Western Playoff Drive Breakdown

[gordphish]

Courtesy Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province

http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=18248

It's going to take a minor miracle for the Canucks to make the playoffs, healthy blueline or no.

15 games in 29 nights in March, with 10 of those 15 on the road. And they play 16 of their remaining 25 games against teams that currently hold down a playoff spot in the west. They haven't beaten a western playoff team since December 30th.

If 95 points is the playoff threshold, they will need 32 points from the final 50 available. With that schedule, the injuries and their inability to score, they are a long, long shot to get in.

My opinion, the 8 teams in right now are the 8 teams still standing in April.

[KB in Kelowna]

I have been using the 95 point milepost to make the playoffs all season. You are correct a minor miracle is required. It is doable but it would also involve some score board watching, and hoping other teams falter catch the flu and injury bug. Not the way I had envioned the season:no:

[gordphish]

I have been using the 95 point milepost to make the playoffs all season. You are correct a minor miracle is required. It is doable but it would also involve some score board watching, and hoping other teams falter catch the flu and injury bug. Not the way I had envioned the season:no:

Me neither, brother. Me neither. (if I could get my emoticons to work, I'd have the red guy with flames shooting over him right here).

[TimmyTabasco]

Jason Botchford is an ass(not to mention Willes). There you go, got it off my chest :D

[gordphish]

Jason Botchford is an ass(not to mention Willes). There you go, got it off my chest :D

He may be an ass, but the statistical breakdown is not opinion, Saucey. The odds are not in Vancouver's favour.

[TimmyTabasco]

He may be an ass, but the statistical breakdown is not opinion, Saucey. The odds are not in Vancouver's favour.

Agreed

Its going to take a lot to make the playoffs

And, even if they do make the playoffs..they have to finish in atleast 7th place

No one wants to finish in 8th place. Thats just the same as missing the playoffs

[Nelson19777]

Well I know it is not going to be easy, but to say we need a miricle is a little over dramatic. I know this team will make the playoffs and it won't take a miricle.

Botchford pretty much writes off every team that doesn't sit in the top 8 as of today, as if they will just roll over for everone else on their way to the playoffs. Unfortunately teams don't just lay down when the playoffs are looming. Everyone will be fighting for those spots. Don't forget how often the plaoff spoilers ruin the party.

You want some stats? Here's a few:

Phoenix, Chicago & Vancouver all have the best divisional records in their respective divisions yet they sit "out" of the playoffs today. The stretch will consist of alot of divisional games for everyone. Did Botchford account for that when he decided who's got the easiest schedule?

If all teams had played as many as the (mighty) Ducks. Vancouver, Nashville Colorado, & Calgary could actually all be ahead of them. St. Louis, Phoenix and St.Louis all could be within 1-3 points. And that would be with all of those team still having 22 games left.

The bottom line is, this entire conference is so close right now, no game is easy. You can point to a schedule and call it hard or call it easy, but, until the points are on the board there are only 2 teams that have a sealed fate. Detroit is in and LA is out.

The way I see it the bottom four teams (5th-8th) will fill out from any of the teams currently sitting (5th-12th). I predict the playoff teams to be:

Detroit
Dallas
Minnesota
San Jose
Calgary
Anaheim
Vancouver
St. Louis

[gordphish]

Well I know it is not going to be easy, but to say we need a miricle is a little over dramatic. I know this team will make the playoffs and it won't take a miricle.

Botchford pretty much writes off every team that doesn't sit in the top 8 as of today, as if they will just roll over for everone else on their way to the playoffs. Unfortunately teams don't just lay down when the playoffs are looming. Everyone will be fighting for those spots. Don't forget how often the plaoff spoilers ruin the party.

You want some stats? Here's a few:

Phoenix, Chicago & Vancouver all have the best divisional records in their respective divisions yet they sit "out" of the playoffs today. The stretch will consist of alot of divisional games for everyone. Did Botchford account for that when he decided who's got the easiest schedule?

