Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Next Year's Key Players—Baertschi, Horvat, Weber As the Canucks development camp heads back to Vancouver, tickets go on sale for the Young Stars Classic in September and attention turns to the players who will be the difference-makers on next year's team: Sven Baertschi, Bo Horvat, Yannick Weber—possibly even Jared McCann.

Hello?

Thank you, Cheers.

Really high hopes for McCann! I think this kid is gonna be a very good NHL'er.

That Greene quote, "He was a dominant player at our (AHL) level and all signs indicated that he’s ready for the next jump,” and the rest, triggered the thought of WD saying something similar about Linden Vey to JB or whoever before the Canucks acquired him.

And that Vey was given a long look while deployed in different situations by WD. And Sven is going to need a long look on the 2nd line.

Benning did 1 thing right this offseason:

No long term signings. Add the 1 year deals with the players with 1 year remaining and this could be a very profitable deadline.

Side note:

I'm happy for the suffering Oiler fans that can finally, perhaps, cheer for a winner. Aren't they lucky (as is Pittsburgh) for having some of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Lemieux, Jagr. Now Crosby, Malkin
Gretzky, Messier. Now McDavid, Klinkhammer

Benning did 1 thing right this offseason:

No long term signings. Add the 1 year deals with the players with 1 year remaining and this could be a very profitable deadline.

Side note:

I'm happy for the suffering Oiler fans that can finally, perhaps, cheer for a winner. Aren't they lucky (as is Pittsburgh) for having some of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Lemieux, Jagr. Now Crosby, Malkin
Gretzky, Messier. Now McDavid, Klinkhammer


- storm88

Really high hopes for McCann! I think this kid is gonna be a very good NHL'er.
- LeftCoaster

Nice to see he got that Team Canada camp invite.

I get the impression McCann is straight forward, not very flashy, but effective. We don't hear enough about him. (compared to Jake)

Watched some of the 3 on 3 highlights and it looks like we have some skill and offense in the system now. Feeling positive. Hope the development continues and some of these guys can take the next step.

WD always comes across as very set with the thinking that there is little chance of 18/19 year olds making the jump from junior to the nhl or even with just a short stint in the ahl, it is still very rare. But with his last interview, how he talked about summer training possibly having a huge impact on development, putting some players over the top that didn't necessarily look that close during the season before...

I'm starting to think, more and more, Virtanen will be given every opportunity, and lots of rope, to earn a spot. and maybe another surprise beyond that?

Benning's negotiating will be measured by several deals, not just the Weber signing. The Jury is still out on that one. Is the development camp & Young Stars tournament going to create enough Marketing momentum for season ticket sales? I think the Canucks sales will lag behind CAL & EDM.

Benning's negotiating will be measured by several deals, not just the Weber signing. The Jury is still out on that one. Is the development camp & Young Stars tournament going to create enough Marketing momentum for season ticket sales? I think the Canucks sales will lag behind CAL & EDM.
- VanHockeyGuy

Who cares, this owner deserves to have empty seats.

Benning's negotiating will be measured by several deals, not just the Weber signing. The Jury is still out on that one. Is the development camp & Young Stars tournament going to create enough Marketing momentum for season ticket sales? I think the Canucks sales will lag behind CAL & EDM.
- VanHockeyGuy

Way to go out on a limb.

Who has more to be excited about? The team that just drafted a generational talent, the team that just traded for a young franchise 1/2 dman and exceeded expectations the season before or... us?

Personally, I rarely buy even single game tickets though, I'm excited about the Canucks. I think they have turned a page and we have some new characters and opportunity and more change coming.

Way to go out on a limb.

Who has more to be excited about? The team that just drafted a generational talent, the team that just traded for a young franchise 1/2 dman and exceeded expectations the season before or... us?

Personally, I rarely buy even single game tickets though, I'm excited about the Canucks. I think they have turned a page and we have some new characters and opportunity and more change coming.
- hillbillydeluxe

It will be interesting to see for sure. I don't think you will see any deals from the Canucks this summer. So it looks this is what we go to camp with.

It will be interesting to see for sure. I don't think you will see any deals from the Canucks this summer. So it looks this is what we go to camp with.
- VanHockeyGuy

I'm fine with that. I think JV gets 9 games then back to junior and McCann goes straight back to junior. Both make Team Canada and have good final seasons in the CHL.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Baertschi-Bo-Vrbata
Hansen-Bonino-Higgins
Dorsett-Vey-Prust
Kenins

Average forward age (currently): 28.6

Edler-Tanev
Hamhuis-Weber
Sbisa-Bartkowski
Corrado-Clendening

Average Dman age: 26

It will be interesting to see for sure. I don't think you will see any deals from the Canucks this summer. So it looks this is what we go to camp with.
- VanHockeyGuy

On the one hand, to JB's credit, he has said that he will make room for any prospects out of training camp that earn a spot with the big club.

