The Rebuild...

[Topper]

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

Hamhuis was playing poorly early in the season, git hurt and came back just before the trade deadline. Upon his return, he was playing better.

It was the surprising emergence of Hutton that made Hamhuis redundant and expendable.

[Topper]

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.

Gulp

[SKYO]

Yup hammer's injuries really affected that as well, glad Burrows, Hansen, Miller, Sbisa are relatively healthy. *knocks wood*

From here on out to the offseason game plan:

1) trade vets for picks

2) trade for a big top line LW.

3) re-sign RFA's

4) sign a key UFA from juniors/college/russia.

5) get a good new head coach, chicago blackhawks assistant coach Kevin Dineen whose been a good head coach at all levels, now has training with one of the best with Quenville.(sp)
Hitchcock wants to be in the west, give him a pro scout or assistant coach position.

[Hockey Widow]

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.

Right, and how would not waiting until the last minute change things, unless you mean last summer. Maybe during the summer they could have told Vrbata, you know we took you off the twins line for a reason. We doubt you will play there this season. We didn't like your playoff performance either. So we want to trade you this summer. Maybe Vrbata would have opened up his list? Maybe there would have been some interest?

Linden said over that summer that by Jan they wanted to have a clear understanding of where they were heading with respect to extending Hamhuis and Vrbata or moving on. And if they moved on, depending upon they were heading for the playoffs or not, would look at moving them, or at least asking Hamhuis in his case.

Vrbata was having a shitty sulky season and by Jan had little value. As pointed out, Hamhuis was having a slow start then got a major injury. He only got back just before the TDD. So in at least Hamhuis's case there was little if any earlier opportunity to try to move him. Then he only agreed to waive a few days, maybe a week before.

Benning has repeatedly said if he'd been offered what Calgary got for Russell he would have gladly snapped it up. And if you think Calgary would then have settled for the 6th think again, but they had other options, we did not.

We are lucky Garrison and Bieksa agreed to waive. At least we got a second for both. But our options for both were limited to a one team choice. Garrison three times said no to a move to St.Louis for I think Bergland (sp). Bieksa was more open and just asked for a contender but more so a team willing to give him a contract extension and NTC.

I was angry and disappointed last TDD that no one got moved. But once I calmed down and looked at the facts I realized there was very very little, if anything more Benning could have done, other than try to move both guys over the summer. And guess what? He tried to move Burrows over the summer and no takers. Although he claims he could have moved Miller.

And let's not forget Higgins who we could not give away. He even cleared waivers. But then again if Benning had traded him when he first got here, ie, earlier, maybe we could have got something.

I'm with Blob in that not everything Benning does is good but I think it only fair to cut him some slack when it comes to dealing with trade protection issues. I'm more interested in how he handles players who need to move on or should move on and don't have trade protection. We have a window of a couple of years with depth at D from which to try and make a hockey trade.

By the way, changing topics, I'm hearing the Canucks, in one scenario, are looking at what life would look like if, after the expansion draft, we re-sign Miller for a 2-3 year deal and move Markstrom at or near the draft. They do not want any scenario that sees Demko in Vancouver next season so in the above scenario would need to get a reliable back up to Miller. There is some thought that Markstrom could bring a decent return in the off season and they really see this as Demko's team in about 3 years. One more year in Utica and 2ish backing up Miller. No, not a trade rumour but earily similar to the Luo/Cory scenario. Perhaps just playing the what if game?

[SKYO]

By the way, changing topics, I'm hearing the Canucks, in one scenario, are looking at what life would look like if, after the expansion draft, we re-sign Miller for a 2-3 year deal and move Markstrom at or near the draft.

They do not want any scenario that sees Demko in Vancouver next season so in the above scenario would need to get a reliable back up to Miller. There is some thought that Markstrom could bring a decent return in the off season and they really see this as Demko's team in about 3 years.

One more year in Utica and 2ish backing up Miller. No, not a trade rumour but earily similar to the Luo/Cory scenario. Perhaps just playing the what if game?

If Markstrom + ___ in a deal is what is required to land us a big LW then I'm all for it, MillerTime at $5M per x 2 would be alright with a cheap backup, and then yeah Demko can develop another couple years, seems like a sound plan to me.

[Hockey Widow]

By the way, changing topics, I'm hearing the Canucks, in one scenario, are looking at what life would look like if, after the expansion draft, we re-sign Miller for a 2-3 year deal and move Markstrom at or near the draft.

They do not want any scenario that sees Demko in Vancouver next season so in the above scenario would need to get a reliable back up to Miller. There is some thought that Markstrom could bring a decent return in the off season and they really see this as Demko's team in about 3 years.

One more year in Utica and 2ish backing up Miller. No, not a trade rumour but earily similar to the Luo/Cory scenario. Perhaps just playing the what if game?

If Markstrom + ___ in a deal is what is required to land us a big LW then I'm all for it, MillerTime at $5M per x 2 would be alright with a cheap backup, and then yeah Demko can develop another couple years, seems like a sound plan to me.

I'm sorta on board. I think there would be a market for Markstrom similar to Talbot and Jones. And as you suggest if it's Markstrom plus, to a team that needs a number one, we could get a good trade fit. Of course it's predicated upon re-signing Miller for 2-3 years and getting a decent back up.

[Mickey107]

By the way, changing topics, I'm hearing the Canucks, in one scenario, are looking at what life would look like if, after the expansion draft, we re-sign Miller for a 2-3 year deal and move Markstrom at or near the draft.