If all teams had played as many as the (mighty) Ducks. Vancouver, Nashville Colorado, & Calgary could actually all be ahead of them. St. Louis, Phoenix and St.Louis all could be within 1-3 points. And that would be with all of those team still having 22 games left.

The bottom line is, this entire conference is so close right now, no game is easy. You can point to a schedule and call it hard or call it easy, but, until the points are on the board there are only 2 teams that have a sealed fate. Detroit is in and LA is out.

The way I see it the bottom four teams (5th-8th) will fill out from any of the teams currently sitting (5th-12th). I predict the playoff teams to be:

Detroit
Dallas
Minnesota
San Jose
Calgary
Anaheim
Vancouver
St. Louis

I hate to burst your bubble, Nelson, but the Canucks are 2-5-2 in the 9 games since their early season undefeated run against the Northwest ended. They haven't beaten a Northwest team since they beat Calgary back on December 27th.

In reality, the entire conference is NOT close. That's Bettman illusion of parity that you see. There are three points on the table every night, and most teams now will be playing for that guaranteed point. At most, one team from the 7 on the outside looking in has a real shot at climbing back in it, and that's it.

I mean, do you really think the Oilers have a chance with Horcoff and Souray out for the season?

[Nelson19777]

I don't recall saying the Oilers will make it. :shrug:

You've all but written off the Canucks this season and most are ready to hand the cup to the Ducks. I just don't get why? :confused: Yea, they have had a crappy month and a half and if they continue to play like this they aren't gonna make it.

This is the same team that DID go undefeated against the NW for two months. If any team can tank it for a month and a half, go 2-5-2 against their own division and still only be one point out and still have the best record in that division, something tells me they still have a chance.

They need to play better for sure, but to say they need a miracle is bull. It's not like they're 10 points back with extra games played. It's one point.

Please explain to me how the standings are not close?

**Edit**

Oh, I see what you mean. I said the entire conference. Oops, I guess what I was getting at was that there are still 8-9 teams in realistic contention for the last four spots.

[AtLossForWords]

I wouldn't say the Canucks are out of it. They are only what five points out of the division lead. All it takes is a winning streak, and they're in first place at the end of it.

Only Calgary picked up points on the Canucks tonight and that was luck at best. If they play more games like they played in San Jose tonight, they are in trouble, ******* Cheechoo and his dumb **** penalty.

If Minnesota has Gaborik get hurt, someone else is in first place in the Northwest. If he gets hurt long enough, Minnesota would be out of the playoffs.

[gordphish]

I don't recall saying the Oilers will make it. :shrug:

You've all but written off the Canucks this season and most are ready to hand the cup to the Ducks. I just don't get why? :confused: Yea, they have had a crappy month and a half and if they continue to play like this they aren't gonna make it.

This is the same team that DID go undefeated against the NW for two months. If any team can tank it for a month and a half, go 2-5-2 against their own division and still only be one point out and still have the best record in that division, something tells me they still have a chance.

They need to play better for sure, but to say they need a miracle is bull. It's not like they're 10 points back with extra games played. It's one point.

Please explain to me how the standings are not close?

**Edit**

Oh, I see what you mean. I said the entire conference. Oops, I guess what I was getting at was that there are still 8-9 teams in realistic contention for the last four spots.

Nelson, Canuck fans of all people should know how distorted the standings are now with the OTL point on the table every night.

In the 01-02 season the Canucks lost 9 of their last 43 games...you remember where they finished in the west? Eighth. They had a similar run in the second half of last last season and won the division by ONE point.

Yes, they have 14 games remaining against the division, but so does every other Northwest team. That means someone in the division is going to pick up points every game. They may be 5 points off the lead, but they have three teams ahead of them. The division is almost certainly completely out of reach now.

For example. Let's say the Canucks get 20 of those 28 points available against the division. Minnesota need only get 15 of those 28 to tie the Canucks. Think about that. That means the Wild would only need to win half of their remaining 14 divisional games and pick up just one OTL point out of the other half. And while Minnesota loses those 7 games, Colorado and Calgary pick up points in those 7 losses by the Wild.

