SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

Canucks were also top-5 in the league in fighting majors, with 34 (the most was 37) last season, but I don’t imagine many teams were intimidated or deterred by Vancouver’s “toughness.”

Interesting graphic comparing defence personnel changes around the league: Canucks ranked 2nd in “net value added” and first in “net surplus added.” Basically, this means that Vancouver improved the value of the players on their defence by $4.7M, which is the second largest gain in the league. And they improved the surplus value (or contract efficiency) of the defence by $8.06M, which was best in the NHL. It’s going to be interesting to see how the final roster for the defence looks on the various models, but I suspect that, for the first time in many years, we might have a defence that rates fairly well in both overall player value (ie: quality of personnel) and surplus value (ie: efficiency of contracts). Or to put it another way: instead of continually overpaying for underperformance, we might now be moving toward a having a defence that actually outperforms their salaries and stacks up pretty well against the good teams.

I was sort of being tongue in cheek and maybe exaggerating a little bit. But maybe not even an exaggeration. I have seen estimates of the cap hitting $92M in just a few years (2025-26 projection), so it could very well push close to $100M by the time Graves is getting to the end of his deal in 2028-29.

Quick rundown on the invites (not counting any recent Abbotsford signings or current Abby players): Forwards: Matthew Barbolini, Braeden Bowman, Lynden Breen, Joseph Dunlap, Christian Fitzgerald, Jacob Maillet, Max Namestnikov, Jack Randl, Colby Saganiuk Defenceman: Christian Felton Goaltenders: Samuel Richard, Mathis Rousseau Matthew Barbolini (NCAA): 6’2”, 205 lb, LHC, 23 years old, going into his senior year. The scoring stats might just look okay (25 points in 34 games is good but isn’t eye popping for the NCAA), but then you remember he plays for Miami University (Ohio). They are a really bad team. Last place in the NCHC. 0.194 winning percentage. Barbolini’s 25 points was actually best on the team by a large margin (10 more points than their second place scorer). His sophomore year he led the RedHawks with 10 goals. And he also led them in goals as a freshman with 5 goals (that’s not a misprint, 5 goals was tops on the team that season). They’re not a good team. Unsurprisingly, Barbolini won best offensive player and MVP from his team awards. Apparenty he turned down a pro deal this summer (most likely AHL or ECHL) to return for a senior year with Miami. Braeden Bowman (OHL): 6’2”, 194 lbs, RH shot RW, 20 years old. 2nd leading scorer for Guelph with 33G 39A 72PTS in 54 GP. Was ranked in the late 100’s/200’s for the last draft. Attended the Flames’ development camp last year. Lynden Breen (NCAA): 5’9”, 173 lb, LHC, 22 years old, going into his senior year. Leading scorer for the Maine Black Bears with 36 points (and 21 goals, tied 8th in the NCAA) in 36 games last season (10 more points than his next teammate). Speedy, undersized winger with good hands and a quick shot. Breen was the NCAA leader in shorthanded goals last season. He also wore an “A” for Maine. Reportedly had some AHL interest, although I’m not sure he was ever offered a contract by anyone. Joseph Dunlap (NCAA): 6’0”, 185 lbs, RH shot forward, 23 years old, going into his senior year. Former teammate of new Canuck Cole McWard at Ohio State. Scored 13 goals and 22 points in 40 games for the Buckeyes last season. Good skater. Good two-way player. Has the speed to pull away and create separation. Scores some nice breakaway and shorthanded goals. Played well during the NCAA tournament and scored some timely goals. Christian Fitzgerald (NCAA): 6’0”, 174 lbs, LH shot forward, 21 years old, going into his sophomore year. Akito Hirose’s former teammate at Minnesota State (Mankato). Local kid from Coquitlam. Former Surrey Eagle. Had a strong freshman season with 16 goals and 29 points in 38 games. Attended Leafs development camp in 2021 (after leading the BCHL in scoring in the 2020-21 shortened “pod” season). Scored some big goals for the Mavericks in the regular season and tournaments, including the crucial game tying goal in the Mason Cup championship. Was elevated in the lineup and forced into roles due to teammates injuries, and really impressed his coaches by responding and thriving under the challenge. Finished third on his team in scoring. Played both wings and even some centre (despite being a natural winger) when required. Transferring to Wisconsin next season (following after his head coach who left Mankato for Wisconsin). Jacob Maillet (OHL): 6’1”, 190 lbs, RHC, 20 years old. 2nd leading scorer for Windsor with 76 points this past season. Quote from OHL Prospects’ Brock Otten: “He's a good two-way center who has improved his skating a lot since entering the OHL with Guelph. The offensive upside at the NHL level wouldn't be high, but I could see him developing into a useful NHL player under the right circumstances.” Max Namestnikov (OHL): 5’8”, 174 lbs, LHC, 19 years old. He’s ba-ack! Returning once again after attending last year’s camp with the Canucks. Teammate of fellow invitee Bowman, Namestnikov joined Guelph midseason and exploded for 35 goals in 47 games with the Storm (plus another 4 goals in 6 postseason games). Jack Randl (NCAA): 5’10”, 174 lbs, LH shot LW, 23 years old. Competed his senior year, not sure if he’s done or going back to Omaha as a 5th year. Undersized but quick and pretty feisty. Scored 18 goals and 34 points in 37 games. Faber had a decent writeup recently (Randl was one of his top 2022-23 free agents): “The 22-year-old winger has great lateral movement and uses a strong side-jump-step to get around defenders. He is aggressive with his skating technique and even more aggressive around the opposition’s crease. His shot is above average but he is scoring a lot of his goals from just being the first to loose pucks in the high-danger areas.” Colby Saganiuk (OHL): 5’7”, 154 lbs, RHC, 20 years old. Former USNTDP and Team USA U17. Grandson of former NHLer Rocky Saganiuk. Excellent skater. Plays a complete, 200 foot game. But wow, he’s tiny! And for such an undersized player, he only scored 32 points in 55 games as an age 19/20 player in the OHL. Then again, he played for Erie (not exactly an offensive juggernaut), so maybe his totals aren’t that bad. But he was one of the older players on the team and still finished just 9th in team scoring. I dunno. At least speedy little guys are fun to watch. Christian Felton (NCAA): 6’1”, 185 lbs, RHD, 23 years old. Going into his senior year. Scoring numbers are anemic but he’s a defensive D. Plays top pairing or second pairing for Merrimack. Leads the team in blocked shots. Was named to the all-tournament team for Hockey East and earned defensive player of the week honours last season. Can play either side. Does well in the defensive support role when paired with an offensive guy. Or can play shutdown pairing. Good penalty killer. Good in-zone defender. Samuel Richard (USports): 6’0”, 170 lbs, LH goalie, 22 years old. Great stats last season 0.933 sv%; 1.59 GAA) for the University of New Brunswick. Formerly QMJHL. Played backup for Toronto last April on an ATO, when the Leafs were having goalie injury issues. Mathis Rousseau (QMJHL): 5’11”, 168 lbs, LH goalie, 18 years old. One of the Q’s top netminders last season. Top-3 in most statistical categories and, between the regular season and playoffs, started the most games and played the most minutes of any goalie. Performance and stats only improved as he moved from the regular season to the postseason, but ultimately fell short of punching a ticket to the Memorial Cup, when Mathis Rousseau and the Mooseheads lost to William Rousseau (another goalie but I believe no relation) and the Remparts in the Q finals. Anyway, there’s some info to save people the googling time.

