Canucks Defense Looking Up

[TheCammer]

This is the guy I'm most excited about as far as defensive prospects go, you'd think these highlites were of a forward at times, this guy looks unbelievable

We're going to always hear about his size as a D-man and that may end up holding him back. However, I'm hopeful his pure offensive skills will overcome his stature. I believe Benning signed him to a contract despite Subban being a Gillis draft pick so I'm guessing new management see some potential as well.

[RaymondT]

This is the guy I'm most excited about as far as defensive prospects go, you'd think these highlites were of a forward at times, this guy looks unbelievable

His puck handling, shooting, and nose for the net already appear to be better than most of the Canucks current roster. Definitely one to watch.

[aGENT]

If his highlights leave you in doubt as to his position, is that really a good thing?

For an offensive d-man? Sure, why not?

[KeslerPlaysLikeACanadian]

For an offensive d-man? Sure, why not?

Because you have to keep them out of your net too. I like the player, it's just an obvious response to a set of highlights where someone can say they don't know a guy is on D. That's not a good thing. He's not an offensive o-man. And I do hope they give him a lot of rope in Utica.

[TOMapleLaughs]

http://youtu.be/AxVTau2Ymx0

This is the guy I'm most excited about as far as defensive prospects go, you'd think these highlites were of a forward at times, this guy looks unbelievable

Any word on if he actually is a forward?

Not that anyone is saying Subban is the next Karlsson, but by Subban's age, Karlsson was already a 45pt, 2-season NHL defenseman. And Karlsson's still pretty bad defensively. Can we expect Subban to be an offensive defenseman? Maybe. But one that doesn't cost more to his team compared to what he'd bring in offense, like Karlsson? That's some high hopes.

There is the mystery of Ben Hutton. The mystery of Tryamkin. The mystery of where our defense is coming from, period. I suppose free agency will plug holes as usual, but a true #1 defenseman who can make a huge difference to a team? You have to draft those, and they don't come up every draft.

[aGENT]

Because you have to keep them out of your net too. I like the player, it's just an obvious response to a set of highlights where someone can say they don't know a guy is on D. That's not a good thing. He's not an offensive o-man. And I do hope they give him a lot of rope in Utica.

Not all good D men are great at D. Ottawa and their fans seems to like Karlsson alright and he's never been particularly good in his own end.

I don't disagree that in general, D-men should play at least some D but if he can bring the offense and perhaps play with a more defensive minded partner, I don't see the problem.

Now we wait and see if he can get to something resembling that level.

Besides, Green has Utica playing very tight defensive hockey. Subban's likely to be there for a year or two and is bound to learn a thing or two. AKA, I wouldn't worry so much

[The Bookie]

I'm happy enough going into the season with the current 7. Really excited to see what Corrado can do with a full season's opportunity, curious enough with the wildcard of Bartkowski, and hopeful that Weber can build on last season. Never a dull moment with Sbisa ...? And it will be very interesting to see if losing Bieksa really is an addition by subtraction change. But in general it's gotta happen sooner or later, taking that leap of faith as a team in transition. This season in general is yet another roll-the-dice type for Van, so, might as well hope for the best.

That being said, really sitting back to look at the depth chart makes me a bit nervous. That's a serious drop-off at the #8-10 slots. Fedun, Biega, Pedan?

I hope there's some scenario that allows them to add one or two more experienced vets, even if they're just typical depth journeymen. Things are gonna get sketchy real quick when those annual injuries stack up.

[CanadianRugby]

Not all good D men are great at D. Ottawa and their fans seems to like Karlsson alright and he's never been particularly good in his own end.

Karlsson is the best offensive defenseman in the league and won the Norris, twice. Last two years he scored 74 and 66 points. It's silly to even mention him when talking about Subban.

[Nave]

I can't wait to see Subban with a better team in Utica.

He's more than willing to lay hits along the boards, and because of his superb 8 way skating, he could become quite good defensively. Under Green, he should learn more of the nuances. Especially with stick-checking.

I'm most excited for him out of all our defensemen too. Not because of his name, but because of his instincts knowing when to pinch, where to shoot, and how to finish.