As for making the playoffs...Granted, they could win a few and the Avs could lose, and they'd wake up in 8th by Sunday. But take all issues into account:

-They have 4 of their top 7 defensemen out with injuries, and only Mitchell's return could be considered immenent. They are without their second line centre until at least mid-March.

-They play 16 of their remaining 25 games against western playoff teams...that's more than anyone else in the hunt.

-They play 15 games in a 29 day stretch next month, and 10 of those are on the road.

-They have just 6 wins since Jan 1. They aren't on one of those second half tears, and they aren't close to one right now.

Now I never said they were out of the playoffs. I said it would take a minor miracle for them to get in, that they were a long, long shot and that the odds are against them. And all of this is true.

This is how I see the West ending up now...

Detroit
Dallas
Colorado
Anaheim
San Jose
Minnesota
Calgary
Nashville

The Avs are getting Sakic, Stastny and Smyth back now, and Theodore is heating up. IMO, they'll be the hottest team in the west from here on in.

[Nelson19777]

Well, I guess all we can do is wait and see. But I'm pretty sure your years of following this team has somewhat jaded your opinion to expect failure. I'm betting the Canucks will be in and it won't be Jesus coming back to suit up and carry them in.

[charlio lemieux]

Have faith guys, Luongo usually plays the lights out towards the end of the season. If he does it again you may be winning a lot of 2-1 and 1-0 games.

[gordphish]

Well, I guess all we can do is wait and see. But I'm pretty sure your years of following this team has somewhat jaded your opinion to expect failure. I'm betting the Canucks will be in and it won't be Jesus coming back to suit up and carry them in.

Yeah, well...I've seen enough losing teams to know exactly what one looks like. I remember at this time two years ago I was telling you all the same thing, and I was met with the exact same responses.

The thing is, I don't know what has you thinking that they'll go on some huge roll where they win 20 of their last 25 games...did you really think they were going to beat Chicago 1-0 on Sunday? How many 1-0 scores do we see across the league in a season? Three, four...five maybe?

The REALITY of that game was that they could only muster a 1-0 lead at home going into the third period against one of the worst teams in the conference, and had to get a last minute goal just so they could edge the Hawks in the stupid-out. Gutsy win, character effort, whatever cheesey wallpaper you want to cover it with, it was a team short on talent that gave everything they had just to edge the lowly freaking Chicago Blackhawks.

At this rate, Luongo will bolt when his contract is up, because in truth, this team isn't all that much better than the Florida team he had to carry around on his back.

[Nelson19777]

.....The thing is, I don't know what has you thinking that they'll go on some huge roll where they win 20 of their last 25 games...

.....At this rate, Luongo will bolt when his contract is up, because in truth, this team isn't all that much better than the Florida team he had to carry around on his back......

I don't know what has you thinking that they need to go on some huge roll where they win 20 of their last 25 games just to make the playoffs. That would mean we'd need 103 points to make it. 95 points seem to be the consensus of what it will take. That could be a record of 16-9-0, 15-8-2, 14-7-4, 13-6-6, 12-5-8, 11-4-10, etc. Entirely possible. Hardly miracle records.

As far as Luongo goes, I don't think he's ever complained about having to carry his team, as I'm sure he's been doing it since he was about 6. After all isn't that whay 7 million dollar players are paid for?

I'm not saying we're the best, but we've all see how the playoffs are totally unpredictable. Anything can happen once you're in.

[gordphish]

I don't know what has you thinking that they need to go on some huge roll where they win 20 of their last 25 games just to make the playoffs. That would mean we'd need 103 points to make it. 95 points seem to be the consensus of what it will take. That could be a record of 16-9-0, 15-8-2, 14-7-4, 13-6-6, 12-5-8, 11-4-10, etc. Entirely possible. Hardly miracle records.

