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Everything posted by VanGnome
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Chinese-only sign reignites language debate in Richmond, B.C.
VanGnome replied to DonLever's topic in Off-Topic General
Yes, however that's not the point of this issue. English only signs do not discriminate, as English is one of the official languages of Canada, therefore it's expected for signage to be in all English. What this illustrates, is a significant unwillingness for immigrants to adopt the official standard of a country that they have chosen to reside in. It's pretty ignorant for people to expect a foreign country to cater to their preferences counter to the national standard. Case in point, if English only speaking people chose to live in the heart of China, and then expect it to be okay that English only signage be accepted, you'd imagine that would ruffle some feathers. But it's okay because China is not a democratic society right? This whole topic is really about a level of inherent disrespect (subconscious as it may be) harbored by certain communities as a whole, and to a certain degree defiance in thinking that they have the right to enforce their sovereignty in an already sovereign nation. The issue is not that their heritage, customs, beliefs et al are not being recognized, they are and quite well I might add. The ethnic signage is a relatively small issue in and of itself, but it does open a much larger can of worms when you look at the impact of integration into society and balancing and respecting cultures as they co-exist within the English speaking world. Bottom line is, and this is just my opinion, but if you *choose* to reside in an officially English speaking country, you should make every effort to fully integrate into that society on a level that everyone can appreciate, not segregating into communities promoting exclusivity and a certain degree hostility toward "outsiders". How often do you see Indian or Sikh foreign nationals dealing with Chinese, or Korean or Japanese foreign nationals on a daily basis? You really don't see it that often, typically they stick to "their" communities yet expect the treatment afforded by a multicultural society. Multiculturalism is a two way street, when you make it a one way street it causes division which is counter to the very core of what it stands for. -
Chinese-only sign reignites language debate in Richmond, B.C.
VanGnome replied to DonLever's topic in Off-Topic General
The point of contention however, is that Richmond is "predominantly" populated by Asian cultures, but not entirely. More to that, many people commute through Richmond enroute to their various jobs/actions/functions so the region is not solely Asian influenced. It's not just about being sensitive to a broader market. Advertisers have a higher obligation to be respectful of multiculturalism, which means accessibility to all cultures, not just specific ethnic groups. -
Chinese-only sign reignites language debate in Richmond, B.C.
VanGnome replied to DonLever's topic in Off-Topic General
I think you completely missed the point I was making. I never called in to question Canada's ability to accommodate multiculturalism, in fact what I said is I feel Canada has been too accommodating, meaning our vision of multiculturalism has tunnel visioned us politically into not striking the right balance between acceptance and enforcing our own cultural identity as Canadians. What I said was in reference to the foreign nationals not born or raised here, ie the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents etc. The system has been figured out to the point of manipulation. One only has to learn so much in order to be accepted, and once they're in, there is a whole community that speaks their native language, sells products in packaging that they can easily understand, etc. It's human nature to want to take the easiest path to comfort, we are hard wired to avoid difficult situations. With that said, there is a massive difference in context when we're speaking about the pressures of speaking a regions native language between doing so as a Tourist or as a Citizen. -
Chinese-only sign reignites language debate in Richmond, B.C.
