Mike Vanderhoek

That is the infuriating thing, its not a meh. Playoffs, every detail and variable counts and the Canucks just lost a top four defenseman who could be argued as one of their better players as the Playoffs have gone on. You can't replace him, you can stick a body in his place ala Friedman or Juulsen but nowhere close to the skillset of Soucy. You really can't separate the actions from the entire sequence and cherry pick the moment Soucy hit McDavid's head and then say " look, contact with his face ". McDavid started the sequence of events because he was played hard between whistles to the end of the game by Soucy. He took liberties on Soucy and in Soucy's reaction Zadorov already crosschecked McDavid to the position where contact was made. It is mind boggling how the entire sequence is ignored and one act is cherry picked. That is not justice or player safety, its isolating an act from an event and choosing where to discipline or not. That is in every sense not fair and extremely disappointing as a fan when the league and officials have all the resources to run things fairly. Obviously nobody cares what I say and the league will do as it pleases but I would like to start seeing accountability in the league's offices in regards to officials and player safety. Don Sweeney made some excellent points in regards to transparency and accountability in his presser today.

I have full faith the Canucks are taking the series regardless, and Juulsen or Friedman coming in for a game here or there is not something to be overly concerned with. It simply is just not ok for the Canucks to miss one of their top four defenseman over a suspension for what happened. Its not ok.

What is embarrassing about a fan base that has a problem if their top four defenseman is suspended ? Yeah, don't get that one. It is not crying or being soft discussing and questioning why a Canucks top four defenseman is about to be suspended wrongly while in one game the Canucks had three or four major missed calls re: In one game: Hughes highsticked infront of official and no penalty, was cut on the play and the ref has the balls to then sit Hughes for bleeding FROM THE DAMN HIGHTSICK the officials refused to call. Pettersson, gets boarded, could have been a major and zero by the officials again right in plain view. Hoglander gets speared in the nuts, nope called as a minor. Its not crying when one simply has to view the overwhelming evidence and see a bias or negligent officiating. Canucks are not saints but they are playing a more honest game this series. I mean if there was no Zadorov involved and McDavid hacked at Soucy and his response was a crosscheck to the face while McDavid was not in the process of falling etc than I would be 100% behind looking at this and understand if there was a suspension. Intent and the chain of events is how it works. If you choose to cherry pick one aspect or action its a poor way to try and ensure justice.

I do like Juulsen's defensive if not simple game and the team can use him on a rotation basis if need be due to injuries or otherwise. Soucy has been one of the better Canucks as the Playoffs have gone on and his overall game, reach and ability is far and above Juulsens without a doubt. It is a negative to have Soucy / Juulsen swap out for a game more so because of a grey area and subjective rulings. I am not ok with the Canucks having one of their top four defensemen sit due to a popularity contest and league or national media wide conjecture as to what happened. The league is as much of a joke to blatantly look only at one player's actions and not the scenario of which played out. Soucy played McDavid hard to end the game. McDavid, yes McDavid went back with the slashing and started the chain of events. Zadorov came in to give McDavid his licks with a crosscheck which timing wise Soucy retaliated on McDavid's actions as he was pushed downward. McDavid f'd around and found out. Each player should have received fines for their actions after the game. Thats it. By not simply fining all three, the league is deciding to cherry pick what was an action deemed punishable, its a severe credibility hit and cheapens the sport to see picking and choosing over the players involved. Just like the officiating at times has been in terms of cherry picking what to see or call when the resources are there for fair play. Again, its not ok for Soucy to miss a game over this, its not ok at all. And if it goes that way I want to see the club advocate for him publicly.

No as many in the media have stated the league needs to protect it's stars, guess Hughes is not a star than.

I get that, and I like it to a degree as well. And I am sure the team will advocate and make their thoughts known to the league on this one anyways.

If you look at the entire sequence of events ( McDavid hack first ) leading up to the simultaneous crosschecks by Z and Soucy there is nothing go talk about. Only reason is who was crosschecked ( McDavid) and whom won't stop going on about the incident ( Edmonton & National media ) while merely showing the final check by Soucy. I'm not ok with Soucy being suspended at all. Its not a blessing in disguise and as much as Juulsen can fill in he is not going to replace the level of Soucy on the blueline. Advantage Oilers if Soucy has to sit. I'm not going to scream about all the other crap we can argue should have been penalties or majors or suspensions. But the Canucks say nothing. Take the high road in media scrums etc and only local Vancouver media has questions about the incidents thus far hone undisciplined. I know Tocchet plays the " kill them with kindness " routine ( though he was close to losing it in the WEAK Cole crosscheck infront of Silovs, the exact play done a hundred times a game ) when asked about officiating, but if there is any fallout on Soucy I want to hear my team ( PA/JR, Tocchet someone push the league for accountability. It simply is not ok, and again Juulsen is serviceable but not at Soucy's level.

