BananaMash

One of them is NHL ready, the other is not. Dahlen will likely take over Loui's role on that line when he's ready for the show, because he plays a tenacious puck retrieval style. But, he showed in training camp that he's not there yet. Our six million dollar man will make a fine stand-in for a year or two until Dahlen is ready to make that jump.

You don't understand. Other teams don't want to claim random AHL depth players off waivers unless those random AHL depth players come from the mighty powerhouse that is the Vancouver Canucks. Every player we waive is at high risk because the league knows we are a beastly team and even our AHL depth pieces are potential top 6 forwards or top 4 defensemen. Every. Player. Is. A. Target.

I'm not sure how I'm being unfair to him by saying he's really good at the role he's brought in to play. He's a fantastic piece of depth who is always nipping at the heels of the bottom pairing guys. I prefer him over MDZ and Pouliot in general, but he shouldn't be a full time NHLer on a roster with acceptable defense. He should be a 7th guy who fills in for injury or when someone is playing like garbage. 30-40 games a year sorta guy. I like his ability to play 4th line forward and not look like trash too. That's always good to have in a reserve player like him.

Biega is definitely a good 7/8. Dude can sit for weeks and play like he hasn't missed a game. His best isn't that great, but he's consistent due to the effort. It's a great utility to have when he's not forced to play a lot.

I have a feeling that's what's going on too. They played him in a game with the lowest quality of competition, which seems like a bit of a safety net as far as avoiding future injuries. He traveled with the team, probably got to practice and skate with them for extra work to get that conditioning back up.

It's pretty cool to watch him adjust his game and be able to actually see the trial/error. He's such a ridiculously smart player, it's wild.

It seemed very much to me like he was just trying to figure out the spacing and lanes on a smaller ice surface, when he was looking sorta awkward at times. I imagine that's something that wont take too long to get over.

Wasn't overly impressed with his game, think he was having to adjust to the smaller ice surface and having a bit of trouble with it on and off. That being said, the glimpses he did show were really fun to watch. He sees the ice well, his passing is amazing, the shot is great, and he's just a really smart player in general. I'm excited to see what he does once he's a little more comfortable, and playing against more NHL-calibre players. I think it'll be a bit of a slow process with him at the start of the year, but once he gets going he's gonna be hard to stop.

That's the weakest apology lmao

I guess agree to disagree. I always thought it would be fun to have a different alternate every year or two, as long as the mainstay jerseys don't get messed around with.

I mean, that's kinda the whole point of third jerseys to begin with, no? It's fun to have some different things though.

Honestly, the actual story is basically just as horrifying because I was a huge baby with wiiiiiide shoulders.

Hahaha. All I'm saying, is in the gym I could overhead press this kid, or bench him for warmup. That being said, his talent level sounds filthy. Love it as a late round lottery ticket.

Okay this one is actually pretty smol. Cute.

lmao wat

I personally love this pick.

I was born 6'2" and I haven't grown since. Growing/gaining weight is just part of the liberal agenda and I don't personally believe in it.

I was pulling for Dobson, but I had also assumed that Hughes was going to be gone before our pick. I really like the potential he has. Could be a total game breaker.

Honestly, if he even becomes 75% of what his dad was, this will be a great pick. John Madden is one of the most underrated defensive centers of all time. The guy was an absolute workhorse and was huge for the teams he played on. It's really encouraging to hear that he has some of the same attributes that his dad did, to me.

Malik had that one sick shootout goal with the Rangers that one time, therefor we should have drafted someone as big, if not bigger, than him.

He's going the NCAA route, lots of gym time to gain weight when you go through college. Don't worry about his size yet. It's a very long term pick. I like the skill set he has though.

From what I've seen of him, he reminds me of a more physical Tanev. Plays smart in his own end, soft on points because he's usually "the third assist" with good outlet passes. He actually plays the body, though, which is a really nice trait to have.

Random confession: I used to be pretty obese. I'm quite fit now, and spend most of my free time lifting weights. None of my friends, who are also insanely active people, know that from 16-18 years old I was like 325lbs (I'm 6'2" so it wasn't the worst, but still). One of them saw a picture once, and asked me how come they've never met my "heavier brother'