fanzone2010 Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Like all concerned fans, I've watched the team get knocked easily out of the playoffs the last two years, and nothing's happened in the off-season to suggest the team will be competitive or a contender this year again. I would hate to see the Sedin's last years be thrown away without at least an attempt to go for the holy grail again. So if the team isn't already contemplating the type of moves suggested below, I hope they can before its too late for this season, and the next. Problems: the team has too many "tweener" forwards. Too small to play physical game consistently, and not quite skilled enough to warrant not being more physical. GM talked about getting bigger, and I think the team has to do that, to be competitive in the new division, or we'll get pounded. We've also lacked a puck-carrying defensemen since Erhoff left, which was a key to the Sedin and the offensive resurgence of the team, in the glory years 2-3 years ago. Suggested changes: 1. Trade Booth & Higgins for draft picks, even if it means still carrying some of their salaries. 2. Sign Jagr to play with Sedins, Ponikarovsky or Antropov to play with Kesler and Kassian. 3. Trade for puck-carrying defensemen. (in either Booth, Higgins, or Burrows trade) Rationale: Jagr doesn't have legs and speed he once did, but his size, skill, and finish would give Sedins the first really elite winger they've ever played with. And if the team gets a puck carrying defensemen to break the trap and set up with the Sedins and Jagr in the offensive zone, they could dominate again. Neither Ponikarovsky or Antropov are particularly physical (Penner was first choice, but he's gone), but they both have size (6.4). Ponikarovsky is good in the corners, and along with Kassian they can work the corners and get pucks to Kesler, for his one-timers and wrist shot. Just the size and speed of that line would give teams trouble. These two top lines, along with a 3rd line of Gaunce, Jensen, and Hansen, would make the team, bigger, and able to come at teams in waves, particularly with an offensive defensemen to help jump start the offence. And if Horvat and Kellan Lain show reasonably well in camp, I'd love to Horvat center the fourth line, and Kellan backup Ponikarovsky and Jensen. So, the lines would be: Jagr - Sedin - Sedin Kassian - Kesler - Ponikarovsky Hansen - Gaunce - Jensen/Lain Weise - Horvat - Sistito If this approach paid off, it could give the Sedins fresh life, and the team a couple years of being competitive, and even contending again. It also gives the young players (Horvat, Shinkaruk, Jensen, Gaunce) a couple years to learn the pro game, and step into top 6 roles when the Sedins retire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckRow Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 What a mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stexx Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 "and nothing's happened in the off-season to suggest the team will be competitive or a contender this year again." so when have the canucks not been competitive in the last 5 years? If you dont think this team is "competitive" then i would suggest that you have no clue what the word means. Contenders arent made in the summer or crowned in october or february at the trade deadline (pittsburgh), contenders are made in april may and june and come in many shapes and sizes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aladeen Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Dear God NO! unless we are hoping to tank for McDavid in 2015? In which case that might be the way to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 That is possibly the most awful line up I've seen proposed so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Antropov...Poni....seriously? I am sure we could take another crack at McCabe and give Sundin $5 million more as well as possibly entice Domi into the fold out of retirement. No, no and f no Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
"Bull" Horvat Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 put this in proposals board, even though i'm not sure how long it'll last ....... not like Aquilini is that bored .. reading CDC at this time and age, speed is crucial so what if jagr's a big body? how tough was he really with the B's Booth won't be traded because MG thinks he's been unlucky with all the injuries. Higgins won't be traded because he's our "7th forward" Reason Brown said our PPs haven't been as effective was because we were lacking a RH dmen other than Bieksa, or lack of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanzone2010 Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share Posted July 17, 2013 I stand by what I wrote. The team has not really been a contender the last two seasons (knocked out easily first round) so not really competitive. Penner was my first choice by far, for second line acquisition, and he signed with Anaheim for 2 million. Getzlaf's line is going to be deadly with those three united again (Perry - Getzlaf - Penner) Ponikarovsky could be acquired cheaply (1 million) and Torts can focus him on just digging pucks and getting them to Kesler and Kassian. And if Jensen finds his game, he can step into second line. But Kesler needs big guys to do dirty work for him, not a Booth who makes rushes, but doesn't get him the puck. Key is Jagr. He didn't shine with Boston because half the time they missed his passes. His passing and finishing game is built to play with Sedins. And with puck rushing defensemen, that line could have renaissance. So size isn't his biggest attribute, its his fit with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I stand by what I wrote. The team has not really been a contender the last two seasons (knocked out easily first round) so not really competitive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I stand by what I wrote. The team has not really been a contender the last two seasons (knocked out easily first round) so not really competitive. Penner was my first choice by far, for second line acquisition, and he signed with Anaheim for 2 million. Getzlaf's line is going to be deadly with those three united again (Perry - Getzlaf - Penner) Ponikarovsky could be acquired cheaply (1 million) and Torts can focus him on just digging pucks and getting them to Kesler and Kassian. And if Jensen finds his game, he can step into second line. But Kesler needs big guys to do dirty work for him, not a Booth who makes rushes, but doesn't get him the puck. Key is Jagr. He didn't shine with Boston because half the time they missed his passes. His passing and finishing game is built to play with Sedins. And with puck rushing defensemen, that line could have renaissance. So size isn't his biggest attribute, its his fit with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanKeslord17 Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I actually like the lineup but I doubt this happens. Nobody will want Booth for any pick because of his cap hit, and Higgins is a good 3rd liner and at a pretty bargain price. We're not even sure if Gaunce or Jensen will be ready either, so that's a risk to have them both on the third line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aladeen Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 You're aware of Getzlaf's recent point totals right? I have high doubts of that line being "deadly" unless someone throws a contract extension and box of waffles in the opposing net As for not competing for the last two years. Come on really? 