I like drafter Jim much better than trader Jim
- LeftCoaster

Amen brother!

I agree, I dont want things to be gifted but there is only so much icetime available in a game and whoever rides with the twins is going to get a lot of it. The team is a sitting duck right now in my view, even if you keep Hansen it wont make the playoffs, and if you trade him you wont either. Expanding the roles and opportunities to play with scorers would probably help a guy like JV tremendously. With Hansen around, he probably continues to learn the grinding role with Dorsett

I also completely forgot about Sutter, so even if Hansen is moved, he probably moves into that spot
- WhiteLie

I've never coached hockey before and no sports at a high level so I can't exactly speak from experience but I don't think placing Virtanan in a position rack up some points is actually helping him develop.

I think putting him in the AHL with McCann and saying you guys are the faces of this franchise (Utica), you are going to get lots of responsibility, prove you can handle it here and we will bring you up the bigs. If that takes 3 months, awesome, if it takes 2 seasons, that's okay as well. Then you can look at giving them positions to succeed.

But putting him on the top line or the 4th line doesn't do him any favors at this point IMO. Horvat is a very unique player and I don't think either JV or JM are at this point on the same level as him.

Just finished back reading.

Speaking of Messier, it's interesting that his NHL executive career didn't even get off the ground. Most of the major talent from that era have found positions in pro hockey. Amazing it didn't happen for Mess.

At least he will always have potato chips.

Just finished back reading.

Speaking of Messier, it's interesting that his NHL executive career didn't even get off the ground. Most of the major talent from that era have found positions in pro hockey. Amazing it didn't happen for Mess.

At least he will always have potato chips.
- bloatedmosquito

Potvin: that fecker Messier licking his greasy fingers....

If you could trade Hansen for a pick or prospect, aren't you further ahead? JV plays big minutes in Utica and develops.

Sign a UFA to a short contract and still compete for a playoff spot?

Might have to overpay for the short contract, but isn't that like, as they say, paying for a prostitute, you aren't necessarily paying for the sex as much as you are paying them to leave after?
- hillbillydeluxe

As much as I like the idea, I can't see (pending an awful training camp) JV going to Utica next season. He has the NHL body and like Horvat's rookie year started to improve as the season went on. McCann might be the only one going down and I still see that as a longshot (partially because I dont see Aquaman allowing it). If WD is correct about the winning vs development thing, those guys will be the indicators

I do agree though that if you can move Hansen for a pick or a prospect, overpay a free agent to come fill a role. There are guys like the ones the Leafs have been picking up the past few seasons who are looking for those one or two year "show me" contracts who can bring up that competition level

Just finished back reading.

Speaking of Messier, it's interesting that his NHL executive career didn't even get off the ground. Most of the major talent from that era have found positions in pro hockey. Amazing it didn't happen for Mess.

At least he will always have potato chips.
- bloatedmosquito

And the Leadership Award every offseason

I've never coached hockey before and no sports at a high level so I can't exactly speak from experience but I don't think placing Virtanan in a position rack up some points is actually helping him develop.

I think putting him in the AHL with McCann and saying you guys are the faces of this franchise (Utica), you are going to get lots of responsibility, prove you can handle it here and we will bring you up the bigs. If that takes 3 months, awesome, if it takes 2 seasons, that's okay as well. Then you can look at giving them positions to succeed.

But putting him on the top line or the 4th line doesn't do him any favors at this point IMO. Horvat is a very unique player and I don't think either JV or JM are at this point on the same level as him.
- belcherbd

I dont disagree with your assessment about giving them Utica as their team and develop there. Detroit does it, and it definitely benefited a lot of current NHL stars when the league lost an entire season to the lockout. But I think the Sedins are very smart and thats why they are successful. They are always talking in-game about plays and opportunities. If a young guy like JV or Etem is involved in those discussions as the third member, I think thats very beneficial. The twins see the game a little differently and they are honest in their assessments and limitations, those I feel are important for a young player to figure out because in Jr's they can just over power or blow by opponents when plays dont work out, that wont cut it in the NHL

I wont be disappointed or concerned if they start the season in Utica, but I think moving Hansen before he declines is the best way to bring in additional assets and clear an opportunity if a young player proves himself in training camp

I dont disagree with your assessment about giving them Utica as their team and develop there. Detroit does it, and it definitely benefited a lot of current NHL stars when the league lost an entire season to the lockout. But I think the Sedins are very smart and thats why they are successful. They are always talking in-game about plays and opportunities. If a young guy like JV or Etem is involved in those discussions as the third member, I think thats very beneficial. The twins see the game a little differently and they are honest in their assessments and limitations, those I feel are important for a young player to figure out because in Jr's they can just over power or blow by opponents when plays dont work out, that wont cut it in the NHL

I wont be disappointed or concerned if they start the season in Utica, but I think moving Hansen before he declines is the best way to bring in additional assets and clear an opportunity if a young player proves himself in training camp
- WhiteLie

Fair enough, and I have no problem if Etem, Granlund, Vey, Gaunce etc get time with the sedins at this point of their development because they have already gone through the AHL experience.

I still think Hansen helps those other player mentioned develop in a limited role and that has more value than a B prospect or weak draft pick. If we can get a first or a young promising NHL player then I'm all for it.

