Boudrias

I watched Tort's 'system' with interest as last season started. As you said the 2-1-2 was standard, in fact at times he brought a 3rd forward into the ozone puck battles. Even before things started to fallapart the aggressive forecheck was being abandoned. Am I wrong or did I see more 1-2-2 towards the last third of the season? Who knows what the thinking was. Injuries probably had a lot to do with it. I never really recovered from the overplay of Kesler and the Twins.

I like your thinking!

Schroeder tried to play a more physical game just like most Canucks last fall but he got injured. Heobviously has the desire. Schroeder has had to break into a upper level NHL team which is never easy. Many compare him to other smaller players like Gallagher and the 'Rat' in Boston and wonder why he can not duplicate their play. One reason I suggest is Schroeder's collegiate development vs CHL. I think Schroeder has another shot with Van because of the management turnover.

Horvat and Reinhart played on the same line a lot during the WJ. Bo was always the center. Drafting at #6 it would be a stretch to trade up for a Reinhart by using a Kesler trade to acquire another 1st rounder as a 2 pick offer for a 2nd or 3rd place pick. If Van had more depth it might be more realistic to do.

tas; You might have a point but Schroeder was drafted onto a team that was a CUP contender. He had to fit into that and could not. Top that off with Gillis thinking 'run & gun' at his draft and then realizing the NHL was sticking with the 'banger' approach. Physicality weighs heavily going forward and players like Schroeder will have a tough time. St. Louis stands out because he is such an exception. One could also argue that his time has passed. Players like St. Louis just don't make it anymore. I think of Marchand and Gallagher. I consider Schroeder a long shot and a luxury the Canucks cannot afford. His age is still to his advantage. The incoming coach and a new GM might combine to find a development path that works for him. I do like Schroeder's drive. It is not for lack of effort that this kid is where he is. It will be to his advantage is Kesler is moved as it will signal at least a partial rebuild which will give him more time to mature as a player.

What a laugh. In 2011 Gillis could not get enough kudos from Canuck fans. How the mighty have fallen. I wish AV good luck at getting his CUP. That said I do not think Willie Mitchell can win enough CUPs as long as it is not against the Canucks. The Canucks appear to be in good hands so we move on. 20 years have gone by since the '94 playoffs when the NYR stole the CUP from Vancouver. Messier will always be a jerk and Linden a god.

Light Bearer; Well there you go. I have never seen a Ruskie drive NASCAR. If that isn't proof then what does it take?

Bottom line is that when Gillis left this org it a lot deeper than when Nonis was fired. Deep enough no. Some moves that did not work. My reservation about Gillis was always that he was a player agent. It created a conflict.

Always kinda liked Ovy going back to that World Junior series when Team Canada rang his bell so bad he had to leave the game. He did it with class. On the other hand Malkin was a typical Russian stick man and ended it all with a one finger salute to Canada who beat them out. I have never liked the guy to this day. I have never liked Ovy's 200' NHL game but still admire is honest enthusiasm for the game.

Gillis, Linden and Benning have all indicated having talked to or going to talk with Kesler about his future with the Canucks. What would prompt that other than a request for a trade. This can be traced back to Sochi when he was talking over there. Freidman even mentioned it on a HNIC. Whether he is traded now or during the season impacts the Canucks now as it might make a dif on the Coach they select and might impact their draft strategy in June. Benning strikes me as someone who will cut to the chase and will know what he wants to do after talking to Kesler.

I would assume that Gillis worked closely with his scouts as well. Why wouldn't he?

I find it passing strange that on the one hand Vancouver claims they have no particular style of player they look for in the draft. But then both Linden and Benning suggest their scouting is solid it is only a communication problem. Scouting simply needs a better explanation of what they are looking for. I would assume that BPA would have taken care of that. What Linden and Benning said is really no different than what Gillis said when he took over.

Benning does not say that a meeting with Kesler happens in his first week on the job without Kesler having said he wants to go. Kesler might be saying otherwise as PR but that is the fact. Interesting tidbit was on player exit interviews where many were complaining about poor upper end forward skills. For almost 3 years running the Canucks have not had an effective 2nd line. If not for Santorelli this last season would have seen Van even lower in the standings.

If Kesler does not want out then what was he talking about in the bars over in Sochi? That was reported by more than a few people who heard him. Must have been the beer talkin! To suggest he does not want to move on ignores one of Benning's first priorities calling Kesler. He stated that in his Q&A on Friday. PR is a big thing both for the Canucks and Kesler. Perception is truth so Kesler has to worry about how he is received by players and fans no matter where he ends up.

Viking Mama; Sad but true. Considering the lack of depth on almost ever roster this year's World Championship was a disaster. It was comical hearing the TSN boys trying to 'pump the tires' of almost every opponent. One might chalk it off to it being an Olympic year but all the same Canada is supposed to be the premier hockey power in the world. Canada's team had some good young talent who will benefit from international experience but that is about it.

Van has some size coming up hopefully. Ritchie at 230 pounds as a 18 year old blows me away. That weight is a red flag in my mind. There are good and bad reports about his skill level. As you suggest the skill side will carry the day.

