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umteman
PickupHockey Pro
USA
662 Posts |
 Posted - 04/08/2016 : 13:27:42
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Well even though no teams based in a Canadian city will appear in this years playoffs, take solace in the fact that the majority of the playoff teams rosters are made up of Canadians.
Did you hear about the retired proctologist? He spent 40 years saying "what's a place like this doing in a girl like you?"
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The Duke
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1239 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2016 : 05:11:57
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| We have 2 teams in next year , price will be back and Toronto will improve dramatically next season. Leafs and Habs will be the only 2 teams in the playoffs next season |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2016 : 08:53:53
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Did you say Leafs?? Ha! That's awesome.
There is a lot that has to go right for the Leafs to be anything but a bottom dweller next year. Sure, they have set the table for the opportunity this year but there is still a lot that has to happen. They have to win the lottery, they have to sign some key free agents, and they have to make more trades. All of those things have to happen before the Leafs are considered anything but a re-building team. Lots.
I would say, as hard as it is to stomach, that the Flames are the most likely Canadian team to make the playoffs. If they had consistent goal keeping they would have made it this year. Next would be the Habs, then Ottawa. The Oilers need to sign at least 2 defensemen and do that without losing offense. Even at that point, they need to be relatively healthy for a full season to have a shot. And that is a way outside shot. Next would be Winnipeg, then the Leafs, then Vancouver.
I can imagine the typical Leafs fan rant about how much better the Leafs are than the Oilers, blah, blah, blah. They were eerily similar in the GF and GA against category but I'll tell you three reasons why the Oilers are, at least at this point, more likely to be a better team than the Leafs. Firstly, regardless of what the Oilers do in the off-season, they will still have a stable core of players who have played together for a few seasons. The Leafs will be a relatively new team against next year. Secondly, although the Leafs did have the most man games lost due to injury, the Oilers ranked #2 in the most impacted by injuries. There are also some fictitious injuries in the Leafs numbers considering Horton and Robidais both missed the entire season and neither was expected to play from the start of the year. Finally, the Oilers best player was injured for 1/2 the season. He was 3rd in the NHL in PPG and him healthy for an entire year, and maybe a change or two on the back end provides the platform for an large improvement next season. Comparatively, the Leafs need a lot more help than that to become a better team.
I would not be surprised to only see 1-2 Canadian teams make the playoffs. The Leafs have to see a number of miracles to be one of those teams.
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Edited by - Beans15 on 04/11/2016 11:32:42 |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2016 : 21:51:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
Did you say Leafs?? Ha! That's awesome.
There is a lot that has to go right for the Leafs to be anything but a bottom dweller next year. Sure, they have set the table for the opportunity this year but there is still a lot that has to happen. They have to win the lottery, they have to sign some key free agents, and they have to make more trades. All of those things have to happen before the Leafs are considered anything but a re-building team. Lots.
I would say, as hard as it is to stomach, that the Flames are the most likely Canadian team to make the playoffs. If they had consistent goal keeping they would have made it this year. Next would be the Habs, then Ottawa. The Oilers need to sign at least 2 defensemen and do that without losing offense. Even at that point, they need to be relatively healthy for a full season to have a shot. And that is a way outside shot. Next would be Winnipeg, then the Leafs, then Vancouver.
I can imagine the typical Leafs fan rant about how much better the Leafs are than the Oilers, blah, blah, blah. They were eerily similar in the GF and GA against category but I'll tell you three reasons why the Oilers are, at least at this point, more likely to be a better team than the Leafs. Firstly, regardless of what the Oilers do in the off-season, they will still have a stable core of players who have played together for a few seasons. The Leafs will be a relatively new team against next year. Secondly, although the Leafs did have the most man games lost due to injury, the Oilers ranked #2 in the most impacted by injuries. There are also some fictitious injuries in the Leafs numbers considering Horton and Robidais both missed the entire season and neither was expected to play from the start of the year. Finally, the Oilers best player was injured for 1/2 the season. He was 3rd in the NHL in PPG and him healthy for an entire year, and maybe a change or two on the back end provides the platform for an large improvement next season. Comparatively, the Leafs need a lot more help than that to become a better team.
I would not be surprised to only see 1-2 Canadian teams make the playoffs. The Leafs have to see a number of miracles to be one of those teams.
Those are some fair points. I pretty much agree with you on which Canadian teams are MOST likely to make the playoffs:
I'd have the Canadiens first - they need some defence, and some offensive tweaks perhaps. But essentially, a healthy Price gets them in.
I'd have Calgary 2nd - they need some more D as well, and a more solid goaltending situation would help.
And I'd put Ottawa third as well.
Listen, I don't expect the Leafs to make it in the playoffs, but I'll put it at a solid 20% chance right now. Nylander, Hyman and probably Soshnikov for a whole year; hopefully a healthy JVR; and one (or both perhaps?!) of Stamkos or Matthews, and if not Matthews, it is likely to be a very good prospect. Addition of Zaitsev (potential top 4D, likely to sign with Toronto, coming from KHL). And Babcock, who is a freaking genius, you have to see him on your own team to know. He's a boss.
It'll be youthful, with growing pains, but . . . they will be a very tough out. they'll potentially push for a playoff spot in a topsy turvy Eastern conference.
Oh, and they'll easily beat the Oilers - even with McDavid for a full year. Take THAT to the bank.
Don't Leaf me hanging, Buds! |
Edited by - n/a on 04/11/2016 21:52:15 |
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JOSHUACANADA
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2308 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2016 : 19:59:14
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Its been a while since there was anything worth commenting on for this site and I have to say I disagree with most of the assessments. Calgary had a pretty healthy season, but didn't succeed due to goaltending and a poor defensive season, but I don't think a few tweaks here and there are going to vault them into the playoffs.
Montreal had the biggest epic collapse, rivaling Toronto;s from last year. Price or no Price this team is playoff bubble at best without major changes.
Edmonton might due better with a healthy season of Mcdavid and incoming prospects, but is a playoff bubble at best.
Winnipeg backslid mightly, but was dealing with difficult decisions roster wise, which IMO caused a few midseason losses. They might regain form and make a playoff push.
