The Rebuild...

[Strangelove]

There will be value for players. If Elmer fucks the dog again there will be a lynch mob and I think ownership will be leading the charge

Can't trade players with NTCs on TDD... if they don't want to be traded.

Not that "lynch mobs" have ever been known to listen to reason...

[Blob Mckenzie]

There will be value for players. If Elmer fucks the dog again there will be a lynch mob and I think ownership will be leading the charge

Can't trade players with NTCs on TDD... if they don't want to be traded.

Not that "lynch mobs" have ever been known to listen to reason...

I'm pretty sure Burrows would welcome a move to a contender. Anaheim and Montreal have been heavily scouting the Canucks. Hansen , not too sure but a move to a contender may help him sign a bigger deal next July. He might really like to play in the post season again. If he stays here he will have been out of the playoffs four out of five years. That can be kinda depressing for a player.

Sbisa or Gudbranson don't have any NTC and have no say in a move. Teams always covet defencemen at the deadline. If Hansen won't move , protect him and take the best offer for either Baertschi or Granlund.

I'm sure you are already thinking up excuses for Elmer if he coils the sheets once again.

[Hockey Widow]

Unfortunately, and not slagging Juolevi, the past draft was our golden opportunity. Not getting a top three, or better a top two pick, really set the rebuild back. Having Matthews or Laine would be huge for us right now.

Picks 3-6 to me were a toss up and picking 5 Benning needed to select BPA. Only time will tell if he did that, like 4-5 years.

As has been pointed out repeatedly this years' draft is a crap shoot. Most likely anyone we pick will need 2-3 years to develop.

Next year we can only hope

1) Virtanen shows up at camp determined to show he is an NHL player

2) Boeser turns pro and makes the team out of camp showing he has the scoring skill that we need in the top six. Speaking of Boeser, keep an eye on UND and the Frozen Four. If they are not primed to go to the final four look for him to sign with the Canucks to burn a year off his ELC.

3) Markstrom is ready, in the absence of Miller returning, for prime time number one job.


Juolevi I think will go back to junior unless we trade/ lose at least two of our top six on D. If we trade say Hutton for up front help and lose Sbisa, or trade him, then we have a spot for Juolevi. If the Canucks want him on the team next year, and I am hearing that are drawing up scenarios in their planning meetings where this happens, then I think we see a few pieces moved out to try and land a dynamic proven top six. But these are just planning scenarios, brainstorming ideas they are tossing around. It could also lead to trades closer to or at the draft.

There is a strong feeling that even if he is not 100% ready for the NHL his development would be better served as the 7-8 Dman where they get get him working on off ice training as well as play him sheltered minutes. Much the same as the plans they tried to initiate with McCann and Virtanen, which we know didn't work out due to so many injuries and they were forced to play both of them more than they wanted. So there is a real fear that due the the number of D injuries we face each year, if he is not 100% ready, he could be forced into playing more than they want him to. I know some will be tempted to use Hutton, Stetcher and Trymakin as comparables and say well they were forced into playing more minutes than planned but they are older, by several years than Juolevi. Utica is not an option next year.

The expansion draft, while an issue, is also a red herring. We will lose one player but not a franchise player. Benning needs to manage that situation but not at the expense of giving anything to Vegas to protect a player, like a draft pick for not picking player "x". We lose who we lose. His TDD options may be a little more limited for trading players who need to be protected and have term, like Hansen and Sbisa. But he should look to move out any and all UFAs and RFAs they don't intend to keep moving forward. Take what you can get for Burrows and Miller too if there is a market.

If there is a decent market for Hansen and Sbisa look at dealing them. Whereas I would dump UFAs for anything, those two I would not just dump for scraps.

We all know goaltending and D are coming along nicely but still works in progress. Up front is where we need some good fortune. Maybe some of the answer is already in the system, Dude did a nice work up a little while ago of the progress of our prospects. So maybe we catch some good fortune in our system. No matter who we draft this year we won't have immediate help up front. That's time out, down the road. Trading for some top six help is still our best option for an immediate infusion of help. With the way our D has developed, and with Juolevi on the horizon, this off season is the time to strike. I say off-season because whoever we trade for creates more challenges on our protection list. Get the expansion draft over with them make a move.

But to answer some, next year will be much like this year. There is no quick fix and no sense straying from the transition plan that we are three years into. Changing course will set us back even further. Whether it was the right approach or not is now moot. We are deep into it and Benning has to stay the course, keep cleaning house and keep developing from within. His judgement will come when the twins contract is up and ownership assess the state of the franchise. Are we still "transitioning" or have we broken through and beginning to rise in the rankings? If it is assessed that he has humped the pooch he will be gone. But if it appears we have turned the corner and are back to being in the playoff talk in a genuine way, he'll get to finish the job.

[Hockey Widow]

There will be value for players. If Elmer fucks the dog again there will be a lynch mob and I think ownership will be leading the charge

Can't trade players with NTCs on TDD... if they don't want to be traded.

Not that "lynch mobs" have ever been known to listen to reason...