I’d like to see a few more invites, especially on defence. Because, why not? It gives the team a chance to audition undrafted players, form connections with potential future free agent signings, and there’s even a short window when you can sign draft eligible players (so you don’t actually have to wait for their draft eligibility to expire). I mentioned a couple options in the draft thread. Here are a couple lists of interesting undrafted players: https://canucksarmy.com/news/5-undrafted-players-2023-class-canucks-bring-development-camp https://theathletic.com/4648137/2023/06/29/undrafted-prospects-nhl-draft/?amp=1 I’m planning to post on the current invites (from the camp roster) later.

This is reminding me of that day the Rathbone prospects thread went totally off the rails (Admittedly, I was somewhat the ringleader that time. )

Yeah, it’s tough when you lose the NHL’s hits leader (Schenn was first in the league with 318 hits). And also Burroughs, who was #2 on the Canucks and #63 in the NHL, with 165 hits in 2022-23. I think each of the new Dmen are 100+ hits per season guys. And Hronek is also around 100/season. (I looked it up earlier today and if memory serves, Soucy had 145 hits, Cole and Irwin each had 117, and Hronek something like 101, between Detroit and Vancouver.) Not that hits are everything, when it comes to toughness.

Not sure if anyone posted a reply yet, but the Canucks used 16 defencemen in 2022-23 and 13 defencemen in 2021-22. EDIT: just for comparison’s sake, looking at our closest geographical rivals (a random choice, although somewhat appropriate, given travel and it’s possible effect on injuries/durability), last season the Oilers used 11 different Dmen, the Flames 10, and the Kraken needed only 9 defencemen for the whole season.

