Amebushi

I think they forgot to introduce the guy that washes the jock straps

Did she just say that Duncan Keith can play great defensive hockey??? Is elbowing, slow skating and generally being a $&!#ty human now “great defensive hockey”?

Here it is…new season, new team, lots of promise. Anyone that reads my comments knows that I have a history of supporting this team, it’s GM and coaches most of the time. I like the big moves this year. The old baggage is almost entirely gone and some new faces are here. I strongly believe that both the GM and the coaches are out of excuses. There is no good reason that we can’t compete with the likes of Edmonton, Calgary and the California teams. I question some of the smaller moves (letting Gadj go) as well as some of the lines we are looking at. I’m willing to watch this group for 25-35 games and see where they sit. If they perform, great … off to the playoffs. If they don’t, clear house and get some new blood behind the bench and/or in the front office.

It’s not what I was expecting, but I think that third line might surprise. Dickinson is a capable Center and Hogz should feast on weaker competition. The secret to beating Deadmonton is to limit McMeFirst and Drai to as little as possible and then beat them with depth. I’ll wait to hold judgement as having that level of skill on the third line will be very difficult for the Oil to contain

I think it was like $135. Not a total steal but pretty cheap if you drink a lot.

What’s everyone drinking? I’m mixing up my usual as I bought the Pabst 100 pack. It might even last me for a couple games lol

I’m with you on this one. Pre season is one thing to keep the cards close to your chest. Waiving a player like Hamonic with no press doesn’t exactly give me a lot of faith in management. Why sign a player that doesn’t show up to camp and lie to the media that he will be there? I’ve defended a lot of things that Benning has done but this one has me shaking my head…

At the start of camp I believed that how OEL plays will largely dictate how the team does. I don’t think he can maintain the level he is at during preseason throughout the whole year but even a small step back will be fine. I think despite the largely popular opinion on him now it is still being underestimated how important he will be to this team. Even at 80-90% OEL can take a ton of stress off of Hughes. A true offensive threat, a vet that can actually teach Hughes something other than a drop pass to the other team as well as play some extra minutes against top lines will only make everyone better. I’m ok if he takes a small step back as long as he can remain steady. I believe he is being described as a better skating Edler and that is huge. I can’t wait to see how teams react to being pinned in their own end for a minute and then having Hughes come over the boards on a change. This team looks very different with two big time threats in the top 4 D.

I’m obviously guessing and being optimistic at the same time. Harmonic has been through a lot and clearly has his own reasons for sitting out the bubble as well as not being at camp this year. I’m assuming that JB is just not willing to discuss this with the media. I don’t believe for a second that TH told Benning he would be there and then no showed. JB likely is keeping his word and protecting the privacy of all involved. The complete lack of leaks to the media for offers made, refused etc as well as no explanation for Hamonic not at camp makes me a little more positive that things are better than they seem. Not every negotiation stalls because of unreasonable demands, sometimes it just takes a little longer due to real life issues. Fingers crossed we have something to celebrate soon.

How is this Canucks talk? This I nothing but politics and BS. I can’t be the only one that is planning on using the upcoming season as an escape from this god forsaken, never ending, nauseating display of virtue signalling and whining. Please move it to off topic as it has nothing to do with the team, hockey or anything belonging in this forum.

Let’s throw this out there. Here is my prediction. The players each have two complete deals ready to go. One is a bridge for both and the other is a longer term for each with a little higher AAV. Once the Hamonic situation is figured out (tomorrow I believe is the opt out deadline) all parties will know the available cap space. A quick friendly signing and either way both are on the roster by the weekend.

I’ll quote you however I want, and I was being civil. You have refused to answer anything. “Because I said so” is hardly an explanation. What is your insider knowledge that Petey and Quinn are “holding the team hostage”. There are many possible reasons not to sign a contract and many can be the teams fault as well. What has Benning offered since you seem to be in the know? As to you incredibly civil comment regarding the flames…I have cheered for the Canucks through thick and thin and unlike you continue to stick by the players too. I don’t turn my back every time things don’t go my way and cry “they didn’t sign! They are holding the team hostage”. So I will continue to cheer the way I want. It’s how the world works. You are allowed to spread as much misinformation as you want and I can call you out on it. Feel free to put another paper bag on this as I’m sure it will soothe your butthurt feelings. Long story short you know absolutely nothing about this negotiation just like everyone else.

I asked how we know they are holding the team hostage and this is your response? It is asinine to max the cap? We have been a cap team every year and you expect this to be different now? What is your big plan to improve more during the year than adding Pettersen and Hughes? If you are going to quote me please at least answer the question I posed, back up your comments or have a point. My original comment was a reply surrounding the assumption that two players are holding the team hostage and you reply with this nonsense. It’s no wonder players don’t want to rake a discount and play here. These are human beings with lives not just objects for your entertainment. Good luck “improving” without getting Petey and Quinn back first.

