Have you changed your mind on this season? (Discussion)

[J.I.A.H.N]

With 18 teams being within 2 points of the Canucks as we speak, it underlines exactly, how the new NHL's parity has changed the dynamics and power structure of the NHL.

 

There is now a far greater chance that the addition of a top end player or that an injury to a top line player can elevate or derail a playoff team, and how hard it is to recover or make up a lost 2 points in the standings, with that said how does Benning proceed through this year?

 

At the beginning of the season, I was pushing a full on tank for one more season, but having enjoyed the first quarter of the season so much, I admit, I am a little iffy on  moving a ton of veterans.........

 

This leads me to my poll and asking my fellow CDCers, for your opinions and comments........

 

My efforts are truly not intended to be on one side of the "Tank" discussion or not, but to see if you are still committed to change, or have swayed a little.

 

Personally, I am a little confused, as to how much, Benning should toil with his current lineup, as it seems to be somewhat resilient. I would suppose, we should wait a while, as there is time, before making any rash decisions........but I am curious of your opinions............

 

The poll reflects some of my confusion............

[FijianCanuck]

A simple 5 game losing stream could derail us. As long as the kids are playing I'm happy. 

[J.I.A.H.N]

I have to admit, I am not as certain about moving vets, as I was at the beginning of the season, and am not sure, I really want to move a goalie, but we will have to do some thing, or we will be letting players walk... for nothing.........but I am not as sure what moves should be made.

 

Certainly, we know the Sedin's are not going to be traded

And I highly doubt Eriksson gets moved

 

Hey, I have been quite certain of the moves Benning needs to make up until now, but these guys are making it harder!

 

 

[Jester13]

The team is exciting to watch pretty well every game, and I feel like they could win every night. I didn't have high expectations at the start of the season, and I still don't, really, but I'd be very happy if they continue the trajection they're currently on. The rebuild is quickly getting close to being done. I think we can contend in 2 years. 

 

I'll be ok with moves JB feels he should make or not make. Whatever he and co are doing, I think they should continue and that fans should put more trust in them. We have so much promise for the future. 

[-AJ-]

1. Yes, I predicted that we'd finish 5th last this year (27th); so far, it's looking like we'll be more like 20th or so. A positive change.

 

2. Yes he should resign the Sedins, or rather, the Sedins should resign. However, I don't think he should re-sign the Sedins.

 

3. I don't think that all vets should be moved at the deadline. Veteran presence is valuable on a rebuilding team, even just a bit.

[JM_]

Our season boils down to 12 games imo, starting with the Calgary game last night. 10/12 on the road, one divisional trip and one long eastern trip. If the team lays an egg on this stretch given how tight things are I think it will be just too hard to claw our way back up. We'll be close, but its just too big a hill to climb in the west if you're even 4-6 points off the wildcard by US thanksgiving (a date a lot of other CDCr's have noted).

 

But regardless, if there is a hockey trade to be made almost no one is off the table on the veteran side. I'd really only be concerned with protecting players 25 years old and under at this point. 

[aGENT]

The same thing I've said the last few years. If the things go well, we're a bubble team, if they don't we're a top 10 draft pick team. Biggest difference this year is that we have more/better depth to absorb injuries to remain closer to the 'bubble' end of that spectrum (so far).

 

Gordie love them and what they've done for and meant to the franchise, but no, the Sedins should retire and be honoured appropriately for the G.D. warriors they are.

 

Be honest with where we are as an org and yes, we move vets so long as the opportunity is there and the price is worthwhile.

 

For sure Vanek should be gone to a contender. We can call up any number of kids to fill that spot and realistically already have too many forwards anyways if we're healthy.

 

Beyond that, Burmistrov and Wiercioch should also be shopped but neither has overwhelming value that they MUST be moved.

 

Gudbranson only if he looks like he won't re-sign. Edler could be moved (if he waives) but that could also be next (2019) TDL as well. Depending on what we get back and how kids are progressing, both Hutton and Baer are certainly a possibilities to move, though they could just as easily remain as well.

[spook007]

20 minutes ago, janisahockeynut said:

With 18 teams being within 2 points of the Canucks as we speak, it underlines exactly, how the new NHL's parity has changed the dynamics and power structure of the NHL.

 

There is now a far greater chance that the addition of a top end player or that an injury to a top line player can elevate or derail a playoff team, and how hard it is to recover or make up a lost 2 points in the standings, with that said how does Benning proceed through this year?

 

At the beginning of the season, I was pushing a full on tank for one more season, but having enjoyed the first quarter of the season so much, I admit, I am a little iffy on  moving a ton of veterans.........

 

This leads me to my poll and asking my fellow CDCers, for your opinions and comments........

 

My efforts are truly not intended to be on one side of the "Tank" discussion or not, but to see if you are still committed to change, or have swayed a little.

 

Personally, I am a little confused, as to how much, Benning should toil with his current lineup, as it seems to be somewhat resilient. I would suppose, we should wait a while, as there is time, before making any rash decisions........but I am curious of your opinions............

 

The poll reflects some of my confusion............

Good post Jan. 

Feel exactly the same.

I was never a tanker, but thought it would be beneficial to the future to trade some of the vets at deadline if possible.

However I'm no longer so sure. I quite like Vanek, and Burmistrov has been fine too. Thought it would be fine to let Gagner go, but with his contract thats not likely to happen, so I'm a little on the fence here. 

The thing is the better the vets play, the more likely it is we will get a decent return for them, so either way I feel its a win/win at the moment. Still some way to go though before decisions are going to be made.

