Bring on the Playoffs!

Canucks vs. Blues: Preview & Predictions

Canucker33 has created a preview/prediction thread for the upcoming series between the Canucks and the St. Louis Blues. The thread offers an overview

INJURIES

Canucks: None - Kevin Bieksa, who missed the previous game due to a 'flu', is expected to play Game 1 of the playoffs.

Blues: Paul Kariya - likely back for Game 1, D.J. King, Eric Brewer, Erik Johnson



The Blues are hot right now, with a record of 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. On the other hand, Vancouver has a shorter hot streak of 3 wins going but have been incredible since February.

The season series between these two teams is tied at 2-2-0 (4-6 L / 6-4 W / 3-0 W / 2-4 L). With 15 goals scored by the Canucks and 14 by the Blues. Talk about even.... However, don't forget that some of these games have been complete letdowns by the Canucks, something I am sure they will avoid the in the playoffs. Also, LaBarbera had an off game letting in 6 goals in one of the losses.

The thread contains a poll with 3 questions:

1. Who will win the series and in how many games?


2. Which Blues player are you most worried about?


3. Which Canucks will have the best series? (Choose 3)

HockeyNut30 posted his prediction:

The two best teams in the NHL since February. It's going to be a great series but I gotta give the edge to the Canucks. Vancouver in 6!

KelserownsIginla thinks special teams and goaltending will be the difference:

Not an easy matchup at all. A team coming in playing so well that has played w/playoff type desperation for a while now.

To me the entire key is the Canucks discipline. The Blues have been in the top 10 in the PP all year. If the Canucks play this team 5 on 5 they win easy b/c of the HUGE advantage in net. IF they are constantly taking penalties this series will drag out to 6 or 7 and could be an upset.

I like Vancouver in 5 here. Mason has exactly 1 career win against the Canucks and anyone referencing the season series please throw out the 6-4 win here b/c it was at the peak of the Canucks awful play and was without Luongo. Draw up the gameplan as it was in the 3-0 victory here and there will be no issues with the Blues.

The one break we did get in this matchup is that Mason, of all the netminders in the West, is likely, at best, the 7th best goalie in the playoffs.

Stay disciplined and get it behind their questionable defense and the Canucks win this series going away. That needs to be the formula!!

View the thread, vote on the poll questions, and make comments here.

Let the Trash Talking Begin!

InfiniteCanuck makes an emphatic call for the heckling of Chris Mason:

We better give Mason as hard of a time as we did for turco.

At least twice a period, we better hear something to the extent of:

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

The_Grinch seems to be in fine trash talking form:

Lol, no contest here. The Canucks will either win in 4, or 5. Please don't go over to their boards AT THE MOMENT. it's pretty sad how they think they can win, and the only thing they have to lay back on is "WINNING THE 2ND HALF OF THE PRESIDENT'S TROPHY". I find it quite a tease when Blues fans are suddenly jumping back on the wagon, and like the Jackets "fans", start acting cocky and over-confident. STILL, teams underestimate Luongo's ability to SHUTDOWN teams in the playoffs.

Canucks offence>>>>>Blues offence

-Blues first line is a defensive liability

-Kariya is questionable for the first round

-some key players are inexperienced

Canucks defence>>>>>>Blues defence

-do they have any puck moving dman?

-how many dman do they have with over 20 pts? 2?

-they are slow as hell

Luongo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mason. Mason has ONE career win vs. the Canucks? Good luck.

We destroy them in every aspect, and also physicality.

mike.h let his forum signature do the talking:

And finally, King_of_Anarchy delivered the most devastating blow to the Blues and their fanbase via mugshot.

Robert Luongo Pencil Sketch

Grabner_40 posted this awesome looking pencil drawing of Roberto Luongo.

There's no shortage of artistic talent on CDC.

The Creative & Media Forum is a great place to find the latest creations of Canucks.com forum members

Best of the Boards: March 31st

Burrows Getting Consideration for Team Canada 2010

Carlweezer posted some news from Pierre McGuire of TSN that would have been unfathomable just a few months ago:

Mcguirre was on the Canucks lunch today and he said that sources out of Calgary(where Hockey Canada is based) Alex Burrows is in the running and is being considered to be in the selection invitation camp this summer for Team Canada.

Wow just Wow! What story this guy is...can you imagine from the ECHL to Team Canada..

I can definitely see Burrows replacing the likes of Maltby and Draper on the 4th line, a smooth skating skater and checker who can put the puck in the net.!!

2 mill/ year!???!! can someone wake me up!

