Ephin Canucks

[talloola]

na n na naa na n na naa ahh ah ah ahhhh so oh oh long


Can't wait till next year. The next playoff is for dave nonis, in the summer, he will be in the spotlight, and he better come through, we all will be watching.

I will go and cheer for my others teams now, as I watch many many games a week. Minnesota is one of my favourites,
Washington, Pittsburg, and of course the Habs, so I will still enjoy the hockey right up to the cup final.

GO CANUCKS GO

 

[Kreskin]

Heard a great quote tonight, "the Canucks are all Swedish and no Finish".

 

[talloola]

Heard a great quote tonight, "the Canucks are all Swedish and no Finish".

Yeah I heard that too. Good one. Not at all untrue. I'm tired of swedes. We have enough with Ohlund and Edler, and they are quiet and unexciting, but good players.
We need more scorers and grit, so I am waiting, starting today for that to happen.

 

[Kreskin]

Yeah I heard that too. Good one. Not at all untrue. I'm tired of swedes. We have enough with Ohlund and Edler, and they are quiet and unexciting, but good players.
We need more scorers and grit, so I am waiting, starting today for that to happen.

It turned out, the only guy that could play with Sedins was Lance Armstrong.

Will the Sedins spend the summer riding a two-seater bike?

 

[talloola]

It turned out, the only guy that could play with Sedins was Lance Armstrong.

Will the Sedins spend the summer riding a two-seater bike?

OK, that went right over my head, I assume they rode bikes together!!!!?

I thought a lot about Jovonoski tonight, when we needed a defenceman to come in off the blueline
and make something happen. He has had a great year, I have watched lots of their games, they didn't
make the playoffs, but wait till next year, they have lots of young guys, very talented.

 

[Kreskin]

OK, that went right over my head, I assume they rode bikes together!!!!?

I thought a lot about Jovonoski tonight, when we needed a defenceman to come in off the blueline
and make something happen. He has had a great year, I have watched lots of their games, they didn't
make the playoffs, but wait till next year, they have lots of young guys, very talented.

Sedins - All they do is cycle.
The Coyotes should do much better next year.

 

[#juan]

Sedins - All they do is cycle.
The Coyotes should do much better next year.

Hey, but it looks good. Never mind that the twins never hit anyone, or score a winner when the team really needs one. The Sedins are a showy, ridiculous, luxury the team can't afford The Canucks have been a day late and a dollar short all season. The team needs a leader and they don't have one. The team needs some scoring punch and they don't have it. There is nothing wrong with the Canucks that three good defensemen and four good forwards wouldn't fix.

 

[talloola]

Sedins - All they do is cycle.
perfect, that's all I talk about when I watch them, so I should have 'clued' in immediately,
daaa

 

[talloola]

Hey, but it looks good. Never mind that the twins never hit anyone, or score a winner when the team really needs one. The Sedins are a showy, ridiculous, luxury the team can't afford The Canucks have been a day late and a dollar short all season. The team needs a leader and they don't have one. The team needs some scoring punch and they don't have it. There is nothing wrong with the Canucks that three good defensemen and four good forwards wouldn't fix.

I agree with all, and I'll be waiting and watching, although I don't think we need to go out
and spend big bucks on a defenceman, our back end is pretty good, spend the money and
make the trades for 'forwards', really good forwards.

 

[#juan]

I agree with all, and I'll be waiting and watching, although I don't think we need to go out
and spend big bucks on a defenceman, our back end is pretty good, spend the money and
make the trades for 'forwards', really good forwards.

The problem with our defense is that they are always injured. Both Ohland and Salo were out for long stretches. Salo and Ohland are our experienced defensemen and they have to teach the younger players. The team loses because the opponents score more goals against the Canucks than the Canucks score on their opponents. We either have to score more goals or allow fewer goals. If we could score five goals every game, our defence would be great.

 

[talloola]

The problem with our defense is that they are always injured. Both Ohland and Salo were out for long stretches. Salo and Ohland are our experienced defensemen and they have to teach the younger players. The team loses because the opponents score more goals against the Canucks than the Canucks score on their opponents. We either have to score more goals or allow fewer goals. If we could score five goals every game, our defence would be great.

