tribaljohn

Awesome a Canuck player not afriad to go to the net, shoot the puck, a nice change from the hang on to the puck formula that has not worked so well during playoff time. Exactly what this team needs, the club has needed this type of player for a few years now, sure they have the odd player who tries to get to the net, so tired of hearing "misses the net", "shoots wide", "could not get the puck to the net", "another shot blocked", "passed the puck from a prime shooting position", "trying to be to pretty", "looking for the perfect play", "lost the puck on the boards", "another weak play". I am also glad the canucks did not take another player who plays outside of the dirty areas, I could care less where he is from as long as he wants to win, by that I mean when it matters, the playoffs. I believe this kid well play to win, has that something that has been missing from the Canucks since 2011, a desire to play hard, score goals, plow through players to get to the net, make it tough to play against the Canucks. For every person who thinks he is a bust - I say to you your upset about the Canuck brass thinking differently than you, get over it. For every person who say JB made a mistake - post it once a mistake has been proven, sorry but that well take time, you;ll have to wait a few years to find out if your right. For those who are attacking what others are posting - you'll get over it as soon as you have your nap. I have enjoyed some of those well thought out posts that have attempted to see the pros and cons of the first pick for the Linden/Benning era, so thank you to those posters. For every one else this pick indicates a 5/6/7 year rebuild has begun, makes your peace with this core group as it is on the way out.

I would be very happy with any player that does not dive, takes a hit to make a play, goes to the net with authority, makes the right play at the right time, can control the flow of the game, is clutch in the playoffs. Does that sound like any player in this years draft, if there is one take that player, if the Canucks can't get him at number 6 then they need to move up to take them. If they play their cards right the Canucks can walk away with the 1st, 6th, and 10th picks this year. Those are the hard choices they must make, they only makes those choices once they know what Kesler wants. They could come out of the draft with a #1 centre a power forward, and a skilled winger, imagine all the complaints from the fans regarding a core being dismantled, fingers would be pointing as angry fans look for a target when they realize the team well be weaker for a few years waiting for new players to develop. The hunger the youth would infuse well be nice to see, might really see some veterans play hard again, might even solve some of the speed vs size vs skill arguments for the short term, unless they pick the wrong skill guy that is.

The fan base follows the classic group think model - wanting to be part of a group is more important to them than risking being wrong by thinking for themselves. I cheer for every single Canuck even when other fans chase them out of town, they are (former Canuck players) are all Canucks forever. Good post op

Painted into a corner the GM was the issue it filtered down AV was in the way, not that I liked him any way. Who cares what he does for the rest of his life, I am just glad change is coming to my favorite team.

Gillis is gone that is great news in the long run, short term if JF is the new GM then you can add 5 years to any real decent shot shot being a good team

Finally now I can have hope for the team again thought it would take 7 years to get rid of him it took 6. I have high hopes for My Canucks again, when he was hired I just shook my head, said I'd watch other clubs win some cups while the Canucks made a mess. Vancouver Canucks would do better by hiring a professional with experience rather than hiring someone who goes for coffee with the owner. Lots to choose from tme for the wait and see. To bad this took so long to get Gillis out of here, ripped up a good team left us with an old core and a few parts on the way. Farm team was a good call though.

I stated when gillis was hired that it would be good short very bad long term, I also stated that an escalation of commitment existed - that means Gillis would not admit his mistakes, that other mistakes would be made. Trying to fix a mistake by moving not signing and/or signing players that does not address the original mistake is no solution. People well remember his mistakes regardless of any good he does. I said he would be here at least 7 years so he has one more to go then he is gone. Should he stay "no" well he stay "yes" what we'll save him, getting as many core players to committ to JT or ripping up the core and getting as many picks and players as possible this summer. Beyond that he has no recourse as he painted himself into a corner only Houdini could get out of. I wish him luck.

This

The NHL does not protect Canuck players, if it was Borrows hitting Niño, Burrows would be gone 5 to 10 games..move on the league well use the excuse the ref made an in game decision, they well call it a hockey play. Sad but true some day that might change where the league office wants to be respected by the fan, but that is a very long way down the road. Mickey Mouse runs the house not the opinion of the fans.

Trade at the draft for a 3rd round pick move on I for one can not stand watching him being weak on the puck, passing to the other team.