VanGnome replied to DonLever's topic in Off-Topic General
I don't buy into the moosepoop about "not being able to understand what the ad is about" its frigging toothpaste and mouth wash. The problem is more deeply ingrained in how our society operates at a fundamental level. I'm of the opinion that Canada is far too accommodating to multiculturalism. Don't misinterpret that as me being against diversity, in fact quite the opposite. My wife is a landed immigrant who took the time and effort to adapt to the "Canadian" culture, but still embraces her heritage among her friends. The issue at hand, is that by being over accommodating, Canada has itself lost it's own identity to the point now that "what it means to be Canadian" means many different things to many different people. Therefore, among the ethnic groups represented in Canada, there is little incentive for foreign nationals who were not born or raised here to adapt to the "Canadian" way of life, or to learn to speak either of the official languages in a capacity suited for daily communication. This advertising illustrates my point, and reinforces the belief that it's okay to take advantage of the amazing living conditions in this country and benefit from it's social infrastructure without having to contribute in any meaningful way to the population as a whole. It's fine to speak and communicate in native languages personally in our homes and with our friends and family. I do believe however that to truly embrace multiculturalism, one must be tolerant publicly of all who may come across you. I don't care if it's the Richmond Night Market, or Scott Rd and 96th avenue. Communicate in a common language that all can understand, not doing so borders on bigotry and promotes seclusion, exclusivity and preferential treatment. -
Sedins are not "up tempo" style players, they are methodical offensive zone start puck possession players. Van PK Subban Rene Borque 1st 2015 MTL Daniel Sedin Henrik Sedin Sign PK to a 7 year 49 million deal (7m aav) Sign Stastny to a 5 year 30 million deal (6m aav) Sign Vanek to 7 year 49 million deal (7m aav) Re-sign Kassian 4 years 10 million deal (2.5m aav) Re-sign Tanev 3 years 10 million deal (3.33m aav) This saves 1m combined that the Sedins make. Bring up the young guns Vanek Kesler Kassian (14.5) Shinkaruk Stastny Jensen (7.788) Bourque Horvat Burrows (8.255) Booth Matthias Hansen (7.35) Hamhuis Subban (11.5) Edler Bieksa (9.6) Garrison Tanev (7.93) Lack 1.15 Markstrom 1.2 Projected Cap 71.1 Total Salary 69.273 Cap Space 1.827 Just off the top of my head
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You're grossly over simplifying things, using retrospect and hindsight as justification for doing so. It was not trading Hodgson, Grabner and a 1st to buy out Ballard, no matter how much you convince yourself. At the time the Ballard trade was made, the defensive depth was suspect and the Canucks had cap room and the Canucks did what they could to shore up depth, Ballard was coming off a 28 point season and was 25 y ears old. Grabner was a lazy prospect capable of brilliance but never put in the effort to come to camp in shape ready to seize a top 6 spot. Maybe that's on the Canucks for not guiding him, and maybe it's on him for not taking his career seriously, either way he still hasn't amounted to much in this league and there's no guarantee that his success in NYI would have translated directly to success in VAN. Ballard never panned out, plain and simple and was bought out in the last year of his contract to make needed cap room to try and help the team improve. The jury is still out on Hodgson vs Kassian, though in another season or two we will finally have a verdict on that one. Again regarding the NTC's and Edler specifically, signed at a discounted price vs market value and was coming off a 49 point season, and the season before was on pace for 53 points before he was injured. Every year to date before this season, Edler has made leaps and bounds in his development, and for now he seems to have plateaued after dealing with nagging injuries and some confidence in his physical game. Jury's still out on Edler and he has more than enough time to rebound... he's only 27 which isn't even in the prime age range for above average/really good NHL defencemen. You can't compare every player to each other because all players develop at different levels. It's easy to be a critic when you use hindsight, but try thinking back to when these deals happened and just try to think what you would have done different in the context of trying to improve the hockey team. Some people just don't get it, and that's fine. It's why the people who do get it are in the positions they are not giving a damn about critics with little to no relevant knowledge or experience. Don't hate on me for playing devil's advocate, I just call it as I see it. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, expect Gillis to be here for at least the next 5 to 7 years.
