Vancouver's 3 new free agents

[AlwaysACanuckFan]

28 minutes ago, Solinar said:

  I'm more than willing to be wrong about this, but I really do think Louie is going to have a good season.  He's had an atrocious shooting %, but defensively he's responsible, and he generally drives play in the right direction when he's on the ice.  The thing is his production coupled with his contract.  Now lets remove the animosity of him being a 6 million $ cap hit.  Now lets look at what kind of player he is when he's successful.  He's the guy who deposits the garbage into the goal.  That means he's the guy who is moving up thru the slot/side of the net position who's depositing rebounds, mis directed shots, and tap ins.  He is NOT a sniper.   He's basically a play recipient who usually makes a living being in the right spots when someone else is doing the shooting.  

  Now you put him with 2 guys who barely shoot the puck, setting you up like you're a sniper, where you don't even have someone in front of the net to screen the goalie...  There is no chaos for the goalie to fight thru, nothing.  Now you put him with Sutter and Pettersson as I imagine it might fall out....You'll see  a lot more shots, a lot more movement and chaos instead of set plays.  I think that'll be where he finds his game again and he'll come alive.

  Now the people who have to worry the most about being displaced are Gaunce, Granlund, and Gagner.  And I wouldn't be surprised if all 3 of those guys aren't on the outside looking in if they don't bring it at camp.

Especially while playing Pettersson, I'm curious to see if there's any chemistry there. 

[appleboy]

5 hours ago, Kanuck_Krazy said:

I don't think anyone had any problem with the players brought in.  It was their contract.  The terms were awful.  No-one else would have paid them that much for that long.  (Roussel/Beagle)  Schaller is okay.

This is the truth hit right on the nose. Plus the fact that it creates a log jam that will not be easy to clear. 

Gagner could be waived. 3 mil for two more? It would take balls to tell your owner that he is not good enough to make your team. 

LE is not going anywhere. 

So do you trade Sutter, Granlund, Baer?

Do you lose Liepsic , Goldy ,Gaunce or make a minor trade?

The preseason will be interesting to say the least. 

[6string]

19 minutes ago, appleboy said:

This is the truth hit right on the nose. Plus the fact that it creates a log jam that will not be easy to clear. 

Gagner could be waived. 3 mil for two more? It would take balls to tell your owner that he is not good enough to make your team. 

LE is not going anywhere. 

So do you trade Sutter, Granlund, Baer?

Do you lose Liepsic , Goldy ,Gaunce or make a minor trade?

The preseason will be interesting to say the least. 

Gaunce may or may not clear waivers who knows, but he will fall in the depth chart imo.

 

I think GMs around the league are onto the Canucks young stars ( Edmonton/Calgary opted out ) and will be watching the waiver wire closely to see who they can snag from us. Gagner can be dealt easily to make room for a prospect.

 

I support the free agent signings 100%, the fans are gonna love these new age and reformed Hanson Brothers policing the arena

[smokes]

5 hours ago, mikeyman109 said:

I hear you. With the Gaudettes, Pettersons, Plamus, Gadjovichs, Dahlens looking great last night who might they displace.

I can see a Gagner getting pushed out but would we bury Eriksson in the minors? Buy him out?? I am curious

A veteran Swede to help Petterson and Dahlen adjust? Eriksson should be the defensive rock to match the Petterson and Dahlen offense.

[RogersTowell]

56 minutes ago, appleboy said:

This is the truth hit right on the nose. Plus the fact that it creates a log jam that will not be easy to clear. 

Gagner could be waived. 3 mil for two more? It would take balls to tell your owner that he is not good enough to make your team. 

LE is not going anywhere. 

So do you trade Sutter, Granlund, Baer?

Do you lose Liepsic , Goldy ,Gaunce or make a minor trade?

The preseason will be interesting to say the least. 