As far as Luongo goes, I don't think he's ever complained about having to carry his team, as I'm sure he's been doing it since he was about 6. After all isn't that whay 7 million dollar players are paid for?

I'm not saying we're the best, but we've all see how the playoffs are totally unpredictable. Anything can happen once you're in.

Ahh, the great rallying misnomer of mediocrity...I was wondering when we were going to hear that little gem again.

Sure, every 25 years or so the last seed in the conference gets hot and makes it to the Cup Final. But let's douse ourselves with a good old shot of reality, shall we?

Year / Stanley Cup Winner / Overall Finish

1968 - Montreal Canadiens - 1st
1969 - Montreal Canadiens - 1st
1970 - Boston Bruins - 2nd
1971 - Montreal Canadiens - 4th
1972 - Boston Bruins - 1st
1973 - Montreal Canadiens - 1st
1974 - Philadelphia Flyers - 2nd
1975 - Philadelphia Flyers - 1st
1976 - Montreal Canadiens - 1st
1977 - Montreal Canadiens - 1st
1978 - Montreal Canadiens - 1st
1979 - Montreal Canadiens - 2nd
1980 - NY Islanders - 5th
1981 - NY Islanders - 1st
1982 - NY Islanders - 1st
1983 - NY Islanders - 6th
1984 - Edmonton Oilers - 1st
1985 - Edmonton Oilers - 2nd
1986 - Montreal Canadiens - 6th
1987 - Edmonton Oilers - 1st
1988 - Edmonton Oilers - 3rd
1989 - Calgary Flames - 1st
1990 - Edmonton Oilers - 5th
1991 - Pittsburgh Penguins - 7th
1992 - Pittsburgh Penguins - 5th
1993 - Montreal Canadiens - 5th
1994 - NY Rangers - 1st
1995 - New Jersey Devils - 9th
1996 - Colorado Avalanche - 2nd
1997 - Detroit Red Wings - 5th
1998 - Detroit Red Wings - 3rd
1999 - Dallas Stars - 1st
2000 - New Jersey Devils - 4th
2001 - Colorado Avalanche - 1st
2002 - Detroit Red Wings - 1st
2003 - New Jersey Devils - 4th
2004 - Tampa Bay Lightning - 2nd
2005 - N/A
2006 - Carolina Hurricanes - 4th
2007 - Anaheim Ducks - 4th

Cup won by position in overall standings since 1968:

1st - 17
2nd - 6
3rd - 2
4th - 5
5th - 5
6th - 2
7th - 1
8th - 0
9th - 1 *lockout shortened season (1995)
10th - 0
11th - 0
12th - 0
13th - 0
14th - 0
15th - 0
16th - 0

One interesting trend that Red Wing fans might like to take note of...since expansion, the longest stretch between first place overall teams winning the Cup is 4 seasons. It's been 4 seasons since the President Trophy and Stanley Cup shared homes, so history tells us it's the Red Wings' year.

[AtLossForWords]

You need to finish sixth in your conference to really look like you have a legitimate shot at a Cup. I'm not saying that because of who you're playing, but 7tyh and 8th place teams that just sneak in don't have the depth or character to win a Cup, that's why they finish 7th instead of 2nd.

As far as the Canucks finishing eigth, I'm not as concerned about their first round matcup as I am just getting through the second round. Detroit is not a mismatch series for the Canucks, but going through San Jose or Dallas very well could be.

If Luongo plays lights out and puts four to five goals games like last night behind him, this team has a legitimate chance for the playoffs, but if he lets in one bad goal a game, they're "f bombed".

[gordphish]

You need to finish sixth in your conference to really look like you have a legitimate shot at a Cup. I'm not saying that because of who you're playing, but 7tyh and 8th place teams that just sneak in don't have the depth or character to win a Cup, that's why they finish 7th instead of 2nd.

As far as the Canucks finishing eigth, I'm not as concerned about their first round matcup as I am just getting through the second round. Detroit is not a mismatch series for the Canucks, but going through San Jose or Dallas very well could be.

