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Drive-By Body Pierce

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    Unpopular opinion: Don't need top 10 defense to make the playoffs

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Phil_314 said:

    That's playing with fire IMO, of course teams like the Penguins (with Fleury) and Kings (with Quick) have won by riding a hot goalie and enough scoring to win.  I have faith that Demko could be that guy (he sure showed it against Vegas) but it'd be best if we don't rely on that (he stood on his head to even give us a chance, but against shutdown teams, even scorers can dry up offensively).  I also think that the keys here would be strong transitional play from the defense to get the puck up to the forwards to generate offense, enough toughness where called upon, and (presuming OEL and Hughes are the #1 pair) Myers and whoever he's with not getting caved in and bleeding up scoring chances.

    Kings were a defensively structured team.

    • Huggy Bear 1

    [Signing] Canucks re-sign J.T. Miller

    in Trades, Rumours, Signings

    Posted

    9 minutes ago, Master Mind said:

    The 09 penguins and 12 kings were legitimate contenders from the start of the season. The kings underwhelmed in the regular season, but people were foolish for writing them off.

     

    No Cinderella team has won the cup in the cap era.

     

    We shouldn't be trying to just get in and hope for the best. We should be aiming to build sustainable success.

    St. Louis in 2018-19?

    [Signing] Canucks re-sign J.T. Miller

    in Trades, Rumours, Signings

    Posted · Edited by Drive-By Body Pierce

    VANCOUVER HOCKEY NOW: The Canucks signed J.T. Miller on Friday to a seven-year, $56 million contract extension that goes into effect in 2023-24. The average annual value is $8 million and includes a no-movement clause throughout the deal, with a full no-trade clause for the first four years and a modified NTC over the final three.

     

     

    Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller (NHL Images).

     

    Miller, 29, is in the final season of his current contract with an AAV of $5.25 million. He would’ve become an unrestricted free agent next July. As a result, he was the subject of media trade speculation for months amid reports that Canucks management wanted to retool around younger, more affordable talent.

     

    SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller tallied a team-leading, career-best 99 points last season. If his production were to drop to between 70-80 points for the coming season, he still would’ve been in line for over $9 million annually if he had hit the open market next summer. His strong two-way game and ability to play center or left wing would’ve drawn plenty of suitors willing to pay big bucks for his services.

     

    Miller’s agent, Brian Bartlett, said this deal came together very quickly after weeks of on-and-off negotiations. He indicated that his client wanted to stay in Vancouver and help the Canucks win the Stanley Cup. It was also Miller’s idea to accept less than market value.

     

    Nevertheless, this is a hefty long-term investment by the Canucks on a talented player who will be 30 when this deal goes into effect. He should still provide solid value for them in the first half but that contract could become burdensome against their cap in the latter years when his performance will likely decline.

     

    Miller’s new contract could also affect efforts to re-sign captain Bo Horvat, who is slated to become a UFA next summer. Cap Friendly indicates they have over $68 million invested in 14 players for 2023-24 with the cap expected to increase by just $1 million to $83.5 million. Horvat’s current AAV is $5.5 million and he could seek around $7.5 million annually, which would take a big bite out of their cap space.

     

    Still, the Canucks were willing to spend to keep their best player in the fold. The move signals to their fans that they believe they’re a playoff contender heading into the coming season and beyond. If Miller can help them become Cup contenders, it will be money well spent.

     

     

    https://www.spectorshockey.net/2022/09/nhl-morning-coffee-headlines-september-3-2022/

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    Analyzing and ranking how the Canucks’ defence currently stacks up against the rest of the Pacific Division

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted

     

    The Canucks have the franchise goaltender that they need to be true Stanley Cup contenders. They have a forward group that features high-end talent as well as depth throughout. They have a defence group that could lead a team to the Calder Cup.

     

    While that’s being dramatic, the Canucks do have a very weak defence corps that is holding the team back. While Quinn Hughes is the most electric defenceman the franchise has ever seen, behind him, the team features a mix of unproven youngsters and overpaid veterans.

     

    If the Canucks want to contend for one of the three Pacific Division playoff spots that are up for grabs, they’re going to need to hope that the defence plays well enough to keep them in games. Do they have the talent to best their Pacific Division opponents?

