Jump to content
The Official Site of the Vancouver Canucks
Canucks Community

[Signing] Canucks re-sign Joseph LaBate


Recommended Posts

Quote

Vancouver, BC - Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the club has re-signed forward Joseph LaBate to a one-year, two-way contract.

 

"Joseph provided a physical presence to both lineups in Vancouver and Utica last season," said Benning. "He's a big, strong player and provides further depth to the forward group within our organization."

 

LaBate, 24, registered 1.8 hits per game in 13 appearances with the Canucks in 2016.17. He made his NHL debut on November 23rd at Arizona. The 6-5, 210-pound forward has also collected 16 points (6-10-16) and 80 penalty minutes in 38 games for Utica. In 106 career AHL games, all with Utica, LaBate has registered 36 points (16-20-36) and 161 penalty minutes.

 

A native of Burnsville, Minnesota, LaBate was drafted by Vancouver in the fourth round, 101st overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/vancouer-canucks-re-sign-joseph-labate-to-one-year-two-way-contract/c-290323410

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If Dorsett isn't recovered from his injury by the time training camp is over, I expect LaBate to be the challenger for the 4th line spot. He's big, tough, and drives the puck to the net hard. Always liked him. If not, he's gonna be a callup during the season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe a multi year deal could've been better but nevertheless great to have the big kid locked up. Good physical presence, hard worker, stands up for his teammates, can chip in in the scoresheet occasionally. Can't wait to see him take the next step in his development 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My big complaint with every article I've seen (a whopping two) about this resigning, the "author" has gone on in a later paragraph to write something along the lines of: 

 

While Benning and the Canucks are happy to have one of their young players back under contract, the team still has their work cut out for them with extending restricted free agents, with Bo Horvat, Brendan GaunceReid Boucher, Michael Chaput and Evan McEneny in need of new deals...

 

Why are these writers lumping fringe players like Boucher, Chaput, and McEneny with Horvat in terms of extensions? None of those players could ever skate for Vancouver again and it would make zero difference to the short or long term future of the franchise. 

 

Guance, maybe. First rounders get a lot of slack on that rope before it's reshaped into a noose. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, zzbottom said:

My big complaint with every article I've seen (a whopping two) about this resigning, the "author" has gone on in a later paragraph to write something along the lines of: 

 

While Benning and the Canucks are happy to have one of their young players back under contract, the team still has their work cut out for them with extending restricted free agents, with Bo Horvat, Brendan GaunceReid Boucher, Michael Chaput and Evan McEneny in need of new deals...

 

Why are these writers lumping fringe players like Boucher, Chaput, and McEneny with Horvat in terms of extensions? None of those players could ever skate for Vancouver again and it would make zero difference to the short or long term future of the franchise. 

 

Guance, maybe. First rounders get a lot of slack on that rope before it's reshaped into a noose. 

I agree these guys are not in the category of Horvat but each one is very important to the team this upcoming season and possibly beyond as they provide depth and the all important roster competition that is needed to drive and teach the young guys that they need to earn their spots. Also, the additional depth for injury replacement, etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...