We'll see. Corrado and Clendenning will be two new young faces and neither should be a huge downgrade on Bieksa. The Canucks are getting younger, but it's bit by bit, not all at once.
- CubanBuffet

Next year will have replacements as well. By then it will look like the balance shift will be more youth than aged cheddar.

I feel the same. People are saying he was streaky but forget that his line was constantly disrupted. Thats not his fault.

On another note I dont feel WD truly knows how to utilize NHL level power forwards. Lets face it power forwards are 26+ cause they dont develop before then. Bert was a great example of that. So he has no experience utilizing players that size, age and level of developed talent.... And Both our power forwards are now gone, which is kinda suggestive.

Oddly, as much as I detest Torts Kassian had probably his best year under him than the rest.

But here's to hoping for better from WD and the cast. I seriously hope they know what theyre doing.
- SMBDragon

I would never, ever call Matthius a power forward.

Apparently under NCAA rules he had to pay his own way.
- docmorgan

Yeah thats the rule, but what stood out was he didnt have to go as he is rehabbing was only cleared for upper body workouts. Perfectly reasonable excuse to not pay a few thousand to come to mostly watch but him wanting to be here and develop relationships with people in the organization is impressive to me

Sounds to me like the management in Vancouver has a plan. Not offering Mathias a contract shows they have a direction they are going.

Who here was overly impressed with Mathias?

The playoff Mathias never showed up. You want players who can step it up in the playoffs. They gave him a chance by keeping him at the deadline after a season where he played decent not great just decent. He was too inconsistent.

JB should have moved him at the deadline but gave him a chance. He gave them all a chance now he is making the hard decisions.
- thundachunk

They do have a plan which stems from Bennings background. Youth... Scouting, drafting and developing. Benning will make some mistakes along that path but that's life.

flagged.
- pker2theend

Thanks pk

Letting Matthias walk without even offering a 1 year $2mil contract seems funny. If Matthias didn`t garner any interest at last years tdl, while having a career year... why not offer a contract on the lower end of the spectrum. I think at 2 million that still would be a raise.

But hey, if he isn`t the type of guy or character guy JB wants on the team then I guess JB isn`t going to lose any sleep with him signing with the Leafs.

With Matthias, I thought I remembered a JB quote about Boston trying to acquire him from the Panthers. He has a career year and it's like, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Maybe the Canucks jersey lessens the value of the player wearing it regardless of performance?
- hillbillydeluxe

You don't offer him a spot if you think a rookie can do what he has done. And Benning obviously believes that can happen. I think he can be replaced easily by a rookie or a cheaper younger waiver wire pick up.

And lets not assume that Toronto will have anyone that actually wants him for a PO run. My guess is he scores less than 15 goals and has a below .500 FO %, not to mention his disappearing act in the PO's. Doesn't sound like too many teams would give up much for him.

Typical Leafs fans already over valuating a trade chip that hasn't even stepped on the ice in ACC.

With Prust and Burrows on our roster I can't see too many calls going our way.

Our PK will be tested.
- CubanBuffet

lol no doubt

You don't offer him a spot if you think a rookie can do what he has done. And Benning obviously believes that can happen. I think he can be replaced easily by a rookie or a cheaper younger waiver wire pick up.

And lets not assume that Toronto will have anyone that actually wants him for a PO run. My guess is he scores less than 15 goals and has a below .500 FO %, not to mention his disappearing act in the PO's. Doesn't sound like too many teams would give up much for him.

Typical Leafs fans already over valuating a trade chip that hasn't even stepped on the ice in ACC.
- moondawg

Kenins is more of a power forward than Matthius

Letting Matthias walk without even offering a 1 year $2mil contract seems funny. If Matthias didn`t garner any interest at last years tdl, while having a career year... why not offer a contract on the lower end of the spectrum. I think at 2 million that still would be a raise.

But hey, if he isn`t the type of guy or character guy JB wants on the team then I guess JB isn`t going to lose any sleep with him signing with the Leafs.

With Matthias, I thought I remembered a JB quote about Boston trying to acquire him from the Panthers. He has a career year and it's like, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Maybe the Canucks jersey lessens the value of the player wearing it regardless of performance?
- hillbillydeluxe

I don't think so. I just JB had enough of watching Matthias play like a pansy for almost a full season.

