players (around five). Thornton coming back would keep them more relevant but their window is almost shut for the time being. ARI and Van are on the rise, I’d have only Vegas and Calgary ahead of us for sure ... -
I agree with most of this with the exception if your team has superstars on it some of the flaws won’t matter as much. PIT won two cups with a mediocre defense and one of those was without Letang at all...that said they did have the best player of this generation on their team and one of the better ones as well in Malkin. St Louis is a better built team and I’m glad they won too, definitely follows your above formula for success. At least for now our hopes land more on EPs shoulders then anything, if he goes down so does our chances of making it to the playoffs, and once we get there he’d have to obtain superstar status to hide some of the warts here and there for us to win a cup. But hey it’s hockey and anything’s possible with this young core.
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Looks like one Mr. Shawn P Roarke knows what he's talking about ;)
IBatch replied to BrockBoester's topic in Canucks Talk
Can’t wait to see what some other hockey experts will be saying prior to the start of the season and what their predictions might be. Not so sure we will see the same doom and gloom parroted, but a more conservative approach, with a fair amount of articles like these. Last year most had us right next to OTT to start the year, things didn’t turn out nearly so bad considering we lost 100 points from the Sedins and added only bottom six players to insulate Horvat, Boeser and EP who did even better then most of us hoped for. This is the brightest outlook we’ve had in over half a decade. It’s not perfect, but it’s a whole lot better then it was, and it’s just getting started. If chemistry comes right away then we will definitely make the playoff, if not then it’s not the end of the world either because it will come. Too many options for it not too, and depth is improved to the point that we can get by key injuries without the terrible slumps we’ve got used to. Id be disappointed if we miss the playoffs, Hughes, Myers, Benn, Miller and Ferland for a year is collectively a massive upgrade. It won’t be the end of the world either as we are in a tight conference, one to three good teams will miss out regardless, and I’m sure the following year we will be even better. -
[Discussion] Goalie package solution available?
IBatch replied to Glug Datt's topic in Proposals and Armchair GM'ing
Markstrom plus for Risto wouldn’t be a bad choice, but wouldn’t be a trade to consider until we know until Demko is proven ... edit: Hutton had some great spells too, bet their fans are at least as high on him as we are on Demko... -
Instead of what exactly? Edler Gudbranson? Hutton was our second best LHD, not exactly much to work with and when Edler was out good grief things went from bad to worse. A bottom team finished 10-15 points higher then expected, thanks in part to EP and Markstrom, but also in part of what the coach got out of his lemons.
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OR maybe the player just weren’t/aren’t that good. Dreadful defense. Three forwards that can move the needle. And enough bottom six guys to make three lines.
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Green might be Green, but he also took a post Sedin plus one team that was supposedly a bottom two or three and overachieved. There is nothing wrong with that. Not to mention the usual round of injuries that plagued his more reliable vets etc. Before jumping the gun why don’t we see what he can do with a much improved team on paper. Not to mention regurgitating he same old names, well gets old, nice to see new blood get their chances and Green also overachieved in the AHL level. Criticizing based on Horvats deployment is more of a criticism of JB not providing the guys to help him (quality line mates) and on LE, well it’s not like he’s done anything at all with the chances he’s had in the top six since arriving, his skills have eroded or his confidence or both. Really do you want him in the top six? I don’t, he’s a serviceable vet, he started last year with EP and ended it with Horvat and no magic was made when he had time with the Sedins earlier either. Sure Trotz is a great coach and we’d be better with him most likely, he’s at the top of his game. That said it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if they fall (Lehner had a boffo season) and things will come crashing down to earth. There isnt many coaches I’d rather have, at least for now, let’s see how he can do with this team before making broad strokes suggesting he’s incapable. That said his head will roll before JBs does and if his replacement doesn’t make it work it will be the end of this era of management and god help the ramifications and the core as the next group comes in and puts their fingerprints into the mix (out with the old in with the new).