Nucks_allstarz likes the idea of Burr wearing the Maple Leaf:

if this is actually true....WOW!
gotta feel good for Burr though, he's earned it.
Maltby and Draper are too old, they shouldn't be on the team.
I'm not saying Burrows should be a lock for the team (let's make that clear), but they should definitely look into some younger checkers other than those two.

Tatoes sees Burrows as a potential injury replacement:

He can totally make it if Doan or Morrow get injured or Sharp stops scoring a billion short handed goals next season. Burrows M Richards Morrow would be a great checking line. Doan would be better but Doan could be just as effective on the 4th line.

Crosby Lecavalier Nash
Heatley Getzlaf Iginla
Burrows M Richards Morrow
Doan Staal Marleau

That would be quite awesome actually.

Dazzle thinks Canucks fans are dreaming on this one:

This could not happen. Based on Burrows' reputation in the NHL as someone who is a pest, he could not possibly be in the running for this. Wake up guys. There are A LOT more checkers that don't have a "bad" reputation that will get in. I'm 100 percent sure Burrows will not get in.

Squeak thinks a team of superstars may not be a good idea:

Team Canada is looking for more role players. AS that what is led to the success of the 2002 team.

Having players, similar to Draper, Maltby, Burrows, etc. Players that have offensive skills but can be on the PK and make it succeed. can shut down top players on other teams.

Burrows is the perfect mold, for what they need/looking for, to get a TEAM. Not 12 forwards who can try to outscore another team.

Doesn't mean Burrows will get on the team. But he deserves a look.

Personally, I think Burrows would be a great addition to the camp. Burrows would know he would be a likely cut, and we all know how Burrows responded to the threat of not making the Canucks last season.... If Burrows continues his amazing two-way play throughout the playoffs, and into next season, Team Canada would be nuts not to take a good long look at Alex.

Read the thread and post comments here

The 6^th D-man: Shane or Ossi?

Smyl-Linden wonders who AV will rely upon to fill the 6^th defenseman role in the playoffs, Shane O’Brien (aka SOB) or Ossi Vaananen:

Who do you think will be the go to guy?

GP G A Pts +/- PIM PP SH GW
O'Brien 70 0 10 10 4 180 0 0 0
Vaananen 48 1 10 11 8 22 0 0 0

Both players are about the same size and weight, Have limited scoring touch(historically). The only real noticable difference is OB's mean streak. That being said is SOB a liability or can the coaching staff reign him in?(they did fior a few games where he actually looked good offensively and defensivley)

Plough_Cat thinks the job is O’Brien’s to lose:

I think that SOB will get the start in the playoffs. But if the team falters, he'll be the first one out and Vaananen the first one in.

It's hard to argue with experience, and Ossi has plenty of that. The toughness factor is nice, but the bottom line is winning games, and that's all that matters in the post-season.

Krazz thinks it depends on the matchup:

SOB for tougher teams [à la Flames, Sharks], Vaananen for more puck-handling teams [à la Red Wings] is what I would do if I were coach.

The 6th-D door is really just a revolving door for the two, and the slot is really just up in the air.

It's nice having such depth on D heading into the post-season.

Blockpiler thinks O’Brien has won the job with his fists:

O'Brien earned that spot last night when he established the "you don't fight a Sedin you fight me instead" policy.

Vaananan is quality depth but we don't really need a responsible defensive guy because everyone except Bieksa is responsible. O'Brien can move the puck pretty well so I think he stays as long as he doesn't get worse.

One thing’s for certain, regardless of who starts the playoffs as the Canucks’ 6^th d-man, both Shane and Ossi should see playing time, as hard fought playoff games inevitably result in some injuries. It’s certainly a nice luxury to have such depth on the blueline heading into the playoffs, as guys like Rob Davison, Nathan McIver and even Nolan Baumgartner are capable of filling in if needed as well.

Read the thread and post comments here

The Best or Worst Game Day Thread Ever: You Decide!

For each game the Canucks play, a game day thread (GDT) is created on the message boards for fans to discuss all the minor developments that occur leading up to, during, and after a game. The first post in the thread is supposed to contain some basic information about the game, such as starting goalies, start time, leading scorers, and broadcast information.

This week, heifeweissen decided to create the GDT with a little help from Microsoft Paint:

Astute fans will notice that Daniel Sedin’s “ photo” must be very recent, as he clearly does not have all his teeth.

The hearts and flowers around the Minnesota Wild are a nice touch.