I expect the D to be the same or worse. That's my biggest concern about this team.
- VanHockeyGuy

I don't disagree. I don't expect it to be worse, but if Edler or Hamhuis regress then we could be in trouble.

I don't disagree. I don't expect it to be worse, but if Edler or Hamhuis regress then we could be in trouble.
- CubanBuffet

If they regress, better chance of a tank and the selling of assets. But if they regress, they become less valuable trade chips. What to hope for?

Thanks pk
- chompsey

double flag.

Kenins is more of a power forward than Matthius
- A_SteamingLombardi

Kenins is an enigma.

Guy gets a point, and he gets incredibly confident and is trying to dangle the puck between his legs in the next game which results in a turnover.

so basically as good a line as mathias richardson kassian was, even being our best line in some games, the entire line has been erased. I dont think thats a good sign from management.

I do suspect that JB has his own players hes hell bent on from way back, with miller, vey, bartowski as key examples of that. time will tell if he's right or a canidate for the funny farm.

But that being said, there's 3 roster spots that makes available....who do you guys want there? or think should be there? and no im not saying crosby or OV, I mean farm players.

I say Sven, JV, shink. I think with the play and roster decisions (clearing waivers etc), given no remaining power forwards that sven and JV are a lock. The 3rd is the wild card.

I would never, ever call Matthius a power forward.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Not perhaps in the hitting aspect but in other ways yes. He clearly muscles around defenders easily and cannot be stopped if he drives to the net. That IS a power forward. But here in Canada we are also used to that meaning physical play which is not him. I wish he had both aspects.

Not perhaps in the hitting aspect but in other ways yes. He clearly muscles around defenders easily and cannot be stopped if he drives to the net. That IS a power forward. But here in Canada we are also used to that meaning physical play which is not him. I wish he had both aspects.
- SMBDragon

So you prefer Matthius as a power forward?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA96sA_Svew

Shink will probably get a few games in with the team next year. Nice highlight package.

I don't think so. I just JB had enough of watching Matthias play like a pansy for almost a full season.
- LordHumungous

My lord, I just think it is funny that the Canucks trade for him, GMMG though, thought JB also said he was a player Boston had liked, and he has a career year and... nothing. Now, as has been speculated, maybe nobody else wanted him. Which is possible. Maybe his style is more suited to the east than west?

We are retooling, if they aren't part of the future, then you move on.

Just hoping someone else picks up the slack and makes the most of their opportunity.

How about Edler and Bonino and a 2nd for Galchenyuk and a 1st?
- The_Kuze

Or maybe Petry and david desharnais with a second for horvat and a 1st ?

Kenins is an enigma.

Guy gets a point, and he gets incredibly confident and is trying to dangle the puck between his legs in the next game which results in a turnover.
- classic321

Youth and swagger.

I remember Bo trying something similar and causing a turnover. Play afraid (cautious) or play with confidence? I guess somewhere in the middle is best.

Have to expect some gaffs along the way. If we had sat Bieksa, Edler or Sbisa after every give away or bad play last season, 1/2 our d corps would be glued to the bench.

Do vets learn how to not make mistakes or do coaches learn to live with their mistakes?

Hey Vancity.... Tried out Estrellas today....

My lord, I just think it is funny that the Canucks trade for him, GMMG though, thought JB also said he was a player Boston had liked, and he has a career year and... nothing. Now, as has been speculated, maybe nobody else wanted him. Which is possible. Maybe his style is more suited to the east than west?

We are retooling, if they aren't part of the future, then you move on.

Just hoping someone else picks up the slack and makes the most of their opportunity.
- hillbillydeluxe

Maybe Benning was banking on landing Lucic?

Or maybe Petry and david desharnais with a second for horvat and a 1st ?
- Redmile247

deal

I don't disagree. I don't expect it to be worse, but if Edler or Hamhuis regress then we could be in trouble.
- CubanBuffet

On the other hand, it could be addition by subtraction (aka... Bieksa).

On the other hand, it could be addition by subtraction (aka... Bieksa).
- we_are_all_canucks

Do the same with Hamhuis then.