As much as I like the idea, I can't see (pending an awful training camp) JV going to Utica next season. He has the NHL body and like Horvat's rookie year started to improve as the season went on. McCann might be the only one going down and I still see that as a longshot (partially because I dont see Aquaman allowing it). If WD is correct about the winning vs development thing, those guys will be the indicators

I do agree though that if you can move Hansen for a pick or a prospect, overpay a free agent to come fill a role. There are guys like the ones the Leafs have been picking up the past few seasons who are looking for those one or two year "show me" contracts who can bring up that competition level
- WhiteLie

Why?

I think the idea is the draft occurs before Free agency that pending UFA's would be a waste to pickup.

I thought this article did an okay job of creating a potential list.

http://www.thehockeynews....ght-get-shipped-to-vegas/
- belcherbd

Good article, thanks

I'm just curious, but who do you think are any Hansen comparibles with respect to other team's players. He's obviously an excellent utility player, who can be slotted in pretty much anywhere, chips in some timely offense, and is a great team/low maintenance player (not to mention still being fairly young and having a very friendly cap hit) . These types of players are few and far between and a great asset to have on any team.

I've tried to think who might be a similar type of player but at the moment have come up with blanks so far, as there doesn't seem to be any one that particularly stands out who is in the same mould and with similar personal/physical attributes.

Any thoughts?
- Zogg

Dale Weise.

Just finished back reading.

Speaking of Messier, it's interesting that his NHL executive career didn't even get off the ground. Most of the major talent from that era have found positions in pro hockey. Amazing it didn't happen for Mess.

At least he will always have potato chips.
- bloatedmosquito

Why?
- boonerbuck

I just dont think the optics would look good and thats something Aquillini might try to avoid. You go from this big excitement of having these teenagers make the NHL to sending them to the AHL the following year. He probably wants to keep the sales pitch going that change and development is happening and wants us all to see them. Its a harder sell to fans in the city that dont get to watch these kids play anymore over in Utica. If the AHL team was local, I might not have this feeling because they can still sell the excitement and people can see the kids play, but if they go down you've got Horvat and Sven to sell tickets with and not much else (Obviously all pending off season moves)

Dale Weise.
- kaptaan

I just dont think the optics would look good and thats something Aquillini might try to avoid. You go from this big excitement of having these teenagers make the NHL to sending them to the AHL the following year. He probably wants to keep the sales pitch going that change and development is happening and wants us all to see them. Its a harder sell to fans in the city that dont get to watch these kids play anymore over in Utica. If the AHL team was local, I might not have this feeling because they can still sell the excitement and people can see the kids play, but if they go down you've got Horvat and Sven to sell tickets with and not much else (Obviously all pending off season moves)
- WhiteLie

Keep JV up and send McCann down(depending on what happens this summer)
Trade Hansen, B/o burrows if you can't trade him/he doesn't retire. Higgins will likely retire if he doesn't get traded. If not keep him and send him to Utica, we don't need his cap this season(likely same with Burrows)
bring in more change to sell this way while justifying McCann going down to Utica.

If you could trade Hansen for a pick or prospect, aren't you further ahead? JV plays big minutes in Utica and develops.

Sign a UFA to a short contract and still compete for a playoff spot?

Might have to overpay for the short contract, but isn't that like, as they say, paying for a prostitute, you aren't necessarily paying for the sex as much as you are paying them to leave after?
- hillbillydeluxe

We have picks and prospects, we need players. We have the farm team building prospects year to year . I hope we need to keep in mind we only need to promote one or two every year to two years. We need to build the big team IMO.

Trading / packaging Hansen for a top 4 RHD is what we should be targeting this year.

Just finished back reading.

Speaking of Messier, it's interesting that his NHL executive career didn't even get off the ground. Most of the major talent from that era have found positions in pro hockey. Amazing it didn't happen for Mess.

At least he will always have potato chips.
- bloatedmosquito

Don't forget Rogers

I dislike Dave Pratt as well as the next guy on here but I do have to give him credit about breaking the Dale Tallon story about a month and a half ago. He was all over it about DT being removed from his position about a month before it happened and was suggesting to take over GM of the Canucks.

The story won't go away and was now part of Friedmans 30 in 30. I would love to see DT and JB working as a team.

I dislike Dave Pratt as well as the next guy on here but I do have to give him credit about breaking the Dale Tallon story about a month and a half ago. He was all over it about DT being removed from his position about a month before it happened and was suggesting to take over GM of the Canucks.

The story won't go away and was now part of Friedmans 30 in 30. I would love to see DT and JB working as a team.
- VANTEL

Same, I think most people would - JB can focus on the draft devlopment stuff. Trades, signing etc can be DT.

Same, I think most people would - JB can focus on the draft devlopment stuff. Trades, signing etc can be DT.
- anavar

Dale Weise.
- kaptaan

Same, I think most people would - JB can focus on the draft devlopment stuff. Trades, signing etc can be DT.
- anavar

Gillis had his Gilman . Three heads are better than one.

We have picks and prospects, we need players. We have the farm team building prospects year to year . I hope we need to keep in mind we only need to promote one or two every year to two years. We need to build the big team IMO.

Trading / packaging Hansen for a top 4 RHD is what we should be targeting this year.
- VANTEL

Absolutely. We need the right hand shot not only on the PP but badly in general.

Absolutely. We need the right hand shot not only on the PP but badly in general.
- LordHumungous

Barrie, Ceci,Trouba,Dumba are the best targets to go for in a trade.