Yeah all great points. I just want the Canucks to finish dead last so they can draft top 3. At the end of the day I'm not holding our much hope for the lottery itself.theman wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 2:38 pm I’m not really worried about anyone overtaking the Canucks in last place, I am worried about the lotto balls.
Even if the Flames went 5 - 20 to close out the season, the Canucks would still need to go , something like,15 - 10 to catch up to them in the standings. Also let’s not forget about those teams also getting loser points.
Not so deep thoughts by donlever
Moderators: donlever, Referees
Re: Not so deep thoughts by donlever
Re: Not so deep thoughts by donlever
Top 3 competitors for worst team in the league with Canucks....
(1) Rangers: There's so much broken here, and so much incentive to move on because the not-productive enough group is long in the tooth and may earn a deadline return -- problem is so many are handcuffed by NTC/NMC and longer term deals. Sure, I can see them willing to waive, but expect the conditions to limit the market. There isn't a lot to "replace" moved players at 80% from below, and so there's a real risk that if they are able to pull off a firesale, the team might find themselves losing. A ton. Of course there is so much unevenness to the group that exists, the Canucks finding their "March" game and getting a little healthier could very well make up the difference even if they can't pull off the sale. The Rangers are a team whose management I might think is as bad as the Canucks; go figure they acquired Miller. Sort of like Benning getting OEL. If only the Canucks had held that pick and chosen as the Pens did.....
(2) Flames: Better goaltending is a big deal, and whatever their future is I assume it it includes Wolf. Even while being outplayed by journeyman one-year-ever-as-AHL-starter 28 yo Devin Cooley, he has performed better than the Canucks goaltending. The team is beyond putrid on paper (and when Kadri etc are dealt....), but they've played above their paper status for the past couple seasons and I just get the feeling the team has a fair amount of self-respect (especially at home). No matter how pop gun the offense, it is just easier to earn points when you are usually giving up 2 or 3 goals instead of 3-4 (or worse). The goal differential reflects that. Still, to me, this is the team that concerns me the most from the West. IT is not an NHL roster.
(3) Blues: The Blues have arguably been hit as hard as the Canucks in the injury department this season. Healthy, that team is much better thank its iced and has parts (Thomas and Kyrou, but especially Thomas) that are young enough to be top 6 players through a next wave if they use the aging assets to boost some future assets. I think there is too much "injury" excuse here for them to think the team they supplemented a year and a half ago with Broberg and Holloway is more like it has played to date instead of the team they were last season (and growing). If they were a Canadian team, they'd be hanging on to "we have a competitive group" idea... Point is, I don't think the dismantling will be totalistic; beaten up they are at Canucks level, healthier they should be better. If they move Faulk or Binnington, I just don't think it moves the needle as much as the Flames primary guys getting dealt.
The Blackhawks and Sharks could each suffer from "haven't breather this air in a while and now I have a headache" that often hits up an coming teams, but I just don't see anything happening to a degree where the Canucks will catch them. Canucks "March" hockey is still peaking at post-Miller trade (which I don't think they will reach even though they I think they are likely they will improve somewhat with health and young guys getting more experience) and not post-BB or post-Tockey changes. The Jets record is an anathema to me. They lost their mojo with Helle's injury and just were stuck in neutral. Plus, I haven't heard them going a tear down direction.
(1) Rangers: There's so much broken here, and so much incentive to move on because the not-productive enough group is long in the tooth and may earn a deadline return -- problem is so many are handcuffed by NTC/NMC and longer term deals. Sure, I can see them willing to waive, but expect the conditions to limit the market. There isn't a lot to "replace" moved players at 80% from below, and so there's a real risk that if they are able to pull off a firesale, the team might find themselves losing. A ton. Of course there is so much unevenness to the group that exists, the Canucks finding their "March" game and getting a little healthier could very well make up the difference even if they can't pull off the sale. The Rangers are a team whose management I might think is as bad as the Canucks; go figure they acquired Miller. Sort of like Benning getting OEL. If only the Canucks had held that pick and chosen as the Pens did.....
(2) Flames: Better goaltending is a big deal, and whatever their future is I assume it it includes Wolf. Even while being outplayed by journeyman one-year-ever-as-AHL-starter 28 yo Devin Cooley, he has performed better than the Canucks goaltending. The team is beyond putrid on paper (and when Kadri etc are dealt....), but they've played above their paper status for the past couple seasons and I just get the feeling the team has a fair amount of self-respect (especially at home). No matter how pop gun the offense, it is just easier to earn points when you are usually giving up 2 or 3 goals instead of 3-4 (or worse). The goal differential reflects that. Still, to me, this is the team that concerns me the most from the West. IT is not an NHL roster.
(3) Blues: The Blues have arguably been hit as hard as the Canucks in the injury department this season. Healthy, that team is much better thank its iced and has parts (Thomas and Kyrou, but especially Thomas) that are young enough to be top 6 players through a next wave if they use the aging assets to boost some future assets. I think there is too much "injury" excuse here for them to think the team they supplemented a year and a half ago with Broberg and Holloway is more like it has played to date instead of the team they were last season (and growing). If they were a Canadian team, they'd be hanging on to "we have a competitive group" idea... Point is, I don't think the dismantling will be totalistic; beaten up they are at Canucks level, healthier they should be better. If they move Faulk or Binnington, I just don't think it moves the needle as much as the Flames primary guys getting dealt.
The Blackhawks and Sharks could each suffer from "haven't breather this air in a while and now I have a headache" that often hits up an coming teams, but I just don't see anything happening to a degree where the Canucks will catch them. Canucks "March" hockey is still peaking at post-Miller trade (which I don't think they will reach even though they I think they are likely they will improve somewhat with health and young guys getting more experience) and not post-BB or post-Tockey changes. The Jets record is an anathema to me. They lost their mojo with Helle's injury and just were stuck in neutral. Plus, I haven't heard them going a tear down direction.
Hono_rary Canadian
Re: Not so deep thoughts by donlever
Yeah top 3 is pretty key, so finishing dead last should be mandatory for the brass.rockalt wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 3:11 pmYeah all great points. I just want the Canucks to finish dead last so they can draft top 3. At the end of the day I'm not holding our much hope for the lottery itself.theman wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 2:38 pm I’m not really worried about anyone overtaking the Canucks in last place, I am worried about the lotto balls.
Even if the Flames went 5 - 20 to close out the season, the Canucks would still need to go , something like,15 - 10 to catch up to them in the standings. Also let’s not forget about those teams also getting loser points.
LTIR for all interested. Brock's vasectomy, Chytil's lobotomy, Petey's HGH injections....
Re: Not so deep thoughts by donlever
Yeah UW...good post...summarizes the OP nicely.
What to add?
Nothing...
Agree completely...
What to add?
Nothing...
Agree completely...
DeLevering since 1999.