WASH: is a disaster. The last 3 coaches could not deal with Ovy. He is a coach killer! Florida: The problem there is money. Not enough of it. Trotz has seen that movie already! Vancouver: Spend to the CAP every year. New GM which would indicate a honeymoon period where real changes could be made if that is what it takes. No doubt that Van is the plum job.

Suggesting Gillis was arrogant during his intro as GM is a stretch to me. He is saying a lot of the same things that Benning did. Incoming GM's have no great insight into the people they will be dealing. Was Gillis short with the media? How could he not be? There are a lot of idiots in the presstitute corp in Vancouver. The presstitutes were asking Benning the same questions they asked Gillis.

All of what you say has some truth. The issue with the Canucks is whether one thinks this core canseriously contend for a CUP in the next 2 years. IMO they cannot without serious moves that you suggest- ed. I am more inclined to think this core cannot do it. Goaltending: 2 great young prospects. Not yet CUP quality. D-core: a veteran group that is CUP quality. Offense: Top Six: been a disaster for 2 seasons. Henrik and Kesler are the core. Henrik makes most of his wingers better players, Kesler has not consistently shown that ability. Sticking with the Twins, Burrows and Kesler is a gamble that a new coach can revive Danny and Burrows. That a new GM can bring in 2 CUP quality wingers that Kesler can play with. Trotz said in his presser that it is about the players and not a X & O game. Bottom SIX: There has been some improvement in depth here compared to 2 years ago. Richardson, Mathias are solid C's IMO. They will be pushed by prospects. Higgins, Kassian, Jensen and Hansen are all potential 3rd line wingers. If Van actually got a coach who would commit to a 4th line with a role the pieces are there. My issue with a win in the next 2 years idea is the risk it places on the org. It is a gamble to think that the top 6 can be rejuvenated into a serious CUP contender. It could happen especially if Kassian does make the jump to top 6 which I think he is very close to. I suggest that the new GM's biggest job will be converting his vets into pics and prospects and refocusing the org for CUP contention in 3 - 4 years. It is a tough decision but orgs that have not done it have truly emptied their asset cupboards and started from the bottom. (CAL & EDM) If Kesler wants out then this issue is answered. Replacing a world class C will be almost impossible by trade. At best an acquisition of a younger prospect or the evolution of a pic like Horvat.Again the time line gets pushed forward.

Your summary is what it is all about. Trotz's Nashville goodbye news conference showed a coach who seriously has his head screwed on right. He gave all the credit to the org and thanked them for it. Said it was all about the players and devising a game that would make them successful. Coaching to the players rather than to a system is something that I always struggle with. It makes sense if the coaching is effective, not always the case.

I know Van fans love to rag on Thomas and as he struggles at the Worlds it is like piling on. Capping that by suggesting Thomas was made to look good by the Boston defense is a stretch. His play in the 2011CUP playoffs was world class. He beat Lu and I have come to terms with that. I gave all credit to both American and Canadian players who head off to Euroland to play in the Worlds. It is not great hockey but they do it for their countries and I thank them for it.

What world is Hedman living in. Radulov and Kostitchen(?) were benched after a night of boozing it upbefore a playoff game. Talk about a guy only there for the pay cheque. Radulov is a classic example of why I would never build a playoff team around a Russian other than Datsuyk or Larianov.

Bieksa is a quality individual on and off the ice just like Hank. The issue surrounding Hank has always been that you are getting a package with Danny. I thought Hank's play last year, considering his injuries, was not that bad. He is still one of the premier 'C's in the NHL. The challenge going forwardis actually seeing the Twins playing apart more often, and NOT PKing. Both Hank and Bieksa have a lot to offer. Interesting you did not mention Kesler. We will see how Linden visualizes the future by choice of GM and Coach. If a vet like Kesler is moved and based on the return it will set the franchises direction. I highly doubt the Twins are moved. Bieksa might be moved considering his age. He might be willing to waive his NTC in an effort to go to a team with serious CUP contention. He would be in demand. Fans are waiting for the draft. IMHO the most exciting part of next season could easily be the trade deadline next March. By that time the new coach and GM will have a very good idea of what they have and need. Van's core have many quality people. They could easily recover from last year's fiasco and move the team to another playoff bid. As a long term Canuck fan I am actually hoping they do not. Linden's biggest challenge over the next year is converting his aging vets into draft pics and prospects. Van has to rebuild. Converting these vets instead of having them lose value or walk as UFA's is a bigger risk to the org than anything else. The Canucks are actually in an enviable situation as this core does have much value as compared to what Edmonton, the Laffers and Calgary had.

Missed yesterday's game. What I see in Horvat is superior positioning on the ice. He is in the right place most of the time and errors on the side of defense. Domi on the other hand takes far more chances. In typical Van fanland the expectation is that this kid will be another upper 1% type player. I hope so to but will be quite happy if he is a top 9 player in the NHL. When Horvat moves to the pros I hope he spends a season in Utica. His every move in Van will be dissected by the press and many of the idiots on CDC.

2nd interview to close the deal. Just wants to make sure they are on the same page about hiring Trotz.There is no doubt about it that there is a conspiracy of western Canadian hockey people assembling in Vancouver!