Hope everyone is cheering for DET, CGY, WSH, MIN in the 2nd round. If all 4 teams make it to the semi's we will pick 19th
- bezz44

Not sure detroit will make it that far. Its looking like the end is coming for that franchises excellent run of 20 years or so. But pretty sure minnie will go far. Caps having good year too, but not sure how far their coach will get them Playoffs wise. We can only hope ducks dont steamroll flames.

Otherwise ya moving up in draft sounds great. Personally id also like to see montreal in there so canada has a chancenof winning cup.

Jason Botchford @botchford
· 1h 1 hour ago
someone calls asking about vrbata, what do you say?


Sounds like an easy job being a reporter. It all depends on the offer. Don't see him moving with all the emphasis on making the post season, but it depends on the offer.
- hillbillydeluxe

Bet you if Baertschi steps up as a top 6 fwd (and Kassian wouldn't hurt either) next year then Vrbata is gone at the deadline

Not sure detroit will make it that far. Its looking like the end is coming for that franchises excellent run of 20 years or so. But pretty sure minnie will go far. Caps having good year too, but not sure how far their coach will get them Playoffs wise. We can only hope ducks dont steamroll flames.

Otherwise ya moving up in draft sounds great. Personally id also like to see montreal in there so canada has a chancenof winning cup.
- SMBDragon

It's funny because people say that about Detroit every year and they always seem to exceed expectations

- WhiteLie

I like our defense, but it is so soft. I'd rather keep Hamhuis and move Bieksa if I had to choose of the two. If we had a big physical dman that was borderline making it in the nhl, he would get a long look. But we only have Corrado, Clandening, and Stanton pushing for a spot.

Would have liked to have seen Sanguinetti get a game or two audition. Can't see how bad he would have to be not to be given a shot last season with all the injuries on d..

Bet you if Baertschi steps up as a top 6 fwd (and Kassian wouldn't hurt either) next year then Vrbata is gone at the deadline
- bezz44

Sounds like Booner's plan.

Sounds like Booner's plan.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Potentially a good plan. If he has another good season someone would pay a 1st

Potentially a good plan. If he has another good season someone would pay a 1st
- bezz44

Bet you if Baertschi steps up as a top 6 fwd (and Kassian wouldn't hurt either) next year then Vrbata is gone at the deadline
- bezz44

We need guys to step up. That would be a great dilemma to have, too many scorers, not enough roster spots in top 6.

And turning a rfa signing into picks or other assets.

I thought it sounded like Benning has someone new in mind for the Sedins. He didn't exactly describe Vrbata when he talked about the winger he'd like to see-

Jason Botchford
‏@botchford Willie on Sedins: "I think they need a guy who will go to the net, I think they need a guy who is good on the forecheck" CC: New 17

It sounds a bit like Burrows, but I think he wants someone a bit bigger.

I am not sure if Baertschi will start with the top6 either or in the ahl.

WD said something about players earning their spot with the big club too, and he is loyal to the vets. Still hoping for a move on defense. a pmd would be a great addition.
- hillbillydeluxe

Bertschi would need to clear waivers, so does Vey and Pedan

Bertschi would need to clear waivers, so does Vey and Pedan
- VANTEL

They can't start the season in the ahl then get called up?

Does this mean Pedan has to start with the big club next season?

Biega, corrado, connoughton, sanguinetti, subban are all D. Then theres the 6'7" Russian monster" still under contract in khl. Maybe he's taller I dont remember exactly.....was an odd number like 7 or 9. Dont recall his name either but we have him in the system just over in russia.
- SMBDragon

Connaughton plays for Dallas?

They can't start the season in the ahl then get called up?

Does this mean Pedan has to start with the big club next season?
- hillbillydeluxe

Not Sven ....he will bolt to Europe if he isn't in the NHL next year ...

They can't start the season in the ahl then get called up?

Does this mean Pedan has to start with the big club next season?
- hillbillydeluxe

No more call up waiver, they can only be picked up on the way down

Connaughton plays for Dallas?
- VANTEL

Columbus?

No more call up waiver, they can only be picked up on the way down
- VANTEL

Not worried about call up waivers, just trying to figure out if he can be on the ahl roster to start the season and then get called up, no more waivers.

Was trying to remember if Markstrom could have started the season on the ahl roster? Can't remember why he was with the big club to start and then exposed on waivers?

Bertschi would need to clear waivers, so does Vey and Pedan
- VANTEL

We have a lot of young players that are in the same situation.

Baertschi
Vey
Pedan
Clandening
Stanton
Markstrom

Jensen?
Archibald?

Not worried about call up waivers, just trying to figure out if he can be on the ahl roster to start the season and then get called up, no more waivers.

