The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[SinisterAlex]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I don't visit this thread much but have to let my annoyance with the Canucks out somewhere. I love the Canucks but their play is killing me...

Kesler and Luongo showed up, the rest of the team didn't. Sedin's as usual dry up in the playoffs and Edler has his usual bonehead plays that cost us every time. Sedin's need to shoot the puck more often, especially Daniel. He double clutches constantly and looks more like Henrik every game, always looking for that perfect pass. This is the playoffs, the teams know what you're going to do. All teams like the Sharks have to do against the Sedin's and Burrows is play the body and break the cycle. That's it. You do that, the Sedin's are useless. They're amazing players, just not in the playoffs. They don't seem to have that extra gear that most players and teams have when it comes to making it all the way.

Back to Edler's stupid mistake tonight. Last year against L.A in the playoffs(I forget the game #) it was the stupid drop pass in our zone which allowed Kopitar to score the go ahead goal that game. Now we Edler's TERRIBLE pinch at the wrong time. It's unreal. -3 tonight, out there for every goal the Sharks scored. He is a defensive liability IMHO.

AV needs to go. He get's out coached constantly and is too hesitant to take risks necessary to win. He doesn't seem to be able to motivate his players to give that extra effort down the stretch. You see him always laughing and making jokes about serious issues all the time during his interviews in the playoffs. You guys lost and yet you're making cheeky jokes? Give me a break. And then we have guys like Ballard who are making big money not in the line up while we have a NHL rookie D-Man in Frank Corrado in. Yes he has played well, but why isn't Ballard there?! Is it because AV hates the guy and wants him out? Just like he drove Linden out when AV first became head coach? Why did we waste our time getting him if we aren't going to play him? We traded Grabner and Bernier away plus a pick for this guy who is taking up 4 million plus in our cap?!!

End rant/.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

So what does the future look like in Vancouver Doc? Assuming this series ends quickly as it looks like it will what do they do? Like you said the Sedin's window isn't getting any bigger, do they just keep going with what they have and hope for the best or do they try a rebuild of sorts?

Seems like a tough spot due to the fact they're kind of in a position like the Blackhawks were after the Cup where they had quite a few guys making big money but very little in terms of serviceable depth, but now that they've had some young guys come up to fill some holes and added a few role players via trades and free agency they were able to get back to a high level. Is that the likely course of action for Vancouver or what do you think?

Chicago situation doesn't really apply, as the Hawks' core is younger and better than Vancouver's, and they've continued to draft well. Also, free agents of Hossa's quality simply don't sign with Canadian teams: too many taxes, too much scrutiny.

As for the Canucks? If we were in the pre-cap era, I'd strongly consider blowing it up for draft picks and prospects, build around Kesler and Schneider. However, even if Vancouver considered (for example) moving the Sedins, would they get enough in return? Doubtful. Difficult to get fair market value for stars these days, and as I've already mentioned, Vancouver isn't going to acquire star power through free agency.

So what do they do? Ballard and Booth need to be bought out, for starters. Roy, Raymond, Ebbett, Barker (heh), Alberts (if there is a God) will be gone. Tanev is a RFA and will be re-signed; as silly as it sounds to people who don't watch Vancouver regularly, Tanev was probably the Canucks' best D-man this season and is sorely missed in this series. I like Lapierre as a 4th line C (note that he's currently playing on the 3rd line, which is all you need to know about the Canucks' forward depth). Weise sucks, but he'll probably be back. Sestito should have a fine career as an AHL goon.

Here's who's left for 2013/14:

F: Sedins, Kesler, Burrows, Hansen, Higgins, Kassian, Lapierre (projected), Weise (projected)
F Prospects: Jensen, Gaunce, Schroeder

D: Hamhuis, Bieksa, Edler, Garrison, Tanev
D Prospects: Corrado

G: Schneider
G Prospects: Lack

Still don't know how Luongo is going to be moved. Gillis won't buy him out, as paying Lu $27M to go away and sign wth someone else would likely cost Gillis his job. If the Canucks end up losing in 4 or 5, Gillis might can AV to buy himself some time.

Bottom line: In order to thrive in today's NHL, you've got to draft well and continually provide the parent club with cheap talent. Look at all the young talent Ottawa has managed to stockpile while remaining competitive. Vancouver hasn't done this. I think the Canucks are kind of trapped in the role of quasi-contenders. Given the absurd ticket prices here, I don't think ownership would stomach a full-scale rebuild. Most likely they'll tinker around with minor free agents, hope one or two of their prospects overachieves, and pray that Schneider is the kind of goalie that can steal playoff rounds by himself.

I don't think this will end well.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Yeah not sure what I was thinking there, wasn't factoring the age difference in for some reason. Yeah they're in a tough spot then since as they stand now they're good enough to continually make the playoffs but unless they strike gold with some draft picks or free agents exceed expectations they aren't likely to get over the hump.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

It's a tough spot for the Canucks. Really their only young core piece is Schneider (in goalie years 27 isn't too old). But Kesler, as godly as he can play, is still going to be thirty after next season. I'd imagine a player of his style will start to hit a bit of a decline at that point.

The cupboard does seem pretty bare, and Dr. Jones appears to have been correct about the Kassian trade. Many of us liked it when it happened, but his criticisms are correct at this point. Hodgson played at a 65-70 point pace with Buffalo this year. Would be nice to have that kind of guy for scoring depth in the playoff or to step in for Kesler when he's injured, or Henrik Sedin is hurt or declines.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

The cupboard does seem pretty bare, and Dr. Jones appears to have been correct about the Kassian trade. Many of us liked it when it happened, but his criticisms are correct at this point. Hodgson played at a 65-70 point pace with Buffalo this year. Would be nice to have that kind of guy for scoring depth in the playoff or to step in for Kesler when he's injured, or Henrik Sedin is hurt or declines.

People I know in the local media have confirmed that Hodgson, his politician dad, and his agent pretty much forced a trade, and that he was unpopular in the dressing room. Fine. How much of this was poor handling on Gillis' or AV's part, who knows. But I understand why a trade was made. What I didn't (and still don't) understand is trading Hodgson for a project like Kassian. Sure, he has some skills and might develop into a decent power forward... long after the Canucks' championship window has closed. If the Canucks were convinced that Hodgson needed to be dealt, they needed to go all-in and get immediate help, something like Ott and Souray from Dallas last year. Too late now.

[bcruise]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Wow, is Nash ever snakebit.

Overtime looming between the Rangers and Caps, but NY has a late PP.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Even though I hate the over the glass rule, the refs seem to be choosing not to enforce it right here.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Even though I hate the over the glass rule, the refs seem to be choosing not to enforce it right here.

Guessing a one-handed jab at the puck doesn't qualify? If so, first I've heard of this exception.

[bcruise]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Richards/Ovechkin

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Guessing a one-handed jab at the puck doesn't qualify? If so, first I've heard of this exception.

I've seen similar plays called. It's the dumbest rule in the NHL if you ask me.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I've seen similar plays called. It's the dumbest rule in the NHL if you ask me.

Yep, especially when the refs swallow the whistle for everything else. It'll have its own "Hull's foot in crease" moment at some point, and it'll disappear (or become discretionary for obvious cases of purposely shooting the puck out of play).

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Ron Duguay or Dennis Maruk

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Well, they have to call that one.

[bcruise]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Haha, another puck over the glass, and this time it is called correctly.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

LOL, now it's in the players' heads. He had so much time and space and just airmailed it!