James Tanner: The Worst Moves of the Off-Season Who made the Worst Moves this summer?

No way Canucks will be the worst team in the league this year. Firstly, the Sedins have no-trade clauses and want to retire in Vancouver. And frankly, they deserve that.
If you look at the roster, everyone's contract expires within two years (give or take). I think they are making one last push at playoff runs, then will blow it all up at once, trading for picks and prospects.

Miller in Vancouver will be a disaster because they will be one of the worst teams in the league... That's a bold statement. Van is a goalie graveyard, don't get me wrong, but going forward with Lack and Markstrom would have been a bigger disaster. I've seen Miller bail Buffalo out of quite a few regular season games in the recent past, and the Canucks have better depth on D IMO then the Sabers.

I get you're a Coyotes fan and would love nothing more than to see Van drop to 30th next year, but I just don't see it happening. I think Arizona and Vancouver will both do respectively good next year, and only time will tell.

No way Canucks will be the worst team in the league this year. Firstly, the Sedins have no-trade clauses and want to retire in Vancouver. And frankly, they deserve that.
If you look at the roster, everyone's contract expires within two years (give or take). I think they are making one last push at playoff runs, then will blow it all up at once, trading for picks and prospects.
- TBroad

This too...

How much Elmer's did u sniff this morning ? No way canucks will be even close to being the worst team . Canucks will finish 6 th and lose in the first round . Getting rid of kesler and booth and adding vrbata and bonino makes them instantly better

Disagree on the note of Kulemin and Grabovski. With those signings, they turned what was already good forward depth into excellent forward depth; among the best in the league, I'd argue. Grabo will slide perfectly into the 2C role and give them another scoring line to follow Nelson(?)- JT- Okposo while giving Neilsen's line the tough matchups. His signing will also afford them the option to ease Strome into the a scoring line role while playing wing rather than forcing him right into the role and thus needing to shelter his line.

Secondly, I disagree with everything you said about Kulemin. Komarov is superior in nearly every way? You mean aside from offensive awareness, his shot, skating ability, two-way presence, size, and NHL experience? All Komarov brings more of (if he's the same player he was back in 2012-13) is energy and physicality. You don't give him enough credit for the work he did in Toronto.

Disagree on the note of Kulemin and Grabovski. With those signings, they turned what was already good forward depth into excellent forward depth; among the best in the league, I'd argue. Grabo will slide perfectly into the 2C role and give them another scoring line to follow Nelson(?)- JT- Okposo while giving Neilsen's line the tough matchups. His signing will also afford them the option to ease Strome into the a scoring line role while playing wing rather than forcing him right into the role and thus needing to shelter his line.

Secondly, I disagree with everything you said about Kulemin. Komarov is superior in nearly every way? You mean aside from offensive awareness, his shot, skating ability, two-way presence, size, and NHL experience? All Komarov brings more of (if he's the same player he was back in 2012-13) is energy and physicality. You don't give him enough credit for the work he did in Toronto.
- MaximumBone

Kuli sucks, one fluke year, and he did (frank) all in TO...Isles forward depth sucks if Grabo and Kuli are your 2nd line, dont try to kid a kidder, btw, Komorav is pretty much better in all areas, sure Kuli has a decent shot, but when does he ever use it? his skating is average, Leo can put more points up given the same role, Leo can play up and down a line up, Leo can take a draw

How much Elmer's did u sniff this morning ? No way canucks will be even close to being the worst team . Canucks will finish 6 th and lose in the first round . Getting rid of kesler and booth and adding vrbata and bonino makes them instantly better
- Cletuswest

That's debatable. It seems to me Kesler is on another level than Vrbata or Bonino. I just don't see the Canucks being very good. I don't want to argue about it too much though, maybe they'll surprise me.

Plus, I have an interest in them sucking, as I cheer for the Coyotes, so maybe I'm biased.

I don't think any team with Grabovski and Kulemin on the second line can call themselves the deepest team at forward in hockey. That seems quite crazy to me. I don't even get why the Islanders wanted Grabbo, he isn't useful in anyway on the third line, and they have Strome, who should combine with Tavares to be one of the better 1-2 punches down the middle for about the next decade.

Sure, I get the idea - though I don't really agree with it - of breaking him in slowly on the wing etc, but even if they do that, what do they do with Grabovski for following three years?

That's debatable. It seems to me Kesler is on another level than Vrbata or Bonino. I just don't see the Canucks being very good. I don't want to argue about it too much though, maybe they'll surprise me.

