Boudrias

Ossie; 6 - 5 loss sounds just right. Enough scoring to make it interesting, especially with a Kassian hat trick. Markstrom has to take one for the team. Love to see Van drop to a #7 pick!

I could not stop laughing during the game last night as the HNIC and TSN boys started jumping ship. That actually had to start talking about how Reimer was being left out to dry by his teammates. It actually started to remind me of Cloutier's experience in Van. The Laffers are a turnover machine. Turn the puck 3X inside their own zone on a single shift. Grapes nailed it when a vet like Dion chased a guy almost to the blue line. Reimer and Bernier kept this team in the hunt earlier in the season. Now when it means something the holes in this group are more obvious. Healy is such an expert on hockey and finance that he should bump Nonis out and run the club!

I still think that Gillis gets another year. My immediate concern with Gillis is the resurrection of possession hockey with the focal point the Twins who might not/cannot be the leaders of this club. Resigned to 4 year deals at arguably top dollars. I thought at the beginning of the season that the Twins could morph into 3rd liners to end their careers but after this season I doubt that is in the books. At 33 can they form the core of a 1st or 2nd line? Perhaps for a year or two but not long enough to be a CUP contender again. IF that is the case then should this team be spending the ice time on younger talent? Torts: I don't think a coach should rip a player in public. I don't think he should throw his hands up, roll his eyes or turn his back on players. How does a coach admit that he does not know anything about an opposing team he is playing that night. Torts says he is focused on his team and what they want to do not the other team. I have never heard about a coach that did not scout another team for weaknesses to exploit. The biggy for me was watching the Twins and Kesler playing above 25 minutes TOI last fall. Kesler close to 28 minutes one game. A key point in the season was the trip down to Cali just prior to the outburst at the Flamer dressing room. Something happened where it appears Torts lost the dressing room. Just as an aside I said at the time of the dressing room incident that it was very apparent that what ever Hartley was doing in Calgary was obviously working. That team did not win a lot of games but no fan could say that team ever gave up on their coach or themselves. I cannot say that about Vancouver.

Give MG some credit. Look at the performance of his draft pics in their Memorial CUP runs. Can anyone remember when Canucks had 7 players in CHL playoffs?

Dogbyte; I agree to an extent. Gillis sounds like a guy under a lot of pressure to justify a challenged roster and game style. Gillis went to media post the CUP final 2011 and stated that it had become obvious that bigger and tougher was the way the NHL was headed as evidenced by the Canuck treatment by the Bruins. He was going to draft and sign bigger and tougher players to address that issue. Even the signing of Torts was an indication of a more in your face type style. Now Gillis is talking a back to high speed, puck possession style. To be fair he could mean a melding of that approach. If ownership is to hands on then there could be a problem but somehow doubt that. If ownership was not demanding accountability then I would be more concerned. While I want Gillis accountable I still am willing to wait. No one can deny that Van's prospect depth is at the highest level since the beginning of the org. Ownership spends to the CAP limit each year, the player support is leading edge in the NHL, scouting has been deepened and acquiring a AHL team has huge implications. Fans should stop and reflect what previous ownership did/did not do. For Gillis to say that the team would 'return' to a style he led the team away from without acknowledging that he was at the helm in the change is confusing. It leaves fans to speculate that either ownership or coaching were initiating changes that he did not agree with. If Torts is the problem then he goes. That done then Gillis gets another season. If Torts is the sole problem then why was the team cratering under AV as well?

I am, actually very optimistic. The Canucks have a real shot at the 6th pick. It could come down to the Oiler game. I figure Gillis should tie Lack to one post and let'r rip. A solid draft position would let Gillis deal higher if desirable.

As long as Kessel and Dion are the major pieces the Laffers will always have an issue. Look at the way Kessel gave up the puck last night and then gave up on the backcheck. Pretty pathetic. No doubt he has talent but I don't think a CUP winner can be built around him.

Garrison is subject to compete by other d-men who want his job. Van's trouble this year was more on the offensive side. Van's d-core does not have a focal point other than Bieksa who can rush the puck. Edler was a big disappointment this year. He has played better, does that mean we keep him like Booth? I can see the Van defense being resurrected faster than the offense. Garrison will not be bought out. Hopefully Booth has played well enough that another team will take him. Another question is Hanson. Is he being impacted by coaching or has his game deteriorated as badly as it appears. The offensive coach for Van might get a pass because of injury or maybe because Torts dominates but there are questions there as well.

Kassian is a stud in the making. As he develops a more consistant game his value soars. Quite possible he hits 30 points this year even after bouncing around the lineup and losing 15 games to NHL penalties. Very encouraging to see the young guys like Kassian, Mathias and Yensen being effective. Their size alone is more than impressive let along their speed and puck handling. Throw Horvat and Guance and Lain in there as well.

Sorry I love Burrows but nothing wrong with that hit. Responsibility of a player to watch for the hit. The NHL is becoming a bit of a joke. Used to be that the physical game was respected. Now it is all about finger pointing after a player takes a hard hit. Great for the presstitutes who get something to debate after the game I guess.

His assist on the Booth goal is evidence enough of what this kid will bring more consistently within thenext two seasons. Kassian, Mathias and Yensen all big boys and all handle the puck well.

