The Rebuild...

[Hockey Widow]

Word is that Hughes and his agent want to see a clear path to him being in the top six or he will return to Michigan. Not out there as a threat but simply they don’t see the benefit of Utica at this point in time over a developmental year in Michigan.

His preference is to sign and play in the NHL but if the pathway isn’t there this year he’s ok with one more year in the NCAA.

So the Canucks it seems wont be able to park him in Utica this year. They have to decide if they want to clear room and “guarantee” him a spot or if they think he’s better suited in college for now.

He’s not the first player, college or otherwise, that doesn’t see the AHL as a good developmental option. We see this a lot with Swedes, Finns, Russians. All who would rather develop in other leagues for another 1-2 years than play in the AHL.

I don’t get the sense this is hardball threats or negotiation tactics but rather a preference if he’s not on the Canucks roster. As a fan I’d rather him being in Utica and available for call up but from a developmental perspective in college he will have more time to work on the off ice things he needs to work on.

If Benning has a hard on to get him signed he will have to commit to moving D.

In some ways this resembles Trymankin’s perspective. He didn’t see a role or pathway to top four and wasn’t willing to resign and risk Utica. He chose to return to the KHL.

[DonCherry4PM]

Word is that Hughes and his agent want to see a clear path to him being in the top six or he will return to Michigan. Not out there as a threat but simply they don’t see the benefit of Utica at this point in time over a developmental year in Michigan.

His preference is to sign and play in the NHL but if the pathway isn’t there this year he’s ok with one more year in the NCAA.

So the Canucks it seems wont be able to park him in Utica this year. They have to decide if they want to clear room and “guarantee” him a spot or if they think he’s better suited in college for now.

He’s not the first player, college or otherwise, that doesn’t see the AHL as a good developmental option. We see this a lot with Swedes, Finns, Russians. All who would rather develop in other leagues for another 1-2 years than play in the AHL.

I don’t get the sense this is hardball threats or negotiation tactics but rather a preference if he’s not on the Canucks roster. As a fan I’d rather him being in Utica and available for call up but from a developmental perspective in college he will have more time to work on the off ice things he needs to work on.

If Benning has a hard on to get him signed he will have to commit to moving D.

In some ways this resembles Trymankin’s perspective. He didn’t see a role or pathway to top four and wasn’t willing to resign and risk Utica. He chose to return to the KHL.

Thanks for the update, Wids. Obviously it would be more fun for us this year if he were either on the team or in Utica but might be best to have another year in Michigan. Not sure how applicable it is, but Boeser seemed to do just fine without the intermediate step from NCAA to AHL to NHL.

Other than learning to play a system similar to what the Canucks have, anyone have any thoughts in respect of the benefits of being in the AHL vs. NCAA? I have read some places that AHL has much higher overall skill but read others that there isn't really that much of a difference.

[SKYO]

I think the AHL is best for when you are close to ready but not quite there yet.

NCAA is great for working out and practicing a lot as they don't play as much games vs the pros, so they train hard all year as I think they only play like 40-42 games a season? vs AHL - 80?games NHL 82.

[DonCherry4PM]

I think the AHL is best for when you are close to ready but not quite there yet.

NCAA is great for working out and practicing a lot as they don't play as much games vs the pros, so they train hard all year as I think they only play like 40-42 games a season? vs AHL - 80?games NHL 82.

Considering his size then, NCAA could conceivably be better in terms of muscle/weight gain?

[SKYO]

Such a tough call considering his skating is NHL caliber already along with his scoring skills he's probably already better than MDZ, Pouliot, Hutton and Stecher skill wise.

Friedman: "There's been a strange undercurrent of rumor w/ Colton Parayko, that maybe St. Louis potentially might be willing to do something there. It was around the draft. It went away. It didn't happen. It would take a huge price, but I think teams asked about it." #stlblues

That be my dream top defense pairing of Hughes - Parayko....a perfect duo of complimentary skills.
I'd give up Tryamkin++ for a Parayko type.

[Hockey Widow]

I guess it depends upon what needs developing. Hughes already has NHL skill, speed, awareness, hockey IQ. The only negative appears to be strenghting up to prepare for the rigours of the NHL. That being the case the NCAA would be a better option than Utica. It gives him one more year of physical growth and one more year of off ice work.

Of course that’s the knock on Pettersson too.

I think Hughes could play in the NHL. But is Benning ready willing and able to move out 2-3 on D.

I say 2-3 counting D that need to clear waivers.

Tanev
Edler
Gudbranson
Hutton
MDZ
Pouliot
Stetcher
Biega
Sautner

They could clear out bodies and use him as the 7-8 guy with an off ice developmental planned days, off ice training type of deal. Similar to what they wanted/tried to do with McCaan and Virtanen.

