WCSF - Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Vancouver Canucks (5)

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

The Canucks do need to improve their team defense, there should be no arguments against that. They need to hope that one of their prospects makes a jump to being a solid second pairing defenseman. The problem though is how difficult it is to find those players. Markstrom and Demko played above their heads in the playoffs and that can't be relied upon for a years time.

Still, as a Canucks fan, I must say that I am happy about the result, not only because they played well, but also because for the past month they have been a distraction from real life and the pandemic and any conclusion to this year has been an unexpected pleasant surprise.

I think the one advantage the Canucks have is at least they don't need a star anywhere, they need to exchange their supporting pieces for other supporting peices assuming Markstrom or Demko fill the goalie slot ok

[GioforPM]

If the Canucks cut Virtanen loose I’d take him here on a $1.75-2M deal. He may lack a high hockey IQ, but he’s got tools. Put him with High IQ guys like Dube or Backs or Ryan, with Looch or Mangiapane, I bet he does just fine. 24 year old RHS with some heft and good speed.

[djsFlames]

Watching the extended highlights

Wow.
What goaltending! It was like watching two Kippers on their game duking it out. Felt like no one would ever score.

That said, in a game 7 the Canucks had SEVEN ####ing shots on net half way through the third. That is frickin pathetic. How that team survived as long as it did is beyond me. They were in over their heads, without question.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

That was probably the last game as a Canuck for Stecher and Virtanen. Eriksson is likely done too.

I'll be sad to see Stecher go. Local kid, solid bottom pairing guy who can play up for a short while when needed.

Virtanen seems to be turning the corner every year, and then the off-season hits and he regresses back to step one. Green has given him every chance to succeed and Virtanen rewards it by showing up to camp, even COVID play-in camp, out of shape and a step behind. You could tell the patience was wearing thin at the start of this season, but when he showed up looking like dog #### it was probably done. While Tyler Motte doesn't have Virtanen's raw talent he is everything Virtanen should be and is cheaper.

Eriksson is self-explanatory. The team loves Loui, but he never delivered on what was expected. He'll cost the Canucks assets to get rid of, but he has to go.

For the Canucks to take those next steps. Juolevi and Rafferty need to become NHL regulars or Tryamkin needs to come back and be able to fill in. There is no UFA help coming for the Canucks blue line.What ever's in the pipe line is all that's coming to help, and those guys are on deck.

The Canucks also need guys like Lind, Podkolzin and Hoglander to hit.

Canucks are at that point where they can become the bright future every one expects or a Wild or Flame like team that hovers in the middle but isn't really a threat.

I was about to get ticked that you would lump us in with the Wild, but then I realized we pretty much are the Wild of the Pacific.

Even though we probably have more talent, we're as much of a safe bet for first round fodder or just falling short, neither great nor terrible.

Ugh.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

It's a special breed of poster chirping a 2nd round game 7 loss after his own team allowed 7 unanswered goals facing elimination.

Not that you're wrong there, but to be fair had the Flames received Demko's performance they would've likely won that elimination game. The Canucks got Demko's performance and still managed to get blanked.

The Canucks and their top players deserve credit for going further and doing more in these POs, but lets not pretend that the goaltending wasn't at times the only thing separating them from a few massacres of their own, perhaps even worse than the embarrassing one the Flames managed.

[madmike]

I’ve never really hated the Canucks like the Oilers. They’ve done a nice job rebuilding so far. Still think they have some work to do though, especially on D. They were a nice story this playoffs, but realistically they didn’t stack up with Vegas. Demko was superhuman the last three games and still couldn’t save the series for them.

It will be interesting to see what they do in goal. Demko was a nice story in the playoffs, but his regular season performance was nowhere near his playoff level. Do they roll the dice with him and pass on Markstrom? I think that could be dangerous, but given their cap situation that may be the path they choose.

[Aarongavey]

Demko is a RFA, he should get at least 3 million a year. Definitely a guy I would consider throwing a qualifying offer at. Whatever the number is that is in that 2nd round range I would consider offering for Demko, even on the high end of the range. Hoping to hit on a Demko makes way more sense than betting on some over the hill veteran with the same type of draft pick.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Demko is a RFA, he should get at least 3 million a year. Definitely a guy I would consider throwing a qualifying offer at. Whatever the number is that is in that 2nd round range I would consider offering for Demko, even on the high end of the range. Hoping to hit on a Demko makes way more sense than betting on some over the hill veteran with the same type of draft pick.

He's still under contract for another year.

[Beninho]

And all is right in the world, #### the Canucks and their fans. Especially the ones on here.

I’d like to see how the reception would be with Flames fans in a Canucks forum. This place is too nice sometimes.

[Hockey]

Originally Posted by Beninho

And all is right in the world, #### the Canucks and their fans. Especially the ones on here.

I’d like to see how the reception would be with Flames fans in a Canucks forum. This place is too nice sometimes.

We need more nice people in this world. Thanks for be good hosts and letting us Canucks fans stay here.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Can't agree with you there. Anaheim is always ahead of VAN for me.

But right now, the only two teams I really strongly dislike are Vegas and Edmonton. Vancouver is akin to Winnipeg to me, honestly. I don't cheer for them, but I enjoy watching some of their individual players and I think they're a respectable team.

I dislike Colorado and Dallas right now more than I dislike Anaheim, Vancouver, or Winnipeg.

You really show your age with this post imo.

The Canucks were easily my most hated rival from 2004-2015. The 2011 Canucks are the absolute peak of my sports team hatred. I simply can’t forget and forgive the most arrogant fan base of all time.