They do not want any scenario that sees Demko in Vancouver next season so in the above scenario would need to get a reliable back up to Miller. There is some thought that Markstrom could bring a decent return in the off season and they really see this as Demko's team in about 3 years.

One more year in Utica and 2ish backing up Miller. No, not a trade rumour but earily similar to the Luo/Cory scenario. Perhaps just playing the what if game?

If Markstrom + ___ in a deal is what is required to land us a big LW then I'm all for it, MillerTime at $5M per x 2 would be alright with a cheap backup, and then yeah Demko can develop another couple years, seems like a sound plan to me.

There is a plethora of decent goalies around the hockey world. Ones that may even get better with some regular starts and a really good goalie coach around.
Not to mention, that whether he thinks so or not, Miller is a good mentor and from everything I've seen, a good guy in general.

[Meds]

I would have taken the 6th for Hamhuis.

The guy didn't want to move, was playing way under his cap hit, and was fully aware that he could return to Vancouver and sign as a free agent if the price was right.....and I would have been OK with Hamhuis as a mentor/leader here at a $2.5M cap hit for 4 years (and yeah he would have taken it if Benning gave him a full NMC). Instead he wanted to be picky, granted it was his right under contract.

So as a new GM coming in, who didn't give him the NTC, I would have said, "OK, you don't wanna help us out long-term, you're gonna move anyhow so I get something from you."

I'd be a prick of a GM. Hell, I would simply waive guys to the AHL if they wouldn't play ball on an expiring deal. Screw it, lose a guy to waivers? Who cares, once the playoffs are out of the picture and the deadline has passed all that matters is the draft position in June. Don't wanna move, guess what asshole, you're going to the AHL anyhow.

End rant.

[Hockey Widow]

I would have taken the 6th for Hamhuis.

The guy didn't want to move, was playing way under his cap hit, and was fully aware that he could return to Vancouver and sign as a free agent if the price was right.....and I would have been OK with Hamhuis as a mentor/leader here at a $2.5M cap hit for 4 years (and yeah he would have taken it if Benning gave him a full NMC). Instead he wanted to be picky, granted it was his right under contract.

So as a new GM coming in, who didn't give him the NTC, I would have said, "OK, you don't wanna help us out long-term, you're gonna move anyhow so I get something from you."

I'd be a prick of a GM. Hell, I would simply waive guys to the AHL if they wouldn't play ball on an expiring deal. Screw it, lose a guy to waivers? Who cares, once the playoffs are out of the picture and the deadline has passed all that matters is the draft position in June. Don't wanna move, guess what asshole, you're going to the AHL anyhow.

End rant.

And that misses the point of his value to Hutton and more so Trymakin. He took Trymakin under his wing and really helped him acclimatize. And you would have been one of the first tonscream bloody hell if all Benning got was a 6th.

[SKYO]

NHL Rumors: The Vancouver Canucks Have Some Tradeable Assets

http://mynhltraderumors.com/nhl-trade-d ... 017/02/18/

[Blob Mckenzie]

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.

Hamhuis was cleared to play 3 weeks before the deadline. At that point Elmer should have went to him and seen if he would waive. Instead he waited until a few days before the deadline to ask him. Vrabta should have been playing with the twins for the balance of the year. The coach set him up to fail similar to what he is doing to Loui this year. Take the coach aside and tell him to build up the asset. If he doesn't listen fire his ass.

If Elmer doesn't make a couple of deals to replenish the prospect cupboard this year this city's fans will revolt. Thankfully Frank Aquilini is aware of this.

[Hockey Widow]

I tend to agree that he has to make some deals to appease the fan base. And perhaps rightly so. It would be a shame to get nothing for some of our guys.

But if all he gets are 6th round picks I hope everyone is ok with it. As all fans we overvalue the trade value of a lot of our players.

[Island Nucklehead]

I tend to agree that he has to make some deals to appease the fan base. And perhaps rightly so. It would be a shame to get nothing for some of our guys.

But if all he gets are 6th round picks I hope everyone is ok with it. As all fans we overvalue the trade value of a lot of our players.

Yes to both.

Throughout last season lots of posters mentioned they couldn't let Hamhuis or Vrbata walk for nothing. Re-up them, or trade them, a team as desperate for prospects/youth can't allow pending UFA's to walk for nothing.

Vrbata's poor season and Hamhuis' injury only underscore the danger of waiting until the last minute to make a decision.

Now it's easy to excuse Benning's poor TDD last year, but it's certainly not genius-worthy to be blaming injuries and player performance for not getting anything done. More like, decidedly average.

And what value does Markstrom have? The market for goalies is flooded. The fact a bottom-feeder is thinking about re-upping Miller should tell us all we need to know.

[Hockey Widow]

Yes, the fact a bottom feeder is thinking about maybe re-signing Miller does tell us all we need to know.

1) they don't see Markstrom as our future number 1

2) they see Demko as our future number one

3) they see Miller as a better stop gap and then mentor to Demko when he does join the Canucks.

4) they see Miller as a better choice to keep us competitive.


But it's all speculation. It's only one scenario they are running through. They may have no choice if Miller isn't interested. And they may yet decide, no Markstrom can carry the load.

[Blob Mckenzie]

Markstrom has been pretty much equal to Miller this year. He has been played very sporadically so it's hard to get in a rhythm. When he did play regularly in December he looked good. Millers save pctg keeps going down the more he plays. One guy has a chance to improve. The other guy will be more expensive and has zero chance to improve. I know which guy I'd go with.