• When you say log jam, I interpret it to mean we have depth.  That's a good thing.
• Yes, Gagner could be waived.  Of the veteran forwards, he's the one I'm least impressed by.  Someone might pick him up off the waiver wire or maybe not.  Possible he could be traded in a retained salary deal.
• I agree on LE - he's not going anywhere.  He hasn't performed up to his contract, but maybe there's still some upside.  It's not like we're short on cap space.  He's still good enough to fill a roster position.
• I wouldn't trade Sutter.  Maybe Baertschi or Granlund.  I like both, but if a young player pushes them down the depth chart far enough, you have to make it happen.
• If Leipsic, Goldobin or Gaunce can't crack the roster, so be it.  Some times you have to take a chance with waivers.  Some times asset management means using the best assets you have and allowing younger guys to get ice time in the NHL.
• I agree completely that pre-season (and likely the regular season) will be interesting.  Can't wait for the puck to drop.  Young Stars has me wanting more.

[Googlie]

39 minutes ago, 6string said:

 

 

I think GMs around the league are onto the Canucks young stars ( Edmonton/Calgary opted out ) and will be watching the waiver wire closely to see who they can snag from us.

Lets not forget that other teams are likely wrestling with their rosters, and unless one of them has a truckful of waiver exempts, they will have to put someone on waivers to accomodate the one of ours they claim. ... and we have first crack at their thusly waived player.  

 

So ours would only be claimed if he were a clear upgrade over someone they were going to waive anyway

[Gaudette Celly]

5 hours ago, Where's Wellwood said:

 

The NMC part of his contract ended. He's on a normal NTC for the next 2 years (which means he can be sent to the minors but I don't think he ever will), then a modified NTC for the last 2 years.

Meanwhile, Lucic is still full NMC for the next 3 years, meaning Edmonton will have to protect him in expansion.  The last two years he only has to give an 8 then 10-team list.

 

Money's not the only horrible aspect of that contract.

[Gaudette Celly]

Roussel = direct and younger Dorsett replacement, at same relative cap hit

Beagle = 4th line C, PKer, elite FO man, plays hard minutes, cup winner

Schaller = 27YO, late bloomer with only 2 full seasons under his belt, versatile, upside, UFA before he even hits 30

 

Not to mention all three are character guys and fan favourites in their former cities.

[6string]

1 hour ago, RogersTowell said:

• When you say log jam, I interpret it to mean we have depth.  That's a good thing.
• Yes, Gagner could be waived.  Of the veteran forwards, he's the one I'm least impressed by.  Someone might pick him up off the waiver wire or maybe not.  Possible he could be traded in a retained salary deal.
• I agree on LE - he's not going anywhere.  He hasn't performed up to his contract, but maybe there's still some upside.  It's not like we're short on cap space.  He's still good enough to fill a roster position.
• I wouldn't trade Sutter.  Maybe Baertschi or Granlund.  I like both, but if a young player pushes them down the depth chart far enough, you have to make it happen.
• If Leipsic, Goldobin or Gaunce can't crack the roster, so be it.  Some times you have to take a chance with waivers.  Some times asset management means using the best assets you have and allowing younger guys to get ice time in the NHL.
• I agree completely that pre-season (and likely the regular season) will be interesting.  Can't wait for the puck to drop.  Young Stars has me wanting more.

I like Sutter too we need him to be there for the transition but at the same time he does have value in the market. At trading deadline the offers will come in from playoff teams who need that veteran third line center...We should be listening then ( later in the season ).

[Noseforthenet]

9 hours ago, aqua59 said:

After watching last nights prospect game something was evident. None of the Vancouver players were going to be swatting their opponents aside.

This group has wheels. I'm not saying they're not jammy but that's why they are going to need some space to get things done. 

 

After Dorsett left last season that was pretty much it for push back. The old team tough was more or less a joke. The two biggest guys on Vancouver occupy the net. 

Alex Edler? Well...   

Jake's coming along.

Smaller back end with little bite. 

No Mr Nasty. Well, we now have some grit, a little sand paper with a super pest. Focus changers. Vancouver has missed that for a period of time. Nothing like watching your goalie get run with no response. 

Watching the young stars game last night it was very evident why they went out and got these free agents. Guys like Pratt instill  fear and illogical thinking.

 

Vancouver never replaced their toughness over that past several seasons.

Go back and listen to Dave Semenko's take on role of players on a team. Dave told Gretzky to go do his job and he'd do his. Vancouver hasn't had that element for a while. This training camp will be very much about accepting one's role and earning it.

 

Antoine Roussel looks like the perfect prick to come play in Vancouver. The guy can skate and play the game. 

