Boudrias

What happened to Team Canada can be debated until the cows come home. I thought Horvat's line was the most consistant in a pretty inconsistent performance. Canadian media blowing hot air where the sun don't shine is a big reason. Where has Canadian hockey gone? No team identity, a lot of singular play (Drouin). I think Horvat's line stood out as they were passing the puck with more success than others.

Ya, and Druin was the heart & soul of that team, NOT! Canadian hockey has lost itself. It is sickening to see players looking to the ref after every hit or board play. Cherry is bang on. Sutter sold out.

I thought Horvat was pretty consistant thru the tourney. Wasn't it T-Bay that drafted Drouin? If so they should be worried far more than Vancouver. Very little team play in his game.

As Dingleberry at NBC puts it, he is a 'MONSTER'! He will be a dominant force for the Canucks.

Without Horvat throwing that puck to the front that goal doesn't get scored. Reinhart took a few wacks so they must have thought otherwise. Off topic. You have to laugh a the political correctness of the Swedes. Is every girl I Modo as homely as those? Every other WJ venue manage to produce lookers, especially the Czechs.

Canuck Surfer; The concern about his physical play is justified as it is inconsistent. Those that measure Kassian's progress by point totals also thought Naslund a complete player.

Think back to last year and compare is play today. The kid is really coming along. I expect great things this spring.

I thought he would pot a 2nd. Sutter was rolling all the lines. Both PP and PK duty. Looked solid on the FO. Don't know if they do stat sheets on line. Canada dominated the Germans but looked sloppy in their d-zone. Good schedule. Arena looked empty.

Looked like Horvat was on the ice for every Canada goal. Does WJC put out game sheets? Great overall play! 92% FO! He will be 3C next year.

NTC doesn't mean as much as assumed. If Gillis decides to move Edler it will be an option of taking the trade or seeing his minutes drop or even being sat out. I am not saying that he is that bad but it certainly gets a players attention. Find it hard to believe that a player would not take a trade to a club that wanted him from a club that did not. A player has to worry about his career and always about his next contract. If Gillis wanted to move Edler there would be a frank conversation about what the club wanted long term and why he did not fit. Who wants to stay after that. I am still hoping that Torts can turn his game around. I am not sure if Edler can be the physical player I hoped he could be. Always wondered about his back.

Delta Swede; That play by Dumba was really low class. Not a strong indication of a thinking player. I thought Horvat played well in a overall poor effort. His PK in a 1-1-2 showed his IQ . He was the boss out there.

Baggins; Kassian is potentially more important to Van than CoHo was because they need his physical game. Henrik and Kessler bumped CoHo to far down at 3C. Torts seems to realize that Kassian's development is all about how he sees the game. Many have called for him to go down for a stint in Utica. To me there is little to be gained. Kassian needs exposure to NHL vets and to minutes on the ice. You mentioned his hitting. It seems to me that his emphasis has been positioning rather than great physicality. Combine his hands with a hitting game and I will revise my opinion of Van's playoff potential.

Comparing Kassian and CoHo is a waste of time- Ask yourself how each would do if they switched teams- Kassian is in an ideal situation for himself- His success is totally centered around his mental approach to the game- Once he figures that out he will slide up the roster- CoHo is stuck in a Buffalo purgatory-

I think a counter argument might be that offensive players have their skills in place by the time they reach the AHL. The pro game is more about not hurting the team defensively than providing offense immediately. NHL teams are more prepared to be patient with a player achieving offensive stats if he is not costing them. I always remember Guy Lafluer under Bowman. Spent the better part of 3 seasons on the Montreal PK before getting regular o-zone opportunities. Not saying that confidence is not a factor. Booth says hi! My point is that a previously big scorer in Junior can fall back on solid 'd' and then build his game back.

So we are arguing over the degree of 'rigging' not whether it happens or not? I chose to ignore the rigging reality so that I continue watching the Canucks. Reality returns in April.

Check out the family history back in the Balkins to give a different perspective. Not good.

Put a little more balance into the TOI for the 3rd & 4th lines and I will be happy. Twins are playing a more balanced game, the 2nd line is humming, Richardson amazes, Kassian is on the verge, Tanev is a gem,and Lu is proving the doomsayers totally wrong. Lots to look forward too. Canada wins gold at the WJ and Van brings up BoHunt after the Memorial CUP. Life is good in Canuckland.

I don't think Kassian's performance requires a 'wakeup call'. It appears to me that his game has depended to much on his offensive abilities and his size. Torts has demanded accountability and has a vision on what Kassian's game has to be. IMHO Kassian's d-zone game is improving. His physical play goes go 'junior' in some instances as he gets carried away with the moment as in the Oiler game. His potential truly does surface on occasion and he can be a dominant player. Consistancy is his biggest challenge. He will be a top 6 player! Sending him down is a big question mark. Torts has to give more minutes to his 3rd & 4th lines and it is likely injuries will come into the equation. I agree that 5 minutes of TOI for Kassian is no good. Spending time with NHL pros and practicing with them isimportant to his mental approach to the game. It always appears to me that Kassian is like a sponge in that way. He talks the talk and I hope that it translates on the ice. The last thing he needs to be is a hero in Utica it might set him back.

If the Isles are scrapping the bottom again in 2015 even Brooklyn will disown them. I feel sorry for Taverres.

I think he has played to many games to be sent down without waivers. IMO he is far closer to breaking out than fans think. Hoping that Torts continues to increase the TOI for the 3rd & 4th lines. Kassian is showing his talent inconsistently and I hope his being with the Canucks will teach him what it takes to be a pro. His issues appear to be his mental approach more than his ice skills. Tort's 'carrot & stick' approach is probably best.

Perhaps more of a comment on the quality of play in the SEL. AHL is way ahead of the SEL in quality.

Exactly! Van fans should not take to much out of this game. Canucks had some long over do puck luck and should not make to much out of it. Take aways: 1) What if? Torts had coached Van back in 2011. I simply like his style more than AV's. Called a TO and refocused his team. Doesn't always work but that combined with puck luck and Van was humming. 2) Kesler, Santo, Richardson and Tanev: simply wow! 3) Liking this team more with the increased TOI for the 3rd & 4th lines.

Classic retort!

Most complete game I have seen from the Canucks in a long time. Admittedly the Oilers were easy prey. Absolutely loved the physical game the Twins played. If they through a few hits like that now and then it would totally change the complexion of this team. Once again Kesler had a really great game.

Last I checked there were only 5 teams in the Eastern Conference with a goals for/against that was positive. A standard comment from players who switch conferences is the different style of play. I don't know if that means a universal assumption that eastern players will automatically do poorer in the west. Check out Minny's roster. I will say that players out of the old SE Division had inflated stats that simply did not stand up when they moved. The latest appears to be Weisse in Detroit. Kovy had some good years in NJ as well.