Vancouver has the most work to do but if properly handled may be a playoff bubble team.
Toronto although better possession wise from last season backslid huge in the standings and offensively. I don't think Matthews is a guarantee, same with Stamkos, but either or both do not vault this team from the basement to the playoff bubble. This will be a long painful process to rebuild this club.
Not trying to be a homer here but Ottawa was the closest to making the playoff this year, with a weak year from there #1 goalie, poor year for there defense and missing 2 of there top 6 players for the majority of the season, with tonnes of cap space unused this year. I don't expect them to backslide with the talent on the roster and hope the management and coaching change helps this team back into the midpack of the playoff teams.
My playoff predictions in order for the Canadian teams would look like this:
Ottawa
Winnipeg
Vancouver
Calgary
Montreal
Edmonton
Toronto |
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Ripley
PickupHockey Pro
USA
365 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2016 : 22:43:04
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The Leafs will have to travel pretty far before making the playoffs and one number one pick (if they win) will not close the gap that much. I'd put Calgary way ahead. Hell, I'd put Edmonton way ahead of them too.
As for Montreal, we saw what happened when they lost Price. It's a fragile team. No way they make it with or without Price unless they make some big moves |
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The Duke
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1239 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2016 : 15:53:57
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guys im not saying the leafs will make the playoffs with their current roster !!!
theres not a chance in hell that happens.
i think the leaf roster will undergo massive changes this off season.
my playoff prediction for the leafs involves THESE changes..........which i personally think will happen......
The leafs insert their several top prospects into the lineup......
They get the 1st or 2nd overall pick..........( who will crack the lineup )
They sign Steven Stamkos.......
Toronto ( through UFA,s ) sign 2 top available Defenseman
Trade Bozak , a 2nd and a prospect for a dam good Defenseman...just a move i would make.
If all this happens, why cant the leafs make the playoffs ??
If they have.......
JVR...........A.Matthews.....Stamkos
Komarov....Kadri..........Soshnikov
Hyman....Nylander......Marner
J.Leivo...B.Laich.....C.Brown
Arcobello..............
Leipsic..................
Defense
Reilly.......Gardiner
UFA 1....UFA.2
Marincin....( traded for D-man )
V.Loov.......R.Valiev
I think a roster of this make up under Mike Babcock can make the playoffs.....no problem. AND it all can possibly happen.
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2016 : 10:20:15
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quote:
Originally posted by JOSHUACANADA
Its been a while since there was anything worth commenting on for this site and I have to say I disagree with most of the assessments. Calgary had a pretty healthy season, but didn't succeed due to goaltending and a poor defensive season, but I don't think a few tweaks here and there are going to vault them into the playoffs.
Montreal had the biggest epic collapse, rivaling Toronto;s from last year. Price or no Price this team is playoff bubble at best without major changes.
Edmonton might due better with a healthy season of Mcdavid and incoming prospects, but is a playoff bubble at best.
Winnipeg backslid mightly, but was dealing with difficult decisions roster wise, which IMO caused a few midseason losses. They might regain form and make a playoff push.
Vancouver has the most work to do but if properly handled may be a playoff bubble team.
Toronto although better possession wise from last season backslid huge in the standings and offensively. I don't think Matthews is a guarantee, same with Stamkos, but either or both do not vault this team from the basement to the playoff bubble. This will be a long painful process to rebuild this club.
Not trying to be a homer here but Ottawa was the closest to making the playoff this year, with a weak year from there #1 goalie, poor year for there defense and missing 2 of there top 6 players for the majority of the season, with tonnes of cap space unused this year. I don't expect them to backslide with the talent on the roster and hope the management and coaching change helps this team back into the midpack of the playoff teams.
My playoff predictions in order for the Canadian teams would look like this:
Ottawa
Winnipeg
Vancouver
Calgary
Montreal
Edmonton
Toronto
RE: the Leafs
They "backslid" in the STANDINGS, but going by points, they improved.
And by competitiveness, they GREATLY IMPROVED.
Just because last year there were a couple of SUPERTANKERS in the league (ahem, Edmonton, cough cough, Buffalo) doesn't make the Leafs improvement disappear.
Don't Leaf me hanging, Buds! |
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umteman
PickupHockey Pro
USA
662 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2016 : 07:40:09
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Maybe I should start a new thread; 2016 playoffs - no Pickuphockey pool.
What happened?
Did you hear about the retired proctologist? He spent 40 years saying "what's a place like this doing in a girl like you?" |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2016 : 07:40:48
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quote:
Originally posted by umteman
Maybe I should start a new thread; 2016 playoffs - no Pickuphockey pool.
What happened?
Did you hear about the retired proctologist? He spent 40 years saying "what's a place like this doing in a girl like you?"
That post is like the annoying question,
"Can I ask you a question?"
Like, ok . . . you just ASKED a question, to ask a question . . . and if they answer, it renders the purpose of that question moot, which means, you should have just asked the actual question.
If you need personal validation before starting a thread . . . sigh, dude, just start a thread if you want. Don't if you don't want to.
Put on your Bigboy Pants. 
Don't Leaf me hanging, Buds! |
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JOSHUACANADA
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2308 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2016 : 23:41:07
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
quote:
Originally posted by JOSHUACANADA
Its been a while since there was anything worth commenting on for this site and I have to say I disagree with most of the assessments. Calgary had a pretty healthy season, but didn't succeed due to goaltending and a poor defensive season, but I don't think a few tweaks here and there are going to vault them into the playoffs.
Montreal had the biggest epic collapse, rivaling Toronto;s from last year. Price or no Price this team is playoff bubble at best without major changes.
Edmonton might due better with a healthy season of Mcdavid and incoming prospects, but is a playoff bubble at best.
Winnipeg backslid mightly, but was dealing with difficult decisions roster wise, which IMO caused a few midseason losses. They might regain form and make a playoff push.
Vancouver has the most work to do but if properly handled may be a playoff bubble team.
