The Rebuild...

[DHA]

Im trading Hutton, long before I'm trading Tanev. I'm just not sold on Hutton, it's concerning to see his play digress this season. He is either resting on his laurels of last season "I'm too good to try now" or he just isn't as good as we had originally thought. Either way if there is a D-man I'm trading it's him, but his stock may be falling this season.

Seriously man! After all these years in the wilderness of no PP QB we need as many kicks at the can as possible to get that offensive D. He's only 23 yo and 2nd year in the league ... give this prospect some time to mature. Sure, he doesn't seem to have that competitive fire that Stecher has, but I think Stech needs to be that way because of his size so he can stand out from the crowd. Otherwise he's just another Yannick Weber.

He was a Gillis pick, so he's trash. Dere's dat narrative again.

Keith Ballard is an excellent player, AV is a shitty coach.

I see the second year in the NHL the hardest for NCAA kids. They come in after a 40 game season with plenty of time in the weight room to stay strong along with the off season to kick off a great rookie campaign. During the second pro year they come off playing against the best in the world for 80 games, their bodies are worn down more than they had have ever experienced and now they have a shortened window to add that muscle and strength to do it all over again. By now with all the extra minutes and not being even halfway through a season I'm sure Hutton is feeling it.

[Island Nucklehead]

The team lacks leadership in a big way right now. Sedins are supposed to lead, but they can't produce offensively like the past and they can't back it up with big hits, shutdown play or the odd fight, when they don't produce or leave their own freaking zone their level of leadership or influence on the team fades... and right now Horvat is the guy you think can lead. Funny thing about H. is that I hear he is not a the type of guy that hangs with the boys at all... he trains hard and is extremely disciplined but not great at the social thing. He loses a few points for that. Still he could be our future C.

Now Troy with a bundle of energy could wear a "A" one day if he can maintain.

Horvat
Gudbranson
Tanev
Dorsett

Good Canadian boys Don Cherry can be proud of. Get rid of that reputation for turning the other cheek, and turn it into an honest, hard-working (Horvat) team that can take a hit (Tanev), give a hit (Guddy), and throw down if needed (Dorsett).

Or just let Loui captain the team with Sutter, Hutton and Granlund. Model it after our current style of play. Team Unremarkable.

[ESQ]

I said before the season that I was concerned the Sedins weren't even 60-point players any more.

However, after seeing Willie's refusal to do any form of line-matching or icetime-optimizing, I wonder if there is a possibility for an offensive bounceback for the Sedins.

At their peak, the Sedins had 80% offensive zone starts, now (I think, according to NHL.com, its down to 50% - 222 offensive zone faceoffs for Henrik out of 442 faceoffs total.

[SKYO]

I said before the season that I was concerned the Sedins weren't even 60-point players any more.

However, after seeing Willie's refusal to do any form of line-matching or icetime-optimizing, I wonder if there is a possibility for an offensive bounceback for the Sedins.

Sedins are going through the motions a bit for sure, they are the leaders of the squad and even they seem a bit down after years upon years of losing along with this season.

Team is rebuilding, let em rebuild and get a high pick, team needs a Vilardi or Hischier to add to the arsenal.

For the people who don't like Sutter (in/blob) you should be rooting to tank, because if we can get Vilardi, we can let Vegas have Sutter! ...but if we start winning (lol) the crappier pick we get and sutter stays.

Bo 2nd line, Vilardi can start on the 3rd & move up after the Sedins retire.

Offseason trade one of Edler or Tanev for another scoring top 6 forward, LW (if we draft Vilardi) or a Center (if we draft Hischier).
And just like that we'd have 3 pretty good lines to build upon.

[Iceman2014]

The Sedins have been split up and I still wonder why WD hasn't at least tried it here. He could even try Daniel at centre on another line and so on.

Erikkson/Hank/Hansen

Daniel/Sutter/Rodin

Sven/Horvat/Burr

Gaunce/Granlund/Megna

Who knows what that does but there is nothing to lose at this point.

I still think it's putting lipstick on a pig but with Benning's trading comments (NTCs), this might be all we can do. Also, Linden was of the mind trades aren't going to help (wtf?).

Anyway, I am less enthused with Benning these days.

[Mickey107]

The Sedins have been split up and I still wonder why WD hasn't at least tried it here. He could even try Daniel at centre on another line and so on.

Erikkson/Hank/Hansen

Daniel/Sutter/Rodin

Sven/Horvat/Burr

Gaunce/Granlund/Megna

Who knows what that does but there is nothing to lose at this point.

I still think it's putting lipstick on a pig but with Benning's trading comments (NTCs), this might be all we can do. Also, Linden was of the mind trades aren't going to help (wtf?).

Anyway, I am less enthused with Benning these days.

It is worth a shot and although they may buck it a bit to start, they could end up enjoying it.
Their cycle game has been adopted around the entire league throughout the years, it's even in video games.
When always playing together, it's hard for them to be mentors to the youth when they are taking it upon themselves to be the game breakers.
If they each had their own line, I can see that being a benefit all the way around. Their skills are such, they would get use to it and, I think, do fine.
Another thing, although I think chances remote, if they succeeded as individual players, would that open any doors in their future here or somewhere else?