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Markstrom/Demko Seattle Expasion draft (Discussion/Poll)
IBatch replied to J.I.A.H.N's topic in Proposals and Armchair GM'ing
These are real issues facing the club going forward for sure. Benning hasn’t made much of a splash at the TDL since he came here with the exception of Burrows and Hansen but that even proves the point more being the high water mark, and I’m not expecting him to change course this year ... My biggest fear is he re-signs Markstrom at an unpalatable cap hit and Seattle picks someone else. The reasoning behind this is IF he does continue at the same rate as last year we likely could find a desperate playoff team that has an injured or unreliable goaltending tandem that wants an upgrade, and could be willing to part with their second or maybe even a first for him as a rental. But we all know that’s never going to happen. He will get re-signed and left unprotected. And he can be our sacrifice to the alter of expansion. Unless his cap hit sucks (to me that’s more then 4.5, there are a lot of arguably better goalies for less then that) and Seattle picks our fourth best defenseman (worth more then a second any day) or picks our 8th best forward or a prospect that they believe will have more upside then that. Losing Markstrom is completely exceptable under these circumstances.... However I am going to say that PIT screwed the pooch by going with Murray...he was a huge part of their first cup, not as much he second and MAF made them look foolish. If Markstrom is a Vezina finalist this year it’s going to give JB migraines trying to figure out the best path forward, it’s not like he’s that old. -
Markstrom/Demko Seattle Expasion draft (Discussion/Poll)
IBatch replied to J.I.A.H.N's topic in Proposals and Armchair GM'ing
Maybe ... but we likely won’t because he will keep him for a playoff run. At this point the die is cast and he’s going with this group and for this year and possibly the next Markstrom will be part of it. Don’t see Demko winning the spot outright, next year maybe. Then he’s left exposed just to keep someone else from getting picked, that’s worth at least a second, maybe even a late first given we are definitely losing either our fourth best defenseman or a third liner or a cusp guy that Seattle thinks will turn into something better then that. Pretty much what we could hope for in a Markstrom trade is what we will lose. As long as we sign him to a reasonable cap hit. Unless JB needs to move on from him for cap reasons and sign a cheaper option... which is a big possibility too...then yes I absolutely agree that trading him even if we are in the playoffs, might be the best thing long term...still doubt we trade him as the allure of winning a round or two could be too strong. -
Markstrom/Demko Seattle Expasion draft (Discussion/Poll)
IBatch replied to J.I.A.H.N's topic in Proposals and Armchair GM'ing
The return in this case might be right if we get a third rounder .... won’t make many people happy but it’s better then nothing and if we are going with Demko then it makes sense. Unless JB wants them to take Markstrom to keep one of his young forward or defenseman from getting nabbed of course.. -
Markstrom/Demko Seattle Expasion draft (Discussion/Poll)
IBatch replied to J.I.A.H.N's topic in Proposals and Armchair GM'ing
Currently only 10 goalies make 6 or more and a lot of very good and a few elite make 5 or less. Bishop makes less then 5 and Rinne 5....honestly with what he’s done he’s a little overpaid right now. Sure he’s got the number one job, but veteran journeyman like Smith (who at one time was a top goalie, albeit a long time ago now ) and Elliot (a very good comparison except Elliot had better spells then Markstrom has ever had) making 2. Sure wages are going up, but he’d have to be a Vezina winner or finalist to command 5 IMO with his next contract. A modest raise to 4.25 would seem fair with who’s out there and what they are making, assuming he plays the same way he did from December on for the entire season, times three years. As far as the expansion draft goes if Markstrom is the better goalie by a significant margin and had two great seasons under his belt, then it would be hard not to protect him, and trade Demko for a solid return. Vice versa would be a much easier decision, don’t think they will make it easy for Benning especially if it’s similar to what happened with PIT losing MAF, something I’m sure they regret. -
Possible Dark Horse Candidates for Canucks Captaincy 2019
IBatch replied to BrockBoester's topic in Canucks Talk
When you’ve read enough silly proposals as some of us have anything is seems plausible on this site (as in the poster is actually serious. Never got to the TG part but see the humour now. Some suggestions on this site seem like plausible ones in comparisons. Like signing guys for ridiculous amounts or trading three garbage guys for a star. -
Possible Dark Horse Candidates for Canucks Captaincy 2019
IBatch replied to BrockBoester's topic in Canucks Talk
Is this guy for real? Horvat “plateaus” as a serviceable third line center? Maybe when he’s 40. He’s better each year and factually was at the top of the second line centres league wide last year point wise, beating out some teams first line guys playing with chumps except at the end with Pearson. If we had four guys like him we’d win the cup five years in a row. What an idiotic post. It’s written like the author isn’t even trolling which is the funniest part about it .... new to hockey? Good grief. -
That would be great. He had had looks in the past playing both with the top lines (not EP of course), but TG seems to keep him on a tight leash. Maybe this year he’s unleashed, when he’s on you can see that north south game that good power players have in common. My biggest complaint about him so far is his aversion to go deep into the dirty areas more then every now and again. This is where Ferland could come in and help, and even Miller, so far I haven’t seen much of a warrior attitude in his game, it’s far too passive. The first season we saw it more then any other year and it’s like WD killed his confidence or something. He’s got it in him, just needs more time. Worse case he’s a good third liner and that’s ok. Best case he’s a 30-40 goal scorer with a power game.
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(Poll) who is more valuable to the Canucks this year, Sutter or LE?