I am not sure if that is the best time to make trades, when rosters are close to set, everyone has extra players, more supply and less demand?

Still expecting to see one fwd and/or one d moved before the season starts. Always 2 d and 1 fwd in the pressbox?

Wondering if McCann, Cassels or another prospect could earn 4c spot, or a d prospect earns a spot, who gets moved or do they just try to send someone down and expose on waivers?

Sedin Sedin Burrows
Baertschi Bonino Vrbata
Higgins Horvat Dorsett
Prust Vey Hansen

Kenins

Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Weber
Sbisa Bartowski

Clendening, Corrado

Miller, Markstorm

edit: '94, didn't see your lines until after I posted mine... for sure some questions with 3rd and 4th lines. oops, spoke too soon, I'd love to see Bo on the 2nd line, but would guess Bonino would start with it and Bo finishes with it.

I'm fine with that. I think JV gets 9 games then back to junior and McCann goes straight back to junior. Both make Team Canada and have good final seasons in the CHL.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Baertschi-Bo-Vrbata
Hansen-Bonino-Higgins
Dorsett-Vey-Prust
Kenins

Average forward age (currently): 28.6

Edler-Tanev
Hamhuis-Weber
Sbisa-Bartkowski
Corrado-Clendening

Average Dman age: 26
- nucks_94

You guys are penciling Sven on the 2 line. I hope he plays that well. Honestly, if he ever had a chance to show he was worth being picked that high its now with you guys. I think he'll get the ice time in Van he couldn't in Calgary so we'll see. If he can't live up to expectations this year, he'll be playing in Europe next season...

On the one hand, to JB's credit, he has said that he will make room for any prospects out of training camp that earn a spot with the big club.

I am not sure if that is the best time to make trades, when rosters are close to set, everyone has extra players, more supply and less demand?

Still expecting to see one fwd and/or one d moved before the season starts. Always 2 d and 1 fwd in the pressbox?

Wondering if McCann, Cassels or another prospect could earn 4c spot, or a d prospect earns a spot, who gets moved or do they just try to send someone down and expose on waivers?

Sedin Sedin Burrows
Baertschi Bonino Vrbata
Higgins Horvat Dorsett
Prust Vey Hansen

Kenins

Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Weber
Sbisa Bartowski

Clendening, Corrado

Miller, Markstorm

edit: '94, didn't see your lines until after I posted mine... for sure some questions with 3rd and 4th lines. oops, spoke too soon, I'd love to see Bo on the 2nd line, but would guess Bonino would start with it and Bo finishes with it.
- hillbillydeluxe

Basically the same lineup... I think the bottom 6 are pretty interchangeable. The key to the Canucks season next year, IMO, will be whether or not Bo and Sven can be productive second liners. If they can, I think they are a playoff team. If not... look out

"WD always comes across as very set with the thinking that there is little chance of 18/19 year olds making the jump from junior to the nhl or even with just a short stint in the ahl, it is still very rare. But with his last interview, how he talked about summer training possibly having a huge impact on development, putting some players over the top that didn't necessarily look that close during the season before..".

Sorry Hillbilly, your comments didn't fully copy when I tried to respond. Just wanted to say that I generally agree with Willie's approach that young players need to earn their way onto the team and not just get handed roles because of who they are, what the fans want, and draft position. The problem is this thinking appeared to fall apart with Vey.

Basically the same lineup... I think the bottom 6 are pretty interchangeable. The key to the Canucks season next year, IMO, will be whether or not Bo and Sven can be productive second liners. If they can, I think they are a playoff team. If not... look out
- nucks_94

I can see that.

What I wonder, is if there are some surprises, a prospect makes the club, like Virtanen, how do you insulate him a bit, set him up with the right line mates?

Someone had Subban penciled in with the D, don't think it would happen, but makes you wonder if Clendening or Corrado show then can be regulars, who do you move or just put them in the press box? Hamhuis? Is Sbisa moveable? Weber if it is Clendening stepping up? Didn't even hear if Weber got an offer once he wasn't qualified as rfa.

I can see that.

What I wonder, is if there are some surprises, a prospect makes the club, like Virtanen, how do you insulate him a bit, set him up with the right line mates?

Someone had Subban penciled in with the D, don't think it would happen, but makes you wonder if Clendening or Corrado show then can be regulars, who do you move or just put them in the press box? Hamhuis? Is Sbisa moveable? Weber if it is Clendening stepping up? Didn't even hear if Weber got an offer once he wasn't qualified as rfa.
- hillbillydeluxe

Would love to see Weber get some good power play time and put up the points. If the team is falling behind, he could be a useful chip for a contender needing power play help. If the team falls behind early, I could see chips moving before the trade deadline like Edmonton did with Perron. Of course, if the team is doing well, then less likely anyone goes.

