I know its a little unrealistic due to the shortage of players we have at both levels, but I wish Benning would have 'papered' a few more guys then just, reportedly, Gaunce.

It would have been pretty cool if we could send down some combination of Gaunce, Goldobin, Stetcher, Hutton, Chapoo, Megna and perhaps still, Boeser. Finally give them a top line and top D.

Give Utica and their die-hard fans the opportunity to go balls to the wall and bring home a Calder. Would have been worth watching

No one is saying we should sign ECHL guys, but damn did Dane Fox's 20yo CHL stats look mighty impressive. Same with Cassels. Reality is, very few are actual late bloomers, more often than not they are scraps. I do have hope now that VAN owns its AHL affiliate they can develop players the right way, but Carcone, MacEwen, etc are not guys I am holding my breath to see if they turn into NHLers
- WhiteLie

Sure. It might come down to skating and hockey IQ, not previous number stats, that will make the difference for these guys to make it. This is where JB plays the crucial role in determining more winners then losers in handing out contracts.

Are you familiar with Canuck luck?
- bloatedmosquito

No one is saying we should sign ECHL guys, but damn did Dane Fox's 20yo CHL stats look mighty impressive. Same with Cassels. Reality is, very few are actual late bloomers, more often than not they are scraps. I do have hope now that VAN owns its AHL affiliate they can develop players the right way, but Carcone, MacEwen, etc are not guys I am holding my breath to see if they turn into NHLers
- WhiteLie

If MacEwen has a productive AHL career and plays a few games for the Canucks then that's a successful signing. He doesn't need to be a regular to justify free agent signings. Our farm team/ organization lacks depth.

two top5 picks and some nice trades/signing, we could be in the hunt/bubble team.

I'm hoping LE has a great world championship and start to next year, ups his value and gets traded for some return.
- neem55

So when the twins retire in the next two seasons who's going to replace that? LE and Horvat and one of those two top-5 picks? Maybe WD just spreads it all out. Balanced scoring?

I know its a little unrealistic due to the shortage of players we have at both levels, but I wish Benning would have 'papered' a few more guys then just, reportedly, Gaunce.

It would have been pretty cool if we could send down some combination of Gaunce, Goldobin, Stetcher, Hutton, Chapoo, Megna and perhaps still, Boeser. Finally give them a top line and top D.

Give Utica and their die-hard fans the opportunity to go balls to the wall and bring home a Calder. Would have been worth watching
- Whiskey-Tango

Goldobin and Gaunce can be sent down. No way Stetcher and Hutton would be sent down. They are NHL regulars now. It's not fair to them. Boeser can be sent to Utica, all depends on when his season ends. I am not sure about Champoo and Magma.

Edit. I think Chaput and Magma can be sent down but they are exposed to waivers? Anyways, Stetcher and Hutton should be resting and bulking up in the summer. Stetcher is coming from the NCAA to playing a full season, he needs a break. Hutton is a 2nd year pro who has graduated from the AHL. Let the kid work on skill development over the summer.

I know its a little unrealistic due to the shortage of players we have at both levels, but I wish Benning would have 'papered' a few more guys then just, reportedly, Gaunce.

It would have been pretty cool if we could send down some combination of Gaunce, Goldobin, Stetcher, Hutton, Chapoo, Megna and perhaps still, Boeser. Finally give them a top line and top D.

Give Utica and their die-hard fans the opportunity to go balls to the wall and bring home a Calder. Would have been worth watching
- Whiskey-Tango

I see you had road trip for that possibility. Uhh might have joined you. Anyway, I believe he papered Goldy with Guance. Not sure about who else can be sent down. Other then Stecher the others require waivers.

I know its a little unrealistic due to the shortage of players we have at both levels, but I wish Benning would have 'papered' a few more guys then just, reportedly, Gaunce.

It would have been pretty cool if we could send down some combination of Gaunce, Goldobin, Stetcher, Hutton, Chapoo, Megna and perhaps still, Boeser. Finally give them a top line and top D.

Give Utica and their die-hard fans the opportunity to go balls to the wall and bring home a Calder. Would have been worth watching
- Whiskey-Tango

Folks here talk lots about a losing environment breads losers as players. We can't possibly tank because it's detrimental to the young guys. Just look at Edmonton...

You are absolutely right. How about developing that winning environment within the system and hope it translates to the NHL when these kids are ready to transition.

