So are big guys like Chara, what's your point?
- 1970vintage

That's because there's just a lack of humans that big and actually play hockey, there's way more midgets that just never make it to the NHL because there other attributes aren't strong enough to overcome the size disadvantage.

Hansen>>Mueller
- Nucker101

Agree to disagree.....Hansen should be a 4th line guy.....

Agree to disagree.....Hansen should be a 4th line guy.....
- chompsey

How is Muller any better at anything outuside of shootouts?

Hansen's a way better defensive/possession player, and there goals and 1st assists rates at even strength are pretty similar over the past 3 seasons.


I'd bet my life on 30 out of 30 GM's picking Hansen over Mueller.

Also plays wing and is 26.....whats to lose? Sign him 1 year @ 1 million......trade Hansen.....
- chompsey

He is built for top 6 role though... I would rather have Hansen on the third line.... Doubt he would be much of an upgrade on Higgins... If he was ... why is he not signed.

He is built for top 6 role though... I would rather have Hansen on the third line.... Doubt he would be much of an upgrade on Higgins... If he was ... why is he not signed.
- SMP8719

In the AHL/KHL.

In the NHL he's a 4th liner you can play in soft minutes if your team really is desperate for offense.

He's "big" where it really counts.


(Sorry Carol)
- Nucker101

I find this particularly concerning coming from a guy with a naked man as his avatar...

Small d-men like Krug/Spurgeon etc who become quality NHL regulars are a long shot though.
- Nucker101

I think it's going to depend on the makeup of our D in a few years. If there is an opening for a small offensive D-man, then he and Forsling will battle for it. It really seems like we will be primarily a pretty big bunch in the back end if some of the recent D pickups (Tryamkin, Sbisa) are any indication

I think it's going to depend on the makeup of our D in a few years. If there is an opening for a small offensive D-man, then he and Forsling will battle for it. It really seems like we will be primarily a pretty big bunch in the back end if some of the recent D pickups (Tryamkin, Sbisa) are any indication
- bezz44

I guess it all really depends upon if the prospect can overcome the size difference playing against bigger players.

Mike Weaver isn't the most offensive dman, but he is listed as only 5'10", plays steady and continues to find teams willing to give him a chance.

Sometimes it is the right player at the right time/situation, but I'd like to think that most of these players would find jobs on most teams if they are able to make the Canucks.

I guess it all really depends upon if the prospect can overcome the size difference playing against bigger players.

Mike Weaver isn't the most offensive dman, but he is listed as only 5'10", plays steady and continues to find teams willing to give him a chance.

Sometimes it is the right player at the right time/situation, but I'd like to think that most of these players would find jobs on most teams if they are able to make the Canucks.
- hillbillydeluxe

I just think that you can justify having a 5'9 D man on your roster a whole lot easier if you've got some size on your back end. If you have 5 Chris Tanevs on your roster then your 6th guy had better be a Tryamkin, not a Jordan Subban

I just think that you can justify having a 5'9 D man on your roster a whole lot easier if you've got some size on your back end. If you have 5 Chris Tanevs on your roster then your 6th guy had better be a Tryamkin, not a Jordan Subban
- bezz44

Would all 5 hold out for more money?
Size doesn't matter if you can play
Bobby Orr 5'11"
Paul Coffey 6'0"
Scott Niedermayer 6'1"

5'9" at 19 yrs old doesn't concern me right now, PK is only 6'.

How is Muller any better at anything outuside of shootouts?

Hansen's a way better defensive/possession player, and there goals and 1st assists rates at even strength are pretty similar over the past 3 seasons.


I'd bet my life on 30 out of 30 GM's picking Hansen over Mueller.
- Nucker101

Hansen does everything well but nothing spectacularly well (except when he rips a slapshot on a shorthanded breakaway Just like Burrows (or rather similar to Burrows) he means more to the team than just numbers. A great utility player. Mueller, on the other hand, shows moments of brilliant but these are few and far between. He's just never lived up to the hype.

I agree with your sentiment as concerns every GM picking Hansen over the latter.