Was trying to remember if Markstrom could have started the season on the ahl roster? Can't remember why he was with the big club to start and then exposed on waivers?
- hillbillydeluxe

Markstrom had to clear waivers.

There use to be a grace period to start the year in the minors. I don't think that exists anymore.

We have a lot of young players that are in the same situation.

Baertschi
Vey
Pedan
Clandening
Stanton
Markstrom

Jensen?
Archibald?
- hillbillydeluxe

Yup. Other franchises have this problem too

Sorry bud, if you think Hamhuis is the problem you are wrong. In his disaster season he put 2nd most points on the team despite playing the least amount of games. He is still a legit top 4 D and this team would be an actual disaster without him.
- belcherbd

Agreed, you don't get invited to and then selected to play in the Olympics if you're an unequivocal disaster. Hahmuis is the best defenseman we have. He is an excellent skater with a great first pass. He can also put up points if/when given the opportunity. An all around great team and character guy as well

Sorry bud, if you think Hamhuis is the problem you are wrong. In his disaster season he put 2nd most points on the team despite playing the least amount of games. He is still a legit top 4 D and this team would be an actual disaster without him.
- belcherbd

I don't think he's THE problem, but I put him in the same category as Bieksa. I think both need to be moved.

I hear what you're saying. But his second in scoring was only 23 points; he had a 0+/- and anchored the disastrous 2nd PP unit. He was 7th in TOI, and 4th among D.

More to the point, I'm thinking future. I don't think Hamhuis has ever been able to score or shut down effectively on this team, so long term I can't seem him being that good. Could Edler become a 40 point guy again and run the PP? Maybe. Could Tanev, become a shutdown specialist? Yeah. Could Weber score 20 goals? Yeah. Could Sbisa become an all around solid D man? Maybe?

I just don't see room for improvement with Hamhuis and Bieksa. Heck, I think there's more of a chance with Bieksa, but after seeing him get steamrolled in that series, I don't hold out a lot of hope.

Agreed, you don't get invited to and then selected to play in the Olympics if you're an unequivocal disaster. Hahmuis is the best defenseman we have. He is an excellent skater with a great first pass. He can also put up points if/when given the opportunity. An all around great team and character guy as well
- Zogg

I definitely seem to be in the minority here, but again, I feel like I'm watching a different team than the rest of folks.

Agreed on the Olympics and his character, but again, I just don't think he's that good for the Nucks. I'd take Edler and Tanev over Hamhuis any day. Those two crapped the bed on the PK, but were +7 against Calgary. He can skate and make a great first pass yes, but can not hold the zone on a heavy forecheck. Tanev can.

Canucks have 16 RFAs to either sign trade or let go this year. Some of them are Gillis signing so I could see Benning letting some go.

If Virtanen and Baertschi are being promoted that would mean Richardson and Matthias are gone.

I definitely seem to be in the minority here, but again, I feel like I'm watching a different team than the rest of folks.

Agreed on the Olympics and his character, but again, I just don't think he's that good for the Nucks. I'd take Edler and Tanev over Hamhuis any day. Those two crapped the bed on the PK, but were +7 against Calgary. He can skate and make a great first pass yes, but can not hold the zone on a heavy forecheck. Tanev can.
- Ronning4ever

First of all Hamhuis was asked to the Olympics last year not this year and had a serious injury.

You are not wrong saying he struggled this year. He did look slow at times out there. I still think he was one of our best 3 DMen. He is getting older and slower but I don't mind if he plays his contract out another year. I would like to see him get traded for a top 6 or a nice draft pick but would be ok if he wasn't.

Bieksa needs to go . He makes players around him worst.

Canucks have 16 RFAs to either sign trade or let go this year. Some of them are Gillis signing so I could see Benning letting some go.

If Virtanen and Baertschi are being promoted that would mean Richardson and Matthias are gone.
- VANTEL

Hope we get some picks for them and not out right released. I just want to see guys get the chance with the big club for some sort of look. Especially guys that are on the bubble.

Look at Connauton. Can't remember him getting a shot with the Canucks. Would his future looked any different if he was given a chance with the Canucks?

First of all Hamhuis was asked to the Olympics last year not this year and had a serious injury.

You are not wrong saying he struggled this year. He did look slow at times out there. I still think he was one of our best 3 DMen. He is getting older and slower but I don't mind if he plays his contract out another year. I would like to see him get traded for a top 6 or a nice draft pick but would be ok if he wasn't.

Bieksa needs to go . He makes players around him worst.
- VANTEL

Good points on Hamhuis. And as much as I hate to say it, I think Bieksa needs to go (love the guy's compete,passion, heart and team play but he's unfortunately now become a liability ). I do hope he at least goes to a place with a chance to win the cup. Despite my often cursing at the t.v. for his various blunders and give-aways this past year in particular, the guy has always given it all for the Canucks and fans, and he's a class act/great person