JT Miller Traded to NYR + Marcus Pettersson Acquired from Pens

[Lancer]

Next season D Petey and Willander could very well be the 3rd pairing we’ve been needing on this team. Young, on ELC’s, good enough to play 15 min a game where they are sheltered and given the chance to grow Into the NHL game while not being pylons who just dump it off the glass and out or liabilities that make coaches and fans shit their pants every time there is an injury or a penalty taken by one of the top-4. Then they get bridge contracts during which they transition to the 2nd pairing and contribute as good top-4 defensemen who are outperforming their cap hit.

However, Up front we are a mess.

I think we see more of D’Petey this year. Willander I’m not sure. Canucks are playing it quiet so far as to whether they sign him when his season is done. He apparently wanted to sign last summer but the Canucks wanted him to play one more year, then assess. So I’m not sure they have made a decision. Ultimately it is up to Willander. If he insist on turning pro the Canucks will oblige. It will be interesting to see if they are willing to burn a year of his ELC.

But none of us know if he is ready for the NHL. Myers has 2 years left in his deal. They still want to give McWard a shot and they are stoked at the Mancini acquisition. Mancini, if he plays well, may push Willander another year or two. Why rush him unless you absolutely have to and he shows up absolutely ready?

If he wants to turn pro, let him. Even if it burns a year of his ELC, that's the price of certainty that he won't walk on the club and go UFA after his college career is over. If he has to toil in Abby for a season, so be it, but at least the organization has him. Considerations regarding McWard and Mancini and how Willander may supplant them are champagne problems. Competition for spots is a good thing.

[Tciso]

I think we see more of D’Petey this year. Willander ... Mancini, if he plays well, may push Willander another year or two. Why rush him unless you absolutely have to and he shows up absolutely ready?

The main reason to "rush" Willander is to make sure the sucker signs here. I hate the college crap, and the potential to lose him if he plays all of his NCAA eligible years. So, it's 100% fear. Get him in the big dying bloated whale uni, and send him to Abby for a stint.

[Hockey Widow]

I think we see more of D’Petey this year. Willander ... Mancini, if he plays well, may push Willander another year or two. Why rush him unless you absolutely have to and he shows up absolutely ready?

The main reason to "rush" Willander is to make sure the sucker signs here. I hate the college crap, and the potential to lose him if he plays all of his NCAA eligible years. So, it's 100% fear. Get him in the big dying bloated whale uni, and send him to Abby for a stint.

I get that. I just think we need to step back about projecting he will be in the line up right away. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. From all accounts he is ready to sign and I doubt the Canucks will say no. Getting him under contract is a priority, I understand.

Right now I’d like to see if Mancini can replace Juulsen.

[UWSaint]

I think we see more of D’Petey this year. Willander ... Mancini, if he plays well, may push Willander another year or two. Why rush him unless you absolutely have to and he shows up absolutely ready?

The main reason to "rush" Willander is to make sure the sucker signs here. I hate the college crap, and the potential to lose him if he plays all of his NCAA eligible years. So, it's 100% fear. Get him in the big dying bloated whale uni, and send him to Abby for a stint.

And if he were in juniors, he'd have to be signed in two years or return to the draft. And if they are no longer draft eligible (too old), they are free agents. You always have the potential to lose a draftee.

Mancini and a signed Willander would both be waiver exempt next season. They can come up and down as management pleases, and wouldn't have to endure long periods of being scratched. A major upside of not using LTIR that Allvin mentioned in the offseason is what we've see the Canucks do this season with the prospects, and its been terrific for development, assessment, and motivation.

[UWSaint]

And if he were in juniors, he'd have to be signed in two years or return to the draft. And if they are no longer draft eligible (too old), they are free agents. You always have the potential to lose a draftee.

Let me underline this point -- there are no greater impediments to signing an NCAA player than a guy in juniors. In fact, you have longer to sign college kids.

