Forsy

If {BPA is an Impact Player}, then take BPA Else {take BPA with organization position need in mind} You can't trade the BPA picks, but you can trade Impact Players for organizational need. Having a bunch of prospects that fill a need will just mean we have a bunch of Juolevi's and #5/6 Dman that get us nowhere. That said, you could find Rathbone-like picks outside of the first round. Good scouting and getting a bunch of Top4 dmen outside of lottery picks is probably the best way to improve our Dman stock without sacrificing Impact Players while maintaining organization needs.

Eliod Kipchoge just smashed the marathon record again at 37. I think we're at the point where the physical peak may be 25, but: i) the decrease in potential fitness is actually a fairly slow process, especially when the sport doesn't have competitors impacting each other. Most "old" athletes probably retire more because of injuries rather than the loss of fitness and mental game ii) figuring things out like training, recovery, tactics/game sense usually takes a bit longer, so you can remain competitive at the top level until 35-40ish So you'll get a bunch of older athletes who are slightly worse physical, but better mentally thus remaining competitive. Of course, once the young ones start figuring everything out early enough and instead of simply racing and playing, we could see early-mid 20 year olds dominating everything (see cycling's Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel)

yep losing Tanev to gain only 1M of cap space for Hamonic was idiotic

Why couldn't we be down two key defensemen and only need 1 more? The key is the game sense of these dmen to prevent chances, retrieve pucks/takeaways and d-zone exits. You don't need superstar dmen to do that, especially when our goal isn't to win the cup this year, but simply to make the playoffs. This group can already do that, the key is that the systems, the forward support and the ability to read the play by these dmen. Whoever cannot read the play to this required level should be traded, regardless of "how good in defense they are". The points from Hughes/OEL/Others will be sufficient anyway, what we don't want are blind, guessing about the play "defensive dmen".

I've been chirping for years about the defense being weak, but I believe that the bare minimum required is already in place. The big issue is that the systems and reads/anticipation have to be better. Hughes and this year, OEL should be more than enough to drive the play. Myers, Schenn, etc fine for rounding out the 4th/5th/6th dmen is 'ok'. The big failure last year was not having someone like a Tanev in the D-corps, or having another dynamic dman like we HOPE Rathbone will be. Even the best teams DO NOT rely on amazing defensive plays night in and night out (until deep in the playoffs). The issues will arise when the team does not prevent chances, retrieve pucks efficiently or do not have clean defensive zone exits. This requires the entire D to be smart (and the forwards to help out in support of course). Overall, I think if Rathbone pans out as a dynamic offensive defenseman, we will be in good shape. If Rathbone struggles, we will continue to struggle but will do fine, if: Tyler Myers cleans up defensively and zone exits. OEL maintains everything, but has a tiny improvement on offense. Hughes, Schenn and the rest of the D remain the same as last year. Everything is about this D-corps reading plays well and anticipating to the best of their ability. They will prevent chances, retrieve pucks on time, and have good zone exits. We saw it at the tail end of last year, and they can do it again. Don't think that some teams do not struggle with this. Both Tampa and Colorado, with their vaunted ultra d-corps' were both hemmed in their Dzone at times during the playoffs, and struggled to get out. It's a constant battle, and some teams simply show more consistency.

thought you were just REALLY ANGRY at the vegas golden knights :D

That really covers everything, and with some overlap to ensure all the players get the treatment needed. Only thing I could think of to add would be nutritionist and chefs. Is nutrition part of the wellness specialist or altogether separate from the Medical Division?

What is Adidas thinking lol they need to free up capital for a better investment? NHL Hockey is continuing to grow, it's a no brainer

you hit the nail on the head. Everyone is making it seem like these decisions are clear cut when they are not. Miller at the wrong price, term, injury or points fall off would be bad, but Miller with a decent price, term, minimal injury and minimal points fall off would be an asset. Imagine trying to OBTAIN a miller when we are contenders. You don't find them without massive overpayment, period.

Same, when it was not even 50c/share, and I knew that the Apple Ipod was coming out soon to take control of the mp3 market lol

Whoever doesn't perform to the highest level expected during the next season. Making a decision now is like taking a shot in the dark for no reason

When complaining about bad things gets so boring that we have to complain about the good things.

The other side has to agree to these trades. That's been the problem this whole time. For me, I just don't get why we didn't get Marino if the Penguins were asking for the equivalent of a Ty Smith and a 3rd Rd Pick, even if we kept JT Miller. If the management aren't too keen on Marino, that's fine - otherwise, this was a huge missed opportunity.

Ugh, can't believe we couldn't have packaged something better than this for Marino?

It's an issue for the Canucks because the media and fans here whine about it a lot!

Watching the cup final, it seemed to me that even the defense of the lightning and the avalanche, at times, looked exactly like the canucks in 2011 against the bruins, or the canucks being hemmed in their zone for the last few years. The same things happened to both avalanche and lightning defense for minutes and periods at a time. I believe the biggest takeaway is that good team systems have to be in place, that defensemen have to be able to find open players to pass to and they must be able to make passing or scoring opportunity plays from the D-Zone, Neutral Zone and when on the Attack. Soft pokes to get the puck out, random bouncing of the puck off of the boards, and passing for the sake of passing never got the two elite teams out of trouble. When the opposing team had their forecheck timed correctly and unrelenting - neither "elite d-corps" could do anything about it. What got both of these teams out of trouble was the ability to make plays that forced their opponents to defend. This required good d-men, but also good systems. This of course, is improved with better skilled and elite d-men, but I think our lack of support systems and unwillingness to allow players to make plays are more to blame than any inherent lack of skill. Everyone would love to add a Top2/3/4 dman here, but if they miss the playoffs this year, the lack of acquiring a top dman will NOT be the reason.

would be interesting to see the stats on fo win% when behind or tied.

Yea, I don't get how these guys just don't figure out that if I'm not working out in the NHL, work on everything (every aspect). It's not like he lives in a bubble, I'm sure all the coaches and players around him are providing this advice at some form or another. Probably some personal issues going on? Either way, glad to see him get back into it!

you forgot that they would definitely require that Raymond be in it also

So you want people to blowing with their mouths instead of sucking, right? But honestly, it's two games after the depression of the first 25 games. Let the peeps build up excitement and they'll cheer for the hits again

Just goes to show that ability to adapt to opposition and adding skills to your game is the key ingredient for player success. Seeing early potential/skill, strong attributes, and even high rookie points can all dry up once the opposition figures out how to shut you down. But anyone smart enough to add tools to their repertoire will reach their actual/potential ceiling (instead of simply seeing glimpses of it).

low key mentioned this was my first observation. I liked Green, but the nonsense from years of Desjardins and Green was an endless stream of free exits for the enemy team. AV at least mixed it up a lot, but was also subject to this issue. That said, let's evaluate after 10-20 games - just changing can bring early wins, but if they get figured out again, they will be shutdown again. The key is whether the change is sustainable and that means being dynamic and unpredictable.

someone needs to a light an F-bomb fire under these guys, why not? :D

LOL, I'm amazed that someone wrote a post that would have had 95%+ of the words I was gonna use (and in the same order)

tbh, I'd say screw Demers. But I agree about Chiasson, unfortunately he doesn't seem to be signed.