Canucks Young Guns

[2Fingers]

6 rookies in the lineup last night.

anyone still really complaining that we cant draft and develop players anymore should give their head a shake.

I love how at the beginning of the year, there was a whack of people who were predicting that we would not give youth a chance this year.
How many rookies have cycled through? 9? 10? probably see 2 more...

Future is starting to look pretty good

Which 6?

Also indicate why are they there, was it because of injury or something else?

Having a player up here because of injuries does not mean we have developed players, it is a necessity that they are up here not because they earned it.

[Topper]

I get 5, Demko, Gaudette, Pettersson, Brisebois, and Sautner

[Blob Mckenzie]

Brisebois actually looks like he may be able to play in a year or two. He’s a good skater, still had to fill out a bit and be a bit more aggressive and assertive but he has some tools.

[Madcombinepilot]

6 rookies in the lineup last night.

anyone still really complaining that we cant draft and develop players anymore should give their head a shake.

I love how at the beginning of the year, there was a whack of people who were predicting that we would not give youth a chance this year.
How many rookies have cycled through? 9? 10? probably see 2 more...

Future is starting to look pretty good

Which 6?

Also indicate why are they there, was it because of injury or something else?

Having a player up here because of injuries does not mean we have developed players, it is a necessity that they are up here not because they earned it.

Pettersson.
Gaudette - developed in Utica. Makes Sutter replaceable next year
Demko - Developed in Utica.
Brisebois, (and)
Sautner - both developed in Utica. Serviceable call ups for the 5-6 slots. Brisebois will probably be sent back down. Sautner seems a slight bit ahead of him.

Guess it was only 5 last night.. sorry to overstate!

And the ability to develop players is necessary. Its what gives teams depth. Most rookies earn their spots on the team because of mid season call ups because of injuries, or end of season call ups on teams out of the playoff race.

Usually its only the high end prospects that make a team straight out of training camp.

[Hockey Widow]

6 rookies in the lineup last night.

anyone still really complaining that we cant draft and develop players anymore should give their head a shake.

I love how at the beginning of the year, there was a whack of people who were predicting that we would not give youth a chance this year.
How many rookies have cycled through? 9? 10? probably see 2 more...

Future is starting to look pretty good

Which 6?

Also indicate why are they there, was it because of injury or something else?

Having a player up here because of injuries does not mean we have developed players, it is a necessity that they are up here not because they earned it.

Brisbois and Sautner are here because of injuries but both have passed Pouliot on the depth chart. Both look good with Sautner looking like he is NHL ready. With a healthy Hutton and the addition of Hughes that will of course change in a hurry.

So who has developed under Benning’s leadership:

Goal:

Markstrom
Demko

Defence:

Hutton
Stetcher
Sautner
Brisbois
soon to add Hughes and Teves

Forwards:

Horvat
Virtanen
Boeser
Gaudette
Pettersson
Baertschi
Motte
Goldobin
Granlund

Some have turned out ok, some are mere placeholders.

It’s clear we need to attract somehow more defensive prospects. Past Hughes and Woo we don’t have too much coming. Maybe Rathbone in a couple of years. Maybe Trymankin if he returns.

Utica is so decimated on D they have now fallen out of a playoff spot.

It would be nice to get both Lockwood and Madden signed so they can play in Utica next year to go along with Lind and The Man Child. It seems the vast majority of our hope is already in the NHL. The cupboards are pretty bare in Utica.

[2Fingers]

Of those 5 – 3 are here only because of injuries and once the players come back they will be sent back to the minors. Gaudette may make a case that he stays up.

Injuries – Baertschi, Sutter, Roussel, Spooner

EP – nothing needs to be said about him
A Gaudette – yes this is a good development but again here most likely because of injury or who else would sit out to play him?

D

Injuries – Tanev, Hutton and just recently traded Grabdson

G Brisebois
A Sautner

Goalie

Demko – club properly developed him and brought him up at the right time

If we had Baertchi/Sutter and Roussel playing would Gaudette have been given a chance?

If the D was not decimated by injuries then would Brisebois/Sautner be given a chance?

The only rookie slotted to play this season was EP and maybe Demko, everyone else was given a chance because the always injured players are once again injured.

I am liking the fact that we have at least some serviceable players in Utica that can come up here but how many of them would be given the same chance on a good team. Also how many would be game makers or consistent NHL players.

One thing the Canucks can do better is quit signing guys like we did last season and start giving some of prospects real chances. Looking forward to seeing what Gaudette can do in an entire season.

Yes I know about depth yada yada yada, injuries occur, I get that. Like to see more planned development vs. calls up for injuries. IMHO still too much focus on winning now instead of planning long term.

[Madcombinepilot]

One thing the Canucks can do better is quit signing guys like we did last season and start giving some of prospects real chances. Looking forward to seeing what Gaudette can do in an entire season.

Yes I know about depth yada yada yada, injuries occur, I get that. Like to see more planned development vs. calls up for injuries. IMHO still too much focus on winning now instead of planning long term.

I understand what your saying and mostly agree with it. I think we may be discussing of semantics

Last year, we needed to sign those guys because we simply needed to set the bar (skill wise) for the 4th line to avoid the call ups of the previous years (the Gaunces, Bouchers, Megnas, Dowds, etc). 2 out of the 3 signings worked out for the roles they were signed for. Did we over pay a bit? --yes. That's how it goes in the offseason when your not a destination town. You won't win all the offseason signings.