I do think that, if we are going to trade for some top forwards, one of those two
veteran defencemen have to go, as they will be wanted by someone. Hopefully next
year we don't have so many injuries in our defence core. I was at the game where
Bieksa and Salo were injured, and that was awful. Bieksa's injury was serious, and I think
we have to wait till next year to see him at his best. The defence had to be juggled alot
this year, with all the injuries, pairs were mixed around quite a bit. Weaver actually played very well. Bourdon will be better next year, he had some good games this year, but seemed a little overwhelmed last night, and so did Edler down the stretch, they
are both very young, with good potential, especially Edler.
I want to see the Sedins go, but many who called into team 1040, and others would like
them to stay, and be on a second line. I don't know, they are too methodical and pokey,
although they do play well when they have time, but for me, that isn't good enough.
We need to score more goals, take some pressure off of the defence and especially Luongo, he can't be expected to stop everything, it is a team game, and he needs help.
When he knows that we are only going to score 2 or less goals per game, the pressure
on him will make him faulter, as it did in the last few games, he is much better than that.

 

[talloola]

WEST
detroit vs nashville
San Jose vs either calgary or colorado
anaheim vs dallas
minnesota vs either calgary or colorado

EAST
phillidelphia vs either pittsburg or montreal
boston vs either pittsburg or montreal
ottawa vs new washington
new york ranges vs new jersey

Looking forward to the entry draft usually around june 15, then free agents move around
on july 1 or later.
We will be seeing changes on the canucks, almost anything they do will be for the
better, as the team does not have the courage or talent to compete as it is right now.
I hope Luongo doesn't accept any offers to play in the world hockey, as he needs to go home to his wife and new baby, he hasn't been himself since he came back, so I'm
sure he will be very happy to go home now and spend the summer with them.
I still want to see the Sedins go, they can be traded, the two of them, for one 'superior big' centerman would be fine with me, and I assume Naslund will be gone too, I would like him
to come back for less money and play, but I assume Nonis will not sign him, just so the team can bring a new identity next year and start fresh. Naslund can still contribute to
this team, it is obvious he has much talent, he did score 25 goals, and he would be a
good winger to play with a very highly talented, 'big' high scoring centerman, I wonder
who that might be.
Nonis will have money this year, he had none at the beginning of this season.
Morrison is also a free agent, wonder if he will be back.
We have a great goalie in Manitoba, Corey Schneider, who is playing great, he would be good trade bait, maybe
along with Ohlund or Salo or maybe even Bourdon, (although I think they should keep him).

GO CANUCKS GO

 

[Kreskin]

You mentioned Corey Schneider, did you hear the rumour floating around of a Spezza-Luongo deal? Highly unlikely but fun to hear.

I had to agree with a guy on Team1040 the other day. The team needs a goon. No one respects the Canucks toughness. Cowan doesn't cut it. More toughness is required in this hack and whack division.

I don't think Naslund's style fits the team system. He'd do well on one like the Canadiens, where there is some focus on puck movement and not just pissing around all day in the corners like this team. If I were him I'd look elsewhere.

I'd stick with the Sedins and see if I could find the equivalent of a Carter again to go with them.

I don't see any quick fixes. Time for the scouts to find some good draft prospects and work on a three or four year plan. The draft has been a sore spot for this team since about 1970, except for a couple of years.

 

[#juan]

You mentioned Corey Schneider, did you hear the rumour floating around of a Spezza-Luongo deal? Highly unlikely but fun to hear.

I had to agree with a guy on Team1040 the other day. The team needs a goon. No one respects the Canucks toughness. Cowan doesn't cut it. More toughness is required in this hack and whack division.

I don't think Naslund's style fits the team system. He'd do well on one like the Canadiens, where there is some focus on puck movement and not just pissing around all day in the corners like this team. If I were him I'd look elsewhere.

I'd stick with the Sedins and see if I could find the equivalent of a Carter again to go with them.

