Going Forward From Today, Who's In Better Shape... Vancouver Or Chicago?

[Deets]

Maybe if we purposely throw all of our games at the end of next season like Chicago did in 07 we can get #1 draft pick for 2014

[tocnhockey]

Toews, Kane, Shaw and Kruger make up of most of those 88 goals. Toews and Kane at 23 already have 2 straight years of declining point production. Toews can be explained away with concussion this year, not Kane. They have no goalie, and their D relies too much on Keith and Seabrook. Their salary cap structure is handicapped by their big 5. Even if these young prospects develop to super stars, they will have to go, or the Hawks will have to make a compromise somewhere.

However, I don't think the bench mark should be Chicago any more. It is these big tight checking teams with elite goalies.

[Canucklehead420]

Chicago they have Toews and Kane. Nucks have Sedins whose points totals are way down this year. They have a couple years left at best. Canucks window closing quickly they already sent Cody packing and wait and see what he does next year.Nucks now relying heavily on Rodin, Schroeder and Jensen developement heavily.

[D-Money]

Toews, Kane, Shaw and Kruger make up of most of those 88 goals. Toews and Kane at 23 already have 2 straight years of declining point production. Toews can be explained away with concussion this year, not Kane. They have no goalie, and their D relies too much on Keith and Seabrook. Their salary cap structure is handicapped by their big 5. Even if these young prospects develop to super stars, they will have to go, or the Hawks will have to make a compromise somewhere.

However, I don't think the bench mark should be Chicago any more. It is these big tight checking teams with elite goalies.

[oldnews]

The Canucks average age is 27.9 - the Hawks is 27.5.

The Canucks have one player nearing retirement and Sami is still a beast. The Sedins are 31 - just reached their prime the past two years.

The Canucks have balance throughout their lineup great goaltending, a deep, talented blueline, and a lot of depth at every forward position.

Kassian, Jensen, Schroeder, Tanev, Connauton, Gragnani, and Lack give the Canucks strong prospects at every position.

The Canucks have everything they need to continue to contend, and a lot of assets to use if they want to tweek.

Chicago's core is over-rated, overpaid (over 35 million in cap tied up in 6 players), and declining despite their youth.

Their best player is 33 and just suffered a career-threatening injury and their little head-hunter defenseman is now in the repeat offender category.

Kane is a headcase, Toews is an ego case, their top-d pair was better two years ago - beyond them their blueline is very unimpressive, their goaltending is average, and they lack size and grit...

Their "prospect" pool? Wasn't Andrew Shaw their best prospect this year? Wow, how intimidating.... Is he the core of their big future? ppppfffffftttttt.

They need a lot of pieces. They will struggle once again to contend for a playoff spot next year. Two straight years of barely making it in, two straight years of early exits.

Welcome to the third tier in the Western Conference Chicago.