I agree. People forget that he walked away from Pittsburgh too and that situation was a hell of a lot better than this one and much closer to his home in Carolina
- Nucker101

He'll use stress and his health as an excuse.

Did you predict Bo as top six in Utica?

I am glad he is in Abbottsford, and away from this gong show. Nice to see Canucks finally developing a prospect properly and not rushing him.
- VANTEL

No, that was before my time here. I'll also admit I seldom make predictions because I'm usually wrong. But, unlike a few on here, I don't cling onto them like muddy underwear whether I'm right or wrong.

I think FA told JR what he wanted when he hired him, and JR said I can do that, so to go back to FA a year later and say "sorry I can't do what I promised" is hard to do.

I'm sure what JR has said to FA is that we'll admit defeat on this year(likely convinced FA that lot of this is Bruce's fault) and that playoffs are back on the menu next season. But deep down he now knows this team is (frank)ed and stuck in no-man's land which is why he'll retire soon enough.
- Nucker101

So they can’t trade top players away unless FA approves? Is this why Linden walked?

Some Sedin or advisor has to explain to FA how things should be run. That doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.

- Nucker101

I think I am one of the few who thinks this is a stealth tank. I think this team has too much talent with the forwards to believe they are a bottom five team.

My thinking is FA won't allow the rebuild so JR is giving FA the finger and making it look like total chaos and collect the high draft pick agains Aquilini's wishes. Maybe that is why he is saying we will be better next year.

Maybe Bo won't be moved.

No, that was before my time here. I'll also admit I seldom make predictions because I'm usually wrong. But, unlike a few on here, I don't cling onto them like muddy underwear whether I'm right or wrong.
- Load Management

I think Pods and Hogs are fine.

I wouldn't know what muddy underwear is like, I guess that is a fisherman's thing.

I think Pods and Hogs are fine.

I wouldn't know what muddy underwear is like, I guess that is a fisherman's thing.
- VANTEL

Not that I'm a fan of either, at least their not playing in a toxic environment.

The funny thing for me is that I disliked the pick, but Pod has surpassed my low expectations, I still view him as a solid 3rd line winger once his game matures. I was worried he'd flat out bust like Virtanen, but he's a million time more dedicated to his profession which should serve him well. I do think his hockey sense is a bit limited so he just needs to keep his game simple and straightforward.
- Nucker101

You need players like that, you know players who keep it simple and straightforward, crash and bang, head to the net, etc.
You get these so-called high IQ guys, and all they do is take about 10 years to understand that defense isn't just chasing the puck and puck-wat hing like the Hughes Brothers, Zegras etc. I prefer to call those guys all offense, no clue the rest of the time, not high hockey sense types, as hockey is supposed to be played in all 3 zones with and without the puck.

You need players like that, you know players who keep it simple and straightforward, crash and bang, head to the net, etc.
You get these so-called high IQ guys, and all they do is take about 10 years to understand that defense isn't just chasing the puck and puck-wat hing like the Hughes Brothers, Zegras etc. I prefer to call those guys all offense, no clue the rest of the time, not high hockey sense types, as hockey is supposed to be played in all 3 zones with and without the puck.
- Reubenkincade

I agree with the bold.

not sure why you're assuming I mean Hughes/Zegras types when I say high IQ? Weird to even go out of your to even mention those players


Alex Burrows for example is one of the smartest forwards I've seen play for the Canucks. Pod doesn't think the game like he does, and that's okay.

Not that I'm a fan of either, at least their not playing in a toxic environment.
- VanHockeyGuy

I hope they stay there all year TBH.

As I just posted I think Canucks are okay with losing and trying to make it look like oh damn we are terrible.

This Pearson move made me think okay they are doing textbook money shuffling. Unfortunate for TP but saying that it looks like another one after this one maybe career ending all seems like shuffling money along with Poolman. That is almost six mil in LTIR. Throw in a buyout of OEL and there is another seven mil.

These next few weeks will be interesting to see what they are doing.

I hope they stay there all year TBH.

As I just posted I think Canucks are okay with losing and trying to make it look like oh damn we are terrible.

This Pearson move made me think okay they are doing textbook money shuffling. Unfortunate for TP but saying that it looks like another one after this one maybe career ending all seems like shuffling money along with Poolman. That is almost six mil in LTIR. Throw in a buyout of OEL and there is another seven mil.

These next few weeks will be interesting to see what they are doing.
- VANTEL

You really think they'll buyout OEL? I don't

Higgins 62 g 142 pts in six years as a Canuck 314 games
Pearson 55 g 114 pts in five years including this one, 221 games.

Seems pretty similar to me. Infact I would think Pearson produces more.
- VANTEL

The point is lost on you, it’s not about who they are as players or their production but what they meant to the team and the cost to acquire them. Anyway, I’m moving on to other things. Good chat!

I agree with the bold.

not sure why you're assuming I mean Hughes/Zegras types when I say high IQ? Weird to even go out of your to even mention those players


Alex Burrows for example is one of the smartest forwards I've seen play for the Canucks. Pod doesn't think the game like he does, and that's okay.
- Nucker101

I agree with the bold.

not sure why you're assuming I mean Hughes/Zegras types when I say high IQ? Weird to even go out of your to even mention those players


Alex Burrows for example is one of the smartest forwards I've seen play for the Canucks. Pod doesn't think the game like he does, and that's okay.
- Nucker101

Burrows was what 24 when he made the nhl, Podkolzin is 21, he will be fine. I fully expect him to be a good 2nd line 3rd wheel.

