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

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by greyshep

I really have to question the media falling all over themselves lauding the Canucks and how they showed such growth and potential in pushing the series to the brink.

Did they not just watch the same 3 games I just did? Vancouver rode an all world hot goalie streak and were massively outplayed the entire time. Kudos for the effort but I wouldnt be feeling too sassy if I was a Canuck fan after watching that.

If the Canucks weren't a Canadian team the narrative would have been much different. The Flyers were getting ripped for a similar effort yesterday

[Hockey]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I think everyone expected the Oilers to be good in 2017. Turned out they were deeply flawed.

As for the Flames in 2015, well, that actually made sense to say, at the time.

Anyway, interested to see how Benning manages to #### everything up. Should be fun times.

My worry as a Canuck fan is Benning not being able to surround the young core with a good supporting cast. Plus we are up against the cap.

[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.

[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.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Hockey

My worry as a Canuck fan is Benning not being able to surround the young core with a good supporting cast.

If I were you I'd worry about him trying to. His assessment of the sorts of players who make for a good supporting cast has been... less than impressive.

[SuperMatt18]

I’d take Troy Stecher as a RH shot option for the bottom pairing in Calgary.

Honestly I’d probably lean to DeMelo first just since he’s a UFA, but either of those guys would be good bottom pairing RHD targets for the Flames.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I’d take Troy Stecher as a RH shot option for the bottom pairing in Calgary.

And he'd be a great option

[Flamenspiel]

They will have to replace Taffoli and Markstrom next year.

[agulati]

Impressive showing by the Canucks to be able to get this series to get to a game 7.

Vegas is on another level, though, and is definitely one of the favorites, especially with Colorado going out.

[3rd liner]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Vancouver >>>>>>>> Vegas, in terms of likeability. I cannot stand the Knights. Don't understand why so many people are happy they won. A thoroughly detestable team. This edition of the Canucks doesn't even come close.

I’m with you Scorp. Fully admit my most hated team ever is probably Kesler/Bieksa/lapierre/burrows rendition of the Canucks. But this year’s Canucks were fun to watch (and likeable except for virtanen and Roussell). I loathe Vegas, only second to the oilers. So sick of them. Reaves is an arrogant POS and embodies the arrogance this team has. Marchessault is such a punk. Flames/Canucks rivalry aside, hate Vegas so much. Go philly or isles? Can’t cheer for the west now.

[getbak]

At first, I wanted the Nucks gone ASAP, but now I think this outcome is much better.

In the end, the result is the same, no Canucks beyond this round... so, that's a good thing.

Without Demko's heroics, this series is likely over in 5 games, meaning -- once again -- we get a goalie controversy in Vancouver.

Now, Benning has to decide, was his performance over the last 3 games Demko's "new normal" or was it just another hot goalie playing out of his mind for a week?

If they re-sign Markstrom, he'll presumably want a long-term deal of at least 4 years -- probably 5 or 6. If they do that, it's basically telling Demko he won't have a chance to be a starter (or get starter's money) until he's over 30 (he turns 25 in December). He has one year left on his current contract, then he can go to arbitration, get a one-year deal, and become a UFA a year later. There's also the expansion draft to deal with next summer.


It's a tough decision for Benning that will be criticized no matter what he decides to do.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Vancouver >>>>>>>> Vegas, in terms of likeability. I cannot stand the Knights. Don't understand why so many people are happy they won. A thoroughly detestable team. This edition of the Canucks doesn't even come close.

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.

[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.

[Buff]

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.

This is the way.

[IamNotKenKing]

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 don’t have to agree with me, but if you don’t, you do have to be wrong.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Vancouver >>>>>>>> Vegas, in terms of likeability. I cannot stand the Knights. Don't understand why so many people are happy they won. A thoroughly detestable team. This edition of the Canucks doesn't even come close.

Misery loves company. For most Calgary fans, knowing Vegas fans are celebrating won’t lose them any sleep.

[SeanCharles]

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.

1) Always and forever!
2) They shed a lot of the players I hated. This rendition hasn’t pissed me off yet.
3) They aren’t as dominant over us as they once were, I will always hate them but they don’t need to be top 3.

My number 2 right now is Vegas, partially because so far they have been like Anaheim where we can’t beat them at home and in another sense because I believe a new organization shouldn’t win a cup/be cup contenders right away.

How many teams toil for decades to have the success they have had in their early existence?

Favourable expansion rules, stupid GMs and a good location with tax breaks has set them up to be good for a long time.

[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.

[Blaster86]

I don't like these options. I would like new options.

[Philly06Cup]

Great line juggling by DeBoer. Moved 4th liner Stephenson to centre the top line while Stastny bumped to the third line. Stone/patches are good enough to generate pressure with a utility player, while Stastny greatly boosts that 3rd line with Tuch. The 4th line is one of the best forechecking lines, letting them put out wave after wave of pressure. Their forward depth is unreal and this was a great way to maximise it.