SHOCKER in Seattle!

A LOT has happened since the 2013 season where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. After the controversial 'catch', the replacement refs were no more and the striking refs went back to work. Both teams went on to have good seasons and make the playoffs. And we all know about Seattle's run to the Super Bowl where they dominated the best offence in football. 

But this play still bothers Packer fans around the world. As it has been titled by some as "The WORST call EVER". Now that might be a bit extreme but it shows the passion and outrage of Packer fans. I have watched this play a 100+ times and I still can't understand how they ruled that Golden Tate had possession of the ball. Not only did the Packers defender (Jennings) have possession 100% through, Tate obviously pushed the defender (Shields) out of the way to have a chance to get the ball. Here's the play...

Now all Packer fans need to get over this...it was in 2012. It didn't really effect everyone that much as both made the playoffs. Both teams weren't good enough to win the Super Bowl but that season was significant in the transformation of the Seahawks. They got 2 important characteristics in the season, confidence and a winning attitude. 

But the good news for both teams and the league is it leads to this season. Opening night, in Century Link Field these two teams will face each other once more. And I know it's only Week 1 but it means something significant to both teams. Of course, they down play it and say it's only 1 game and the controversial call was in the past but we fans are not stupid and the NFL isn't either. That's why they are hyping up this game on their site calling it "The REMATCH". 

Many believe that Seattle can repeat and win another Super Bowl. And I wouldn't be surprised if they did especially because of their incredible Def and solid QB play. But here's the shocking news, I'm saying and calling it right now (been saying this for 2 months now) that Green Bay will roll into town and pull out the victory. I'm not sure of the score but I believe the Packers will be ready. 

Of course I could be wrong but I doubt it. 

I want to go to this game but the prices of tickets are insane. This week I looked on the Seahawks website for opening night. The cheapest 2 seats together is $295 US each. Get this, section 326 Row Q. The cheapest option for 4 tickets together is $295 US each in section 319 Row BB. These are terrible seats. The best 4 seats in the Lower Bowl (end zone) are $470 each section 124 Row T. Unless you want to sit in the Crows Nest it’s $375 each (section 147 Row RR). Hence, I'm not going.  No way I’m paying that kind of money. I would love to be there and see my prediction come true but I’d rather watch it on TV. 

King James is COMING HOME!!!

This is insane!!! The best basketball player in the league (LBJ) is coming home to Cleveland. I can't believe he pulled the trigger. 

People need to understand it's his total right to do this. He does not need to be loyal to any team. Once his contract is up he doesn't have to sign back. He is free to go wherever he chooses. But people will say, in essence, he messed up two teams. 

Below is the article from James in SI. It's a very good explanation of why he's leaving Miami and choosing Cleveland. Great reasons to return in my opinion.

Click here for Sports Illustrated's article from LeBron!

When it comes to sports, this is shocking and great news. Poor Miami but the fans of Cleveland have to be celebrating!!! Plus Irving + Wiggins + LBJ = Super entertaining, highlight reel, basketball. 

I hope they win a championship in the years to come. Lots of rumours that Kevin Love is heading to Cleveland as well. Where's Bosh going, Houston? Carmelo might just want to head to Miami.

I could be wrong but I doubt it. 

I love this picture... It makes me laugh. :)

We want ANSWERS

It's great to use all the status quo answers. "We want to win" or "We want a more exciting style" or "We need to have a winning culture" or "We want to make the playoffs". 

So how will Vancouver do this? 

Well the Canucks held their annual Summer Summit with season ticket holders and fans. It's an hour and 20 minutes long and they explained what 'the plan' is and how they will accomplish these goals. 

Here are some of the answers:

My question about tanking the season and trying to draft Conner McDavid was asked & answered at 37:00 minutes. (It wasn't me but there are other brilliant sport minds out there too). What do you think about the answers given? 

How are we going to improve scoring? 

Benning's answers were we got Bonino from the Kesler trade and Vrbata will be great on the PP. He was also very excited about Linden Vey as a top prospect. 

Linden added that they needed to get our current players like Burrows back to their scoring ways. 

Scoring just doesn't happen. It's about the structure. Offense and Defense. 

Where's Santorelli? 

Why didn't they sign our hardest worker back? I thought that was a great question that didn't really get answered. 