How do we know they are holding the team hostage? For all we know there are two contracts written. One is for bridge deals for both and another for longer term based on Hamonic retiring or not…the players could be patiently waiting for the team to figure it’s end out and willing to return asap either way. The willingness to believe everything on the media or worse rumours on here is amazing. I will wait and see the end result before determining who the “bad guy” was in the negotiation.

Woohoo! Play by play and everything. Go Canucks Go!

Only way I consider anything of the sort would be under several conditions: 1 - Petey and Hughes are going to hold out so we don’t really have them anyway 2 - Buffalo must add a bunch of conditional picks if Eichel doesn’t play after the surgery. At his best Eichel is a very talented player with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. Dahlin would fill the spot we had pegged for Hughes in a very interesting way. He is bigger, more physical and a little more “ready” to play actual defence but the offensive differences are pretty big. If it were to happen we would have to pray that OEL finds his old form or we are back to a team with a D that doesn’t know where the other teams net is. ONLY consider this if EP and QH want to play hardball because it sends a very real message...we will pay fair wages and treat you well but if you try to handcuff the team we will send you to Buffalo.

Uggh, how to respond to this one. We don’t know what is happening behind closed doors. My honest opinion is that all sides of this negotiation should be feeling ashamed. JB could be lowballing, QH and EP could be asking too much, we don’t know. There could be one clause holding up the whole thing...it doesn’t matter. The simple fact to me is that it should already be dealt with. Everyone knew the deals were coming up and when camp would start. There is no excuse for a business to be running without it’s to largest assets. I want them both here, on the ice and ready to go but this is a business. If the deals are not going to be made then either sit them or trade them. If it’s close then split the difference and put pen to paper. I don’t understand why this keeps happening here. Bo and Boeser also took a while to get signed and we never really learned why. It’s time the team and the players start acting like professionals and get this done one way or another. To the OP point, I agree almost completely. These are two of the best we have seen in Canucks colours but if they don’t want to be here then get the best return you can and move forward with players that want to be here. People that are unhappy about money don’t often perform as well at their jobs.

Uggh. I know this is how things get done...but get this deal done already. Why hasn’t someone handcuffed the agent and Benning to a table and withheld food yet??? I want to watch the whole team play again damnit! Me me me me...give me what I want now, I’m a Canuck fan so gimme!

This is a tough one. Ovi might break Gretzky’s goal record and is the most prolific scorer of a generation. McDavid does things that no other human can do. Lindros may very well be the hands down winner without the injuries but I’ll never select him knowing what happened in his draft...I went with Sid, he has been solid every year, won multiple cups, always comes through in big games and...the golden goal. Lots of good choices in here and not even factoring in for flower, I wasn’t around to watch him play but he may be the “right” answer as well

I picked Nazzy. The twins were the best duo we have ever or will ever see, but as individuals I feel Naslund did more to elevate the team in his prime. It’s a tough question. Pettersen may take the title but as we haven’t seen his prime yet we don’t really know. Ohlund pre injury (and post really) was great and would be exactly what we need right now but I put him below Naslund and both twins as far as actual overall effect on a season.

I’m torn. I want both signed right away as they are the most talented on the team. We don’t know what happens behind closed doors. There are many possible reasons that these two are not signed. For example: 1 - the team has made agreements but needs to swing another deal to make the cap room 2 - one of the two wants more than is being offered and the agent is refusing to sign either one until it is worked out 3 - the media loves a bs story about the Canucks so the team is holding off until training camp to milk the press release closer to season start. If it’s any of these it will be handled with nothing to worry about. If one or both are trying to hold the team hostage for contracts worth too much then let them sit. Highly talented or not they are both RFA. I don’t want an overpaid Nylander clone anywhere near this team. Sign a deal and get to camp. Hoping it’s just business crap as these two are far too important not to have talked and know exactly where each side is. I’m expecting them both at camp personally.

I don’t see this lineup winning a lot of games, but Flames Kraken games could at least be entertaining to watch. There are a lot of big grinders in the pacific now. Hopefully the bucks can take a page from Bieksa and “skate around him and score a goal”

I can’t imagine being a Buffalo fan period. That franchise is a mess.

I don’t know much about the guy except what I’ve read here. If he comes as billed (good 3C that can handle tough matchups) then I am excited to see what he can do on the ice. Remember that every defensive face off this guy can take is another offensive opportunity for Bo that he didn’t get before. I’m expecting some real positive trickle down effects from some of the moves this year.

This makes sense, and now that you say it I remember hearing it. I still think Kieth was a bad move. He is on the decline but maybe he can teach some of those kids what winning looks like.