GDT: Canucks host the Avs - 7pm - VS

[Arachnid]

And risk a broken hand? For what? A meaningless game?

We are already down a primary D-man.

Good move KB

Save it for the 3 month war coming up...

[ClamRussel]

Really?

Interesting how Seabrook got into a scrap tonight in another "meaningless" game as they'll finish first overall and St. Louis is out of the playoffs. Suffice its safe to say Seabrook is both a much better defenceman and more important to his team than Bieksa is to the Canucks....I don't think Bam Bam will be getting any invites to Team Canada anytime soon unless its that end of year "world championship" and the Canucks have been dispatched from the first round. Like the Canucks, the Blackhawks are also suffering from blueline woes as Campbell is basically done for the year. Also, Seabrook is just coming off a concussion and fighting is probably not a great idea...

So why would he scrap a week before playoffs start?

Well perhaps its more indicative of why Chicago is a better team than the Canucks and why they pounded them in game 6 of last year's playoffs. I guaranfreakintee it that if that same Demitra hit was on a Blackhawk that there would have been fisticuffs and perhaps more. We'll see which team goes farther in the playoffs this year.

Trust me, I'm no advocate of fighting and senseless violence...in fact I'm 100% opposed to the ol' premeditated goon vs goon scraps that are still too common....but this is a case where Galiardi crossed the line and got away with it. He should have paid a price and going w/ Bieksa at least would have held him accountable and sent the right message. What if Demitra was hurt on the play? Its inconsequential that he wasn't hurt...he could have been and missed playoff games for us; the guy is injury prone and just coming off multiple shoulder surgeries....it is NOT ok to run him from behind after the whistle LATE when the player had all the time in the world to let up. Or is it ok? Guess so.

Bieksa is a shell of his former self and this just proved it to me.

[the toucan kid]

Bieksa is a shell of his former self and this just proved it to me.

I think you're splitting hairs big time on the fighting thing, but Bieksa has been a shell for quite some time.

[Cornuck]

Clam - I agree 100% with your post.

I was thinking before the game that a good plan would have been to take an instigator against anyone who got in the crease. When I saw that late hit - I thought "Ok - send a message". In stead, just some glares and nothing to back them up.

[ClamRussel]

Bieksa is a shell of his former self and this just proved it to me.

I think you're splitting hairs big time on the fighting thing, but Bieksa has been a shell for quite some time.

Of course I am, but its the game within the game TC. Bieksa *could* play a similar role to Seabrook for us, but he doesn't and never will by the looks of things. I really think he has similar potential to Seabrook, in fact he's put up better numbers and is tougher but it looks like he'll end up following the footsteps of Special Ed and continue to be a high risk/mental mistake riddled coulda-been for the rest of his career. Not that he's as good Jovo but Ed never lived up to his potential although he did have some solid years here. As it is, Bieksa isn't even close to being in the same category as Seabrook or Jovo which is a shame. Don't even get me started on the leadership angle.

Now I haven't seen the highlites yet but the fact Seabrook took an instigator w/ his fighting major tells me he went after Winchester for good reason. I'm pretty sure Quennville didn't want Seabrook to risk injury and do what he did but it comes with the territory and lets just see what kind of Dman Chicago chicago has w/ Seabrook and what we have w/ Bieksa come playoffs. For the record I'm only comparing the 2 dmen because they both play a somewhat similar role (or at least they're supposed to) w/ their clubs and Seabrook happened to get into a scrap tonight...not that I think Bieksa is as good as him or anything...however, the case was made by others that Bieksa is far too valuable to risk injury by sticking up for his teammates beyond a stern glare.

Clam - I agree 100% with your post.

I was thinking before the game that a good plan would have been to take an instigator against anyone who got in the crease. When I saw that late hit - I thought "Ok - send a message". In stead, just some glares and nothing to back them up.

My thoughts exactly, what Bfugglien (sp?) did last year should have resulted in retaliation to their star players like Toews or Kane....or else at least an attempted beating by Hordichuk & Bieksa. The way Luongo is playing right now we probably don't have to worry about him getting run....Henrik on other hand.

[the toucan kid]

Of course I am, but its the game within the game TC. Bieksa *could* play a similar role to Seabrook for us, but he doesn't and never will by the looks of things. I really think he has similar potential to Seabrook, in fact he's put up better numbers and is tougher but it looks like he'll end up following the footsteps of Special Ed and continue to be a high risk/mental mistake riddled coulda-been for the rest of his career. Not that he's as good Jovo but Ed never lived up to his potential although he did have some solid years here. As it is, Bieksa isn't even close to being in the same category as Seabrook or Jovo which is a shame. Don't even get me started on the leadership angle.

Hmm I never saw Bieksa as potential, certainly not that kind. I saw him as an overachiever from whom we were lucky to get what we got. Too bad the well is dry, but to get what we have from him is still something. I doubt he was ever going to be a great D man, or that he ever really had it in him.

[Jelly]

Chicago still hasn't locked up first place btw.

2nd place could have a good chance to play Detroit.
And I think neither Chicago or San Jose would like to play Detroit this early.

And seriously?

If your KB3, you have had a serious freaky history of injuries, do you really want to take a chance now? when the game is meaningless?

by all means, if this was the cup finals, i'm sure it wouldn't be let go.

heck, if Demitra went down hurt, i'm sure he wouldn't be quiet about it, but Demo looked fine after the hit, so who cares.

it's like the people complaining about Henrik still not shooting enough.
For crying out loud, he has 29 freaking goals.

[the toucan kid]

it's like the people complaining about Henrik still not shooting enough.
For crying out loud, he has 29 freaking goals.

