Halfway Done

[AtLossForWords]

The Canucks have just recently met the halfway point to the regular season, and as of tonight they are currently tied for the Northwest Division lead with Minnesota as both teams have 54 points in 45 games.

Our team this year has really been a suprising one, meaning they won't let you expect what they're really going to be like. In October, it seemed like they couldn't win at home. Then from November 1st on they were not without a point in every home game for almost a month and a half which was finally snapped against Phoenix Friday night.

Indicitive of the Canucks success is the play of Roberto Luongo. As of tonight the Canucks have given up only 105 goals in 45 games and are third in the Western Conference in games against six behind Detroit and four behind San Jose. As of tonight Roberto has been stingy enough to have a GAA of 1.99 and a SV% of .929, pretty mean.

Spearheading the way on offense is of course the Sedins who have contributed 43 and 41 points for this team. Daniel is the only twenty goal scorer on the team with 21.

Markus Naslund has been good, but not what he was expected to be when he signed for six million dollars season ago. He has 35 points good for third on the team, but halfway through the season, you expect a guy like Naslund to be scoring at the very least a point per game pace. He hasn't done that again this season. He's been a hot and cold scorer who has a hard time producing when he's not on the first line or first powerplay unit.

The defense has been riddled with injuries and it has shown. A team with three guys who scored over ten goals has year has only one guy with five, Mattias Ohlund who has six. Lukas Krajicek has two goals and eleven points, and Alexander Edler has 2 goals and 10 points. What is most impressive about Edler though is that he is a plus 18. The next blueliner is a plus six and that is Willie Mitchell. Edler has been a pleasant suprise this season being the perfect guy to play with the offensive lines on the blueline. He's been creative enough to keep the attack alive, but hasn't been a liability giving the puck away and playing weak defense. He's been solid for sure.

The biggest complaints about this team are not on an individual basis.

You can make some noise about Sami Salo's one goal and two assists, or Matt Cooke's six goals and 11 points, but it hasn't been individual efforts that have cost this team placement in the conference. It has been special teams.

The Canucks are 14th in the leage on the PK, and for a team that was first last season, that is quite the drop. With a powerplay that is 17th in the league and only coverting 17% of the time the Canucks fail to make a special teams game turn to their advantage. With a PK of 82% and a powerplay of 17% they are only surrendering one more goal then they get from their opponents on special teams, but this is a team that plays a lot of one goal games. For a high scoring team like Ottawa, a one goal difference in special teams doesn't cost them the division lead. For Vancouver the one powerplay goal they surrender and the one powerplay they balk at could cost them a very valueable two points to Minnesota for the division lead and possibly a playoff spot.

Injuries might have had something to do with this team's special teams. Brendan Morrison is effective on both the PP and PK. He's been out for sometime now. Mattias Ohlund has missed around ten games this season too taking away a valueable shot from the point and excellent penalty killer.

From this you look at what the Canucks need to acquire at the trade deadline. Once this team hit January, it really had a reality check of what it could do in this league. When they are not healthy they've played well, but not without things that need tobe fixed. The assets the Canucks need may be sought after, but not rare. The Canucks don't need to look for a goaltender, they don't need a top checking center or a stockpile of defenseman, but they do need a top six centerman.

When you look at what this team can expect to come back from injuries, they'll have help on the point on the powerplay when Brendan Morrison comes back. They'll have a shot from the point when Kevin Bieksa comes back. However no matter how many guys on this team get healthy at the same time, they will not have a true second line center who will provide consistent secondary scoring.

The injuries of Morrison and Bieksa both have a questionable time frame, but this team could take comfort that the longer they play into this season, the closer they are to getting better without makig a move. Between just the two of those guys, any team that could add them to their lineup would consider that an impact deal.

However to make a true impact deal the Canucks need either a second line center or a powerplay quarterback. Preferaby a center with size should be heading this way soon.

Jason Arnott is the obvious pick. With the Preadators sinking to the bottom of the conference he is the best return they could receive, and the Canucks have a lot to offer in terms of youth.