[DeNiro]

The examples of how Subban needs to play as a smaller defenseman are already out there. He just needs to figure out how to play that way.

[Nave]

The examples of how Subban needs to play as a smaller defenseman are already out there. He just needs to figure out how to play that way.

Pretty much, yeah. Maybe he'll learn when he doesn't have to be the top guy, like he was wit the Bulls.

Utica should be great for him.

[aGENT]

Karlsson is the best offensive defenseman in the league and won the Norris, twice. Last two years he scored 74 and 66 points. It's silly to even mention him when talking about Subban.

Why is it silly? I'm far from saying Subban will be the next Karlsson but he was his crappy team's leading point producer 2 years running.

I'm actually interested to see what he can do with better team mates and coaching at the AHL level.

[KeslerPlaysLikeACanadian]

Karlsson is the best offensive defenseman in the league and won the Norris, twice. Last two years he scored 74 and 66 points. It's silly to even mention him when talking about Subban.

Karlsson is actually horrible on defense. It's an atrocity to give a Norris to player like that. Of course, I'd take him on my team. And if Subban is like that too, fine, try him out. But I'll never argue that he shouldn't get better at D. Ottawa fans would be happier if the guy kept more pucks out. And it's night and day anyway, you can definitely see Karlsson hanging back and playing the game properly, it's not like people can't tell where he's playing. Subban'll be fine. But when you see like 20 goals and go "he's a D?", it ain't good. Lots of learning in the men's game to do.

[johnnyhockey]

Agreed! Great breakdown, thanks for sharing

After 45 years in the league, I think it is about time the Canucks get a Norris trophy candidate.

There's been a lot of discussion over the years about the lack of a T1D in the Canucks' organization.

Some say a team doesn't need one as defense should be by committee. Others will point to empirical evidence that, for the last few decades, Stanley Cup teams have either had at least one established T1D, or has had one emerge out of the fires of playoff hockey, molded into one of the Greats.

The Canucks' defense has been seemingly locked up for years and had become very difficult to maneuver between NTCs and an ageing core. Finally someone has pulled the trigger on Bieksa. Benning traded Bieksa to Anaheim for a 2nd round pick in 2016, later part of the package that brought Brendan Sutter to Canada.

All of a sudden, the defense is opening up. Only two NTCs remain on the Canucks with one soon to leave.

BENNING'S CURRENT DEFENSE DEPTH

13 August, 2015

UFA - 2016

RFA - 2016

EDLER (5.000 X 4 - NTC) - TANEV (4.450 X 5)

HAMHUIS (4.500 X 1 - NTC) - SBISA (3.600 X 3)

BARTKOWSKI (1.750 X 1) - WEBER (1.500 X 1)

CORRADO (0.700 X 1)

EDLER - Might have been asked to waive his NTC in the past at least once by Gillis and once by Benning. If he was not asked directly and personally, the media sure did. The answer has always been a categorical no; end fo story. With the right partner, Edler is a force. With the wrong partner, sometimes he looks lost. Edler refuses to move so he's playing for the Canucks for the next four years for better or for worse.

TANEV - At 3.500 MIL for the next five years, Tanev might just be the league-wide bargain T4D. Such a player as Tanev is always coveted by any team. He delivers a great game almost every night. The nights he doesn't, Edler looks really bad. As far as we've seen, Tanev makes his partner better whoever that partner is. That is a rare skill in any walk of life. That kind of man is a keeper in any organization.

SBISA - Has been good enough to land a three year contract which, despite many cries against the amount of money involved, is warranted. Sbisa has three years to develop his game with the Canucks. The emotion he brings to the game is needed to win things like the odd Cup. Unfortunately for him last year, he was one of the main guys counted on to "bring it every night" in the toughness department. The dude is only 25 years old. Personally, I cannot wait to see what kind of player he will be at 28 years old. Fortunately for him and the rest of the Canucks, the organization went shopping for some serious grit in trading for Prust and signing Bartkowski. Thanks to those two, along with Dorsett and maybe even Kenins, Sbisa's game will most likely be easier on his body as others will contribute in physically exhausting the oposition. That bodes well for Sbisa who I think will have a very big year.

