Canucks Contracts

[Tciso]

This is not anissue. It is a doldrums of "summer" drivel to take up space in the column. I do with the best for Sven though

[UWSaint]

This is not anissue. It is a doldrums of "summer" drivel to take up space in the column. I do with the best for Sven though

These vet-with-a-chance-at-redemption or prospect-looking-great! articles write themselves, don't they.

Baertschi's production last season adjusted-to-the-NHL was very similar to what he had been doing on a point per game basis. Its not bad, and if the defensive game is better than a liability, its certainly NHL-worthy production. I thought that he got a little bit screwed last year; to me, he didn't look bad in the preseason games, he seemed to click a bit with Gaudette, and I found Baertchi's replacement (Leivo) to be a play killer. Even if there wasn't a top 6 spot for Sven, I thought there was room. The formula of top 6, checking/shut down, energy, is not the only way to build a group. Nor is it, in my view, an ideal to aim for -- its something you use if that's the personnel you have. Imagine Sven playing like a 15-20G 30A player on Gaudette's wing. It would be the end of the-role-of-the-bottom-six-is-to-let-Pettersson-and-Horvat-rest approach.

I know that many observed that Baertschi seemed to be playing overly cautiously, but there are many players that if you watch for that, you will find that. And with Sven's history, we were all watching for that -- and no surprise, we found some confirmation. But step out of the micro-tracking of every Baertschi move and into the macro -- is the team better with post-concussions Baertschi or without him. I don't know the answer to that question now, but I am not ruling out that the answer might very well be "its a better team with him in the lineup." Unlike Ferland -- whose concussion problems appear more severe -- Baerstchi got to his level (which was a decent NHL player) without the need to be involved physically. He doesn't need to change his game to play with the same level of effectiveness. He just needs to keep his head up (though there's little you can do about a leaping check from behind that makes first contact with the head....).

Bottom line ... this is a canned article. And we always see this story. But this time, I think it is objectively the case that Sven should get a close look.

[Topper]

Sven as a bubble call up may be a role for him. In Utica, Vancouver gains ~$1M cap relief. Is signing a cheap vet looking for a job a better option? That depends on what is on the market shelves. the stiffer competition he face is from a developing rookie. Are the Canuck's resources better utilized on a young talent sticking with the club.

Either way, it bring competition to camp and competition for spots is good to have as long as the decision does not drag.

Personally, I'd rather see McEwan.

It was Benning who noted chia pet's apprehension when he was demoted last year.

[Strangelove]

Put this here because it could become an issue.

This is not an issue.

Agreed, Micky, why do you consider this an issue?

[Mickey107]

Put this here because it could become an issue.

This is not an issue.

Agreed, Micky, why do you consider this an issue?

It is if Green decides he wants him with the parent club. Francesco may raise an eyebrow. Every little bit right now, mm?
It's not inconceivable.

[Strangelove]

Put this here because it could become an issue.

This is not an issue.

Agreed, Micky, why do you consider this an issue?

It is if Green decides he wants him with the parent club. Francesco may raise an eyebrow. Every little bit right now, mm?
It's not inconceivable.

What the hell are you talking about Micky?

[rats19]

Put this here because it could become an issue.

This is not an issue.

Agreed, Micky, why do you consider this an issue?

It is if Green decides he wants him with the parent club. Francesco may raise an eyebrow. Every little bit right now, mm?
It's not inconceivable.

What the hell are you talking about Micky?

Maybe the 1 mill saved when he is in Utica?

[Strangelove]

Put this here because it could become an issue.

This is not an issue.

Agreed, Micky, why do you consider this an issue?

It is if Green decides he wants him with the parent club. Francesco may raise an eyebrow. Every little bit right now, mm?
It's not inconceivable.

What the hell are you talking about Micky?

Maybe the 1 mill saved when he is in Utica?

Ratski, are you trying to think like Micky?

Don't play with your brain like that... it may stay that way!



But seriously now folks...

It doesn't much matter financially if Baer makes the team or not.

If we bury him in Utica, the cap hit is $3.37M... minus $1.075M... plus ~ $0.9M-ish replacement player.

And no matter where Sven plays, he gets every penny of the $2.4M in real dollars due him this season.

[UWSaint]

Sven as a bubble call up may be a role for him. In Utica, Vancouver gains ~$1M cap relief. Is signing a cheap vet looking for a job a better option? That depends on what is on the market shelves. the stiffer competition he face is from a developing rookie. Are the Canuck's resources better utilized on a young talent sticking with the club.

