But the simple analysis of overperforming v. underperforming talent must have something to do with coaching. How much of that difference would you say is due to systems design, and how much to other factors, such as roles, linemates and/or pairings? I find it curious, that tidbit about Tocchet's ...

UWSaint wrote: ↑Tue Jul 29, 2025 11:51 am Sometimes you have to do more things wrong than right to get that guy....

Or a team could actually recognize that they don't have the horses, and deliberately choose to enter a rebuilding phase.

Or at least, that seems like it should be theoretically possible.

Since I don't see this as a Cup-winning campaign for the Canucks, even if all of the chancy variables on which they are hoping come up favourably, I'm OK with this being another developmental season, and I'd rather not see them trade anything that would make them better in '27 for something that ...

Blob Mckenzie wrote: ↑Fri Jul 18, 2025 11:04 am So you are holding them to a higher standard than you did regarding previous management?

I feel like Chef has gotten better about acknowledging the successes and failures of each management team, but yes, it also feels like his standards are not consistent.

Do these cats not think things through before pulling triggers? They take calculated risks, and then don't get sentimental or fall for the sunk-cost fallacy when they don't work out. It seems to me that NHL managers are almost always working from incomplete information, and so many roster decisions ...

For exactly one season in his career Dakota Joshua played better than the guy you can pick up on waivers or every summer as the "remainder" in a free agency class (edit: how the Canucks got him to begin with). That season got him a $13M contract. Well played, Dakota. Godspeed to you. The Canucks ...

it will be nearly a 4% cap hit for a guy who is playing 30 games a year and not in the playoffs (unless Demko is unhealthy or falls apart). To me, the imperative to keep Demko from falling apart means that they should have Lankinen scheduled to play more than 30 games. Demko seems to have fully ...

dangler wrote: ↑Wed Jul 16, 2025 3:38 pm Proper load management is the key.

Agreed. Whatever else he gets right or wrong, much of Foote's season will hang on how healthy he can keep his goaltending duo, especially going into any playoff games.

Probably true of Pettersson's and Hughes' minutes, too, now that I think about it.

I, too, would rather see the Canucks keep Silovs until either they can be more confident about Demko's health, or an injury somewhere else increases his trade value.

Chef Boi RD wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 12:11 pm I think Blobbee may be on to something regarding the Benning Era

It has always looked that way to me.

But I share your skepticism about the degree of improvement represented by the current group. And I think we agree on the common denominator limiting performance.

Todd Bersnoozi wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 3:47 pm ...happy Canucks players...

Vancouver is a great city if you're making NHL money.

This was always the most likely outcome. Yes, I think most forecasters here had the Canucks rolling the dice on a Demko return to form. It would be one of the many things that would have to go right for the Canucks to have more than 4 playoff games in 2026, but it is possible. (in fact more likely ...

Chef Boi RD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 7:51 am My bad, sometimes it’s hard to see the forest through the Benning vs Gillis War. Life’s a bitch.

"I'll try to tell him the war's over."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-21SKg2xAdI

They weren't sure about Demmer's health/durability I'm still not. There were question marks when he came into the League, and he, we, and the Canucks are lucky he's lasted as long as he has. Every additional month we get of near-peak Demko represents more excellent dividends on what turned out to ...

Tciso wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 1:26 pm First, you want an arsehole with grit. Now, you want an arsehole with Vaseline. No pleasing some people.