I cheered for the Bruins in 2011 equally as hard as I have cheered the Flames. The hate runs deep in my veins for the Canucks. I agree this version of the team has less annoying players but for me it is all about hating the crest on the front not just the name on the back.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

Sorry, but no.

The hatred order will always be:
1) Oilers
2) Canucks
3) Ducks
Always.

You can have whomever you wish to be #4-31, but #1-3 shall never change.
Never.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

#3 is technically wrong as they played themselves into that position, it wasn't a natural rivalry like 1 & 2.

Therefore in theory, another team could replace the Ducks if they played enough games/series va Calgary to superceed the damage the Ducks had done.

Not saying it will happen anytime soon, but has to be possible based on the rules of Anaheim's inclusion to the list in the first place.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

You really show your age with this post imo.

The Canucks were easily my most hated rival from 2004-2015. The 2011 Canucks are the absolute peak of my sports team hatred. I simply can’t forget and forgive the most arrogant fan base of all time.

I cheered for the Bruins in 2011 equally as hard as I have cheered the Flames. The hate runs deep in my veins for the Canucks. I agree this version of the team has less annoying players but for me it is all about hating the crest on the front not just the name on the back.

Agreed. I admit, I was apathetic about this edition of the Canucks at first. Didn't really bother me that they advanced to this stage. However, as this series went on and it looked like they might actually steal it? No way, didn't want it to happen. There's just no way I want any of the Flames rivals having bragging rights. And let's not get it twisted. The biggest rivals for the Flames are 1) Oilers and 2) Canucks. History, geography, and being in competition within the same division will always keep it this way. Doesn't really matter if this version of the Canucks are less annoying, they are still the Canucks.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Buff

This is the way.

As a somewhat older fan, I have always had the Habs as #2 behind the Oilers...

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Vegas fans seem super cheesy to me... a lot of lame Canadian suburb people who like partying in Vegas and bought the gear on vacation and a bunch of flavour of the week locals who cheer for an expansion team like they are third generation fans.

Not saying this solely about your post, but in general...I don't get this gate-keeping attitude some hockey fans have. Let people enjoy hockey however they want. If they like multiple teams, who cares? They don't have become a fan of one team only, and hate other teams as much as other fans tell them to. You're gonna see a bunch of people become Seattle fans because of recency bias and geography, and why should you care? The more the merrier - it's good for the game.

Lets say your favorite team has been junk for a long time - why wouldn't you allow yourself to get swept up in something new and exciting? Is it just because you want to be able to say you're a "true fan" who has suffered long enough to appreciate success more than others?

[Corral]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Not that you're wrong there, but to be fair had the Flames received Demko's performance they would've likely won that elimination game. The Canucks got Demko's performance and still managed to get blanked.

The Canucks and their top players deserve credit for going further and doing more in these POs, but lets not pretend that the goaltending wasn't at times the only thing separating them from a few massacres of their own, perhaps even worse than the embarrassing one the Flames managed.

If only we had that goaltending..... if only we had that coach.....

This list goes on forever when you aren’t a good team. Flames showed that they are not even close to the top teams of the West. Vancouver looks closer at the moment.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Vegas just has all the makings of an Anaheim 2.0. Plus they just feel so entitled, I dunno. Guys go to Vegas without even considering other options. Mark Stone would only sign a contract in Vegas. Players have every right to do so but it still feels like a bit of a slap in the face. Plus they meddle in trades to prevent their rivals from acquiring certain players, retaining salary and acting as a middleman. It's smart, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. It's just annoying, especially when the Flames' trades always break down because nobody wants to come here or the paperwork can't get done on time. Since Calgary last made a big player move, Vegas has added Pacioretty, Stastny, Stone, Martinez, Lehner, and others.

They're a premiere franchise already and the way people talk about them, you'd think they're a dynasty. But really, it's because everyone wants to go there and play for them. They have endless assets. They're going to be a pain in the butt forever. And good for them... but also, screw 'em.

There’s a lot of truth in here. Thing is, in a salary cap league there shouldn’t be this huge advantage of people wanting to play there. Because I truly don’t believe players are taking meaningful discounts to be able to play in a certain city (putting tax and currency issues to the side).

Look at the NFL. KC and Green Bay don’t have a hard time building great teams and those are not cities where many pro athletes want to live.

Vegas has been extremely aggressive in making moves and no doubt they will end up with a string of bad moves that will move them back over time. But for now it’s rainbows and sunshine. In a cap league success should be cyclical and it seems to be for most teams. Just not ours for some reason.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Corral

If only we had that goaltending..... if only we had that coach.....

This list goes on forever when you aren’t a good team. Flames showed that they are not even close to the top teams of the West. Vancouver looks closer at the moment.

And if Dallas beats Vegas? Calgary never got outplayed like that, not even close. Canucks had 7 shots in the middle of the third period of game 7...2 shots after Vegas took the lead. Outshot 127-55.

Canucks had goal tending

[Roof-Daddy]

Canucks should have lost all 7 games in this series lol

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

There’s a lot of truth in here. Thing is, in a salary cap league there shouldn’t be this huge advantage of people wanting to play there. Because I truly don’t believe players are taking meaningful discounts to be able to play in a certain city (putting tax and currency issues to the side).



Look at the NFL. KC and Green Bay don’t have a hard time building great teams and those are not cities where many pro athletes want to live...

How much of this difference do you think has to do with the differences in economics between the NHL and NFL? With guaranteed contracts in the NHL players are making long-term lifestyle decisions that I suspect most NFL players don't get the luxury to consider.

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