That said, NCAA is a particularly nice place to develop for the player. If they aren't ready for the NHL, it would certainly seem preferable to be on campuses with great facilities, free education, a normalish social life as compared with juniors or the AHL. But these players -- the ones that aren't ready for the NHL in draft year +3 or 4 (depending on when they matriculate)? They aren't the ones that teams are desperate to sign. They are desperate to sign the ones who have a legit shot at the NHL before they graduate college.

And for other players, NCAA is great for the team. Rather than have to make a sign/don't sign decision within 2 years, teams can take a wait and see approach. The 50 man roster isn't used for those that are no longer eligible for junior and you wish you had more time to see develop.

NCAA is a great option for players, and not a bad one for teams.

[Meds]

And if he were in juniors, he'd have to be signed in two years or return to the draft. And if they are no longer draft eligible (too old), they are free agents. You always have the potential to lose a draftee.

Let me underline this point -- there are no greater impediments to signing an NCAA player than a guy in juniors. In fact, you have longer to sign college kids.

That said, NCAA is a particularly nice place to develop for the player. If they aren't ready for the NHL, it would certainly seem preferable to be on campuses with great facilities, free education, a normalish social life as compared with juniors or the AHL. But these players -- the ones that aren't ready for the NHL in draft year +3 or 4 (depending on when they matriculate)? They aren't the ones that teams are desperate to sign. They are desperate to sign the ones who have a legit shot at the NHL before they graduate college.

And for other players, NCAA is great for the team. Rather than have to make a sign/don't sign decision within 2 years, teams can take a wait and see approach. The 50 man roster isn't used for those that are no longer eligible for junior and you wish you had more time to see develop.

NCAA is a great option for players, and not a bad one for teams.

NCAA players are often more mature when they hit the big team. US college is no joke. It’s not just preparing a teenager to be a hockey player (or nothing), unless things have changed there are academic requirements for them to remain on the team.

[Meds]

I think we see more of D’Petey this year. Willander I’m not sure. Canucks are playing it quiet so far as to whether they sign him when his season is done. He apparently wanted to sign last summer but the Canucks wanted him to play one more year, then assess. So I’m not sure they have made a decision. Ultimately it is up to Willander. If he insist on turning pro the Canucks will oblige. It will be interesting to see if they are willing to burn a year of his ELC.

But none of us know if he is ready for the NHL. Myers has 2 years left in his deal. They still want to give McWard a shot and they are stoked at the Mancini acquisition. Mancini, if he plays well, may push Willander another year or two. Why rush him unless you absolutely have to and he shows up absolutely ready?

I agree that there is no need to rush Willander. My point is that we may just have some homegrown blueline contributors that could conceivably punch well above their cap hit in a few years time.

[UWSaint]

NCAA players are often more mature when they hit the big team. US college is no joke. It’s not just preparing a teenager to be a hockey player (or nothing), unless things have changed there are academic requirements for them to remain on the team.

They have not changed. The kids have to maintain a certain level of academic performance. Maybe that's what gets to the naysayers -- these kids get smart enough to figure out whether it makes sense to get a degree AND be a free agent AND pick their team....

To those unfamiliar with modern US college athletics, I can't stress the near-professionalism of these programs. The facilities of most D-1 programs are world-class. The training staffs are very good, and the medical staff is absolutely top rate at many of these programs.

The play is also often outstanding. Prospects play against experienced men, not boys. A number of the non-prospects played through junior A or the USHL, entering college at age 20/21, playing until they are age 24/25.

[Nuckertuzzi]

Soucy's officially on the block, according to Friedman. Not super surprised. Some thoughts on this…

Another correction of a UFA mistake. Key word mistake, they're piling up. Though I think Soucy's played worse this year than he actually is and I would expect a bounce back next year. Less room now tho.

Speaks loudly to their opinion of D-Petey and the new found depth on the left side. Looking great so far. Has he arrived, already? That's rare, very rare for drafted D to make it so soon, especially for this franchise. Great news if so but only a few games in, let's see more.

