Several teams where interested in Larsen including Edmonton. It was a smart trade even after his sub par season. We needed depth and it was a worthwhile gamble.
- CanuckDon

Yup, gambling on Larsen was a good move. It hasn't turned out but that's life.

I can't even comprehend a defenseman scoring that frequently. Mind blowing
- CanuckDon

In this era of hockey, for a defenseman to be over a PPG guy is just unheard of. The best part is, is that he isn't a defensive liability like some of the other offensive D-men in the league.

If that's directed at me

Has it been mentioned by anyone? I think it's a great discussion point.
- bloatedmosquito

It was directed at you. You have a keen eye for emoticons

Yup, gambling on Larsen was a good move. It hasn't turned out but that's life.
- belcherbd

At least this gamble was a 5th and not a 2nd

I can't even comprehend a defenseman scoring that frequently. Mind blowing
- CanuckDon

He's been insane...I thought SJS were crazy to move him back to D when he was dominant as a forward but shows what I know.

He is the poster boy now for patience when drafting huge guys who can skate with skill.

I'm not very high on Hague where we will be picking but he has drawn some comparisons in playing style and size obviously.

At least this gamble was a 5th and not a 2nd
- CanuckDon

Several teams where interested in Larsen including Edmonton. It was a smart trade even after his sub par season. We needed depth and it was a worthwhile gamble.
- CanuckDon

Yes, but do you consider Larsen as NHL quality depth?

The moment he got rocked with his head down (behind his own net no less) I knew this kid was not ready. You don't need to be trading picks, no matter how late in the draft, for that level of ability.

Hell, if you are going to gamble why don't you through in a kid like subban? At least he's got something to prove. He's probably got a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Great! Use it to the team's advantage.

In this era of hockey, for a defenseman to be over a PPG guy is just unheard of. The best part is, is that he isn't a defensive liability like some of the other offensive D-men in the league.
- Codes1087

I'm not sure about that, I think Karlsson takes a lot crap for not being good in his own end. Burns makes plenty of mistakes as well but people generally let it slide because he plays physical.

Yes, but do you consider Larsen as NHL quality depth?

The moment he got rocked with his head down (behind his own net no less) I knew this kid was not ready. You don't need to be trading picks, no matter how late in the draft, for that level of ability.

Hell, if you are going to gamble why don't you through in a kid like subban? At least he's got something to prove. He's probably got a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Great! Use it to the team's advantage.
- bloatedmosquito

I agree with your posts often, but that's just ridiculous. Guys get caught with their heads down all the time. That said I would say there many signs that he wasn't able to compete in this league long before he got rocked.

But all of that has no bearing on why he was traded for in the first place, he tore up the KHL after struggling in the NHL. A 5th was a very reasonable cost to take the chance he had put it together.

but the prevailing mood around the team is one of optimism

They apparently haven't seen February and March's schedule!

Yes, but do you consider Larsen as NHL quality depth?

The moment he got rocked with his head down (behind his own net no less) I knew this kid was not ready. You don't need to be trading picks, no matter how late in the draft, for that level of ability.

Hell, if you are going to gamble why don't you through in a kid like subban? At least he's got something to prove. He's probably got a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Great! Use it to the team's advantage.
- bloatedmosquito

Larsen had NHL experience and was apparently decent for Edmonton (I don't recall). I have a few buddies that are die hard Oilers fans that were disappointed when he left. The Canucks brass is familiar with him from his time in North America. He went to the KHL and put up pretty big numbers and ran his teams power play. The Canucks didn't have Stetcher at the time so they were "potentially" filling a need. Rushing Subban to the NHL so he can get ventilated and possibly injured probably isn't best for his development. They attempted a creative roster move to fill a hole and the cost was a 5th. Low risk

I can't even comprehend a defenseman scoring that frequently. Mind blowing
- CanuckDon

I think it might help that the roster is amazingly deep. He's also on the ice for 25+ minutes a game.

I looked at Edler's production during the two seasons between 2010 and 2011 (canucks best ever). Strangely enough he turned into a scoring machine and was even nominated for a Norris.

Good teams make everyone play their best. Saying that, I would give up your left nut to have him on my team.

So...

I have not done any back-reading so not sure if this has been discussed, but I wonder what a coach like Hitch would do for a young, rebuilding team?

What would he do for the team's 'respectability'?
- bloatedmosquito

Did we not try that with Torts?

I think it might help that the roster is amazingly deep. He's also on the ice for 25+ minutes a game.

I looked at Edler's production during the two seasons between 2010 and 2011 (canucks best ever). Strangely enough he turned into a scoring machine and was even nominated for a Norris.

Good teams make everyone play their best. Saying that, I would give up your left nut to have him on my team.
- bloatedmosquito

I believe the saying is my left nut

In the Canucks for Kids tweet, it looks like Daniel (or Henrik) is holding the mic while Stecher is reading from a piece of paper...
- hillbillydeluxe

Canucks for kids? Are we trading for Gaudreau?

At least this gamble was a 5th and not a 2nd
- CanuckDon

We were fresh out of seconds....or it would have been

I agree with your posts often, but that's just ridiculous. Guys get caught with their heads down all the time. That said I would say there many signs that he wasn't able to compete in this league long before he got rocked.

But all of that has no bearing on why he was traded for in the first place, he tore up the KHL after struggling in the NHL. A 5th was a very reasonable cost to take the chance he had put it together.
- belcherbd

I should have been clearer. We all discussed his limited abilities before the hit, some of us questioned why WD would even dress him after we all saw what he had to bring. I think the hit just confirmed it for me.

Sure, guys get rocked all the time but Dmen don't generally get rocked like that.



And it's not like Hall came out of no where. Larsen was completely unaware of what was happening around him. I guess he was focused on the task of digging the puck out from his skates. Lost track of time.

Has tearing up the KHL become some sort of benchmark? I don't think it is.

If your talking gamble, then sure, go ahead and trade 5ths for Larsens but I'm hoping JB give me more than just gambles.

I believe the saying is my left nut
- CanuckDon

Why would I give up my left nut? That's crazy.

if it takes getting a McDavid, Laine, Eichel, Matthews to make a team competitive then no one's going to be getting up off the mat until they draft in the 1 or 2 slot...

Canucks are trying to make it happen with being as crap as Leafs and Oilers were for years and years...
- kaptaan

oops...

it should read "without" being as crap as Oilers and Leafs were for years and years... big change in meaning.. that's what happens when rushing to type something...

Did we not try that with Torts?
- VANTEL

No.

Different type of coach all together. Hitch is considered a top flight coach.

Torts is considered a top flight a-hole.

No.

Different type of coach all together. Hitch is considered a top flight coach.

Torts is considered a top flight a-hole.
- bloatedmosquito

i think Torts has done pretty well this season...

It was directed at you. You have a keen eye for emoticons
- CanuckDon

I knew my post would get one of two reactions; disinterest or scorn.

Oh well. On to the next one.

Why would I give up my left nut? That's crazy.
- bloatedmosquito

i think Torts has done pretty well this season...
- kaptaan

Yes. We were talking about that a few weeks ago and I started to look at the stats and he's definately having an effect on wins and loses. The systems and distribution of playing time is very different but it's working for him.

Again, it pays to have skill on your roster. Makes life easier.

Why would I give up my left nut? That's crazy.
- bloatedmosquito

Salo did and hes fine.