Jay Beagle is another mountain man fresh off a stanley cup win. He's used to the rough going.

Tim Schaller is another physical player.

 

That's 3 spots leaving 9 up front. I have a feeling some players will be on the outside looking in, players that thought they were a lock.

 

Thoughts?

 

Could not agree more with this assessment. This team may be able to outscore some problems this season and will learn how to win more puck battles in the offensive zone...but what happens in our own end. Our defense doesn't have that competitiveness to win the puck battles there. We need some defense with more compete level to raise the rest of our guys up, like hopefully the free agent forward signings do this year for our offensive zone.

[spook007]

9 hours ago, Kanuck_Krazy said:

I don't think anyone had any problem with the players brought in.  It was their contract.  The terms were awful.  No-one else would have paid them that much for that long.  (Roussel/Beagle)  Schaller is okay.

Then they don't sign.... simples...

When you are a rebuilding team, you have to pay more or for longer, if you want players others may want as well....

[spook007]

9 hours ago, Kootenay Gold said:

Actually they are not really the same. A NMC prevents the team from sending you to the minors via waivers whereas a NTC does not prevent them from doing that

Bingo.... massive difference...

Means he can can be sent to UTICA tomorrow if he is deemed surplus to requirements....

[Ilunga]

12 hours ago, mikeyman109 said:

The posters who understand that the kids will need not only protection but some veteran presence around them to become better NHL players get the need to sign these types of players. We cant play Petterson Dahlen and even Boeser and Horvat without someone to respond should things go ape. Rousell Beagle and Schaller play the game with a little sandpaper and thats been missing in my opinion since 2012 when Lapierre and Torres left.

 

Regardless of 9 spots up front what is holding back spots from the kids has nothing to with these three signings. Its more the Erikssons, Gagners etc and as such its up to the kids to displace them and give Benning every reason to either trade them or waive them to make room for a player that has earned it.

 

This is the crux of the whole issue. The young players must give Benning the reason to  move a veteran to make room for them. Its their responsibility, not managements or the coaching staff. The young player must show that they are bette4r than the current option. No player will be gifted a spot nor should they be. To make the team you will have to play at your best all the time or now there is someone else who may take your job.

What player thought they were a lock?? The whole idea of having this type of competition for spots on the roster is no one can feel comfortable. This will create better players and thus a better team. this is exactly what we want. Great to see4 the uoung players showing up. Now they have to outplay the veterans.

Loved me a bit of lapierre, he really knew how to piss off,put other teams players of their game. Just that smartarse look made you want to do something silly.

[IBatch]

13 hours ago, Kootenay Gold said:

I'm not advocating we have Torres or Marchand type's of player on the team but rather players that will come to the aide of one of the smaller players on the team that are not afraid to mix it up and deliver punishment to the perpetrators

Yep we need that and at least we have a couple guys now that won't skate away with their heads down when the goalie or a Sedin is run.  And a healthy Gudbranson will also keep anyone honest.   Hopefully this will have a trickle down (or up) effect on the lineup and promote team toughness to guys like JV and he won't be gun shy on both creaming guys (more often that is, liken when he came in and I swear WD said something that curbed his enthusiasm) and on coming to the rescue when others needed this.  

 

Boston anchors a lot of their toughness around Chara and McQauid both elite fighters who are long in the tooth, Marchand and the rest know they can throw their weight around and everyone will back them up with those beasts ready to come in and punish anyone who retaliates, we don't have that level of toughness but at least we have a lot more than we did.

 

Roenick said it's like everyone feels two feet taller once Probert joined them in CHI...maybe Beagle, Schaller and Roussel will  help do the same.  I'm sure Gudbranson  is stoked as not having to be the guy, especially after the hand injuries.

[Glug Datt]

9 hours ago, 6string said:

Gaunce may or may not clear waivers who knows, but he will fall in the depth chart imo.

 

I think GMs around the league are onto the Canucks young stars ( Edmonton/Calgary opted out ) and will be watching the waiver wire closely to see who they can snag from us. Gagner can be dealt easily to make room for a prospect.

 

I support the free agent signings 100%, the fans are gonna love these new age and reformed Hanson Brothers policing the arena

might be a tad optimistic.. a $3 mil guy who can't stick on a bottom feeder might not be dealt easily.. 