With Tampa sinking in the standings one of the big three would fit any team like a glove, but all of those guys make lots and lots of money, and who knows how much juggling Feaster is willing to do?

The Capitals are having another season that is expected of them. With Nylander, Backstrom, Laich, and Gordon all playing prime roles at center, does that make Viktor Kozlov a tradeable asset? With Kozlov the Capitals have three centers with twenty assists. Trading Kozlov would allow them to get a return without trading away players like Nylander, Backstrom, or Laich who already play more prominent roles on the team. Kozlov is big and physically exactly what the Canucks need, but he is a risk. He's thought of to play when he wants to, but would a chance to play for a Stanley Cup elevate his game just enough for the purposes of this team?

Mats Sundin would be an ideal fit, but the asking price will be high, and don't be suprised if he goes back to Toronto even if you do have a chance of resigning him.

For powerplay quarterbacks, Lubomir Visnovsky, Brian Campbell, and Phillipe Boucher could easily be made available to their clubs if the right deal comes around. Dallas and Buffalo would not be good trading partners for the Canucks, but nabbing Visnovsky out of LA might be worth looking at. LA has traded away top players at the deadline before like Mattias Norstrom last year for somewhat questionable returns.

[rustybadcock]

Great read...enjoyed it very much. :thumb:

I like many of your propositions. I really like the Arnott one. To me this is not only a good fit for our needs, but a realistic possibility. Not to say having a dance partner out of South Florida is out of the question I just think that your points on Nashville are a lot more of a reality. Arnott would add a size factor too which I think Naslund would really benefit from.

As for Naslund. Much noise has been made about him and I am not going to say I haven't been screaming from time to time either. However, he's in some fine company with his point totals thus far with the likes Nash, Arnott, Tanguay, Richards and so on.
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?service=page&page=Stats&fetchKey=20082ALLAASAll&viewName=points&sort=points&pg=2

I think a balanced scoring attack is far better served to a teams success than one or two go to guys who are just that easy to shut off when the time comes and opponents need to beat us.

I care less about our start, it's this teams finish that really matters. There is essentially half a season left. Too much time to nail down what will be what. In a perfect world, Bieksa and Ohlund return followed later by Morrison whom all make their impact. We've proved this year we have something we've never before. Depth, serious depth in most all our positions. Center is still a glaring weakness. I like that we landed Beech. I am still not sold either way however people don't get drafted in the top 10 for no good reason. What's the real story on this kid? Maybe he's a weirdo, seriously, maybe he just can't get along with anyone....it happens, sometimes all the talent in the world can't save one from themselves. ;) However, his size is a welcomed addition. I say the brass have him pegged from three more games. If he doesn't click or find a way to make a difference the phones will be ringing again and Beech will be off to my neck of the woods here in Winnipeg.

RB

[gordphish]

I really don't get Vigneault sometimes. If he has such a problem with the energy and grit of his team right now, why doesn't he take it up with or out on the players that are supposed to bring that? Instead, this goal starved team sends the two players that were giving them a semblance of secondary scoring down to the minors and promotes the guys that weren't doing their jobs.

Oh, and great move recalling Rypien V. He only almost cost you the game in St. Louis, and gave the Blues a point that could come back and bite your team on the ass in the end. He can blame Mitchell all he wants for not getting that puck out, but they wouldn't have been in that spot in the first place had Vigneault's little pet not had his head up his ass in the first place.

Raymond and Jaffrey were not costing them points and games (thank-you Rypien and Cowan). It's a joke that they were sent back down.

If this team doesn't find a way to get more scoring, we're just going to see the same show as last season in the playoffs. Teams will just shut down the Sedins and that will be that, no matter how well the checkers check or for how long Luongo can stand on his head.

As for Beech, I think you all are expecting way too much from this guy. He spent half the year in the minors and couldn't stick with Columbus. If he's anything, he's a replacement for Ritchie, who hasn't been doing what he was brought here to do, which was to win face-offs.

IMO, Vigneault doesn't have a clue as to how to handle scorers. If you're not hitting and forechecking, you don't play on his team. Were I Raymond, I'd ask for a trade. Mason Raymond is never going to be the type of player that forechecks teams into the ground or throws his weight around. He's a scorer. And despite what most of the small-minded drones that pass as coaches in the NHL today think, there is still a big place in the game for guys that can put the puck in the net.