BARTKOWSKI - He is kind of like Sbisa and having two Sbisa's on the ice should keep the opposition honest. Players like Brown from L.A. better watch out for those borderline illegal high speed collisions Bartkowski can dish out. That kind of reall hockey is back in Vancouver and I'm liking it. Bartkowski is on a 1yr deal both for his and the organization's sake. He's on a one year interview on a team in transition. He fits, he's in. He doesn't fit, he's out.

WEBER - Fills his role and isn't expensive. Like Bartkowski, Weber is also on a one year deal that sees him go to Free Agency next year. Weber is a great utility player and has a shot no one has on this current Canucks team. Therefore, he has a job. Weber does register at 5'11" but sometimes plays like he's 5'9". He probably has a job until a better offensive player comes along. One year in a transitional organization. Nothing to dislike there.

CORRADO - Corrado wasn't ready to make the bigs last year. However, the Calder Cup run where Benning was in attendance changed all that. Corrado will be playing for the Vancouver Canucks, again, on opening night barring any changes. He's a young kid with a big heart. Corrado can and will most likely hold a spot on the team.

HAMHUIS - Already deemed expendable even before the 2015-2016 campaign has started, Hamhuis brings a sound defense to any team lined up for a Cup. He will most likely be traded at or before the 2016 trade deadline to a team needing that extra defensive defenseman for a deep run.

What Vancouver has is a good crop of very young, not-yet-ready defensemen who might make it in the next three years. Until then, there is a blatant void between the Canucks regulars and the Canucks hopefuls.

CANUCKS DEFENSE IN 2016-2017

EDLER (5.000 X 3 - NTC) - TANEV (4.450 X 4)

___________ (0.000 X 0) - SBISA (3.600 X 2)

CORRADO (0.000 X 0 RFA) - __________ (0.000 X 0)

______________ (0.000 X 0)

I don't expect Peter Andersson (24) and Jeremy Blain (23) to lock up a job at the NHL level for the upcoming season and perhaps maybe never. However, the Canucks defense depth looks to have two big Russians coming into their own in the next two years.

Andrey Pedan (22) - Drafted by the Islanders 63rd overall in 2011. Benning went and got a big kid at 6'4", who has as much probability of success as Corrado. He might have become available with the Islanders' suddenly stacked defense when they acquired both Leddy and Boychuck. As of today, Pedan looks next in line after Corrado on the depth chart.

Nikita Tryamkin (20) - A BIG. BIG Russian. At 6'7", Tryamkin also looks like he has as much chance of making the NHL as Corrado but maybe in a couple of years. Chosen 66th overall in 2014 and still only 20 years old, he still has a ways to go. With the right guidance, a Chara, Myers type isn't out of the question, thanks to his height, weight and apparent nastiness in his play.

Outside of Corrado, Pedan and Tryamkin, it would be nice to say this or that prospect will be a T4D or better in the near future, but that future is still too undetermined to even speculate who makes it and when. Luckily, the Benning team is there to insure every player's possibility of making it is available. That list currently includes Ben Hutton (22), Evan McEneny (21), Ashton Sautner (21), Mike Williamson (21), Jordan Subban (20), Mackenze Stewart (20), Anton Cederholm (20), Carl Neill (19), Tate Olson (18) and Guillaume Brisebois (18).

Canucks prospects, like Detroit's, might have a greater chance of reaching and even surpass their potential because young men with a dream are taken care off right from the get go. Green, Cloutier, Linden, Desjardins, Benning, Smyl and a few other caring people are all figure heads the young players of this organization are exposed to more often than at any time in the history of this franchise. They are guided, have custom designed, clear goals to reach, have follow throughs and are regularly assessed.

Benning being the pro scout he is, will most likely be looking to get draft picks for the 2016 draft and he has the pieces to get those picks. The market does determine the price for assets but do think that a deadline deal involving Hamhuis can certainly be worth a 1st and a top prospect and so could a Vrbata deal. Both players could be seen as top available talent at the deadline and Benning could collect another two late 1st rounders to go with another two top prospects.