When I think of IQ for former Canucks, I think Tanev, who always seems to know what is going on out on the ice.

The point is lost on you, it’s not about who they are as players or their production but what they meant to the team and the cost to acquire them. Anyway, I’m moving on to other things. Good chat!
- LeftCoaster

Is it lost on me or you? Not being an ass about it either. Pearson before he left was always top six and playing well with Miller. I really believe this is now a money thing now. I think if he made less money, he would have been back sooner instead of being told he is injured.

Burrows was what 24 when he made the nhl, Podkolzin is 21, he will be fine. I fully expect him to be a good 2nd line 3rd wheel.

When I think of IQ for former Canucks, I think Tanev, who always seems to know what is going on out on the ice.
- Reubenkincade

I'm sure the game does slow down for players as they gain experience to an extent, but Pod to me is a player who has more natural talent/tools than his impact will show. He's a big strong kid, he can skate, he can really shot the puck, has decent puck-handling ability, works hard, on paper that should mean he's going to be potentially a top line player or at worst a 2nd line player.

I think he'll fall short of that because he's limited a bit in terms of reading the play two steps ahead, he's good at reacting to what's in front of him thanks to his hustle and athletic ability though.

I don't think that's a knock on him, having a guy like him in your lineup is totally fine and he brings an element to this team that they lack. If he did have above average hockey sense, he'd be a monster.

I'm sure the game does slow down for players as they gain experience to an extent, but Pod to me is a player who has more natural talent/tools than his impact will show. He's a big strong kid, he can skate, he can really shot the puck, has decent puck-handling ability, works hard, on paper that should mean he's going to be potentially a top line player or at worst a 2nd line player.

I think he'll fall short of that because he's limited a bit in terms of reading the play two steps ahead, he's good at reacting to what's in front of him thanks to his hustle and athletic ability though.

I don't think that's a knock on him, having a guy like him in your lineup is totally fine and he brings an element to this team that they lack. If he did have above average hockey sense, he'd be a monster.
- Nucker101

Pretty much

- VANTEL

Would it be wrong to bring Burr in as the coach…? Like for a rebuild type team with young talent. Work hard and learn to play the right way.

Turning into a great football game.

Would it be wrong to bring Burr in as the coach…? Like for a rebuild type team with young talent. Work hard and learn to play the right way.
- Quinn's Quest

I think Burrows loves where he is now. As much as he loved the Canucks he loved the Habs as much so let him be.

I would love to see what he would bring as a fan but now is not the time for another first-time project.

Would it be wrong to bring Burr in as the coach…? Like for a rebuild type team with young talent. Work hard and learn to play the right way.
- Quinn's Quest

Good player doesn't always = good coach even if it's a fan fave who got the most out of his talent


You still need to be a good communicator, need to manage personalities, develop a full system, etc.

Good player doesn't always = good coach even if it's a fan fave who got the most out of his talent


You still need to be a good communicator, need to manage personalities, develop a full system, etc.
- Nucker101

Retire jersey.

This way Allvin can hang something in the rafters also like Benning and Gillis.

Is it lost on me or you? Not being an ass about it either. Pearson before he left was always top six and playing well with Miller. I really believe this is now a money thing now. I think if he made less money, he would have been back sooner instead of being told he is injured.
- VANTEL

Yes. I believe it is lost on you because we were talking about Mike Gillis trades and you’ve somehow flexed it into Pearsons production vs Higgins production. Evan Oberg for Chris Higgins - vs - McCann (first round pick) & the 33rd overall pick (second round) for Gudbranson and then Gudbranson for Tanner Pearson straight up is largely why Jim Benning set the franchise back ten years and Mike Gillis didn’t/

I'm sure the game does slow down for players as they gain experience to an extent, but Pod to me is a player who has more natural talent/tools than his impact will show. He's a big strong kid, he can skate, he can really shot the puck, has decent puck-handling ability, works hard, on paper that should mean he's going to be potentially a top line player or at worst a 2nd line player.

I think he'll fall short of that because he's limited a bit in terms of reading the play two steps ahead, he's good at reacting to what's in front of him thanks to his hustle and athletic ability though.

I don't think that's a knock on him, having a guy like him in your lineup is totally fine and he brings an element to this team that they lack. If he did have above average hockey sense, he'd be a monster.
- Nucker101

He’s gonna be a good complimentary middle six forward, but there was no reason for Benning and the organization to have him on the team at a young age when he wasn’t ready. He should’ve be been in the AHL for a couple years to acclimate to North American and the pro game over here. Not only that, it was a bad pick because it wasn’t an organizational need.

He’s gonna be a good complimentary middle six forward, but there was no reason for Benning and the organization to have him on the team at a young age when he wasn’t ready. He should’ve be been in the AHL for a couple years to acclimate to North American and the pro game over here. Not only that, it was a bad pick because it wasn’t an organizational need.
- LeftCoaster

I thought he played well down the stretch last year and to start this year but he needs to learn to not get down on himself so fast when he goes through a slump. But I agree that big minutes in the AHL is probably best for him and Hog right now