70seven

I think that if you take organizational need and combine it with BPA, your choices come down to Nylander and Ehlers. The Canucks have plenty of guys with size and 2 way gritty games with some top 6 potential, but moreso bottom 6 type games at the moment. They sort of have all their eggs in a basket on the speed/skill side with only really Shinkaruk and Jensen having the potential to deliver on that end, and the jury is still out on how high that potential is. Ehlers as a fast and shifty offensive winger. or Nylander as an elusive cerebral offensive center. Both are CLEARLY players whos role is to SCORE. Having a big tough squad is good, but you still need the skill to win. Kane, Krejci, Seguin, Selanne, Zetterberg, Nyquist, Stepan, StLouis, Giroux.... There isnt anywhere near enough offensive talent in the Canucks system. We NEED to draft skill. And 5'11" isnt "small" for a skilled 17 year old player.

The biggest reason that I can find that people like Ehlers so much , is that he's got Bure like attributes. High end offensive capabilities. How many Bure like players are currently helping their teams to success these days? Is this really a needed component on building a winning team? Especially when we have another similar player in Shinkaruk coming along... Will we really need two players of that pedigree? I do think that Ehlers boasts more potential than Shink, but both being smaller speedy skilled wingers, would it not be iwser to select someone whom can play outside a top 6 role as well as having top 6 potential? Multi dimensional players with size and perhaps a lower top end offensive ceiling are proven to be far more valuable in todays NHL. Especially if they go through droughts offensively, they can still contribute... This has been my biggest concern with the Sedins over their career. Specifically for the playoffs. If they aint scoring... then how else do they benefit the team? All that being said, I wouldnt be upset with an Ehlers selection. If there is Bure potential, it would be nice to have that excitement again. Im just not sold that its a necessary component in translation to Playoff success. I read a couple comparable blends of to (Bure/Forsberg) and (MacKinnon/Drouin). Forsberg made a living protecting the puck with his body and making plays, thus Im not sure theres much similarity there. Potential to be a lower end Bure/Drouin type player. Not quite as good as either player, but a blend of both could make him quite an interesting package. The key for him will likely be being able to withstand the physical game, stay healthy, and be surrounded by line mates that read him and are quick to back check if and when he gets stuck up ice.... Oh, and be consistent. And his nickname is solid... The Electric Ehl. To summarize, Id really be okay going with any of Ehlers, Virtanen, or Ritchie. Hell even Nylander and Perlini I could absolutely understand. and thats the problem with this draft.... Way too much uncertainty. Heres hoping Dal Colle slips to 6th.

just spit out my coffee all over the keyboard... and people still cant spell ehrhoff... no surprise there...

Samuelsson was a shooter.... that worked out pretty well.

If the NYI forfeits their 5th pick to Buffalo, I could see Buf willing to flip with us if they like the return price. Say Draisaitl is available at 5, and theyve already taken Reinhart.... I dont see why they wouldnt flip the pick. I agree with many of the analysts in suggesting that considering the quality of players being somewhat even after 5, there could be a lot of movement.

i wonder how many points Ehlers puts up in the Dub, and without Drouin?

You dont need "true" offensive 1st liners to win in this league, but you do need a "true" top 6. Id much rather have a blend of cant miss multi dimensional 2nd line players than a one dimensional first line, followed by fringe top 6ers. Pretty clear that what wins is depth, not top end and a drop off. Obvoiusly a combination of the two can be deadly, but I think that Boston, LA, and StLouis are perfect examples of how to win without a top end scorer.... Though they can all boast a "true" #1 d-man.

I agree. He is the only name thats floating around that I think makes any kind of sense. But most rumors just have both Linden and Nicholson as team President... Only name Ive heard for team GM is Feaster.... ugh.

its feaster and linden being hired with torts retained.

Welcome Bob Nicholson, Ray Ferraro, and Wayne Grtezky.

boom

gillis fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone gets to be the new President, I sure as hell hope its Bob Nicholson. They guy is highly revered in the hockey world.... And theres noone that knows Canadian hockey like he does. He's already in the BC sports hall of fame, and has huge ties to his home province. So.... Fire Gillis. Fire Torts. Hire Nicholson as President and GM. Hire Gretzky as coach.

Im not interested in Ehlers. I think he would be amazing to watch and all, Im just not sold that you need these kinds of players to win a Stanley Cup. Virtanen would be a much better investment imo. He'll get greasy goals, shorthanded goals, and can be an effective player even when hes not producing... Ehlers doesnt really have much more to his game. Although the potential for game breaking offence is clearly there, the trend for successful teams is having a solid group of complete players. See Boston, StLouis, Chicago, LA, SJ, Pitts... If you can find that High offensive potential in a player that has other attributes, then obvoiusly... But not sold on Ehlers being that kind of player.

If theres anyone that Gillis' comments gives a push in the Canucks draft rankings, Im thinking William Nylander gets a bump into the top of their selection board. One of the most skilled pure puck possession in the draft. He seems to have the cocky bordering on arrogant attitude that this team used to play so well with. I couldnt think of two better mentors for him that Danny and Hank.

THeres always the chance that Burke goes for the truculent Richie or hometown kid Willie Nylander, likely leaving Leon.... Which would be a stellar pick up at 6.

