EternalCanuckFan
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[Official] 2019 Training Camp Thread
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
As much as the gamble of waiving Baer and Goldy worked for the Canucks, man does this create a mess for Utica. Once Roussel is healthy, I'm assuming Schaller will get waived and demoted and the forward line-up could look like: Ferland-Pettersson-Boeser Pearson-Horvat-Miller Roussel-Sutter-Gaudette/Leivo/Virtanen Motte-Beagle-Virtanen/Gaudette/Leivo Eriksson, Gaudette/Virtanen I can't help but feel a trade might still be coming. -
I believe they only need to clear waivers again if they are called up to the NHL for a certain amount of games or time. Looks like the gamble worked out for the Canucks and they didn't lose anyone. I'm very sure this was done to set up the waiving of Schaller once Roussel is healthy, barring any trades of course. I can see teams being more interested in Baertschi or Goldobin now that they have cleared waivers. In Baertschi's case, a team that might have cap space but may not want to disrupt their roster yet could now trade for him and stash him in the AHL. Similar line of reasoning for Goldobin except that cap space wouldn't be an issue for him. Still, having them both in the AHL retains the Canucks' depth.
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[Official] 2019 Training Camp Thread
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
It sucks to see Baertschi waived but someone was going to have to get the short end of the stick to make room for Roussel when he gets back. The way I see it: Firstly, Goldobin was cut because he just didn't earn a spot. I like Goldobin but he didn't seem to be able to step up his play to earn a spot. Goldobin was always on the list of one of the final players who could be cut to make the roster limit. Second, Gaudette making the team may not have affected the forward group as much as it may have influenced the Canucks to run with 7 D instead of the usual 8 D we have typically seen. They have waiver flexibility on D this season with Rafferty, Brisebois, Teves and Chatfield all not requiring waivers, so maybe that's one factor. Of course, management could pick up Schenn or another D off the waiver wire and then run with 8 D but then they'll end up with same roster problem not only now (they would have to waive someone) but when Roussel gets back. Lastly, waiving Baertschi right now is of course disappointing but it's clear that Baertschi has been considered the odd man out when factoring in Roussel. Roussel's return was always going to force out another player. Leaving aside demoting Eriksson, there were definitely question marks about Baertschi heading into camp so it's not entirely surprising to see him waived. I guess management figured they couldn't make a deal to help Baertschi stay in the NHL now and that it was unlikely to change this season, especially not at the time Roussel is expected to return (in the next month or two). In that case, it makes no different waiving him now or doing it later. Of course, the trade market might change in a month or two. If I'm not mistaken though (and I might be...), then history has shown that there are very few deals until later in the season. There's a good chance Baertschi gets claimed but there's also a really good chance he doesn't. He's under contract for another year and I do believe his concussion history would keep teams leery. Most teams seem relatively healthy and all teams need to get to the roster limit right now. Waiving Baertschi later might be harder when teams start having injuries or are disappointed with how players have started the season. At that point, it makes way more sense to waive a guy like Schaller. At the end of the day, we'll see what happens tomorrow morning. It's not a move I would say I like but I do think it's defensible. -
[Official] 2019 Training Camp Thread
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Must be one of Eriksson or Schaller :P. Kidding aside, Horvat is the by far the most likely but I could still see them going with Edler. -
[Report] Evander Kane is in trouble again.
EternalCanuckFan replied to xereau's topic in General Hockey Discussion
I understand why Kane was angry about the linesman. While the context of the game seemed to be that temperatures were already super elevated by that point, the linesman took preemptive action chasing Kane and grabbing him from behind. It honestly couldn't have been something any player would have expected and it could have been dangerous. I understand why the officials made the call however. They obviously want to dissuade players from shoving them, however lightly. That being said, aside from the accidental slash (which was bad and could have been called), Kane's shove did not seem like much at all. There's plenty of blame to go around here and I think it would be unjust to apply the auto suspension to Kane. The refs should have called the slash. That should have been the end of it. -
[Official] 2019 Training Camp Thread
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
I'm pretty sure I saw a release saying Brisebois was assigned to Utica today. -
[Official] 2019 Training Camp Thread
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
With the waiving and assignment to Utica of Biega, I guess Fantenberg is OK? He's the only spare D remaining unless I'm missing something. Also, assuming there are no other moves, my guess is Schaller will be waived once Roussel is healthy. -
Not surprised with Goldobin. A bit surprised about Biega but, then again, he has always been a depth player. Hard to see Baertschi get waived but someone has to go with Gaudette playing so well and given the fact that the team had to make room for Roussel's return as well, something was eventually going to have to be done. Per Hirsch, who knows if Baertschi will actually leave the Canucks. The other part about waiving some of these guys is that if they pass through waivers, then they might actually have more trade value since the acquiring team could send them to the minors right away. It'll still be hard for Baertschi since he would still leave quite a cap hit even if demoted, but Goldobin might actually have a lot more value. Assuming Goldy makes it through, I could still see him being dealt.