Toronto although better possession wise from last season backslid huge in the standings and offensively. I don't think Matthews is a guarantee, same with Stamkos, but either or both do not vault this team from the basement to the playoff bubble. This will be a long painful process to rebuild this club.
Not trying to be a homer here but Ottawa was the closest to making the playoff this year, with a weak year from there #1 goalie, poor year for there defense and missing 2 of there top 6 players for the majority of the season, with tonnes of cap space unused this year. I don't expect them to backslide with the talent on the roster and hope the management and coaching change helps this team back into the midpack of the playoff teams.
My playoff predictions in order for the Canadian teams would look like this:
Ottawa
Winnipeg
Vancouver
Calgary
Montreal
Edmonton
Toronto
RE: the Leafs
They "backslid" in the STANDINGS, but going by points, they improved.
And by competitiveness, they GREATLY IMPROVED.
Just because last year there were a couple of SUPERTANKERS in the league (ahem, Edmonton, cough cough, Buffalo) doesn't make the Leafs improvement disappear.
Don't Leaf me hanging, Buds!
Supertankers from last season aside, this years Leafs struggled to score and got the most improvement late in the year when the rookies got a look at the NHL. The goaltending improved tremendously, the team tightened up more defensively and possessionally. They were better coached and managed, had nothing to distract them on the ice or in the news. All that being said, they were dead last in a league featuring the supremely disappointing Oilers and Columbus. Cant see them rising above 8 other teams in the east to claim a playoff spot. |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2016 : 15:32:36
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As bad as Montreal collapsed, I still see them, with Price returning, as the best shot at a playoff spot for Canadian teams. It helps that they are in the east as well.
Next for me would be a toss up between Ottawa and Calgary. Beyond that, I'd say the bottom 4 are Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
I actually expect Edmonton to be a player in both free agency and the trade market and I see them addressing their D by moving one or more of Yakupov, Eberle and RNH. We all know that Yak wants out so he may end up the only one if they don't get the value out of the others but I could easily see RNH being moved for some defensive help! Still think at best, the Oil finish 9 or 10, but I think we will finally see them climb out of the bottom 3.
Duke, I agree, that lineup you propose, "could" make the playoffs. However, I don't see all of those things happening. A perfect storm is unlikely and in fact there's a better chance the Leafs end up with NEITHER of Mathews/Stamkos than there is both! In the end, I think the Leafs may be a year away yet from a legit shot at the playoffs.
Winnipeg is a tough one. Hellebuyck could be the wild card here and possibly be the real deal, enough so to propel them into a good shot at the playoffs. Scheifele looks absolutely legit and with some other youngsters ready to take the next step inc Ehlers and Petan, they could offer a mild surprise?
Then there's the Canucks.........  |
Edited by - Alex116 on 04/21/2016 15:59:01 |
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umteman
PickupHockey Pro
USA
662 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2016 : 05:19:53
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slozo, it was pretty much a rhetorical question.
Did you hear about the retired proctologist? He spent 40 years saying "what's a place like this doing in a girl like you?" |
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The Duke
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1239 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2016 : 09:10:11
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Alex I do realize that its wishful thinking the leafs will get both Matthews and Stamkos ....But...gotta be optimistic. Lol
I really do pity you Canuck fans . Don't seem to see their direction right now. I always said they should have dealt the Sedins 4 or 5 years ago when they could have fetched a great return. Here they are now with 2 Sedins who are on the downturn and clearly are not gonna lead them anywhere now.
With the youngsters the Canucks have now and what the sedins could have yielded in the past , they could have been already on their way to a bright future. |
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JOSHUACANADA
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2308 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2016 : 18:06:05
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quote:
Originally posted by The Duke
Alex I do realize that its wishful thinking the leafs will get both Matthews and Stamkos ....But...gotta be optimistic. Lol
I really do pity you Canuck fans . Don't seem to see their direction right now. I always said they should have dealt the Sedins 4 or 5 years ago when they could have fetched a great return. Here they are now with 2 Sedins who are on the downturn and clearly are not gonna lead them anywhere now.
With the youngsters the Canucks have now and what the sedins could have yielded in the past , they could have been already on their way to a bright future.
Gotta give it to you Duke. That was the best kick em when they are down comment. Of course Vancouver is in a downswing and yes the Canucks could have gotten a decent return had they traded the Sedins years ago. However, there return to the post season wont take long. You can clearly identify defense and secondary scoring as the teams needs to return to the playoffs. Both can be fixed pretty easiely with smart trades and good asset management. What you suggested Toronto needed to do to see the playoffs is roughly the same for the Canucks, except they still have 2 really productive players in the Sedins. Toronto has nothing comparable on there roster. |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2016 : 07:02:48
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quote:
Originally posted by JOSHUACANADA
[quote]
Gotta give it to you Duke. That was the best kick em when they are down comment. Of course Vancouver is in a downswing and yes the Canucks could have gotten a decent return had they traded the Sedins years ago. However, there return to the post season wont take long. You can clearly identify defense and secondary scoring as the teams needs to return to the playoffs. Both can be fixed pretty easiely with smart trades and good asset management. What you suggested Toronto needed to do to see the playoffs is roughly the same for the Canucks, except they still have 2 really productive players in the Sedins. Toronto has nothing comparable on there roster.
Duke just gave an opinion, geez . . . this is why it's gonna be SO sweet when Toronto becomes great again. Everyone loves to pile on the Leafs, but we make a statement or opinion with valid points, and it's us piling on?!? C'mon now.
Leaving Toronto out of it, I disagree with your take on Vancouver.
From here on in, the Sedins - your former 1st line, high-powered duo - is now a top notch second line pairing (although playing first line minutes, which pumps up their stats to a degree). They basically need another second line centre, or a top line centre. Get in line with 1/3 of the league.
Oh, and you pass off the need for defence as "easy to fix" . . . uh, no that is NOT easy to fix. Get in line with HALF the league!
And you suggest your inept management team - who performed the amazing trick of getting rid of two top notch starting goaltenders to get what appears to be an over-the-hill Miller - can do all this easily through . . . smart trades? Like, the Kassian trade? And smart asset management? That's a joke bud.
Vancouver is going to be next year's worst team. You heard it here first.