I’m excited to see what the new staff can do on the PK with this group. And also a full camp to build systems (plus their off-season planning and meetings). Would be amazing if one of this team’s Achilles heels could suddenly become something of a strength. I definitely think the new additions will help.

I thought the Canucks said something recently to the effect that they wouldn’t pursue Foote because it would be too awkward and unfair to the others players in the room and create a distraction to have a father coaching his son.

I’d still like to see a RH’d faceoff man acquired. Do we have anyone in the system (under contact) other than Linus Karlsson? EDIT: I guess Studnicka? Anyone else?

Waiting for Dumba to come off the board. While he’s up there, I have this weird feeling the Canucks are working on something to clear Myers and then sign Dumba.

And the cap will probably be over $100M by that point.

Anyone with the surname Irwin is sure to be a “great, great guy.” (Gen X kids from Vancouver will remember this ad and jingle) And also this guy, of course (RIP):

I haven’t paid too much attention to Irwin in recent years (or ever, if I’m being honest ), but I do remember him being a decent mobility two-way D with a good work rate/effort level and some physicality. In any case, it’s a depth signing, low salary two way, for a journeyman veteran from Victoria, BC. Seems like a good addition. Quick look at the stats and looks like last season he played his 4th highest NHL TOI of any season in his career, had the most hits of any season (117), and analytically made positive impacts on 5v5 defence and the PK. Seeks like a decent enough spare D.

Sawchenko is a goaltender who tends goal. That’s all I’ve got.

Bonino is so underrated. He’s been sneaky good through his 30’s (arguably playing some of the better hockey of his career), repeatedly outperforming his contracts, offering positive impacts on 5v5 defence and the PK, and putting up decent rates of secondary scoring. At $800K, he’s versatile, bargain depth and a great value signing.

No. And he’s pretty much negative value defensively. But offensively, he’s worth a lot more than $3M. If nothing else, could pad his stats and then flip him for a tidy return at the TDL. He’s also a high end faceoff guy (usually wins around 55%) and a C/W who could slot into a number of spots in the lineup. Duchene wasn’t really a fit for the immediate needs on the Canucks roster, but as $3M, it’s just such good value. Probably he’d have wanted a lot more to come here, however.

Wow. That’s cheaper than I expected. Like others have said already, would have been happy to bring him to Vancouver on that deal.

1 year. 2 way contract (entry level). $950K AAV. $775K base, $95K signing bonus, $80K performance bonuses. Waiver exempt. Most likely Abbotsford (barring an exceptional camp).

Given his age and profile, this is a very reasonable UFA signing (compared to what we normally see from the July 1st market). Soucy was in the group of players you typical see getting stupid overpayments in other years. I liked his overall statistical profile more when he was with the Wild than the Kraken, so we’ll see what he brings (analytically) as a Canuck. He’s an obvious match for what’s needed on the D corps, so I’m optimistic the fit here will prove to be a good one. With some luck, he’ll prove to be a solid middle pairing, 20 minute/game Dman, who brings much needed size and consistently positive defensive impacts.

Can’t complain about signing a UFA like Cole to the same AAV as his last deal, despite him moving to a much high tax city. Cole is also coming off his career best season in GAR (8.2) and EVD (even strength defensive) GAR (8.9). For what it’s worth, that kind of GAR impact is valued at $8.8M (per Evolving Hockey).

Bluger is coming off a $2.2M AAV, so nice to see him signed for less money than his previous deal. Last season was a bit of an off year for him, especially on the analytics side, but historically, he’s delivered some pretty strong positive impacts on 5v5 defence and the PK, as well as generally positive offensive impacts. He can definitely win faceoffs and handle a heavy load of defensive zone starts, which helps. And with a return to form (hopefully), he might actually offer somewhere in the $3-5M range in value (that’s about where his impacts were valued analytically from 2020-22). In any case, on a one year deal and at $1.9M, it’s a pretty safe bet.

Have to say, the deals announced so far are, on average, pretty sane for July 1st. It’s probably just a one off this year, due to the cap pressures around the league. I’d expect the stupidity arms race to start again in earnest when the cap starts going up in the next few years. But it’s nice to see GMs making UFA deals that make sense. The day’s early yet, however.

Rumour I saw is it’s going to be just a hair over $9M (for three years so $3M-ish AAV).