Plus, I have an interest in them sucking, as I cheer for the Coyotes, so maybe I'm biased.
- James_Tanner

I might just be high on expectations or all the pot smoke up in bc . After watching kesler for years now I think he peaked 2 years ago .

I don't think any team with Grabovski and Kulemin on the second line can call themselves the deepest team at forward in hockey. That seems quite crazy to me. I don't even get why the Islanders wanted Grabbo, he isn't useful in anyway on the third line, and they have Strome, who should combine with Tavares to be one of the better 1-2 punches down the middle for about the next decade.

Sure, I get the idea - though I don't really agree with it - of breaking him in slowly on the wing etc, but even if they do that, what do they do with Grabovski for following three years?
- James_Tanner

You make too much out what line they are on....the Islanders can afford to have 3 scoring lines all with some defensive minded 2-way players, and 1 primary checking line. This is a great advantage when coaching on the road as well.

It's a little too early to declare which moves are the worst yet, isn't it?

I can't see Vancouver declining from last season. Almost every player on the team had a poor season and Torts had to be a major reason. Sure the twins aren't going to put up 90 points anymore and I'm not naive enough to think that this team will battle for top spot in the division, but I'd expect them to be in contention for a playoff spot.

While I'm not entirely happy about the Miller singing - it could end up giving Lack time to develop just like Cory did behind Lou.

You make too much out what line they are on....the Islanders can afford to have 3 scoring lines all with some defensive minded 2-way players, and 1 primary checking line. This is a great advantage when coaching on the road as well.
- Jeropotato

Fair point. When the Leafs used Grabbo on the 3rd line, it is possible that Carlyle wanted him to be more of a checker, so I guess if they don't care about the brutality of his game away from the puck, he might be OK in that role.

And, while I am a huge fan of stats and anything that gives you better insight into the game, I do think there are exceptions to every rule and the fact that Grabovski always gets credit for being such a good possession player drives me nuts because it's often very situational. I think he's overrated and I think he peaked about three years ago.

I agree on Miller to an extent. The media pressure will eat him alive. Hiller for 1.5 million less and 1 less year seemed more plausible. But 3 years isn't as bad as it could have been. Vrbata 2 years as well.

I disagree on the Canucks becoming the next Flames/Leafs debacle. Simply put, they've had 4 1st rd picks in the last 2 drafts. They have youth coming. They aren't trading away picks (like a few years back) anymore and Benning has so far shown himself as a hard working and competent GM. The real problem this team has is:

No matter if the Sedins and Company return to form or not, there is no next wave of elite 1st line talent on the horizon. Alot of good players are on the way...But this team needs what the Pens/Kings/Hawks/Lightning etc, all have had.....and not be stuck in no mans land come draft time.

That all being said, I hope they finish at the bottom. #McDavid #Eichel

pointless lockouts? pretty sure the owner's would disagree with you there Tanner.

That's debatable. It seems to me Kesler is on another level than Vrbata or Bonino. I just don't see the Canucks being very good. I don't want to argue about it too much though, maybe they'll surprise me.

Plus, I have an interest in them sucking, as I cheer for the Coyotes, so maybe I'm biased.
- James_Tanner

Didn't you say a few blogs back that the Kessler to Anaheim was over-rated and wouldn't really help the ducks, and that the ducks most likely wouldn't repeat the success they had last year? But losing Kesler will hurt Vancouver?

It's a little too early to declare which moves are the worst yet, isn't it?

I can't see Vancouver declining from last season. Almost every player on the team had a poor season and Torts had to be a major reason. Sure the twins aren't going to put up 90 points anymore and I'm not naive enough to think that this team will battle for top spot in the division, but I'd expect them to be in contention for a playoff spot.

While I'm not entirely happy about the Miller singing - it could end up giving Lack time to develop just like Cory did behind Lou.
- Canuckleafer

Yes, it is probably too early. Of course these moves could all work out wonderfully. I just figure, as of right now , they seem like misguided decisions.
Secondly, I don't think Torts had anything to do with Vancouver not being a good team. The role of the coach is overrated. I doubt they have any more points if Mike Babcock was their coach. Finally, I don't see why Lack needs time to develop - goalies basically are as good as their team. My biggest problem with this signing is that they might has well of just kept Luongo in this situation and it's going to force them to get rid of a young goalie who perhaps will be quite good.

Didn't you say a few blogs back that the Kessler to Anaheim was over-rated and wouldn't really help the ducks, and that the ducks most likely wouldn't repeat the success they had last year? But losing Kesler will hurt Vancouver?
- tootooisapunk

I do think Kessler is a bit overrated. I don't think he makes the Ducks a Cup Contender or anything like that - at least not that much more then they were. There are some stats and articles out there that show how the Ducks were a very lucky team last year - my point with Kessler was that I don't think he's enough to make up for the fact that they are bound to be less lucky than they were.