If Luongo plays lights out and puts four to five goals games like last night behind him, this team has a legitimate chance for the playoffs, but if he lets in one bad goal a game, they're "f bombed".

Perhaps to look like you have real shot, but to have a real chance at winning it, you need to be in the top 6 overall, which my previous post clearly proved.

I don't want Nonis giving up assets just to create the illusion that he is trying to win to fool the dummies in this market and to try and save his job. I want him to make the moves that will make damn sure that this team will make the playoffs next year no matter what, and that will put them in position to get into the top 6 by season's end and give them a REAL chance at winning it all.

They are a .500 hockey team. There is no reason Nonis can't move Naslund, Morrison, Cooke, Linden and Miller by the 26th and stll keep his team hovering around that mark.

[gordphish]

Here is another example of what I'm talking about here...the Canucks are now 4-1-3 in their last 8 games, picking up 11 of a possible 16 points. They've gained exactly one point on the Wild in that stretch, and have seperated themselves from 9th place by...one point.

[Nelson19777]

Here is another example of what I'm talking about here...the Canucks are now 4-1-3 in their last 8 games, picking up 11 of a possible 16 points. They've gained exactly one point on the Wild in that stretch, and have seperated themselves from 9th place by...one point.

:rolleyes: I thought it wasn't tight?

It's actually two points and a game at hand on 9th place. And the gains (9th to 7th) have actually been made in the three games that we've played since the article was written.

Twist the stats however you want. This team hasn't and won't give up, like some would hope. They're in the playoffs as of today and they'll be there at the end. The slump is over and they've turned the corner. I expect to see the team from November form here on out. The division might be getting out of reach but I don't expect them to stop reaching for the best position possible.

The miracle is upon us!

[gordphish]

:rolleyes: I thought it wasn't tight?

It's actually two points and a game at hand on 9th place. And the gains (9th to 7th) have actually been made in the three games that we've played since the article was written.

Twist the stats however you want. This team hasn't and won't give up, like some would hope. They're in the playoffs as of today and they'll be there at the end. The slump is over and they've turned the corner. I expect to see the team from November form here on out. The division might be getting out of reach but I don't expect them to stop reaching for the best position possible.

The miracle is upon us!

This link is just for you, Nelson...

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=13490

[Nelson19777]

This link is just for you, Nelson...

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=13490

Thanks, but I think I've heard that somewhere before.

Don't forget our views of a successful team/season differ slightly. I'd be pretty happy with making the conference finals with this years team. Obviously I want to see them bring the cup home too.

[Vanfan]

Nelson, Canuck fans of all people should know how distorted the standings are now with the OTL point on the table every night.

In the 01-02 season the Canucks lost 9 of their last 43 games...you remember where they finished in the west? Eighth. They had a similar run in the second half of last last season and won the division by ONE point.

Yes, they have 14 games remaining against the division, but so does every other Northwest team. That means someone in the division is going to pick up points every game. They may be 5 points off the lead, but they have three teams ahead of them. The division is almost certainly completely out of reach now.

For example. Let's say the Canucks get 20 of those 28 points available against the division. Minnesota need only get 15 of those 28 to tie the Canucks. Think about that. That means the Wild would only need to win half of their remaining 14 divisional games and pick up just one OTL point out of the other half. And while Minnesota loses those 7 games, Colorado and Calgary pick up points in those 7 losses by the Wild.

As for making the playoffs...Granted, they could win a few and the Avs could lose, and they'd wake up in 8th by Sunday. But take all issues into account:

-They have 4 of their top 7 defensemen out with injuries, and only Mitchell's return could be considered immenent. They are without their second line centre until at least mid-March.

-They play 16 of their remaining 25 games against western playoff teams...that's more than anyone else in the hunt.

-They play 15 games in a 29 day stretch next month, and 10 of those are on the road.

-They have just 6 wins since Jan 1. They aren't on one of those second half tears, and they aren't close to one right now.