     

    Each team will be graded on two categories (best defenceman and best defence depth) with points being handed out for the team’s ranking within the division. All the points will be tabulated at the bottom of the article and it will be scored like golf.

     

    Anaheim Ducks

    Best Defenceman: John Klingberg – 6th

    After being linked to the Vancouver Canucks as a possible match, John Klingberg eventually signed a deal with the division rival Anaheim Ducks. He’s a smooth skater, a player that can create offence from the blue line, and a veteran presence in the room. While those characteristics may not have made him a great fit for Vancouver, he’s instantly the best defenceman on the Ducks.

     

    Best Depth: 7th

    The Ducks have a few solid defencemen but the position group gets thin near the bottom. Jamie Drysdale is a great young prospect and Cam Fowler had a solid season, but the bottom three players are nothing to write home about. Kevin Shattenkirk is not the player he once was.

     

    Calgary Flames

    Best Defenceman: Noah Hanifin – 4th

    The Calgary Flames boast a deep defence corps filled with young players that are just about to hit their prime. Hanifin is the best of the bunch. He chews up minutes at even strength and features on the power play and penalty kill as well. He managed to get 48 points last season while also being helpful in every situation. Hanifin is firmly in the middle of all the top Pacific Division defencemen at the moment, but in a few years, he should be closer to the top.

     

    Best Defence Depth: 1st

    Even when the Flames were staring down the possibility of losing Matthew Tkachuk for a minimal return, they still could rely on the fact that they have a great defence corps. Adding Mackenzie Weegar to that group is an added bonus that makes the team even stronger. The Flames have a very balanced defence group that most NHL teams are jealous of.

     

    Edmonton Oilers

    Best Defenceman: Darnell Nurse – 3rd

    One of the more controversial players in the NHL, Darnell Nurse was handed a massive $9.25 million contract by the Edmonton Oilers. While it’s going to be tough for him to live up to that deal, Nurse is still a good player. He’s pretty dynamic offensively and at 6’4″ has the size to push out opponents. However, he’s been critiqued for his defensive play, specifically against the rush, and while he did get better last season, he’s still not as strong as the top two in this division.

     

    Best Depth: 5th

    The Oilers slide in at number five on this list but they do have a couple of regression candidates to keep an eye on. One of those is Cody Ceci who had a solid season last year but has yet to prove across his career that he can be relied upon in a top-four role. Evan Bouchard and Phillip Broberg are both young players that could take a step forward this season.

     

    Los Angeles Kings

    Best Defenceman: Drew Doughty – 5th

    Once one of the best defencemen on planet earth, Doughty is now in the later stages of his career. Even though he is getting older and isn’t the player he once was, Doughty can still have a positive impact on the ice. He had a bounce back year this past season that was unfortunately cut short due to a variety of injuries. If he can stay healthy, Doughty figures to once again be the leader on the Kings blueline.

     

    Best Depth: 4th 

    Take a look at the Kings defence depth chart and a familiar face is sitting there. Alex Edler is a veteran presence for the Kings and while he’s fallen off a step, he’s still a solid third pairing guy. The Kings are rich in right-handed defencemen, including some prospects that have yet to break the NHL, one of the most valuable position groups across the league.

     

    San Jose Sharks

    Best Defenceman: Erik Karlsson – 8th

    Similar to Doughty, Karlsson was once one of the most dynamic blueliners in the NHL, and likely one of the most dynamic in modern NHL history. After signing a massive deal in San Jose, Karlsson’s play has fallen off a cliff. A slight resurgence last year, thought not not to the same level as Doughty, means that Karlsson is still the best Sharks defenceman. However, there isn’t a ton of competition.

     

    Depth: 8th

    The San Jose Sharks defence group is a graveyard of former impact players. Karlsson’s decline has been documented but Marc-Edouard Vlasic is another former contributor who is now an overpaid burden. The Sharks are firmly in rebuilding mode and their defence looks a lot more bleak than the solid but not great forwards.

