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Lancer wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 4:35 pm
Sprong to Seattle for future considerations.
Hockey Widow wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2024 7:53 pm
Boeser is week to week with concussion symptoms.
Considering Brockstar6 might out awhile, it seems like mgmt kinda hastily gave up on Sprong. Sure, Sprong hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, but I don't think he has been given much a chance neither. He began the season with EP40 & Debrusk, but the way those 2 started off, not sure Sprong can do much with them. He was then mostly just stuck on the 4th line or a healthy scratch.
I think mgmt should have kept Sprong around until at least Brock is 100% healthy and playing again. I would have liked trying him with Millzy to see if there was any chemistry there. Let Lekkermaki slow cook in Abby.
I think Sprong was cut loose when Tockey trusted Baines more in the lineup, Sushi looked close and maybe could score if that’s what was needed, and Raty was not below replacement level. Joshua coming back meant there was no obvious place for Sprong when the lineup is healthy, and the team would rather give out the coffee cups than give minutes to a more volatile upside/downside player (Sprong). It is a function of having prospect options for call ups—guys who are at least ready to benefit from nhl exposure without a serious downside in terms of expected wins. This was the flexibility benefit of not starting the season with a player on the LTIR.
If Sprong had shown exceptional offensive ability or demonstrated measurable improvements to his d-zone play, he’d still be in Vancouver. Plus, my guess is that the Canucks told Sprong when he signed that if he wasn’t going to be an everyday player, they’d move him to a team where he would play every day.
UWSaint wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:53 am
If Sprong had shown exceptional offensive ability or demonstrated measurable improvements to his d-zone play, he’d still be in Vancouver.
Yup.
27-yr-old Sprong will never be a "200' player' in most people's humble opinions.
So, twas weird for the Canuck braintrust to think they could change him.
UWSaint wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:53 am
Plus, my guess is that the Canucks told Sprong when he signed that if he wasn’t going to be an everyday player, they’d move him to a team where he would play every day.
No doubt, and Seattle is a good place for him due to the familiarity factor.
Canucks will likely never get anything back other than the extra roster spot...
(well they save ~ $600K in real bucks)
... but they did well by Sprong in the PR department.
And that counts for more than a hill of beans in this crazy mixed-up world.
UWSaint wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:53 am
Plus, my guess is that the Canucks told Sprong when he signed that if he wasn’t going to be an everyday player, they’d move him to a team where he would play every day.
No doubt, and Seattle is a good place for him due to the familiarity factor.
Canucks will likely never get anything back other than the extra roster spot...
(well they save ~ $600K in real bucks)
... but they did well by Sprong in the PR department.
And that counts for more than a hill of beans in this crazy mixed-up world.
I think it counts considerably with agents, and agents can play a big role in where guys in a Sprong-like position sign. It is a benefit to demonstrate doing right by players when things don't work as well as both parties were hoping.
Ultimately, the Sprong signing forced the Podkolzin trade (if the Canucks weren't going to try to get value from a bigger contributor). So it wasn't costless, as some of us recognized when Sprong signed. But Pod turned into Brannstrom by virtue of that 4th rounder, and among the set of disappointing-prospects-turned-marginal-NHLers, I think the Canucks are better off with Brannstrom than Podkolzin given the Canucks' forward and defense depth charts.
Hockey Widow wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2024 7:53 pm
Boeser is week to week with concussion symptoms.
Update: Hopefully this is the case!
Tocchet said when asked for an update on Boeser. “I think it’s day-to-day. I haven’t really talked to him today, to be honest, because these things [are] day-to-day; [some days] you feel better. I don’t know.”
Hockey Widow wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2024 7:53 pm
Boeser is week to week with concussion symptoms.
Update: Hopefully this is the case!
Tocchet said when asked for an update on Boeser. “I think it’s day-to-day. I haven’t really talked to him today, to be honest, because these things [are] day-to-day; [some days] you feel better. I don’t know.”
Tocc is from the 'Yeah So What He Got His Bell Rung Get Back Out There Era'.
UWSaint wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:53 am
I think Sprong was cut loose when Tockey trusted Baines more in the lineup, Sushi looked close and maybe could score if that’s what was needed, and Raty was not below replacement level. Joshua coming back meant there was no obvious place for Sprong when the lineup is healthy, and the team would rather give out the coffee cups than give minutes to a more volatile upside/downside player (Sprong). It is a function of having prospect options for call ups—guys who are at least ready to benefit from nhl exposure without a serious downside in terms of expected wins. This was the flexibility benefit of not starting the season with a player on the LTIR.
If Sprong had shown exceptional offensive ability or demonstrated measurable improvements to his d-zone play, he’d still be in Vancouver. Plus, my guess is that the Canucks told Sprong when he signed that if he wasn’t going to be an everyday player, they’d move him to a team where he would play every day.
The thing I noticed with Sprong is he is a puck hog, but not a good one, if that makes sense. When he couldn't skate through everyone he would toss a had grenade pass to a teammate and then dog it back when it invariably turned into a turnover.
I know this didn't happen all the time, and when it worked it worked. Seemed like it didn't work that often though.
UWSaint wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:53 am
I think Sprong was cut loose when Tockey trusted Baines more in the lineup, Sushi looked close and maybe could score if that’s what was needed, and Raty was not below replacement level. Joshua coming back meant there was no obvious place for Sprong when the lineup is healthy, and the team would rather give out the coffee cups than give minutes to a more volatile upside/downside player (Sprong). It is a function of having prospect options for call ups—guys who are at least ready to benefit from nhl exposure without a serious downside in terms of expected wins. This was the flexibility benefit of not starting the season with a player on the LTIR.
If Sprong had shown exceptional offensive ability or demonstrated measurable improvements to his d-zone play, he’d still be in Vancouver. Plus, my guess is that the Canucks told Sprong when he signed that if he wasn’t going to be an everyday player, they’d move him to a team where he would play every day.
The thing I noticed with Sprong is he is a puck hog, but not a good one, if that makes sense. When he couldn't skate through everyone he would toss a had grenade pass to a teammate and then dog it back when it invariably turned into a turnover.
I know this didn't happen all the time, and when it worked it worked. Seemed like it didn't work that often though.
Sprong didn't show enough to separate himself from any other options on the 4th line - or any line. He was no more engaged in the 200-ft game than anyone else vying for his spot. He didn't contribute to puck possession or offense than any of his roster competition. He didn't establish himself beyond replacement-level. Couple that with rumours about how he was received in the room, and it's a no-brainer to move on from him. The fact they facilitated a trade, vice burying him in the minors, is a management brand-protection exercise with players and agents who may want to sign here in future.