What's the plan with Eddie Lack? 

Supposed he was 'thrilled' to have Ryan Miller on the team. Yeah right. That's a great thing for Eddie to say. And imagine if Trevor told us Eddie's totally ticked off and smashed up the dressing room. 

I really like how they got the draft picks up there to introduce them and answer some questions. 

Virtanen is a scoring stud but he's rehabbing his injured shoulder. 

McCann wants to be like Ryan Kesler. That would be awesome as a two way forward. 

Demko has all the tools to become great. He just needs another 5 years as goalies develop slower. I don't think it's a bad thing his dad is a Kings fan because if he wasn't his son probably wouldn't have played hockey. 

Tryamkin looks pretty big for a young prospect and tries to model his game after Zdeno Chara. PLEASE let that come true! Chara's a beast on the ice. 

The Canucks theme is CHANGING IS COMING.  This organization and team has been radically changed. It's what is needed after such a horrific season. Still so glad Gillis is gone. Who trades 2 #1 goalies? Tortorella didn't fight our team. Booth & Ballard got bought out (don't feel too bad for them bec that's A LOT of $). Garrison got moved. Kesler got his wish out of town. Can we please change it to CHANGE HAS COME?

Was the change good? The answer is yes and we will see. We will not see the answer to this question for 2-3 years. But there is hope and excitement again. Will we win the Cup this season? Nope but we are now building toward that goal. 

What I like about Benning is his expertise in scouting and drafting. And this is an area we have desperately needed some changes. 

There's something we all need to remember, other teams are trying to do the same thing and won't give way their players. So Linden and Benning need to draft well, build from within and add pieces to the puzzle. It's not like the EA Sports NHL 15 video game where you can manipulate the trade offers with draft picks to get who ever you want. If it was easy everyone would be successful. It takes a lot of hard work to get the right pieces to fall into place to have a chance to win the Stanley Cup. We've been close (3 Finals appearances, 2 Finals Game 7's) but haven't won. 

After watching this, I'm starting to get excited about the direction our Canucks are heading in. Go Canucks go! 

Canucks: Is this a playoff roster?

Believe???

Okay, I'm loving the discussion around the Canucks. At least there is something to talk about. I'm sorry if I'm coming across as a pessimist but I've always admitted that I'm a realistic when it comes to sports. And just because the Canucks are my favourite team doesn't mean that I look at the team or their chances with rose coloured glasses (do rose coloured glasses exist or even work better? lol). 

As much as I love the Canuck draft, the Ryan Miller & Radim Vrbata signings I can't see this team making the playoffs. We didn't make it last year and have we improved enough to make the playoffs? It's possible but very unlikely. My main point is that we don't have enough fire power to be in the top 8 in the West. The West has significantly gotten better and Vancouver is similar or slightly better. 

That's why I was suggesting that we tank the season to get the top pick or to be in the top 3 to get a significant addition to a team that really needs to rebuild or get younger talent who actually play on our roster. You can read all about that here: Lose Honour. Get Conner.

Let's look at the possible line combo's for the Canucks. 
It seems like Vrbata signed here because of promises to play with the twins. 

Line 1:
LW - D.Sedin
C - H.Sedin
RW - Vrbata

Line 2:
LW - Higgins/Burrows
C - Bonino
RW - Kassian

Line 3:
LW - Matthias
C - Richardson
RW - Higgins/Burrows

Line 4:
LW - Sestito
C - Horvat
RW - Dorsett/Hansen

Is this a playoff roster? Considering how strong the West is, no way. 
Are we going to generate enough goals to make a playoff push? I don't think so. 

Where are our young guys going to play? Jensen (RW), Horvat (C), Shinkaruk (RW), and even Virtanen need opportunities to make this roster. We just traded for the RW Linden Vey from LA. Where's he going to play? My guess it's another year in the minors or their CHL teams for most of these guys. Which is super frustrating. I would send Schroeder to the minors and put Horvat to C that line with Shinkaruk on the RW with Sestito or Hansen on the LW.  

I totally understand that if you make the playoffs anything can happen. But how are we making the playoffs? Don't tell me our Dmen are going to miraculously pick up the scoring. Here's my bold statement on July 3rd, the Calgary Flames will end up higher in the standings than Vancouver. The Flames have done a great job drafting and rebuilding plus the addition of Bennett & Hiller will help them win more games. You watch...