[JM_]

4 minutes ago, aGENT said:

dler could be moved (if he waives) but that could also be next (2019) TDL as well. Depending on what we get back and how kids are progressing, both Hutton and Baer are certainly a possibilities to move as well though they could just as easily remain as well.

Edler may be interested in playing with Backstrom in Washington, and he'd be a good fit for them for their playoff run. 

[J.I.A.H.N]

2 minutes ago, spook007 said:

Good post Jan. 

Feel exactly the same.

I was never a tanker, but thought it would be beneficial to the future to trade some of the vets at deadline if possible.

However I'm no longer so sure. I quite like Vanek, and Burmistrov has been fine too. Thought it would be fine to let Gagner go, but with his contract thats not likely to happen, so I'm a little on the fence here. 

The thing is the better the vets play, the more likely it is we will get a decent return for them, so either way I feel its a win/win at the moment. Still some way to go though before decisions are going to be made.

Pretty much this!

[Canuck Surfer]

I like your more positive outlook @janisahockeynut

 

Personally I am enjoying that we are playing better. Attacking the game! Attacking the puck. Counterpunching straight up ice when we get the puck. Did you see Jakes rush tonight?  Did not score, but... Attacking the net. Boeser and Baertschi creating chances just shooting. Plus Brock's shot is deadly, MOFO. LOL, Dorsett 7 goals and two shorties!!!   

 

Cant say sell at all costs at the deadline. Although I understand the emotion. Definitely not suggesting we should be buyers. Back the team if we're in it! Sell if we're not.

 

 

[aGENT]

Just now, Jimmy McGill said:

Edler may be interested in playing with Backstrom in Washington, and he'd be a good fit for them for their playoff run. 

He'd be a good fit on a few teams... WAS, TBL etc, etc

 

All depends on how much Benning wants to move him, how receptive to that he'd be, how much a shot at a cup vs staying in a city/team he clearly enjoys...

[JM_]

4 minutes ago, aGENT said:

He'd be a good fit on a few teams... WAS, TBL etc, etc

 

All depends on how much Benning wants to move him, how receptive to that he'd be, how much a shot at a cup vs staying in a city/team he clearly enjoys...

I'm thinking Backstrom might be key to a move tho, they know each other from international play so Edler can get an inside opinion on the team, and Nick can help sell him to Washington. The Caps also need someone sooner than later, I think with Edler stabilizing things on the 2nd pairing they are playoff bound for sure. 

[aGENT]

4 minutes ago, Canuck Surfer said:

Cant say sell at all costs at the deadline. Although I understand the emotion. Definitely not suggesting we should be buyers. Back the team if we're in it! Sell if we're not.

IMO, we sell obvious guys at the TDL whether we're in the playoffs or not. We have to be honest about where this franchise is and a guy like Vanek doesn't make enough of a difference to us in the playoffs (if we even make them) to warrant not getting a 2nd or 3rd or whatever for him for a team rebuilding that needs to keep restocking.

[JM_]

Just now, aGENT said:

IMO, we sell obvious guys at the TDL whether we're in the playoffs or not. We have to be honest about where this franchise is and a guy like Vanek doesn't make enough of a difference to us in the playoffs (if we even make them) to warrant not getting a 2nd or 3rd or whatever for him for a team rebuilding that needs to keep restocking.

if we get a 2nd for Vanek I'm PM you a coupon for a beer. 

[aGENT]

3 minutes ago, Jimmy McGill said:

I'm thinking Backstrom might be key to a move tho, they know each other from international play so Edler can get an inside opinion on the team, and Nick can help sell him to Washington. 

You'd think fellow countrymen Hedman, Stralman, Ohlund, Salo etc could convince him of the merits of TBL too?

[spook007]

1 minute ago, Jimmy McGill said:

if we get a 2nd for Vanek I'm PM you a coupon for a beer. 

 You never know. If he goes on a tear and start scoring for fun, he might just be what the doctor ordered for a few contenders. Cheap and short contract is very enticing...

[aGENT]

3 minutes ago, Jimmy McGill said:

if we get a 2nd for Vanek I'm PM you a coupon for a beer. 

It'd be a late 2nd, so not completely out of the question, but he'd have to continue having a pretty darn good year. His contract sure helps. Might have to throw in a Subban or something to get it done but it's really not that much of a stretch IMO.

 

2nd to 3rd should be the ballpark.

[Alflives]

Excellent poll OP.

I definitely changed my opinion about how much better the team is playing than I expected.  The best part though, is the younger players are the ones making the biggest difference.  The older guys, even Vanek who scored last game, are playing less minutes than they are used to.  I still believe that we need one more elite player (hopefully a dman) in our prospects before we move up too much in the standings.  However, with Benning's success in the second round of the draft and later, maybe he gets us another elite guy, no matter where he picks?

[ForsbergTheGreat]

No, my opinion has stayed the same, i've been enjoying the ride and love hearing outside media talk about shocking our start of the year has been but honestly I don't think it's maintainable.  Dorsett is on pace for a 40 goal season, as fun as it's been I have zero expectations he can keep it up.

 

This season has had a strange start, 4 points separates 21 teams. it's so close right now and one small blimp could have a team go from top 5 to bottom 5 in less than a week. As good as we've been playing we haven't really made any ground on the other teams (which many teams people believe have underachieved so far).  As the year drags on the competition is only going to ramp up and we will need some career years if we want to remain in the playoff talk.

 

Our goals shouldn't change.  Long term plans are more important than short term ones, players we don't expect to resign and aren't in our long term plans should be moved.  A few playoffs games shouldn't over take potential long term success.