Around the league (signings, RFAs injuries)

[SKYO]

In the 2013-2014 season, the Canucks were 5th in the League in fighting majors; in 2014-2015, they were 8th.

Way back when we had Sestito, Kassian, Bieksa, all liabilities in some form or fashion, while Juice just needed to go, like Burrows, just change of scenery is needed.

Good point about different eras.
True, the Broad Street Bullies wouldn't work in this day+age.

But Rummy's Vancouver Canucks have been getting pushed around for a long time now.

Most here would agree they're one of the softest teams in the league.
And that's a thing.

FACTS.

Sedins the lovable Swedes turned semi-assholes this year in their golden NHL years, are always getting bitch slapped and slammed by the real assholes in the league.

It'd be nice to have a front line guy who can actually play hockey, score goals, scrap, play in front of the net on the powerplay, play with the Sedins to help em out whenever a pugilist takes liberties with em, who fits that mold better than hometown boy Lucic? Plus he's awesome in the playoffs.

Lucic dominated the East and now he's getting real acquainted in the big West playing with/vs the heavyweights in LA/Anaheim/SJ.

[Per]

What else were you looking for ?

I'm looking for asshole defensemen who clear the front of the net and finish checks with extreme prejudice.

I'm looking for asshole forwards who crash the net and make life hell for opposing dee on the forecheck.

I'm looking for fearless assholes who put the fear of God into the motherfucking opposition.

Winning more fights and winning more games would also be good....

You want to bring back Rahimi?!

Sure, he is better now than back when he played in the AHL, and smarter, but still tough as nails.
But he's still not the best skater there is...

[Mickey107]

There is a lot of dreaming going on around here.
If I was a bettin man, I'd say if we land an UFA, Eriksson. That's not what I want BUT......
I would rather see Lucic play with the twins however I think the best chance for us landing him is if L.A. go one and out. Not likely but possible...

[Island Nucklehead]

There is a lot of dreaming going on around here.
If I was a bettin man, I'd say if we land an UFA, Eriksson. That's not what I want BUT......
I would rather see Lucic play with the twins however I think the best chance for us landing him is if L.A. go one and out. Not likely but possible...

I'd much rather Lucic than Eriksson. Doubt he'd play with the Twins, but Hansen is good there. Put Lucic with Horvat and Virtanen. He might have a hard time keeping up on the rush, but he can provide the dirty work and net presence for those guys. Not to mention that line could be one of the more dangerous (physically) in the conference.

[Ronning's Ghost]

I'm looking for asshole defensemen who clear the front of the net and finish checks with extreme prejudice.

I'm looking for asshole forwards who crash the net and make life hell for opposing dee on the forecheck.

I'm looking for fearless assholes who put the fear of God into the motherfucking opposition.

You have a clear and consistent vision of the type of team you would like to build. "Built for the playoffs", many would say. Does reputed hockey genius Jim Benning share this vision ? From the players he has acquired so far, I'd say the evidence is mixed.

I'm sure we both look forward to more data this spring on what type of team Benning wants to build, and what type of team succeeds in the modern NHL.

[Island Nucklehead]

But Rummy's Vancouver Canucks have been getting pushed around for a long time now.

Most here would agree they're one of the softest teams in the league.

And that's a thing.

In the 2013-2014 season, the Canucks were 5th in the League in fighting majors; in 2014-2015, they were 8th.

What else were you looking for ? If you want them to convincingly win more of the fights, that's more easily addressed by changing the off-season train protocols than expensive but limited personnel. It would be fitting for Mr. Rypien Sr. to collect a few cheques from the Canucks as conditioning coach.

Fighting doesn't equal toughness. A couple willing middleweights like Dorsett and Prust fighting every other game doesn't change team toughness. What it does is help the Canucks sell a "tougher" brand of hockey to idiots in the fanbase crying for toughness. Great, Prust gets 5 minutes for strapping in the seat-belt and the Canucks are still getting beaten on physically... Gimme a big, heavy, bottom-6 forward group that doesn't go looking for a fight but is going to impose its will on the opponents, and if a fight breaks out so be it.

And yeah, this team really needs to find a d-man with snarl that can replace the nastiness that Bieksa displayed back there. Pedan is a good start. Hopefully Tryamkin can be someone the other guy doesn't wanna go into the corners with as well.

[Mickey107]

I'm looking for asshole defensemen who clear the front of the net and finish checks with extreme prejudice.

I'm looking for asshole forwards who crash the net and make life hell for opposing dee on the forecheck.

I'm looking for fearless assholes who put the fear of God into the motherfucking opposition.

You have a clear and consistent vision of the type of team you would like to build. "Built for the playoffs", many would say. Does reputed hockey genius Jim Benning share this vision ? From the players he has acquired so far, I'd say the evidence is mixed.

I'm sure we both look forward to more data this spring on what type of team Benning wants to build, and what type of team succeeds in the modern NHL.

