[Article] Benning seeking 2nd line left winger to take pressure off Baertschi

[Ossi Vaananen]

The link: http://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/benning-seeking-second-line-left-winger-to-take-pressure-off-baertschi?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

The article:

Quote

Ben Kuzma talks to Canucks general manager Jim Benning about the search for a left winger.

Jim Benning doesn’t have a crystal ball.

 

If he did, the Vancouver Canucks’ general manager might see a clear vision of what’s required to bolster his NHL club. He would see a winger with size, edge and scoring ability. He would then go into sticker shock at the price for aging unrestricted free agents because the Canucks have about US$4 million in available salary-cap space and need to come to contract terms with restricted free-agents Andrey Pedan and Alex Grenier.

 

It means a trade is the only road Benning can travel. And even that can include a number of potholes because trying to pry a player out of another organization in a win-win scenario is rare. You might have to retain salary of a player dealt. You may have to take on baggage to complete a deal and, of course, you always hope to unload a significant salary and open a roster spot.

 

Despite the versatility of floppable right-wingers Anton Rodin and Alex Burrows, the greatest need for the Canucks is a true second-line left winger. On a better team, Sven Baertschi would be a third-liner and allowed to build on a career 15-goal season without the pressure to take his game to another level in the hard-hitting and fast-skating Pacific Division. Benning acknowledged as much.

 

“We’d like to add a proven scorer who brings some grit to take the pressure off Sven, so he can keep developing at his own pace,” said Benning. “He took a big step last year and wants to prove to people that he has more to give. But I don’t know where he’s going to end up (next season). At some point, that (second line) is where he’s going to be, but maybe he plays on the third line with the capability of playing on the power play and potentially scoring 15 to 20 goals for us.”

 

To make a trade happen to provide that career cushion, the Canucks could move Jannik Hansen. At 30, he’s coming off a career 22-goal season fuelled by playing with Henrik and Daniel Sedin and has two more years left on his contract at a $2.5-million cap hit and $3 million annually in actual payout. That’s very attractive to other clubs. But so is Hansen’s versatility, two-way effectiveness and breakaway speed on the penalty kill. Benning didn’t dangle Hansen at the trade deadline or the draft and he won’t now.

“We’re not moving Jannik,” he stressed. “I thought he was excellent for us last year and with the way the game is going with speed and skill, he fits that description perfectly. And we have him under a good (cap) number the next couple of years, so we’re not looking to do anything.”

 

Which tells you everything about the plan to be more competitive. Adding 30-goal winger Loui Eriksson, 30, in free agency and big defensive defenceman Erik Gudbranson, 24, via trade — and also keeping both goalies — means the accent to maximize two years left on the Sedins’ deal is obvious. Rolling the one-year contact dice on Rodin with a $950,000 cap hit means the Swedish Elite League most valuable player with 16 goals and 21 assists in 37 games could displace another winger.

 

But where does he play? If the Canucks land a second-line winger and Baertschi moves down, wouldn’t it make more sense to play Rodin on the right side and on the third line behind Eriksson and Hansen?

Benning seeking second-line left winger to take pressure off Baertschi

“Rodin is a skilled player and quick with a good release on his shot and we’ve seen our league gravitate toward that type of player,” Benning said of the 5-foot-11, 181-pound Stockholm native, whom the Canucks drafted in the second round in 2009. “I think he can be an effective player in the top nine and that’s where I see him fitting in.”

The right side is deep with Eriksson, Hansen, Jake Virtanen, Emerson Etem, Derek Dorsett and Burrows. The left side is a curiosity. Brendan Gaunce was moved there in the minors to develop a better grinding game, but he also looked good in the middle down the stretch. It’s also fair to ask how sold the Canucks are on Etem and how much they really need Virtanen’s size versus a need to develop a total game.

“We’ve been talking to some teams and it would be a hockey trade,” summed up Benning. “The first part of free agency was guys signing and the second layer is going to be teams wanting to move contracts or bodies. Teams know what we’re looking for and we’ll see how it goes.”

I don't think this was posted, though it was written yesterday. He has Rodin penciled in, though it seems Benning wants a surefire bet. Maybe this is where all the Hudler/Shipachyov talk is coming from. 

[Whale Tail]

Funny as that would drop Baer down to the 3rd line to play with Horvat when Willie already said he would rather split that duo up. 

[PhillipBlunt]

12 minutes ago, Ossi Vaananen said:

The link: http://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/benning-seeking-second-line-left-winger-to-take-pressure-off-baertschi?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

The article:

I don't think this was posted, though it was written yesterday. He has Rodin penciled in, though it seems Benning wants a surefire bet. Maybe this is where all the Hudler/Shipachyov talk is coming from. 