Read the thread and post comments here

March 23rd - Weekly Roundup

Kesler Saw it Coming

BXA refreshed everyone’s memory by posting Ryan Kesler’s preseason comments about him becoming a key offensive contributor. When he made the comments, alot of people thought that they were unrealistic, but now his words seem almost prophetic. (This was BXA’s first ever post on CDC):

Remember this article from before the start of this season:

http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/sports/story.html?id=2965d89b-d4dc-4e9a-9093-8bf667493308

"I want to be that guy, the guy the coach looks to put on the ice at the end of a game to win it. That's what I'm striving for. I'm striving to be a marquee player on this team, a guy who can score 70-80 points a year. I think I'm on the right track."

There are those in this city who will dismiss Kesler's ambition to be a 70-point player as fantasy.

"With me having played here for three years now, people lose sight of the fact I am only 24," Kesler said. "I'm not saying I'm going to go out there and score 30 goals this year, but I really believe I can be that kind of player."

If he had played on the second line all year he would have had 70 points easily and 30 goals for sure.

 

hockeyville88 sees a bright future ahead for Kesler and Burrows:

This season has been an eye opener for a lot of people in terms of realizing Kesler and Burrows' offensive potential

I hope they are able to handle the pressure next season as well so that if they play all 82 games on the top offensive lines they could potentially finish in the 60-70 point range by the end of the season

They also have to keep up their strong defensive play and agitate opponents as well

Basically they have become the 2 most important players on the team

Congrats on your first post btw

 

scottish-canuck backed up BXA’s point with some statistics:

Kesler has had 12 goals and 14 assists in 22 games since the 31st January. If he had been playing on the RPM line at his current pace for the whole year he would have:

38 Goals
45 Assists
Combining for 83 points in 71 games

Just thought I'd share that info. Hopefully i've not miscalculated. If I have tell me.

Just while I'm still doing this, since the slump buster game against Carolina, Alex Burrows has had 13 goals and 9 assists in 21 games. If he had played at this scoring pace over the whole year he would have:

41 Goals
29 assists
Combining for 70 points in 71 games

The future is bright in Vancouver  

 

theo5789 thinks he has an explanation for Burr and Kes’ career seasons:

People who think Kesler would have been at his scoring pace since the beginning need to understand that he didn't start playing extremely well offensively until Sundin came and until Sundin found his legs. That didn't happen until like 50 games into the season. Also with the amount of minutes the Burrows/Kesler line got prior to their "promotion" was equivalent to a second line on the Canucks already, which is why they even had as many points as they did in the beginning. Facing the opponents top lines each night will give you tons of minutes.

Luongo unsure of his future with Canucks

AKA: OMG HIT THE PANIC BUTTON

Jason Botchford’s latest blog has stirred up some discussion on the CDC boards:

But if Roberto Luongo's comments Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada's After Hours are any indication, the team's star goalie is not on board, yet.

Sometimes Luongo's honesty with the media gets him into some PR jams. That could be the case again this week after he went off the "We are all Cancuks" script when asked whether being captain will influence his decision to sign an extension.

 

"I don't think so. That's not something that's going to weigh on my decision," Luongo said.

He probably should have stopped there. What followed was something you probably don't want to hear from your star player and captain.

"I think first and foremost, I want to win the Cup and whichever team is going to give me the best chance to do that is the team I want to be with," Luongo said. "I love Vancouver, it's a great city with great fans. So far, I've really enjoyed my time there. Obviously, this year and next year are going to be a key role in my decision"

Most troubling, however, is Luongo's strong suggestion he is not thinking about signing an extension this summer.

Sirwilliam wants a team of players who want to be here:

Louie's great... he's the best goalie we've had in a long time. BUT.... if he doesn't want to be here anymore he should go.

Kesler wants to be here, so does Burr, so does Demo... and I like the idea of building the team from players who want to be here and don't mind the media attention.

Mugpot isn’t too worried about Luongo’s comments:

He pretty much said, that if he feels the team is going in the wrong direction come free agency he would probably explore his options.

I don't see anything wrong with that. He's in his prime right now. No reason why the Canucks can't keep the team competitive.

People forget to mention he also said he was extremely happy with the team right now.