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Jonathan Drouin on trading block? [Speculation]
EternalCanuckFan replied to Toews's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me but I seem to recall seeing it on Twitter. It didn't sound like he was actively being shopped. I definitely recall seeing his name standout however because I remember thinking that he seemed like one of the last guys the team would be looking to part with. He's been a solid contributor to the Habs. -
[Official] 2019 Training Camp Thread
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Have to think MacEwen will be top call-up option. I know he has been played at C before but my guess is he'll come up as a winger call-up with Graovac the top center call-up. Will be very interesting to see what management does with Gaudette, Virtanen and Goldobin in the coming days. Obviously Eriksson, Schaller and Motte are also part of the mystery here. I personally don't think Gaudette's play has made Sutter expendable (at least not right now), but Gaudette definitely deserves a spot on this team. With Fantenberg and Boeser out, assuming there's an LTIR option, perhaps they can delay having to make any significant decisions. Given the fact that they're eventually going to have to make at least one or two significant roster moves (factoring in Roussel), maybe they'll choose to just get something done now rather than kick the can down the road. If I had to place a bet then I would assume the Canucks will kick the can down the road but this is the first year in many that there's been this level of healthy competition. -
[Waivers] 9 players - Sept. 27, 2019
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Graovac will be a boon for the Comets. He's played well in pre-season and in previous years, might even have made the team. -
Jonathan Drouin on trading block? [Speculation]
EternalCanuckFan replied to Toews's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Drouin is at $5.5M and the Habs have just over $4M in cap space so no, $10M for Laine probably wouldn't be doable. Not saying it's the most likely possibility but just intriguing. I recall also seeing Philip Danault's name in the rumor mill and he has a salary of about $3M. Drouin for Ristolainen could work though, so that's an interesting possibility. While BUF and MTL are division rivals, I seem to recall them making trades before. -
Jonathan Drouin on trading block? [Speculation]
EternalCanuckFan replied to Toews's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
There was a rumor about interest from Montreal in Laine earlier this summer. I don't recall how substantial that rumor was but I would think a deal involving Laine would involve a player of at least Drouin's calibre being involved in the return to Winnipeg. -
[Official] 2019 Training Camp Thread
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
I don't disagree with you that Gaudette looks like he should probably start in the NHL this season. Motte has also played well enough to justify making the team though I suppose he is also on the bubble. The issue for management is that the nice depth we are seeing now in pre-season could quickly be gone if they start trading or losing players on waivers without having adequate replacements in Utica. Cap questions aside, they will still need to clear roster space (not even cap space) for Roussel when he returns. I have a hard time seeing the Canucks deal Leivo given his proven NHL-ability and versatility but I suspect he would have solid value in the trade market. Having said that, I think dealing Leivo would be a step back for Canucks depth. Sadly, trading Virtanen might not be seen as being as much of a step back which is why I suspect this discussion about Virtanen may have some merit. I don't think management will be too upset if they lose Schaller on waivers so, to me, he's the easiest guy from last year's roster to get cut in the near future. I am of the same mind about Eriksson but I also think his play and his overall situation likely make management want to keep him in the NHL. That said, Eriksson is an "easy" guy to waive if you don't factor the salary issues from the Canucks standpoint (though I'm not sure how he is in the dressing room). Doubt Eriksson would be picked up by another team. Unfortunately for Goldobin, I think the Canucks might be willing to trade him for a pick or a prospect. As such, I currently see Schaller and Goldobin as the most likely cuts. If all waiver exempt players and players who are most likely AHL-bound this season are cut, then this would be enough for the opening night roster. If management decides to keep Gaudette up, then I'm pretty sure that will force a move of one more player. Maybe management is higher on guys like Graovac, Perron, Bailey, Boucher, Lind, Jasek and Gadjovich than it seems. If they are, then maybe they can stomach the loss of depth if the return doesn't bring in someone who can provide at least similar NHL-level depth that they can store in the AHL. -
[Official] 2019 Training Camp Thread
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
