Team Bagues Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I'd love to see more Corrado next season. I'm sure we'll see more of Clendening as well. Weber or Stanton will probably be gone I'm hoping both Stanton and Weber are gone. They were brutal. I'm also confused as to why Benning would re-sign Weber. Maybe he's bluffing and making other teams think that he's actually worth something. I have a hard time seeing Weber keeping up in the ECHL> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillipBlunt Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 Our defence can be improved and it should be addressed but this teams real problem in the playoffs isn't D. It's we don't have the players that work to score those garbage goals. Our top offensive players rely completely on their skill to score. In the post season, teams are too they, pre watch and strategize how to take that time away. Look at this playoffs for example. The caps leading point player is Joel ward. This guy goes to the dirty area's and out works the other team to get rewarded. Cap who had a unreal PP unit this year have gone cold turkey. Look at Perry's OT goal last night. The guy was in the paint outworking his opponent for that rebound. You'd never see the Sedin's make that play. Beleskey has five goals in his last 5 games all from battles in front, wether it was a tip in or a greasy rebound.. In our cup run, it was Burrows and Kesler that were the key guys. Even Torres and Lappy came up big. Now because of trades and age added in, we don't have those types of hard nose players. Horvat was the one player that was showing that effort, and driving the puck to the front of the net. Vbrata would prefer to shoot the puck from the outside hash marks rather than drive the puck to the next. The twins would prefer to cycle the puck in the corner rather than drive the net. Higgins only goal was a garbage rebound in front of the next. After that he disappeared When the D would shoot from the point, Hiller was having an easy time tracking the puck, because no bodies were in front of the net. There's a trend here, in playoffs, you have to want to win. The want has to be great enough that your willing to pay the price and out work the other team, in front of the net. Your going to get slashed, your going to get beat up, but unless your willing to go to war, your not going to win.This team needs to become one that imposes it's will by force to survive in the playoffs. But it also needs a healthy injection of either bone crushing angry size a la Boston/LA or fast, puck moving skill a la Montreal. Maybe even a combination of both. The defence was under siege throughout the series with Calgary and had no answer for the speedy top line (outside of Edler pasting Gadreau a few times) or the bowling ball Ferland who seemed to be able to charge with impunity on the defence. Bieksa's pounding on him was literally the only pushback Vancouver had. Henrik actually did a decent job in trying to net a greasy goal but that's not his MO, more so the realm of Burrows or Kassian. If those two were healthy, there still might be hockeyin Vancouver now. But honestly the constant fire drill the defence has become is not going to improve without a couple of moves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForsbergTheGreat Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 This team needs to become one that imposes it's will by force to survive in the playoffs. But it also needs a healthy injection of either bone crushing angry size a la Boston/LA or fast, puck moving skill a la Montreal. Maybe even a combination of both. The defence was under siege throughout the series with Calgary and had no answer for the speedy top line (outside of Edler pasting Gadreau a few times) or the bowling ball Ferland who seemed to be able to charge with impunity on the defence. Bieksa's pounding on him was literally the only pushback Vancouver had. Henrik actually did a decent job in trying to net a greasy goal but that's not his MO, more so the realm of Burrows or Kassian. If those two were healthy, there still might be hockeyin Vancouver now. But honestly the constant fire drill the defence has become is not going to improve without a couple of moves. I'm all open for making some moves on the back end. In order to do so, we will need to open a roster spot and cap space, I've been a strong advocate of moving on from Bieska this summer and possible Hamhuis next summer. Two moves i'd like is signing Mcquaid for 2 years and green 3-4 years on the back end. Hopefully buy us enough time develop and see what we have in the Russian's as well as Corrado/Clendining/Subban. If you look at the caps last season, they went out, spent big money and completely changed their back end so it can be done. Another option would be to try and pry out one of the top four in NSH (ellis, Josi, Weber, Jones), although I don't think we have the assets to acquire but boy would I love to see Weber or Jones on this teams back end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillipBlunt Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 I'm all open for making some moves on the back end. In order to do so, we will need to open a roster spot and cap space, I've been a strong advocate of moving on from Bieska this summer and possible Hamhuis next summer. Two moves i'd like is signing Mcquaid for 2 years and green 3-4 years on the back end. Hopefully buy us enough time develop and see what we have in the Russian's as well as Corrado/Clendining/Subban. If you look at the caps last season, they went out, spent big money and completely changed their back end so it can be done. Another option would be to try and pry out one of the top four in NSH (ellis, Josi, Weber, Jones), although I don't think we have the assets to acquire but boy would I love to see Weber or Jones on this teams back end.Now that's a Weber signing I could get behind! Green