"
Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Baertschi-Bo-Vrbata
Hansen-Bonino-Higgins
Dorsett-Vey-Prust
Kenins

Edler-Tanev
Hamhuis-Weber
Sbisa-Bartkowski
Corrado-Clendening"

Id put bartowski with hamius as he isnt defensively responsible, guys like that you pair with a stay at home defender. So weber should be with sbisa. Unless that is corrado or clendening fit there. I prefer corrado, I liked him when he filled in last season. Exciting player.

Now that ive come to peace with some summer moves Id actually like to see 1 more young player make the team. JV looks ready and would address the need the size and hard hitting. Honestly I dont like losing 3 guys from the forward roster and yet only 2 new faces in prust and sven. Thats not enough change given the subtraction. Grenier another nice choice as well. Utica talent is looking good! Excited by whats down there. Corrado and clendening will add for sure. Cedarholm lokks great and pedan looks amazing. Tryamkin is a beast in russia. Future looking good. But as for now lets see more fresh faces.

I can see that.

What I wonder, is if there are some surprises, a prospect makes the club, like Virtanen, how do you insulate him a bit, set him up with the right line mates?

Someone had Subban penciled in with the D, don't think it would happen, but makes you wonder if Clendening or Corrado show then can be regulars, who do you move or just put them in the press box? Hamhuis? Is Sbisa moveable? Weber if it is Clendening stepping up? Didn't even hear if Weber got an offer once he wasn't qualified as rfa.
- hillbillydeluxe

If another prospect shows that he deserves to be in there, you have to make room for him. I think if Virtanen makes the team, they'll try and move Higgins. I don't think there is a chance in hell that Subban makes the team next year. He needs time in Utica. On D, aside from Edler, Tanev, and Hamhuis, you play the 3 guys who are playing the best at any given time. The other 2 sit in the press box.

"WD always comes across as very set with the thinking that there is little chance of 18/19 year olds making the jump from junior to the nhl or even with just a short stint in the ahl, it is still very rare. But with his last interview, how he talked about summer training possibly having a huge impact on development, putting some players over the top that didn't necessarily look that close during the season before..".

Sorry Hillbilly, your comments didn't fully copy when I tried to respond. Just wanted to say that I generally agree with Willie's approach that young players need to earn their way onto the team and not just get handed roles because of who they are, what the fans want, and draft position. The problem is this thinking appeared to fall apart with Vey.
- bazz

np.

As a general rule, I'd agree that prospects need time to develop in the AHL before making the jump.

I think it was WD that was talking about summer training potentially having a huge impact on the development of some players (might be mixing it up with a JB or Green interview). Speaking about the training and development, while watching the prospects practicing.

Vey had a hard time, I thought, finding chemistry with his linemates and was putting up bad numbers in the faceoff circle.

Growing pains hopefully. When Vey was put in the lineup, I guess it was the last two playoff games, don't remember him scoring, but thought he was skating really well and was trying to get the offense going. He was noticeable.

If another prospect shows that he deserves to be in there, you have to make room for him. I think if Virtanen makes the team, they'll try and move Higgins. I don't think there is a chance in hell that Subban makes the team next year. He needs time in Utica. On D, aside from Edler, Tanev, and Hamhuis, you play the 3 guys who are playing the best at any given time. The other 2 sit in the press box.
- nucks_94

Or hanson.....he makes more $ and does less. Butnhe is tremendously fast which he need for breakaways now the mathias is gone.

np.

As a general rule, I'd agree that prospects need time to develop in the AHL before making the jump.

I think it was WD that was talking about summer training potentially having a huge impact on the development of some players (might be mixing it up with a JB or Green interview). Speaking about the training and development, while watching the prospects practicing.

Vey had a hard time, I thought, finding chemistry with his linemates and was putting up bad numbers in the faceoff circle.

Growing pains hopefully. When Vey was put in the lineup, I guess it was the last two playoff games, don't remember him scoring, but thought he was skating really well and was trying to get the offense going. He was noticeable.
- hillbillydeluxe

It won't be easier for him this season, he has more pressure on him to produce.

Benning did 1 thing right this offseason:

No long term signings. Add the 1 year deals with the players with 1 year remaining and this could be a very profitable deadline.

Side note:

I'm happy for the suffering Oiler fans that can finally, perhaps, cheer for a winner. Aren't they lucky (as is Pittsburgh) for having some of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Lemieux, Jagr. Now Crosby, Malkin
Gretzky, Messier. Now McDavid, Klinkhammer

Huh?