2 years ago we won a Presidents trophy ran into a disturbingly hot record setting goaltender and went out in 5 games with our leading scorer coming off of a concussion while Kesler never truly recovered from multiple surgeries added a chemistry experiment with Pahlsson and Booth that either didn't work or didn't have time to work. Fast forward to a lockout shortened season where players didn't have time to gel, no pre-season no team practice, no 2nd or real third line and everyone who could take a faceoff slotting in as the 2nd and 3rd line C and a coach who had shown almost three seasons running that he couldn't adapt his game plan during the game itself and couldn't motivate a fat kid to run for a piece of cake and yes...last season huge disappointment. But come on man, we are going to compete for the playoffs, we will have the same chance for a cup as always 1 in 30 to start the season and then 1 in 16 to start the playoffs, except this year no divisional cakewalk meaning a much tougher and playoff ready team, much more grittier and skilled depth than Pahlsson, Roy and bloody Raymond A coach with a penchant for making stars play to their potential and a sweet infusion of youth. I am sorry if I am a little more optimistic than to write a love letter to MG and Aqua man extoling the virtues of blowing the team up and getting rid of unknown Booth ( who was injured last year and played junior with Kesler and helped Santorelli post 20 goals) and Higgins who leaves it all on the ice and has shown time and again why he's so underrated. And of course signing Jagr to what, probably $3 million a season and then getting soft as baby sh*t Antropov and or Ponikarovsky who are bigger bodies but softer than Raymond was to slot into their places. Oh and of course managing to somehow garner a decent puck moving PP QB defenceman out of it all because they're easy to find. I am not generally attempting to berate you but come on man did you even think this out? Think about team needs, depth genuine capability and of course that oh so non existent quality on CDC hope and optimism in our team? None of this will happen. We will go into the pre-season with a few surprise additions to the tryout rosters sign maybe one or two more guys including Tanev, for depth and we will start the season finally healthy and finally deeper and more skilled than we've been since 2011 on the bottom 6. I am optimistic and will give this team 1 season to adjust before I start getting overly critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiznac Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Dear God NO! unless we are hoping to tank for McDavid in 2015? In which case that might be the way to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiznac Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 You're aware of Getzlaf's recent point totals right? I have high doubts of that line being "deadly" unless someone throws a contract extension and box of waffles in the opposing net As for not competing for the last two years. Come on really? 2 years ago we won a Presidents trophy ran into a disturbingly hot record setting goaltender and went out in 5 games with our leading scorer coming off of a concussion while Kesler never truly recovered from multiple surgeries added a chemistry experiment with Pahlsson and Booth that either didn't work or didn't have time to work. Fast forward to a lockout shortened season where players didn't have time to gel, no pre-season no team practice, no 2nd or real third line and everyone who could take a faceoff slotting in as the 2nd and 3rd line C and a coach who had shown almost three seasons running that he couldn't adapt his game plan during the game itself and couldn't motivate a fat kid to run for a piece of cake and yes...last season huge disappointment. But come on man, we are going to compete for the playoffs, we will have the same chance for a cup as always 1 in 30 to start the season and then 1 in 16 to start the playoffs, except this year no divisional cakewalk meaning a much tougher and playoff ready team, much more grittier and skilled depth than Pahlsson, Roy and bloody Raymond A coach with a penchant for making stars play to their potential and a sweet infusion of youth. I am sorry if I am a little more optimistic than to write a love letter to MG and Aqua man extoling the virtues of blowing the team up and getting rid of unknown Booth ( who was injured last year and played junior with Kesler and helped Santorelli post 20 goals) and Higgins who leaves it all on the ice and has shown time and again why he's so underrated. And of course signing Jagr to what, probably $3 million a season and then getting soft as baby sh*t Antropov and or Ponikarovsky who are bigger bodies but softer than Raymond was to slot into their places. Oh and of course managing to somehow garner a decent puck moving PP QB defenceman out of it all because they're easy to find. I am not generally attempting to berate you but come on man did you even think this out? Think about team needs, depth genuine capability and of course that oh so non existent quality on CDC hope and optimism in our team? None of this will happen. We will go into the pre-season with a few surprise additions to the tryout rosters sign maybe one or two more guys including Tanev, for depth and we will start the season finally healthy and finally deeper and more skilled than we've been since 2011 on the bottom 6. I am optimistic and will give this team 1 season to adjust before I start getting overly critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Not like the line-up at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drouin Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 is Ponikarovsky even a top-6 player? And you're basically trading away half our top-9 .. ;/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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