And what the phuck is Nathan McIver doing here? Does Vigneault not realize how piss poor his powerplay is? Was he not paying attention to how profficient it was the last time Bourdon was up? I mean, god forbid this team try and score goals every once in a while.

[AtLossForWords]

Rusty Naslund is in the middle of the pack when it comes to six million dollar scorers. He hasn't been great, but he's been better than guys like Elias and Vanek who are near the bottom in six million dollar scorers. I think one of the things that we look at when we're talking about Markus Naslund is how many of his goals happen when the Sedins don't set him up. And don't forget that when Naslund signed for six million he was coming off two of his best seasons, and six million was very high on the salary cap. Now it isn't as much when you look at contracts like Briere's and Ovechkin's, but Naslund was signed to a top players salary the season he signed it, and he hasn't lived up to that idea.

Vigneault brought up Rypien when he felt this team was getting beat up evidenced by the Phoenix and San Jose games. With the Blues being a big team, he must have felt the same thing would happen. Johnson, Mayers, and others would've been happy to run our guys all over the ice. The point to be made about this move is that it looks like it had a good result, but it cost this team a point to a team they COULD be fighting for a playoff spot. The move didn't win the game, the skilled guys stepped up and this team ought to be greatful for that. Scorers win games, thugs take penalties. You just have to hope they are smart penalties like Mitchell's against Phoenix, not bad one's like Cowan's or Rypien's.

McIver is here because Ohlund is out. The Canucks needed for size in front of the net. McIver provides that. However I don't see what's wrong with the way Luc Bourdon plays the game. They could put him with a responsible guy like Mitchell or Salo and have the big hit and the big shot.

[Madferret]

Norm McIver?

[KB in Kelowna]

Norm McIver?

No this guy:http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8470843

Actually I agree with much of what has been said thus far. The three point games will haunt in the Conference standings and come the end of the year. They cannot let teams back into games. The lack of scoring beyond the Sedins will also haunt unless addressed very soon.

[rustybadcock]

Rusty Naslund is in the middle of the pack when it comes to six million dollar scorers. He hasn't been great, but he's been better than guys like Elias and Vanek who are near the bottom in six million dollar scorers. I think one of the things that we look at when we're talking about Markus Naslund is how many of his goals happen when the Sedins don't set him up. And don't forget that when Naslund signed for six million he was coming off two of his best seasons, and six million was very high on the salary cap. Now it isn't as much when you look at contracts like Briere's and Ovechkin's, but Naslund was signed to a top players salary the season he signed it, and he hasn't lived up to that idea.

Vigneault brought up Rypien when he felt this team was getting beat up evidenced by the Phoenix and San Jose games. With the Blues being a big team, he must have felt the same thing would happen. Johnson, Mayers, and others would've been happy to run our guys all over the ice. The point to be made about this move is that it looks like it had a good result, but it cost this team a point to a team they COULD be fighting for a playoff spot. The move didn't win the game, the skilled guys stepped up and this team ought to be greatful for that. Scorers win games, thugs take penalties. You just have to hope they are smart penalties like Mitchell's against Phoenix, not bad one's like Cowan's or Rypien's.

McIver is here because Ohlund is out. The Canucks needed for size in front of the net. McIver provides that. However I don't see what's wrong with the way Luc Bourdon plays the game. They could put him with a responsible guy like Mitchell or Salo and have the big hit and the big shot.

My point is that Naslund isn't doing as badly as portrayed. All this talk about Hossa and really, he has 3 more points then Nazzy and is a -10....:slant: So, I am not sure just how valuable he is in a trade when I consider your guys positions and opinions of Naslund...just sayin'. Hossa likely figures he's an 8 mil player...I say more like 4. Arnott gives this team a solid toughness and a true cup winner and at 4.5 he looks more and more like a steal as the days pass.

