We were all so excited to have pick 26 and 33, so close together, two solid prospects to solidify our prospect cupboard.
Not to mention we got about 30 AHL hockey games out of that entire draft class.
Not to mention we had two late 2nd round picks and a third (ended up being Aliu, Simmonds, Josh Unice) that we had traded for crap players (Smolinski, Weinrich, Carney, etc.). And then we traded down in the 4th round to get two late 5ths (C-A Messier and Kablukov).
Even if we took the players if we had those picks, we'd have Wayne Simmonds and the draft would've been a success. And Aliu as a depth player.
If we took the players directly one after each of our picks we'd have David Perron and the draft would've been a success even though all of the other picks would've been busts too.
^^ I remember being so pissed when we missed out on Perron. He was the consensus pick at the time. I was probably more choked about Perron than Kopitar, since I liked Bourdon.
Gillis is still trying to find an identity for the team. It's obvious that he realized that skill < size and toughness, so he's building the team to be bigger. Jensen, Gaunce and Kassian are three big prospects and are basically the cream of the crop for Gillis right now. We don't have much top line potential, but I think Gillis believes that he can sign a star to replace the Sedins, Burrows and Kesler once their contracts run out. However, that's not a problem for another four years or so.
In about 5 to 6 years, this is our blueprint:
Jensen - xxxx - Kassian
xxxx - Gaunce - xxxx
I believe Jensen and Kassian will be talented enough to hold their own on the top line, and Gillis will have to find a star centre to put between them. Hopefully, we have success until then, so we probably won't find one through the draft (or in the system right now) and I don't see any pieces we have that can bring one in without harming our chances. Unless we get really, really lucky, our best shot is probably the first two or three years returning from the lockout before we return to mediocrity / Gillis is fired.
^^ I remember being so pissed when we missed out on Perron. He was the consensus pick at the time. I was probably more choked about Perron than Kopitar, since I liked Bourdon.
Gillis is still trying to find an identity for the team. It's obvious that he realized that skill < size and toughness, so he's building the team to be bigger. Jensen, Gaunce and Kassian are three big prospects and are basically the cream of the crop for Gillis right now. We don't have much top line potential, but I think Gillis believes that he can sign a star to replace the Sedins, Burrows and Kesler once their contracts run out. However, that's not a problem for another four years or so.
In about 5 to 6 years, this is our blueprint:
Jensen - xxxx - Kassian
xxxx - Gaunce - xxxx
I believe Jensen and Kassian will be talented enough to hold their own on the top line, and Gillis will have to find a star centre to put between them. Hopefully, we have success until then, so we probably won't find one through the draft (or in the system right now) and I don't see any pieces we have that can bring one in without harming our chances. Unless we get really, really lucky, our best shot is probably the first two or three years returning from the lockout before we return to mediocrity / Gillis is fired.
If Lack challenges Schneider for the starting role, and both want to be starter, MG might have another goalie situation on his hands where he trades one to fill other needs. That may be where MG can get a star C. I could be reaching here, but if Lack does push Schneider, I think one + other parts could return a top line centermen.
I certainly agree with you about a current lack of top (and second) line talent in the system. As an illustration, here is a possible roster in 5 years assuming everyone retires at 34/35 or so:
The durability of Kesler/Booth and the future successes of Schroeder/Gaunce are open to debate of course. But I feel 3-4 years of draft picks, returns from trades, and 1 or 2 UFA signings make that a good playoff team. I don't think that's an unreasonable expectation at all.
I certainly agree with you about a current lack of top (and second) line talent in the system. As an illustration, here is a possible roster in 5 years assuming everyone retires at 34/35 or so:
The durability of Kesler/Booth and the future successes of Schroeder/Gaunce are open to debate of course. But I feel 3-4 years of draft picks, returns from trades, and 1 or 2 UFA signings make that a good playoff team. I don't think that's an unreasonable expectation at all.
Actually, that is as bad as I've been thinking about. With some decent UFAs, we could still see some good hockey. I am hopeful that the Sedins are still with us,.
Actually, that is as bad as I've been thinking about. With some decent UFAs, we could still see some good hockey. I am hopeful that the Sedins are still with us,.
