Gifting spots for young players that haven't shown a thing in the NHL isn't going to happen.

If you don't sign these players, and the kids aren't ready? What do you do then? Play a bunch of other guys that aren't ready?
- manvanfan

Devil’s Advocate:

Gifting spots to veterans who have proven that they are capable of providing only very limited offensive production, and who can’t/won’t be sent down, benched shouldn’t happen either.

This is a false narrative.

Having tough guys on the ice doesn't stop Lewis from boarding Boeser. Lewis is in the NHL because that is the line he walks. Roussel isn't going to play his scrappy game differently against different teams either.

Burrows, Cooke, Dorsett, Ruutu all played the same way regardless of the opponent.
- belcherbd

This is correct but having guys like Roussel we will be now disturbing Quick and Doughty

You also have a guy that will respond a few shifts later.

Boeser is not going to play with players who are going to drop the gloves on a nightly basis. Doughty never had anyone on the ice to drop the gloves with Tkachuk when he was taking runs. Most 1st line forwards, or 1st pairing defenders generally don't drop the gloves. Having players on your team, that are going to hold other players accountable for taking runs at your top guys, is ALWAYS going to be a thing, as long as fighting is not removed entirely from the game.
- Codes1087

It might be a thing and I have no problem bringing in grit and toughness if they can play but it sounded like you were suggesting Boeser wouldn't of been boarded if we had more toughness in the lineup.

I was hoping we overpaid Maroon to play in our top 6. IMO the value of that toughness is on the offensive, having guys who initate hard hits on other teams stars, not jumping after the fact to " send a message".

And Benning said he would find a spot if someone is ready
- VANTEL

They say a lot of things that they don’t do...

This is correct but having guys like Roussel we will be now disturbing Quick and Doughty

You also have a guy that will respond a few shifts later.
- VANTEL

Definitely and that's his game for sure, I've always viewed Roussel as more of a Cooke player than a Dorsett though.

Devil’s Advocate:

Gifting spots to veterans who have proven that they are capable of providing only very limited offensive production, and who can’t/won’t be sent down, benched shouldn’t happen either.
- 1970vintage

Preaching to the choir . Who here wouldn't love to see Eriksson benched?

Wow. Not sure what you guys wanted from free agency. We are still going to be a bad team.

I think the whole purpose was to add a bit of grit so that the young guys who come in dont get abused. They arent there to win games per se. They are 4th liners that serve a niche purpose until the kids are ready.

At that point, they will be jettisoned. I'm not really sure what the fuss is about. At least they will have a more competitive 4th line...no more Gaunce, no more Dowd, no more Chaput......and the tank continues. Isn't that what the majority of you want?

Or is crying and moaning the real fun of being a fan?

The term really doesn't matter. They have so much cap space and when the kids are ready to get paid, they'll just dump guys like Beagle or Poussel.....see Garrison, Jason and Prust, Brandon.....

Devil’s Advocate:

Gifting spots to veterans who have proven that they are capable of providing only very limited offensive production, and who can’t/won’t be sent down, benched shouldn’t happen either.
- 1970vintage

Why can't they? No spots are being gifted. I don't know where you get that idea from. The simple fact is the bottom 6 in Van last year sucked. JB went out and upgraded those positions. Upgrades cost more dollars and term then lesser players. The Sedin's production is going to have to come from guys like Sven, Leipsic, Goldy, EP who are going to get more PP time and more TOI.

24 forwards played for Vancouver last year.

Definitely and that's his game for sure, I've always viewed Roussel as more of a Cooke player than a Dorsett though.
- belcherbd

Cooke was very good at what he did, he did win 2 cups? Cooke was a cheap shot artist though.

And Benning said he would find a spot if someone is ready
- VANTEL

Like I always say, facts, smacks!

This is correct but having guys like Roussel we will be now disturbing Quick and Doughty

You also have a guy that will respond a few shifts later.
- VANTEL

^this,

The best forwards and best defense in the league, generally are accompanied by players who don't drop the gloves regularly. Dorsett was so good at letting other players know that taking runs wasn't ok. Going after Rinaldo when he hit Horvat from behind. Going after Boroweicki (spelling) when he took a huge run at burmistrov. These players are on every team in the league.

