SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

Trading down a couple spots, and then taking Ceulemans, while adding another top-50 pick, would be an interesting play. I think Ceulemans is generally underrated in the public rankings (especially the ones that have him ranked in the 50’s), although maybe not enough to warrant a top-10 pick. Even if that’s where his true value is, I think he’s likely going to be available later in the draft than 9OA, so it could be a smart move to trade down, pick up an additional early 2nd round pick, and then take Ceulemans somewhere in the teens. That’s if the Canucks are really high on Ceulemans. I’m still leaning toward taking the consensus BPA top-10 guy who falls to us. But I wouldn’t be upset with Ceulemans and an extra pick.

Getting really excited now for draft day now (assuming we don’t do something stupid and trade the 9OA). Much as I wasn’t a fan of dropping draft position (the closing games of this season, especially that ridiculous make up series against the Flames, were probably the one time in the last few years when we could’ve actually tanked with honour), I’m actually more comfortable drafting at 9 than at 6. No pressure to get it right, just take the guy that falls to us and is considered consensus BPA (most likely, it’s going to be a no-brainer, just based on how this draft shakes out, as far as rankings and player tiers). Pretty much guaranteed we’re getting a “steal” with whoever falls to us at 9th overall. And there will be at least a couple dozen scouts who will be saying that whoever we take is a top-5 talent in this draft. I can already hear Benning saying “we didn’t think he’d be available at 9th overall, as we had him much higher” . So long as we don’t do anything crazy and go off the board, it’s pretty much a guarantee we’ll come out of the first round considered a “winner” at this year’s draft. And much as the first round will be exciting to watch, day two will be even more interesting. Good chance we pick up another “first round talent” with our second pick, and there are loads of intriguing prospects expected to be available through the middle rounds. And, of course, the late round “steals” are always interesting. Hopefully we take some homerun swings on high risk/reward types. Can’t wait to see our next crop of prospects revealed. Hopefully we come away with a nice haul.

He’s definitely one to watch next season at UND. Ideally he hits the ground running and can put together a freshman year like what we saw from Aidan McDonough. Similar player in many ways, as it’s his skating that’s the biggest issue, and will likely be the determining factor as to how far he can progress in his development and what kind of chance he has to successfully turn pro. Lots to like with Kunz, with the size, release, and offensive instincts. Just need to lighten up those heavy feet, and get a lot more efficient in his skating stride, and we might have another later round steal from that USHL/NCAA pipeline. EDIT: The dream scenario is both McDonough and Kunz see dramatic improvements in their skating, and reach the ceilings of their talents. Would sure be nice to have some 6’3”, 220ish lbs forwards slotting into the lineup in the next few years. Kunz and McDonough are a couple big boys who would fit in rather nicely with our current young forward group, assuming they develop the wheels to really skate with them. Add in some continued improvements from guys like Gadjovich and MacEwen, and all of a sudden we’ve got some real size at forward, up and down the lineup, and with the offensive skills to chip in scoring, while playing a heavy game and being a handful for opponents.

Yup. In my mind, his potential (and limits) really comes down to how far he can take his skating. With some moderate improvements, he’s probably a bottom-six guy with some 2nd unit PP. But if he gets that “Horvat level” boost, then look out, because McDonough with legitimate NHL wheels could be a monster of a player. I’m really hoping for the latter of the two, but he has a fair ways to go (and a lot of hard work to be done), before he’d be considered a really good skater at the pro level. Right now he’s nowhere near that. Hopefully he gets there, because if you take all his tools and put them into a package that can really skate, you’ve got potential for a guy who could be a top-six level talent in the NHL and a true impact player for Vancouver.

Just read the article in Vintage’s link. Liked the part where McDonough says he’s never worked with a power skating coach before. I knew that he hasn’t had much skating focused instruction, but didn’t realize he was a complete newbie in that area. This is positive, because he can probably get a lot of improvement, if he’s starting basically from scratch and never actually had someone break down his technique, and give him the tools to improve. If he commits to the work (and from everything I’ve heard, his work ethic is solid), he could really be a different player on the ice next season. Especially since he’s also putting in a lot of dry land work this year on building up his strength and conditioning in the specific areas that will support his skating. It’s going to be very interesting to see what he looks like next season. He already has a pro level shot, and his off puck movement is a high level, so he knows how to get to the areas to make the most of his shot, especially his one-timer. If he can get his skating to NHL average level (and admittedly, he has a ways to go on this), I think he’s a good bet to be a really solid middle-six forward for the Canucks one day (and soon, assuming he’s signed in the next year or two).