Pretty brutal stats but unfortunately true. From an org perspective the acquisition of an AHL franchise cannot be understated as far as the positive developments for the Canucks. I realize you have to draft well but development should improve. Very disappointed that Yensen and Archie were not sent back to Utica in their drive for a playoff spot. It might make sense from a revenue sense to keep a hot Yensen in Vancouver but Utica making playoffs is more important for the overall good for player development.

Seriously? Don't fans realize that deals like Weber's are team killers. The Canuck org just got rid of a Luongo contract and cannot wait to take on a Weber deal. Not saying his skill level is not there just saying the economics are not.

I will be watching playoffs this year with an interest in who might be a trade partner. The beauty ofthis situation is anyone who comes up short of winning the CUP are potential partners. I particularly want Pitt and Philly to crash and burn for a Kesler deal. I want the Wings to miss playoffs in hopes that Edler will waive his NTC to play with the Swedish contingent there. Who said that not making playoffs makes for a boring spring?

IMHO Kassian has shown a big improvement over last year. If Van had not hung onto a possible playoffspot into January his development might have done better. He has shown an ability to dominate the boardsand retain puck possession in the ozone. Very strong wrister and ice vision with great passing. I still see him as a top six player. His biggest challenge is still in his own d-zone but all considered he will learn that. Saint Beertuzzi wasn't exactly aces back into his own zone either.

thad; You want to make Yak a center piece? He has already threatened to return to Russia 2X already. We missed the boat with Benn and Turris. Let's get it right for a change.

There are what, about 20 games left in the season. You are getting carried away. Lu is gone with his contract and Gillis gains $3 mil in CAP space, a young tender who was pretty much tied with Lack as best tenders in the AHL 2 years ago. Review both their stats this year for positive reinforcement. A utility centerman with size and potential. A big improvement over last summer. IMO most fans still think that with tweaking this core can be CUP competitive. I suggest not even close.The franchise has been looking for that dream winger that would replace Burrows as a point generator for the Twins for years. The biggest issue has always been the 2nd line. Kesler has not been the anchor required to led that line. Re-establish the development line at 23 - 25 and rebuild. Keep those vets who can mentor positively and convert those who don't to pics and prospects. For once in this org's existence I would love to see real depth. Neither Gillis or Nonis before him have had much flexibility to make deals. Gillis is in a pretty good spot now. The NTC's are a issue but players in their early 30's start thinking about a CUP during their careers and are likely to waive. It does limit where they can end up however. I prefer Van drops as low as possible and drafts 10th or better. That is acheiveable by all appearances.

IMO management and ownership both realize that playoffs are toast and mean little if the Canucks actually made playoffs. Ownership has not hesitated in backing Gillis in his efforts to improve this club. They have spent millions. Kesler not moved because the right deal was not there. Draft day deal looks better. More teams in play, larger CAP in place, better knowledge of draft position and likely picks. The finish to the Canuck season will not be pretty. Not only will Gillis know where he will draft but Kesler will have a taste for what a rebuilding in Van will be like. I suspect he becomes more flexible to future destination.

Like 'we are all cynics' and yourself I am glad the trade was made. Full rebuild in the works I hope. It all depends on a return but I hope Burrows stays. Solid character and should be great with young players.

Trading Lui for assets and unloading his contract still makes sense if the Canucks are into a rebuild. I hope no one still thinks this core can win a CUP with tweaking. The issue is finding a trade partner who needs Lui enough to make an offer and that would put Lui into a starting role. I doubt Lui waives otherwise. Lack playing games could be a not so subtle message to Lui that being picky is not in his interests.

IMO humble opinion Vancouver's abiding weakness has been lack of solid depth. On top of that vets have left the team without any return. The Canucks will not be a serious CUP contender without a rebuild. Pick the vets you want to keep as mentors and then reset your timeline with pics and prospects. Seth Jones as an example is moving the puck better than any Van dman. Nashville is running on borrowed time and Poile was all over Team USA. Moving vets at trade deadline can yield extra value as CUP contending teams smell Stanley. For once would like Van to score big in this sweepstakes. Move Kesler if he wants out. He has a injury history that could shorten his career. Pick up some talent from the West for a change. I mean what a novel idea.

He was more than clear on his reasoning when he made the comment. What is this a Kindergarten? It is a kiss my donkey world and Torts has to put up with it. Well I guess some presstitute got their jollies.

Diaz never showed enough to Montreal to want to keep him or even dress him on a consistant basis. Now you suggest that he slots in over Stanton and possibly even makes Stanton expendable. I suggest Canucks do not even fully know what they have in Stanton yet. What I see is pretty impressive to date. Whatever skills Diaz brings are/should be available with their existing top 4. I am hoping that Diaz is a chip come March or failing that a fall back if a top 4 Van dman is moved.

Why so glum Canuck fans. I have high expectations of drafting 5th this year with a chance at #1 on the lottery draw.

Burrows is struggling right now but he is the heart of this club. After his injuries I have to still think he can come back. I am not saying that trading him is not necessarily bad. It is always about what comes back. I actually think that Burrows can drop back onto the 3rd line as he gets older and still contribute.