IBatch replied to Pete M's topic in Canucks Talk
You bet, the best thing about WD was his moustache... and in the end it wasn’t enough.. -
If I had to predict an outcome now with he deals in place, what we have in the pipe, Bennings draft record and GM record as a whole appearing like he’s learning on the job and getting better and various elements, I’d say in three years we should be a top three team in this division for a five-seven year stretch (maybe starting early). That’s 5-7 shots at playoff success. Not sure how dominant we will be but the potential is there. More then I expected post Sedin, and for that I’m grateful.
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Nope, he’s still valuable doing exactly that. Not saying he’s not a part of the team, and personally can’t wait to see how he does in the playoffs when the whistle is put away, but there’s still a lot of maybes surrounding how he will peak, and a power forward is a big one. Two years at most before that boat will sail. Before all the action around the draft and free agency I made several posts about next season providing JV a top six opportunity and the possibility of a break out finally being there. It still is and he could still make it but it won’t be easy. Competition is stiffer then it has been since he came back. Scoring 15-20 goals and 30-35 points playing 14 minutes a game is good production, especially when your starting in the ozone only 30% of the time. If that’s his peak, that’s ok. And his cap hit will help until its time for a new contract .... but I do think tempering expectations at this point is reasonable, he’s not going to be Benn like, Torres is probably a more realistic ceiling.
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WD sucked the life out of him early, and sure he needed more development time, the two of those things are the biggest reasons he hasn’t made steps with his hitting. Not sure if TG was good for his confidence either, he came into the league somewhat entitled but at least he had swagger, and was quick enough to paste McDavid. Then showing up to camp in poor condition sealed his fate. Maybe now with more competition it will put a fire under him, the top six looks further away then ever, maybe Ferland will help get his hitting game back...but I’m not so sure he won’t be anything more then a speedy third liner...
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Ha ha ... I’m in Nanaimo too right now and have been for a few days visiting family and friends on the Island for a couple weeks. No golf (yet) but thanks for the tip. Dog days of summer for sure..but at least I can smell the ocean again.
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Did we pay and arm and a leg for Benn? Nope and he’s now our best PKer on then back end...and we didn’t for Myers either, a lot less then he was predicted to go for, factually as a UFA a team friendly deal. Your assessments of other teams are opinion. If you want expert comparisons a good way to do it is use ADP versus what your drafted to find out how well each team is drafting. The only thing this doesn’t take into consideration is how many draft picks a team has BUT it does give you a great base line to start from. Benning ADP is 7 and he has the 3rd best group of 21 and unders or plus four, good enough to tie for 9-11 overall. TB is tops in the league at plus 22, EDM DFL at minus 21. This means he’s in the top third of the league the last four years, or an above average drafter. Most importantly is we have the 3rd best group of 21 and unders entering last years draft...AND we might have just got a top 3 or top 5 guy at 10.... In summation JB drafting has been good, maybe even great. Go ahead and twist it anyway you want, meanwhile I’m going to enjoy the young core he’s assembling and look forward to the day the B prospects start to make the lineup, you do know they take time right?
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Unless they win a cup. You just never know. He’s the best of the best right now as Price got paid and got injured and fell down to earth. Both these guys are way overpaid even considering there aren’t many goalies good year after year these days, with the exception of Bob, Rinne (who’s not capable of playing 60 games anymore) and MAF who’s only got a few years left in him too, and had never been a Vezina goalie either but still usually very good. Florida is a team on the rise, and goaltending was one of their biggest problems last year, could be one of the most improved teams next season. Vasil in TB looks to be the next great goalie, we’ll him and Gibson but he’s getting the early Luongo treatment at the moment. Jones and Murray fell of a cliff ... maybe Demko, Hart or someone else will come in next (hopefully Demko). Edit: as an aside Bob is right up there with McDavid given no state tax in take home pay...highest player(s) in the league..
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Goldobin. That would be killer too, have our 12-14th guy come out of nowhere and play at more then a PPG ala Naslund.
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One way to think about this is IF we could only have one of these guys on our team who would it be? (Doesn’t mean we wouldn’t have other good or even great players, but wouldn’t be any other of these guys). To me it’s EP and it isn’t even really close. What was Horvat doing his second year in the league? EP is the only guy on this squad that looks like HHOF material from the get go and the only one on it that really has a chance (well maybe Hughes but that’s only because we haven’t seen much of him yet, and the odds are stacked highly against it, maybe if he played forward). Hes so good and so unique you can’t put your finger on which great in the past he plays like, Datsyuk might be the closest but even that’s not right. That’s why they call him the Alien. He’s also the reason why JB went for it a year earlier then planned.