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Too Many Daves - the 'Nucks need a new Dave as Nonis cut loose

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:32:19 -0700

TOO MANY DAVES - Dr. Seuss

Did I ever tell you that Mrs. McCave
Had twenty-three sons and she named them all Dave?

Well, she did. And that wasn't a smart thing to do.
You see, when she wants one and calls out, "Yoo-Hoo!
Come into the house, Dave!" she doesn't get ONE.
All twenty-three Daves of hers come on the run!

He of the perfect hair, the unheralded hockey career as captain of the Maine Blackbears, a law degree, and a noted contract expert is "relieved" of his duties {Nonis relieved of General Manager and Senior Vice-President}. Alas, as a life long Canucks fans (he and me both), I am sure he is far from "relieved" and likely quite frustrated, possibly embarrassed, and certainly thoroughly disgusted. He wasn't a perfect GM but also managed the team during a absurd lock-out, ongoing lawsuits x2, a messy ownership change and major front office personal changes.

It seemed to me, the GM, the owners, the coach and the players were a bit of an odd mix - also i am not seeing any brilliant young minds who can step into the gig with more valour then Dave. Some say he wasn't experienced enough or didn't have sufficient respect from other GMs to take get calls answered and deals done but, when you compare his performance to other GMs in flux (Leafs ousted John Ferguson, Sens Bryan Murray, Floraida Jacques Martin, Atlanta's Don Waddell) or consider the mess Doug Maclean made of the ill-fated Blue Jackets or Jay Feaster in TB or Milbury/Snow of NYI, Dave did a decent job. Unfortunately, when stacked against Detroit's Ken Holland, NJ's Lou Lamarello, Doug Riseborough of the Wilds, he didn't do enough to raise this team to the top.

I give some blame to injuries, a disconnect between coach's system and players' skills, and a legacy of mediocrity but those are part of the game.

BTW, anyone really thinking Ken Holland will leave the most-successful franchise of the recent era to ressurect the flailing Canucks just cause he's from Vernon is in need of reality check. Ditto on Brian Burke. Pat Quinn is more likely (Is Quinn back IN? by Ian Bell), nevertheless i am leery of going back in time to attempt to recreate lost magic. If Scott Bowman would take the gig though, i'd pay him whatever he wants - he's only won *everywhere* he's worked. Pierre Lacroix used to make some deal magic for the Avs but seemed to be a no-salary cap kinda GM.

Also, no matter who's at the helm, i am convinced the Canucks need to find a solid, money centre to build around. All successful teams have a clutch goalie (check), a steady, defensive-minded, somewhat intimidating blueliner (sorta check), and centre who wins faceoffs, skates well, knows hockey, and is a strapping - or at least durable - lad who can distribute and snipe as needed a la Lecavailer, Thornton, Sakic, Brind a'mour ... (no check) and, then a second line who can score and take advantage of 2nd tier defensive matchups (possible check). The rest of the team can slot in with the easier to find grinders, chippers, specialist, energy guys, PKers, and so on.

Right now, i'd trade anyone on the team for Malkin and Jordan Staal and rebuild around them. Since that won't happen, and i don't see much beyond could-be-good d-man and the possibly-a-sniper-but-undersized wingers and a string of "the next great goalie" the new GM has some work to do. The question is: How much of a rebuilding will we see this time around? The old core are gone to make money elsewhere without the drama and lofty expectations we foist upon them and everyone is tradeable i think including the suddenly holy Kesler, the belaugered Sedins, the gotta-be-pissed-off Luongo and all the 3/4 liners.

Rypien ain't gonna save the team, nor is Raymond, Brown, Bourdon or McIver. Sure Edler and Burrows over-performed and we all love a bargain but they aren't guys who will hoist a Conn Smythe (as cool as that'd be). No ones holding their breath for Grabner to fulfill expectations and Patrick White is a complete unknown and Schneider will take time. So where will the next Trevor Linden come from? Trade/FA or possibly a Restricted FA offer sheet (heh to RJ Umberger maybe). And old Markus Naslund - from yearly hero to persona non grata - has a all-time leading scorer ever been treated with such indifference and borderline scorn. My two-nie is on him playing for MoDo next year.

I'd very much like to know about Dave Nonis outside of recent Canucks exploits ~ learn who cuts his hair, what he studied at law school, what kind of player he is/was, who was his fave Nucks growing up, experiences in NYC, and the like but alas, Dave, we hardly knew ya.

For my part, good luck and happy times ahead to Dave.

All-time Canucks Dave Team

L Dave Balon

D Dave Baybch

D David Dunn

D David Fortier

C Dave Gagner

D David Logan

L Dave Lowry

W Dave Capuano

G Dave Mclelland

R Dave Morrison

D Dave Richter

L Dave Roberts

L Dave Saunders

C Dave Scatchard

L Dave Williams

GM Dave Nonis

Sick in the Guts - Canucks Outsider #62

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:12:02 -0700

Returning from an ill-fated Mexican vacation in time to see the meaningless season finale, Dave rambles on about a horrential bout of gut sickness and hanging at a beach bar while the Canucks imploded. Wheelchaired and sedated, he arrived home to find the Nucks missing the playoffs, sending off Trevor Linden without a final win and shifting the team in unknown directions with impending free agents, unclear strategy, and unproven prospects and finally, Dave (comfy back in North Van) considers how the now-officially-official ownership might move forward before summoning Canucks heores of the future to step forth.