If Fantenberg is out for awhile then I can see the Canucks keeping either Sautner or Brisebois. My guess would be Sautner, but it could easily be Brisebois. My guess is Graovac and Chatfield will be cut soon. Schaller could also be on the next wave of cuts. Other than that, I'm assuming there will be a trade as I have a hard time seeing the Canucks either trading or waiving Eriksson anymore. At least not at this point of the season. Goldobin hasn't shown much this pre-season so I can see them trying to move him for a pick or waiver exempt prospect. Have a really hard time seeing the Canucks waive Virtanen. A trade might be possible but it would of course be disappointing. Not sure if there's a larger deal that management might be working on to try and make room for Gaudette. -
I think this has already been mentioned but considering junior players can't play regularly in the AHL until they're 20-years old, I would think most organizations don't have a ton of under 21-year olds immediately available to play for the NHL clubs on call-ups from the AHL. Factor in internationals and college players and this seems like a non-issue, no?
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[Waivers] 37 players - Sept. 22, 2019
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Might as well try to get guys through waivers when there's a torrent of players from other teams also being placed on waivers. I don't have a problem if any of Sautner, Boucher or McIintyre get snagged. That's what the whole waiver system is for. It would affect a bit of the Canucks' depth but it wouldn't be terrible. -
[Official] 2019 Training Camp Thread
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Lots of Loui discussion. I think I fall more into the camp that Loui will probably make the team. Brock's cap hit basically deals with the cap conundrum so the main issue now is bodies. As disappointing as Loui's production has been, he is still a quietly effective player and he's a very good penalty killer. I don't know how management will deal with his contract in the remaining years, but for this year at least, I don't see them trying to bury his contract. They might still try to trade him, but I can't see a team wanting him unless he has a resurgence in which case the desire to trade him might be lessened. If Loui makes the roster, then given GMJB's open comments that he is working on trades, I'm expecting the following things to happen before opening night: Gaudette will be assigned to Utica. He has played well but unless the Canucks are going to make a pretty significant trade before the season starts, I can't see them keeping him up. I'd say there is a reasonable chance of him becoming a regular before the season is up though. Schaller will be waived and assigned to Utica. I don't think Schaller has played well but I think he's definitely going to be a "victim" of how competitive this camp has been. Canucks could run with 14 forwards and 7D. This means one of Biega or Fantenberg would have to clear waivers but it would allow the Canucks to delay making a decision about one of the bubble forwards. If the Canucks run with 13 forwards and 8 D, then the Canucks will have to waive either one of Goldobin or Motte who, IMHO, are the most obvious bubble forwards. That means one of them or possibly another forward is probably being shopped since I assume the risk of losing one of them for nothing on waivers is probably the last situation management wants to be in. I know the media has talked about Baertschi being on the block which is certainly a possibility and would help with clearing cap room too. But what would they get in return? In any trade scenario, I can't see them wanting to get back a roster player unless there is more than one piece going out. Problem is I'm pretty sure management will still have to move out another player before Roussel comes back. This would mean the probable loss of Baertschi and one of Goldobin or Motte. I know some floated the idea of trading Jake which is certainly possible. I suppose Leivo may even be a possibility. My guess is by opening night, GMJB will make a trade that most of us will feel wasn't quite up to the value we hoped for, probably for a pick or for a waivers exempt prospect. -
Rafferty should play with Utica in a top-role to show just how well he can do. He's probably a better overall player than Biega or Fantenberg are right now but that alone shouldn't determine if he makes the NHL team. He's not super young but if he's going to make hay in the NHL, then he should get a chance to develop and show that he's at least a guy who clearly doesn't belong in the AHL. I agree with those that might see him as a potential successor to Tanev. It makes the most sense. Tanev is in the final year of his contract so we're either trading him by this deadline or we're keeping him for a run with a good chance of losing or walking away from him in UFA. Who knows, maybe he'll sign with the Leafs next summer with whatever cap space they'll have. As others have already pointed out, if succeeding Tanev is the plan for Rafferty, then it makes way more sense to let him marinate in the AHL in the one year he will remain waiver exempt while keeping him as the first call-up. I can't see the Canucks being confident in trading Tanev now based on Rafferty's performance so far, so this seems to make the most sense. Will be nice to see if Rafferty (and Teves for that matter) can make the jump in the near future. Have to give credit to GMJB and the management team. This is the most genuine depth for the Canucks that I can recall seeing in a long time.
