The Rebuild...

[Island Nucklehead]

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/a-theo ... 46080.html

Interesting article. Some guy on yahoo sports thinks that Trev and JB are secretly tanking and that they purposely sign guys to inflated contracts to trick ownership into thinking that they are trying to make the playoffs. Not sure I really buy it though. When I hear Trev and JB say that want to compete every year and retool on the fly, I think they do mean it. They could have dumped some veteran players around the midway point last season, but those guys were kept around helping our team finish higher in the standings. Still remember when we were almost neck and neck with TO last season in the turtle derby, but we go into Cali (where we always struggle) and sweep 3 games there. It was the biggest "DOH" and kick in the balls for tank nation.

If that is the case, and management is actively working against ownership, then this franchise is in a whole different world of trouble.

It could be possible that ownership is in on the "stealth tank" and the real target of any illusion of competing is the fans, but I think it's far more likely that what we see is what we get. Ownership wants a competitive team, and JB and TL have done what they think is necessary to produce one. They thought Baertschi would develop into a 2nd line winger, and Eriksson was the versatile top-6 guy they needed to help produce with or without the Sedins. The defence has actually held up their end of the bargain, for the most part, especially considering the injuries. But ultimately, it was extremely wishful thinking for anyone to believe this team could score enough to compete. It gets even more depressing when you look at the prospect pool. There is no help coming at C, and Boesser and Virtanen aren't enough to offset the decline and eventual retirement of the Sedins. Demko is a nice piece, but goaltending isn't our problem.

The transitional model sells hope, and maybe that was the plan all along. Sell that hope for a couple seasons, and by the time the team needs to fully rebuild the fans will be into year 4 of a rebuild without even knowing it. Trouble is, most of the folks posting around these parts knew what was needed years ago. I remember thinking the rebuild started with Schneider-Horvat (Year 1) and then Virtanen-McCann (Year 2). Well Shinkaruk and McCann were traded for more veteran help, and we're into Year 4 already. It's very likely we'll be saying "think 2-3 years from now" in 2-3 years.

[Hockey Widow]

Buffalo is apparently shopping Mikhail Grigorenko. Don't want to pay him on his next deal. Maybe the deal for Kane is dead but.....Hutton for Grigorenko?

You mean colorado?

She might mean Girgensons. Not sure how he helps us, except for filling the "Age Gap".

Yes, sorry, I got the wrong guy. Got my Grigs and Girgs mixed up

[Blob Mckenzie]

Nah GM's never get fired that quick, no GM would want to be here if the owners let him go so fast.

Yes they do.

[damonberryman]

I realize how lame this sounds but I will say it anyway. We seem to be in most games. We rarely get blown out (Rangers exempted) and are building the right way. I am bummed about all the losing but forwards are easiest to trade or draft for. This year is going to hurt and maybe next but two years from now we will start to show power again. I do realize how lame it is but it is also true.

[Zedlee]

Skyo my point wasn't that I wanted the team to pick up a bunch of waiver fodder players. Gods knows they have a bunch of them on the current abortion of a roster. I said it looks as though Ignitowski has his hands tied by ownership. This man loves to make trades and not one deal to patch up the squad yet? The Hutton re signing was a layup. If Horvat and Gudbranson aren't signed to extensions during the season it will be fairly telling.

Benning is a dead man walking at this point. So are Trevor and Willie

Maybe. But having the Sedins under contract for this year and next is not Benning's doing and that is delaying the rebuild. And that is on the owners. Firing Benning and Linden now will cost them money and the owners are still paying Gillis and Gillman. Don't see it.

[Mickey107]

The way I'm seeing this is a little different.
It's not just that we are lacking high end scoring talent.
We do have some guys that can score, but they're not, much.
We could play a bit nastier but that element isn't there most games.
Everyone seems afraid to make a mistake so they do just that and it's showing more and more.
Every week, the games get less structured and less spirited and it's ugly to watch.

I keep going on and on about WD but he isn't working. He and his staff are making it worse.
I don't think it wise to wait till the end of the year to replace him.
Lidster is making mistakes now too and Jarvis is no answer to anything either.
No delusions that a new, NHL experienced staff would get a shit-load more points but it would do this;

Every player hears a new voice with some new ideas.
NO PLAYER/PLAYERS, have more say in on ice activities over and above anyone else, meaning a totally level playing field. Past experiences or successes mean nothing! Not now.