Part of a bigger deal for a forward? Could the acquisition of Mancini and D-Petey's "arrival" make Willander a chip? The kind of forward they need to target will require a big chip like him. Hope not but wouldn't be surprised with this group.

The extraction of Canadians continue. Juulsen soon to follow to make room for Team Sweden. Then Debrusk next or will he be our lone Canadian rep (unless you count Myers who's half-American)?

[Chef Boi RD]

Chef has been insanely impressed with D-Pete. Insanely…in case you’re wondering what’s been wrong with the Chef, lately.

[Nuckertuzzi]

Chef has been insanely impressed with D-Pete. Insanely…in case you’re wondering what’s been wrong with the Chef, lately.

Same here, hope it's not a mirage. Really hard to judge a player on a few games tho. He's got the luxury of sheltered mins and responsibility. But do love the poise and quick decision-making so far. Throwing pucks at net quickly & unexpectedly is something not enough of our other vets do, he's done it more than a few times already resulting in a goal. Something I was impressed with in Willander's game as well the past couple of WJCs.

[Meds]

Soucy's officially on the block, according to Friedman. Not super surprised. Some thoughts on this…

Another correction of a UFA mistake. Key word mistake, they're piling up. Though I think Soucy's played worse this year than he actually is and I would expect a bounce back next year. Less room now tho.

Speaks loudly to their opinion of D-Petey and the new found depth on the left side. Looking great so far. Has he arrived, already? That's rare, very rare for drafted D to make it so soon, especially for this franchise. Great news if so but only a few games in, let's see more.

Part of a bigger deal for a forward? Could the acquisition of Mancini and D-Petey's "arrival" make Willander a chip? The kind of forward they need to target will require a big chip like him. Hope not but wouldn't be surprised with this group.

The extraction of Canadians continue. Juulsen soon to follow to make room for Team Sweden. Then Debrusk next or will he be our lone Canadian rep (unless you count Myers who's half-American)?

Not a mistake. Soucy was very good for us last season when he was deployed primarily as a 5/6 and partnered with players of similar skill/experience. This year he has been deployed like a 3/4 at times because the blueline has been such a disaster. Often having to carry guys who are better suited to a 7/8. Soucy probably is a serviceable #4, especially if paired with a guy as good as Hronek, but 3-Pete makes him a #5. It’s a space thing and the team and player/agent have probably already discussed this and are looking for an opportunity where Soucy can compete for a bigger role.

I like the idea of him being part of a bigger trade.

[Meds]

Chef has been insanely impressed with D-Pete. Insanely…in case you’re wondering what’s been wrong with the Chef, lately.

Reminds me of a young Edler.

Deployed appropriately he could be a solid player for us. Just don’t go expecting him to anchor your first pairing.

[Chef Boi RD]

Chef has been insanely impressed with D-Pete. Insanely…in case you’re wondering what’s been wrong with the Chef, lately.

Reminds me of a young Edler.

Deployed appropriately he could be a solid player for us. Just don’t go expecting him to anchor your first pairing.

Nobody is expecting that from D-Pete. But that’s not to say that D-Pete, in a few years, couldn’t anchor your first pairing. I see him as an eventual solid 2nd pairing D-man with old partner Willander in a few years.

[Meds]

Chef has been insanely impressed with D-Pete. Insanely…in case you’re wondering what’s been wrong with the Chef, lately.

Reminds me of a young Edler.

Deployed appropriately he could be a solid player for us. Just don’t go expecting him to anchor your first pairing.

Nobody is expecting that from D-Pete. But that’s not to say that D-Pete, in a few years, couldn’t anchor your first pairing. I see him as an eventual solid 2nd pairing D-man with old partner Willander in a few years.

And that’s what Edler should have been. Either a #2 playing beside a stud, or the anchor on the 2nd pair. He was never a 1D. D-Pete doesn’t strike me as a 1D, but definitely I can see a good top-4 player there.