I think that Schneids or Lack will be traded at some point. We will need a #1 play making center in the future.
By the time Jensen and Kassian are both on the top line, the Sedins will likely be long retired anyways, let alone useful enough for a 2nd line role on a playoff team. You also forgot Jordan Schroeder.
__________________
I told ya so. I was right all along!
By the time Jensen and Kassian are both on the top line, the Sedins will likely be long retired anyways, let alone useful enough for a 2nd line role on a playoff team. You also forgot Jordan Schroeder.
The fan I quoted said 3 or 4 years.
I can see the Sedins still being effective at that point; especially facing 2nd line defense.
I don't see Schroeder playing on our team.
I think Kass and Jensen could excel well with a dynamic play making center.
That is up for debate. I'm a Schroeder backer, he's got that high hockey IQ that teams want. I just don't know if it will be enough this time.
With Hodgson I was confident that his IQ would see him through. He was going to be in the league. Schroeder should be able to make it but it's just perplexing given his track record in the AHL. He should be better... But is not. I guess we'll see.
Can't say I'm all that comfortable relying on Jordan Schroeder to be a 2C as Kesler's replacement. We need top prospect centermen, or we better get a good return for Luongo/Lack/Schneider, whoever we trade (may be two of them).
Lack
Cannata
*Schnieder or Lack traded for good prospect or young D
That is not a bad looking team.
It doesn't even need to be Getzlaf. Our team past Sedins/Kesler should be just fine because the goaltending and defense should remain just as strong. We may not be winning the Presidents trophy anymore but we should compete in the same way Phoenix does. And the projected team based just on what we have in the organization will probably leave something like 10-20 million $$$ in cap space to look elsewhere. All it's going to take is one big trade or UFA addition and we'll be back in business.
Trading our 2010 1st round pick and Grabner for Ballard was a big mistake too...
Looking at the player we could of drafted even with that late pick makes me hate that trade more and more... The one time Florida ripped us off.
Any of these guys below who could of got with that pick would of been our #1 prospect right now:
Evgeny Kuznetsov
Charlie Coyle
Emerson Etem
Brock Nelson
Justin Faulk
Jon Merrill
Tyler Toffoli
The thing is we made that trade during the draft knowing guys like that are still available on the board. 2010 draft can almost be compared to the 2003 draft the way the prospects are panning out so far.
Trading our 2010 1st round pick and Grabner for Ballard was a big mistake too...
Looking at the player we could of drafted even with that late pick makes me hate that trade more and more... The one time Florida ripped us off.
Any of these guys below who could of got with that pick would of been our #1 prospect right now:
Evgeny Kuznetsov
Charlie Coyle
Emerson Etem
Brock Nelson
Justin Faulk
Jon Merrill
Tyler Toffoli
The thing is we made that trade during the draft knowing guys like that are still available on the board. 2010 draft can almost be compared to the 2003 draft the way the prospects are panning out so far.
The 2010 draft is puzzling for that reason. Either the scouts completely flubbed on their projections, or the Canucks understood that a great prospect was on the board and decided to trade him anyways? Neither option good.
That said, the Ballard trade is all about what MG gets back if and when Ballard is actually dealt. If he gets a 1st round calibre prospect back/or late 1st itself, you can't really fault him for making that move. Granted, I understand Ballard's value may be far from that at this point, but that will be the clear marker of what he actually cost IMO.
Trading our 2010 1st round pick and Grabner for Ballard was a big mistake too...
Looking at the player we could of drafted even with that late pick makes me hate that trade more and more... The one time Florida ripped us off.
Any of these guys below who could of got with that pick would of been our #1 prospect right now:
Evgeny Kuznetsov
Charlie Coyle
Emerson Etem
Brock Nelson
Justin Faulk
Jon Merrill
Tyler Toffoli
The thing is we made that trade during the draft knowing guys like that are still available on the board. 2010 draft can almost be compared to the 2003 draft the way the prospects are panning out so far.