I don't see any quick fixes. Time for the scouts to find some good draft prospects and work on a three or four year plan. The draft has been a sore spot for this team since about 1970, except for a couple of years.

Spezza for Luongo....Sounds good to me...I'd throw in the twins as well. If we could get a good defenseman as well. Vancouver has an excellent backup goaltender and has some good, young goaltenders in their system.

I agree about the team toughness. They don't have it.

The Sedins are pretty players but they can't take a check....or give one.

 

[talloola]

I think if the sedins were gone, and replaced with a couple of top quality scoring forwards,
the team would instantly change it's personality. One of the forwards could come from the sedin twins, and one can come from either free agency, or another trade deal.

I think if naslund was put with a couple of top forwards on first line, his game would improve, and the team would also look very different, and Vineault wouldn't have to put
such a defensive personality on the play, he has no choice right now, as he has no one able to score. Even last night when he let the twins go out there on the first line and do
something, they couldn't, they were knocked all over the place, their legs are weak, and
other players just have to push them and they 'crumple'. There game is methodical, slow
and when the tough get going they fall down, they can't raise their level of play for the
crunch time of the year, when everyone else does. With sedins gone, the constant cycling in the corners would stop, at least for the most part, and with new strong forwards, there could be more scoring off the rush.
Luongo has two years left on his contract, and Nonis owes it to him to put a better team
in front of him, and luongo's poor play recently is because of his distraction in his personal
life. If you heard Hrudy's story last night on CBC, he explained his situation in similar times.
I would love to have Spezza here, he is one of my favourite players, but why on earth
would Ottawa ever let him go, but I guess 'never say never', twins for spezza ,to me would
be a wonderful trade for Vancouver, he is not only a great player, he is a great person, and
Canadian.
They just might trade Spezza for Luongo, but then we would take a big step back, and have to wait till we get a top goalie, as schneider is untested right now, but maybe when
Luongo's contract is up, he will be ready to step right in and take over, he is only out of junior last year I think. We spent too many years with goalies who would let us down when we needed them the most, Luongo should at least play out his contract, which would be four years, he is the last player we should be getting rid of, have a little patience, what is happening isn't his fault.
Yeah, we do need a goon, why didn't we just keep Brashear when we had him, he's on
Washington now, and doing OK I guess, we need a couple of those guys.
Look what Minnesota did, they picked up Simon, and they have Boogard, and they used
to be very soft, not any more, and they have Fedorick too, another tough guy.
I wouldn't have Carter back here at all, he was far too greedy, his head blew up too big, then he was on columbus and 'dropped', had a try out somewhere else, I think Edmonton, and couldn't even make the team. He had one lucky year, after many very mediocre ones, and all of a sudden he thought he was gods gift to the canucks, forget it.

 

[Kreskin]

I don't think the blame can rest on the Sedins. Aside from them and Naslund there were only 3 other players that scored more than 9 goals. Secondary scoring was the biggest problem. If there had been some scoring support they would be in playoffs. I'm not a big Sedins fan but I'm even a less fan of the rest of the group.

 

[#juan]

Good post talloola

Just a couple points. I think we are burning Luongo out. We have had games where he stands on his head and makes 35 saves and we still manage to lose by a couple goals. Often Luongo is abandoned by the younger defencemen who are both behind the net chasing an opposing winger leaving Luongo to face the other two forwards
I had forgotten that Luongo had two years left but I think Sandford is a very good backup and with more playing time he could replace Luongo if we got somebody like Spezza for him. As you say, we need to score more goals and we need to be tougher. I'm afraid the twins are just not strong enough, mentally, or physically.. Naslund could be salvaged with a couple good, tough, fowards.
One problem is still that the Vancouver management don't like to spend money, but this has always been a problem in Vancouver.

 

[talloola]

I don't think the blame can rest on the Sedins. Aside from them and Naslund there were only 3 other players that scored more than 9 goals. Secondary scoring was the biggest problem. If there had been some scoring support they would be in playoffs. I'm not a big Sedins fan but I'm even a less fan of the rest of the group.