I guess everyone realizes that one day soon the League will go back to a speed and skill game and leave, "big and heavy", behind.
That's probably when we'll be big and heavy.....(just kidding)

[SKYO]

I'd much rather Lucic than Eriksson. Doubt he'd play with the Twins, but Hansen is good there. Put Lucic with Horvat and Virtanen. He might have a hard time keeping up on the rush, but he can provide the dirty work and net presence for those guys. Not to mention that line could be one of the more dangerous (physically) in the conference.

Big time!

--

Columbus needs to throw big money at Seth Jones asap or risk a huge offersheet situation.

http://thehockeywriters.com/are-blue-ja ... eth-jones/

Are Blue Jackets In Danger Of Losing Seth Jones?

This is a question that no Blue Jacket fan ever wants to think about. However, given the salary cap, it’s something that needs addressed. Is there a chance, even a small one, that the Columbus Blue Jackets somehow lose their star defenseman Seth Jones?

[Ronning's Ghost]

I guess everyone realizes that one day soon the League will go back to a speed and skill game and leave, "big and heavy", behind.
That's probably when we'll be big and heavy.....

That would be consistent with Canucks and NHL history.

If you are feeling really cynical, you could argue that the decision of what type of team to build is secondary to the political game of achieving "most favoured franchise" status. We have seen that, without changing the de jure rules, or even demonstrable bias in number of penalties for each team, the League can alter the nature of the game at a whim based on what counts as a penalty, and how many penalties to call.

It is a pretty sound bet that, as soon as Doc gets his "all-asshole all-star team", the league starts calling physical play much more closely.

[BladesofSteel]

For all reasons already stated, I am a huge advocate of signing Looch.

However, if I could see one potential drawback, it would be his strong personality. Benning is maintaining a solid group of character guys to set the tone for the Bo's, Ben's and Baertschi's. If Benning has any strong reservations about Milan having a negative impact on the culture, there's no chance he offers him a contract.

I have no doubt both parties will be in contact prior to Canada Day.

[Hockey Widow]

For all reasons already stated, I am a huge advocate of signing Looch.

However, if I could see one potential drawback, it would be his strong personality. Benning is maintaining a solid group of character guys to set the tone for the Bo's, Ben's and Baertschi's. If Benning has any strong reservations about Milan having a negative impact on the culture, there's no chance he offers him a contract.

I have no doubt both parties will be in contact prior to Canada Day.

Benning loves Lucic. He tried to trade for him, almost had a deal, Lucic agreed to waive to come here. Bam, LA steps up and blows Benning's offer out of the water.

I can see Benning going hard after Lucic should he be available July 1st. The guy has fallen in love with LA and his first choice will be to stay there. I can see him giving a home team discount to the Kings, but not Vancouver. But I have no doubt should he reach FA Benning will come calling. Again, I have no problem with signing him I just fear the term.

[Blob Mckenzie]

I'd like to see Milan come home.

I see no reason why he would want to come home.

[Chef Boi RD]

Lucic is a changed man now. He wants to come home as much as Shea Weber and Jamie Benn wanted to come home. Not. Would you want to play in this fishbowl with all these nutbar Canuck fans and media, miserable rainy weather and your family and old highschool buds nagging you all the time? Get me the hell outta dodge. I'd take the hometown discount to stay in LA for sure. I feel bad for Virtanen, his Mom must be on him like white on rice, his highschool buds are probably wanting to hang out at his Yaletown pad all the time to play video games and smoke weed. No escaping it

[Mickey107]

Lucic is a changed man now. He wants to come home as much as Shea Weber and Jamie Benn wanted to come home. Not. Would you want to play in this fishbowl with all these nutbar Canuck fans and media, miserable rainy weather and your family and old highschool buds nagging you all the time? Get me the hell outta dodge. I'd take the hometown discount to stay in LA for sure. I feel bad for Virtanen, his Mom must be on him like white on rice, his highschool buds are probably wanting to hang out at his Yaletown pad all the time to play video games and smoke weed. No escaping it

I think that job application you submitted for "Ministry of Tourism" was shredded. Sorry

[Hockey Widow]

Lucic is a changed man now. He wants to come home as much as Shea Weber and Jamie Benn wanted to come home. Not. Would you want to play in this fishbowl with all these nutbar Canuck fans and media, miserable rainy weather and your family and old highschool buds nagging you all the time? Get me the hell outta dodge. I'd take the hometown discount to stay in LA for sure. I feel bad for Virtanen, his Mom must be on him like white on rice, his highschool buds are probably wanting to hang out at his Yaletown pad all the time to play video games and smoke weed. No escaping it

Weber was prepared to sign the same offer sheet with us that Philadelphia gave him. But MG told him it will be matched by Nashville so instead tried to get him to sign a huge one year deal that would allow him to be a FA the next year. His agent however feared the unknown changes the new CBA might bring and wanted his home run contract done before the expected changes. Point is Weber was prepared to play here.