Also, in the previous years, there wasn't any youth to develop. It was not a focus on winning, but a true focus on drafting some depth and development. You have to have the veterans when rebuilding to be placeholders. If JB had been throwing around the 8+millions for free agents over the last 2-3 years, then I would have an issue. he gave Goober a million too much (trying to pay for size perhaps?) and Beagle and Rousell a year to long (not a UFA destination).

[rikster]

If the D was not decimated by injuries then would Brisebois/Sautner be given a chance?

The point is that they were developed in the minors and they can step in for injuries or trades or for whatever reason...

The concern would be if the kids weren't able to play when called up...

Take care...

[Mickey107]

Gaudette may make a case that he stays up.

A Gaudette – yes this is a good development but again here most likely because of injury or who else would sit out to play him

If we had Baertchi/Sutter and Roussel playing would Gaudette have been given a chance?

looking forward to seeing what Gaudette can do in an entire season.

I'll tell you Reef. Not a chance in hell do I see Mr. Sutter knocking Mr. Gaudette down the food chain, (depth chart).
If he does; someone will pay the price.
It would be the kind of decision that would indicate a true rebuild is not at hand...

[Topper]

I haven't minded the play of Brisebois and Sautner. Rookie D callups still developing, they have played alright. Yes there are plenty of warts and they need to be sheltered, but that is to be expected. They are both playing a safe conservative game and there is nothing wrong with that.

[Mickey107]

It would be nice to get both Lockwood and Madden signed so they can play in Utica next year to go along with Lind and The Man Child. It seems the vast majority of our hope is already in the NHL. The cupboards are pretty bare in Utica.

Benning was hoping to know of Will Lockwood's decision this week. I was kinda hoping it would be today and that it was I'll sign.
But hey; it's only Tuesday.

If he stays in college he can be a free agent next year so there will be some suggesting to him that is the way to go.
However, along with that comes the injury risk factor and of all people, he should at least take that into very serious consideration.

I would think it very difficult for him as he is so close to completing an education that seems a viable career as opposed to some that
are just there because of the hockey program.

He grew up in the Detroit area. Detroit is rebuilding. I think I know how this may turn out. Hope to be wrong.

[Cousin Strawberry]

I haven't minded the play of Brisebois and Sautner. Rookie D callups still developing, they have played alright. Yes there are plenty of warts and they need to be sheltered, but that is to be expected. They are both playing a safe conservative game and there is nothing wrong with that.

Definitely seeing them settle down and simplify things after the first couple of games.

Schenn however...

[Tciso]

It would be nice to get both Lockwood and Madden signed so they can play in Utica next year to go along with Lind and The Man Child. It seems the vast majority of our hope is already in the NHL. The cupboards are pretty bare in Utica.

Benning was hoping to know of Will Lockwood's decision this week. I was kinda hoping it would be today and that it was I'll sign.
But hey; it's only Tuesday.

If he stays in college he can be a free agent next year so there will be some suggesting to him that is the way to go.
However, along with that comes the injury risk factor and of all people, he should at least take that into very serious consideration.

I would think it very difficult for him as he is so close to completing an education that seems a viable career as opposed to some that
are just there because of the hockey program.

He grew up in the Detroit area. Detroit is rebuilding. I think I know how this may turn out. Hope to be wrong.

I don't think he will go the free agency route. If he signs this year, he can burn a year off of his ELC now( I think..), and another one next year. If he waits to go UFA, he delays an NHL paycheck by a year, delays signing bonuses, and delays his 2nd contract by a year. So, Sign here, hire Dahlen's agent, and go to Detroit, if that is what he wants. He also needs to decide if he will develop as much in the NCAA vs the AHL/NHL. Losing that development could cost him a few $million in future contracts. If I am his agent, I know what I would be advising him to do.

The next CBA should address 2 major issues. The UFA potential for college players (give the NHL club another year to sign them???), and the damned CHL/AHL problem where Woo, etc are stuck in the WHL for another season, instead of the AHL where they should be. Grrrrrr.

[Blob Mckenzie]

The CHL players can go to UFA faster than college players. They can go back in the draft if they refuse to sign. I don’t have a massive problem with the current system. If he goes back to school he’s a trade chip.

Why do people keep saying Woo should jump into the AHL next year? He didn’t even get an invite to the WJC camp for Canada. Let him do that next year and hopefully be one of the better d men in the Dub. I like the junior feeder system. If you start yanking out all the best players and plugging them into the AHL it kind of fucks those teams

[Todd Bersnoozi]

Brisbois and Sautner are here because of injuries but both have passed Pouliot on the depth chart. Both look good with Sautner looking like he is NHL ready. With a healthy Hutton and the addition of Hughes that will of course change in a hurry.

Brisebois actually looks like he may be able to play in a year or two. He’s a good skater, still had to fill out a bit and be a bit more aggressive and assertive but he has some tools.

Imagine that, we had 2 guys farting around in the farm all season long who are better than the Poo Bear. Maybe if one of those guys was up playing here instead of Poo, we'd be sitting on a playoff spot. Greener and his favoritism may have cost this team a better fate.

Seriously though, so far Sautner and Brisbois have looked pretty good. They both seem pretty good on their skates and are very mobile. Both seem to be keeping it simple and have not made any glaring mistakes. That's all I wanna see from a young player who served some time on the farm. They don't have to do anything spectacular like put up big points or throw big hits, just be defensively sound and don't cost the team. So far, it's looking like they can do that, which bodes well for the revamp of our D core next season.