It's be a LONG 41 years and we got to wait one more...
I am disappointed about the OT series losing loss from Monday's game vs the Kings but honestly I am not surprised. As my friend Tim said, "The team lacks something.... it's undefineable for me. It's not talent and after watching Henrik last night, it's not toughness (there at least...) But there's an intangible that is lacking. It might be grit, it might be leadership, it might be mental toughness, maybe it's the ability to thrive under pressure...."
What's wrong with the Canucks. I am still shocked that Vancouver had 2 games to win 1 vs Boston to win the Cup and didn't. Our team was way better last year. Why? I am surprised we won the Presidents Trophy again. As you know I support my team until the end. But what happened to the #1 overall team who lost to the #8 (or reality the #14 team) in the playoffs? Yes let's give LA credit. They are better than we expected and Quick should win the Vezina, but Vancouver went down 0-3.
Now Canucks fans can be the worst in the way they get down on the team but here's my take on what happened and most players.
Management:
GM Gillis - In my opinion he's a great GM and should stay. Granted the Hodgson - Kassian trade was terrible and getting Pahlsson was not a good move. So I feel he failed at the deadline this year but last year he won getting Lapierre and Higgins who were key components to our Cup run.
Coach V - So many people are calling for his head...why? He's a great coach. I don't care what people say under HIS leadership we won back to back President Trophies. Bad coaches don't do that. Yes I know we want a Cup...but firing Coach V will not help us get there.
The twins...we need these guys to win...unfortunately Henrik was trying to carry the team on his shoulders and he did pretty good but missed Daniel immensely. Daniel is a stud. He's a natural born scoring machine. But we have to get production from more than 2 guys.
David Booth - LOVE this guy. Granted he didn't produce in the playoffs but I love his speed and he's WAY better to play with the twins than Kassian or Raymond. He's a hard worker and is a great 2nd guy who can play with the twins. David should stay.
Raymond - I am done with this kid. He's not that good. Fast as fast can be but can't score if his life depended on it. Just not good enough in my opinion. Time to part ways!
Burrows - Alex must say. Heart and soul kind of guy. He needed to be on the top line with the twins instead of both.
Kesler - lots of people are suggesting we trade him. Granted he did JACK in the playoffs and didn't look like himself. Well in 1 game he looked good the rest I didn't notice him out there. Not sure if we should trade him but let's give him another year. Verdict is not out yet with Kesler as he's a heart and soul like of player. I am nervous that last season will be his best season.
Actually the other forwards who should not be considered moved are Malhotra, Hansen, and Lapierre. My friend Trevor F said it right when he stated, "We have too many 4th line players".
Defensemen:
Elder - I haven't seen him play this bad ever. He's no slouch as he was chosen to be on the All Star team this year. He's got to make better decisions with the puck. He's young and will improve.
Tanev - Why didn't we give this kid more playing time last year. He's rock solid. Sure he makes a few mistakes but who doesn't. Not a scoring threat but super young who's going to be good for a long time in this league.
Bieska - solid player that we need to keep and give tons of minutes to. LOVED his interview with the FOX journalist who thought he was Ryan Kesler. He played it up perfectly.
Hamhuis - he's from BC and should stay. He made a big mistake trying to do it all by himself and Stoll scored in OT from his mistake but Hamhuis has been one of our best Dmen all season long. Don't crucify him for one mishap. He who hasn't sinned be the 1st to cast a stone.
Goalies:
The biggest controversy is in goal with what to do with Schneider and Luongo. I think the writing is on the wall and Luo is done in Vancouver. I have defended Luo in the past and I think he's a good starting NHL goalie. He's no Martin Brodeur but who is?
Here's the facts:
- in the biggest games of the season vs Chicago and Boston it was Schneider who got the nod and won those games!
- Luongo played brilliantly in Game 1 vs LA but was okay in Game 2 and didn't play after that.
- Schneider played in the biggest games of the playoffs when it was do or die. Luongo wasn't injured but was reduced to the back up role.
- Game 5 if it wasn't for Schneider we wouldn't have made it to OT. This kid STOOD on his head. He was calm and impressed everyone.
Vancouver rioted after losing Game 7 but if Luongo stays and Schneider goes I wouldn't be surprised if the city goes crazy again. People are done with Roberto as our starting goalie. Rumour had it that we would keep Corey as insurance for the playoff run and trade him at the NHL draft. What looks like a real possibility is Vancouver trading Luongo. My guess is he goes to Tampa Bay and we pay part of his salary for a couple of years. Columbus should have traded for Schneider and Raymond for Rick Nash when they had the chance. Toronto as much as they need a goalie isn't going to make a deal for Luongo. His reputation isn't the best in Canada. Luo's not going to waive his no trade clause to go to teams like Columbus or Edmonton. Holtby has proven to be worth the gamble in Washington and the Luongo for Semin rumour should be over.
The bottom line is we need to make some significant changes but let's not get too crazy out there. Raymond and Luo should go for sure. Depending on what we get back for those players is crucial to how we move forward.
Here's an incredible link to a video that's a tribute to the fans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yau6CV4yrBU&feature=player_embedded
I am looking forward to the speeches by Gillis and Coach V in the next couple of days.
I want to apologize for my playoff predictions post. I always go with my head over my heart in the predictions. But this year I didn't like how the West was shaping up and thought Vancouver, with the way they finished the year, would come out firing on all cylinders. So I picked them to win it all. Why? I clearly said at the beginning of the season said that they wouldn't win. I wish I stayed with my Flyer picks and chose them to beat Nashville in the finals but what is written is written.
This time I am wrong. Sorry about that.
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