Canucks Season Summed up thread

[mattola]

interesting

BrowntoBure ‏@BrowntoBure
Apparently Boston is interested in Raymond. Kind of like a horse, you break it before you ride it.

 

[mattola]

2012 Canadian Team Reports - Canucks

General Manager: Mike Gillis
Top Draft Position: No. 26 Overall
Recent First Round Picks: RW Nicklas Jensen (2011), C Jordan Schroeder (2009), C Cody Hodgson (2008), C Patrick White (2007), RW Michael Grabner (2006), G Cory Schneider (2004).

Overview: The Canucks have built a solid foundation with long-time Chief Amateur Scout Ron Delmorme leading the way.

Since taking the job in 2000 (after 20 years of working with the team in several roles), his scouting staff has produced gems like Kevin Bieksa (151st in 2001), Ryan Kesler (23rd overall in 2003), Cory Schneider (26th overall in 2004), Alex Edler (91st overall in 2004) and Mason Raymond (51st overall in 2005). And those players have paid off handsomely for the club, leading them to the Stanley Cup Final last season.

Where the last few years are concerned, the Canucks have been in wait-and-see mode with their more recent prospects. Since the 2007 Draft, only one pick (Cody Hodgson - who was traded to Buffalo this past spring) has been a regular with the big club and just one prospect - 2011 first-rounder Nicklas Jensen at No. 60 - is ranked in The Hockey News's annual Future Watch.

So while the Canucks are enjoying some success with their current lineup, the need to build up the next crop of NHL-ready players looms large.

Short Term Needs: The first thing the Canucks have to do is straighten out their goaltending situation. All sides seem to agree that Roberto Luongo should be moved and that's expected to happen at or before the draft. Restricted free agent Cory Schnieder's contract situation also needs to be decided. Given their position in the first round (26th overall), the Canucks will not get immediate help in the draft. Last season demonstrated their need for a second line winger to play with Ryan Kesler and a top four defenceman to play with Alex Edler.

Long Term Needs: Jordan Schroeder will get a long look at Kesler's second line centre spot to start the season, as No. 17 will be out of the lineup for the first 4-6 weeks of the season (shoulder labrum). If the club can't make make improvements via trade, will Nicklas Jensen get fast tracked to help in the Top 6? So long-term wants can come down to this - if Jensen starts with the big club, they will need an injection of skill in the minor league system. After those two, the cupboard is pretty bare - especially now with Hodgson gone.

Prospect Watch From Scott Cullen: Nicklas Jensen has been about a point-per-game scorer in two OHL seasons, but he's also fared well in brief call-ups to the AHL over the last couple years, scoring six goals in eight games. He's only 19-years-old, so last year's 29th overall pick can take some time to develop, but has a chance to be a solid contributor.

Undrafted defenceman Chris Tanev tends to go under the radar, which happens when you score one goal in two seasons (127 games) of professional hockey, but Tanev moves the puck well and was a tidy plus-10 in 25 games with the Canucks last season, which could be enough to land the 22-year-old a regular turn on the blueline next year.



Twenty-two year old defenceman Kevin Connauton, has scored 24 goals in two AHL seasons (after 24 goals in his final junior season), so he's got the offensive skills. If he continues to improve defensively, he'll deserve a look with the Canucks.

Lanky Swedish puck stopper Eddie Lack has a .926 save percentage in two AHL seasons, a decent enough indication that the 24-year-old is ready for his chance in hte NHL and it turns out there just could be an opportunity next season.

2009 first-round pick Jordan Schroeder has a couple of AHL seasons under his belt and has become a more complete player, even if he's not likely to be the kind of scorer that might have been expected when he was drafted.

2009 second-rounder Anton Rodin came over from Sweden to play his first year in North America and endured some growing pains, but he's 21, so he has time to improve now that he's adjusted to the game.

A fourth-round pick last summer, Joseph LaBate had a decent freshman season in the competitive WCHA and, with time to fill out his frame and develop at Wisconsin, he could have some long-term upside.

Patrick McNally, a fourth-round pick in 2010, had a strong freshman year at Harvard. It's not the same as WCHA competition, but if McNally can continue to improve his production, then he'll be worth keeping an eye on.

Late-blooming 6-foot-5 winger Alexandre Grenier has shown some offensive promise. If he fills out and gets stronger, last summer's third-round pick might be able to translate his skills to the pro game.

A Czech defenceman who played a couple of seasons in the QMJHL, Adam Polasek got his feet wet in the AHL this season, but could use a couple more seasons of development.

 

[mattola]

Canucks go to arbitration with Raymond - Vancouver Canucks - Features

 

[mattola]

may not be able to tell but I liked a new site today on Facebook Dead Season. in my menu bar it had this image

I thought it appropriate lol

 

[puckhead]

[YOUTUBE]-KbDnMLEvm0[/YOUTUBE]

 

[mattola]

thanks Puck. thats a whole lot of the same talk I guess.

 

[mattola]

I've a feeling Canucks take a hard run at Tootoo........

 

[puckhead]

lol...


@strombone1
Can someone call in and ask Gillis to call me? Thanks and no rush“@VanCanucks: Where will u b at 2:45pm? @GMMikeGillis will b on @TEAM1040."

 

[puckhead]

Vancouver Canucks vs. Mason Raymond: Does this mean war?

summary:
It's not about the money. It's about "get your shit together, Mason"

 

[puckhead]

CKWX has learned that #Canucks #1 draft pick Niklas Jensen will play in Sweden next year of he doesn't make the Canucks. he's talking to 3-4 teams in Sweden and will pick the team in next 2 weeks.

 

[puckhead]

decent summary of what's going on
Despite an ace in his hand, Gillis keeps card close to chest - The Globe and Mail

 

[mattola]

Wyatt Arndt ‏@TheStanchion
"Canucks offered Rome a contract, but he did the safe play and chipped it off the glass and out" - a line I will use if he doesn't sign here

 

[mattola]

UFA of the Day: Jay McClement | Rob The Hockey Guy

 

[mattola]

Ted Gruber ‏@puckgruber
Hearing the Wolves are leaning toward not renewing their relationship with the Canucks after this year. Nothing is official however.

 

[puckhead]

@Aportzline

Just ran into former #CBJ coach Scott Arniel on his way into Consol. Confirmed he has taken coaching job w AHL Chicago in VAN org.

 

[puckhead]

@imacVanSun

Scott Arniel had lots of interest from employers. Chose Canucks AHL job over NHL asst job in San Jose

 

[mattola]

Aaron Rome expected to hit free agent market July 1.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Rome must have cheated on Vigneault with another man

 

[mattola]

Rome must have cheated on Vigneault with another man

lol yeah I guess the rome era is over.... does that mean Ballard has a shot at real minutes? we will have a very very different looking bottom 3 D

 

[mattola]

Wyatt Arndt ‏@TheStanchion
News1130 saying Rome had no contact from Canucks.Aside from AV calling up and crying, whispering "I'm so sorry..."