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RWJC

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Everything posted by RWJC

  1. I agree with you, but the inherent pain from this results in how or what it limits our annual roster by/to over the term. If we were a playoff contender that could mean missing out on a key trade deadline acquisition. It’s hard to gauge yet, it’s a gamble.
  2. If we manage to secure a younger core piece for the long term future out of the OEL saved $$$, this could turn out to be a bold but very shrewd move for this franchise. I’m really excited about the opportunity it presents.
  3. Yeah Suckerass loves this. His hate levels will be pumped to full.
  4. I’d rather be able to keep a Kaprizov and support him with players than hold onto relics like Sutter and Parise, but that’s just me.
  5. Minnesota says hi. They are relatively successful given their constraints. It’s plausible
  6. Obviously moving out contracts was just too expensive in terms of asset cost. I’m ok with the buyout so long as the money saved actually gets us what we need for the long haul instead of short term gain. Very concerned about that. Very excited about what it affords us though. OEL was the last anchor of incompetence from the previous mgmt group. To be free of that is a solid move as if he couldn’t be traded asap, the trajectory was looking gloomy. Before any hasty projections I thinks it’s fair to see what this mgmt does with the available cap. can see us pursuing a guy like Adam Graves in FA. Restructuring this D will be much easier without OEL’s contract and physically declining state, play and pairing handcuffing the clubs ability to do just that. We have too many D that are question marks regarding their health. Time to purge and rebuild. Bold move. May have been necessary though.
  7. Bingo Bango Luongo! (sorry, went full Larschied. Couldn’t control myself)
  8. Based on previous variety of commentary though you shouldn’t like him because he played for many teams after us. Isn’t that essentially Alf criteria for denouncing former players/alumni? This requires some clarification on your part, alien.
  9. BTW, Cliff Ronning thinks you’re an idiot.
  10. I can appreciate hating on another team but sometimes it’s pretty hypocritical to target other players whom are direct comparisons to some of ours
  11. Yeah and so does the journey in qualifying for the playoffs. If you’re going to be judgemental and discount that aspect then your opinion is moot because teams do require performers to carry them that far.
  12. Don’t understand the slagging of smaller players. Plenty of them in the league who are proficient in their roles.
  13. Then why are you assuming it’s so easy to find such a player?
  14. Then can you please name them…? And if you could, please include the intangibles and experience they bring along with them…like being a former Stanley Cup champion or have put up 20 pts in their last NHL season last year as a so called has been.
  15. Further to my last post, it may prove helpful to some to conceptualize this team’s needs from and through the bench out, rather than some alternate reality where we’re still trying to wrestle with identity. We have established what that looks like going forward now. Tocchet was brought in because we are transitioning style. That’s a fact. Embrace it. It might provide CDC with some more constructive discussion when people are debating their points on what and who we need given the trajectory that has been set in place. Is Lucic the answer? Hardly! He doesn’t fit the speed, youth or 3/4 line ideal, but he is a legit insurance option at a time where options are relatively limited for this club. For those thinking it’s a waste of a roster spot or cap space, we have a few guys still on ELC’s who will definitely be getting time with the big club this year. We can accommodate a low salary short term “presence” player amid all the auditioning. And to to that point, wouldnt you rather have a hired gun to protect those young players should the need ever be required? Let’s cover all the bases. Lucic or someone else, it’s time for a presence again. Schenn is gone, Burroughs, as loyal as he is, is not intimidating. Neither is Joshua, nor is any of the D call ups. We have NO ONE that imposes on other clubs, which unfortunately for us seems to be part of the recipe of recent successful Stanley Cup Playoff teams. It’s time to consider that again, and imho the majority of the fan base would be appreciative of having someone physically dominant on this roster again. finally, do some research and see through past and present how many of his teammates discuss Lucic’s impact and what it provides his team. He may be past his prime, but he is still highly valued by those teammates who benefit from his type of player.
  16. People loved Cooke, Kesler, Ruutu, Brashear, etc etc amongst a slew of guys who played for us on the edge or over it, but for some reason dismiss it as just revisionist history (and dependency) on guys like that. Sorry, can’t have it both ways. This team’s had always had its share of deterrents and agitators and still needs them badly. Considering bench boss, it’s in our favour to employ a couple again. I’m not talking strictly goons, I’m talking guys who can play actual shifts and be effective. As I’ve mentioned before, a Lucic is a perfect stop gap deterrent while we resolve cap. Like him or not right now, I think most of the passive or “moral projectionist” type fans would rather have EP QH or Podz playing healthy and with a little more room knowing that there is someone who, if required, can target and punish some of the top talent in retaliation. I would rather have a guy that we can afford to lose to suspension for a few games out of protecting teammates, than to not have one. Lucic could be cheap and relatively disposable. The folks who keep harping on the way he plays the game should take a step back and look at what and who else is employed around the league. Kind of tired of hearing about his perceived lack of ethics and sportsmanship. It ain’t ballet. It’s a physical sport and the top teams tend to have both grit and stature. We are severely lacking in both departments. Until we can afford to obtain the young talent that fits this roster and such a need, stop gap is our best and cheapest option. Maybe try looking at the game from ice level, not from some moral high ground that, if you watched any of the playoffs, was more than occasionally put aside in the pursuit of success. Build a team that is playoff-centric and we will start to see success again. Compose some finesse club that looks great in the regular season, and that’s as far as we will get.
