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Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 4:41 pm
by Lloyd Braun
It really is a shame about needing to get games for Sbisa and Biega. It does make sense because we don't want to be put in a position where we have to force a trade just to get a guy to expose so we can keep Tanev / Edler / Gudbranson... but it sucks.

In my ideal world, those two would be sitting #7 and #9 on the depth chart. For me, it'll be tough to put Biega in over both Stecher and Larsen on the right side. Our powerplay is very important, and I do not want to see Tanev as our best option for a right handed point shot.

Sbisa over Tryamkin on the left is an easier sell for icing the best lineup, but sucks for development. It would be great for Tryamkin to report to the Comets. I'm not sure he's ready for a top six role and I want to see him play almost every game to speed his development, which won't happen for the Canucks unless injuries hit.

I hate the idea of losing Tryamkin to Russia, and I also hate the idea of losing Larsen to waivers. I think both of them have a solid shot of becoming core members of the team, Larsen as early as this season and Tryamkin in the near future. In my mind, Larsen is far more likely to get picked up than either Pedan or Biega. He has obvious value, and is not an AHL player at this point in his career.

The way I see it going down is one of two ways. Either Stecher doesn't make it, and:
Sbisa / Larsen
Tryamkin / Biega
Stecher

Or, Stecher makes it over Larsen, and:
Sbisa / Stecher
Tryamkin / Larsen
Biega

In either scenario, expect the 7/8 guys to draw into the lineup on a regular basis. None of those five players is likely to play 60+ games unless we have another injury ravaged year.

Benning's comments about wanting to get both Sbisa and Biega to the required number of games suggest Biega won't be sent down, which sucks. It seems to pretty well guarantee that Stecher starts in Utica, as in my first scenario, which isn't the end of the world. But, if Stecher legit forces his way onto the team, I don't want him kept down because of a numbers game.

Maybe the way out is to let Tryamkin make the choice of whether to report to Utica or go back to Russia? Maybe with the gun to his head, he stays here? Maybe even if he goes back, he'll be open to returning as an NHL-ready defenseman after getting a couple more seasons under his belt? We'd retain his rights. But we'd have two righties in the 7/8 spots, which isn't ideal, especially when it's important to get playing time for Biega.

I don't know the answer to these questions. It's a tough one. But looking at the math, it sure makes sense that they chose to lean away from Pedan yesterday. If Sbisa and Biega both stay, there was only ever going to be room for one of Pedan or Tryamkin, not both.

One thing that's certain is that none of these scenarios sound ideal. Maybe we just have to bite the bullet, send Biega down, and hope that Sbisa doesn't get injured badly enough to not get in enough games and is healthy at the time of the expansion draft so he can be exposed.

THAT would be a gamble, but maybe it's also a gamble we're forced to make.

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 4:45 pm
by bckev
I would like to see them move dorsett and keep skille in his place.

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 4:45 pm
by Todd Bersnoozi
TDA Rum wrote:
TSN Radio Vancouver ‏@TSN1040

#Canucks have placed Andrey Pedan, Michael Zalewski, Jayson Megna, & Michael Chaput on waivers. #CanucksOn1040

All have cleared waivers...
Glad to hear Pedan cleared. I would have been disappointed to lose him. I'll agree that he's still a bit raw, but I like his potential and package (especially his size). *hehe* Hopefully, Biega or Sbisa will be picked up in the expansion draft next season, help us cut some salary and work in our Russians bears (Tryamkin + Pedan).

What are the odds that Vegas will do us a favour and grab Sbisa + Dorsett of us? *LOL* One can wish. :lol:

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 4:47 pm
by Todd Bersnoozi
bckev wrote:I would like to see them move dorsett and keep skille in his place.
I wouldn't mind that either. Heck, I'd take Cracknell over Dorsett. I think it's a waste to pay $2.5M for a 4th line plumber.

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 4:52 pm
by Lloyd Braun
I don't think Dorsett's movable.

Surely any team that's looking to add depth out of training camp has lots of options available on waivers. Dorsett isn't a huge upgrade on the waiver wire, has a large contract, and would cost an asset to acquire.

He may be movable at the deadline to a team looking to make a run, but there's no chance we get anything for him coming out of camp.

While I'm talking forwards for a second, I doubt that Virtanen will be sent down. He looked good playing with middle-six linemates last night. He brings dimensions of speed, smooth transitions, and physicality, all of which are desperately needed.

If Skille makes the team and Virtanen is sent down, I'll officially be shocked. There's no way that Skille brings more to the table, IMO. It would be purely a "get Virtanen more playing time despite him being the best choice" move, and I don't see that happening.

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:01 pm
by SKYO
If Stecher scores Saturday, he stays and a tough decision has to be made, if not the easiest option right now is he gets sent to Utica as the first call up, OR if Larsen doesn't produce the first month or two, he'll be on a short leash, I kind of see this scenario happening, only because Stecher can be sent down and called up no problem.

WD/JB probably just want to see if Larsen can improve Oct-early November, if he doesn't start putting up points quick, he's gone, in comes Stecher after he gets some time with Green/Utica, I highly doubt he'd be down on the farm too long IF he does go there.

Plus this will help Sbisa + Biega to get their expansion expose games in, as HW said they could be good trade bait just for that cause.

You don't want to lose Tryamkin so he stays in a depth role and he should be learning English 24/7.