He still isn't shooting enough.

[ClamRussel]

Of course I am, but its the game within the game TC. Bieksa *could* play a similar role to Seabrook for us, but he doesn't and never will by the looks of things. I really think he has similar potential to Seabrook, in fact he's put up better numbers and is tougher but it looks like he'll end up following the footsteps of Special Ed and continue to be a high risk/mental mistake riddled coulda-been for the rest of his career. Not that he's as good Jovo but Ed never lived up to his potential although he did have some solid years here. As it is, Bieksa isn't even close to being in the same category as Seabrook or Jovo which is a shame. Don't even get me started on the leadership angle.

Hmm I never saw Bieksa as potential, certainly not that kind. I saw him as an overachiever from whom we were lucky to get what we got. Too bad the well is dry, but to get what we have from him is still something. I doubt he was ever going to be a great D man, or that he ever really had it in him.

Well its looking like you are correct, however at the time he was overachieving I saw that as a glimpse into what he *could* be. That was a formidable force on the blueline, a rare combination of a great shot, solid skating and scary tough in a middle-weight fight. If the guy could have become more sound defensively, smarter w/ his outlet passes (not so nonchalant) and perhaps a bit more of hitter he would have been an ideal package. Instead he's regressed in pretty much every category imaginable. Perhaps its been the injuries and he's having a hard time finding his stride, who knows.

Hindsight is 20/20 though and he's no spring chicken anymore. Still he's our toughest meanest blueliner when he wants to be.

[Arachnid]

Really?

Interesting how Seabrook got into a scrap tonight in another "meaningless" game as they'll finish first overall and St. Louis is out of the playoffs. Suffice its safe to say Seabrook is both a much better defenceman and more important to his team than Bieksa is to the Canucks....I don't think Bam Bam will be getting any invites to Team Canada anytime soon unless its that end of year "world championship" and the Canucks have been dispatched from the first round. Like the Canucks, the Blackhawks are also suffering from blueline woes as Campbell is basically done for the year. Also, Seabrook is just coming off a concussion and fighting is probably not a great idea...

So why would he scrap a week before playoffs start?

Well perhaps its more indicative of why Chicago is a better team than the Canucks and why they pounded them in game 6 of last year's playoffs. I guaranfreakintee it that if that same Demitra hit was on a Blackhawk that there would have been fisticuffs and perhaps more. We'll see which team goes farther in the playoffs this year.

Trust me, I'm no advocate of fighting and senseless violence...in fact I'm 100% opposed to the ol' premeditated goon vs goon scraps that are still too common....but this is a case where Galiardi crossed the line and got away with it. He should have paid a price and going w/ Bieksa at least would have held him accountable and sent the right message. What if Demitra was hurt on the play? Its inconsequential that he wasn't hurt...he could have been and missed playoff games for us; the guy is injury prone and just coming off multiple shoulder surgeries....it is NOT ok to run him from behind after the whistle LATE when the player had all the time in the world to let up. Or is it ok? Guess so.

Bieksa is a shell of his former self and this just proved it to me.

Too be honest ClamBake I never saw the play.

I have never liked Bieksa. He glares too much if you ask me and has never been a pure fighter. He is what he is and Lord knows we needed him all these years.
We have guys that are fighters and could have dropped them during the next shift.
I hope AV told them no rough stuff. Save it for the post-season

Quenneville is an idiot if he thinks they should be going all out right now. If he wants to risk injury with the concussed Seabrokk then so be it, better for us.
I'm big advocate of rest your best right now. The Sedins, Demitra, Luongo, Erhoff, Salo should all be playing very little minutes at this point. Bernier, Wellwood, Grabner can play top minutes, they need them to get them really going.
Last year I think fatigue started to drift in against Chicago and I hope we learned that it is a long hall to the Stanley Cup

Know what I was thinking when I was watching the AVs game? Gee, I hope no one does anything stupid and gets injured...
Sure enough CE & RJ...out. For what?

What it all boils down to it is the run for the SCF. That's when these guys have to step it up, forget point races or grudges or payback...I want a fracking Cup

Yeah yeah we won Gold on home ice, big deal, we did it in Salt Lake already...damnit living in the Center of Hell for 30 years I have to show these Make Beliefs something for all these years of painful loyalty!

[LotusBlossom]

Bieksa is a shell of his former self and this just proved it to m

I am with you on this one. Seems that we're in the minority. Although, this is the time of year to play it 'safe' and rest up the key players we need for the playoffs, this would have been a perfect time for Bieksa to drop'em, even if it was a bit of a dance. Why risk it?

Because he hasn't been charged up enough since he got back. Which also points to he hasn't had a season to get him into playoff-mode.

I saw the play, it should have been dealt with instead of staring down the opponent and beaking off. He is no longer the KB that was called up because of his play and demeanor in Manitoba.

My only concern is our blue line is already without Willie Mitchell and if Bieksa went down with an injury, we're riding on AHL talent to stop the proverbial bleeding.

Never been sold on Bieksa, and I thought we should have traded him a couple years ago, when he was worth a first round pick.

[ClamRussel]

Bieksa is a shell of his former self and this just proved it to m

... this would have been a perfect time for Bieksa to drop'em, even if it was a bit of a dance. Why risk it?

Because he hasn't been charged up enough since he got back. Which also points to he hasn't had a season to get him into playoff-mode.

Exactly! See Spidey, thats all I'm saying....we don't need Bieksa coasting right now, we need a fire lit under his rearend; a spark....anything! I was thinking if he came to his teammates' aid and tuned that TJ punk it might just have woke him up and sent a message to his teammates and to our future opponents that that kind of garbage will not stand.