6 players the Canucks miss.

[Gollumpus]

1. Christian Ehrhoff

[cyacry]

I agree on all except for the last one, now that we have Roy. I think we also miss guys Grabner, Mitchell, Bertuzzi.

[TheFastOne21]

Hansen AVG TOI: 17:33

Higgins AVG TOI: 16:24

Raymond AVG TOI: 15:49

[papagrizz]

i think malhotra is our biggest

[spliced]

Kassian was one of the best canucks on the ice last night. If he would play him with the Sedins, where he has shown great promise, instead of burying him on the fourth line, then we would see what he is capable of.

[Darkstar]

I have said it since day 1 that not replacing Ehrhoff with another big-minute, puck-moving d-man effectively closed the Canucks' cup window. Great to see people finally waking up. Knew it would happen eventually.

The Samuelsson for Booth trade seemed like a decent deal at the time. Sucks that it turned out so badly.

Not re-signing Raffi was mind-boggling back in 2011, and it still is now. He provided so much energy to the Canucks squad. Huge loss and it still leaves an effect.

Salo seemed like a big loss as well but he was effectively replaced by Garrison. Both are great defensive d-men with a big shot. Not a huge loss in hindsight.

Trading Cody was a tremendous loss and all the Kassian apologists will realize it in a few years as well.

[Smashian Kassian]

I 100% agree with everything you said. We keep Ehrhoff and Hodgson I guarentee you our powerplay is back in the top 10. We keep Ehrhoff and Hodgson (although I'm well over the trade), we would still lose to LA but would be dominating San Jose this year.

I may be contradicting myself here with saying I'm over the Hodgson-Kassian trade, but does anyone else think that, if Gillis kept Torres, that trade wouldn't have been necessary?

[ccc44]

This again...

Cody is not Logan Couture. I'll leave it at that on the Cody subject.

I'll take Higgins over Raffi as a 3rd line LW.

Ehrhoff, whatever. I would rather Garrison. At the time Bieksa was the better guy to keep.

Salo, it just didn't make sense for us to offer him the contract Tbay gave him, we would have loved to keep him but we couldn't. No way that contract makes sense.

And we don't miss Sammuelsson. Check out his GP this year...

[B_a_M]

1. Christian Ehrhoff

Many haters will say Ehrhoff was a product of the Sedins. Well, yes, he was... sort of. He was the Canucks fastest, and best offensive defenseman.

Unfortunately he only played 2 seasons with the Canucks. His first season, he put up 14 goals and 30 assists. 44 points, +36, and averaged 22:47 per game. Won the Babe Pratt trophy as best defenseman of the team BOTH years he was here. Impressive. His second year, he once again potted 14 goals (consistency!) and notched 36 assists and 50 points. +19 and averaged 23:59 per game.

Huge blow to the Canucks defense and powerplay. For me, the biggest blow was the Sedins production. Heres their stats the two years Ehrhoff was playing on the team.

2009/10

H.Sedin: 82gp/29g/83a/112pts

D.Sedin: 63gp:29g/56a/85pts

2010/11:

H.Sedin: 82gp/19g/75a/94pts

D.Sedin: 82gp/41g/63a/104pts

Wow! Some impressive numbers. Right after Ehrhoff leaves, the Sedins aren't even point per game players...

2. Mikael Samuelsson

Many people loathed Mikael Samuelsson. The way I looked at him, I saw a 50 point player on a cheap contract, who can step it up in the playoffs. In hindsight, Samuelsson ended up becoming oft-injured and barely serviceable but the same could be said about David Booth. The difference is, Canucks are stuck with Booth's contract, and Samuelsson perhaps would of walked, or let go by Gillis.

Regardless, Samuelsson was a supremely versatile player, had moments with the Sedins, provided good secondary scoring with Kesler, and was a good option on the powerplay. His playoff performance was outstanding, registering 15 pts in 12gp in 2009/10. His second year, he came into the playoffs on a slow start, and eventually injured. A poor showing with 3 pts in 11gp. Unfortunate that he couldn't return to the line-up, as perhaps he might of provided a small edge that would push the Canucks over Boston.

Heres what Samuelsson did in his short tenure in Vancouver:

2009/10: 74gp/30g/23a/53pts +10

2010/11: 75gp/18g/32a/50pts +8

2011/12: 6gp/1g/2a/3pts -1

He went onto Florida and put up 28 pts in 48 games played. 5 pts in 7 games played in the playoffs.

David Booth had 29 pts in 56 games played. 1 point in 5 games played in the playoffs.