Don't Leaf me hanging, Buds! |
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The Duke
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1239 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2016 : 05:17:27
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Agree with you 100 % Slozo .
The Canucks will follow Babcocks slogan in my honest opinion...
There's a lot of pain coming.... Vancouvers management has set this team back for years to come . What kind of moron trades Cory Schneider in the first place ? With so many great years ahead of him . Then traded Luongo. Lol. Luongo should have went first , Cory should have stayed.
Joshua , you stated the leafs have nothing in their system to match the Sedins ... Are you kidding me ??
Are you saying you'd rather have the Sedins then Nylander , Marner , and maybe ( Matthews , Laine or Jesse . Puj ).... Really ??
I'd say the Canucks have NOTHING in their system who will match the leafs top 4 players in 2 years time..... The three I just listed plus Morgan Reilly .
The Sedins ??... If the leafs traded for those two tomorrow... I would literally vomit |
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The Duke
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1239 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2016 : 15:04:54
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alex , it may not be so unlikely now that the leafs get both matthews and stamkos heh ?
theyre half way there lol
the hard part is over, getting matthews.
now if stamkos doesnt sign with TB....well who knows ?
my lineup is looking like a possibilty....lol |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2016 : 17:56:58
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quote:
Originally posted by The Duke
alex , it may not be so unlikely now that the leafs get both matthews and stamkos heh ?
theyre half way there lol
the hard part is over, getting matthews.
now if stamkos doesnt sign with TB....well who knows ?
my lineup is looking like a possibilty....lol
Touche Duke....
First off, I want to clarify, I took no offense, nor saw your comments as "piling on", however, I do see how Joshua could have seen it being that way.
As for the Mathews/Stamkos thing, my comment had everything to do with odds and considering the Leafs odds of getting the first pick were LESS that NOT getting that pick, I wasn't wrong in what I said. But yes, with their winning of the lottery, their chances of getting both are obviously astronomically better.
As for me and the rest of Canucks Nation, do not feel pity for us! Look at what you've been through! Lol. While I admit to hating the Miller acquisition, I really don't think it's set us back that much really. I'd love to see him gone this summer as I think Markstrom is ready for 60 games, but I also think having Miller has allowed Markstrom to reach this level. I just think it could have been done with a cheaper option. The Sedins, I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with the way they've been handled. What so many fail to realize is that THEY (the Sedins) hold the power here. If they don't wanna be dealt, they WON'T be dealt. Simple as that. There's no way they'd have moved them in 2012, one year after missing a cup championship by one game so to say the Canucks should have moved them 4 or 5 years ago is insane! 5 years ago we were on our way to the SCF. 4 years ago was one year removed from that magical run. NO GM in the NHL would have ever considered moving the Sedins 4-5 years ago. 2-3, sure, but again, that move is/was entirely up to the Sedins and they didn't want to go anywhere. They've earned that right after being here for the long term on "team friendly deals".
As for the D, we've prob lucked out in seeing the surprise that Ben Hutton has been. With him and Tanev, we look to have a couple of nice 2-4 dmen. What we desperately need, and have needed since J. Brown's and J. Lumme's days, is a puck moving dman and/or true #1. Maybe we get that with our 5th this year? Who knows?
Slozo.... I don't see any "piling on" of the Leafs here? Did I miss something? That's not to say it doesn't happen often, cuz it does, I just didn't see it in what you quoted? I see the Leafs like I see the Oilers. It's been fun seeing them struggle, but lets face it, every team is going to go through their up and down seasons. If they aren't good in the next 2 years, I'd be quite shocked. Nylander looks like he's gonna be the stud I figured he would be when the Canucks passed on him at #6 in 2014 in favour of the local boy (Virtanen). Marner will eventually be impactful and the D is getting better and more experienced. Add in Zaitsev, possibly Vesey, Stamkos and Mathews and that team has to be improved in a huge way over the next 2 years. While I may not enjoy their success, I think some sort of success for the Leafs is best for the NHL to be honest.
While I can't fully defend the moves to trade Schneider and Luongo, you're conveniently leaving out a TON of details as to how that played out. I won't say there wasn't some mismanagement, but looking back and seeing the results without taking all things into consideration is not exactly fair. It's be like a non hockey fan becoming a fan and then seeing the results of the trade and thinking WTF? There was a lot more to the two goalies being moved than just simply seeing it as a couple of bad trades. What I get a kick out of is back when Schneider was dealt, some figured he was the next best things, others, "he's not proven enough" or "he hasn't proven he can handle a full load of a #1". Bo Horvat is no slouch, but yeah, Scheider is prob worth more, however, we all know the goalie market isn't great AND if the rumour that Edm offered more but the Canucks wanted to avoid an inter division trade then you have to consider that too.
In the end, I get it, the Canucks are gonna be bad for a few more years. I'm okay with that. Seldom does a team remain competitive year in year out. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2016 : 13:36:04
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quote:
Originally posted by The Duke
Agree with you 100 % Slozo .
The Canucks will follow Babcocks slogan in my honest opinion...
There's a lot of pain coming.... Vancouvers management has set this team back for years to come . What kind of moron trades Cory Schneider in the first place ? With so many great years ahead of him . Then traded Luongo. Lol. Luongo should have went first , Cory should have stayed.
Joshua , you stated the leafs have nothing in their system to match the Sedins ... Are you kidding me ??
Are you saying you'd rather have the Sedins then Nylander , Marner , and maybe ( Matthews , Laine or Jesse . Puj ).... Really ??
I'd say the Canucks have NOTHING in their system who will match the leafs top 4 players in 2 years time..... The three I just listed plus Morgan Reilly .
The Sedins ??... If the leafs traded for those two tomorrow... I would literally vomit
I just have to chime in here and say how different the comments are from some of the Leaf Nation when they have a roster full of prospects. We talked ad nauseam a few years ago when the Leafs were such a better team with the likes of Lupul, Kessel, Van Reimsdyk, and Phaneuf than teams like the Oilers with their plethora of prospects. Now, the Leafs have some top tier prospects and they are better to have then established NHLers. It's funny.