 

but hey, you never know.. maybe OTT will take him.. 

[nuck-lifer]

2 hours ago, IBatch said:

Yep we need that and at least we have a couple guys now that won't skate away with their heads down when the goalie or a Sedin is run.  And a healthy Gudbranson will also keep anyone honest.   Hopefully this will have a trickle down (or up) effect on the lineup and promote team toughness to guys like JV and he won't be gun shy on both creaming guys (more often that is, liken when he came in and I swear WD said something that curbed his enthusiasm) and on coming to the rescue when others needed this.  

 

Boston anchors a lot of their toughness around Chara and McQauid both elite fighters who are long in the tooth, Marchand and the rest know they can throw their weight around and everyone will back them up with those beasts ready to come in and punish anyone who retaliates, we don't have that level of toughness but at least we have a lot more than we did.

 

Roenick said it's like everyone feels two feet taller once Probert joined them in CHI...maybe Beagle, Schaller and Roussel will  help do the same.  I'm sure Gudbranson  is stoked as not having to be the guy, especially after the hand injuries.

Agreed. This has been our problem for years. When Prust came into the lineup, the guy that was most vocal and supportive was Dorsett knowing that we needed way more sandpaper than what we currently had.

These players will allow Pettersson, Dahlen and company to actually play their game, as well as allow guys like Sutter and Eriksson more ozone time which is why all the signings were the right move.

 

[mikeyman109]

3 hours ago, Ilunga said:

Loved me a bit of lapierre, he really knew how to piss off,put other teams players of their game. Just that smartarse look made you want to do something silly.

its amazing the attention on player can bring on himself as the opposition forgets about playing the game. Most successful teams have this element somewhere in the lineup.

[CanuckleHorse]

44 minutes ago, Glug Datt said:

might be a tad optimistic.. a $3 mil guy who can't stick on a bottom feeder might not be dealt easily.. 

 

but hey, you never know.. maybe OTT will take him.. 

Garner is a very good support guy he played his best hockey when put with good players put him with crap well he’s not gonna make it smell good.

[mikeyman109]

11 hours ago, appleboy said:

This is the truth hit right on the nose. Plus the fact that it creates a log jam that will not be easy to clear. 

Gagner could be waived. 3 mil for two more? It would take balls to tell your owner that he is not good enough to make your team. 

LE is not going anywhere. 

So do you trade Sutter, Granlund, Baer?

Do you lose Liepsic , Goldy ,Gaunce or make a minor trade?

The preseason will be interesting to say the least. 

I disagree. their contract term and dollars are of no issue and they can be moved anytime through trade, get paid a value that made them come to a last place team, and bring attributes we did not have in the system. We have lots of cap space so the dollars are irrelevant. Can you move on from that complaint?

 

Please can we lose Goldy, He cant find his own end and he isn't getting it.Despite having two seasons to prove it. He is not going to get "gifted " a spot. He has to earn it. No loss here

Gagner he will be traded;someone will need him if injuries hit. He was a place holder and not in the long term plans anyways

Granlund is a bubble player at best

No need to do anything with Sutter

Baertschi might be a good trade option with a signed deal.

Gaunce will pass through waivers and head to Utica

Leipsic is still on the bubble but he might get passed by Dahlen.

[Alflives]

4 minutes ago, mikeyman109 said:

I disagree. their contract term and dollars are of no issue and they can be moved anytime through trade, get paid a value that made them come to a last place team, and bring attributes we did not have in the system. We have lots of cap space so the dollars are irrelevant. Can you move on from that complaint?

 

Please can we lose Goldy, He cant find his own end and he isn't getting it.Despite having two seasons to prove it. He is not going to get "gifted " a spot. He has to earn it. No loss here

Gagner he will be traded;someone will need him if injuries hit. He was a place holder and not in the long term plans anyways

Granlund is a bubble player at best

No need to do anything with Sutter

Baertschi might be a good trade option with a signed deal.

Gaunce will pass through waivers and head to Utica

Leipsic is still on the bubble but he might get passed by Dahlen.

Excellent post, with very accurate assessments of those players.

if I could add:  Loui Eriksson is still a solid player.  He’s overpaid, but he’s still a much better player than all the forwards suggested.