Hammer79 isn’t sweating it either:

He probably wants to see how Gillis does in managing the club, as he doesn't want to get locked into another long term rebuilding situation. While there has been improvement that looks promising, it's only been one season. There's still a lot of hockey to play before he has to sign a contract, and I'm not too concerned.

canuck2xtreme isn’t surprised by the comments:

This is nothing new. Everybody knows Luongo wants to win a Cup, the speculation around here for quite some time has been that if the Canucks aren't looking like a contender come contract time, Luongo won't want to be back. I don't think these comments are grounds for panic however, I think Luongo is just stating how he feels. There's nothing wrong with that. These comments aren't a surprise to Luongo, his teammates, the management or the fans. This just signals that the team can't just be satisfied making the playoffs and think Luongo is going to be excited to just play in the post season. It's a message that the Canucks are going to have to make the big push to become elite contenders (ie: San Jose, Detroit, New Jersey) if they want Luongo to stay.

Horrible Calgary Flames Playoff Song

anth10 posted a Calgary Flames playoff song produced by Energy 101.5 FM in Calgary. The song is set to the tune of “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga, and is guaranteed to make you cringe. 

Doesn’t this song make you LOVE the Flames!

Vermillion is clearly not a Lady Gaga fan:

“I didn't actually think you could make that song worse.
But they did it. Somehow, they did it.”

JoGuitar suggested some alternative lyrics :

“Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa FAIL”

So did ~canucksownflames~ :

“Calgary will cho-cho-cho-cho-choke!!!!!”

NoShowWilly posted another terrible song from the folks at Energy 101.5

Weekly Roundup - March 16

The Magic Number Thread!

Since February 1^st, pablo_escobar has been updating the “Magic Number Thread” daily. As the season winds down, I think it’s about time all of his hard work gets some attention in the Best of the Boards blog.

If you are unfamiliar with “Magic Numbers”, they are a useful way of determining the likelihood of where a team will finish in the standings, and what results need to occur in order for one team to finish ahead of another team.

The Canuck’s “magic number” against another team (Calgary for example) represents the number of total Canuck wins and/or Calgary losses required for the Canucks to finish ahead of Calgary in the standings.

Whenever the Canucks win a game, their magic numbers against all other western conference teams is reduced by 1. Likewise, whenever a western conference team loses in regulation, the Canucks’ magic number against that team is reduced by 1. Overtime/Shootout losses result in a 0.5 point swing in the magic number totals.

pablo_escobar can also use all of this math to project how many points will be required for a team to make the playoffs. As of this blog post, the projected total to make the playoffs is 88 points, only 7 points more than the Canucks currently have, with 14 games still to be played.

Check out the latest Magic Numbers here (Updated Daily)

 

The Alex Burrows Show

Shazzam posted a quote from Alex Burrows that appeared in Monday’s Globe and Mail where Burr was responding to a question about if he felt that he had left money on the table during his contract negotiations:

"If I had been more greedy, and waited for more money, than maybe we wouldn't win as many games because maybe we wouldn't have as good a team," Burrows said when asked if he sold himself short. "That's what we're hoping. That maybe guys take less money and we have a championship-calibre team. That's what teams like Detroit do."

gotta love that attitude
maybe he is hinting at the sedins

canuckerson thinks Burr’s comments were targeted at his linemates

I think he's for sure hinting at the Sedins, because he wants to play with them for seasons to come

Canucks_fan_17 posted some evidence that might refute that:

Did anyone actually hear Burrows' Q&A after practice today? The media asked him about the Sedins and he immediately said these are NOT the guys he was referring to. He basically said the Sedins are in the top 5% of the league and should get whatever they want.

 

Centmo noticed that Burrows has outperformed Markus Naslund this season.

Naslund: 70GP, 21G, 20A, 41 Pts, -11 (0.585 PPG) 
Burrows: 68GP, 22G, 18A, 40 Pts, +14 (0.588 PPG) 

...and for a heck of a lot less $$. Don't get me wrong, always loved Naslund, but way to go BURROWS!!!

Actually, Naslund is in pretty good company among players that Alex Burrows has outscored this season. The list of players with fewer goals than Burrows includes Ryan Getzlaf, Daniel Alfredson, Martin Havlat, Joe Thornton, Keith Tkachuk, Ales Hemsky, and Chris Drury.

 

Meanwhile, The_Bra has launched a campaign:

“Burrows for prime minister”

Hey, he’s a Quebec native, bilingual, with a strong French Canadian accent, is popular in both eastern and western Canada, and has a great self-made career story. Burr is a perfect candidate!

Read the thread and post comments here

High Praise for Mike Gillis

It doesn’t seem that long ago when many on the CDC boards were calling for Gillis and AV to be fired (9 straight home losses will do that to a fanbase), but now, fresh off the Canucks’ 9^th straight home victory, the boards are filled with very different evaluations of Mike Gillis.