     

    Seattle Kraken 

    Best Defenceman: Vince Dunn – 7th

    The Seattle Kraken have a variety of good but not great defencemen that could have taken this position. Dunn was the team’s best last season so he holds the title for now. With 35 points in 71 games last season, Dunn was able to chip in offensively. The Kraken had a tough year and were caved in by most teams, making life difficult for their defencemen.

     

    Depth: 3rd

    In classic expansion team fashion, the Kraken lack star power but have solid depth throughout. Adam Larsson is not a superstar but he is someone that can put up points and be effective while eating up minutes. The Kraken also signed Justin Schultz this offseason, a right-handed defenceman that has aged really well in the NHL, especially in regards to his play in his own zone.

     

    Vancouver Canucks

    Best Defenceman: Quinn Hughes – 1st 

    Quinn Hughes is the most dynamic defenceman to ever wear the Canucks jersey and will rewrite every franchise record by the time that he is done playing. While his sophomore season saw many of his defensive metrics drop, this past year Hughes was more responsible in his own zone and had a stronger two-way profile. He’s one of the best defencemen across the entire league and there’s still another gear for him to hit.

     

    Depth: 6th

    The Canucks have a huge lack of defence depth. It’s probably the most glaring hole across the entire roster. The right side is especially bad with journeyman Luke Schenn likely playing first line minutes to start the season and Tyler Myers playing the role of complete minute-cruncher. It will be interesting to see if Jack Rathbone or Travis Dermott can emerge this season as reliable options.

     

    Vegas Golden Knights

    Best Defenceman: Alex Pietrangelo – 2nd 

    Last season was a funky one for the Golden Knights who struggled through injury issues on their way to a surprising playoff miss. This season the team will be gearing up for a deep playoff run and Pietrangelo figures to play a major role. Even in what was considered a down year, Pietrangelo managed to record 44 points. More stability around him this year should be a positive for Pietrangelo.

    Depth: 2nd

    The Golden Knights have great depth throughout their defence group. Shea Theodore is a creative offensive defenceman that shows up on the scoresheet. The franchise has handled the development of Nicolas Hague extremely well and he will likely only improve over the next few years. Alec Martinez is a veteran warrior that will put his body on the line in any situation. Overall, a very solid group.

     

    Final Rankings

    Tier 1

    1st: Vegas Golden Knights (2 + 2) = 4

    2nd: Calgary Flames (4 + 1) = 5

     

    Tier 2

    3rd: Vancouver Canucks (1 + 6) = 7

    4th: Edmonton Oilers (3 + 5) = 8

    5th: Los Angeles Kings (5 + 4) = 9

    6th: Seattle Kraken (7 + 3) = 10

    Tier 3

    7th: Anaheim Ducks (6 + 7) = 13

    8th: San Jose Sharks (8 + 8) = 16

     

     

    https://canucksarmy.com/2022/08/13/analyzing-ranking-how-canucks-defence-currently-stack-against-rest-pacific-division/

    • Like 6
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    • Vintage 1

    What are you listening to? Metal version!

    in White Noise

    Posted

    1 minute ago, 4petesake said:


    I have had the same problem but eventually  found that if I didn’t tab down after pasting the link it would only show up as a link. As long as I tab down I haven’t had the issue. Not saying this is your problem but worth a try.

    Agreed! I have noticed the same thing, still doesn't solve the problem sometimes.

    • Cheers 2

    What are you listening to? Metal version!

    in White Noise

    Posted · Edited by Drive-By Body Pierce

    12 minutes ago, Devron said:

    Yup, just copy and paste the link into the message body. Also got a kick outta psychosocial haha 

    Yeah, sometimes on my phone it just works, like the one right before it. Other times, any way I copy/paste or share, it just shows up as a link.

    • Cheers 1

    Rutherford Interview on July 27

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted

    23 minutes ago, JamesB said:

    6. Question: What about Miller?

    Answer: The best option would be to re-sign Miller. But the sides are a long way apart. JR did not sound optimistic.

    Will make a trade for the right deal but in no rush. But do not want to lose Miller for nothing and probably will make a trade if Miller is unsigned at the deadline. Do not want to lose him for nothing in Free Agency.

    My take: No change on previously announced position. Expect JR to be on the team as the season starts.

     

    JR suiting up, that's some dedication at his age! :P

    • Haha 3
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