And to Slozo's point, the Canucks very well may be the worst team in the league this coming year. I do agree that their revolving door of GMs have destroyed that team in the past few years. There are some rays of sunshine in with some of their prospects but they did not get nearly enough return from the assets they moved and they over spent on some FA that were simply not worth it. That reminds me of another discussion not that long ago about how wonderful Ryan Miller was as a goalie. But I digress.
I think it might be another dry-ish year for Canadian playoffs teams. Maybe 2. Maybe. There are lots of Canadian teams still rebuilding and without some pretty significant changes to rosters, not many Canadian teams will be much better than this past season.
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deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2016 : 07:25:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
I just have to chime in here and say how different the comments are from some of the Leaf Nation when they have a roster full of prospects. We talked ad nauseam a few years ago when the Leafs were such a better team with the likes of Lupul, Kessel, Van Reimsdyk, and Phaneuf than teams like the Oilers with their plethora of prospects. Now, the Leafs have some top tier prospects and they are better to have then established NHLers. It's funny.
And to Slozo's point, the Canucks very well may be the worst team in the league this coming year. I do agree that their revolving door of GMs have destroyed that team in the past few years. There are some rays of sunshine in with some of their prospects but they did not get nearly enough return from the assets they moved and they over spent on some FA that were simply not worth it. That reminds me of another discussion not that long ago about how wonderful Ryan Miller was as a goalie. But I digress.
I think it might be another dry-ish year for Canadian playoffs teams. Maybe 2. Maybe. There are lots of Canadian teams still rebuilding and without some pretty significant changes to rosters, not many Canadian teams will be much better than this past season.
Perspective: with Kessel AND Phaneuf still on the Leafs 2 years ago, they ended up with LESS points in the regular season than this year's crew, who didn't have Kessel, had JVR and Lupul for only half a year (injuries) and Phaneuf for half a year. It was a remarkable addition by subtraction this past year, even though that may not have been obvious since we finished dead last this year.
I don't see what's so funny about common sense, btw.
Before, we had a flawed core with very few good prospects seemingly.
Now, we have shipped out almost all of that flawed core (can be argued that Bozak and Lupul are still part of that), and have one of the best prospect fields in the entire NHL, including the soon-to-be Leaf Matthews, who instantly becomes our #1 core piece with the highest upside.
It's common sense to be happier about that, and finishing dead last (albeit improving our point totals from the year previous) doesn't change the fact that suddenly, we have an infinitely brighter future with a lot less holes to fill (still need that goalie, and at least another d-man of Rielly's stature or greater).
- the discussion about Ryan Miller? Yeah, I remember it, and thought you might mention it . . . I will concede to you that earlier argument that Miller is definitely not an A goalie anymore. He's been downgraded.
- agree with you that it may be another dry-ish year. But I have re-thought some of my earlier predictions for the Canadian teams:
LEAFS: I think with Matthews and the Zaitsev signing, with or without a Stamkos, the Leafs will be pretty competitive for a playoff spot, although they may not get in.
OTTAWA will be in the same boat, and it depends on whether they get elite goaltending again.
MONTREAL is in if Price is healthy. The Habs like NEVER miss the playoffs 2 years in a row.
WINNIPEG will compete for a spot big-time I think. The more I think about it, the more I think they are in next year, because they absolutely HAVE to fix their goaltending situation. And once they do, they are in - it was literally THE reason for their demise this year, and with the emerging Scheifele and a great rookie Finn (whichever one) it'll be a team on the rise.
CALGARY - harder to say with this team, could go many ways . . . but if the health of their core remains ok, they just need better goaltending and they will be on the bubble as well.
EDMONTON - sigh. maybe they can improve with a full season of McDavid? They HAVE to at this point . . . don't they? I've predicted them as a bubble team 3 years running . . . let's go for 4, but I think they still miss.
VANCOUVER - may be a bottom 3 team next year. Wheels could fall off if either Sedin gets hurt . . . which becomes more and more likely with age.
So of all the Canadian teams, I put them in 4 categories for playoffs next season:
NO CHANCE IN HELL
Vancouver
OUTSIDER'S CHANCE (NOT LIKELY AT ALL)
Edmonton
Calgary
PROBABLE BUBBLE TEAM (above 45% possibility to make the playoffs)
Ottawa
Toronto
Winnipeg
LIKELY TO MAKE PLAYOFFS (BARRING INJURY)
Montreal
So, I say one at least, but very likely 2, as at least one of Ottawa, Winnipeg or even Toronto should make it too.
Don't Leaf me hanging, Buds! |
Edited by - n/a on 05/18/2016 07:27:35 |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2016 : 08:56:09
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Slozo, you missed my point. I would not argue that having the team the Leafs have today is something to be more excited about. What is funny is that the same Leaf fans who bashed other teams with piles of prospects are now proud as peaches because of their own prospect. Some of the Leaf fans that so vehemently defended the Phil Kessel trade and so passionately argued the value of Dion Phaneuf as the same that blame those two guys for everything that have put the Leafs in their current position. The same people who argued how fantastic a GM was Brian Burke now fault him completely for the compesition of the team prior to the arrival messiah 1, 2 and 3 (Shannahan, Babcock, and Lamoriello. I understand that hindsight is 20/20 and opinions can changed, but it's hard to argue that some Leaf fans can go from one end of the spectrum to the polar opposite end of the spectrum in what seems a matter of seconds.
It's hard to see from the inside so I don't expect anyone to see it themselves, but many of us from the outside can see it quite clearly. I'm sure people could point out things that I have said where my opinion has changed as well.
Also interesting how Phil Kessel has been somewhat resurrected in under his current coach. The guy is logging 3rd lines minutes, playing inspired hockey, and is putting up 1st line numbers and has been for the last 1/2 of the regular season and playoffs. Doesn't matter though, Leaf fans will still hate him because he was the cancer of their team.
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leigh
Moderator
Canada
1755 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2016 : 15:51:29
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Hey Beans, completely agree on your point about Leafs fans going from one extreme to the next. But I think you could swap out Leafs with Flames, Oilers, Canucks etc etc. The reason that we think Leafs fans do it more is that there is just so damn many of them! haha!