SedinsEdlerLui makes a quite convincing case that Gillis has been doing just about everything right so far:

I really feel this guy has done the best work out of any GM this season. I'm not talking about the deadline either, but just overall since he has taken this team over. Everyone knows the obvious things he has done well, like drafting hodgson, which some say now, due to his play, was an easy decision but dont forget he could have had Beech who was highly touted as well. He signed toughness and depth and picking up obrien, bernier, johnson and hordichuk, not to mention trading the 7th round pick for Labarbera!!!! That trade was as big as steal as any in my book. But one thing I think he did, that was his biggest move, was standing pat at the deadline. Nonis in the past would add guys like rucinsky and sanderson, or carney, all guys that were bottom end and we really didnt need them. Weinrich as well. But Gillis knows we have depth and this team is ready for the playoffs.

Finally to my point, people need to not worry about him not spending to the cap as he has stuck to his plan. Dont forget, had st.louis not matched the offer sheet for david backes, we'd be at the cap i believe and have a great piece for our 3rd line, he has 23 goals and 43 points, not to mention 151 pms, which makes him look like a great replacement for kes or burr who have jumped ahead to the first two lines...with flying colours i might add. They are all 20 goal guys that check, with some size and speed. Backes would have been yet another smart move and worth the money (3 years at 2.5 million per). "Thats checking money" to steal the words of alex the great! He also stuck with sundin as well and didnt go dealing away picks and such or hodgson. If we can learn anything from him and his moves this season, its that he will stick to his guns and get the job done. 

Go Canucks.

Crazycanuck6 thinks MG set up this summer for more great moves:

I agree. Plus you have to look ahead now to when the cap is going to come down some. Only signing Sundin to a one year deal is looking like a great deal for us. We will have money left to spend when other teams are dumping salary just to get under the cap. Gillis has a plan and it looks like this summer we shall see it all come to fruit.. Cant wait to see who what players we get for cheap due to salary issues..

Of course adding Gaborik this summer would make my day..!!

Ben_17 sees it the same way:

i agree fully. i was skeptical in the off season about a rookie GM, but Gillis has done an excellent job.

Read the thread and post comments here

March 9 - Weekly Roundup

Vancouver Canucks All-Decade Team (2000's)

Eternal_Captain has put together what he feels are the best players at their positions that the Canucks have had in the past decade:

I know it's a little early, since the decade isn't even over yet. But this is looking at the span of 1999-2000 to 2008-2009. And since this season is almost over, who the hell cares, right?

Naslund - Morrison - Bertuzzi: Gotta to give respect to the best line we've seen this decade

Sedin - Sedin - Sundin: Our best offensive players in the latter of the decade and Sundin who has been a supremely great player for the entire 2000's

Burrows - Kesler - Cooke: All three can agitate, and all three have/had some pretty good offensive abilities. Cooke hit the wall in Vancouver but still had a couple good seasons.

Cassels - Linden - Klatt: Heart and sould, grit, leadership, and a little bit of skill

Jovanovski - Aucoin: deadly offensive abilities and powerplay pairing

Ohlund - Bieksa: great combination of grit, skill, offence and defence

Salo - Edler: two booming shots and both can play a solid all-round game

Luongo: duh

Cloutier: who else?

Man I had a hard time leaving off Mitchell from this team, but who do you replace with him?

Killuminati saw things differently:

I don't post here that often, but I can say there is no way Bieksa deserves to be on that list, he's a good young defenseman with potential, but he's definately not there yet. Murray Baron would make as a good replacement for him, his shot blocking was invaluable and was a steady defenceman that made more of an impact than Bieksa. Bieksa just reminds me of a tougher Sopel, makes just as many good plays as he does bad. Mitchell is also more deserving to be on the list, maybe more so than Murray Baron. Magnus Arvedson anyone? Although he never played a full season due to career ending injury and never really made to much of an impact on the team due to that, if he had continued to play would have been one of the canucks best 2 way players. And hate to say it Messier, and Mogilny definately need to have a long look at, Messier gave hope and much needed publicity to a abysmal Canucks team. Mogilny was one of the most dynamic players the canucks have ever had alltime.

Eternal_Captain wasn't sure if Killuminati was joking:

Bieksa has been arguably our best defenceman two of his three years with the Canucks. Murray Baron? lol, no. He was a fine depth good, solid on the back end. But no way he did more for the organization than Bieksa has. Arvedsson? That made me laugh He only played half a season with the Canucks, and was average in doing so.

Messier played 66 games in the span we are looking at, and it was less than successful.

Mogilny was traded part way through the 99-00 season. He was a great player for the Canucks, but in the 90's. Remember we are looking at the 2000's.