While I think he's a good player, when I criticized him, I was pointing out how people who get a new player often overrate him, while the team he left is often happy to get rid of him. (As seen here today with a guy basically saying Bonino is an improvement) My point was the player usually falls somewhere in the middle.

[quote=VANTEL]


Yet you're here everyday.

Kuli sucks, one fluke year, and he did (frank) all in TO...Isles forward depth sucks if Grabo and Kuli are your 2nd line, dont try to kid a kidder, btw, Komorav is pretty much better in all areas, sure Kuli has a decent shot, but when does he ever use it? his skating is average, Leo can put more points up given the same role, Leo can play up and down a line up, Leo can take a draw
- PinkSock

Except he hasn't done that before; in the NHL or KHL. How do you justify making these claims? I'm not saying Kuli's gonna put up big points, but 35-45 points is totally within reach so long as he isn't forced into sub-40% offensive zone starts.

pointless lockouts? pretty sure the owner's would disagree with you there Tanner.
- DoubleDown

I am pretty sure you missed the joke.

It's a little too early to declare which moves are the worst yet, isn't it?

I can't see Vancouver declining from last season. Almost every player on the team had a poor season and Torts had to be a major reason. Sure the twins aren't going to put up 90 points anymore and I'm not naive enough to think that this team will battle for top spot in the division, but I'd expect them to be in contention for a playoff spot.

While I'm not entirely happy about the Miller singing - it could end up giving Lack time to develop just like Cory did behind Lou.
- Canuckleafer

I agree, but some teams do look better, some look worse and some simply had off years last year.

If I were to guess, I would put Vancouver as the team most likely to make the playoff's if someone regresses and creates an opportunity in the West. East is little more fluid as I can see the Islanders and Devils possibly making it as well.

I do think Kessler is a bit overrated. I don't think he makes the Ducks a Cup Contender or anything like that - at least not that much more then they were. There are some stats and articles out there that show how the Ducks were a very lucky team last year - my point with Kessler was that I don't think he's enough to make up for the fact that they are bound to be less lucky than they were.

While I think he's a good player, when I criticized him, I was pointing out how people who get a new player often overrate him, while the team he left is often happy to get rid of him. (As seen here today with a guy basically saying Bonino is an improvement) My point was the player usually falls somewhere in the middle.
- James_Tanner

Kesler is a great hockey player. You are of the opinion that he is somewhat less than that, and that is fair, even though I think you may be underrating him somewhat. If Anaheim falters it is because they question marks in net and they may be answered differently that the Ducks hope.

Kuli sucks, one fluke year, and he did (frank) all in TO...Isles forward depth sucks if Grabo and Kuli are your 2nd line, dont try to kid a kidder, btw, Komorav is pretty much better in all areas, sure Kuli has a decent shot, but when does he ever use it? his skating is average, Leo can put more points up given the same role, Leo can play up and down a line up, Leo can take a draw
- PinkSock

Kuli is a great 2nd-3rd line forward, he'll be missed in TO. He's not flashy and if you're just into stats, they're not great. But if you watch the games he's a very effective two way forward that does his job, works hard and is appreciated on the team. Islanders got a good player.

I don't think any team with Grabovski and Kulemin on the second line can call themselves the deepest team at forward in hockey. That seems quite crazy to me. I don't even get why the Islanders wanted Grabbo, he isn't useful in anyway on the third line, and they have Strome, who should combine with Tavares to be one of the better 1-2 punches down the middle for about the next decade.

Sure, I get the idea - though I don't really agree with it - of breaking him in slowly on the wing etc, but even if they do that, what do they do with Grabovski for following three years?
- James_Tanner

See, I would think they'd aim for something more along these lines. Also, allow me to revise my statement regarding their depth: barring any serious regression and assuming progress is made by their young players, their forward depth is among the best in the Eastern Conference, if not the league. I only see LA, San Jose (despite their offseason losses), Anaheim, and St Louis being notably above him. I see them being right up there with Boston and Dallas

Nelson- JT- Okposo
Lee- Grabo- Strome
Kuli- Neilsen- Grabner
Martin- Cizikas- Clutterbuck
Bailey (likely traded) & Conacher

Breaking in on the wing isn't necessarily just for one season, but even if it were, it's not like he wouldn't be a capable winger and then Neilsen is a UFA after the 2015-16 season so he can likely slide down to the 3rd line.