And I also agree about your Kessel opinion. I looked at my wife last night, when he was flying through the neutral zone breaking away from the dman, and said "I had no idea he was that fast!". I mean I knew he could skate, but he found another gear that I'm not even sure he knew he had! For the first time ever I've enjoyed watching him play. He's a shark out there, cruising the slot, sniping from everywhere. It might have something to do with playing with one of the best player's on the planet and not having the franchise depend on you alone to be the man. Some guys prefer to fly under the radar, could it be him? |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2016 : 06:58:40
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quote:
Originally posted by leigh
Hey Beans, completely agree on your point about Leafs fans going from one extreme to the next. But I think you could swap out Leafs with Flames, Oilers, Canucks etc etc. The reason that we think Leafs fans do it more is that there is just so damn many of them! haha!
And I also agree about your Kessel opinion. I looked at my wife last night, when he was flying through the neutral zone breaking away from the dman, and said "I had no idea he was that fast!". I mean I knew he could skate, but he found another gear that I'm not even sure he knew he had! For the first time ever I've enjoyed watching him play. He's a shark out there, cruising the slot, sniping from everywhere. It might have something to do with playing with one of the best player's on the planet and not having the franchise depend on you alone to be the man. Some guys prefer to fly under the radar, could it be him?
Thanks for that - I know that's true (about there just being more Leaf fans, and thus people hear our opinions more) but it has more meaning when other fans realise that paradigm.
And trust me, it's only going to get "worse", with the emergence of a very young and soon to be talented team of guys to really cheer for. Surely there will be bumps on the road, and the odds are against all of Nylander, Marner, soon to be Leaf Matthews and others all reaching their highest potential. I mean, amongst Leafs fans elsewhere, trust me . . . there's already been handwringing over how many points Matthews will get, if he instantly becomes our best player, could Laine actually be better, a huge debate over whether we need or want Stamkos, our sudden depth at centre and who gets dealt, etc etc etc.
It's always more exciting and fun to debate a young group of talented players with unfulfilled potential though, so I'll take it
And lastly - I'm personally wrong all the time, and I don't think changing my opinion is the same as the term 'flip-flopping'. Flip-flopping denotes a rah-rah attitude to one point, then suddenly reversing your opinion without admitting your earlier error and claiming you now hold the opposite opinion.
I was on the side of supporting Burke's move to get Kessel initially . . . and I defended it for about three years. I have changed my opinion since then, and the more I got to know Kessel, the more I regretted having that former opinion. And him doing well in the playoffs on the Pens has not changed my opinion on trading him off the Leafs was an absolute necessary, and fair deal that I vehemently supported.
I fell like I've grown up in a sense as a hockey fan, and I definitely changed my mind on the original Kessel deal. But flip-flopped? No . . . I just saw the light.
Don't Leaf me hanging, Buds! |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2016 : 09:24:18
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I think I should have clarified by point as being not all Leaf fans, but the small representation of the Leaf fans, on this site, who flip/flop like fish out of water. They know who they are, we know who they are. Not guys like Slozo, who will passionate support their opinion as well as share when they are enlightened to new and different opinions. And he said it well in that changing an opinion and flip/flopping is not the same things. I completely agree. Things do change and people's opinions change and that's ok. And example where I did the say thing was with Sam Gagner. A legitimate 2nd line centre he is not. But that was my opinion at one point. I don't think I flipped as much as my opinion changed and I admitted my wrong. My point was towards those folks who just flip and flop. They are funny to me.
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The Duke
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1239 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2016 : 16:17:21
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Guys theres many ways to determine what someone writes. For example....if someone writes, id rather have a team full of veteran players than a team with many prospects....maybe he is right...BUT
A prospect is what he is , a prospect.
Stuart Peircy, Sam Carrick, Fred Gautier, Connor Brown etc... are prospects .
BUT
in my opinion players like...
William Nylander , Mitch Marner , Zack Hyman and Austin Matthews can be classified as prospects , sure , but theyre more like NHL stars in the waiting to me.
The leafs never had these young stars in the waiting before, not for years and years and years.
So, what someone wrote 3 years ago ( when the leafs had CRAP young players ) may not apply to what they write today at all.......i dont think this is flip flopping at , its just a diffrent opinion on todays FANTASTIC young leaf players in waiting.
Its like an automotive magazine doing a review in an issue on a pontaic sunfire.....
Then the next issue reviews a BMW....
Hardly the same results wouldnt you think ???
Does this mean the magazine is flip flopping ??
lol , i dont think so
As for Phil Kessels great play in Pittsburg...............
its because he was finally put on the 3rd line, great coaching. Remember what he done when he was on the Crosby line ? the Malkin line ?
Right now he IS NOT being checked by the other teams elite defenseman, they are spending their time checking Crosbys line and Malkins.
Leaving Kessel breathing room againist the oppositions weaker D-men, therefore success for him in the point category.....and no goals for Crosby in the final round, nothing worth talking about anyway. |
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JOSHUACANADA
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2308 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2016 : 10:12:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Alex116
As bad as Montreal collapsed, I still see them, with Price returning, as the best shot at a playoff spot for Canadian teams. It helps that they are in the east as well.
Next for me would be a toss up between Ottawa and Calgary. Beyond that, I'd say the bottom 4 are Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
I actually expect Edmonton to be a player in both free agency and the trade market and I see them addressing their D by moving one or more of Yakupov, Eberle and RNH. We all know that Yak wants out so he may end up the only one if they don't get the value out of the others but I could easily see RNH being moved for some defensive help! Still think at best, the Oil finish 9 or 10, but I think we will finally see them climb out of the bottom 3.
Duke, I agree, that lineup you propose, "could" make the playoffs. However, I don't see all of those things happening. A perfect storm is unlikely and in fact there's a better chance the Leafs end up with NEITHER of Mathews/Stamkos than there is both! In the end, I think the Leafs may be a year away yet from a legit shot at the playoffs.
