GDT: GM 72 | Vancouver Canucks @ New Jersey Devils | Mon, Mar 24 | 4:30PM PST | Amazon

[Vancouver_2010]

Suter
Raty
Belueger
Aman

our centers for this game, should be fun

I was hoping we got to see sasson again, I still feel he should’ve never got sent down

NEVERMIND, deleted.

 

[bossram]

Why? The season is done anyway. Would you rather go into another off-season wondering what version of Demko is going to show up at training camp next year?

I'd play him every game down the stretch, maybe even in the back-to-backs. He needs to prove he can stay healthy before the Canucks can have any confidence in him for next season.

No. Because injuring him again in a fruitless season would really be the dumbest and worst-case scenario.

Stop putting him back in when he's 80% or "good enough" to play.

 

[theguardianII]

Not sure if this got posted, but looks like we might see Demko tonight. Lankinen under the weather (which also gives some context to his rough outing in NJ).

Hope they're not rushing Demko back into action given the lack of confidence in Silovs.

I guess they have to make it look good.

They could be just auditioning for the trade market. If Demko can play then he might have more value than just taking a chance, or it is Demko's swan song the games he can into for the rest of the season.

The season and playoff race is pretty much toast now, so playing him now doesn't really make any sense to chance him getting injured.

StLouis wins 2 games and the Canucks need to win 5 just to catch up

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

A f***ing awful season that rivals 2013-2014.

I agree. I've made this comparison a few times myself. Atleast in how it feels.

Some expectations coming in, a good start to warrant continued optimism. Then after the new year everything just falls apart & the team is forced into transition.

The team isn't in the same scenario it was then. But I've had alot of flashbacks.. tough year.

I strongly disagree.

That year was clearly the end of the run. We had no reinforcements coming.

This team has a fantastic and prime aged 6 man d unit with rookies coming on strong.

Goaltending is either decently sorted ( Lankinen) or conceivably a big advantage if Demko can get healthy again.

And I'm extremely bullish on Petey and believe we have a superstar top line center.

This is nothing like knowing the Sedins were down to about 150 elite games left and nothing behind them.

Ya I agree with this too. That team was at its end & there was no great future to transition too.

I think this team has been forced into a transition but has alot of young & prime aged pieces that can be built upon. I wouldn't waive the flag until we know for sure Hughes is gone.. which I still think we have a chance of keeping him.

 

[Vancouver_2010]

I guess they have to make it look good.

They could be just auditioning for the trade market. If Demko can play then he might have more value than just taking a chance, or it is Demko's swan song the games he can into for the rest of the season.

The season and playoff race is pretty much toast now, so playing him now doesn't really make any sense to chance him getting injured.

StLouis wins 2 games and the Canucks need to win 5 just to catch up

its not as grim as you have mentioned, we still have two games in hand, all we need to do is to win the next two games and we are back in business.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

It's good Demko is back playing imo, just don't overplay him. If he's fine tonight maybe alternate starts.

There's some risk but I think you do want him ending the year feeling good & having something to build off going into the summer.

 

[Vector]

Demko

• It’s a little bit more than a chance that he plays on Monday
• Had almost pulled Lankinen, against the Rangers, because he was sick
• Demko has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes
• For all intents and purposes, the Canucks need him; Demko knows it
• Is going to play barring anything unforeseen
• This is about Demko showing the Canucks that he knows the team needs him right now and the season is on the line
• Canucks are reeling
• At some point in time, you have to dive into the deep-end with your teammates
• Canucks played their heart out against the Rangers
• Demko is looking at this and sees how tired Lankinen and thinks “They need me”; even if you’re not 100% there are times where you have to show your teammates you are in the deep water with them

 

[theguardianII]

its not as grim as you have mentioned, we still have two games in hand, all we need to do is to win the next two games and we are back in business.

Optimism is good, it is hope at this point. Beat Vegas twice, Winnipeg, Dallas, Colorado, Wild and don't slip against CBJ, Kraken, Anaheim or SJ, no injuries happen, no goalie steals.
They need to win 3 more games than StLouis who has been one of the best teams since they fired their coach and hired a proven winning coach. Something missing here for over 10 years, except of Bruce's brief tenure.

And then there is Calgary who is rolling right now and Utah, a team finally getting off ALL those injuries they suffered through and within 1 point of the Canucks.

IMO it is just too much now for them to make the show, this is just like many of the Benning years, close but not enough. Other teams played darts Benning played horseshoes, close is good enough.

 

[NYVanfan]

Sitting on our UFAs only to lose them for nothing after missing the POs would be one of the biggest fails in team history, hard to see any other way around it. 2 of those 3 have yet to happen, but its lining up that way.

