Coconuts

Big if true Not having Hart has really hurt them down the stretch

50, and 51

Isles starting to pull away a bit, and goddamn has Philly choked

It has been, I haven't agreed with all of their moves but by and large it's been more encouraging. And you're probably right, it's been early going but we're trending away from that now. That's definitely worth considering. What Benning accomplished, and what he failed to accomplish, is underscored by the fact that we were largely bottom feeders or mediocre under his watch. We've begun to (hopefully) emerge under JR and Allvin, although I wouldn't be surprised to see some regression next season. They've walked into a different dynamic than Benning did and that will likely affect how they manage resources. Thing is, competitive window or not, they do need to balance trying to keep the NHL roster competitive with building the future. What's gone on in Abbotsford, and their picks thus far, are encouraging, but we need more. Miller will be 32 before next season is up, Pettersson will be 26, Boeser will be 28, Demko will be 29, Hughes will be 25. Much of the rest of the roster is later 20's, with guys like Hoglander, Podkolzin (largely AHL this season), and Aman being the exceptions. Willander is probably a little ways out, give it a season or two, that's probably true of Lekkerimaki as well but you never. But two years will fly by before you know it, and our core will all be closer to 30, 30, or just past it. That's not cause for panic when considered on it's own, but it suddenly doesn't look so good if you don't have blue chippers stewing, and if you aren't drafting in the first two rounds. I understand the pressure of being competitive now, and viewing the short-term as a window, but unless we want to slide back into mediocrity management also needs to prioritize the future and utilize more of their picks to select players going forward. Our prospect pool is better than it was, but it's probably still in the bottom half of the league and it's propped up by Raty, Pettersson, Willander, and Lekkerimaki. It's why I've repeatedly emphasized the importance of drafting and developing, and of balancing bolstering the prospect pool while trying to build rosters that can be playoff teams. One can sign uni players and look for players overseas, one can even trade for players (though teams typically don't give up their stud young players), but drafting and developing your own players still remains the best way to acquire top tier talent.

Vancouver and Dallas's philosophy haven't been the same, Dallas generally prioritizes using their own picks and that's why they've been able to find, develop, utilize, and trade good prospects. I've been encouraged by this management's drafting thus far, but I'm hoping they do a better job of retaining and using their picks going forward. That's not just been an issue for this management group though. Since 2000 the Canucks haven't had a 1st round pick in 2002, 2010, 2020,or 2021. Soon to include 2024. Lot of misses throughout those years, but drafting and development have long been issues. Roughly on par with Dallas keeping their 1sts. It's the 2nd round picks where things get quite ugly though. We didn't pick a player in the 2nd round in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023, and soon to include 2024. This franchise has consistently frittered away 2nd rounders over the last 24 years, 13 drafts without a 2nd. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/teams/dr00008756.html Things will shift a little going forward, Dallas doesn't have a 2nd in this coming draft or the following, but it's smart use of picks is why they were able to get Tanev for Grushnikov (48OA) and a 2nd, which meant they could keep their 1st. Generally Dallas keeps their picks, but they managed to add a top 4RD for what they're hoping will be a cup run, and Tanev's exactly what they needed. We still have our 2025 1st and 2nd but given how we've been trading picks I'm not exactly optimistic about us keeping them.

Maybe. Will he get a camp invite? Probably. But improvement or not, AHL hockey and NHL hockey are different beasts. You're not wrong about us needing cheaper contracts, but I'm less encouraged by our older prospects outside of Tolopilo. Abbotsford's been more impressive under this management group though, as has drafting, hopefully we see more of it going forward.

I'm cautiously optimistic, rehabbing and practicing isn't the same as playing games. He may very well have to shake off some rust.

Karlsson will also be 25 in November, not sure I'd really consider him a prospect at this point. He's more of an NHL hopeful project, he's quickly approaching the age range where players largely are what they are.

Maybe, but I doubt it. The odds of them making it are slim but St. Louis ain't out of things yet, Vegas will want to clinch.

Be interesting to see how Silovs does, Vegas is still looking to lock I'm a playoff spot and would likely prefer us or Edmonton over Dallas, they'll come out hard Big test for him

Doesn't look like we're catching Dallas

Caps lost but grabbed a critical point Very much in the mix

Agreed, I was encouraged that management didn't ship out our blue chip guys. They've done a savvy job drafting thus far, I hope to see them use high picks to acquire more of them going forward. Picks can be currency, but I'm hoping they balance trading and using first and second round picks better than past management groups have.

Yup, despite being a contender the Canes had a deeper prospect pool than we did. Our prospect pool is more top heavy. The price for Guentzel was too high for the Canucks or they'd probably have pulled the trigger.

Most fans at the time preferred Tampa from what I recall, we got screwed by the league refusing to call anything during the Tampa vs Boston game seven, Tampa's powerplay was hot. Not a single penalty, they'd scored three powerplay goals in game six.

Give the Sens NHL tending and they might be a playoff hopeful

That'd be awesome, every team wants a Brady though Be interesting to see what they do with the top six going forward I don't think Lindholm stays and I question whether Mikheyev will be more than a middle six tweener even once he's had a healthy offseason of training It's basically Petey, Boeser, Miller and Hoglander and a couple question marks going into the offseason

Def, and that probably won't change any time soon with both the Caps and Pens starting to turn things over Philly too, and maybe NYI to a degree sooner than later Rags and Canes are the big fish, I expect the Devils to bounce back though Absolutely, he's def the leader for that team I'm happy with Petey, though I do like Tkachuk, he fills a more important role here imo

East in general seems more top heavy this season, which has left those bottom spots wide open Every western team in a spot has 90+ points whereas 85 has the Isles in the 7th seed out east

Guentzel has really worked out for Carolina and been an impact player for them since stepping in, I feel sorry for whoever ends up having to play them in the first round