Now I never said they were out of the playoffs. I said it would take a minor miracle for them to get in, that they were a long, long shot and that the odds are against them. And all of this is true.

This is how I see the West ending up now...

Detroit
Dallas
Colorado
Anaheim
San Jose
Minnesota
Calgary
Nashville

The Avs are getting Sakic, Stastny and Smyth back now, and Theodore is heating up. IMO, they'll be the hottest team in the west from here on in.


Usually fans are slightly optomistic and although the logic of your argument is sound it has a rather pessimistic bent to it.
The Canucks are a very good team that I am certain will make the playoffs and with a little scoring help at the deadline and from Morrison could actually do some damage once there.

[gordphish]

Usually fans are slightly optomistic and although the logic of your argument is sound it has a rather pessimistic bent to it.
The Canucks are a very good team that I am certain will make the playoffs and with a little scoring help at the deadline and from Morrison could actually do some damage once there.


Well, excuse me for being honoust and not letting blind hope and my green and blue glasses colour my judgement.

How long have you been a fan of this team, friend? I've been in this for 32 years, and been there every step of the way, day in and day out. The 50 point seasons in the 80s, the Cam Neely trade, the heartbreaking playoff losses to the Oilers and Kings in the ealry 90s, the Gretzky-worship of Peter Nedved, the Claude Lemieux dragging Linden around the ice by his collar like a dog at the end of the 96 season, the ten game losing streaks and last place finishes of the last 90s, the Cloutier-with-his-head-up-his-arse-play against Detroit and Minnesota, the Jovo-with-his-head-up-his-arse play against Calgary, the Jason Herters, the Bob Woodwards, the Alex Stojanovs, the Shawn Antoskis, the Vladamir Krutovs and Leif Rohlins...

So you'll excuse me if I don't baa like a good little sheep and wait quietly for the wolves to move in.

[Vanfan]

Well, excuse me for being honoust and not letting blind hope and my green and blue glasses colour my judgement.

How long have you been a fan of this team, friend? I've been in this for 32 years, and been there every step of the way, day in and day out. The 50 point seasons in the 80s, the Cam Neely trade, the heartbreaking playoff losses to the Oilers and Kings in the ealry 90s, the Gretzky-worship of Peter Nedved, the Claude Lemieux dragging Linden around the ice by his collar like a dog at the end of the 96 season, the ten game losing streaks and last place finishes of the last 90s, the Cloutier-with-his-head-up-his-arse-play against Detroit and Minnesota, the Jovo-with-his-head-up-his-arse play against Calgary, the Jason Herters, the Bob Woodwards, the Alex Stojanovs, the Shawn Antoskis, the Vladamir Krutovs and Leif Rohlins...

So you'll excuse me if I don't baa like a good little sheep and wait quietly for the wolves to move in.

As I said your logic was sound but as it turns out the Canucks are currently in a playoff position and whether they move higher or lower in the standings may come down to Tuesday at 3 ET.

As for me having been a fan longer than you, I don't know that its important and I apologize for not having more of an impact myself.

[gordphish]

As I said your logic was sound but as it turns out the Canucks are currently in a playoff position and whether they move higher or lower in the standings may come down to Tuesday at 3 ET.

As for me having been a fan longer than you, I don't know that its important and I apologize for not having more of an impact myself.

I bristle every time someone suggests that I should just break out the pom-poms and blindly cheer them forward, or that I'm a bandwagon fan for calling things as I see them.

I'll admit, I might be slightly jaded by this teams past, but it is also a reflection of who I am. I've always tried to take people and situations for what they are rather than what I'd like them to be.

Me, I still see the same team that struggled to score goals when the playoff hatches were battened down last year. I also see the same team that was just one more impact scorer from winning the Stanley Cup. If Nonis finally bucks up to get that scorer, I'm all for it. It's not like he doesn't have the depth to support dealing Bieksa, as this season has shown. Remember, they lost a lot of one goal games in January, games where they dominated early but couldn't score. WITHOUT BIEKSA and MORRISON. With Richards in the lineup for those games, this team is likely up with Detroit and Dallas right now instead of plugging along with the rest of the mediocre turtles.