Then in offseason we need EP to return to form, BB to resign and return to form or be replaced, Lekk, DP and Willander all to play meaningful minutes & contributions next year AND we need to find a way to add 60-ish points we lost from JT (assuming Chytll and DOC make up the rest.) Also need Demko to stay healthy — Lank clearly not a 1A who can carry a full load. All these things are not impossible, and then next year could be an upswing; more likely they are headed for the mushy middle.

 

[SopelFanThe3rd]

why play Lankinen if he is sick? They have THAT little faith in Silovs?

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

why play Lankinen if he is sick? They have THAT little faith in Silovs?

I think so, yeah. He simply hasn’t looked good. His only wins have come against Chicago, and he didn’t exactly look excellent in either of those, either.

They’re playing for their playoff lives at this point.

 

[Vector]

I think so, yeah. He simply hasn’t looked good. His only wins have come against Chicago, and he didn’t exactly look excellent in either of those, either.

They’re playing for their playoff lives at this point.

Silovs has 3 starts in the last 15 games and all were during a back-to-back. Lankinen even started both games of a back-to-back.

 

[SopelFanThe3rd]

I think so, yeah. He simply hasn’t looked good. His only wins have come against Chicago, and he didn’t exactly look excellent in either of those, either.

They’re playing for their playoff lives at this point.

Not disagreeing. Just pathetic really.

 

[Vector]

Maybe Demko goes supernova to end the season.

 

[VanJack]

No. Because injuring him again in a fruitless season would really be the dumbest and worst-case scenario.

Stop putting him back in when he's 80% or "good enough" to play.

Demko has hardly played at all this season. If he's still only at 80 percent, then shut him down.

But if he is supposedly at 100 percent and can't play a majority of the remaining 10-games without going back on IR, then simply put, they won't be able to count on him for next season.

Better to know that now. They won't get lucky twice, signing a guy like Lankinen half-way through training camp to be the backup.

 

[DFAC]

Not disagreeing. Just pathetic really.

Silov's regression this year has to be one of the biggest disappointments (of many) from this Canucks season.

 

[Zippgunn]

Are you seriously trying to compare what Tocchet did, with covering up a sexual assault?

This is hysterical. Lots of Bertuzzi fans in here I bet...

 

[Vector]

Demko

• Plan is for Demko to play tonight
• Has had a groin issue
• Not practicing today which is a sign he will play
• Was told before the trip that Demko would play if he got enough practice time
• Thinks he’s close and ready

 

[VanJack]

Silov's regression this year has to be one of the biggest disappointments (of many) from this Canucks season.

I don't know if the departure of Ian Clark as the on-ice coach had anything to do with it, but Silovs' technique has really suffered.

His rebound control has been bad; and at times he's just guessing and swimming in the crease. And although he's listed at 6'4" and 200-plus, at times he just looks so 'small' in the net.

Definitely a year of regression for him. And I suspect the Canucks might be looking elsewhere for goaltending depth in their system next season.

 

[bossram]

Demko has hardly played at all this season. If he's still only at 80 percent, then shut him down.

But if he is supposedly at 100 percent and can't play a majority of the remaining 10-games without going back on IR, then simply put, they won't be able to count on him for next season.

Better to know that now. They won't get lucky twice, signing a guy like Lankinen half-way through training camp to be the backup.

He's definitely not 100%.

And we already know his body can't handle lengthy stretches of starts.

 

[dez]

Maybe Demko goes supernova to end the season.

A supernova is a dying star. So yes this could be it for Demko.

 

[Vector]

A supernova is a dying star. So yes this could be it for Demko.

I said what I said.

 

[VanJack]

He's definitely not 100%.

And we already know his body can't handle lengthy stretches of starts.

Then shut him down......and get a head-start on five months of off-season rehab. What's the point of playing a goaltender who's still nursing something, in games that will soon have 'zero meaning'?

 

[DFAC]

Yeah Moneypuck has us at 11% to make the playoffs.... 1/10 chance. No Petey and Hoglander too. Looking very grim.

Then shut him down......and get a head-start on five months of off-season rehab. What's the point of playing a goaltender who's still nursing something, in games that will soon have 'zero meaning'?

Team/management holding onto any hope of making the playoffs. Lankinen ill and no trust in Silovs.

 

[bossram]

Then shut him down......and get a head-start on five months of off-season rehab. What's the point of playing a goaltender who's still nursing something, in games that will soon have 'zero meaning'?

This is what I'm saying man. Yeesh.