[Report] Benning will NOT attempt to re-sign Hamhuis or Vrbata this summer

[Warhippy]

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/07/canucks-cant-afford-to-lose-hamhuis-and-vrbata-for-nothing/

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2015/07/07/benning-making-progress-on-his-3-rfas-but-wont-re-sign-hamhuis-vrbata-this-summer/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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Canucks GM Jim Benning said he’s still working to sign restricted free agents Sven Baertschi, Adam Clendening and Frank Corrado.

But he won’t be looking to re-sign pending unrestricted free agents Dan Hamhuis and Radim Vrbata this summer.

“We’re going to go into the season and see how it goes,”said Benning of the two pending UFAs, following a three-on-three tournament at the Canucks’ prospects development camp at Shawnigan Lake School on Tuesday afternoon.

“We’ve touched base with their agents a little, but we’ll see how it plays out.”

Both Hamhuis, 32, and Vrbata, 34, will be on expiring contracts next season and are on track to become unrestricted free agents on July 1 if not re-signed. They could have been re-signed after the past July 1. Both have no-trade clauses.

Of the RFAs, Benning said: “We’re talking to (the RFAs), it’s going good. Hopefully, we’ll get these guys done pretty quick.”

Qualifying offers expire on July 15, but teams still hold the rights to the player. All three players will be subject to waivers and are expected to be on the Canucks roster next season.

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Canucks GM Jim Benning will not attempt to re-sign Dan Hamhuis and Radim Vrbata this summer, according to a report from Jim Jamieson of the Province.

Few players are as important to the on-ice success of the Canucks as Dan Hamhuis. He has been the team’s best defencemen for most of his five seasons in Vancouver. Hamhuis had an off-year last season, but was still very dependable defensively, and could bounce-back. The 33-year-old blueliner is entering the final year of a contract that carries a reasonable $4.5 million cap hit.

Vrbata, 34, is also entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $5 million cap hit. He was named the team’s MVP last season after scoring a team-high 31 goals. He is also the only pure goal scorer the Canucks have.

Instead of trying to sign these two important players to new contracts, Benning is going to employ the wait-and-see approach. And that’s a risky proposition.

If not re-signing either player is in the cards, they should do it this summer because so much can go wrong.

If things go poorly next season and the Canucks are out of a playoff spot, they could attempt to trade Hamhuis and/or Vrbata to a contender at the trade deadline. If they’re playing well, they could get a nice return. Of course if they’re not having particularly good seasons, or are injured, their stock could plummet.

The worst-case scenario would be if the Canucks are a middling team next year, capable of squeaking into the playoffs, but not interested in re-signing Hamhuis/Vrbata. The pair could be more likely to block a deal at that point, given their no-trade and modified no-trade clauses. But even if both players welcome a trade, would Jim Benning be willing to pull the trigger? The team wasn’t willing to part with Shawn Matthias at this year’s trade deadline, a player they had no interest in re-signing, and I don’t expect that philosophy to change.

But unlikely Matthias, the Canucks simply can’t afford to lose Hamhuis or Vrbata for nothing.

Whether the Canucks want to admit it or not, they are in a rebuild situation. They’re not willing to blow it up, at least not yet, but the focus for the organization has to be two years down the road.

In two years, Ryan Miller’s contract will be off the books and the team’s best prospects will be 21 to 23 years old, and hopefully capable of making an impact. The Sedins will be 37 in two years and in the last year of their contracts, but could be still capable of performing at a high level if their bodies hold up.

Nobody knows how Hamhuis and Vrbata will age, and the decision on their future will be somewhat of a gamble for Benning. If they age gracefully, they could be of value when the team is ready to contend again. But if they don’t, he may regret not trading them in for future assets this summer.

[stawns]

I honestly see them keeping Hamhuis. Hes the kind of guy you keep as you bring in the young guys, plus hes still an excellent dman.