I thought you retired.

[PhillipBlunt]

10 minutes ago, Whale Tail said:

Funny as that would drop Baer down to the 3rd line to play with Horvat when Willie already said he would rather split that duo up. 

It would seem that there is a slight disconnect between Jim and Willie. Oh well, as long as Willie falls in line, all is well.

[ItsMillerTime]

Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi were beast together. I wouldn't mind getting Marcus Johansen in a trade with Capitals. Was in the shadows of guys like Semin, Ovi, Backstrom his whole career. 

[N4ZZY]

going to be difficult to swing a deal for a top six forwrad. they don't grow on trees, and will be expensive to acquire (depending, I suppose the quality of the forward). What do the Canucks have to dangle? In the article, Benning says no to Hansen. There's a lot of question marks heading into the season, particularly with our forward group. Will Virtanen continue to build off of his 15 point year? What about Rodin? Is he a legit top six (at worse middle six) forward? Will Baertschi continue to develop, or will he regress next season? Will Horvat continue on an upward trajectory and build off of his 40 point season? How will the Sedins perform this upcoming season? Will Sutter contribute? Etc, etc. So there's a ton of question marks. Not convinced that Benning and Co will get the forward they want (unicorn, maybe), but I'm sure they will try. I think they're most likely going into the season with the current crop of forwards they've got right now. The best will remain with the club, everyone else will either be waived, sent down, or cut. 

 

[Pears]

8 minutes ago, ItsMillerTime said:

Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi were beast together. I wouldn't mind getting Marcus Johansen in a trade with Capitals. Was in the shadows of guys like Semin, Ovi, Backstrom his whole career. 

Wouldn't mind Johansson, he's actually bigger than I thought and is a career 0.55ppg. What would he cost?

[timberz21]

17 minutes ago, Whale Tail said:

Funny as that would drop Baer down to the 3rd line to play with Horvat when Willie already said he would rather split that duo up. 

I see Horvat as 2C(A) playing with that possible 2nd line LW and Hansen(or Rodin if he impresses at camp).  And I see Sutter as 2C(B) playing more minutes than a typical 3rd line.

 

Sedin-Sedin-Eriksson (18-20min)

LW-Horvat-Hansen/Rodin/Virtanen (14-16min)

Baertschi-Sutter-Hansen/Rodin/Virtanen (14-16min)

Etem/Burr-Grandlund-Dorsett (8-10 min)

[N4ZZY]

9 minutes ago, ItsMillerTime said:

Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi were beast together. I wouldn't mind getting Marcus Johansen in a trade with Capitals. Was in the shadows of guys like Semin, Ovi, Backstrom his whole career. 

Yah. I liked Baer and Horvat together when they were playing on the same line. Thought they had chemistry, and were both good for each other. Their skills, in my opinion, complimented each other, so I'm not quite sure what Desjardins is talking about when it comes to Bo and Baer. 

 

[N4ZZY]

12 minutes ago, PhillipBlunt said:

It would seem that there is a slight disconnect between Jim and Willie. Oh well, as long as Willie falls in line, all is well.

Wonder what would happen if Willie disagrees with his GM with how the lines should be constructed and the players ought to be throughout the line up. Sven on the fourth line? LOL. 

 

[Phil_314]

9 minutes ago, Whale Tail said:

Funny as that would drop Baer down to the 3rd line to play with Horvat when Willie already said he would rather split that duo up. 

Honestly doubt he's that blind to notice that they do have chemistry, as evidenced from last season, and in this case (just as it was with Sutter and Horvat) it's wise to have an older, more established player who plays the same position to shield Sven as he develops at his own pace.

Problem is, the team is top-heavy in terms of the quality that they can afford to move and which would bring back a good return (in this case, 2nd line left wing) without turning the franchise into the Oilers of the past (run by kids who aren't ready for the role).

Veteran leadership to insulate youth (shouldn't trade): Twins, Eriksson,  Tanev/ Edler (at least one of the D stays)
Complementary vets (have value but can move at the right price): Hansen, Sutter, Edler/ Tanev, Miller
Youth movement (shouldn't be moved): Hutton, Gudbranson, Sven, Bo, Jake. Markstrom, Boeser, Juolevi, Demko, 1st
Little/ no return (past prime or unproven): Burr, Sbisa, Tryamkin, Larsen, Rodin, Etem, Pedan, Granlund, Gaunce 

Hoping management takes a good look at getting Hartnell; even if he is slightly over-the-hill, 23 goals and 49 points is nothing to sneeze at when you're on a crappy team like he was and there's enough play-makers to go around in this lineup that a rugged finisher like him could contribute even at his advanced age.  If Luca or Burr could be packaged for him I'd do it, since the main issue would likely be the 3 years left on his deal, but again I think there's a potential fit.