Maybe it's a bit too early to write off a 20 year old?

Green on Virtanen : "He's on his way and looking more and more like a power forward, much better around the net."

Folks here talk lots about a losing environment breads losers as players. We can't possibly tank because it's detrimental to the young guys. Just look at Edmonton...

You are absolutely right. How about developing that winning environment within the system and hope it translates to the NHL when these kids are ready to transition.
- bloatedmosquito

Utica is the hottest team in the AHL at the moment. Add Gaunce, Goblin and possibly Boeser and they should be able to make a decent run.

Maybe it's a bit too early to write off a 20 year old?

Green on Virtanen : "He's on his way and looking more and more like a power forward, much better around the net."
- VanHockeyGuy

Sounds like he has strung together 5 or 6 solid games. He is using his linemates more

Troy Stecher is not a NHL regular

We need both. JB will probably go BPA.
- VanHockeyGuy

we are lucky in that the top 5 all fall in to one of the two categories

Next year appears to be different.. Lots of top Dmen but not many centers, lots of big time scoring wingers it looks like.

Goldobin and Gaunce can be sent down. No way Stetcher and Hutton would be sent down. They are NHL regulars now. It's not fair to them. Boeser can be sent to Utica, all depends on when his season ends. I am not sure about Champoo and Magma.
- CanuckDon

Wasn't sure if Benning had papered Goldobin but if so, that's good.
I'm not sure man, between the possibility of playing 13 meaningless games or competing for an AHL playoff spot/championship, i think the latter would better serve growth and development.

Could also serve to give some of the young guys like Virtanen a little boost before the summer begins.

Sounds like he has strung together 5 or 6 solid games. He is using his linemates more
- CanuckDon

Green working his magic again.

Look who's talking
- Nuck4U

I don't spend 4 pages crying after someone tells me to "F*ck off!"

Wasn't sure if Benning had papered Goldobin but if so, that's good.
I'm not sure man, between the possibility of playing 13 meaningless games or competing for an AHL playoff spot/championship, i think the latter would better serve growth and development.

Could also serve to give some of the young guys like Virtanen a little boost before the summer begins.
- Whiskey-Tango

Maybe how WD deals with those kids is a part of how he'll be reviewed after the season? We know Green has that skillset, WD?

Troy Stecher is not a NHL regular
- bloatedmosquito

Really? he has played 60 games this year.

Maybe it's a bit too early to write off a 20 year old?

Green on Virtanen : "He's on his way and looking more and more like a power forward, much better around the net."
- VanHockeyGuy

Waaaay too early. He's just a guy that needs a year or two in the AHL, guys develop at different speeds. He may or may not be an all-star, but 20 goal/40pt defensive winger that throws 100 hits+ per year is still a player we need long-term.Personally, I think he'll be better than that. As long he doesn't regress/get Brown type contract

Wasn't sure if Benning had papered Goldobin but if so, that's good.
I'm not sure man, between the possibility of playing 13 meaningless games or competing for an AHL playoff spot/championship, i think the latter would better serve growth and development.

Could also serve to give some of the young guys like Virtanen a little boost before the summer begins.
- Whiskey-Tango

Yes, Goldobin was papered. Would you really send Hutton down? He is in his 2nd full NHL season. I can see an argument for Stecher but not Hutton.

I don't spend 4 pages crying after someone tells me to "F*ck off!"
- Marwood

F*ck off is fine but whatever you do, don't say flock off

Maybe it's a bit too early to write off a 20 year old?

Green on Virtanen : "He's on his way and looking more and more like a power forward, much better around the net."
- VanHockeyGuy

2016- NHL - 55 games, 13pts, -7.
2017- AHL - 50 games, 14pts, -7.

Progress

2016- NHL - 55 games, 13pts, -7.
2017- AHL - 50 games, 14pts, -7.

Progress
- Whiskey-Tango

20 years old, still learning to play the pro game.

2016- NHL - 55 games, 13pts, -7.
2017- AHL - 50 games, 14pts, -7.

Progress
- Whiskey-Tango

I'll take Mike Green's word for it.

Yes, Goldobin was papered. Would you really send Hutton down? He is in his 2nd full NHL season. I can see an argument for Stecher but not Hutton.
- CanuckDon

Is he waiver exempt or not?