Mixed bag and work in progress. He’s really smart and sees the ice well, has good positioning, good instincts, and battles hard. It’s mostly just the skating that holds him back, IMO, but on the positive side, that aspect is improving, and he’s very focused on putting in the work. But he’s not going to give you a blistering back check, or be the guy with the four way mobility to quickly close gaps, or outmaneuver opponents, to create 50/50s or outright steal pucks away. He’s good around the boards, where he can use his size and strength, and win puck battles. And he’s a good forechecker and good at recovering pucks. But he’s just not really mobile enough to be a great 1v1 defender. He’s good enough positionally and smart enough to execute systems pretty well and defend the zone as part of a unit. But he’s not the type of guy who’s individually going to win too many pucks away from opponents on open ice. EDIT: I’d add that McDonough had a late growth spurt and didn’t really get comfortable in his body until he was about 19 years old. So even though he’s 21 now, he’s still got time, and he’s really working at his skating. From what he’s said, nearly all his off-season training is focused on building up his explosiveness and stamina, and he’s very aware that he needs to be a better skater to succeed in the pros. I think he has a good mind for the game, both offensively and defensively, so if he can get his skating where it needs to be, I could easily see him becoming an effective two-way player.

His season wasn’t even all that bad, compared to the team. Schmidt was tasked with some of the toughest minutes on the Canucks D, but still managed to come out tops (among >300 minutes regulars) in GF% Rel, 3rd in xGF% Rel, and 3rd in SCF% Rel. And this while carrying some of the most difficult zone assignments and defensive matchups, and playing on a new team, with a new partner.

There’s really not much mystery on that. It’s not that Gillis was bad at drafting, per se, but more that he inherited a crappy amateur scouting department, and he waited too long to make the necessary changes to that staff. He’s gone on record saying that it was one of the biggest regrets of his tenure. In his defence, amateur scouting wasn’t exactly a personal strength of his, going in, and he likely deferred to the guys with more experience, at least initially. Also, as much as Gillis was a prick (he’s less so now IMO), he’s also a very loyal guy, so he likely gave his scouts more time than they deserved, when he probably should have ruthlessly gone scorched earth on that entire staff, or at the very least, done a major shuffle early on, simply based on annual performance reviews, and the multiyear drafting record, going back into previous regimes. Same could be said on the development side, although I’m more forgiving on that aspect, as the Gillis regime saw the team lose the Manitoba Moose (which was a fine AHL setup that developed a major portion of the core back then), and have to go with a partnership with Chicago (and independent AHL team that was more interested in winning and their gate receipts, rather than developing players for the Canucks). Credit goes to Gillis for finding a new affiliate at Utica, and laying the groundwork for a return to a pretty solid farm development system that Benning enjoyed with the Comets. But the drafting and scouting changes were too little and too late. You could see the improvements, both in process and results, in the later drafts under Gillis, and the development of young players, but it wasn’t nearly enough to save him, and certainly wasn’t enough to make up for the earlier mistakes. Benning, to his credit, expanded on the work Gillis started, and built up amateur scouting to the point where it’s legitimately a strength for this club. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but compared to where things were, Benning’s drafting has looked very good (I’d still argue it’s still merely middling to fair, but compared to being arguably the worst in the league for many years, the Benning drafts have looked “God level”).

Sorry, I was just here for the game. I have no interest in getting sucked into the discussion you guys are having in this thread.

Ooh, I like games! I know this post isn’t for me, but is it okay if I give the game a shot anyway? (I’m gonna go ahead and assume the answer is yes. ) First two (Kesler, Vanek), and the last one (Markstrom) are statements you agree with. Numbers 3,4,5 (Eriksson, Bonino, Kassian) are the ones you don’t agree with.

Rathbone has also had a reputation for being one of the players who puts in the most time and work in the weight room, compared to his teammates, dating back to his prep school years at Dexter, and continuing into his time at Harvard. I’ve heard him described as a “gym rat” more than once, by people who followed him pretty closely.

Seems like a few of us did. In Loui’s case, the Ek (in Loui Eriksson Ek) is pronounced “yech.” At least that’s how I’ve been saying his name the past few years.

I think those websites are outdated. Going off their NCAA vitals (player pages are still up for both Rathbone and Hughes), Jack was 5’11” and 190 lbs at Harvard and Quinn was 5’10” and 175 lbs at Michigan. https://gocrimson.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/jack-rathbone/5097 https://mgoblue.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/quinn-hughes/18518 Hughes is certainly a bit heavier now than he was in college (180 lbs is probably accurate for him), but I doubt he’s gained any height (and I think he may actually be closer to 5’9.5” than a true 5’10”). Rathbone is certainly at least 5’10” and probably is 5’11”, as he was listed while in the NCAA. And I know Jack made significant gains in the weight room during his final year at Dexter, and during his time at Harvard. I think he’s definitely a solid 190 lbs, as he was listed at Harvard, and he has the frame to carry more, if he chooses to continue to add muscle. I think he could play at 5’11” and ~200 lbs, if he decides that’s how he wants to train and build up his body. I don’t know if Quinn could ever carry 200 lbs of weight, at least as an elite athlete. I don’t think he’s build that way, despite having a pretty thick lower body. And I certainly don’t think Hughes is anything taller than 5’10”, and may actually be a hair or two under that listed height. I could be wrong, but from what I’ve seen and heard, Rathbone is simply a bigger man than Hughes. EDIT: I’ve left myself wide open for a few “phrasing” jokes here, but I’m not changing anything. Have at it. I enjoy those jokes, especially in the Rathbone thread.