[Scorvat]

Td trade bait:)

[aGENT]

I could easily be swayed either way with Hammer if he's re-sign for say a reasonable ~$4m x 2-3 years. He's an EXCELLENT mentor.

He'd also likely garner a good return at the deadline though (if healthy).

If Vrbata isn't moved at the deadline regardless of playoff positioning though, this management will be out to lunch.

[TOMapleLaughs]

Not trying to be negative but we may very well lose them for nothing. Just preparing for that distinct possibility.

[tas]

very encouraging news.

this offseason is the first time in 4 or 5 years that i got the impression that management was willing to make the right decisions for the team.

[CRAZY_4_NAZZY]

JB knows he is going to use both as trade chips to regain some picks for net years draft.

Could totally see though him bringing Hammer back next July 1st.

[Scorvat]

Unless we get atleast a 1st, A prospect (dman) for him id resign Hamhuis. Vrbata id take a 1st for.

I say pittsburgh may be willing to trade their 1st and Pouliot for Hammer. Maybe we throw in a 3rd or 4th. But i expect a high return for him

[TimberWolf]

Wonder what happens if we are vying for the wild card?

Will we ink deals or keep them till they go for nothing? Or will we trade anyways and two home playoff games be damned??

We'll see when the time comes (if it comes)

[tas]

Unless we get atleast a 1st, A prospect (dman) for him id resign Hamhuis. Vrbata id take a 1st for.

I say pittsburgh may be willing to trade their 1st and Pouliot for Hammer. Maybe we throw in a 3rd or 4th. But i expect a high return for him

they wouldn't trade pouliot straight up for him.

[Fanuck]

Hammer would be invaluable for mentoring young d in the system, but he's also the exact asset teams would covet at the deadline. Can his agent stomach another hometown discount (calm down Smithers, u know what I mean)?

Verby needs to go to a contender at the deadline, plain and simple. To Wsh for Wilson and a third.

[jejejester]

Not trying to be negative but we may very well lose them for nothing. Just preparing for that distinct possibility.

I think everyone has that fear in the back of their minds

[Gyllenhaal]

Benning should trade both at the deadline. Vrbata can easily get us a first, and Hamhuis could get a first and a decent prospect.

[Lui's Knob]

Makes sense. Both are aging and not part of the new core (Bart, Virt, BoHo, Cassels, McCann on O but no core on D however.... )

Any capologists out there to calculate how much money is freed up when Burrows/Vrbata/Hamhuis/Hansen/Higgins/Miller & Sedins (in 2 years) frees up for the team? Anyone else's contract expiring?

Gotta think to mix with the new youth core, we go all in for a Top 2 D man and top 6 forwards in 2016/2017 offseasons.

[TimberWolf]

Why wait? Start shopping now and open some spots for youth to try out.

I wouldn't suggest that if we were contenders or even close but we are rebuilders

[canuckster19]

Knowing our luck they'll both be out with season ending injuries at the deadline.

[WHL rocks]

Obviously they won't be extended. Both will be trade bait at TD.

[Chalky]

I generally try and shy away from nostalgia regarding players, especially aging ones like Hammer, but I hope JB does think long and hard about this. If we lose Hammer for nothing I will be left wondering why.

Hammer is a guy I'd like to see stick around for another contract. I base this on his calming influence in our zone and his ability to be exit the zone with the puck while skating. I'd love to see him improve his outlet pass. He is also a good mentor for whatever that is worth.

[canuckster19]

Why wait? Start shopping now and open some spots for youth to try out.

I wouldn't suggest that if we were contenders or even close but we are rebuilders

It's not a terrible idea, but at the same time the return at the deadline will likely be greater because more teams will be able to fit them under their cap.

[GreyHatnDart]

Lol love the resounding "NOT" in this thread. Benning doesn't say that at all. Getting a little tired of all our planned moves being splashed around all over the place though. It does absolutely nothing for our trade leverage.