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The Wolf of Wall Street: 10 out of 10
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I think more of a realistic expectation for Bo to reach is that of a Brassard/Dubinsky type player, hopefully without the injury issues. If Bo is healthy, I can see him reaching his potential in 3-4 seasons. He might have a Kesler/Bergeron level to him because of his elite defensive abilities, but I generally see him topping out at 40-50 points a season, but playing a strong 2 way game which is just fine with me. He does really seem like a "Torts kind of player"
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2-0 Islanders. Okposo and Grabner with the goals. Lack plays great stopping 33 of 35 shots, while the Islanders 'tender stops all 22 of 22 shots on net. And just because we're completely cursed, Booth aggravates what was a minor injury from blocking a shot on Saturday and requires surgery for a broken metatarsal
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[Trade] Canucks Trade Luongo to the Panthers
VanGnome replied to Alex the Great's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
It definitely takes more skill to trade (Gillis) a 35 year old Luongo with said contract than it is to trade for a 27 year old Luongo entering the prime of his career (Nonis). I'm nothing but stoked because of this trade, it opens the door to a lot more options, and namely serves as a big middle finger to Shero and Sutter. -
[Trade] Canucks Trade Luongo to the Panthers
VanGnome replied to Alex the Great's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Gillis goes back to targeting players with "character" I'm pretty stoked about this trade, Luongo was beyond done. Schneider was moved last year due to the off ice issues between he and Kesler, and Luongo couldn't have been moved last year as he had no value. I like the fact that we're getting younger, and more exciting of a team to watch... finally waking up from the AV Slumber Party. -
PHI R. Kesler A. Edler J. Schroeder VAN V. Lecavalier B. Schenn M. Read L. Schenn 2014 1st 2015 1st Kesler, Schroeder = Lecavalier, Schenn, 1st Edler = L. Schenn, M. Read, 1st Sedin - Sedin - Read Burrows - Schenn - Kassian Higgins - Lecavalier - Hansen Booth - Richardson - Archibald Hamhuis - Bieksa Garrison - Tanev Stanton - Schenn Luongo Lack The cap works, and I like the outlook of the team moving forward
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What I don't understand is this: Why is everyone so tunnel visioned? Why is everyone so hell bent on a center return that can effectively do what Kesler does, just a younger version? Why couldn't MG swing a trade for a scoring center without an elite shutdown capability (Say B. Schenn) then focus his efforts on acquiring an elite 3C for the top line shutdown role? Gaunce and Horvat aside who can play the wing, what we need is offence, and if B. Schenn can provide a good young scoring 2nd line, then I say we leave the focus of shutting down the opposing teams top lines to the 3rd and 4th lines (ie acquire reliable depth to have an elite 3rd line and a normal 3rd line). Maybe I'm just really tired, but I don't think Kesler HAS to return EVERYTHING we need to rebuild this team, if between Kesler and Edler we notch enough of a return to retool on the fly and remain competitive, then it's a win in my books. I liked the analogy earlier about the big box being frisbees instead of the millenium falcon, I can totally see that happening here.
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An eventual return of B Schenn, Mezaros, Pouliot, 2 1sts and a 3rd for Kesler, and Edler would be pretty good imo. Mez is a shot blocking machine, B Schenn projects to be our Hank replacement down the road, and Pouliot is a can't miss prospect. Add to that 2 late firsts which end up more or less being 2nd round picks which could be used for help elsewhere to potentially move up. All in all I would be okay with that return.
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TRR, I don't think that word means what you think it does. As another pointer previously pointed out, but for your sake here: That said, the Aquilini's strike me as the slippery backstabby type: Aquilini vs Galardi in the ownership dispute some time back. I can potentially envision a scenario in which FA meets with Kesler's agent telling him not to waive, yet giving the green light to MG to trade him. Effectively setting him up for failure as the final nail in his coffin as he's let go upon the conclusion of the season and a new GM is brought in previous to the draft to help restructure the team. Someone like Darcy Regier, while kind of screwed the pooch near the end of his reign, had some very solid years in the Buffalo front office. Or maybe I've just been watching too much drama TV with the wife, who knows.
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I think it touches on all points rather evenly; they maintain veteran leadership, solidify their T4, get potential youth back and get stronger not just now, but for the next 4-5 years. Canucks get younger and more skilled, still maintain a decent veteran leadership core. Let's face it, Gaborik is nearing his end as a premiere sniper in the league, and the Blue Jackets are close to not just making the playoffs again, but aren't far from assembling a good team to make a dent in the playoffs. While they give up Johansen and Jenner now, they maintain Kesler, Dubinsky, Anisimov and Letestu which isn't anything to sneeze at, while Johansen's value yes is high, I think it's artificially so *right* now. We've seen all too often a young player "break out" yet have a let down subsequently, yet I'm willing to take the risk, given the current state of the team right now. IMO for the Blue Jacket's fan base, I think they have to make a serious push at making the playoffs and receiving some results and as much as Johansen can be the anchor for that team eventually, I'm not sure they can wait 5 years until he becomes a bonafide star in the league.
