How threatening are the new signings (Barker, Vandermeer) to the 3rd pairing incumbents (Ballard, Tanev)?

[Phil_314]

With the signings of the 6'3", 223 lb. Cam Barker and the 6'1", 210 lb. Jim Vandermeer, the team now has four NHL-caliber defensemen fighting for spots on the 3rd pairing. These candidates (Barker, Vandermeer, Tanev, Ballard) bring different assets but also have their own shortcomings.

Barker- strong shot, good physicality, yet is not good defensively nor a good skater (did put up 40 points in 69 several seasons ago)

Ballard- highest potential reward (has put up 30 points but in bigger roles), yet comes at high price and is seen as being underutilized for his role (plus he sometimes has defensive lapses); could benefit from getting new opportunity as a Top 4 man on another team but also provides skilled depth... oh, and MASSIVE hip checks

Vandermeer- physical, somewhat stay-at-home type, can put up modest point totals but slow and takes penalties

Tanev- safe and steady, can move the puck YET doesn't play physically nor is he the best equipped to be shutdown man (and his shot definitely needs work)

I think in terms of playing styles Barker could potentially be an upgrade on Ballard for the role he plays, plus he comes at a lower cost. Vandermeer, with his physicality, size, okay defense and not-bad point scoring (he put up 14 points two seasons ago) should, in my opinion, put him as a viable option for the 3rd pairing (though the reason I say this is that Tanev could benefit from having more opportunities to play offense and work on his shot in the AHL in a top-pairing role rather than getting limited to a stick-checking role with limited touches of the puck, since Ballard does all the puck-moving).

I actually wouldn't mind seeing (given that they prove themselves as being capable at camp)

Barker - Tanev (presuming Ballard gets traded, Barker should be able to fill in at least to some capacity, plus he's got more size to really handle the tough going; again, if Tanev's not developing offensively (it's not that likely that he would on the 3rd pairing anyways) I wouldn't hesitate to bring up Vandermeer to take the strictly defensive minutes).

I think these two can actually balance each other out quite well; Barker can hammer the puck, Tanev can't really; Barker can play physically, Tanev isn't built for it; Tanev can skate and move the puck safely (he'd be driving the play from the back end instead of the then-departed Ballard) and Tanev can cover Barker's mistakes. Sounds like a pretty solid pairing to me.

How do you see the bottom pairing shaping up? What's the reasoning for your pairing?

[MoneypuckOverlord]

very little threat. They are just depth signings, and Barker is just a mini project.

[wallstreetamigo]

Barker is kind of a pilon though........I actually think a Barker-Ballard pairing might be the best combination of those 4 guys you mention.

In terms of potentially being what the team needs and in order to get both players back on track to contribute the way they can at the NHL level of course.....

[Darkstar]

Ballard>Barker

Tanev>Vandermeer

[Hugemanskost]

Extremely threatening. This is exactly what the Canucks need... some competition for positions on D. It's healthy and makes all players more hungry to earn / keep their spots. If one guy is struggling, there are 3 or 4 guys waiting to fill the spot. Depth is awesome!

[Zoolander]

Tanev has been a great shut-down player in the AHL, I think with his poise, his 3rd pairing spot is secure.

Barker is a depth guy and isnèt better than Ballard. He is however better than Alberts though (more skilled, and less dumb penalties)

Only guy is could see challenging Ballard for his spot is Vandermeer.

I like both Ballard and Vandermeer though, so whoever gets the spot is alright with me

[samurai]

people are going to get injured so its not an either or. Of the two new signings Vandermeer is a nice addition in that we just got a legit policeman on the team now. you put him in at times and guys on the other team will have to stop and think a bit if they want to be causing trouble.

[CanucksSayEh]

Tanev > the rest of em.

[ILL BILL NECRO]

Tanev > the rest of em.

[Garrison]

I hear Ottawa is looking for a defense man. If MG pulls the trigger and trades Ballard than we have a lot of cap space for Edler and any other UFA or player we could pick up in a trade.