CANUCKS PICKS IN 2016

1st - 2016

2nd - 2016

2nd - 2016 (to ANA)

3rd - 2016 (to NYI, to BUF, to PIT, to VAN)

4th - 2016

5th - 2016 (to MTL)

6th - 2016

7th - 2016

7th - 2016 (from CAR)

As tragic as it may seem at first, Benning is only one 5th rounder from walking onto the 2016 draft floor with a full deck of cards.

Young defensemen who can play don't come cheap in the NHL and that's if they come along at all in trades. A 25-26 year old Sbisa-type defenseman costs a lot let alone a T1D. But sometimes, they do become available, as we've seen with Hamilton going to Calgary. That trade doesn't happen if there is no restructuring at the top of the Boston Bruins organization.

Cap space restraints, a new management team, a new coach will happen in the NHL and some players either cannot get with the new program or don't even have a chance of getting with the program, and become available. For the right price.

That T1D is an elusive piece to get, especially if historically, a franchise hasn't had one. Lucky for the Canucks, Benning watched Chara work his art for years before becoming the General manager of the Vancouver Canucks. Benning keeps tabs on top defense in the league as he does on goaltenders and offense.

In 2016-2017 there will be a lot of space to work with both in terms of cap space and roster spots. Until then, Benning is keeping it as fluid as he can despite restrictions with NTCs. Those one year contracts will pay off in time. They are allowing rookies time to refine their game while not getting hopelessly forgotten behind a cluster of unmovable contracts.

Seabrook and others might be available next summer. If the Canucks can get their hands on a T1D already playing in the league or having the opportunity to acquire an almost sure T1D, they should pull the trigger. For now and maybe the next year or two, expect a few one year contracts.

[Alflives]

Karlsson is actually horrible on defense. It's an atrocity to give a Norris to player like that. Of course, I'd take him on my team. And if Subban is like that too, fine, try him out. But I'll never argue that he shouldn't get better at D. Ottawa fans would be happier if the guy kept more pucks out. And it's night and day anyway, you can definitely see Karlsson hanging back and playing the game properly, it's not like people can't tell where he's playing. Subban'll be fine. But when you see like 20 goals and go "he's a D?", it ain't good. Lots of learning in the men's game to do.

I actually like Karlsson's D play. I admit I have not seen him in person, but even on TV he impresses me with his gap control in the neutral zone. Plus he has a great stick, reads the play well, and plays body position too. All this while logging huge minutes, and creating a lot of offence. No, I must disagree on Karlsson. I hate his team, and he they lose every game, but I respect his game a lot. I think Suban can be our Karlsson!

[Me_]

I actually like Karlsson's D play. I admit I have not seen him in person, but even on TV he impresses me with his gap control in the neutral zone. Plus he has a great stick, reads the play well, and plays body position too. All this while logging huge minutes, and creating a lot of offence. No, I must disagree on Karlsson. I hate his team, and he they lose every game, but I respect his game a lot. I think Suban can be our Karlsson!

Too much too early on Subban. Setting up for deception.

[Alflives]

Too much too early on Subban. Setting up for deception.

Yes, that's true with all prospects, even the top picks. Who thought both Druin and Mackinnon would both struggle so much? Look at Yakupov? Heck, our picks look really good in comparison. I think Suban is going to be an offensive Dynamo!

[SaintPatrick33]

Subban has to improve his battle in the corners and must be able to take hits behind the net from opposing forecheckers. Offensive ability is great, but if you cant hang physically in the trenches, he will just get eaten up.

[Alflives]

Subban has to improve his battle in the corners and must be able to take hits behind the net from opposing forecheckers. Offensive ability is great, but if you cant hang physically in the trenches, he will just get eaten up.

Hamhuis doesn't take hits. Suban should have a big bodied guy, who stays back and does the grunt work. Karlsson rarely does that grunt work. That's how Cook was able to get him. Padan, or a guy like that. Tryamkin? Those are mAtches made in hockey heaven!

[BI3KSA-]

I don't.

Norris caliber defensemen > 1st line center.

We need an elite 1st line center just as bad, with Henrik leaving in the near future. BPA 100% if its a choice between Norris Caliber defensemen or elite 1st line center.