Gillis may have thought he got a steal with David Booth, but it appears Dave Tallon knows what he was doing. Canucks are hooked with David Booth's salary, and may opt to use an amnesty buy-out. Samuelsson and Sturm are no longer Florida Panthers, and Tallon has successfully dumped Booth's cap hit.

3. Raffi Torres

Raffi Torres is the perfect third line player. Brings a big physical game, solid offensive instincts, and defensively capable. After losing to Boston, Gillis made it clear he wanted more size and toughness in the line-up. Which is why he lets go one of the toughest players on the Canucks, and signs Marco Sturm...

Raffi Torres is a perfect third liner. Strong lower body, so he can't be tossed around easily. Great hitter, and crashes the net. Good for 15 goals on the 3rd line. Not to mention, he formed a legendary third line of Torres-Lapierre-Hansen in the 2010/11 cup run. It's a shame that Gillis broke that up.

We are all seeing the impact Torres is making on the Sharks. Playing in the top 6, and isn't missing a beat. Playing better then Chris Higgins, Mason Raymond, Jannik Hansen, and deadline acquisition Derek Roy.

Canucks may have had a chance to acquire Torres at the deadline, I don't know. I do know that this new Torres we are seeing is even better then the one that left Vancouver. More disciplined, smarter and better offensively.

I was quite confused on the decision to let Raffi go, hes a rare player to have, can bring momentum for your team, and provide a huge physical presence, while being a factor offensively. Hopefully Zack Kassian can atleast develop into a Raffi Torres.

4. Sami Salo

The 'Finnish McInnis'. Sami Salo was a long time veteran of the Canucks. Oft-injured, yet arguably the best all-around defenseman the Canucks had. Vastly underrated league-wide and by Canucks fans. Calm and cool in his own end. Great breakout pass, and last but not least, his shot.

Many people claim Garrison came in to replace Salo, and it was an improvement. Perhaps, but the way I look at it, I see bad asset management. Sami Salo's last contract was a 1 year, 2 million dollar deal. It appears that Salo took a hometown discount to stay. Now, hes a pending free-agent, and rumored to want 2 years (obviously since he signed 2 yr deal with Tampa). I wouldn't be surprised if Salo signed a 2 year, 2.25-2.5m dollar deal with the Canucks.

I don't know whats going on behind the scenes, but just speculating. I do know that the Canucks kept Keith Ballard, who played 36 out of 48 games, and isn't being played in the playoffs. I do know that he was being used as forward at some times during the season. I do know that he is being favored over Andrew Alberts and Frank Corrado in the playoffs. I do know that he has put up 16 pts in 148 games for Vancouver.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ballard stays next year with Vancouver as well. I mean, Gillis needs to justify that trade. He gave up a premium for Ballard, giving up speedy sniper Michael Grabner, 1st round pick (Quinton Howden) and Steve Bernier.

Had Gillis moved Ballard off the roster, and re-signed Ballard, the Canucks would of had four capable RH defenseman, and perhaps Edler wouldn't be playing like garbage without his partner Salo.

Hamhuis - Bieksa

Edler - Salo

Garrison - Tanev

5. Cody Hodgson

This one I can go on and on about. I want to clear one thing first.

We know that he "asked for ice-time" but we that doesn't mean he asked for a trade. We don't know the true story. I don't want to get into the debate of "it doesn't matter, he wanted out anyways". You don't need to trade a player right away if he wants out. Did Columbus trade Nash right away?

Anyways, it was a shame that he left. I see similar development as Logan Couture. I am by no means saying that Hodgson has the defensive game or shooting abilities of Couture, but just saying a similar development path.

Hodgson enters the league playing limited minutes, and gets a taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Hodgson played more games in the playoffs then he did in the regular season. (12 vs 8). Although he barely played, he did get a taste of the NHL.

Couture got a taste of the NHL, appearing in 25 regular season games and 15 playoff games. Showing some promise, but not a primary producer yet.

2nd year, Hodgson has a solid rookie campaign. 33 pts in 63 games played for Vancouver, which included 16 goals. If he played all 82 with Vancouver, he was on pace for 43 pts. He added 8 more pts in Buffalo, hitting 41. All these points accumulated mostly playing on the third line and 2nd PP unit.

2nd year, Couture accumulates 57 points in 79 games played. But he's not playing 12-14 minutes that Hodgson is, he jumps from 10 minutes a game to 17:49. He becomes a part of the San Joses top 6, passing Joe Pavelski on the depth chart. (Remember this)

3rd year, Hodgson is now a top line center, facing the toughest competition, and manages 34 points in 48 games played. In a full year, thats 58 points.