Winnipeg is a tough one. Hellebuyck could be the wild card here and possibly be the real deal, enough so to propel them into a good shot at the playoffs. Scheifele looks absolutely legit and with some other youngsters ready to take the next step inc Ehlers and Petan, they could offer a mild surprise?
Then there's the Canucks.........
6 months away from your predictions and a lot of what you said has happened, but how do you feel about your teams great start Alex. I had said they were not as bad as people were predicting. |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2016 : 17:05:12
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quote:
Originally posted by JOSHUACANADA
quote:
Originally posted by Alex116
As bad as Montreal collapsed, I still see them, with Price returning, as the best shot at a playoff spot for Canadian teams. It helps that they are in the east as well.
Next for me would be a toss up between Ottawa and Calgary. Beyond that, I'd say the bottom 4 are Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
I actually expect Edmonton to be a player in both free agency and the trade market and I see them addressing their D by moving one or more of Yakupov, Eberle and RNH. We all know that Yak wants out so he may end up the only one if they don't get the value out of the others but I could easily see RNH being moved for some defensive help! Still think at best, the Oil finish 9 or 10, but I think we will finally see them climb out of the bottom 3.
Duke, I agree, that lineup you propose, "could" make the playoffs. However, I don't see all of those things happening. A perfect storm is unlikely and in fact there's a better chance the Leafs end up with NEITHER of Mathews/Stamkos than there is both! In the end, I think the Leafs may be a year away yet from a legit shot at the playoffs.
Winnipeg is a tough one. Hellebuyck could be the wild card here and possibly be the real deal, enough so to propel them into a good shot at the playoffs. Scheifele looks absolutely legit and with some other youngsters ready to take the next step inc Ehlers and Petan, they could offer a mild surprise?
Then there's the Canucks.........
6 months away from your predictions and a lot of what you said has happened, but how do you feel about your teams great start Alex. I had said they were not as bad as people were predicting.
They'll come back to earth, quickly! BUT, 2 pts in Oct are worth the same as 2 in early April so you never know. Truth is though, I'd prefer dead last to 8th and a date with a powerhouse! The Canucks should have tanked 2 or 3 years ago and maybe have a couple of nicer pieces than Virtanen, Juolevi and Boeser?
Who knows, maybe they can compete with this "re-tooling" sooner than I have confidence in, but I see NO ONE who's capable at this point, or who I believe can be in 2 years, of taking over as first liners. The Sedins prob have this year still in them at 65ish pt guys. After that, they need to be 2nd liners and PP guys. But who takes over???
All in all, it's been a nice start to the season, but I don't foresee it continuing even remotely like this! |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2016 : 08:40:00
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quote:
Originally posted by JOSHUACANADA
6 months away from your predictions and a lot of what you said has happened, but how do you feel about your teams great start Alex. I had said they were not as bad as people were predicting.
Like I was saying........
5 straight losses and a tough road trip upcoming, rumours of Willy's firing being imminent, their 36M man having 0 goals (unless you count he own goal he scored in his first game?), etc. This team came back to earth even quicker than I expected! Lol. It really doesn't look good and the bigger problem is, those 9 pts they grabbed in the first 5 games, could end up being the difference between 1-3 overall in next years draft and 4-7! |
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JOSHUACANADA
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2308 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2016 : 10:17:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Alex116
quote:
Originally posted by JOSHUACANADA
6 months away from your predictions and a lot of what you said has happened, but how do you feel about your teams great start Alex. I had said they were not as bad as people were predicting.
Like I was saying........
5 straight losses and a tough road trip upcoming, rumours of Willy's firing being imminent, their 36M man having 0 goals (unless you count he own goal he scored in his first game?), etc. This team came back to earth even quicker than I expected! Lol. It really doesn't look good and the bigger problem is, those 9 pts they grabbed in the first 5 games, could end up being the difference between 1-3 overall in next years draft and 4-7!
The s*** hath hit-ith the fan. Time to find a buyer for Miller and see if the Sedins would accept a trade. |
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The Duke
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1239 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2016 : 13:58:43
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Yes alex, i guess everyone seen this coming. Not good. i know all to well about your team taking a downward spiral , being a leafs fan.
I said 3 years ago the canucks should trade the Sedins while their value was at peak.
At least being a leafs fan right now we know which direction their goin in.
Wheres the Canucks goin ? Theyre like going in 2 directions |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2016 : 08:59:54
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quote:
Originally posted by The Duke
Yes alex, i guess everyone seen this coming. Not good. i know all to well about your team taking a downward spiral , being a leafs fan.
I said 3 years ago the canucks should trade the Sedins while their value was at peak.
At least being a leafs fan right now we know which direction their goin in.
Wheres the Canucks goin ? Theyre like going in 2 directions
Everyone is an expert when it comes to "when the Sedins should have been traded". I throw up in my mouth everytime I have to explain yet again to someone that the Canucks took their chances with them, had them on team friendly deals in their prime and as an organization, allowed them to choose to stay or go. It's that kind of rewarding of a player that goes a long way to future dealings with players, free agents, etc. Simply put, the Sedins didn't want to leave, so they stayed. Unfortunately, and I've said this prob 1000 times, the Canucks came up 1 game short of the ultimate prize and had they won that, EVERY Canuck fan on planet earth wouldn't have cared if they'd signed the Sedins to contracts valued at 20M each per year for the rest of their lives! Lol.
The problem here now is ownership not willing to bite the bullet and go for a full rebuild. I get it, they want to line their pockets and Vancouver, like all teams, has their fair share of bandwagon fans, but also die hards who can't afford to attend games with any sort of regularity. It's easy to say that fans should support their teams thru the good days and bad, but there are thousands of good fans who can't afford tickets regardless of how good or bad the team is! I'm not a season ticket holder. I could probably afford a pair, but I also have a family to look after and I choose to spend my money elsewhere. Am I any less of a fan??? Sorry, going off topic here a bit, but the bottom line is the owners desire to ensure yearly return on their money is holding this team back. They continue to try to put a good enough team together to get a couple/few home playoff dates. The worst thing to happen for teams like this is the somewhat recent success of a few 8 seeds (Edmonton being one) come playoff time. Everyone has the "chip and a chair" attitude and thinks they have a shot, when in reality, this team has no business thinking they're a playoff team and even if they were to get in somehow, it'd be a quick 4 game sweep in all likelihood.