I'm pretty sure Burrows would welcome a move to a contender. Anaheim and Montreal have been heavily scouting the Canucks. Hansen , not too sure but a move to a contender may help him sign a bigger deal next July. He might really like to play in the post season again. If he stays here he will have been out of the playoffs four out of five years. That can be kinda depressing for a player.

Sbisa or Gudbranson don't have any NTC and have no say in a move. Teams always covet defencemen at the deadline. If Hansen won't move , protect him and take the best offer for either Baertschi or Granlund.

I'm sure you are already thinking up excuses for Elmer if he coils the sheets once again.

Blob you are right. Burrows would welcome a chance to play for a contender. Add the NYR to your list. I think Burrows does get moved. He won't be like Hamhuis, waiting until the last minute with a list of one. He won't play games like Vrbata and provide a list of teams he knows won't want him. He will have a short list of teams he will consider waiving for.

Hansen I'm not too sure about. I think if asked and he likes the team and sees a future there for he and his family he will consider it. But no matter where Hansen is, he is subject to being left unprotected. Vegas may well be in his future!

I don't have a problem trading one of Baertschi or Granlund for a fair return in order to protect Hansen. As you said in another post, Hansen may be more valuable next TDD.

But it's on D I want to see a move. I still think moving Sbisa before expansion then Hutton after makes the most sense, if you think Juolevi is ready.

[SKYO]

Well everyone said they will analyze the team AFTER this road trip and now that it's done with, the team has crawled along, the Sedins look tired and overwhelmed, defense showing their youthful age, lack of chemistry and game breakers showing their warts.

Should be clear what needs to be done and that is doing the tough task of asking some of the players to waive their NTC's and list their teams they'd accept a trade to. (I believe none of the players have been asked that yet).

The notorious 4 - Burrows, Hansen, Miller, Sbisa all available for picks/prospects and hey even Skille for a 7th could be done.

A big trade for one of our other dmen could be done as well if the offer is right.

[SKYO]

Doing some mockups of the roster for future lineups, mr Eriksson always seems to be the odd man out, and I was wondering why, so looking deeper into this and where he's been successful before it's become quite apparent he really needs a setup guy to work with, he played his best with Brad Richards and David Krejci, both guys are superb passers and creative setup men, work horse pivots who have Tom Brady vision of the ice, they can slow the pace down to their level of play, true generals of center ice.

Looking at who we got:

Sedins due to their slow smaller stature selves, do their best with a grinder to do the dirty work, crash bangers who can pop in passes by them around the net.


Sutter a 2nd b/3rd line center (good defensively, faceoff right shot and decent speed, no passing creativity).


Horvat is a good north/west player ala Ryan Kesler type but with some dangles and slightly above average passing, so he doesn't really fit the criteria of working with Eriksson who like I said above does best with a creative passer/setup guy, which Horvat really isn't, neither does Sutter or Hank (due to the Sedins working well with crash/bangers more).


So if you really want Eriksson to work out the team needs to find a creative passer/setup guy who has Adam Oates skills.

2010-2011 With James Neal, Richards and Eriksson have been the Stars' top offensive line for the past two seasons plus. That's a combination that has some comparing their chemistry to best duos in the league.

``[Eriksson] is a great player, and we have just learned to play well together,'' Richards said. ``For some reason, it works on the ice and we've become good friends. This year, he's really found his shot and we just keep feeding him.''

Eriksson said. ``I've been playing with him for two years, and it has worked out well. When you give it to him, you try to get open and get some space, because you know he will give it back.''

Crawford said Eriksson has done a great job of learning from Richards.

``Loui is really an intelligent, smart player, and he's underrated maybe because he's like a lot of the Swedish players who push off any notoriety and are very team oriented,'' Crawford said. ``We're really pleased to have him here, and he also recognizes the situation. He's playing with a great giving centerman, and not only in puck distribution. Brad is phenomenal in sharing information and schooling both of the young wingers that he's playing with.''

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas- ... re-rocking

Neal - Richards - Eriksson
Lucic - Krejci - Eriksson
The classic lines - big guy LW - playmaker center - scoring winger

And everyone knows how good Krejci is at passing, so that is why Eriksson isn't thriving here currently, he's the classic winger, does best with a natural playmaking centerman whom we don't have, unless Henrik is split up with Daniel (but stubborn ol' willie won't do that)

Big LW - Henrik - Eriksson

Gaunce could be the future grinding winger, he has the hard work, reliable play, proper attitude and good analytics to boot.

[Hockey Widow]

Count me in to split the twins, at least half the games here on out. The guys play very well together but they are predictable and always look to each other first. Hank had his best scoring year when Dan was injured. He also shoots more when not playing with Dan. Finally, he uses all his ice mates more effectively, efffieciently and distributes the puck more based on situation, when Dan is not on his line. He is a dynamic play make, superb passer and has himself a great shot.