Download Sick in the Guts - Canucks Outsider hockey podcast #62 (.mp3, 50:26, 41MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider podcast Feed and/or iTunes

See also The Crazy Canucks

Thanks to Dan Funboy for kick ass analysis all season - some one give this guy a contract! and Album Art by Bread

This episode dedicated to Tom "The Tickler" Larschied - Thanks for "bringing it" even when the players didn't (and he's a guy with a squirrelly gut i hear)

Music: Antonio Carlos Jobim/Astrud Gilberto/João Gilberto/Stan Getz (from Dedicated to Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vol. 1), Black Angels (live at SXSW 2008 + Young Men Dead), The Constantines (live at SXSW 2008), Bill Lenker (live in the Woodshop 2006), Grateful Dead Brokedown Palace (live at Tempe Arizona 1992), the Blackberry Bushes (from Moon Pie), unknown pipers and drummers (St. Patrick's Day parade, Vancouver 2007)

The Pressure Cooker! - Canucks Outsider #61

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:21:03 -0800

In the shadow of the NHL trade deadline, Dave ~ and several late night beers ~ bid farewell to Matt Cooke and examine other possible player swaps. Then after some tasty rockin', peers down the road ahead to the hectic schedule of "must-win" games, and recounts of visit with Kent of We are all Canucksleheads while recording with the Crazy Canucks and the Ultimate Canuck Search guys at the Canucks open practice who asked "Can-U-Nuck?".

Download The Pressure Cooker! - Canucks Outsider #61 (.mp3, 43:22, 35MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider podcast Feed and/or iTunes

Music by:

Rodeo Kill - "Outlaw Country Band from Olympia, WA" Old Hank, Hearbreak away from Hell

Derek K. Miller - Striking Silver

Numbskulz - Wannabe

More Numbskulz:

Meet the Numbskulz - Choogle on #19

Catching Up with The Numbskulz - Choogle on #26

The Numbskulz Grow Up and Rock Out - Choogle on #55

Matt Cooke Moves on to Washington

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:57:41 -0800

Canuck Outsider fave Matt Cooke moves on to Washington - recap coming on a future Canucks Outsider podcast.

Good Luck Matt and Washington is bound to be a blast. Caps fans, enjoy this heart and soul player!

The Duff Man! - Gold Medal Superhero Skeleton-ist Duff Gibson - Olympic Outsider #8

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:29:58 -0800

Torino 2006 Skeleton Gold Medalist athlete Duff Gibson chats with Olympic Outsider host Dave Thorvald about having a beer named after him, life as a Calgary fireman, being Canada's (and the world's) oldest gold medalist, training for technical and speed courses, the Whistler track, athletic challenges and the future of the sport at an Olympic rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery in May 2006.

Download The Duff Man! - Olympic Laughs with the Superhero Skeleton-ist Duff Gibson
(.mp3, 8MB, 9:53)

Subscribe:
Olympic Outsider podcast - http://feeds.feedburner.com/olympicoutsider/
Canucks Outsider podcast - http://feeds.feedburner.com/CanucksOutsider
More Dave O podcasts and writing

Duff Gibson and Gold Medal in Vancouver, BC, May 2006, photo by Dave O

All-Star Forecasting and Drinking - Canucks Outsider #60

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:55:29 -0800

Canucks Outsider kicks off 2008 a little delayed but in grand style with Dave and Dan covering wealth of topics in-studio over all-star weekend. In between beers, topics include the recent Spengler Cup tournament in Davos Switzerland, World Juniors in Pradubice Czech Rep (and ask if Canada's domination is good for international hockey?), 2010 Winter Games hockey tournament format.

Moving on to the Canucks, they discuss the first half of the season in relation to expectations plus Markus Naslund's leadership, Luongo's Vezina chances, revolving defensemen, evolving line combos, regaining divisional intimidation, international beverages, and what's ahead in the South East roadtrip.

Download All-Star Forecasting and Drinking - Canucks Outsider #60 (.mp3, 49:58, 40MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider podcast Feed and/or iTunes

Hockey Job Update

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:02:18 -0800

Coordinator, Consumer Research - National Hockey League (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16586 ]

Research Analyst - Anaheim Ducks (Anaheim, CA)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16612 ]

Media Relations Manager - Detroit Red Wings (Detroit, MI)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16937 ]

Hockey Job Update

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:24:56 -0800

Game Entertainment Staff - Washington Capitals (Washington, DC)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16524 ]

Mascot Handler - Washington Capitals (Washington, DC)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16525 ]

Website Content Writer - Minnesota Wild (St. Paul, MN)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16303 ]

Snow Day Shutout Streak Celebration - Canucks Outsider #59

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:16:58 -0800

Travel along to a record setting performance as Luongo breaks the Canucks all-time shut out record and Naslund ties Trevor Linden's all-time scoring mark while Dave rants about Alberta teams on HNIC, drama in Maple Leafs land, intermission concourse chat with JJ (of Canucks Hockey Blog and The Crazy Canucks) plus a mystery cameo guest, and rolls the audience fervor with chants of "MVP! while swilling strong winter ales. Other topics includes: the changed (missing?) rafter banners, Burke's trade/cap proposal, schedule adjustments, Sergei Fedorov's role adjustment, Ryan Kesler's emergence as an agitator, Byron Ritchie finding a role, and an historical, oratory reading of the names of all 48 Canucks goaltenders since 1970.