[Hockey Widow]

Linden was referring to how trades were not going to turn the team into an instant contender. He gets how trades will assist in the transition and provide assets.

As far as trading all the vets he said he felt the mentorship value at this point in time out weighed the return some of those guys would bring which to me sums up how little of value they are.

There is no magic hockey trade waiting to be made that will instantly turn this around.

[SKYO]

Linden just learning how to play the game so the team doesn't look desperate for a trade, you trade from a position of strength, not weakness.

[Blob Mckenzie]

Linden was referring to how trades were not going to turn the team into an instant contender. He gets how trades will assist in the transition and provide assets.

As far as trading all the vets he said he felt the mentorship value at this point in time out weighed the return some of those guys would bring which to me sums up how little of value they are.

There is no magic hockey trade waiting to be made that will instantly turn this around.

Pearls of wisdom from Trev right there.

It's called asset management. The management should be fired if Burrows and Miller are here after the deadline.

Start fielding calls on Edler, Tanev and Hansen.If they can get a good return (not Elmers idea of a good return) on any or all, bully them out of town. The Sedins and Sbisa are gone in 2018. Let all three walk , have 18 million to spend. They are stuck with Eriksson and Sutter.

By the time they are decent again Horvat will be a grizzled veteran.

[Strangelove]

I said before the season that I was concerned the Sedins weren't even 60-point players any more.

However, after seeing Willie's refusal to do any form of line-matching or icetime-optimizing, I wonder if there is a possibility for an offensive bounceback for the Sedins.

At their peak, the Sedins had 80% offensive zone starts, now (I think, according to NHL.com, its down to 50% - 222 offensive zone faceoffs for Henrik out of 442 faceoffs total.

Thanks for pointing that out!

[Strangelove]

There is no magic hockey trade waiting to be made that will instantly turn this around.

This is NOT what Trader Skyo wants to hear!

[Hockey Widow]

Linden was referring to how trades were not going to turn the team into an instant contender. He gets how trades will assist in the transition and provide assets.

As far as trading all the vets he said he felt the mentorship value at this point in time out weighed the return some of those guys would bring which to me sums up how little of value they are.

There is no magic hockey trade waiting to be made that will instantly turn this around.

Pearls of wisdom from Trev right there.

It's called asset management. The management should be fired if Burrows and Miller are here after the deadline.

Start fielding calls on Edler, Tanev and Hansen.If they can get a good return (not Elmers idea of a good return) on any or all, bully them out of town. The Sedins and Sbisa are gone in 2018. Let all three walk , have 18 million to spend. They are stuck with Eriksson and Sutter.

By the time they are decent again Horvat will be a grizzled veteran.

I agree Blob. Last year was too bad we couldn't get anything for Hamhuis or Vrbata but I don't blame Benning for that for all the reasons that have been debated to death.

But it is pure delusion to think this is a playoff competing team. It's borderline delusional to think we will make the playoffs. Yes, they are still possible, as possible as a NDP government in Alberta or a President named Trump, but possible.

It's isn't good enough to make the playoffs. I suppose a run from now until then, where we turn it around and make the playoffs, will be a wonderful developmental experience for the younger players but it's poor long term asset thinking.

I don't want to see all of Tanev, Edler, Sbisa, Burrows, Hansen, Miller, Dorsett gone by TDD but a good portion of them please. It still is a good idea to have some vets around. But then again if we do trade the whole lot we could take back a few bad expiring contracts from teams that need cap space for TDD. It's possible.

[Mickey107]

Haven't totally given up on the idea of acquiring Jonathan Drouin. Possible but tricky.
Really would depend on where Tampa is at in February and if they were all in for a push for the cup. It would probably take Tanev. and of course we would have to sign him in the summer.
Still too soon to know if his career is truly on track so there is a gamble but the age fits and it's, IMO, a better option than E. Kane, but again, there have been issues, kind of Jake like.
Who knows?

[Chef Boi RD]

Haven't totally given up on the idea of acquiring Jonathan Drouin. Possible but tricky.
Really would depend on where Tampa is at in February and if they were all in for a push for the cup. It would probably take Tanev. and of course we would have to sign him in the summer.
Still too soon to know if his career is truly on track so there is a gamble but the age fits and it's, IMO, a better option than E. Kane, but again, there have been issues, kind of Jake like.
Who knows?

Since the 2017 draft class is garbage, I would not be opposed to trading our 1st round pick for the likes of a Drouin. Is Vilardi and Hirschier our saviour? Ya no, ain't happening, it will be 4 to 5 years the earliest before we see the full affects of these 'average at best' players on this roster. Trade the pick, cause the great example of how to build an organization the Colorado Avalanche have the first overall pick all sewn up, aaaahhhhgain.

[Blob Mckenzie]

Up and down like a whores pants Ol PAC B. Whoever Vancouver drafts this year will be a top 3 prospect in their system. They need talent in the pipeline buds.

LOL @ you doing a 180 on Drouin.