[cmpunk]

Well who knows with AV, he might bench Ballard for no reason.

Ballard is MUCH better than all of them.

[Hunter.S-Kerouac]

I don't think threatening at all we will need the depth incase Ballard or Tanev need to move up the depth chart they were brought in as injury replacements that is all. they will do very well to get 15 games each

[Noheart]

Ballard>Barker

Tanev>Vandermeer

[Tangerines]

No threat. These are just depth signings just in case of injuries. AV can also use these guys a acordingly, depending on whom they're playing.. Just gives AV different options for certain matchups.

[Provost]

If Barker could get his head on straight he has all the size and tools to to be a top 4 guy... he has shown no sign of it for a long while though. He is kind of like the D version of Taylor Pyatt. I remember 2 or 3 games when Pyatt dominated the entire ice with his combination of size and skill.... unfortunately those were sandwiched between a couple of hundred mediocre and terrible games. At best you could reasonably hope that Barker regains form to be good enough to be a #5-6 guy.

I suspect that Ballard and Tanev have to play themselves out of the lineup to be really threatened.

It does open up the possibility of trades though and getting some moving parts to fit in to make a complete roster. If for some reason we couldn't get a top 6 forward for Luongo... but could find a trading partner get a top 4 Right hand shot D... then we have lots of options to trade any/all of Edler/Ballard/Tanev to get a top 6 forward.

[Noheart]

If Barker could get his head on straight he has all the size and tools to to be a top 4 guy... he has shown no sign of it for a long while though. He is kind of like the D version of Taylor Pyatt. I remember 2 or 3 games when Pyatt dominated the entire ice with his combination of size and skill.... unfortunately those were sandwiched between a couple of hundred mediocre and terrible games. At best you could reasonably hope that Barker regains form to be good enough to be a #5-6 guy.

I suspect that Ballard and Tanev have to play themselves out of the lineup to be really threatened.

It does open up the possibility of trades though and getting some moving parts to fit in to make a complete roster. If for some reason we couldn't get a top 6 forward for Luongo... but could find a trading partner get a top 4 Right hand shot D... then we have lots of options to trade any/all of Edler/Ballard/Tanev to get a top 6 forward.

[SOB for MVP]

Dont see a threat to Ballard

I do see it as an issue for Tanev and Alberts

[disisdayear]

people are going to get injured so its not an either or. Of the two new signings Vandermeer is a nice addition in that we just got a legit policeman on the team now. you put him in at times and guys on the other team will have to stop and think a bit if they want to be causing trouble

[canucklehead44]

You pretty much listed them in order of risk/reward.

Barker is very high risk, high reward (not factoring in salaries). High end potential - Good second pairing, power play specialist, physical 40-50 point guy. Low end potential - bottom pairing AHL.

Ballard is high risk high reward. High end potential - second pairing, 30 point defenseman, kills penalties, blocks shots, can step in for big minutes. Low end potential - bottom pairing with defensive lapses and low point totals.

Vandermeer is low-medium risk, low-medium reward. High end potential - number 5 defenseman, 20 points, physical, and solid defensively. Low end potential - healthy scratch/second pairing AHL. Liability due to lack of foot speed and penalities.

Tanev is low risk, low reward. High end potential - reliable and steady number 4 defenseman/minute cruncher. 20 points. Low end potential - 6/7 defenseman who can put in 10-15 minutes per game without screwing up. Outmatched physically, zero offence.

Vandermeer and Tanev are pretty equal, although you could easily argue Tanev is higher risk/reward due to his youth, but considering he has played in Vancouver for awhile I give Vandermeer the edge.

[Trelane42]

I doubt Ballard or Tanev have much to fear from either of these guys.

But it is a harsh indictment of Connauton and Sauve. The organization can’t make it any clearer that it thinks neither is fit to wear the uniform anytime soon.