Vancouver Canucks Messageboard

So... Mason Raymond is still available. I'm not sure I've seen so much interest in a Canuck FA since Byron Ritchie hit the market. Sure has gotten quite on the FA front for the tweeners.

We all knew these would be the guys most hurt by the CBA.

In Raymond's case I have to admit I'm a little surprised, given the rumors stating that Calgary was kicking his tires, and they have plenty of cap space. Then again, they already has Stajan on their roster, so I'm not sure why they need another useless puff. I guess the rumors really were just rumors.

BurningBeard wrote:In Raymond's case I have to admit I'm a little surprised, given the rumors stating that Calgary was kicking his tires, and they have plenty of cap space. Then again, they already has Stajan on their roster, so I'm not sure why they need another useless puff. I guess the rumors really were just rumors.

That explains why MG did not trade Raymond at the deadline. No GMs want him even as a free agent...

BurningBeard wrote: So... Mason Raymond is still available. I'm not sure I've seen so much interest in a Canuck FA since Byron Ritchie hit the market.

Time for another paycut!

What kind of a twisted fuck even remembers Byron Ritchie...

Strangelove wrote:

BurningBeard wrote: So... Mason Raymond is still available. I'm not sure I've seen so much interest in a Canuck FA since Byron Ritchie hit the market.

Time for another paycut!

What kind of a twisted fuck even remembers Byron Ritchie...

Remember when Brad Isbister was going to play with the Sedins?

Ahh, the Nonis years.

ESQ wrote:

Strangelove wrote:

BurningBeard wrote: So... Mason Raymond is still available. I'm not sure I've seen so much interest in a Canuck FA since Byron Ritchie hit the market.

Time for another paycut!

What kind of a twisted fuck even remembers Byron Ritchie...

Remember when Brad Isbister was going to play with the Sedins?

Ahh, the Nonis years.

Remember when Kassian was supposed to play with the Sedins and David Booth and Mason Raymond were supposed to be a top-six one-two punch?



Ah, right now.

Rumsfeld wrote:
Remember when Kassian was supposed to play with the Sedins and David Booth and Mason Raymond were supposed to be a top-six one-two punch?



Ah, right now.

Do you officially consider Kassian a bust?

Strangelove wrote:What kind of a twisted fuck even remembers Byron Ritchie...

It fills me with joy to see the FAs that leave our team, that nobody else in the NHL wants, are improving in quality.

Jovocop wrote:

Rumsfeld wrote:
Remember when Kassian was supposed to play with the Sedins and David Booth and Mason Raymond were supposed to be a top-six one-two punch?



Ah, right now.

Do you officially consider Kassian a bust?

I officially consider his season last year to be Isbister-quality at best. I think this year will determine whether he is an NHL top-sixer or a fourth-liner. If it is the latter, the trade was a disaster. I see some really good things there but it's time to put it together. We've seen players with way more potential than party-boy Kass bust out.

Glass houses and all that.

Rumsfeld wrote: Remember when Kassian was supposed to play with the Sedins and David Booth and Mason Raymond were supposed to be a top-six one-two punch?



Ah, right now.

Kassian is young yet.

Booth could yet prove you don't need brains to be a regular NHL top-sixer.

Raymond?

Anyone who ever thought Mayray is an NHL top-sixer is dumber than Booth and drinks more than Kassian.

Rumsfeld wrote:
I officially consider his season last year to be Isbister-quality at best. I think this year will determine whether he is an NHL top-sixer or a fourth-liner. If it is the latter, the trade was a disaster. I see some really good things there but it's time to put it together. We've seen players with way more potential than party-boy Kass bust out.

Glass houses and all that.

Sorry, but that is total bunk. To say at 22 years old that a budding power forward is a bust if he doesn't put it all together this season is nonsense. Todd Bertuzzi debuted for the Islanders in 1995-1996 and didn't begin to put it all together until 1999-2000. He didn't "break out" until 2001-2002.

I still firmly believe that Kassian will be well worth the wait, but I think we still have a wait. I think he'll come into his own at 24-25 years old like Bert did.

Groovypippin wrote:

Rumsfeld wrote:
I officially consider his season last year to be Isbister-quality at best. I think this year will determine whether he is an NHL top-sixer or a fourth-liner. If it is the latter, the trade was a disaster. I see some really good things there but it's time to put it together. We've seen players with way more potential than party-boy Kass bust out.

Glass houses and all that.

Sorry, but that is total bunk. To say at 22 years old that a budding power forward is a bust if he doesn't put it all together this season is nonsense. Todd Bertuzzi debuted for the Islanders in 1995-1996 and didn't begin to put it all together until 1999-2000. He didn't "break out" until 2001-2002.

I still firmly believe that Kassian will be well worth the wait, but I think we still have a wait. I think he'll come into his own at 24-25 years old like Bert did.

He has done absolutely nothin at the NHL level despite playing with good players on a good team. He looked absolutely lost out there for most of last season and wasn't even playing well in a fourth line role.

Bertuzzi showed flashes of amazing skill, soft hands, great passing and stickhandling before he broke out... have we really seen that from Kass?

This season he will be 23 and if he doesn't put it together I don't think it's a stretch to say he isn't the player we hoped he would be. I have very high hopes for him because I love what he brings as far as size and toughness with some skill, but if last year doesn't worry you a bit then you either weren't paying attention or you're wearing your rose-colored Corner shades. They're going like hotcakes this summer.

Hmmm - the Oilers are cutting loose a couple of right-shooting defencemen... I know, I know, if they can't make a weak Oilers squad...

However, what if the stupid Oilers stunted their development?

Alex Plante 24 years old, 6'3", 225 lbs
Colten Teubert 23 years old, 6'4", 201 lbs

Both former first round picks, Plante selected 15th overall by Edmonton in 2007, and Teubert selected 13th overall by Los Angeles in 2008.

What do you think? Already busts, or is it bargain bin gold?

S_C

Rumsfeld wrote: He looked absolutely lost out there for most of last season and wasn't even playing well in a fourth line role.

I'm going to have to agree with that statement, and I was watching the lad rather closely.

Anxious to see what Torts can do with the kid.

A breakout season by Kassian would change everything.