I think signing Sutter long term , having Hank for three more years , to be followed up by Bo McCann and Cassels, he feels no immediate need pressing at centre.
- VANTEL

Correct. No immediate need. But moving One of those C's in a couple years might be a possibility. Who is really a #1C? I don't see one. Hank isn't here forever.

Just a thought. I realize that selling off expiring contracts for picks and prospects is the way to go this year. Drafting a couple Dmen early, should be the focus.

I'm going to throw this, out for discussion:

Will Benning try to pry Sam Reinhart out of Buffalo. Not now. But, perhaps in a year or 2, or 3. Back in the 2014 draft It was rumoured that Benning was trying to move up in the draft. Either #1 or #2. They were reportedly after Reinhart (Ekblad should be the #1 tho). Rumoured was; Shinkaruk and both 1sts from Vancouver that year (ended up Virtanen and McCann).

Now I wouldn't trade those 3 for Reinhart now. However, Benning isn't afraid to make moves. Would he move a; Shinkaruk, McCann and maybe another little morsel fro Sam now? The Canucks already have Bo (future 2C) and Cassels who could end up being a great 3rd line C. Oh and Sutter I guess So they could afford to move another C in McCann. (If Buffalo wants another C)

Gives Van a potential future elite 1C. Not a flashy one thats for sure. But a smart and productive one.


From Buffalo's point of view:

Eichel will clearly be the #1 C of the future. They also have O'Reilly locked up long term now. Plus, Girgensons! Plus, to a lesser extent (days surely numbered) Tyler Ennis. Where does Reinhart fit? I don't see Buffalo trading Girgs or newly aquired O'Reilly.

There could be a fit here.

What would you offer to Buffalo for Sam?
- storm88

I don't see Buffalo trading him for your package ...have to imagine they are still very high on him ...and why would they give him up for nothing they need ....but for arguments sake it would take a more offensive edler or a higher end winger

Crazy to trade Hansen. He generates a lot of chances and is very reliable defensively
- VANTEL

Special teams especially the PK has always been a huge part of this franchises success. To totally deplete that is stupid and scary.

Crazy to trade Hansen. He generates a OT of chances and is very reliable defensively
- VANTEL

Even if we are out of the playoffs at the tdl, I don't expect a full on fire sale. The goal has been to remain competitive through this process-and even if they miss the playoffs one year, I don't think they want to be out for 2 years in a row...

Correct. No immediate need. But moving One of those C's in a couple years might be a possibility. Who is really a #1C? I don't see one. Hank isn't here forever.

Just a thought. I realize that selling off expiring contracts for picks and prospects is the way to go this year. Drafting a couple Dmen early, should be the focus.
- storm88

Yes D and Left Wing is where they should concentrate. They will have cap space next year if they can trade Burrows and Higgins a year early. There are some decent LWs available next year. I hope Adam Ladd is available.

Our D is floating above water and depends what the next wave bring with Subban Pedan Russian Cedarholm and Hutton . I won't ask Nucker but I would have to think there are at least 2 serviceable players on that list.

Even if we are out of the playoffs at the tdl, I don't expect a full on fire sale. The goal has been to remain competitive through this process-and even if they miss the playoffs one year, I don't think they want to be out for 2 years in a row...
- hillbillydeluxe

I hope they don't intend to give Hamhuis another contract. When chance presents itself it is time to move away from the old core. I really don't mind if we finish in the bottom for a few years. It is time for change .

Crazy to trade Hansen. He generates a lot of chances and is very reliable defensively
- VANTEL

I was just throwing it out there as I think there will be a time to move him but you are correct...he is too versatile up and down all four lines to move this season unless 'the package' makes sense for us.

I was just throwing it out there as I think there will be a time to move him but you are correct...he is too versatile up and down all four lines to move this season unless 'the package' makes sense for us.
- LordHumungous

He is the best player on the team at this team to boost Bo or Sutters career IMO. Hansen creates a lot of chances. He doesn't finish them but he makes it exciting

I think signing Sutter long term , having Hank for three more years , to be followed up by Bo McCann and Cassels, he feels no immediate need pressing at centre.
- VANTEL

That's the deadline for a 1C, it's not a given those 3 can fill that role.

That's the deadline for a 1C, it's not a given those 3 can fill that role.
- VanHockeyGuy

I want to see what Bo does this year. I won't panic about a change needed in three years. Horvat was impressive last year and I want to see if he improves. If he can put up around 18 -20 goals then maybe he will provide us the answer we are looking for

He played 68 games in his first year and had 25 points with less than prime zone starts to battle in. Maybe he can bring that up to 40 PTs this year.

Special teams especially the PK has always been a huge part of this franchises success. To totally deplete that is stupid and scary.
- thundachunk

Hansen is a great 3/4 line player. He should not be on the 1st line. Ever.

I hope they don't intend to give Hamhuis another contract. When chance presents itself it is time to move away from the old core. I really don't mind if we finish in the bottom for a few years. It is time for change .
- VANTEL

I wouldn't mind it either.

But, if going by JB's word and actions, the org. doesn't want this.

JB is out the door as soon as we miss a couple playoffs in a row. If the plan was to sell off and restock, it should have happened as soon as Gillis was fired.

As long as the Sedins are on the team, we won't be seeing any top 5 picks.