[Vanfan]

I bristle every time someone suggests that I should just break out the pom-poms and blindly cheer them forward, or that I'm a bandwagon fan for calling things as I see them.

I'll admit, I might be slightly jaded by this teams past, but it is also a reflection of who I am. I've always tried to take people and situations for what they are rather than what I'd like them to be.

Me, I still see the same team that struggled to score goals when the playoff hatches were battened down last year. I also see the same team that was just one more impact scorer from winning the Stanley Cup. If Nonis finally bucks up to get that scorer, I'm all for it. It's not like he doesn't have the depth to support dealing Bieksa, as this season has shown. Remember, they lost a lot of one goal games in January, games where they dominated early but couldn't score. WITHOUT BIEKSA and MORRISON. With Richards in the lineup for those games, this team is likely up with Detroit and Dallas right now instead of plugging along with the rest of the mediocre turtles.


I'm also not a pom pom waver but I see a lot of good in this team .I think the canucks have the best goalie and defensive core in their history and one of the best in the league.
They are going to hopefully get a healthy Morrison back and I would like to see them get another proven goalscorer before the deadline without taking a goalscorer out of the lineup.

[gordphish]

I'm also not a pom pom waver but I see a lot of good in this team .I think the canucks have the best goalie and defensive core in their history and one of the best in the league.
They are going to hopefully get a healthy Morrison back and I would like to see them get another proven goalscorer before the deadline without taking a goalscorer out of the lineup.

What goal scorer? Brendan Morrison? Are you talking about the same Brendan Morrison that had one goal between April 1st and their last game against Anaheim?

And who are you going to play him with? Linden and Cooke? Naslund doesn't want to play with Morrison anymore, he wants to play with the twins.

But let's say they get Richards and keep Morrison. So if Henrik, Richards and Kesler are your top 3 centres, where does Morrison play? And don't tell me you are going to play Richards on the wing, because right there you limit the effectiveness and benefit of having Richards in the first place. And Morrison hasn't played wing in his career as a Canuck.

[Vanfan]

I'm talking depth, put morrison on the third or 4th line wing and killing penalties. Doesn't matter let him play his way up the chart.
Who would you rather have? Isbister, Cooke or Morrison?
Sure trade him for the right piece but we need help now.I'm impatient.

Maybe package him with Raymond for Jeff Carter and a second round pick.

[gordphish]

I'm talking depth, put morrison on the third or 4th line wing and killing penalties. Doesn't matter let him play his way up the chart.
Who would you rather have? Isbister, Cooke or Morrison?
Sure trade him for the right piece but we need help now.I'm impatient.

Maybe package him with Raymond for Jeff Carter and a second round pick.

Isbister makes 600 grand, Cooke makes 1.5 mil, Morrison 3.2...it's not a matter of I want, it's a mtter of paying Morrison 3.2 million to play on your third and fourth lines.

[Vanfan]

Isbister makes 600 grand, Cooke makes 1.5 mil, Morrison 3.2...it's not a matter of I want, it's a mtter of paying Morrison 3.2 million to play on your third and fourth lines.

Obviously,and lets get this straight, you just don't like Morrison.
You don't mind overpaying Richards by about 2.5 mil but God forbid you should overpay Morrison by a mil.
You bring up payroll and the salary cap when it suits your argument.

But hey, we all use whatever we can bring up to win arguments so no harm no foul. As it turns out we will have to do without Richards and suffer with Morrison.

I predict (and I admit I could be way off on this one) that Morrison comes back a new man, what his wrist injury will have done is to allow him to fully heal from his groin problems and being that speed has been his biggest asset this surgery could be a blessing in disguise:pimp:

But like I said in another post we can all sit back now, stop being GMs and cheer for the teams we have.