Rbk then posted a parody of this thread, an "All-Decade Fail Team" featuring all the biggest busts since late 1999:

Fowards:

#26 Martin Rucinsky - #11 Mark Messier- #17 Jan Hlavac

#38 Jan Bulis -#15 Dave Gagner -# 17 Vadim Sharifjanov

#39 Enrico Cicconne -#21 Bryan Smolinski- #81 Fedor Fedorov

#27 Brad Isbister - #26 Tommi Santala - #32 Marc Chouinard

(Honorable Mentions: Josh Holden, Fedor Federov, Nathan Smith, Jason King, Peter Zezel)

Defense:

#8 Eric Weinrich - #3 Keith Carney

#71 Jiri Slegr*- #3 Doug Bodger

#4 Brent Sopel*- #23 Marc Bergevin 

*Second Stint with the Club that was a Bust

Goalies:

#30 Martin Brochu

#29 Felix Potvin

#35 Kevin Weekes

Coach

#69 Mike Keenan

General Manager

#69 Mike Keenan 

Read the thread and post comments here

Can the Canucks Catch Calgary?

The Canucks are the hottest team in the NHL heading into this week, recording 12 wins in their last 14 games. Despite this, the Canucks still sit 8 points back of the Calgary Flames for the Northwest Division lead. The Canucks have 2 games in hand on Calgary, and play the Flames one more time before the end of the season, but tracking down the Flames will be a very difficult task.

EmployeeOfTheMonth thinks the Flames are likely out of reach:

I honestly don't think it's going to happen. I think the team can get past Chicago if their play stays pat where it is. I get the feeling Calgary would have to start playing considerably worse than they are and even then it would come down to our remaining game against them to be the deciding factor.

One thing to remember...Calgary had a terrific pick up at the deadline who still needs to find some chemistry with the team. Once he does they become more dangerous. I would think Canucks fans this year would have a good grasp of that idea.

CanuckInMontreal seems to have done the math on this one:

We need to go 15-3 for the rest of the year to have a strong probability of winning the division.

14-4 will give us a 50-50 shot at the division, anything less and our odds drop substantially.

However, if Calgary plays below the 63% winning percentage they currently have on the year our chances go up. If they play above that number our chances go down.

So, we need to cheer for the following to happen:

Flames to lose more than a third of their remaining games (6 outright losses or more) giving them 104 points or less.

Canucks to win 14 or more of their remaining 18 games to finish the season Giving them 104 points or more.

If Calgary manages to go .500 to close the season, that's 8 wins 8 losses giving them 100 points, it leaves us needing to win 12 of 18 remaining games + an OT loss for 101 points and the division.

Like was mentioned above, it'll become a lot clearer in 10 or so more games.

Luongo#1fan seems to have a more "faith based" view on the matter:

Dude if we are 8 points behind and have 2 games in hand on calgary! 

Of course we can catch them!!! We face L.A. and Ducks in those 2 games in hand! and I think we'll win because both those teams are struggling and we are the hottest team in the NHL! if we win those we will only be 4 points back! in other words.. 2 wins behind them!!!

OF COURSE WE CAN AND WILL CATCH THEM!!

BELEIVE IN BLUE!

Read the thread and make comments here

The Top 5 Saves in Canucks History

SimonV posted what he feels are the top 5 saves in Vancouver Canucks history, and while number 1 is a no-brainer, spots 4 through 5 are up for debate. According to SimonV the top 5 saves are:

1. "The Save" (obviously)

2.LOUUUUU

3. Mitchell

4. LOUUUUU2

5. LaBarbera

Next to “The Save”, I think Kirk McLean’s play in Game #1 of the Stanley Cup Finals amounts to the greatest goaltending performance ever in the history of the Vancouver Canucks.

Enjoy!

Read the thread and post YOUR top 5 here.

Trade Deadline Special

With Canada's Unofficial Holiday, the NHL trade deadline, coming up on Wednesday, this week’s Best of the Boards blog will be entirely devoted to Canuck related trade rumours and proposals. As with all trade rumours, these should all be taken with a grain of salt. It will be interesting to see which of these rumours, if any, come true.

Canucks looking at Olli Jokinen and Ian Laperriere

Posted to CDC by: vancanfan
Source: Ottawa Sun (Bruce Garrioch)
Excerpt:

The Flames are looking at dealing for Phoenix C Olli Jokinen. He has a strong relationship with Calgary coach Mike Keenan from their days together in Florida. Calgary was in the mix to land Jokinen before he was dealt to the Coyotes last summer. Edmonton, Columbus, Minnesota, Montreal and Vancouver are also interested.

