DIBdaQUIB

All by himself? or do you mean the Oilers?

He chose big minutes now instead of earning his time/place.

Problem is, the Oilers while "growing" have been throwing their young stars onto the ice in scenarios that have seen them get injured because they were not yet strong enough or experienced enough to handle it. Both Taylor Hall and RNH have been treated this way. Edmonton doesn't have the depth to bring these guys along under the shelter of vets. It's kind of sink or swim. SChultz may excel and grow with the team, or he may lose confidence or have a career shortening injury. It's a bit more of a gamble, they path he has chosen.

Easy in that he went wher he gets guaranteed top minutes without having earned them or learned his trade at the NHL level. Lots of young "stars" that get rushed to the NHL, suffer by being put in positions they are not yet ready for. It's a big leap playing against 220lb+ NHL forwards versus college kids. HE is not big physically and in a top 2 or 4 role could find himself struggling big time to cope.

If Lidstrom had taken the approach Schultz did, he wouldn't have put in his time with Detroit and likely would not have won the cups or individual awards he did. Can't help but think the kid took the short-cut to fame and fortune and may have been better served learning his trade for a couple years before going for reaching for the brass ring. Time will tell.

Do you know what people are referring to when they talk about a "top 4 D-man"?!!! If Alberts and Rome were the best 2 D we had, they would get top 4 minutes and be onteh PP. Does that make them top 4 D men when discussing talent? No, it does not. Every team has 4 D men that get the top minutes. The caliber of those players varies greatly. Edmonton now has 1 maybe 2 D-men that fit the description of what a contending team would consider top 4. One of those has yet to play a game in the NHL.

...and more importantly, have shown a willingness to spend it, unlike Mr. Drugstore in Edmonton.

1. yes...because the "committed" owner threatened to move the team if the taxpayer didn't build them one. 2. Every team has 4 top defencemen or they would only have a bottom 2!! The caliber is the question. Edmonton have no top caliber D. Schultz will be their "Weber". 3. Dubnyk will be a middle of the pack goalie his entire career. Cory has already played more pressure-packed games than Dub and has shown he will be a top tier goalie. 4. What's your point? Revolving coaches is still a fact. 5. Having wealth doesn't mean you're willing ot spend it...quite often it is the opposite. Despite the Oiler's horrible performance the last few years, has the owner gone to FA to try and attract seasoned, quality players to improve the team? No...he has relied on placing last to draft through the lottery. 6. Ask Chicago about FA and the impact on a team that plans short-term for a cup run. It sure dos make a difference how you structure your team with "stars" mid-range and support staff.

Haven't followed him but glad to hear this. MG would have surely had this kid in mind when thinking of what he was willing to offer Schultz. Connauton has paid his dues and deserves a chance to make the club ahead of Schultz.

Yeah, but I kinda like his daughter!

WIth an arena that is falling apart, no quality D (except a skinny kid who has never played a game in the NHL), an unproven goalie, a revolving door of coaches, an ownership group that doesn't like to spend money and a core group who will all be hitting FA expecting major raises at the same time....sure looks like Edmonton has all their ducks in a row, alright.

Could be a blessing. Garrison will be goiung FA route. He has been very clear that he would love to play in Vancouver and that it isn't all about finances but it has to be the "right fit". Expectations are he will be offered $5M +/-. IF the Nucks woo him, he might give them a hometown discount. Let's say $4.25-$4.5M. Schultz had the potential to make $3.875M. Garrison is bigger, stronger, meaner and has offensive upside. He's ready NOW for a top 4 role and could play alongside Edler and likely do PP time as well. MG has made room dropping Grags and Rome and with Salo coming in at <$2M, Garrison should be a definite target. MG may have already been leaning this eay which is why he was not willing to assure the Schultz kid of anything but a fair chance to earnhis spot.

Sorry to hear of your loss. A good family friend just passed away this last week who was also a truly dedicated fan. At her memorial service, her Canuck's jerseys were proudly displayed for all to see. The priest spoke of her love of the Nucks as did her family during the Eulogy. My dad (now 85) has been a Canuck's fan since they entered the league. He has lived in Kelowna since the war and until recent health problems atteneded everty Bucakroo, Packer and Rockets game held. He got to watch my brother play junior and the Rockets with the Memorial Cup on home ice in Kelowna. IT would be a dream come true for him to see the Canucsk win the cup. Hopoefully the boys can get it done for themselves and all their fans past and present.

Good read. I agree Kesler is frustrtated. He has chemistry with Hansen, Tamby and Shirokov but gets stuck with the king of perimeter hockey - Raymond. It seems AV is more concerned with Raymond's development htan the cohesiveness and production of the 2nd line. WHat I see in the Nucks offense is predicatability and a lack of intensity/desparation. I believe this is why they are struggling to win game swwhere they do not hold the lead. THey are simply incapable of taking their energy on offense to a higher level. SOme of the young guns they have showcased, looked very good and very dangerous but were completely mis-managed by AV, again!! YOu mention Rome getting more minutes than Ballard. Classic example of AV and him playing his favorites. AV's solution to the problem of non-production on the top 6 is to double shift the top 6. THis has led to a top 6 group that looks frustrated, fatigued and ineffective. IT shows in the lack of speed in their attack, the careless passes and turnovers adn teh poor defensive zone coverage we have witnesed lately.The Nucks could inject some creativity and energy into their game with some of the prospects they have but it will never happen under AV.Cody Hodgson getting 5 minutes on the 4th line while Tanner Glass (who I really like on the 4th) gets 2nd line minutes says it all about AV's head space.