With 10 games to go, it doesnt really matter where the Canucks finish. The Canucks have a good chance of finishing well as they play 8 of 10 at home, though there is some quality competition. (Ana x 2, Col x 2, LA, Mini, NYR) It would take a miracle for them to make the playoffs, as multipul teams would all have to lose, while we win out. These tougher games heading into the postseason should really remind us of where this team is at... Considering the current standings, even if the Canucks finish well, I dont think theyll do any better than 20th, which would give them the 10th pick since NJ gets the 30th. Dallas and Detroit are 1 point ahead with 4 games in hand. Teams that wont, and teams I dont think will surpass Vancouver: Buffalo - 26 pts back (go Hodgson go!...lol) Edmonton - 15 pts back Florida - 14 pts back NYI - 13 pts back Calgary - 11 pts back So by this point the best we can do is 6th overall. THe next group is a total crap shoot to see where they finish up: Nashville - 6 pts back - 2 games in hand Carolina - 5 pts back - 3 games in hand Ottawa - 5 pts back - 3 games in hand Winnipeg - 1 pt back - 1 game in hand NJ is irrelevant Other than that, I dont see Vancouver catching anyone. The next closest team would be Washington who are 3 points ahead with 1 game in hand and Dallas who are 1 point ahead with 3 games in hand. We WILL be picking somewhere in the 6-10 range... and honsetly, its a crap shoot as far as bpa in that bunch. Id guess teams will select off of organizational need in this area. With the top 5 almost certainly being Ekblad Reinhart Bennett Dal Colle Draiaistl (sp?) The next 5 are all solid prospects... but you could argue to put them into any order: Nick Ritchie - shoots left - LW/RW - 6'3" - 236 lbs - Monster power forward - 61 GP - 39 g - 35 a - 174 pim - voted best hitter in conference by coaches poll. Brendan Perlini - shoots left - LW - 6'2" - 205 lbs - All around offensive threat - 58 gp - 34 g - 37 a - 36 pim - voted most improved player in conference by coaches poll. Id be keeping a very close eye on his playoff performance... could be the steal of this group. Kasperi Kapanen - shoots right - RW - 5'11" - 172 lbs - Plays all situations, clutch performer - 47 gp - 7 g - 7 a - Plays pro for Kalpa in SM-liga. Jake Virtanen - shoots right - RW/C - 6'1" - 210 - Fast, chippy, slick shot, powerfull - 71 GP - 45 g - 26 a - 100 pim - Virtanen is of Finnish descent, but born and raised in Abbotsford. Nikolaj Ehlers - shoots left - LW - 5' 11" - 163 lbs - Quick, high end skill - 63 GP - 49 g - 55 a - +65 - Ehlers is an electrifying offensive talent, but his size is a deterrent. Also available: Hayden Fleury - best D available outside Ekbald. Will Nylander - Said to be extremely patient with the puck (i think were good on patient players) My hope is that Ottawa finishes right beside us... 6 + 7 would be beautiful if were able to scoop that pick from anahiem in a package for kesler.... ITs gonna get interesteng.

the canucks wouldnt be drafting top 3 unless they win the lottery. the NYI are still 9 points behind Vancouver with Calgary, Florida, Edmonton and Florida behind them. I highly doubt thats made up with 15ish games remaining. Theres a good chance that Carolina and Nashville pass Vancouver given the current trend, and we finish 24th of 30. THerell be a shot to move up, but could also move down, which would not suprise me the way this year has gone. I just hope Edmonton doesnt get a top 3 pick.

Craig Button has Jake Virtanen falling out of the 1st round. If accurate, would be sweet to nab him there.... Hopefully we pick no lower than 7th. I agree that at this point the top 4 are: Reinhart Ekbald Bennett Draisaitl So there will be at least one of: Dal Colle Perlini Ehlers available at 6/7

Markstrom and Matthias arent the messiah for this club, however I wouldnt bet against them being Santorelli like additions. Rolie Melanson has a pretty good track record of developing goalies last time I checked. Im very interested to see how he handles Markstrom. It wasnt all that long ago that the current 24 year old was considered the best goaltending prospect in the game, and is the same age now that Schneider was when he broke into the league.... far from a bust imo. Matthias is going us center depth even if he is only a 3rd liner. And his size and speed should really help as those are two elements missing from this team. He had 14 goals in 48 games last year... 26 year old 20 goal 3rd liner with size. THis is a guy that could really benefit from a change in scenery imho. also wouldnt bet against him getting a shot to play the wing.

I think that ownership has a say in these deals. And do believe that the asking price MUST be met in order for a deal to be struck. The Canucks still need to be able to sell their team, and Kesler is really the only current roster player they can still sell effectively. They could see the re-tool with an infusion of strong young assets... but that aint Sutter... Schenn or Etem are the guys they can add into the fray and market. Moreso for Schenn, but a Etem/Shinkaruk/Horvat/Jensen/Markstrom/Lack/Vatanen combo would look real good to the market aswell imo.

Retweeted by Rob Rossi steve simmons ‏@simmonssteve 21m Paul Holmgren has told other NHL GMs tonight that he has no deal for Ryan Kesler and isn't likely to be making one.

Retweeted by Rob Rossi Mark Spector ‏@SportsnetSpec 19m Yes, Preds not on list. DET, PIT, PHI is list. “@JeremyR86: @SportsnetSpec. Have we heard that Nashville isn't in the mix for Kesler?” Retweeted by Rob Rossi steve simmons ‏@simmonssteve 15m Paul Holmgren has told other NHL GMs tonight that he has no deal for Ryan Kesler and isn't likely to be making one. I could see Holmgren posturing, or playing dead, only to throw an offer in at the last minute and limit his rivals in Pits and Det from beating the offer.... But thats just wishfull thinking. Looking like Pittsburgh or bust.

we're retainin g some $$$

So which deal would you guys take for Kesler? 1. B. Schenn, Hagg, 2nd 2. Sutter, Pouliot, 1st, 3rd 3. Stepan, JT Miller, 2nd 4. Keep Kesler