A host of teams are trying to acquire Avalanche F Ian Laperriere, including the Red Wings, Flyers, Canucks and Panthers.

CDC Reaction:

gamble doesn’t think the move makes sense:

I would like jokinen if we could get him for cheap

But I doubt we can so I would say no thank you

He is bad karma in way to close of a playoff race

TOMapleLaughs likes Laperriere, but wouldn’t touch Jokinen with a Willie Mitchell hockey stick:

I like Lappy. He's a real pain in the butt to play against. But whoever gets Olli will be overpaying for a no-show with 'character issues.'

Wetcoaster pretty much destroys this rumour entirely:

I guess Garrioch must have missed (or forgotten about) Mike Gillis' comment on Jokinen when he was signed by Phoenix and he was asked why the canucks did not make a strong pitch for him:

"We didn't think he was the player we wanted to fit in with our team. The reports that we had were problematic for me and I don't really want to expand on it. It's unfair. We just didn't want to go in that direction."

Remember the Canucks had hired just Scott Mellanby as a consultant and he played with Jokinen for several seasons so Gillis would have had the benefit of his insight on Jokinen.

I am not sure what Laperriere brings to the table that the Canucks do not already have. IF Burrows were to go then it might make some sense.

Read the thread and post comments here

 

Ohlund may waive his no-trade clause

Posted to CDC by: kylecanuck
Source: Sportsnet Hockeycentral Panel
Excerpt: Watch Video Here
Summary:

Sportsnet reported that Ohlund would be willing to waive his no-trade clause if he were to be traded to a team that was going to resign him in the off season. Apparently, Ohlund only wants to have to move once, if at all.

CDC Reaction:

canuckerson doesn’t want to see Ohlund go:

We need him if we make the playoffs. Knowing this could be his last chance with the team that gave him his 1st chance, could make him play harder(if at all possible). I agree with Wetcoaster, let him play out his contract then decide.

we will miss Ohlie after this season....

mrbiggles would rather trade him than lose Ohlund for nothing:

I would prefer trading Ohlund, I really like him but we could get a great return for him on the deadline. It sucked when Jovo walked.

canuckster19 thinks that the Vannanen pickup is a sure sign that Ohlund will be moved:

I don't know if this has been mentioned in any other threads but I could certainly imagine why we picked up Vaananen was part of a bigger plan to trade Ohlund to the East, say for example the NYR, then we ship whatever the Rangers gave to us to Anaheim for Niedermeyer, three way trade?

I can imagine that's why Ohlund hasn't been pursued very hard by Gillis cause he wants Nieds on July 1st if not earlier.

Read the thread and post comments here

Burrows could be moved if not signed by deadline

Posted to CDC by: Wetcoaster
Source: HNIC Panel (Pierre LeBrun)
Excerpt: Watch Video Here
Summary:

LeBrun speculated that Alex Burrows, a pending unrestricted free agent may be traded at the deadline if Mike Gillis cannot sign him.

CDC Reaction:

Dynamic_Innovator thinks the rumour has some merit:

Lebrun has a point.

Who are the tradeable forwards? I'd say the only guys that have real trade value are Burrows, Kesler, Hodgson and perhaps the Sedins. I would be absolutely shocked to see Kesler go, while Burrows will be a free agent and would get a great return. Unfortunately Pyatt, Hansen, Raymond, Grabner and others have very little trade value.

themcdeal would be upset if this rumour pans out:

Gillis wont trade Burrows. He's done everything we've asked of him and then some. He worked his way form the 4th line to the 1st. He's a great PK, he plays with heart and passion and wants to resign here for pretty cheap. I would cry is he were to be moved.

hockeyville88 puts it all on the line in opposition to moving Burr:

hell no!
if burrows is traded i'm going to cheer for his new team instead of the Canucks it would be the stupidest move in the world to not give him a new contract he's asking for $2 million to play on our top line, and kill penalites, and be an agitator he should have been re-signed long ago

Read the thread and post comments here

Feb 23rd, Weekly Roundup

Gillis expects to be quiet at the deadline

An article recently posted to NHL.com features an interview with Canucks GM Mike Gillis in which he states that he doesn't expect the Canucks to make any big moves before the March 4th Trading Deadline. The article was posted to the CDC forums for discussion by, Don't Toews Me Bro (who has one of the best usernames on the boards). 