  17. Good points. One question is would Laughton be enticed to continue in PHI given all the recent turmoil and failure, only to be asked to lead a rebuild? Perhaps at his age he might be looking for a stronger chance at playoffs/ post season success. I realize he’s on term but that doesn’t prevent anyone from asking for a change of scenery. I guess we’ll see. I know Laughton’s name has always come up in trade talk year in year out, so perhaps this is the year. He’d be a great add. I think Garland and a 3rd is fair. There is need for his caliber of RW in PHI and Garland in some ways may remind Briere a little bit of himself and be willing to give the deal a shot. I’m hoping PA at least makes an attempt.
  18. What are thoughts on trying to shed a contract (and a sweetener if necessary) to PHI for C Scott Laughton? We would have a heart and soul ideal 3rd line C who might thrive as a Tocchet guy. He is 29 but he has term at a cheap hit of only 3mill. According to the article below, PHI is in rebuild and in need of a RW, so thoughts on this:? Garland and 3rd rounder for Laughton Some might think this is an overpayment but in all fairness, a quality 3rd line C who is defensively strong and plays gritty is a hot commodity. With Garland they get younger, fill a need, and take on a little more salary that can play anywhere in their top 9. Add a 3rd for any difference in parity and I think this is a viable way for us to start structuring lines and roster positions effectively. Not sure there is a better option in FA in terms of player, but at least acquisition cost that route is only the contract value. I just think this works for both clubs. We immediately get what we need positionally, create cap space and put a dent in the surplus winger problem. https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-whos-best-bet-among-five-candidates-for-third-line-centre-position/wcm/dc5143f7-901e-413c-882b-6408597ab46f/amp/ Canucks: Who's best bet among five candidates for third-line centre position? 'I’d like a guy who can take face-offs, and it’s a priority to have a grittier guy who can settle things down. It’s hard to find.' — Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet. For the Vancouver Canucks, addressing a pressing need for a third-line centre is far from a perfect pursuit. They have exceeded the salary cap ceiling, and the trade route is the most viable avenue to create flexibility to take on an existing contract. They could also kick the free agency tires and go into sticker shock. A veteran centre who excels in matchups, is defensively diligent, kills penalties, takes defensive zone face-offs, and contributes offensively is on the wish list. There’s the want and the need, but the Canucks can’t lose sight of being prudent — either with the cap or assets. “I’d like a guy who can take face-offs, and it’s a priority to have a grittier guy who can settle things down,” Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said at his year-end address. “It’s hard to find.” Or, it can be relatively easy. Imagine William Karlsson as your third-line centre? The Vegas Golden Knights used leverage and generous NHL expansion rules to build a foundation that led to capturing the Stanley Cup on Tuesday in the franchise’s sixth season. In the 2017 expansion draft, the Golden Knights knew the Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t want to part with Karlsson, who was their best penalty killer and teased of offensive potential. However, the Blue Jackets were going to lose a player under protection rules, and didn’t want to part with winger Josh Anderson, goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, or defenceman Jack Johnson. Columbus traded a first-round pick in 2017, a second in 2019, and got the Golden Knights to take on the contract of injured forward David Clarkson to ensure the Golden Knights could pick Karlsson. Karlsson became part of “The Glolden Misfits” — one of six original franchise players who hoisted the Cup this week. Karlsson, 30, had 11 playoff goals in 22 games, won 54.4 per cent of his draws, centred the second power-play unit, and was on the first penalty-kill pairing. He was also first in take-aways and fourth in blocked shots. He can also moved up the line-up, and is on the books for four more seasons at an annual $5.9-million US cap hit. As for the Canucks, they know rookie Nils Aman and veteran Sheldon Dries weren’t the answers. They need to buy time forcentres Aatu Raty and Max Sasson to develop in Abbotsford. In the interim, here are five centres of attention: Scott Laughton, 29, Philadelphia, Acquired: No. 20, 2012 draft. The status: Three more seasons at $3-million annual cap hit. The stats: GP: 519, G: 82, A: 117, Pts: 199. The skinny: Coming off an 18-goal, 43-point season on a bad team 18 points shy of a wild-card spot. Flyers are in re-build mode and listening to trade offers. Laughton won’t come cheap, if they move him. Canucks can dangle a right winger and the Flyers