Would all 5 hold out for more money?
Size doesn't matter if you can play
Bobby Orr 5'11"
Paul Coffey 6'0"
Scott Niedermayer 6'1"

5'9" at 19 yrs old doesn't concern me right now, PK is only 6'.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I know it's a bit of a different skill-set but take a look at what Ennis (who is a very liberal 5'9 and 170 pounds soaking wet) just signed for five years $23 million dollars. The dinosaur theory that small guys can't play is becoming just that - an extinct philosophy. If a player has the skills and has proven he can take the grind of the NHL, he should be treated no differently than any other player.

Which brings us back to Subban. First of all, he's still growing, has good bloodlines, and most importantly, is continuing to progress. At 19 there shoudn't be any worry about size, but focus on skills and talent.

Small d-men like Krug/Spurgeon etc who become quality NHL regulars are a long shot though.
- Nucker101

Any 4th round pick is a longshot.

I know it's a bit of a different skill-set but take a look at what Ennis (who is a very liberal 5'9 and 170 pounds soaking wet) just signed for five years $23 million dollars. The dinosaur theory that small guys can't play is becoming just that - an extinct philosophy. If a player has the skills and has proven he can take the grind of the NHL, he should be treated no differently than any other player.

Which brings us back to Subban. First of all, he's still growing, has good bloodlines, and most importantly, is continuing to progress. At 19 there shoudn't be any worry about size, but focus on skills and talent.
- Zogg

From what I seen of his play so far he is an upgrade on Diaz or Weber

I'm looking forward to seeing Virtanen play. Hopefully he'll be brought up for a game or 2 late in the season.

What do you guys think of the Sanguinetti trade? What was the purpose of that? Is he our new Alberts?

What do you guys think of the Sanguinetti trade? What was the purpose of that? Is he our new Alberts?
- VANTEL

He was a UFA signing, AHL move.

Happy Friday, I walked 3 rounds of golf today. I should have drank more water on the course but instead downed a 6 pack in about 40 minutes once I got home.

Would all 5 hold out for more money?
Size doesn't matter if you can play
Bobby Orr 5'11"
Paul Coffey 6'0"
Scott Niedermayer 6'1"

5'9" at 19 yrs old doesn't concern me right now, PK is only 6'.
- A_SteamingLombardi

The shortest guy you listed has two inches on him. And I'm not arguing against it, I think height is not representative of anything to be honest, other than sheer potential as far as bulk goes, though a person's genetics factor into that and a 6'2 guy may end up weaker than a 5'9 one. What I am saying is that coaches and GMs seem hesitant to give these smaller players a chance, so he has a better shot of cracking the lineup if there is some size there already

Happy Friday, I walked 3 rounds of golf today. I should have drank more water on the course but instead downed a 6 pack in about 40 minutes once I got home.
- golfingsince

The shortest guy you listed has two inches on him. And I'm not arguing against it, I think height is not representative of anything to be honest, other than sheer potential as far as bulk goes, though a person's genetics factor into that and a 6'2 guy may end up weaker than a 5'9 one. What I am saying is that coaches and GMs seem hesitant to give these smaller players a chance, so he has a better shot of cracking the lineup if there is some size there already
- bezz44

Ryan Ellis is also a pretty serviceable dman who is short in stature.

Ryan Ellis is also a pretty serviceable dman who is short in stature.
- PetrolSexual

As I said, I'm not arguing that short defencemen suck...

The shortest guy you listed has two inches on him. And I'm not arguing against it, I think height is not representative of anything to be honest, other than sheer potential as far as bulk goes, though a person's genetics factor into that and a 6'2 guy may end up weaker than a 5'9 one. What I am saying is that coaches and GMs seem hesitant to give these smaller players a chance, so he has a better shot of cracking the lineup if there is some size there already
- bezz44

So you're saying 2 inches is a lot?

As I said, I'm not arguing that short defencemen suck...
- bezz44

Just that it is nice if they are in or an opportunity to play in a defense lineup that doesn't lack size.

So you're saying 2 inches is a lot?
- Scooby_Doo