They're junk. They have a few good young kids, who are prob a year or 2 away from being somewhat prominent, but even then, may just be 2nd and 3rd liners. There's a big difference in finishing in the top 10 vs the bottom 10 when it comes to drafting, right? To give you an idea, here's the way Vancouver, Toronto and Edmonton have finished over the past decade:
2016 - Van 28, TO 30, Edm 29
2015 - Van 10, TO 27, Edm 28
2014 - Van 24, TO 22, Edm 28
2013 - Van 7, TO 10, Edm 24 (lockout shortened season)
2012 - Van 1, TO 26, Edm 29
2011 - Van 1, TO 22, Edm 30
2010 - Van 5, TO 29, Edm 30
2009 - Van 7, TO 24, Edm 21
2008 - Van 19, TO 24, Edm 21
2007 - Van 8, TO 18, Edm 26
You have to go one year further to find Edmonton outside the bottom 10! So, looking at those numbers, unless picks were dealt, Edmonton had a draft pick in the top 10 all 10 years, Toronto 8 and Vancouver just 2. Yes, the Canucks got Horvat at 9 OA back in 2013, but it also cost them Schneider so that kinda cancels that out for the point I'm trying to make. That point of course is, teams need to build through the draft and while gems can be found later, it's pretty well proven that high draft picks are the way to go. Further, it's often found in drafts that the top 10 is solid and the talent level thins out considerably thereafter.
So, after all that, the answer to your question "Wheres the Canucks goin?", would normally be NO WHERE, however, after their ridiculous start, the correct answer is DOWN!
Whew.....been awhile since I typed that much on PUH! |
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The Duke
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1239 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2016 : 06:18:26
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Yep agree with all that .
Do you find it amazing how Detroit never gets one of these picks either , yet , they are always very competitive and usually one of the leagues top 10 teams.
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2016 : 11:53:10
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quote:
Originally posted by The Duke
Yep agree with all that .
Do you find it amazing how Detroit never gets one of these picks either , yet , they are always very competitive and usually one of the leagues top 10 teams.
Yes, it is def amazing. However, they've always been one of the best run franchises in the NHL. They've also had a lot of luck uncovering the "gems" I mentioned. Any team which in back to back years drafts guys like Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in the 6th and 7th rounds respectively, can expect a decade of success as these are offensive cornerstones of a franchise! Of course, it helps when you develop well, are patient with players and make good solid trades to address weaknesses. |
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hanley6
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
674 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2016 : 17:19:54
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perfect example Datsyuk was a 6th round pick and Zetterberg 7th rounder
...And the LEAFS Win the CUP |
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hanley6
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
674 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2016 : 17:21:55
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lol sorry Alex i didnt read your post above mine
...And the LEAFS Win the CUP |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2016 : 17:04:39
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quote:
Originally posted by hanley6
lol sorry Alex i didnt read your post above mine
...And the LEAFS Win the CUP
I was wondering what you were getting at? Lol  |
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JOSHUACANADA
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2308 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2016 : 13:57:11
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| You know guys, while we are still piling on the Canucks, fact remains they are only 4 points out of a wildcard which is also only 6 points out of 1st in the Pacific with 1/5 of the games played. Its still not a forgone conclusion that they are done. The Pacific is so tightly packed right now that from 1 week to the next there are huge changes. Even the Central division is in for a bumpy ride so far. Way too early for teams to call it a season. If I was Vancouver I would keep paying the phone bill and wait for a few players to become available to add. I agree there are a few good prospects in Vancouver's system right now, mostly on defense. |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2016 : 22:51:00
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quote:
Originally posted by JOSHUACANADA
You know guys, while we are still piling on the Canucks, fact remains they are only 4 points out of a wildcard which is also only 6 points out of 1st in the Pacific with 1/5 of the games played. Its still not a forgone conclusion that they are done. The Pacific is so tightly packed right now that from 1 week to the next there are huge changes. Even the Central division is in for a bumpy ride so far. Way too early for teams to call it a season. If I was Vancouver I would keep paying the phone bill and wait for a few players to become available to add. I agree there are a few good prospects in Vancouver's system right now, mostly on defense.
Vancouver is also 2 points from last place, while having played 2 more games than both teams 2 points below them.
[drops mike]
Destined for bottom 3 overall this year. My bet is on them for last place.
Don't Leaf me hanging, Buds! |
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JOSHUACANADA
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2308 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2016 : 11:32:31
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
quote:
Originally posted by JOSHUACANADA
You know guys, while we are still piling on the Canucks, fact remains they are only 4 points out of a wildcard which is also only 6 points out of 1st in the Pacific with 1/5 of the games played. Its still not a forgone conclusion that they are done. The Pacific is so tightly packed right now that from 1 week to the next there are huge changes. Even the Central division is in for a bumpy ride so far. Way too early for teams to call it a season. If I was Vancouver I would keep paying the phone bill and wait for a few players to become available to add. I agree there are a few good prospects in Vancouver's system right now, mostly on defense.
Vancouver is also 2 points from last place, while having played 2 more games than both teams 2 points below them.
[drops mike]
Destined for bottom 3 overall this year. My bet is on them for last place.
Don't Leaf me hanging, Buds!
I think Pheonix and Calgary are going to duke it out for last place in the west. And I was hopeful for Calgary to get going this year. Vancouver, is going buy there way out of a rebuild. Just waiting for the inevitable trades / signings to start happening. |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2016 : 14:32:55
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I'm with Slozo. There's a better chance the Canucks finish dead last (and lose the lottery) than there is they make the playoffs!
Calgary will improve, maybe not enough for a date to the dance, but they won't be at the bottom. Arizona is young enough that they could very well finish below Vancouver. Other than that, I'd be surprised to see the Canucks finish above many more teams. Bottom 3 is pretty much a lock!  |
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Topic |
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playoffs 2016 - no Canadian teams 