Rag on about Rypien all you like and Cowan for that matter. This team is winning man, what more do you want? I mean your critical of what? We're in a dog fight for 1st in the NW, that's great isn't it? Minnie and Calgary are admirably good teams, whom, are very similar. I mean who the phuck is Varos? Exactly, but you know something, he makes a difference to his team. So does Cowan. Again I will repeat. He is just coming off injury dude. He's played what? 19 games now??? with injuries continually keeping him out of the line up. This guy was hurt in the first minutes of the season for gawds sake. :eek: It takes guys like him a few games to get going you know. And as for Rypien, same as above. How many games has he gone without sustaining major injury...? Both players have had a hard time gaining any steam this year. And both players are being respected as people who made this hockey club at season's start....they're simply being paid that respect by their coach. That's how it works man. IF it didn't, you watch how quick V loses the room. Mason and Jason were filling roles as call ups and did an admirable job....it's their place. Soon, they will be regulars but not until the whole story is told with others...I don't mind that one bit. It's loyalty from above and that's the kind of team I would love to play for.

People are going to make mistakes lossy, it's natural. Jaffrey made his fair share, and so did Mason...and their biggest were skating around with their heads down all the time. These guys are going to get super hurt if they keep it up, in the A or the show.

RB

[gordphish]

My point is that Naslund isn't doing as badly as portrayed. All this talk about Hossa and really, he has 3 more points then Nazzy and is a -10....:slant: So, I am not sure just how valuable he is in a trade when I consider your guys positions and opinions of Naslund...just sayin'. Hossa likely figures he's an 8 mil player...I say more like 4. Arnott gives this team a solid toughness and a true cup winner and at 4.5 he looks more and more like a steal as the days pass.

Rag on about Rypien all you like and Cowan for that matter. This team is winning man, what more do you want? I mean your critical of what? We're in a dog fight for 1st in the NW, that's great isn't it? Minnie and Calgary are admirably good teams, whom, are very similar. I mean who the phuck is Varos? Exactly, but you know something, he makes a difference to his team. So does Cowan. Again I will repeat. He is just coming off injury dude. He's played what? 19 games now??? with injuries continually keeping him out of the line up. This guy was hurt in the first minutes of the season for gawds sake. :eek: It takes guys like him a few games to get going you know. And as for Rypien, same as above. How many games has he gone without sustaining major injury...? Both players have had a hard time gaining any steam this year. And both players are being respected as people who made this hockey club at season's start....they're simply being paid that respect by their coach. That's how it works man. IF it didn't, you watch how quick V loses the room. Mason and Jason were filling roles as call ups and did an admirable job....it's their place. Soon, they will be regulars but not until the whole story is told with others...I don't mind that one bit. It's loyalty from above and that's the kind of team I would love to play for.

People are going to make mistakes lossy, it's natural. Jaffrey made his fair share, and so did Mason...and their biggest were skating around with their heads down all the time. These guys are going to get super hurt if they keep it up, in the A or the show.

RB

On Hossa...

He's having a poor season, likely due to the distractions of his contract negotiations. I don't watch Atlanta, so I couldn't give another read on it.

But c'mon, Rusty...Hossa has just turned 29. He has 621 points in 672 career games, has not been a minus player his entire career until this season and hasn't failed to play less than 78 games a year since he played 60 as a rookie. And he hasn't been less than a PPG player since the 01-02 season. This guy is still one of the premier goal scorers in the game. I know you. I know you see the benefit of having him on a line with Henrik Sedin. With a bonafide 45 to 50 goal threat on his right side, Henrik could get 100 assists. Keep in mind that Hossa has NEVER had a centre of Henrik's calibre to play with in the NHL.

Myself, I'd trade for him and give him 8 mil per for 3 or 4 seasons if that's what it would take to sign him long term. Remember, Ottawa only traded him at the time because they couldn't afford him. If he's available, he is, IMO, the best available asset right now heading into the trade deadline. Better than Sundin because he doesn't have to be a rental.

As for Jaffrey and Raymond, if they are running around with their heads down then the only way they are going to learn is the hard way. I still don't see that as a reason to demote them in favour of guys like Rypien, Isbister and Cowan. We have three times the number of checkers, grinders, energy guys, etc...that we need on this team. What we need is Jaffrey and Raymond's creativity and scoring.