and Mcquaid would be great signings too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 We need 3 Ekblads, and 3 Vatanen's. Know where we can get guys like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustapha Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 For example, there are plenty of other teams that have top d men and are still without a cup, MTL (subban), STL (shattenkirk), MIN (suter) NSH (Weber), OTT (Karlson). Stating that in order to win a cup a team NEEDS a top D is about as helpful as stating that a team needs a number one goalie. I think that the issue has more to do with the fact that only 1 team can win the Cup each year, and although Suter and Weber are every bit as good (or at least close to) as Keith, Doughty or Chara was, in the end only one team can win. NOTE: Wouldn't lump Subban in that group, he gets points but he's a defensive liability, a diver and takes stupid penalties. It's a travesty that defensemen like Subban and Karlsson have Norris trophies and Doughty and Weber do not. It's obvious to me which two players are better defensemen overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crabcakes Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Let's look at the Canucks of the future to see where the needs lie. Let's assume that in 5 years, drafted players will be playing. Also, any roster player over the age of 27 will be retired (or close to it) Also, I will take the liberty of removing players who I think that Benning has brought in to hold the fort while prospects mature. - ok, Bonino and Vey So we are left with the following: Centre - Horvat, McCann, Cassels, Pettit LW - Baertschi, Shinkaruk, Gaunce, Kenins RW - Kassian, Virtanen, Jensen, Grenier LD - Sbisa, Stanton, Hutton, Pedan, Tryamkin, Cedarholm, Sautner RD - Tanev, Weber, Corrado, Clendening, Biega, Subban Goal - Lack, Erickson, Markstrom, Canata, Demko So there are numbers at every level which is a good sign. The forward lines look almost viable. There are players who you could consider to be true top 6. Defense has more numbers but to my mind look less viable as a functioning group. There are no studs in the making and other than Pedan and Tryamkin, I think they're all less than average in size. The Canucks need puck movers, power play specialists, defensive specialists and some muscle to clear the front of the net. Each defenseman should in my mind have at least 2 of these attributes and any given pair ideally would have all 4. I know this is a little ham fisted and simplistic but I'm not sure there is a player there who projects to be as good as Edler even. So, I think this shows that the Canucks should be targeting a stud D in the draft. Long term goals and short term goals are similar. One or two stalwarts on the back end would really help the Canucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toyotasfan Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Canucks need an imposing presence like Byfughlin , maybe a Webber, or a Doughty. Or two defenceman that can be a tandem of size and skill. There is nothing intimidating about the Canucks beyond Kassian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattA16 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I dont necessarily agree with the idea that we need to find that one gem of a defensemen, but rather work on having 3 solid rotations so we don't have a liability at any particular time. Don't get me wrong; I would absolutely love a Shea Weber, Erik Karlsson, or Drew Doughty, but I think its more important, or perhaps more realistic, to get rid of those risky pairs (Sbisa, Bieksa) and replace them with guys who are reliable and can move the puck out of the zone. Right now we have too many guys who are liabilities and I think thats the issue. There is certainly an importance of have an offensive defenceman who can create scoring chances, but this is more important on the power play than anything else. Defenceman who rack up a lot of points (aside from Karlsson) typically do so on the power play, or with routine passes or a strong breakout pass 5 on 5. Yannick Weber could be a fine power play option (although not a great one), but he should only be playing 3rd pairing minutes (if that) 5 on 5 as he can be a liability at times. The most important thing is to eliminate the defensive risk. Bieksa (even though I love the guy), Sbisa, and Weber are all liabilities. My heart rate goes up when the opposing team has the puck and they're on the ice. By liability I don't just mean in the defensive zone, but also the inability to properly move the puck up the ice. We don't need 6 Duncan Keiths, but we need at least 5 guys who can play average to above average defense and be able to move the puck out of the zone consistently and efficiently. Having one guy who can QB a powerplay would also be great, but if they are liabilities 5 on 5 they should be on the bottom pair. I know how difficult and expensive it would be to assemble a group like this, but these kind of defences are truly what brings teams from a 2nd round playoff team to a Stanley Cup contender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herberts Vasiljevs Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I'm also confused as to why Benning would re-sign Weber. Maybe he's bluffing and making other teams think that he's actually worth something. I have a hard time seeing Weber keeping up in the ECHL> Lmao, he was definitely not THAT bad. Dear Christ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyHatnDart Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Tanev is basically Hamhuis in my eyes. Solid, dependable defenceman that quietly play well most every game. With Tanev signed until '19-20, that shows me Benning has already seen this and he will become that role player once Hamhuis moves on. Hamhuis has a very reasonable cap hit for his pedigree and consistent play. I agree with some