Of course I could be wrong but I doubt it. 
I hope I'm wrong but I doubt it. And when I'm right and we get 10th or 11th in the West and Conner McDavid and Jack Eichel are taken in the top 3 picks we will be wishing that the Canucks listened to me about tanking the season. :)  

Side notes: 
We need more legit LWers and giving Vrbata $5 mil a season is a lot of dough. 
Again I'm cheering for them but I'm a realist. 

LOSE HONOUR. GET CONNER.

Well after the NHL draft it was quite apparent that the Canucks were rebuilding. But GM Jim Benning insisted that wasn't the case. And after the 1st day of the free agency, I believe him. At the Ryan Miller press conference Benning said that Vancouver's goal is to make the playoffs every year. So the idea of rebuilding is not on their radar. They want to keep a winning culture in Vancouver. It's more of a change on the fly like Detroit has done so successfully over the years. Only a few teams have been able to do this. Most have to rebuild and even SJ has started that process too.

Did you know that Jim Benning was in Buffalo when they drafted Ryan Miller? It's true. Benning obviously is sold on Miller and Benning said, "Goaltending is the most important position on the team." 

And I believe that Ryan Miller got blamed unfairly on St.Louis' playoff lose to Chicago. The Blues wouldn't have gone to Game 7 if it wasn't for the good play of Ryan Miller. But their loss is our gain. And I'm super happy the Canucks landed him. It was for a good length of term and a reasonable price for an elite goalie. And thanks to Gillis we don't have a legit #1 (#fireGillis)

And I love this signing especially if we are truly trying to make the playoffs and compete. 

My question is, why? 
Look at the West, everyone added scoring except for Vancouver. 
Stastny went to St.Louis
Iggy wisely when to Colorado.
Spezza landed in Dallas. 
Kesler to Anaheim.
Plus Chicago and LA are built to win.

Our team right now does not have the players to keep up with the West. If you look at our team right now who's going to produce or scare the opposition? 
The twins are our best offensive players.
Bonio will be good on the PP. 
Burrows? Kassian? Higgins...okay you get the picture. 

I appreciate the desire to keep or make a winning culture in Vancouver but when you have a superstar like Conner McDavid in next year's draft you have a shot to get him, why not unofficially tank the season, develop your young kids, and select the best prospect on the planet? 

I can't take credit for this but my buddy @Stuology101 and hard core Canuck fan came up with this slogan...

LOSE HONOUR. GET CONNER. 

I agree with his idea so much so I tweeted Canucks President Trevor (great name by the way) Linden. 
@trevor_linden if you had this team & could lose to draft a player like #crosby would you tank the season? LOSE HONOUR. GET CONNER!

And why not...what if he lives up to the hype and becomes similar to Crosby, Stamkos or Kane. Wouldn't it be worth it? I think it would. 

I love our draft...
Virtanen is a very gifted player. An Abbotsford boy who's whole family is a Canucks fan. My friends who watched him in Calgary with the Hitmen said he's dynamic and we are going to love him. 
McCann is a good 2 way C. He models himself after Kesler or Bergeron and he's not afraid to drop the gloves. 
Demko is supposedly the best goalie in the draft. 
The best move was the trade that got rejected. SO GLAD that Florida said no to the Vancouver's insane trade offer, #6 & #24 overall and last years 1st round pick Hunter Shinkaruk.

Side note: I tweeted Hunter this message of encouragement. 
@H_S_9 I get your name was in trade talks today but I'm glad u didn't get moved bec I believe u r going to light it up for Van! #Canucks

Speaking of Hunter, let's not forget we have at least 2 excellent players on the horizon who I hope make the team this season in Horvat and Shinkaruk.  
Here's Shinkaruk's top 10 goals, #3 and #1 are amazing
Here's Bo Horvat's Top 10 goals. So many good ones...

To summarize, I appreciate the desire of Canuck leadership to win and the signing of Miller but without significant help offensively we don't have a shot. And who wants to draft #5 overall when you can draft #1? Not me.  

Lose honour. Get Conner.

Of course I could be wrong but I doubt it.