Like Stecher, Virtanen has to have an above average game Saturday, make a positive difference to stay.

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:08 pm
by Hockey Widow
Keep in mind the potential to trade Sbisa exists, if Biega gets in his 19 games. In that Scenerio Biega sees a lot of the press box once he gets his 19 games. You don't waive him. You keep him to expose him but you do trade Sbisa. Even if it's for that alleged third round pick that's on the table. You free up his cap and roster spot and you have compliance covered in the person of Biega.

But in a perfect world I would agree that Trymakin could use some Utica love. Although Linden never ruled it out I am hearing he will not go to Utica. Keep in mind he just got married to a Russian woman whose English is as good as his :mrgreen: I don't think they see Utica as home. And he's earned the right to say no by virtue of his contract.

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:19 pm
by Cherry Picker
Having enough NHL defensemen can win games in a long season. I'd send Stecher down and recall him after the first injury. That usually takes less than five games. If it is at all a close decision, maintain the team depth.








Unless we can get rid of Sbisa :twisted:

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:20 pm
by Hockey Widow
If you hear Benning, who is saying over and over, this is the first year here he feels comfortable assigning players who are NHL ready. He is saying it gets them playing time and provides us, for the first time, NHL depth.

And I'm talking specifically about Virtanen, Gaunce and Stetcher. But also throw Etem in there who requires waivers.

I'm also talking about four players that are NOT head and shoulders, lights out, way ahead of, their alternatives.

Last season Hutton blew away those he was competing with to earn a roster spot. Stetcher has to blow away Larsen. He hasn't. Has he looked good? Yes. But he hasn't blown Larsen out of the water.

People are missing the main point I think. We are not talking about top 4 on D or top six up front. We are talking roster spots in the 5-8 on D and the bottom 6-7 up front. Roster spots, not players. It's the roster spots that are open and if keeping some vets who can fill those spots helps us stay playoff competitive while the kids develop and are available for call up what's the harm.

WD and Benning both said last season was confusing. They also said they did not want to repeat and be forced into keeping so many young players all at once.

I guess we will know Sunday but I think Benning is bracing the fan base just in case.

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:37 pm
by Strangelove
^ Yup, Stecher is going down (even if he scores a hat-trick next game Skyo) deal with it bitches!

In light of recent developments, I'm updating my depth chart for this season:

Edler - Tanev
Hutton - Gudbranson
Sbisa - Larsen
Trymakin - Biega


Callups:

Pedan - Stecher

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:45 pm
by Strangelove
Todd Bersnoozi wrote: What are the odds that Vegas will do us a favour and grab Sbisa + Dorsett of us? *LOL* One can wish. :lol:
Wishing for the impossible will eventually drive you completely insane.... Todd.

Oh wait!

One player per team...

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:49 pm
by Lloyd Braun
Hockey Widow wrote:And I'm talking specifically about Virtanen, Gaunce and Stetcher.
I think Virtanen's contributions do blow away other depth wingers we could turn to. He simply adds elements that our team is otherwise missing. His complete package means we aren't relying on his shot/scoring touch to get value.

Totally agree with you otherwise. Just sayin' is all. :wink:

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 6:08 pm
by Hockey Widow
Lloyd Braun wrote:
Hockey Widow wrote:And I'm talking specifically about Virtanen, Gaunce and Stetcher.
I think Virtanen's contributions do blow away other depth wingers we could turn to. He simply adds elements that our team is otherwise missing. His complete package means we aren't relying on his shot/scoring touch to get value.

Totally agree with you otherwise. Just sayin' is all. :wink:

Does Virtanen blow away anyone in the top six?

In the bottom 6-7 he is competitive I'll give you that. But enough to lose anyone on waivers, at this point in time. Maybe in 20 games but right now? Either way with Virtanen I'm ok I just think making him go to Utica and earning a roster spot is in his and our interest.

Honestly I'm more concerned about Gaunce. I'd rather have him than Ruutu.

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 6:19 pm
by sagebrush
Final 6 cuts to be made from 29 remaining.

F: Baertschi, Burrows, Dorsett, Eriksson, Etem, Gaunce(E), Granlund, Hansen, Horvat(E), Rodin, D. Sedin, H. Sedin, Sutter, Virtanen(E), Ruutu(PTO), Skille(PTO)

D: Biega, Edler, Gudbranson, Hutton, Larsen, Nilsson, Sbisa, Stecher(E), Tanev, Tryamkin(E)

G: Bachman, Markstrom, Miller

Likely candidates to go (subject to trades): Etem, Gaunce, Ruutu, Skille, Nilsson, Stecher, Biega, Tryamkin, Bachman.

It's complicated.

(E) = waiver exempt, (PTO)=...

(edited - because forgot to give Nilsson his leaving papers)

Re: 2016 Training camp

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 6:24 pm
by Island Nucklehead
sagebrush wrote:Final 6 cuts to be made from 29 remaining.

F: Baertschi, Burrows, Dorsett, Eriksson, Etem, Gaunce(E), Granlund, Hansen, Horvat(E), Rodin, D. Sedin, H. Sedin, Sutter, Virtanen(E), Ruutu(PTO), Skille(PTO)

D: Biega, Edler, Gudbranson, Hutton, Larsen, Nilsson, Sbisa, Stecher(E), Tanev, Tryamkin(E)

G: Bachman, Markstrom, Miller
Stecher gets a few and then we'll see.