Download Snow Day Shutout Streak Celebration - Canucks Outsider #59 (mp3, 34:06, 28MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider podcast Feed and/or iTunes

Music:

The Numbskulz

The Misery Whip

The Black Angels

TTH (live)

{note: link forthcoming, ...}

More Hockey Jobs (again)

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:58:38 -0800

For your professional consideration:

Manager of New Media - Phoenix Coyotes (Phoenix, AZ)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16028 ]

Corporate Services Coordinator - Minnesota Wild (St. Paul, MN)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16026 ]

Internet Development Manager - Nashville Predators (Nashville, TN)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16071 ]

Shifting into Gear, Sorta - Canucks Outsider #58

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:33:41 -0700

A slow turnaround and a quick edit for this episode of Canucks Outsider with DaveO enjoying a couple conversations with Dan Funboy - one before the home Red Wings game and another chunk from a week or two earlier before the game versus the Sharks recalling twin wins versus Oilers. Usual banter and wisdom about positions, linecombos, teamplay, faceoffs, with shoutouts to foreign lands - now fortified with Centre ice.

Download Shifting into Gear, Sorta - Canucks Outsider #58 (mp3, 43:15, 35MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider Feed - iTunes

Photo DaveO, arted up by Bread the Producer

Music by: The Numbskulz, The Black Angels, The Crimea, Derek K. Miller (penmachine.com), Bill Janovitz, Rambling Canuck

First Week Gone, Plenty to Come - Canucks Outsider #57

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:06:23 -0700

With a couple of games in the bag, Dave and Dan Funboy comment on the loss versus San Jose, enjoy the OT win over Calgary, give props for Morrison's versatily and clutch-ability, ideas about a faceoff consultant, Luongo's knee and Cloutier's temper and legacy, thoughts on Sanford, and banter on Flames, Flyers and Oilers team building. Mentions of Andrew Cassels, Joe Juneau, Team Canada Junior, and the Predators' Mason, Trotz and Martin Gelinas.

Download First Week Gone, Plenty to Come - Canucks Outsider #57

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider Feed - iTunes

Where will the Canucks finish in the Western Conference this season?

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:00:17 -0700

1st place

33% (1 vote)

2nd or 3rd place

67% (2 votes)

4th through 8th

0% (0 votes)

9th to 15th

0% (0 votes)

Total votes: 3

Fresh Beer, New Season, Same Expectations - Canucks Outsider #56

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:12:02 -0700

Season 3 of the original Canucks podcast, the Canucks Outsider kicks off with a fresh beer and a variety pack of Dan Funboy's punditry, shout outs to The Crazy Canucks (and Dave's spiel on the Super/Summit Series) and invitations to participate issued to global Canuck fans from Melbourne to London to Winnipeg. Plus a segment from the Canuck sweater launch (with a couple of interviews), salutes to Team Canada and their Super Series success, Captain and Bruin Milan Lucic, the Memorial Cup champion Vancouver Giants, plus expectations for the 2007-08 version of the Canucks team, support and acknowledgment for the Captain and expectation for the podcast.

Thanks to Richard Eriksson of CanucksNation.com for clutch technical assistance plus Bryght and Zhonka for their continued assistance in bringing the Canucks Outsider to your hockey-lovin' ears.

Download Fresh Beer, New Season, Same Expectations - Canucks Outsider #56 (.mp3, 28MB, 34:29)

Photo by Roland Tanglao from Canucks Outsider Live Game 5 Anaheim Ducks May 3, 2007

Art by Bread the Producer

Bonus (thanks John)

The Ice Hole
Wikipedia: 2007 Super Series, 1972 Summit Series

Have something to bring to the people? Wanna contribute to an episode? Sign up for an account, make comments and all that.

More Hockey Jobs

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:03:51 -0700

In lieu of the BIG PRESEASON PREVIEW episode of Canucks Outsider, coming soon *really* here's some more hockey jobs lazily pasted for you suckers wanting to work, ya know, at a job.

Office Manager, Food & Beverage Operations - St. Louis Blues (St. Louis, MO)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15109 ]

Manager, Game Night Entertainment - Washington Capitals (Washington, DC)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15102 ]

Senior Manager, Fan Development & Promotions - Washington Capitals (Washington, DC)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15101 ]

Director of In-Game Entertainment - New Jersey Devils (Newark, NJ)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15156 ]

Freelance Writer/Editor - New York Rangers (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15205 ]

Ad Traffic Coordinator - NHL.com (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15157 ]

Manager, Interactive Sales Account Manager - NHL.com (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15184 ]