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Missed a couple of edits apparently, the two firsts, are basically to even out the fact that we'd be getting two very very good YOUNG centers, one of which is conditional on Kesler walking as a UFA. If he re-signs, we keep our 2016 pick; it's meant as a cost certainty measure for CBJ to mitigate the risk of giving up both Johansen AND Jenner. so it effectively could be as basic as swapping our pick this year (potential top 10) in a weak draft for a mid round pick (potentially higher if things go sideways) in a deep draft, while keeping our own 2015 pick. I like the idea of picking up Umberger as his remaining term aligns nicely with the new Sedin term, and playing on their line I can see him equating to a 60+ point player (he flirted with the 60pt mark 4 and 5 seasons ago).
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At the deadline, assuming all players agree to waive their respective clauses: CBJ R. Kesler A. Edler 1st 2014 1st 2016 (Conditional, CBJ receives if Kesler walks as UFA) VAN R. Umberger R. Johansen B. Jenner 1st 2015 The only way the numbers work is if the Canucks retain 50% of Kesler's salary for the duration of his contract. CBJ getting Kesler @ 50% = Johansen straight up, and Edler = Umberger, Jenner and 1st (Roster player, prospect, pick). Canucks this year: Sedin - Sedin - Umberger Higgins - Johansen - Kassian Burrows - Jenner - Hansen Booth - Richardson - Lain Hamhuis - Tanev Garrison - Bieksa Stanton - Diaz Luongo Lack This maximizes Kesler's value, we lose the intangibles be brings but add youth, skill and size, not to mention still being competitive. Once Booth falls off, Shinkaruk should be ready, along with Gaunce/Horvat to make the club. Conversely, looking @ CBJ's top 9, and top 6 Gaborik - Kesler - Horton Foligno - Dubinsky - Atkinson Comeau - Anisimov - Letstu Edler - Wisniewski Johnson - Murray Tyutin - Nikitin Bobrovsky Vancouver trades elite players in their prime needing a fresh start to CBJ for youth and skill, along with some veteran presence to help out the young guys.
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I think it's worth considering that perhaps in Kesler's eyes, being stuck behind Henrik for the 1C position for another 4 years is less than palpable. Kesler is poised to be the team's go to guy, much like he was for USA in the Olympics. He got a taste of it, and at 29 is in the prime of his career, imo Kesler needs a change of scenery, not because he dislikes it here, but because he feels he's put in his dues and so long as the Sedin's are here he won't be "the guy". It's his turn to own the spotlight and the Canucks need to capitalize.
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What you're missing the point on, is that if not for the Sedin's and their perennial 80 point campaigns (this year is not the norm) Kesler would be the 1C on this club. I can think of about 20 teams in the league, roughly speaking in which Kesler would be the 1st line center, so therefore if Gillis is asking for a younger 2nd line center in exchange for a slightly older 1st line caliber centerman with a Selke to his list of achievements, then I say Gillis is setting the bar high, so as to leverage other deals by comparison to get a better breadth of return. IE, Team A and B are interested, both have 2C's in the 23-25 year old range, but one is not willing to give him up, or neither are but one team is willing to give higher end prospects. Gillis could also very easily use these demands to parlay the above scenario, while then turning around and trading Edler for the 2C that he is "demanding" from a Kesler trade.
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I find it incredibly ironic, with the sense of timing of Kesler's "day to day" status. It's a giant coincidence, but this could give the Canucks the flexibility and plausible deniability on working a deal for Kesler, thereby keeping his stock high. I'm sure it will give the conspiracy theorist nuts a fit, leading up to the trade deadline lol