Everyone with a sense of proportion, not bastardized by hearing too many arguments of false-equivalence that compare Christian fundamentalism to atheism or men's rights to world-wide misogyny, understands Schneider for the ninth pick is an awful deal.
Of course, the contradictory nature of sportswriters meant a lot of carpal tunnel was developed trying to justify the deal. Yes, the Canucks need to rebuild their farm system. Yes, the Canucks are short on prospects. Yes, Bo Hor-whatever-his-name-is, is a good prospect.
But, can anyone tell me that a potential second line NHLer is equivalent to an established number one netminder?
Are you also going to tell me how hard straight white men have it? And is there a war on religion in North America too? Is 'reverse' racism just as bad as actual racism?
Snark aside, momentarily, the return for Schneider is not my real concern. As a fan, this pick signifies the end of this era. The chance for another run at the Cup has ended. The window has closed. The door is shut. (Insert your own clichéd metaphor here).
Gillis's decision to not take Edmonton's offer, which included an actual person, is a decision to rebuild the team. There aren't blue chip prospects on the verge of making the team and pushing for top six ice time. There isn't a Logan Couture to our Joe Thornton to take over the team's offensive duties. We don't have a pair of young stars to let the twins transition into veteran helpers on a cup worthy team. The defence remains suspect. Luongo's head space will be an ongoing couch-psychologists dream. This team can't win.
And that doesn't bother me much. I'm used to not winning. As I've wrote before, I find it comforting. (http://vansunsportsblogs.com/2013/05/14/guest-post-the-canucks-lost-again-a-requiem-for-hockey-dreams/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed)
What I don't like is the lie. Maybe Gillis doesn't think he is rebuilding. Maybe he thinks there is a way to turn the few prospects he has into assets for a Cup run. Maybe he thinks the twins aren't on the downside of their careers. (For the record, they definitely are). Maybe he thinks Kesler can stay healthy and he can find a couple of cheap shut down defenceman. Maybe Mr. Gillis should make a list of what this team needs, what he has and compare the two. It is easy to see a clear future when you don't sketch it out. Your brain will fill in gaps and gloss over large areas of concern.
Maybe I'm the one missing something. Maybe there is one more run left in this team. Maybe Bo will step right in and add the depth we've needed for years. But, maybe not. I fear we are entering our late-Iggy Calgary Flames era. We have a management unwilling to admit mistakes and call for a rebuild. We have fans who want to believe the magic can be captured one more time.
I hope they are right. I hope I am wrong. But I doubt it.
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