Some excerpts from the article:

"When we have a healthy team we have a good team we're very confident in," said Gillis, whose team is healthy now, save for an injury to rookie wing Jannik Hansen, a fourth-line guy. "If there is a major injury in the next four games (before the deadline) we have to do our best to overcome that and do what we have to do to be competitive. We're pretty happy with the group we have now and I think we're playing very well now. We're confident in our guys."

....

"The fact (Sundin) came to play for us made the biggest change in our philosophy," the GM continued. "We now have four high quality center icemen and if you include Demitra as a center icemen, we have five. It really has changed the dynamic of our team. We control the faceoff circle that much more. So, getting him has really solidified our group in my mind and has presented much less of an impetus to do a whole lot at the trade deadline."

NEON.KNEE has seen this movie before:

Same song and dance as Nonis... Ths team could definetly benefit from a rugged 3rd line pick up. A little competition for ice time is healthy.

Jaimito thinks the interview is simply gamesmanship on Gillis' part:

what he says now has no bearing on his plans. you dont tell other teams what you are looking for before the deal is done. 

he will be fired if he didnt try to make the team better. like nonis and his small moves, if you dont get the job done, get out of town. at least thats how the new owner operates. Aqua didnt hire him to miss another playoffs, and has given him the money to spend up to the cap. if MG doesn't and they dont perform well, he will be blamed. spending to the cap is the minimum expectation I have of MG. you need depth for cup runs. if he can get better player via trades, then he should do it. but getting depth is the minimum, esp defense.

ANuckinCalgary agrees with Gillis to some extent:

yeah agreed.. No point ruining the team chemistry... and also agree, that if no moves come our way, its more or less the same team that went on a 8 game losing skid. But, think about it..without making any trades they are still finding ways to win..so it doesnt neccesarily depend on the players only. They changed their system and their game plan, thats whats leading them to success right now.

Read the thread and post comments here

From The Trade Rumour Mill...

The frequently incorrect, but always entertaining annonymous hockey blogger Eklund has posted a rumour involving the Canucks on his popular rumour site, sparking some debate amongst Canucks fans on CDC.

The rumour, as posted on Eklund's site:

After last night's amazing dramatics in Toronto, it is looking more and more like Antropov could be heading to Vancouver for a prospect and a #1.

That's right, boys and girls, a prospect and a first round pick for another castaway Maple Leaf forward.

timw33, Dr. Phil, stawns, Lost_Canuck all had the same, 3 word reaction to this rumour:

dear god no

mike.h  doesn't think that picking up Antropov would be a bad move:

44 points in 59 games.. What is wrong with you people. He would be a decent addition.

Just depends on what the asking price is. If it includes Raymond we need something back our way.

timw33 then posted Antropov's career playoff statistics, which make Willie Mitchell look like Rocket Richard.

Playoffs:

Antropov 28 Games, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points. 

Last playoff appearance: 2 assists in 13 games.

Read the thread and post comments here

Dave Nonis Still Cheers for the Canucks

The Arrogant Worms posted the text of a Vancouver Sun Story in which former Canucks GM Dave Nonis states that he still roots for the Canucks, or at least some of the players he brought in as GM.

“We played last night and so did Vancouver,” Nonis said Friday. “When you look at the scoresheet and see guys you had a part in bringing in or keeping, it brings a smile to your face, to be honest. You want to see the players you brought in do well.

“I cheer for them because a lot of people — coaching staff, the majority of the players, every full-time scout thatI hired — are still there. They’re good people and friends of mine and you don’t ever want to wish negative things or failure on your friends. The hockey gods will turn against you if that happens.”

HSD19 kept the good feelings flowing:

Still like Nonis, he's a good guy, was upset when he was fired felt he should have been given a chance to finish it off. But its business and things weren't going to well I guess.

combover doesn't view Nonis in quite so kind a light: 

too bad he was such a horrible gm that wouldn't even be in the nhl if wasn't for burkie.

However, nux4lyfe stuck up for Dave Nonis:

If Nonis' is to be judged as a bad GM or a good one, It should of been after this season in which he never got the chance.

- Made one of the greatest trades in Canucks history with Luongo

- Signed the Sedins to a extension

- Signed Willie Mitchell

- Extended Salo's contract (Notice how much more stable out D is with him)

- Did not sacrifice our future for immediate help ex: Kesler, Edler...yah the ones that are tearing it up right now...

- Acquired Taylor Pyatt ( say what you want he's in the line up & Gillis doesn't seem to be bothered with him, so what make's him any better)

And the Core of Nonis' Team still exists, Horrible GM!

Read the thread and post comments here