So Hank with Erickson as his go to score. That leaves Virtanen, Skille or Dorsett to be the big winger wrecking havoc. Virtanen is next year and Dorsett is done for the year. That leaves, maybe Gaunce back on wing. But it also could be Hanson or Burrows. Point we have options to test this year.

Dan the become the sniper on the second line with Horvat and Burrows.

That leaves Sutter, Granlund and Baertschi.


Can't hurt to do a major major line reshuffle and see what happens.

I know it's not over until we are mathematically eliminated but we need a major line up reshuffle.

Get Cassells up here to work the 4th line and give him a half seasonlook.

[Mickey107]

If they're willing to put out the effort, and I hope they would be professional enough to, splitting the Sedins can be nothing but a good thing.
Options we don't even know we may have.
Harder for opposition coaches to line match.
Fresh new chemistries with other players.
Sedins wouldn't be tired at the same time, and would probably improve their line changing, (their Achilles Heel).
Finally get some real on-ice mentoring.
Just to name a few things...

[SKYO]

Count me in to split the twins..

So Hank with Erickson as his go to score..

That leaves, maybe Gaunce back on wing. But it also could be Hanson or Burrows. Point we have options to test this year.

Dan the become the sniper on the second line with Horvat and Burrows.

That leaves Sutter, Granlund and Baertschi.

Can't hurt to do a major major line reshuffle and see what happens.

The last move a coach can do -

Hansen - Hank - Eriksson
Daniel - Horvat - Burrows
Boucher/Baertschi - Sutter - Granlund

At least then we've explored all options with the current players, no excuses and if that doesn't work, time to sell the vets for picks.

Nashville needs a 2nd line blockbuster - Sedins 50% + Hutton (expansion draft protected) for Wilson, Ekholm & 1st.
We then need to deal Tanev for a forward.

[Strangelove]

There will be value for players. If Elmer fucks the dog again there will be a lynch mob and I think ownership will be leading the charge

Can't trade players with NTCs on TDD... if they don't want to be traded.

Not that "lynch mobs" have ever been known to listen to reason...

I'm pretty sure Burrows would welcome a move to a contender. Anaheim and Montreal have been heavily scouting the Canucks. Hansen , not too sure but a move to a contender may help him sign a bigger deal next July. He might really like to play in the post season again. If he stays here he will have been out of the playoffs four out of five years. That can be kinda depressing for a player.

Sbisa or Gudbranson don't have any NTC and have no say in a move. Teams always covet defencemen at the deadline. If Hansen won't move , protect him and take the best offer for either Baertschi or Granlund.

I'm sure you are already thinking up excuses for Elmer if he coils the sheets once again.

I was referring to your "Elmer fucks the dog again" comment.

(as in Hamhuis/Vrbata)

And I see you're still at it with "coils the sheets once again"

So let's try this again.

Can't trade players with NTCs on TDD... if they don't want to be traded.

Not that "lynch mobs" have ever been known to listen to reason...

[Blob Mckenzie]

Lol I look forward to your spin

Doctor

[Blob Mckenzie]

The red letters are catchy. Are they supposed to prove a point ?

[Hockey Widow]

Lol I look forward to your spin

Doctor

Blob seriously what do you think Benning could have or should have done differently with respect to Vrbata and Hamhuis?

Vrbata gave a required list of teams he would waive for. Benning tried all of them, more than once. Never got an offer. Is there anything more he could have done that I'm missing?

Hamhuis eventually, a few days before TDD gave a list of one, maybe two depending upon what media reports are accurate. Chicago went with Ladd. Dallas went with Russell. Benning never got offers from either team until the last hour and Dallas offered up a 6th. Other teams expressed interest but Hamhuis declined to consider. Would you have been ok with a 6th rounder at that point? Or is there something I'm missing here as well.

Not trying to be a jerk I'm just interested in what you think should have/could have been done differently and by that logic can be applied by Benning this year.

[SKYO]

I guess the only option for hamhuis/vrbata imo was to not wait till last minute to try to trade those guys?

Didn't help Vrbata decided to play like trash cause he couldn't get to play with 1st line minutes.

And Hamhuis took his sweet ol' time deciding which team to accept to.

So yeah JB should be talking to other teams right now while simultaneously talking to Burrows, Hansen and Miller's agents.
And I'm leaning on keeping Hansen if we can't get a 1st rounder at least or a 2nd + B grade prospect or a great prospect.

Sbisa can be traded anywhere, it's if JB wants to move him so as we don't lose him possibly for nothing at expansion draft. Exp draft throws a big wrench into the plans, but with mass movement and a cluster fuck of possibilities, it's opens up a chance at breaking out some deals finally in this non-trade world.

[Mickey107]

Yeah, Vrbata's uninspired play wrecked that one.
Hamhuis, well, I really don't know how long the chats were going on, but I will say this FOR SURE!
Radio 1040 is the official voice of the Canucks and it was in really poor taste to be interviewing him as this was going down, but more than that, Dan should not have gave those interviews, they just made all the locals pick sides and made it uglier.
Sure! Everyone always wants to know but this stuff, IMO, should be kept behind closed doors, at least till it's over, No?