could use one. The bottom line: Checks boxes. Third in team hits among forwards, fourth in blocked shots, first penalty-kill unit, second power play, 47.3 per cent in circle. Alex Kerfoot, 28, Toronto, Acquired: 2019 trade. No. 50, 2012 draft (Devils). The status: UFA. Expiring four-year, $14-million contract. The stats: GP: 442, G: 74, A: 145, Pts: 219. The skinny: Ten goals and 51 points don’t tell the whole story. Played third-line centre and second-line wing, second power-play unit. Logged third most PK time on league’s fourth-ranked unit. The bottom line: Is there a discount for the Vancouver native to come home? If not, he may be too pricey. Canucks’ interest dates to 2017 in college free agency and 2021 had Brandon Sutter not re-signed. David Kampf, 28, Toronto, Undrafted, Acquired: Free agency, 2021. The status: UFA. Expiring two-year, $3-million contract. The stats: GP: 399, G: 35, A: 76, Pts: 111. The skinny: Became fourth-liner with deadline addition of Ryan O’Reilly. Seven goals and 27 points. Fourth among club forwards in take-aways, first penalty-kill pairing, and 51.5 per cent efficient in face-offs, including 444 wins, 342 losses at even strength. The bottom line: Not a lot of free agency leverage. Could be fall-back position play in cap crunch. J.T. Compher, 28, Colorado, Acquired: 2016, college free agent. The status: UFA. Expiring four-year, $14-million contract extension. The stats: GP: 423, G: 88, A: 106, Pts: 194. The skinny: Played middle, right wing on second and third lines. Centred sixth-ranked first PP unit and on first PK pairing. Led club forwards in blocks. Fast, gritty, opportunistic, 48.8 per cent in circle. The bottom line: Would top the list if not for career 52-point season (17-35) that will see expiring $3.5-million cap rocket to $5 million. Sean Monahan, 28, Montreal, Acquired: 2022, trade to Calgary. The status: UFA. Expiring seven-year, $44.625-million extension from Flames. The stats: GP: 681, G: 218, A: 261, Pts: 479. The skinny: Limited to 17 points (6-11) in 25 games this season because of two injury setbacks. Suffered broken foot and also needed groin surgery. Kept him from being 20-goal contributor. The bottom line: Would a healthy Monahan take a cheap one-year deal to re-establish his game?
  19. Watched him too. It’s intriguing. But if you want a guy who will stand up for his teammates, you should also want a guy whose play is a consistent effort game in game out. Ritchie is prone to lazy play for stretches and also has a low defensive IQ at times as well. Not sure Tocchet could iron that out. A solid low cost interim option nonetheless. https://flamesnation.ca/news/amp/after-calgary-flames-cameo-what-does-the-future-hold-for-nick-ritchie
  20. 5 mins a night on the nights he’s rostered. I’m not condoning a regular placement. But basically, regardless of the benefit to Abby, I would rather have a Lucic playing 5mins a night on an as and when, than I would have a Nic Petan trying to play a defensive forward role on the 4th line for 10mins +. Pick your poison, but in the argument of a roster spot and price point, let’s at least try to fit the mold of that type role player effectively. Fair enough. I get what you’re saying and agree with it. Just unsure where we are going to locate that player(s) this offseason but sure hope we do. I’m all for finding suitable longterm options asap. If not, Lucic should still remain an option because I think we could still squeeze value from him above cost. Just for the interim. Use this season to find suitable long term replacements, once first priority - cap hell, is resolved.
  21. You’re missing the point. He doesn’t have to play a regular shift. Hell, he doesn’t even have to be rostered depending on who we’re playing against. But with certain teams who play a physically dominant game, he is there when that game gets heavy or dirty. Lucic at 5 mins a night is fine, especially if he comes cheap. I think he’d go to bat for his teammates and this club, especially with it being home. If he’s accepted by “us”, and understands he will be given a limited but important role, I think he’d be a great addition and a very beneficial reconciliation. I watched him last season a lot because I wondered if it may be his last. If he has one year left and he wants to it to be with the Nux, I think it would be highly beneficial. Just his presence alone amongst this roster. Imho, the ideal insurance protection policy for a guys like EP,QH or Podz who do get targeted, and it likely wouldn’t require term or noticeable hit. The intangible that I would bet on in contracting him is it likely being the last hurrah and coming full circle - wanting to go out on a high note in his hometown. He could in one year redeem all previous reputation amongst certain populace of the fan base, and actually become revered. I’d risk a contract slot and some dollars on that. It’s such a low risk gamble with what could be a nice arc.
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