Wait, what? Are you talking about Luke Hughes? Because Rathbone is at least an inch taller and 10 lbs heavier than Quinn.

You have been quoted!

But is Keith “as good or better than Edler” these days? I can’t say that I’ve really watched Keith closely these last couple years, but when I have seen him play recently, I’ve hardly been impressed. Of course, we’re talking about a former superstar player, so even after a noticeable and severe decline, he’s probably still okay-ish, at least compared to your average/replacement level Dman. But compared to Edler, especially analytically, Keith today appears to be the lesser player, and by far. I think we, as Canucks fans, can be awfully hard on Edler, simply because we do watch him so much. I expect Edler today would probably be viewed as the superior value player, by most people around the league (even many of the old school, eye-test centric, “hockey men”). Alex has been pretty solid over the past three seasons, while Keith has been… not solid. And when it comes to the asshole factor, I actually think Edler, at 35, plays a much meaner, more physically intimidating game, than Duncan Keith at 38 years of age. I don’t necessarily view it as an “either/or” situation, but if I’m picking between Edler or Keith, I think I’m probably sticking with Edler. (Would not necessarily be completely against Keith, however, with retention on his contract, and a cap dump going back the other way.)

That’s what came to mind for me as well. Basically equalizes the cap commitments, with one year of Eriksson at $6M AAV, versus two years of Keith at ~2.77M AAV. Also, if Keith really wants to be near his family, worth noting that Abbotsford is about one hour closer to Penticton than Vancouver.

Thankfully, my wife is a genius. She booked the maid service to come in and clean the house while we’re away, so that festering kitchen bin should be handled. I feel bad for them though. Going into a boiling house full of hot compost aroma can’t be fun. I think I’ll e-transfer an extra tip today.

I hope this is just a glitch in the 14 day forecast: Look at that low for Monday, July 12th. Zero ****ing degrees? Can you imagine if this record setting heat wave is followed by a record setting summer cold snap? I mean, I’m sure most of BC would love an ice cold freezing night right now, but that would be some extreme weather. Gotta be a mistake, right? Right?

I’m worried about the kitchen compost in my house that I forgot to empty a couple days ago before leaving for a 10 day vacation. That thing’s gotta be getting pretty ripe by now.

Packed my portable air conditioner in the car for vacation (our Airbnb doesn’t have A/C) and it’s keeping the bedroom nice and cool. Best decision I’ve made in a long time. Otherwise, taking lots of dips in the ocean (we’re in a beachside cottage), and stocked the freezer with frozen washcloths and freezie pops.

Yup. Thermodynamics. Heat moves from hot to cold objects. Once the air temperature is higher than your body temperature, a fan basically becomes a heater, and just makes things worse.

Very much agree. That monk is a true hero for the work he’s doing. I’m had the pleasure of knowing a few people who do similar work, and I have great respect and appreciation for them. I’ve done a little sheltering and volunteering myself over the years, and every pet we’ve ever had has been a rescue/shelter adoption, and along the way met some very fine people, and wonderful animals, in that community. On the opposite side, the people who get pets without being willing to really commit to proper care, or just buy animals as accessories and fashion/status symbols, and then discard them when they get bored, represent some of the worst of the worst of humanity.

So tempted to vote “3rd line center.” I can only imagine the reaction. 9th overall traded for a Brandon Sutter type, retroactive NTC handed out, and signed to a “foundational player” extension. Would almost be worth it, just to see half the fanbase losing their minds, and the other half trying desperately to make a case for it being a good move. (If you didn’t know it by now, I am a fan of chaos. )

Couldn’t agree more, with the bolded. Statistically, his last three seasons were some of the stablest results of his career, since maybe the 2007-08 through 2011-12 period, which was in his prime. But his 30+ years have been much better than most, which bodes well for him being able to extend his effectiveness later than you expect from most players in his age group. He’s been good for something like 1-1.5 WAR (wins above replacement) in each of the last three seasons, and arguably has been around a $5M/season value player, and even last season only declining to around $3.5M value. Anything under about $3M for next season is probably going to prove decent value, and you’re not likely to find much better, on the open UFA market. Also, I see no reason why Edler can’t provide both LHD and RHD depth, at reduced minutes. His off side play has been mixed over his career, but he’s also been asked to play his off side in top-4 minutes in the past. Edler on the right side of a 3rd pairing would be something different, and I’d expect he’d handle it well, if needed. Certainly, I’d prefer him on his natural side, but just something to consider, if there’s a need for a #3RHD.