(1) If young talent is at or close to Baertschi's add, the club is better going with young talent.
(2) Assuming the cheap vet is approx. $1M, its a salary cap wash. If equal to Baer in the preseason competition, I'd rather see Baer. Replacing mediocrity with mediocrity with no cap difference is a waste.
(3) There are different forms of mediocrity. Zach MacEwan is one form. What he brings to the team is different than Baerstchi. For many, its something that they want to see, the kind of lay-it-all-out-there heart that results in big loud noises on the board the occasional goal-by-sheer-will, and a core skill level that results in an unfortunately high percentage of turnovers for failure to corral passes that NHL players handle. That sounds critical, especially for posters who track my relative disinterest in loud noises for the sake of making loud noises and my appreciation for clever players. But I'd probably rather see Zach earn the spot, too. Because there is potentially room to grow a bit more (the reason for (1) above).
(4) There's lots of wisdom to using the bubble "practice squad" to include no-longer-prospect tweeners. Lets the true prospects play in the AHL if they can't earn a lineup spot.

[Todd Bersnoozi]

Ben Kuzma: Can Sven Baertschi get it right winging it to fill Canucks’ big roster hole?

I have never been much of a Baercheese fan, but I was thinking before, since we're paying him anyways and if he earns a spot, might as well play him here. Put him with Petey+Miller, see if he can get going a bit and get his value up, then get just rid of him (pump + dump).

Bailey signed...

One year deal: $750K at the NHL level, $225K at the AHL level.

After we get rid of Baercheese, I wouldn't mind giving this guy a look as I'm quite intrigued by him. Maybe Bailey can be a guy who can throw his weight around and score the odd goal here and there.

[Madcombinepilot]

Ben Kuzma: Can Sven Baertschi get it right winging it to fill Canucks’ big roster hole?

I have never been much of a Baercheese fan, but I was thinking before, since we're paying him anyways and if he earns a spot, might as well play him here. Put him with Petey+Miller, see if he can get going a bit and get his value up, then get just rid of him (pump + dump).

Bailey signed...

One year deal: $750K at the NHL level, $225K at the AHL level.

After we get rid of Baercheese, I wouldn't mind giving this guy a look as I'm quite intrigued by him. Maybe Bailey can be a guy who can throw his weight around and score the odd goal here and there.

meh.. Bailey is the kind of tweener that either earns it at camp, or does not make it. With the team depth we have developed, "giving a guy a look" should not happen. If he earns it at camp, and there is no room for new prospects in the lineup, they get sent down and wait for their opportunity. No gifts for anyone. If he out plays a vet at camp, the vet is sent down (Baertschi).

[Todd Bersnoozi]

meh.. Bailey is the kind of tweener that either earns it at camp, or does not make it. With the team depth we have developed, "giving a guy a look" should not happen. If he earns it at camp, and there is no room for new prospects in the lineup, they get sent down and wait for their opportunity. No gifts for anyone. If he out plays a vet at camp, the vet is sent down (Baertschi).

U never know with injuries. They say with the condensed schedule, there will be injuries, so u need the depth. Maybe Bailey's a guy who can step in and help out up front when one of the regulars goes down. We also lost a couple of forwards (Leivo, Toffoli) and who knows with Ferland, so there might be a spot available. That's why there's the talk of a possible return of Bearcheese.

[Madcombinepilot]

meh.. Bailey is the kind of tweener that either earns it at camp, or does not make it. With the team depth we have developed, "giving a guy a look" should not happen. If he earns it at camp, and there is no room for new prospects in the lineup, they get sent down and wait for their opportunity. No gifts for anyone. If he out plays a vet at camp, the vet is sent down (Baertschi).

U never know with injuries. They say with the condensed schedule, there will be injuries, so u need the depth. Maybe Bailey's a guy who can step in and help out up front when one of the regulars goes down. We also lost a couple of forwards (Leivo, Toffoli) and who knows with Ferland, so there might be a spot available. That's why there's the talk of a possible return of Bearcheese.

I was commenting on giving a guy a look, and how that’s what training camp was for, not during games in a shortened season.

Depth for injuries is a different topic, but that’s part of what I meant when I said ‘wait for their opportunity’

[Hockey Widow]

Before Baertschi's concussion problems went full bloom he was an effective player for us and exciting to watch. He was learning to play away from the puck too. This extended time off for him will be very beneficial. If he can regain his confidence, lose his fear and be less intimidated out there I think he can have a productive year for us. Perhaps not in the way that would signal a new contract but one where we can at least get some production from him. I'm willing to give him a chance. His biggest problem when he returned was fear of getting hit.

[Richardstroker69]

Before Baertschi's concussion problems went full bloom he was an effective player for us and exciting to watch. He was learning to play away from the puck too. This extended time off for him will be very beneficial. If he can regain his confidence, lose his fear and be less intimidated out there I think he can have a productive year for us. Perhaps not in the way that would signal a new contract but one where we can at least get some production from him. I'm willing to give him a chance. His biggest problem when he returned was fear of getting hit.

If he can drive play like he used to and be responsible defensively he could be a decent option as a setup guy for gaudette and Jake/macewen. He had great chemistry with bo before the concussions and helped him a lot.