And finally, Naslund. What really kills me about Naslund is the way he disappears for long stretches. Scoring in one game in 18 outings...this team CANNOT afford that from Naslund. He's their captain, occupies a top 6 forward spot that is devoted to scoring and takes up 6 million dollars of valuable cap space. I don't think he's the terrible leader that some do, but right now he's hurting this team more than he's helping. And that goal he scored in St. Louis? Big deal. My wife's dead cat could have scored that. If you've ever asked yourself where Taylor Pyatt would be without the twins, ask yourself where Naslund would be. At least Pyatt is finding ways to score without the Sedins.

Sorry, but next summer is the time for the Canucks to say 'so long' to Naslund.

[TimmyTabasco]

So, how many threads do we need on proposals/trades? :nod:

[gordphish]

So, how many threads do we need on proposals/trades? :nod:


Well, I was trying ealier to get my midseason grades in here, but my daughter just wouldn't give me the time enough to do it...so hopefully tomorrow.

[rustybadcock]

On Hossa...

He's having a poor season, likely due to the distractions of his contract negotiations. I don't watch Atlanta, so I couldn't give another read on it.

But c'mon, Rusty...Hossa has just turned 29. He has 621 points in 672 career games, has not been a minus player his entire career until this season and hasn't failed to play less than 78 games a year since he played 60 as a rookie. And he hasn't been less than a PPG player since the 01-02 season. This guy is still one of the premier goal scorers in the game. I know you. I know you see the benefit of having him on a line with Henrik Sedin. With a bonafide 45 to 50 goal threat on his right side, Henrik could get 100 assists. Keep in mind that Hossa has NEVER had a centre of Henrik's calibre to play with in the NHL.

Myself, I'd trade for him and give him 8 mil per for 3 or 4 seasons if that's what it would take to sign him long term. Remember, Ottawa only traded him at the time because they couldn't afford him. If he's available, he is, IMO, the best available asset right now heading into the trade deadline. Better than Sundin because he doesn't have to be a rental.

As for Jaffrey and Raymond, if they are running around with their heads down then the only way they are going to learn is the hard way. I still don't see that as a reason to demote them in favour of guys like Rypien, Isbister and Cowan. We have three times the number of checkers, grinders, energy guys, etc...that we need on this team. What we need is Jaffrey and Raymond's creativity and scoring.

And finally, Naslund. What really kills me about Naslund is the way he disappears for long stretches. Scoring in one game in 18 outings...this team CANNOT afford that from Naslund. He's their captain, occupies a top 6 forward spot that is devoted to scoring and takes up 6 million dollars of valuable cap space. I don't think he's the terrible leader that some do, but right now he's hurting this team more than he's helping. And that goal he scored in St. Louis? Big deal. My wife's dead cat could have scored that. If you've ever asked yourself where Taylor Pyatt would be without the twins, ask yourself where Naslund would be. At least Pyatt is finding ways to score without the Sedins.

Sorry, but next summer is the time for the Canucks to say 'so long' to Naslund.

When you put it that way about Hossa I have to see your point. He's scores a point in 92.4% of the games he's played. Impressive. :eek: and he was a pretty big scorer for Ottawa in the playoffs wasn't he?

I agree on Naslund most of the time. I have these moments where I try very hard to find something to appreciate him for. However, I really wonder about him as Captain. His talents and abilities don't really deter me. It's his heart and leadership I question. Like was this ever really his team? Perhaps it was always Bertuzzi's? I know I am going back a while there but honestly, how long have we watched this fall from grace? A hockey team's only as good as it's pulse. And if the heart is the Captain than he's creating that pulse...or not. :slant: Perhaps it's time for him to pony up, slide the C on someone else's jersey and just be what he might naturally be, a follower. For my money after watching Mitchell step up for Beech the other night he showed me more leadership and belief in this team than anything anyone else has done in some time. He's not the craziest fighter out there I know, its the principle of the matter. That's something Iginla would do, or Lecavallier. That's a trait of Bieksa's too, that's why I cannot fathom the idea of moving him. He's a real diamond in the rough. So soon people forget...