that he was playing with his injury and didn't look as sharp as last season. However, he is just the type of defenceman that a lot of teams will look at to augment their top 4. Being older, and imo redundant because of Tanev, I'd like to see him shopped for an NHL ready prospect+ on a deep team, or a high pick (low 2nd+4th or prospect?). Proven defenceman are hot commodities in the league as of late, and I believe he can fetch that high a price. Obviously, for the same hit and contract timeframe, Bieksa would be the ideal one to be moved. Either provides good leadership (say what you want about the Ferland insults, had we won that series we'd be loving him for it), but Bieksa is the only Canuck who didn't recover from last season. To me it says his style of game is past its expiry date, and it's time to move on. He won't fetch as nice of a return is the problem... Possibly a package deal? But moving him soon would be ideal and I believe his game isn't going to get any better. People seem to forget amidst all the "need a PMD" talk that we had a very good stay at home defenceman in Willie Mitchell during the best years. A big strong defenceman that can clear our crease is nearly as invaluable as a good PMD imo, typically at a fraction of the cost. Obviously I would be happier with a Mike Green (provided he stays healthy) but the cost seems far too great. I would prefer to see Corrado and Clendenning get realistic shots at holding down the 5/6 spots. We do have a few other prospects that could possibly surprise us as well (Hutton, Pedan to name 2). I definitely agree the defence is the weakest cog in the wheel, and needs shoring up. With this and next years draft looking very deep though, I'd prefer to take the patient route and draft 3-4 higher round PMD's and take the few years to develop them ourselves, while taking the cheaper, role playing route on defence in the meantime and allowing our own guys to elevate their game to earn and keep their roster positions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon.Duck Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Oh how I miss the old days when our defence was so good that it made Cloutier and Alex Auld look like great goalies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbutcher Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 The only thing I can think of/hope for is that it's because he's an RFA with value. A guy who can be moved or allow someone else to move and get assets back. Realistically, there's almost no chance all of Bieksa, Weber, Corrado, Clendening are with the cub in the fall. Weber/Clendening and their basically identical/redundant role especially. Where is your source or your crystal Ball?? I'll bet you bet you that 3 of those 4 will start the season with the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Queue the "trade Bieksa" threads: Vancouver Canucks @VanCanucks 1m1 minute ago #Canucks sign defenceman Mackenze Stewart. http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=767418 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zverta Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 The thing with Bieksa is that if he really wants to be here, the team will find a way for him to stay. I'm perfectly fine with him signing a cheap deal to stay as the 6th defenceman--after his current albatross of a contract runs out of course. I won't be surprised to see Hamhuis leave this year though. He's sort of the dark horse for change since he has the most value out of all our veterans. Coupled with the rumour of management not being happy with what Vrbata brought this season; he may be gone as well. Bring on the overachieving rookies! Sedin - Sedin - Kassian Baertschi - Bonino - Burrows Shinkaruk - Horvat - Hansen Kenins - Richardson - Dorsett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Where is your source or your crystal Ball?? I'll bet you bet you that 3 of those 4 will start the season with the club. We have Tanev, Bieksa, Weber, Clendening and Corrado all requiring waivers to get sent down. That's five guys for four spots and that's without making any moves to improve that side that desperately needs improving. You just said yourself that you: "bet you that 3 of those 4 will start the season with the club". So it would seem that you're agreeing with me that it's quite unlikely that ALL of those guys will be on the team come fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuxfanabroad Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Wonder if we could pry a G Reinhart-type, should we flip Dan Ham? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckleHorse Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Intimidation most of our Canuck players are softer than a day old puppy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForsbergTheGreat Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 What is everyone’s value on Seth Jones? He would cost a ton to pry away but if we could do it without moving Bo, would you? Remember if a guy like Jones was available the whole league would be offering up pieces to get him. An offer from canucks would have to be better than anything else that would be going their way. Hurricanes could offer Staal + Leafs could offer Kessel + Av’s could offer O’reilly + Oilers could offer RNH Realistically would there be anything canucks could offer to overpay what the other teams? 2015 first round + 2016 first round + McCann, Hamhuis, + Honestly EDM makes a lot of sense with RNH going the other way but it would be nice to see a young, big, defencemen like Jones in our line up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Shirokov Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Corrado is the solution.. Essentially, another Tanev. A calm, cool presence with a good head on it's shoulder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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