Really, I know we don't have the support group unless some young players have amazing seasons, this organization should be doing everything it can to get another run in before the Sedins retire. Two top line players, top 25 in scoring, how often have the Canucks had players like these?

Hansen is a great 3/4 line player. He should not be on the 1st line. Ever.
- Marwood

I was only talking PK. Hansen is a great 3rd liner. Never a 1st liner.

I want to see what Bo does this year. I won't panic about a change needed in three years. Horvat was impressive last year and I want to see if he improves. If he can put up around 18 -20 goals then maybe he will provide us the answer we are looking for

He played 68 games in his first year and had 25 points with less than prime zone starts to battle in. Maybe he can bring that up to 40 PTs this year.
- VANTEL

Not sure Bo is a 1C, maybe we end up with 2Ca and 2Cb until we find a legitimate 1C.

I've included a poll to judge your early expectations for next season in today's new blog.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...Fare-in-2015-16/194/70363

I'm going to throw this, out for discussion:

Will Benning try to pry Sam Reinhart out of Buffalo. Not now. But, perhaps in a year or 2, or 3. Back in the 2014 draft It was rumoured that Benning was trying to move up in the draft. Either #1 or #2. They were reportedly after Reinhart (Ekblad should be the #1 tho). Rumoured was; Shinkaruk and both 1sts from Vancouver that year (ended up Virtanen and McCann).

Now I wouldn't trade those 3 for Reinhart now. However, Benning isn't afraid to make moves. Would he move a; Shinkaruk, McCann and maybe another little morsel fro Sam now? The Canucks already have Bo (future 2C) and Cassels who could end up being a great 3rd line C. Oh and Sutter I guess So they could afford to move another C in McCann. (If Buffalo wants another C)

Gives Van a potential future elite 1C. Not a flashy one thats for sure. But a smart and productive one.


From Buffalo's point of view:

Eichel will clearly be the #1 C of the future. They also have O'Reilly locked up long term now. Plus, Girgensons! Plus, to a lesser extent (days surely numbered) Tyler Ennis. Where does Reinhart fit? I don't see Buffalo trading Girgs or newly aquired O'Reilly.

There could be a fit here.

What would you offer to Buffalo for Sam?
- storm88

Buffalo and Edmonton are deep in Centerman. The price will be high for players like Draisaitl or Reinhart. A price that JB will have to pay at some point. He's not going to get players like that in the draft in the near future unless we really have a bad year and have some luck in the lottery.

Correct. No immediate need. But moving One of those C's in a couple years might be a possibility. Who is really a #1C? I don't see one. Hank isn't here forever.

Just a thought. I realize that selling off expiring contracts for picks and prospects is the way to go this year. Drafting a couple Dmen early, should be the focus.
- storm88

Interesting to also ponder if hank goes down to injury who then is your #1 now

Buffalo and Edmonton are deep in Centerman. The price will be high for players like Draisaitl or Reinhart. A price that JB will have to pay at some point. He's not going to get players like that in the draft in the near future unless we really have a bad year and have some luck in the lottery.
- VanHockeyGuy

Not necessarily. Everyone seems to think that quality goes up with early picks but we've seen COUNTLESS 1st rd picks that were complete busts. Edmonton has a pile of em for example kassian and hodgson I believe were both 1st rds as well.

Seriously, many great players were late rd picks. Datysuk for example. Zetterburg. I think detroit has a long history of late rd picks being gems. Cant recall were lucic landed. Iginla for memory (which may be incorrect) snuck under the radar.

Point is those no saying you cant draft well without tanking. And tanking doesnt guarantee you anything. We saw buffalo and Arizona pretty upset they didnt get the #1 slot. Full tank does NOT guarantee mathews.

He is the best player on the team at this team to boost Bo or Sutters career IMO. Hansen creates a lot of chances. He doesn't finish them but he makes it exciting
- VANTEL

And speed too. Which is always a threat.
I like the idea of playing hanson on pk way up high in the box where he can pick off passes between the D and use his speed as breakaway threat. If you prevent the pass across it greatly nullifies their PP and enahnces our pk, if its intercepted the theres shorthanded scoring chance. Win win. Excellent tactic. Speed is hansons best asset.

It's strange to me that people are shocked that the Canucks chose Boeser at 23rd overall.

Before the draft, I had researched all of the potential draft picks the Canucks could take, looking at those rated between 18 and 33. The majority of blogs and articles written about the prediction for the Canucks 23rd overall pick, chose Jakub Zboril as their selection. Zboril was selected at the 12th pick, although he was predicted to go at 23rd. I had Boeser in my top 4 potential picks for the Canucks' first pick. To be more specific, I predicted the Canucks would select one of Brock Boeser, Paul Bittner (drafted 22nd overall), Jansen Harkins (drafted 15th), or Brandon Carlos (drafted 25th).

In reviewing what the various agencies/websites rating of Brock Boeser, it is my opinion that the Canucks selecting Brock Boeser with the 23rd overall pick was spot-on, and will prove to be a top pick in the future.

The predictions of what draft pick Brock Boeser will land at:
□ The Hockey News: 14
□ hockeyprospect.com: 18
□ Future Considerations: 26
□ Bob McKenzie: 26
□ NHL Central Scouting: 27
□ ISS: 35

With some basic math, the average rating between those above, is 24th overall. I would say that Canucks drafted Brock Boeser as expected.