Maybe Naslund being moved at the deadline will be the shock of shocks...:conspire:

RB

[AtLossForWords]

Timmy this thread is really about the Canucks performance so far this season, and how they can fix it. If you read my post, I didn't talk about adding anyone to this team until the very end of the post. Maybe all these fools just like talking about trades.

Rusty I don't really question Naslund's leadership, I question his ability to score at the pace he was expected to when he signed that big deal after the lockout. If you want to talk about captains after Naslund, I say Ryan Kesler is V's first choice. He gave him an "A" recently and I liked that move. If you want your captain to scrap, score, and skate, Kesler is an excellent choice as this team's captain.

[gordphish]

OK, here are my mid season grades. I've based them on the expectations and performances of the individual player rather than comparing them with the rest of the league...

Henrik Sedin - A+ - On pace to set a new career high in points and to eclipse last year's goal total. Among the league leaders in assists despite playing on one the league's lowest scoring teams.

Roberto Luongo - A - Only an average October kept him from an A+. His numbers from Nov 1 on are sick, especially at home. Will be an A+ easily by season's end.

Alex Edler - A- - Leads team and all rookies in +/- and is a solid Calder candidate, but his offensive contribution needs to improve, especially on the PP.

Daniel Sedin - A- - On pace to set a new carreer mark in goals.

Taylor Pyatt - B+ - Should follow up his first 20 goal campaign with another one, but he's already matched his career high in assists. Filled in admirably when called on to be a checking winger with Kesler in November.

Mike Brown - B - A nice find for Vigneault. Brings energy and toughness, will drop with anyone, but plays with smarts. For what his role is, he should probably get an A, but it's hard to give that kind of a mark to a guy that has only played 17 NHL games.

Ryan Kesler - B - An early burst has him on pace for new offensive career marks and he made a first half case for himself as a Selke candidate. However, he's slowed in all categories since Christmas.

Curtis Sanford - B - Canucks finally have a backup, but for how long? Poor outings in his last few games hurt his grade, but has done his job well so far.

Alex Burrows - B-- Already hit new career marks in assists and points, but he is still struggling to meet his true offensive potential, which makes him a questionable top 9 forward.

Mason Raymond - B- - Looked in over his head at the start of the season, but showed well in his second call up. Good speed, smart and an offensive touch you can't teach.

Jason Jaffrey - C+ - Didn't light the league on fire during his first and only call up, but filled in nicely as a second line centre. Certainly head and shoulders above what we saw from Schultz and Moran.

Aaron Miller - C+ - Has stayed healthy and played well considering injuries to the blueline have him playing in situations he normally wouldn't have had the blueline been at full strength. Has done a nice job of keeping opponents off Luongo's back.

Willie Mitchell - C+ - A slow start keeps him from earning a B. Still, he could set new career scoring marks for himself this season, and is a tidy little plus 6. With the injuries to Bieksa, Salo and Ohlund, one cringes to think where this team would be right now without their rock on defense.

Brendan Morrison - C+ - Same pace, same player. Doesn't use his linemates very well, and hasn't really clicked with anyone other than Cooke these last few seasons. One can hope that he comes back from his injury highly motivated and thus much more effective in the offensive zone.

Matthias Ohlund - C+ - Looked like the pre-lockout Ohlund until his suspension. Still, he's on pace for his same old 30 points and could finish as a plus player for the first time in three seasons. Needs to get his mean streak back, though.

Mike Weaver - C+ - Has been surprisingly reliable as the 7th man this season. Plays the position extremely well for a small man. Again, for filling the role he's asked to take, he should probably get a higher grade, but the 0 in the scoring column kind of sticks out.

Lukas Krajicek - C - Is on pace to dribble past his previous career bests, but with the injuries to the blueline in the first half, you would have expected Krajicek to take full advantage. While he hasn't been terrible, he was drafted as a scoring defenseman, and he just isn't noticeable most nights. The kid has a big-league shot. Why isn't he using it?

