3rd line appreciation

[Hockey Widow]

I wonder how Kassian would do with Booth and Kesler if he planted himself in front of the net and allowed kesler and Booth to fire away. If he could develop a net presence he could be our Holmstrom, one can dream.

[SKYO]

I wonder how Kassian would do with Booth and Kesler if he planted himself in front of the net and allowed kesler and Booth to fire away. If he could develop a net presence he could be our Holmstrom, one can dream.

That's the ideal, but you can see he has some things to learn obviously being a 21 year old rookie.

I think going through the playoffs this season and going through a solid work out regimen this offseason he should be miles ahead in the NHL 'intelligence' game for next season.

[RoyalDude]

That's the ideal, but you can see he has some things to learn obviously being a 21 year old rookie.

Was it a unknown 'project' that this team needed, considering the aging the Sedins, and the luxury of having two amazing goalies in which we won't have next year and the Sedins will be 32 at the start of next season? I thought the time to win was now?

[Farhan Lalji]

That's the ideal, but you can see he has some things to learn obviously being a 21 year old rookie.

Was it a unknown 'project' that this team needed, considering the aging the Sedins, and the luxury of having two amazing goalies in which we won't have next year and the Sedins will be 32 at the start of next season? I thought the time to win was now?

My thoughts exactly.

It is my hope that the Canucks try and put together a package this summer (Schneider, Schroeder, Edler, 1st) that would land us a young elite center that can successfully take over as the team's number one center as the twins begin to gradually decline into 0.9 or 0.85 PPG players. That way - we still maintain our dominance down the middle, while the twins continue their dominance on the 2nd line against weaker lines and defensive pairings (perhaps even continuing to be above PPG players in a 2nd line capacity).

As Kassian develops into the player that we want, he can then play alongside our new young/elite center.

If Schneider is who we're trading away, Tavares is the guy I had in mind (I.e. Putting together a package for a guy like Tavares).

[Hockey Widow]

Was it a unknown 'project' that this team needed, considering the aging the Sedins, and the luxury of having two amazing goalies in which we won't have next year and the Sedins will be 32 at the start of next season? I thought the time to win was now?

No, no it wasn't RD.

[Orcasfan]

Was it a unknown 'project' that this team needed, considering the aging the Sedins, and the luxury of having two amazing goalies in which we won't have next year and the Sedins will be 32 at the start of next season? I thought the time to win was now?

I would not characterize the twins as "aging" just yet! And, given their good health, their commitment to fitness, and their relatively good injury tally, I think we can expect to see, at least another couple of years of first-line-worthy performance from these guys.

As far as "winning now" is concerned - how do you guarantee that? The reality is that getting deep into the playoffs is about all that a good team can possibly project. Beyond that...there are just too many variables (look at our own 2004 history). So, a good GM is always looking to the future of the team, whether it's near or far. And, it's rarely worthwhile to "crater" your team at the deadline for the sake of some "star". That's something Burke might try, though...

And we do have the luxury of having a couple of star goalies (thank the gods!). One of whom might be dealt this summer for the right return. But, if the offers are not up to scratch, I think GMMG will opt to keep both!

[Madcombinepilot]

Farhan, you give up 4 assets for 1 like that, and you'll have this team gutted in no time.

[porp]

I would not characterize the twins as "aging" just yet! And, given their good health, their commitment to fitness, and their relatively good injury tally, I think we can expect to see, at least another couple of years of first-line-worthy performance from these guys.

Players like Lidstrom, Selanne, Chelios, &c. aren't exactly a dime a dozen, but those who keep contributing at a high level into their late 30's and beyond tend to be more intellectual players which the Sedins definitely are. Hmm, Larionov didn't retire until he was 46, although his last NHL season was at 45, but he did very consistently put up good 3rd line/decent 2nd line numbers throughout his career barring injury shortened seasons. Even in the 01-02/02-03 seasons with the Wings at the age of 42, 43, his point totals were on the high end of his career range.

What are your opinions on whether the Sedins can keep adapting their game once their bodies start feeling the effects of age - and the slower recovery time that comes with age - and the higher level of physical abuse met out on them game night in and game night out?