[Nelson19777]

Obviously,and lets get this straight, you just don't like Morrison.
You don't mind overpaying Richards by about 2.5 mil but God forbid you should overpay Morrison by a mil.
You bring up payroll and the salary cap when it suits your argument.

But hey, we all use whatever we can bring up to win arguments so no harm no foul. As it turns out we will have to do without Richards and suffer with Morrison.

I predict (and I admit I could be way off on this one) that Morrison comes back a new man, what his wrist injury will have done is to allow him to fully heal from his groin problems and being that speed has been his biggest asset this surgery could be a blessing in disguise:pimp:

But like I said in another post we can all sit back now, stop being GMs and cheer for the teams we have.

I agree. As bad as people think the Canucks are, I still believe that this team CAN win the cup.

As far as it only being possible to win the cup if you finish in the top six, well, that is still well within reach.

GO Canucks GO

[gordphish]

Obviously,and lets get this straight, you just don't like Morrison.
You don't mind overpaying Richards by about 2.5 mil but God forbid you should overpay Morrison by a mil.
You bring up payroll and the salary cap when it suits your argument.

But hey, we all use whatever we can bring up to win arguments so no harm no foul. As it turns out we will have to do without Richards and suffer with Morrison.

I predict (and I admit I could be way off on this one) that Morrison comes back a new man, what his wrist injury will have done is to allow him to fully heal from his groin problems and being that speed has been his biggest asset this surgery could be a blessing in disguise:pimp:

But like I said in another post we can all sit back now, stop being GMs and cheer for the teams we have.

WTF are you talking about? You have heard of the salary cap, right?

It's not a matter of who I'm willing to pay what. The POINT was that they could not afford to bring in Richards and keep Morrison, no matter where they played him.

Without the cap, by all means...fire up the PS2 and go with Richards, Henrik, Kesler and Morrison as your top 4 centres. Although I wouldn't count on Morrison sticking around here if all he gets is 4th line minutes.

[Vanfan]

WTF are you talking about? You have heard of the salary cap, right?

It's not a matter of who I'm willing to pay what. The POINT was that they could not afford to bring in Richards and keep Morrison, no matter where they played him.

Without the cap, by all means...fire up the PS2 and go with Richards, Henrik, Kesler and Morrison as your top 4 centres. Although I wouldn't count on Morrison sticking around here if all he gets is 4th line minutes.


Wow!
They could have kept Morrison until the end of this year as he is UFA. Correct?

Anyway, we've been arguing this in two threads and its now pointless so on to different things.:wave:

[slapshot™]

I've been in this for 32 years, and been there every step of the way, day in and day out. The 50 point seasons in the 80s, the Cam Neely trade, the heartbreaking playoff losses to the Oilers and Kings in the ealry 90s, the Gretzky-worship of Peter Nedved, the Claude Lemieux dragging Linden around the ice by his collar like a dog at the end of the 96 season, the ten game losing streaks and last place finishes of the last 90s, the Cloutier-with-his-head-up-his-arse-play against Detroit and Minnesota, the Jovo-with-his-head-up-his-arse play against Calgary, the Jason Herters, the Bob Woodwards, the Alex Stojanovs, the Shawn Antoskis, the Vladamir Krutovs and Leif Rohlins...

It's gotta suck being you. I mean, really. Cheer for a club that has only been to the big dance just twice and both times left empty-handed. Damn, the 'nux have one of the best netminders in the league and where are they going as a club? Absolutely nowhere. Hell, the 'nux only have one more win (thank goodness for charity points!) than the Oil but no one expected the Oil to really go anywhere this year but the future looks pretty damn good for the Oil for the next couple of years. I dunno what the 'nux have for up-and-coming talent but my guess is that the cupboard is bare beyond a few overlooked crumbs.

I guess 'nux fans really ARE the Leaf fans of the left coast. By that, I'm not suggesting they're obnoxious as Leaf fans (no, I'd never say that!) but rather, cheering for a club year after year when in reality they really don't have the mustard to go for the big prize. Kudos to you for sticking it out on your beloved 'nux.