3rd year, Couture is now starting to be considered an elite forward, 65 points on the year.

4th year, Couture gets 37 points in 48 games played, and considered the "guy" in San Jose.

Now, we have heard the Couture/Hodgson comparisons, but heres the thing San Jose did right. They had Joe Pavelski as center. They MOVED him to wing. Couture took over the 2nd line spot, and it worked out great. Pavelski can drop to the 3rd line C whenever needed, or go RW with Couture or Thornton.

Canucks didn't do this with Kesler. Yes he's a great defensive forward and a great faceoff man. But so is Pavelski. But they paved the way of Couture, something Canucks didn't do for Hodgson. Although, I doubt Kesler would shift anyways, nor AV would try it.

[missioncanucksfan]

i think malhotra is our biggest

[Smashian Kassian]

Erhoff was a mistake to let go over Bieksa

[missioncanucksfan]

Gulumpus post:

While I whole heartedly agree with your points of those players but think of it this way

- yes, thay all had their flaws and we all threw our shoes at ours tv's as they made their errors....BUT.... The sum of all those parts made this team tops in the pp and tops in the pk.

We got rid of Samuelsson and his flaws.... Who did we replace him with? Has his replacement been a noticable improvement?

Ehrhoff.... Who was HIS replacement? Is HIS replacement doing the job better than Erhoff was?

Torres.....?

Salo.....?

Hodgson.....?

THOSE guys helped take us to the finals.... Has the sum of THEIR replacements taken us further....?

[Gollumpus]

The Malhotra situation is different due to the fact his injury robbed us. He wasnt dealt away or let go.

Yet, his loss is a HUGE hole. One of my most favorite MG free agent signings. He made all of our centers just that much better in faceoffs, his defensive and leadership skills we off the chart as well.

[nuckin_futz]

Will I agree that Ehrhoff appears to have worked well with the Sedins in the Canucks system.

Something which Ehrhoff supporters seem incapable of acknowledging is his defensive liabilities, and that he isn't that good without the Sedins to support his offensive side. Look what kind of numbers Ehrhoff had before coming here, what he's achieved after going to Buffalo (his best shot at winning the Cup). Those aren't really spectacular numbers.

Now, while Ehrhoff may have helped the power play (it would appear that Ehrhoff supporters only assume positive results), I'm not that sure that he would be the deciding factor in winning a Cup.

Had the Canucks signed him to a Buffalo-like contract, would happen in a few years from now when the Sedins retire, and Ehrhoff's numbers decline to what they were without the Sedins (as we saw in SJ and Buffalo)? He has 8 more years at a $4,000,000 cap hit. He'd be 38 when that contract was up, and I don't see Ehrhoff as being a Salo who can still play well even at that age.

I don't miss Ehrhoff. I miss that none of the other d-men have been able to form as good of a symbiotic relationship with the Sedins as Ehrhoff did, but I don't miss it enough to have signed Ehrhoff to the kind of contract he suckered out of Buffalo.

[missioncanucksfan]

I thought that was the biggest croc the way they basically tossed Malhotra to the curb when coincidently Kesler was back

"oh, we fear for his safety"

"he isnt the same player he once was"

"we gave him a time frame to prove himself"

What they meant to say was

"Thanks Manny...but Kes will take it from here"

[Alchemy Time]

Entering this thread I was like: 3/5 are Hodgson, Ehrhoff, Torres. No doubt. Didn't expect Samuelsson, you made an interesting case though.

[Darkstar]

It's such a shame that Bieksa quite often seems to have a block of cheese between his ears because he has decent wheels and doesn't mind rushing the puck. it's just too bad that like Ehrhoff he likes passing the puck to the wrong team. Still he'd never have the skill of Ehrhoff.

[cyacry]

I have said it since day 1 that not replacing Ehrhoff with another big-minute, puck-moving d-man effectively closed the Canucks' cup window. Great to see people finally waking up. Knew it would happen eventually.

The Samuelsson for Booth trade seemed like a decent deal at the time. Sucks that it turned out so badly.

Not re-signing Raffi was mind-boggling back in 2011, and it still is now. He provided so much energy to the Canucks squad. Huge loss and it still leaves an effect.

Salo seemed like a big loss as well but he was effectively replaced by Garrison. Both are great defensive d-men with a big shot. Not a huge loss in hindsight.

Trading Cody was a tremendous loss and all the Kassian apologists will realize it in a few years as well.

[Green Building]

Willie mitchell

[MoneypuckOverlord]

We've never really replaced Ehrhoff. Him being and playing injured was one of the big reasons we lost in the finals.