nhldave

G'day JR. Ah yes Bertuzzi, so long ago. And I believe that's still in the courts; was supposed to finally get under way last April but I haven't seen anything on it since then. You make very good points. My main concern is the goal production. In 2011 he scored 18 goals in 62 games, last year 4 goals in 40 games, that's less than half his scoring rate from last year. Interestingly enough in 2011 he scored just about double the number of goals in the first half compared to the second half. Both years (he played 19 games in the AHL last year) his second half production is well down from his first half suggesting a concern about his durability. Now that may simply reflect that at 18 and 19 he's obviously still growing and could fill out and become more durable. The Oilers are clearly betting on that happening.

I come from the old school, you know, the one that says prove your worth before I pay you. RNH has yet to prove he will be a real star. With his injury record, defensive shortcomings and a 0.74 ppg record I think the Oliers have possibly made a huge mistake here. Maybe not, but the thing is RNH has not yet demonstrated he has all the tools, (including being able to stay healthy over an 82 game schedule) to warrant this level of income. I would have thought a one year deal to make sure he is the player the Oilers hope he is would have been a more prudent decision. Be that as it may the die is cast so I wish RNH a brilliant season helping to lead the Oilers back to greatness.

" It feels like a team that I have to watch peeking through both hands covering my eyes." That is a great description for this team. It's going to be a tough season heart attack wise

I love the Sedins and want them to stay in Vancouver, Having said that I would not sign them to a new deal until close to the trade deadline. If they are performing well, contributing in all aspects of the game (I do like Torts interest in getting them to kill penalties) and seriously helping the team toward a run at the cup then sign them to a three year deal, not more. If not then they are still premium players that could be traded for major, youthful talent, assuming they would waive their no trades of course. If all woks out and they sign a 3 year deal they would likely still be good enough to trade to a contender for some pretty good young players.

After watching the first few games from overhead I wonder if he'll want to get behind the bench and start yelling. After all those were really training camp games with virtually no indication that the Canucks will be a top contender this year.Now you and I know it's way to early to be concerned but good old Torts is not noted for patience.

Thanks for the welcomes, HF10 and Spitfires I am not a Torts fan and think it dreadful that the Canucks brought him on board. But what's done is done and the best I can hope for is that I'm either all wrong about Torts or that he has had something of a miraculous makeover in the personality department somewhere along the way to Vancouver. I'm wondering if maybe Bo Horvat has the both the grittyness and front of net scoring touch that might persuade Torts to give him a go with the Sedins at training camp. It's probably too much for him at this point but I'd sure like the Canucks to give him a try with the Sedins. As for the goal tending backup I think Eddie Lack will really be challenged by Joakim Eriksson given the latter's impressive results last season. BTW Spitfires I agree with you the price paid for Horvat was too high. So if Lack and Eriksson both pan out it out would suggest yet another Gillis created Luongo circus starting with the trade deadline and extending into next summer.

And another miracle will happen if Torts keeps his ego and temper in check and produces a big turn around in the Canucks slow slide to second tier.

Funny how the Leafs have become respectable again by going back to the style of the original owner Conn Smythe, notorious for his comment "if you can't beat them in the alley you can't beat them on the ice". Looks like lots more of the same coming our way in the new season.

Maybe he hired Barry on the recommendation of Alfredson.