Trevor Linden - C - Has lost another step, and just doesn't have enough to offer Vigneault to use most nights. Is he playing his role well? Who knows what his role is anymore?

Markus Naslund - C - If not for a brief offensive spurt for a few weeks in November, Naslund would be on pace for yet another decline in offense. That's just not acceptable for a guy who has spent most of the season playing with linemates that could turn Dana Murzyn into a 20 goal scorer. Again, where is his shot?

Byron Ritchie - C - His scoring is about where it was advertised and his face-off percentage is coming up. But how do you manage to be a minus 6 halfway through the year with fourth line minutes? Really, has he been any better than Chouinard?

Matt Cooke - C- - He's not even on pace to match the paltry 30 points he managed last season. Yes, he'll hit. And he's dropped the gloves on a few occassions this season. But he's used as a second line player on this team, and we've seen the offensive potential in him before. For the role he's in, he needs to score, and he's not doing that. Only his work ethic kept him from a D.

Jeff Cowan - C- - Injured, yes. But one point in 20 games and he's not fighting. So if he's not a third line scorer and he's not a fourth line fighter, then what's his purpose?

Brad Isbister - D - In terms of meeting expectations, he should get an A. He's been as advertised; a waste of space.

Sami Salo - D - Hurt again. Big surprise. One goal and 5 points in 25 games, he's lucky not to get an F. Their biggest disappointment so far this year.

Incompletes - Kris Beech, Kevin Bieksa, Luc Bourdon, Nathan McIver, Ryan Shannon, Rick Rypien, Jannick Hansen

Alain Vigneault - B- - Isn't coaxing the best out of his veteren players this season, and if not for a stellar November from Luongo, this team would be hovering around .500. He needs to allow for more individual creativity in his style.

[AtLossForWords]

Pretty good ratings Gordo, but I'd raise only to a B considering only the games he has played this season. The team's performance since he's been out of the lineup is indicitive of how bad they need his slow slapshot on the blueline and his smarts in their own end on the PK and at even strength.

I'd drop Aaron Miller to a C-, he's failed horribly on the PK and clearing rebounds from his crease. He plays a good physical game, but I think he uses his stick very poorly.

Salo deserves as F, he's not a disappointment, he's a bomb.

[gordphish]

Pretty good ratings Gordo, but I'd raise only to a B considering only the games he has played this season. The team's performance since he's been out of the lineup is indicitive of how bad they need his slow slapshot on the blueline and his smarts in their own end on the PK and at even strength.

I'd drop Aaron Miller to a C-, he's failed horribly on the PK and clearing rebounds from his crease. He plays a good physical game, but I think he uses his stick very poorly.

Salo deserves as F, he's not a disappointment, he's a bomb.

Myself, when I compare Ohlund to how he can play, he's not even close. He just doesn't seem to have that physical edge anymore, and his shot? He has a good shot, but his windup is terrible. He takes way too long to get the shot off. He should be on the second unit powerplay only.

Miller, I think maybe your expectations of him were too high to begin with. I never expected him to be a fixture on the PK, for the reasons you've stated. For me, he's been used way too much because of injuries, and I don't think you can underline the value of the way he can protect his goaltender enough.

Salo, I didn't give him an F because of the nature of his latest injury (facial reconstruction). But he's always hurt; now he has a bad elbow. If you want to give someone an F, give it to Nonis for resigning him and throwing in an NTC.

[rustybadcock]

Myself, when I compare Ohlund to how he can play, he's not even close. He just doesn't seem to have that physical edge anymore, and his shot? He has a good shot, but his windup is terrible. He takes way too long to get the shot off. He should be on the second unit powerplay only.

Miller, I think maybe your expectations of him were too high to begin with. I never expected him to be a fixture on the PK, for the reasons you've stated. For me, he's been used way too much because of injuries, and I don't think you can underline the value of the way he can protect his goaltender enough.

Salo, I didn't give him an F because of the nature of his latest injury (facial reconstruction). But he's always hurt; now he has a bad elbow. If you want to give someone an F, give it to Nonis for resigning him and throwing in an NTC.

I'll second that...;)

Great thoughts guys, great thread.

RB