[Island Nucklehead]

I guess it depends upon what needs developing. Hughes already has NHL skill, speed, awareness, hockey IQ. The only negative appears to be strenghting up to prepare for the rigours of the NHL. That being the case the NCAA would be a better option than Utica. It gives him one more year of physical growth and one more year of off ice work.

Of course that’s the knock on Pettersson too.

I think Hughes could play in the NHL. But is Benning ready willing and able to move out 2-3 on D.

I say 2-3 counting D that need to clear waivers.

Tanev
Edler
Gudbranson
Hutton
MDZ
Hughes <------ Right around here
Pouliot
Stetcher
------------
Biega
Sautner

[Hockey Widow]

I guess it depends upon what needs developing. Hughes already has NHL skill, speed, awareness, hockey IQ. The only negative appears to be strenghting up to prepare for the rigours of the NHL. That being the case the NCAA would be a better option than Utica. It gives him one more year of physical growth and one more year of off ice work.

Of course that’s the knock on Pettersson too.

I think Hughes could play in the NHL. But is Benning ready willing and able to move out 2-3 on D.

I say 2-3 counting D that need to clear waivers.

Tanev
Edler
Gudbranson
Hutton
MDZ
Hughes <------ Right around here
Pouliot
Stetcher
------------
Biega
Sautner

Oh ya it can be done, no problem. It’s just if Benning wants to do that.

We could take these nine
Tanev
Edler
Gudbranson
Hutton
MDZ
Pouliot
Stetcher
Biega
Sautner

Trade one for a pick(s) next year and run with the other 8. Giving us Juolevi and others a chance to be the injury call ups and let Hughes go back to Michigan. In this scenario I would then want to trade 4+ of those 8 at the TDD clearing room in 2019 for Hughes, Juolevi, Brisbois and whoever else.

Of course we could trade a few of our D now, sign deHaan and keep Hughes.

So numerous scenarios exist it’s just if Benning is willing to do it.

I’ve changed my opinion on this so many times. As it sits I’m all in for keeping Hughes and Juolevi. Keeping Tanev and Edler. Trading as many of the following:
Hutton
Stetcher
Pouliot
MDZ
Gudbranson
Biega
Sautner.

Sign FA to fill the void.

[Carl Yagro]

I really think Benning wants to have both EP & Hughes on the team this season and would be willing to make the moves to accommodate. Lord knows he should be making a few moves regardless to clear the jam of bodies.

It's whether Green wants those moves to be made.

[Cherry Picker]

The kid can do it. The grit we added will stop most of the liberties, particularly that asshole Roussel. See what a good asshole can do for a team. You become the targeter instead of the targetee. I’d sign Hughes and move out a couple of Hutton, MDZ, Biega and Pouliot, and keep a couple as 7th and 8th Dmen.

Tanev Hughes
Gudbranson Edler
Stecher Sautner
7th 8th

Calling up Juolevi when injuries occur.

[Cousin Strawberry]

My canucks defense doesnt include Troy Stretcher. You can get away with one undersized d if he is exceptional at skating and moving the puck but tiny troy is neither fast nor exceptional at much.

Topper had him pegged about a week in and he was bang on

[Cherry Picker]

Not many better choices than Stetcher for a sixth D. Pouliot isn’t as fast. Biega gets overwhelmed. MDZ and Hutton play the other side, no better than Stetcher on the right side. Until Woo is ready or Tryamkin returns, I don’t see a better choice on the right side. I think that’s why so many of us were hoping for Dobson to get drafted.

[Strangelove]

The kid can do it. The grit we added will stop most of the liberties, particularly that asshole Roussel. See what a good asshole can do for a team. You become the targeter instead of the targetee.

Yeah among other things, these new guys know how to make opponents understand that if they target our skill guys we'll target theirs.

[Mickey107]

If Hughes wants assurances of NO MINORS, I don't blame him. It's not arrogance, it's smart!

Every time I say this, I get dumped on,
The minors is an ugly place to be and to be avoided. Not great for development either.
Of course most players tow the company line and don't say it.
Once you've been around long enough and have the one-way contract, stints are easier to stomach and I don't
think anyone has a problem being there to rehab.
Players know when they're border-line good enough so those types are perfectly willing to go up and down.

You are never going to see the days going back to the team developing almost all players in the AHL
like Burrows, Bieksa, Kesler, etc.

[Island Nucklehead]

I’m not sold on Juolevi being ready for the NHL just yet. Especially coming off surgery. If the team is going to roll with 8 dmen, it will be difficult to have two play sheltered minutes (would likely leave them alternating in the press box). For a dynamic offensive player like Hughes, having him for 3-4 minutes on the PP/night (plyua 8-10 EV) would probably benefit the team and player. For an all-round dman like Juolevi, we may want him eating minutes in Utica.

I’m not sure Biega, Sautner, or Stetcher have any value on the trade market (every team has players like this and many will be on waivers throughout camp).