Not to mention we didn't draft until the 4th round in 2010. Hurts your pool a ton when you don't pick in the top 90.
tbf, Ballard was very well worth a late 1st on that draft. Remember that Grabner was waiver-bound. Hadn't GMMG managed to sign Hamhuis the trade would've looked a bit better, but maybe it was an example of him panicking and getting a bit ahead of himself. IDK bro
The 2010 draft is puzzling for that reason. Either the scouts completely flubbed on their projections, or the Canucks understood that a great prospect was on the board and decided to trade him anyways? Neither option good.
I put a good chunk of the blame on Bowness. As been said numerous times; he actually coached Ballard before in the NHL - so you know he was consulted on him. Who better to know whether Ballard can play the right side than a guy who once was his coach? (I think it's a safe assumption that Bowness was in charge of the blueliners as assistant coach in Phoenix in 2005-06).
That said, the Ballard trade is all about what MG gets back if and when Ballard is actually dealt.
Call me crazy (most of you won't have a hard time with that ) but I still think Ballard is going to be a really good player. Ballard is an elite skater imo, when he plays the way these coaches want him to (good gap control, move the puck quickly, join the rush rather than leading it etc) he's very effective. If Hal Gill can bring back a 2nd at the deadline it's not out of the question a rehabilitated Ballard could nab a 1st. At least Ballard can skate.
Call me crazy (most of you won't have a hard time with that ) but I still think Ballard is going to be a really good player. Ballard is an elite skater imo, when he plays the way these coaches want him to (good gap control, move the puck quickly, join the rush rather than leading it etc) he's very effective. If Hal Gill can bring back a 2nd at the deadline it's not out of the question a rehabilitated Ballard could nab a 1st. At least Ballard can skate.
The moment Hamhuis was signed, that's when Ballard became fairly worthless. He simply isn't a guy that should be playing "safe" bottom pairing minutes, he's the kind of player you want to put on the ice so that something happens, whether if it's him blazing through the ice with the puck or making a retarded turnover.
Didn't he play most of 2010-11 with Salo? Talk about a poor combination... at least the pairing with Tanev gives us some hope.
The moment Hamhuis was signed, that's when Ballard became fairly worthless. He simply isn't a guy that should be playing "safe" bottom pairing minutes, he's the kind of player you want to put on the ice so that something happens, whether if it's him blazing through the ice with the puck or making a retarded turnover.
Ehrhoff spent a lot of time on the bottom pair with O'Brien that first year. It doesn't matter where you play in the lineup, or what style you play, no good team is going to let you go out there and play a high risk game. Ehrhoff didn't. The problem with Ballard is he played on bad teams that put up with it.
If the NHL were to come back in a month or so, where would Kassian play? I doubt he'd supplant Hansen on the 3rd line, so for me the options are 2nd line, 4th line, AHL. Thoughts?
The 2010 draft is puzzling for that reason. Either the scouts completely flubbed on their projections, or the Canucks understood that a great prospect was on the board and decided to trade him anyways? Neither option good.
If I recall from the time of the draft the guy Gillis & crew wanted was Jarred Tinordi. Once Montreal drafted him there wasn't anyone left the scouts really liked so Gillis pulled the trigger on the deal.
If I recall from the time of the draft the guy Gillis & crew wanted was Jarred Tinordi. Once Montreal drafted him there wasn't anyone left the scouts really liked so Gillis pulled the trigger on the deal.
Didn't the Canucks have the option to give either our 1st round pick in 2010 or 2011?
If the NHL were to come back in a month or so, where would Kassian play? I doubt he'd supplant Hansen on the 3rd line, so for me the options are 2nd line, 4th line, AHL. Thoughts?
I'd hope we call him up. He really has nothing to prove in the AHL, other then consistency which is the only thing he needs to work on. He needs as much NHL experience as he can get right now. Where he plays is another question. It would all depend on what AV thinks Kassian can handle. If he needs some more grooming, I'd think he'd be rover on the third and fourth line. AV loves to groom his young players anyways, so I don't think Kassian playing a bottom 6 role is a stretch at all.
) but I still think Ballard is going to be a really good player. Ballard is an elite skater imo, when he plays the way these coaches want him to (good gap control, move the puck quickly, join the rush rather than leading it etc) he's very effective. If Hal Gill can bring back a 2nd at the deadline it's not out of the question a rehabilitated Ballard could nab a 1st. At least Ballard can skate.