The addition of Karlsson with Petey is underrated, potential to pay off. Aman is extremely reliable and responsible but as a Grocery Supervisor / Veterinary assistant & manager / 25 year seasoned career as a Janitor I would thought to have Podkolzin in the lineup over Aman. Go Canucks Go!

Outlaws seems to be the better fit of the options presented.

Thoughts are with you Dave, wishing only the best for you daily!

Oh I saw it, quite laughable. I still find it comical how many people believe the Canucks are the underdogs or that Edmonton is magically the superior club. A lot of people have not been paying attention.

Hahaha, that guy is hilarious. He cut ties and ripped the Oil months ago, while also talking up the Canucks. Funny.

@da.moose congratulations to you and your Capitals! I scout the Playoff bound rosters heavily and from the conclusion of the Trade Deadline I knew you would be the favorite this year, said as much before our series started. Happy to see you succeed this year and hope to see you go all the way. Always build deep and dangerous teams and love the depth in Washington. Enjoy the ride!

I am not a fan of expanding at this time. We have to improve our day to day interactions, activity, and communication within the group we do have because over the past 2-3 years that element of this league and frankly the simple respect for each other and the game in that regard has dropped. There are really knowledgeable and active users in the fantasy forums and by adding one, two, or more could strengthen our league and raise the bar not to mention fill any holes by any members leaving at season's end. As another season winds down I ask myself what can be done to incentivize engagement within the group. My thoughts are moot however as I see the deadline to vote has passed anyways. Apologies to the group I have been involved in my daughter's dance competitions the past few weeks and it has been a hectic schedule all over the lower mainland.

Taxes, not a " big cut " taken by the players. Sure the union may look down on these types of deals and some agents may feel it is a negative in determining market value ( which the " market " is a complete joke in its current assumed valuations from actual on ice value compared to valuations based off poor deals ).

Yeah, I see the negativity and the inability of people to acknowledge the good things he is doing and his game has improved on the road but he is absolutely one of those players Tocchet is trying to get to dig deep and leave it all out on the ice. It would come as no surprise at all to see him snipe a goal in tonight or end the game with multiple points. Its coming, no reason to believe otherwise. Let's go Canucks!!!!!

I don't think you trade out the main parts of the team in order to " keep it together ". That is counterproductive. I am still surprised how many people think the team should move off from Hronek, absolute insanity. Topping it off there is this thought that Tanev at 34+ is any kind of answer. Of Myers, Tanev, and Zadorov I would bet Myers comes in at the lowest cap hit. I can see Cole coming back between 2m-2.5m per. Extend Hronek for 7m range and Zadorov coming back would take what ? 5m per minimum ? no room for Tanev. You certainly don't trade Hronek only to bring in Tanev I don't care if you think he is a good place holder before Willander lol.

There can also be something to be said for being disciplined and turning the other cheek. It was a penalty missed by officials, an example of game management, but the officials job is to also protect the players just like a goaltender losing his helmet or etc. That was an error on the in game officials, its past now anyways though. The fact Petey may drop easily has zero to do with it as some seem to dismiss what happened as Petey needing to be prepared for the cheap shot and stand up for himself. Not the point at all. I have real concerns about Hughes and his durability. His breakout speed and comfort in handling the puck has been diminished. Get this series done with and get him some rest. He is a real concern for an injury that makes him unable to play.

That's the issue, could have been a dangerous act on or result to Petey. The officials are there, to block any Canucks from initiating with the Preds right after as they celebrate but no official protects the player's safety or conduct of the game. Nothing came of it but more stress on Petey at the end of the day but there is a standard to uphold completely missed by those tasked to uphold it.

Any updated points totals between matchups? Looks like Montreal and Columbus are close!

shouldn't have though. He is not far and above better than the other two finalists that is for sure.

I would love to have him return but the team will need to prioritize defense first as they are extremely thin once July comes around otherwise. Lindholm would be a solid player to bring back, I think that possibility may have died when he was put into 3rd line roles and no PP time. He will believe in himself as a top six centre and around the league there will be interest in him filling a top six somewhere, teams will pay Free Agency prices so while he is probably at most worth $ 5-6m as it stands and that would be an overpayment if he played more top nine then top six for sure. But there will be a team offering $ 6m + at multiple years and trade protection so I see him moving on. UNLESS, he buys in to what management is selling and the team has a particularly successful post-season run and he finds various other variables that make Vancouver his new home.

agreed, it was disappointing that there was literally no response by teammates, coaches or officials to what was a blatant unsportsmanlike penalty. If I missed some form of reaction by the team or coaches etc than my bad.

We simply just don't know if he is or has been seeking or receiving some sort of support. It looks to a large portion of fans and media alike that something is frankly just wrong with his game on the ice.

Hey guys, I will be replying to the contract negotiations to all the ones I have in my inbox tonight. After 6pm can be reached here or discord. Thank you