[higgyfan]

Hope JB takes his time and manages to pluck a good player from a team that has too many players to protect in the expansion draft.  Look at Boston for instance; with their 5 NMCs and a number of good players that they would want to protect.  There are a few other teams in the same boat.

[mll]

1 minute ago, N4ZZY said:

Wonder what would happen if Willie disagrees with his GM with how the lines should be constructed and the players ought to be throughout the line up. Sven on the fourth line? LOL. 

 

If it's an offensive line and allows him to play his game - why not?  I think it would be better for the team that he continues to develop his playmaking. Give him o-zone starts and linemates that can finish and share the puck.

[ItsMillerTime]

22 minutes ago, Pears said:

Wouldn't mind Johansson, he's actually bigger than I thought and is a career 0.55ppg. What would he cost?

He is an RFA right now and if we could trade a guy like Sbisa and some picks it might work. Id throw in Pedan, Gaunce even. 

[Honky Cat]

22 minutes ago, N4ZZY said:

going to be difficult to swing a deal for a top six forwrad. they don't grow on trees, and will be expensive to acquire (depending, I suppose the quality of the forward). What do the Canucks have to dangle? In the article, Benning says no to Hansen. There's a lot of question marks heading into the season, particularly with our forward group. Will Virtanen continue to build off of his 15 point year? What about Rodin? Is he a legit top six (at worse middle six) forward? Will Baertschi continue to develop, or will he regress next season? Will Horvat continue on an upward trajectory and build off of his 40 point season? How will the Sedins perform this upcoming season? Will Sutter contribute? Etc, etc. So there's a ton of question marks. Not convinced that Benning and Co will get the forward they want (unicorn, maybe), but I'm sure they will try. I think they're most likely going into the season with the current crop of forwards they've got right now. The best will remain with the club, everyone else will either be waived, sent down, or cut. 

 

This is the question..?....There would probably be a riot if JB gave up picks...Looking at the roster,I don't see a whole lot that he can move...

[WHL rocks]

I made a post on this need yesterday. We need a 2nd line winger who's able to score 25 goals. There's a desperate need for more goals on this team and that 2nd line needs upgrading. 

 

Maybe Hansen for Kane might work. Not sure JB wants to take on that headache, but desperate times calls for desperate measures. 

[Odd.]

Evander Kane.

 

Yes I know he's been an issue, but we can get this guy for dirt cheap than the other possible available LW's (Landeskog, Kreider, Hayes, JVR, etc). His value is an all-time low, take advantage of this. 

 

I'd take a gamble with Kane. This could be the very last chance for Kane if he really wants his career to go back on track. Friends and family although that might not do the trick, but certainly our great veterans in Sedins, Burrows, Hansen to straighten him up. Hell even Gudbranson can discipline Kane's butt if he ever attempts to do something stupid. 

 

Kane never had anybody quite like the veterans we have on any of his teams he played for. 

 

Kane fits this meat and potatoes model Benning is talking about. Despite his personality issues, if this guy can put his head into the right place, there's no doubting what kind of player he can be for us in the future. Kane has all the tools to be successful. It's quite sad he's taking that kind of route right now but luckily he's still young enough to turn things around.

 

Playing alongside Horvat in the future, we could see some gritty, rugged, quick, western type game. Expect a lot of dirty goals and some good hits and fights.  

 

[khay]

Good article. Thanks for posting.

 

This makes me wonder about Hartnell. Hartnell should be able to produce about 20 goals for the next couple of years. And with Burrow's and Miller's contract coming off next season, we can afford him for the duration of his contract (3 more years). The only thing is that we need to send a contract back to CBJ to be able to squeeze his contract in for this season -- probably one of Burrows, Dorsett, or Sbisa.

 

[TimberWolf]

Depends on the price. making holes to fill holes is how teams keep middling.

 

A guy like Kane should be inquired about if it's possible to get him cheap. 

[ice orca]

I wonder what Baer is thinking right now. He actually played great from the Christmas break on, looked good on the 2nd line and taking control of the situation. Does he need sheltering or does Benning want a big name player to put the ass in the seats? If you to trade for a big LW who can score you are not going to get him for Sbisa and crap, especially if the rest of the GM's know this.