[Jordan Schroeder Talk]

Why is there a tendency to knock prospects before they even have a chance to prove what they are capable of.  I presume Jordan Schroeder was drafted because someone saw and liked what he could do as a young hockey player.  Half of you critics haven't even seen him play, let alone know what he might develop into as a player.  If he can skate well, has heart like Burrows, loyalty, ability and can score goals, who cares what his size is.

Give the kid a chance before you kick him under the bus.

[Burrows? Do We Really Need Him?]

did some of you start watching the canucks this season or something? Burrows was signed as a 2mil CHECKER. After he got signed he was put with the sedins and then he started lighting it up.

I don't quite understand your point - "Burrows was signed as a 2mil CHECKER."

Hasn't that been what is so unique about his story or journey in hockey. Burrows flew under the radar and was not even drafted. No one thought enough about him to even take the time to see what his potential really was while he played junior. Even when elevated to the ECHL and AHL, he had to blow his own horn to get the attention of those who would make the decisions about his future.

He may have been signed as a checker, that is true but isn't that really the role most players go through when they eventually get into the NHL. They learn the defensive aspect of the game first. From there, the coach then determines what position that player is best suited at on the team. Even then, through trial and error, it may be only through line juggling, the value of a player can really be established.

I really hope that all our prospects and young players serve time in that defensive learning role so they are given the opportunity of becoming a more rounded and defensively sound player in the NHL. I believe that should happen to Hodgson, Schroeder, Rodin etc.

Using Taveras as an example only, I don't intend to debate his ability: He can score goals but look at his +- rating. I contend he has not properly learned the defensive part of the game. He was shoved into a top six NHL position because he is a natural goal scorer and probably because he was picked first over all in the draft had a lot to do with it as well.

One must question if that is the common sense approach to take with a young player, to elevated them right to the NHL from junior. Without learning his defensive game properly, what now are the probabilities of him (Taveras) ever being a better + player over the course of his career unless defense is not instilled in his play at some juncture in his career? Will it always be questioned - "how many goals has he caused to be scored against his team because of his lack of defensive ability?" Look at Stamkos for example, when he was shipped back to the minors by the Bolts he was a -13. Right now Tavares is a -15. I am certainly not questioning their raw talent or potential to play in the NHL, I question whether or not they are a better player by being immediately inserted in the NHL in the same capacities as they may have played in junior ie. simply being a goals scorer and forget about whatever else is important in their development to be a good all around hockey player. What would happen if his goal production suddenly lessened and his +- rating soared; would he be sent back to the minors like Stamkos, undoubtedly a further crushing blow to a young players esteem and confidence?

In doing just that, what type of unnecessary burden do we place on a talented young player and how will it eventually affect his playing confidence when he knows he is inadequate in some aspects of his game? With respect to Burrows, being signed as a checker has only served him favorably; it has undoubtedly made him a more tenacious and talented hockey player who could with ease find a job on any hockey team in the NHL. But on top of that you must add the heart of a lion as well.

[Burrows? Do We Really Need Him?]

Burr just exudes class and character, doesn't he? I mean, the road he's traveled, and to be able to come across the way he does, just speaks to how much character he has built from that. Too bad every player can't come up that way. With as much humility. His interview being the classic case. I think if there is anything that people don't realize, it's that Burr seems very capable of drawing the distinction between the business and the game from a player's perspective.

The only "jealousy" out there, is the jealousy around the league from those teams without Burrows in their line up.

Totally agree. He is totally hockey and his loyalty to the Canucks is infettered. A young player, never drafted who simply wanted a chance to play in the NHL. The Canucks are very fortunate that someone made the decision to take a chance on him to play in Winnipeg and subsequently in Vancouver. He simply never gives up playing and that is what has to be loved about him. He is definitely a "keeper."

[Burrows? Do We Really Need Him?]

I think the beauty of a guy like Burrows is that he possesses the class and the character to set those feelings aside, and to separate any feelings he does have in that regard, from his game, from what he brings to the rink day in and day out, and from his loyalty and commitment to his team mates. As burrows himself said, championship teams and legacy teams all have a core group, a nucleus of guys that carry it through it's good years. Burr seems genuinely anxious to be a part of bringing long term success to Vancouver. A family of players is growing and Burrows is happy about being part of the core and the family. He knows he'll get his share over time.

How can anybody not love a guy like Burrows? His interview about Kes's signing is all class and professionalism. At risk of sounding like a bandwaggoner, I myself am startiing to believe that this IS THE group that will eventually bring the Cup home. It's not just the players. It's the whole organization. From the owners, to the coaches, to the marketers and to the fans, they all contribute to making and creating a culture of winning and of success. This kind of organization can build players as much as players can build this organization. Initiatives like bring a guy like Walters in as a leadership specialist per say are bringing great dividends. Players who come here can get better. Not only better but the organization can build players into the best that they can be. Erhoff, for example. Maybe even Alberts will become something better than he's ever been.

It's just great to see. Vancouver deserves it. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Vancouver remains a top level team for some time to come. Burrows is as genuinely excited about being a part of that as anybody. And I don't think he has any reason to think he won't be rewarded for that.

Fin Dawg: You are a wizard with words. It was really great to read something like this for a change. I cannot say more. Great post and deserving of +. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Burrows? Do We Really Need Him?]

Kesler is his good friend and teammate. He won't be jealous, but happy.

Each one of them can afford to buy each other lunch for the next five years. IMO Burrows will only be happy for Kesler and vice-versa when Burr signs his next contract.

Why are we on CDC worrying about these things. Gillis and Gilman are paid to look after all this stuff and they haven't done a bad job to date.

[Burrows? Do We Really Need Him?]

Finally, the return of Burrows of old. I don't want to see floater Burrows who just waits around for an empty net. I want to see agitator Burrows who hits anything that moves and draws attention himself and creates space for others.

When Danny gets back and Burr can be with his old mates, we will all see a difference in him. He played a great game against the Avs and will have a great game against the Hawks on Sunday.

[Burrows? Do We Really Need Him?]

<br />&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />Man09 - How do you get that nice quote to show in your posts.  This new format is killing me<br />

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Just answered my own question. Some dummies just can't deal with change or new things

[Burrows? Do We Really Need Him?]

<br />David Backes, is that you?<br />

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Man09 - How do you get that nice quote to show in your posts. This new format is killing me

[Burrows? Do We Really Need Him?]

<br />I know allot of people are going to scorch me for this but I fail to see the reason why nobody questions his ability to play in the nhl. Every game i watch with him in the lineup(all of them) I find myself screaming at the tv because of the stupid stuff the guy does. Personally i'd rather have any of the guys that are fighting for a spot on the team rather than burrows. Everyone's #1 reason they like this guy from what I read on this forum &quot;He's great on the pk. Who cares! Anyone can do this thats fighting for a spot. He can't score and i'm tired of kesler carrying this guy on his back night after night, I'm tired of him losing the puck, falling down everywhere seriously this guy falls down a hundred times a night can't he skate its ridiculous, stupid penalties its endless. &quot;He plays with grit&quot; is another common description tossed out when his name comes up. That ok sure he pisses off guys but fails to do really be able finish that job off by being able to fight because he can't. IMOP he's an embarrassment to the team. Please Gillis let this guy go keep Krog or Pettinger or Brown whoever.  let er rip.<br />

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You are so far behind on this one you think you are first. If every Canuck played with the heart Burrows does each night we would have a cup winner. Get it straight - Burrows will be back on the #1 line with Hank & Danny and he will light it up like he did last year.