The secondary scorers became the people who were depended on to score more, as the first line
scorers couldn't get the job done, hence, burrows and kessler, and when those kinds of
players become your best players on 'many' occasions, the problem is not secondary scoring.
When we get a couple of strong scoring forwards, vineault can soften his defensive
style, and let some of these guys loose, and make offence become defence sometimes,
as when you have the puck in the other teams end, that is good defence as well.
We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one I guess.
Everyone talks about Marion Hossa, but I'm not sure if I like that idea, as he is a chech.
and not a very good leader-type, as many of them aren't, I'd rather have a canadian, or
even an american, but he is a big strong high scoring foward, and a talented player, but
I question his loyalty and passion, but I guess if he wasn't the 'top' guy, and there was
someone else to lead the way, it would be OK.
This team needs a strong leader, at the top. I wish Jovo was still here, he was naturally
cut out to be 'just that'.
Lets not forget, the sedins only did the job during the 'softer' regular season, and if
they come back nextyear , they will probably do the same, and get us all excited about these
two nifty guys, who look like magic out there, seeing each other everywhere, (but
often don't see others), BUT, when the crunch comes, they are embarrassing.

 

[talloola]

Good post talloola

Just a couple points. I think we are burning Luongo out. We have had games where he stands on his head and makes 35 saves and we still manage to lose by a couple goals. Often Luongo is abandoned by the younger defencemen who are both behind the net chasing an opposing winger leaving Luongo to face the other two forwards
I had forgotten that Luongo had two years left but I think Sandford is a very good backup and with more playing time he could replace Luongo if we got somebody like Spezza for him. As you say, we need to score more goals and we need to be tougher. I'm afraid the twins are just not strong enough, mentally, or physically.. Naslund could be salvaged with a couple good, tough, fowards.
One problem is still that the Vancouver management don't like to spend money, but this has always been a problem in Vancouver.

That's right, they don't like to spend money, but after last year they didn't have any,
but now they have money, AND new owners, who are local and very passionate about
the team. They will spend money now, cause Naslund's and Morrison's contracts run out, and
there are quite a few other free agents as well, and the cap is higher. If Nonis wants a job after next Xmas
he must do something, THIS IS HIS TIME, lets see what he can do.
I like Sanford too, but if we let Luongo go now, the rest of the league would think we
are crazy, we haven't given him a real chance, and if we have to trade him, it should be
before the trade deadline of his last year, so that we get TOP players for him, or next
year, if all goes 'wrong', which I don't think will happen, unless of course Nonis 'chokes'.
If the Sedins do stay next year, they have to be dropped to the second line, as they
are not first line players, but could, 'with a good winger with them' play second line
again, and help the team, but I'd rather see Naslund stay than them, and I'm not sure
about Morrison, he is having surgery today, and it will take 6 months for him to be
ready, so the jury will be out on him, for some time.
The defence: Canucks had a horrific beginning right from training camp, with all the injuries.
It mixed the pairings up quite a bit all year, and yes, the young ones at times lost their position
and Luongo was abandoned. edler had an amazing year, until the crunch time came, then it seems
his age and lack of experience showed, and of course Bieksa never did reach his potential this year.
Next year I expect, 'barring more injuries' that the defence will again be solid, and edler will be a year
older. I hope Bourdon picks it up a little too, he was also overwhelmed, but he is still very young, and they
say defencemen take longer to break in, so lets give him some more time, edler is an exception in this department
he is very mature mentally, and quick to make the right decision, so I think we have a good one with him, but he
should work on his skating this summer.

 

[Kreskin]

The Sedins did more scoring than a lot of guys in the league. Fortunately for those other guys they could rely on at least a goal every once in awhile from someone else to break a one goal game. We can't expect Luongo to stand on his head every night and win 1-0 or 2-1. Like #juan said, the guy must be heading for burnout if he isn't there already. Look at last year's playoffs, if it wasn't for Luongo playing beyond rational and Sedins chipping in their part it would've ended way earlier, and it should've. They weren't a very good, playing above their heads in results, and it showed this year when a goalie game back to Earth. They need more scoring, not just more from whoever would replace the Sedins but more from the rest of the team.