Slegr

Sweet! I am such a winner! How the turn tables have….

GM better get busy and sell off Boeser, Garland and Myers. We need this tank to continue. I’ll take a loss, and still enjoy watching - I think if enough movement happens we could start turning the ship around next season.

It feels like Toronto and it’s media outlets keep trying to sabotage us. First Elliotte Friedman prematurely announces our new coach, making Canucks look bad for keeping Bruce while waiting for Rick to finish tying up loose ends with his current employment, then Sportsnet and other Toronto media shame us on it like we’re the worst club ever, when this kind of thing happens all the time (but not necessarily a media outlet announcing private info about an incoming coach so early), and now a Toronto media outlet says our GM wants out. They like to stir it up out east with no repercussions for them.

I think the NHL could be in some big trouble financially. Players and agents are going to really hold this deal up, when Horvat really shouldn’t be an $8.5M player. Scoring is trending up across the NHL. Players are getting more points than in previous years, and goalies’ GAAs are falling. This goes back and forth over time, when coaches systems and styles of play go in these directions. But the last time the league turned into more open offensive, we didn’t have a cap system in place yet. Now, as NHLers benefit from the higher scoring games, without actually becoming that much of better players themselves, they become worth millions more than they used to be worth. Horvat says he improved by working with Adam Oates (known for passing, not scoring). But to me, Horvat this year looks like the same Horvat as last season and year before that, but he’s getting more chances because of a changing system that caters to more offensive. If other players of similar talent and calibre are going to follow suite of this kind of contract, the NHL’s shift to a more offensive system will price itself out pretty quick.

Blah. All about the money. He’s a money-Hor(vat).

Honestly, if Tocchet can have a system where Miller plays better defensively than what Bruce allowed, JT Miller is better dollars. He has better speed, is more offensively dynamic and had more pushback, as well as passion. Sure he get whiney at times, but I’d rather have someone who whines a bit and wears real passion on his sleeve than Bo Horvat who displays no passion whatsoever. Horvat has been overrated in terms of his two-way game - his best +\- year is a +3, and he’s played like 7 seasons. He’s not as naturally skilled, and while he did become a beast in the play-ins / playoffs, he hasn’t shown enough of that to warrant the contract that he got.

So glad we didn’t sign this guy. Way too much money and term for him, after one big scoring season. The smoke and mirrors are gone. People say Bo’s a great captain and leader, but is he? A minus player for most of his career, seemed pretty expressionless and okay with losing most regular season games, didn’t stand up for teammates much, ended up not taking any kind of deal to stay a captain here.. I don’t know. I think it’s good we parted ways when we did. I can see his game declining at a fast rate, given he’s not fast and not a natural goal scorer. That contract with haunt NYI.

My sources are saying the same thing.….. although my sources are the willnots on my a$$.

I'm sorry, but for any fans who remember, Wayne Gretzky of 1996 was not Wayne Gretzky of the 1980s. He was basically the Simpsons' Mr. Burns on skates. Sure, he could still get assists on power plays, but his play in its entirety was very lacking. It wouldn't have helped us in any significant way at that point.

That’s a certainty. He’s not an all star in my mind. He’s had a nice finish and good tips this season - but he’s been put in prime position to do that, with Miller, Hughes and Petey sending him saucers.

Boy, lots of hate for this guy. I’d have zero issue with him coming back. And in fact, with our roster right now, he’d be our fourth best defenseman. An asset that wouldn’t require any trades to acquire - we’d be stupid to not at least make an offer.

He did seem pretty chummy with this guy

If management really wanted Bo, we would have found a way to sign him. He’ll be overpaid, and we have enough overpaid players already. The guy doesn’t even know if he’s in Disneyland or Disney World right now. He’ll probably go check in with the New York Rangers after the all star break, thinking that’s where he’s supposed to be.

Why does the media and Bo Horvat himself report that he is in Disneyland? Isn’t he in Disney World / near the all star game? Or is he really is LA right now? Get it straight people. I suppose it may make sense to be in Disneyland as opposed to Disney World right now, as Splash Mountain - the best ride ever - is still open as Disneyland while it’s closed now at Disney World to be turned into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Fact.

This is so true. Demko is priceless. I’d keep him even if he wants out. He signed a contract. He’ll change his mind after getting used to the new team next year.

Demko needs to stay, even if he wants out. He’ll regain his form and lead us to victory down the road.

You know one thing I’ve missed in Bo’s interviews today. It was a thank you to the Canucks. Say what you want about how he got treated, but if he’s supposed to be this classy guy, it just feels a lot like entitlement to me. How about a “I just want to thank the Canucks organization for drafting me, giving me the honour of being team captain, for giving me my previous contract that was at the time an investment in my potential, and thanks to the fans for being supporters.” No, it was more, “I’m going to miss it - thought I was gonna be a Canuck for life, but I’m really excited now.” He also talked about how he is really looking forward to the All Star game. I’m weirdly kind of glad if he can’t go. He seemed more interested the last few months on padding his stats, not looking after the team or teammates, and refusing to further negotiate on a contract. I’m not feeling as sad to see him go as some fans. #Sorry_not_sorry.

Seattle is more likely, I would think.

These comments make no sense. There are plenty of rapists and pedophiles associated to professional hockey who are straight. Look at Hockey Canada’s mess as a start. Just because non-straight players have been too afraid to identify themselves in the NHL to date, the gay community is supposed to reach out to guys like Fleury because he was raped? I’m just not following the logic.

Horvat had his mind on the money. He was an adequate captain, but had some inconsistency and holes. He’ll be paid more than I would have liked as a Canuck, so I’m okay with this. All the best to Bo. Now let’s give Petey the C.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Troy Stecher beat anybody up?

To me, one of the key points with the Provorov example is that while free speech and all of that exists, he is employed by an NHL team that has committed to inclusivity and that has said it is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community. The jersey-wearing warm-ups are a reflection of that. Prior to his sitting out of the warm-up skate, the NHL had never allowed a player to do that. He was going against the values of his employer. That's like with you when you were in the Canadian forces - they don't allow certain things when in uniform, behaviour such as chewing gum, slouching, placing hands in pockets, and smoking or eating on the street is forbidden. Can you do that when you're not in uniform? Sure. We have those freedoms. But when your employer sets certain expectations, you are obligated. Otherwise, there are other places for you to work. NHL players, whether they like it or not, are held to a high standard, and are seen as leaders.

It is the correct course of action to support people who are suffering discrimination for no other reason than their sexuality, over which they have no choice or control. KKK is a hate group. It should not have a right to speak their thoughts.

It’ll be interesting to see what the Canucks do. The Canucks will celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community on March 31, 2023 against the Calgary Flames during their annual pride game. It looks like last year they wore the special jersey during the pregame skate: https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-fans-confused-price-tag-pride-jerseys

I agree that it was probably a player or two who were going to refuse to skate, and yes, disappointing that the Rangers simply folded on it. Sportsnet just posted a piece on it: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/report-nyc-pride-unaware-rangers-wouldnt-use-sweaters-rainbow-tape-on-pride-night/