Preaching to the choir . Who here wouldn't love to see Eriksson benched?
- VANTEL

This. Same with Gagner/Granlund.

Wow. Not sure what you guys wanted from free agency. We are still going to be a bad team.

I think the whole purpose was to add a bit of grit so that the young guys who come in dont get abused. They arent there to win games per se. They are 4th liners that serve a niche purpose until the kids are ready.

At that point, they will be jettisoned. I'm not really sure what the fuss is about. At least they will have a more competitive 4th line...no more Gaunce, no more Dowd, no more Chaput......and the tank continues. Isn't that what the majority of you want?

Or is crying and moaning the real fun of being a fan?

The term really doesn't matter. They have so much cap space and when the kids are ready to get paid, they'll just dump guys like Beagle or Poussel.....see Garrison, Jason and Prust, Brandon.....
- chompsey

Yes

It might be a thing and I have no problem bringing in grit and toughness if they can play but it sounded like you were suggesting Boeser wouldn't of been boarded if we had more toughness in the lineup.

I was hoping we overpaid Maroon to play in our top 6. IMO the value of that toughness is on the offensive, having guys who initate hard hits on other teams stars, not jumping after the fact to " send a message".
- belcherbd

Boeser is going to be boarded, just like Gaudreau is going to have his hand slashed. Response is so key. Gudbranson fighting Martin for going after Stecher. Dorsett going down last year really showed how soft of a team we were.

So here is the thing. It was 3 signings (4 including Sven, or 5 including the non official signing of Archibald). How I would enterpret these signings (I am more critical than most) is that the Roussel signing is actually very good, the term is just a bit off (this is the price you pay free agents to join an essentially bottom 5 team for the past X amount of years). The Schaller signing is not bad, its low risk, medium reward, depth, and can easily be waived/dealt. The Beagle signing is a bit dumb, based on the fact that he turns 33 to start the contract, and will be 37 when it ends. Again, the AAV isn't an issue when it comes to Beagle, it is the term, but that is essentially the price Benning has to pay for a free agent, to join a sh*tty team, and who also just won a Stanley cup. All in all, it wasn't a disaster, it isn't going to cripple the Canucks for 4 years, its essentially a stop-gap until more kids are able to arrive and make a difference.
- Codes1087

You were way more fun before you made sense.

keeping veterans in the lineup who are playing AHL calibre hockey or worse shouldn't be kept in the lineup either.
- Codes1087

They say a lot of things that they don’t do...
- 1970vintage

Pettersson Gaudette and Dahlen will all be given a legit shot. Your next set of skilled forwards at this time are Goldobin and Boucher.

Half the people here did not like them very much last year.

Do you think if Goldobin is really ready Benning would have a problem moving Granlund?

And Benning said he would find a spot if someone is ready
- VANTEL

Which he's always done... sometimes to a fault.

You were way more fun before you made sense.

- boonerbuck

I am way more logical after I have had my morning coffee

Yes
- Pres.cup

Case closed

These guys are gonna allow for some time to grow kids in the AHL, in the short term it's pretty meaningless, in the long term it could present a problem or a buyout situation.

Beagle specifically.

Switzerland didn't have a very good game today. Congrats to the Swedes and good luck in the next round.

These guys are gonna allow for some time to grow kids in the AHL, in the short term it's pretty meaningless, in the long term it could present a problem or a buyout situation.

Beagle specifically.
- LeftCoaster

It's a good problem to have. Fill Utica up and take the slow route, I love it. Next year or at the TDL we look at moves for picks (isn't this what we all really want anyway?). This sets up some TDL moves IMO, whoever is playing well in Utica by then. Bring on the picks!

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1013926479413932033

Gadjovich, does he look quicker?

“I want to play pro next season and I want that to be in Vancouver. That’s my focus and everything I’m doing now will hopefully lead me to that.” - @JGadjovich #CanucksDevCamp

Lofty goal
- manvanfan

Kuzma mentioned he looked a little faster. Hoping he pans out into a 2 or 3. No Hughes...still with the flu.

I picked Sweden. Go Columbia!

Gaudette seems an interesting situation, offensively I'd say he's probably better than Sutter or Beagle but he's not as good in other areas. I'm guessing he starts in Utica. But I'd like to see him make the team.