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why did we trade cody hodgson


bronski beat

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Getting rid of Grabner was a fantastic idea. Getting 34 goals and 18 assists makes him suck, actually. Any competent top 6 forward will get 18+ assists just by moving the puck properly and being on the ice for 82 games. The only top 6 forwards who don't get more assists are specialists, shut down guys or face off experts. I challenge you to find a good top 6 forward with fewer assists than that. Grabner has consistently been near the 2:1 ratio of goals to assists, which means he doesn't use his linemates properly, he doesn't advance the puck properly or play a puck possession game, and he simply is not a top 6 player on any but the weakest teams. Also he was on a one way contract and he certainly would have been lost on waivers and never played for the Canucks again anyhow. Rather than lose him Gillis got something for him and now people who can't see the big picture whine about it. Face the facts: Grabner sucks.

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Unfortunately, all teams have to trade players at some point in order to address needs. You can't keep all the keepers....in order to get something of value you also need to give up something of value, in determining what those current needs are.

We needed a new dimension in the playoffs - skill, speed & finesse aren't enough....as we've experienced, you need toughness and a deterrent from having others taking shots at our top players. I like the way our line up has toughened up...we play with more of an edge now. The guys can stand their ground and aren't going to be pushed around and Zach will be part of that. We also don't need any more distractions on this team....Lord knows, we've had our share (between tragedies, personal issues and horrible injuries). If Cody's supporting staff were creating some distraction, then that wasn't good for the team...the focus has to be on unity and teamwork, not keeping track of who gets what in regard to ice time, etc. But it's all been said before and, for me anyhow, is completely a non issue. Moved on weeks ago and am excited about our "team", not what used to or could have been....

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It does actually.

The immediate help is in the physical department. The long term is developing him into a scoring power forward. It will be 3 to 5 years before this trade can be realistically judged.

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You're only looking on the surface. Do you remember last years playoffs? Two things caused us problems. Overplaying Kesler in both offensive and shutdown roles, and getting manhandled.

Malhotra's eye injury changed the game plan. The third line was supposed to be the shutdown line and Keskers line used in a more offensive role. The acquisition of Pahlsson puts last years game plan back into effect. Once again we have a 3rd line made up of three quality penalty killers who can take over the shutdown role while chipping in offensively. This allows Kesler's line to be used in a more offensive role while logging a little less ice time. Weigh that against having Cody on the third line with limited minutes. The entire 2nd line in an offensive role or Cody's production on the third line with the second line in a shutdown role. I'll take the former thanks.

So with the acquisition of Pahlsson where would that leave Cody? The fourth line where he'll have limited ice time (and production) and providing no physical presence. Or the pressbox providing nothing while hoping for an injury. And honestly, I think the 3rd line has looked more dangerous since Cody left.

How about Cody in the long term? With Kesler and Henrik ahead of him for likely four or more years he's stuck on the third line. Yet he's complaining about his ice time in his rookie season. How long could that situation possibly last?

Sorry Cody fans but it made sense to move Cody. Even ignoring Kassian, I think the current roster has a better chance of winning it all with Pahlsson centering our third line. Assuming the team does a better job of staying healthy through the playoffs. Kassian adds a physical presence this year while having the potential of being a monster of a top six power forward. Unlike Cody at center, that's something we actually do need down the road. Sure any of those you mentioned could supply a physical presence (although Oreo did a crappy job last year). Do you believe any of them have the offensive potential that Kassian has? This trade wasn't only about now, it was also about the future.

On top of getting something we need for something we didn't, we also obtained Gragnani. I see him as a definite upgrade over Sulzer.

We added three pieces, not just Kassian.

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I watched the Boston game today and I can honestly say kassian played better yesterday then lucid did today. I know I have extreme bias being a Canuck fan. But I closely watched lucic the whole game and I think if lucic has off games like this maybe we should be easy on the rookie.

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  • 10 months later...

^^^^^^

This,

and besides that fact that Kassian is a better skater, better hitter, more physical, can fight, and better defensively I don't understand how we sacraficed and offensive player for one that isn't so offensive when in actuallity Kassain's AHL statistics are far more superior than Hodgsons in 2010-11 season. Kassian played 56 games, scored 26 goals, 51 assists, 77 points and was a + 10 for the Windsor Spitfires. He had 6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points in 16 playoff games and went on to win the memorial cup also. Cody played 52 games for the Moose had 17 goals, 13 assists, 30 points, and was a -12. Kassian is a year behind Hodgson but I think eventually he will be a better overall player than him.

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I think this is the point missed often, and the truthful answer is no. Now, I don't mean no, not at all, but I do mean no, not at the same level of proficiency. Kesler plays wing, but certainly not as well as he plays center. Malholtra plays wing, but it is obvious he is better suited to a center role.

Raymond plays center, but there is no doubt he is a winger.

Cody Hodgson is an upo and coming potentially talented center, and could have turned into an ok winger. Zack Kassian is a natural winger and potentially a talented power forward. Rather than trying to fit a round peg into a square hole,,,,,,get a square peg??

Barring catastrophic injury, we were going to have figure out how to fit CoHo in, Kassian will fit right in, working his way up the lineup. Not only that, but he is a natural Right Winger.

Burrows is an LW playing right side, MayRay LW, Booth LW, Higgins LW, Hansen is the closest to skilled natural RW, then we get to Bitz and Weise.

Seems to me we needed a power forward, natural right winger, rugged, net presence, soft hands.

Seems to me we got one.

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^^^^^^

This,

and besides that fact that Kassian is a better skater, better hitter, more physical, can fight, and better defensively I don't understand how we sacraficed and offensive player for one that isn't so offensive when in actuallity Kassain's AHL statistics are far more superior than Hodgsons in 2010-11 season. Kassian played 56 games, scored 26 goals, 51 assists, 77 points and was a + 10 for the Windsor Spitfires. He had 6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points in 16 playoff games and went on to win the memorial cup also. Cody played 52 games for the Moose had 17 goals, 13 assists, 30 points, and was a -12. Kassian is a year behind Hodgson but I think eventually he will be a better overall player than him.

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With Kes out, Hodgson would look a lot better as our 2nd line C than Ebbett :towel:

There's no doubt he will be a very good NHL player one day. Good for him.

It appears that most fans like the trade for Kassian. He has lots of potential, but will probably take longer than Cody to reach it. It's meaningless to compare these players, as their games are totally different.

Go Canucks Go

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