I Love the Canucks

My opinion of Mike Gillis does not matter in the short or long term. Only thing that matters at the end of the day is a team that wins, a team that can score, an environment created by the coach that brings those beliefs to the players. Mike Gillis might save his job if he can get a good return for the assets the team currently holds. Fail at that then Mike Gillis has a 2 year shelf life remaining to him, if he does well the fans can watch him run the team another 5-7 years. The fans, media, and ownership well only remember his mistakes, like Ballard, Luongo, CS, the small return via trades, free agents that did not add up to much, players who should not been given away. All of that well determine what Mike Gillis is, the opinions the fans have only matter once the team has empty seats. When he was hired I said I reserve judgement.

I well never ever miss AV do not like him do not think he well ever earn my respect.

Time for the team to right their path gain some confidence they must keep their feet moving must direct every thing at the net get some good old time dirty goals. They can create their own puck luck by being determine fore check like madmen and hit everything that moves. When I say hit I mean knock players off the puck that is a key to winning that they must be willing to do. 4-1 Canucks

6-1 Canucks

He is a player unsure of what his strengths actually are once that is determined a role for him can be developed, going to take some time to work the consistency into his game. A simplified game would do wonders for him.

The Flames are a hard working team if the Canucks want the 2 points they well need to drive to the net, stay off the boards plus provide puck support. 5 - 2 Canucks

Oilers should just give us the two points and travel on to their next game we could call it the mercy clause - it's like watching the Canucks play a Jr team. I knew they had a bad team at the start of the season just can not believe they've thrown away a good draft position trying to make a useless statement. Even funnier is the fact some people thought they would be a power house lol. They need 4 D-men one goalie and a couple of players who weigh more than 70 pounds wet. It's stat night could be 3-4-5 nothing even if we leave our net open for a whole period. Oilers well be good in three years once they plug all their holes get rid of their GM and remake themselves into a some thing other than an 80's run-n-gun team.

Been busy our boys been in tough for goals I well make my usual prediction. 5-0 Canucks

I said prior to game one of the season that they would struggle for 10 to 12 games while they learn this new system. It is too soon for me to throw away a season, before you know people well want to trade away the core for picks tank the season then try for the first pick overall. I still have no worries or concerns I can see how the new system well benefit the team especially when the playoffs arrive.

They have earned a contract by becoming all time point leaders, personal awards, leadership qualities, mentor ship potential. The only question that should be asked by the owners management is do the Sedins want to finish their career here in Vancouver. If they answer yes then a deal gets done. 3.75 for four years with the fourth as an option. That gives them 4 chances at a cup with Vancouver allowing time for the youth movement to develop, time is on the winning side it should smooth the transition between this core and the next one.

Decades of watching leaf games go on and on while Canuck game has already started has left me not caring anything about CBC...with their Can't Be Canuck's attitude. For a government run station that is supposed to be for all Canadians sadly Canada ends at Toronto, leaving us with not much viewing opportunity. I can wish it was different but it is not.

Very glad to hear the news wish he never came to Vancouver at all, now the deed is done I hope the Canucks can get some one who knows how and when to use the players to match the game situations. I am guessing the a smaller cap means less talent, so I can speculate that players for picks plus a bunch of buy outs are on the way... Though I have never been a fan of the coach or the choices for assistants I wish them all the luck in the world where ever they may end up working. Its time to have some new hope.

Well I hope you enjoyed you draft day -- I would like to think you can achive any thing you want -- you seem to have leadership as an asset, this is a quality I was concerned about when Trevor Linden announced his retirement, now you are here -- I know you can't replace Linden -- as Long As You take the lead you'll do fine. Good luck -- I hope you make the team right out of training camp, turn some heads and have a great first year, you'll fit perfectly with Mason Raymond. Welcome to the Canucks family, enjoy your self -- I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy watching you play for years to come.

Hey good to have you at camp -- I might be getting ahead of myself here, I see you making the team this year, when the main camp starts just play your game, the speed and quick shot of yours should give you time with Nazzy where you could provide time and space for Naslund by using your speed to back up the defence. I do expect you to be a solid addition to the team -- I am also pretty sure that your minutes may start out low, at the start of the season, but as you earn more minutes and gain confindence you should be ripping up the league this year in no time. Not sure if you have a goal other than making the team -- I would venture to say, set your sights very high then break them down into smaller steps that can be used to reach your overall goal, this along with setting timelines to go along with your goals should set you up nicely to be a real performer in the NHL. Please try to answer these questions for me (not required though) Do you want to score a certain number of goals this year, if so how many? -- How many points do you see yourself getting? -- Who do you try to emulate in your style of play? -- Who was your favorite player gowing up? -- Do you always give 100% during the games, what do Vancouver fans have to look forward to? -- Who did you have the best chemistry with during the rookie camp? -- Who is your favorite current Canuck? -- Thanks and good luck kiddo...