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[Waivers] 18 players - Sept. 20, 2019
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Bailey should be a good call-up option if the Canucks need a 4th line energy winger. Even then, I think he's going to be hard pressed to get a call-up over MacEwen though. As far as forward call-ups are concerned, assuming the Canucks actually do demote Gaudette, I think the order right now would be: Gaudette (primarily if a need opens up at centre but perhaps even on the wing), MacEwen (primarily as a winger but perhaps even as a centre), and then it's a bit of a toss-up between Bailey, Graovac, Perron, Jasek, etc depending on need. If Schaller gets demoted, then I'd have to imagine that Schaller would be ahead of Bailey unless Bailey starts to out play him in Utica. It will be interesting to see what roster moves will be made by the Canucks to start the season. At this point, they basically have to cut at least one guy off the NHL roster while Roussel is on IR and at least one more when he's back. While that could just mean waiving guys and risking their loss, a loss of one or two guys will probably still not make it any easier for other prospects like Lind and Gadjovich to break into the NHL. It shouldn't be easy, of course, but it's nice to see this much depth. Hopefully it pushes everyone to perform to their best and leads to a stronger NHL team or the ability for the Canucks to acquire more assets while letting some guys grow their careers. -
[Signing] Kings sign Ben Hutton
EternalCanuckFan replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Ben looks to be losing his "baby fat" from his face. It's what always made him look boyish. Not to cast shade at MG, but Hutton's one of the few MG picks that has developed a solid career and at least spent a few seasons with the Canucks. On top of that, he was a 5th round pick in a very poor draft year (Gaunce is the only other guy from that draft year who has seen NHL action). While I of course hope the Canucks crush the Kings throughout the season, still hope Hutton can do well and continue his NHL career. -
Speculation - Byfuglien contemplating retirement
EternalCanuckFan replied to skategal's topic in General Hockey Discussion
Seeing high-level rumors of Ristolainen and Faulk, mainly since they're the main high-end guys who appear to be on the trade block. I could see the team having a lot of interest in both with perhaps more interest in Ristolainen since he is still under contract for 2-years after this season. Might also have a better fit with Buffalo if they decide to move a guy like Ehlers. Cap era makes it super hard to make large, complex deals but if the Jets are even considering dealing Connor or Laine, then I would have to think that they would want a huge return. Will be fascinating to see how this unfolds. Hopefully there's an understanding of a deadline for Byfuglien to make a decision to be fair to all sides. Tough on the fan base though. Brutal off-season. -
Speculation - Byfuglien contemplating retirement
EternalCanuckFan replied to skategal's topic in General Hockey Discussion
That is brutal for the Jets. Hopefully Byfuglien is alright. He's had a great career, even if a lot of his success came at the Canucks' expense. Huge blow for the roster if Byfuglien does retire though. Yikes. There has to be a solid market for Laine and Connor though, if the Jets are forced to make significant changes and notwithstanding the overall cap crunch this offseason. Might not be all bad. -
I actually don't mind Jake playing in a bottom-6 role. While it would be nice to see Jake get top-6 opportunities, he does seem to generally do better on turnovers off the rush. If Sutter stays healthy, then I could see Jake doing well with him as they are both good defensively and both seem to produce more in transition than through sustained plays in the offensive zone. To me, it might be Jake and Leivo fighting it out on the RW depth chart right now.