It will help smooth the ride going forward and I think, at least bring more entertaining games. Not just for the fans but for the players too.

Anyways; Right now, Eriksson is a huge problem. No clue what's wrong with him, didn't see a confidence problem coming, don't think anyone did.
The contract is too much for too long but everybody on the face of the planet new it was going to happen.
I would have no problem sitting him in the press box for a few games to see if he can work it out...

[Chef Boi RD]

Rome wasn't built in a day, especially since it was in rubbles when the regime took over, but let's blame him for that... Sort of like giving all the credit to Gillis for the great young core he inherited, from the previous regime. The Gillis legacy - Hodgson, Schroeder, Jensen, Gaunce, Shinkaruk, Mallet, Subban

[ESQ]

Last season, the Canucks were in the playoff hunt until the beginning of February, which I think delayed the start of trying to move UFAs until the week before the TDD.

This year, the GM should be aware that without going on a tear through the rest of December, they'll be out of the playoffs.

Even though none of the Canucks' tradebait are likely to fetch a first, it seems like Benning's efforts to re-stock the 22-25 age group has now left of a gap of 19-22 prospects for the farm. Re-stocking 2nds and 3rds - especially considering JB's success outside of the 1st round - would seem wise.

[Lancer]

Problem is the vets are a big part of what's keeping them competitive and 'in the hunt'. Benning and Linden may want to keep all the vets they have to keep it that way till the young core takes over, but Benning should start refining just who he wants in his 'old mentor' core. Expansion draft will factor in, but if he keeps all his vets he risks going through Calgary's late tenure of Iginla and Kiprusoff - the dreaded nether regions of the draft where you almost never acquire a franchise-building player.

This is why Sutter, Tanev and one of the goalies should be considered to be dealt. The twins are untouchable for reasons already discussed. Hansen with the Twins makes sense to everybody except Desjardins. Burrows is a UFA this summer so no real value in trading him this season. Edler is too hurt and won't fetch as much as Tanev.

I'm actually intrighued by the idea of keeping Miller and dealing Markstrom. This team will not contend in the next 2-3 years at least. Who would people rather have around to mentor Demko - Vezina-winning and Olympian Miller or never-reached-his-draft-potential Markstrom? Markstrom's contract is more palatable, he's younger and may fetch a decent return for a team that thinks they can get more out of him than Vancouver could.

[Hockey Widow]

Rome wasn't built in a day, especially since it was in rubbles when the regime took over, but let's blame him for that... Sort of like giving all the credit to Gillis for the great young core he inherited, from the previous regime. The Gillis legacy - Hodgson, Schroeder, Jensen, Gaunce, Shinkaruk, Mallet, Subban

You forgot Horvat, Hutton, Markstrom, to name a few.

[Chef Boi RD]

Rome wasn't built in a day, especially since it was in rubbles when the regime took over, but let's blame him for that... Sort of like giving all the credit to Gillis for the great young core he inherited, from the previous regime. The Gillis legacy - Hodgson, Schroeder, Jensen, Gaunce, Shinkaruk, Mallet, Subban

You forgot Horvat, Hutton, Markstrom, to name a few.

Well one would assume that in 6 drafts and 6 UFA markets that Gillis would at least have something of value to show for his his tenure here. 6 years is sufficient enough time for a GM to build a legacy - Horvat, Hutton, Markstrom and Tanev...amazing

[SKYO]

TL;DR - foundational pieces on defense in place, hope to god we get high pick or trade for young #1C like dallas did for seguin.

-----

I wrote a whole piece on best case scenarios, but lets go worst case scenario!.... as winning the draft lotto is unlikely and trades are too difficult without selling the farm.

- Drop to 6th overall, with NO big trades at all at the trade deadline, prior to expansion draft, nhl draft or july 1st.

- At the draft, around #6, we are probably left with Comtois or Rasmussen, as Hischier goes 4th, Vesa 5th.

- Lose Granlund to expansion draft as team protects Hansen instead.


Sedins - Eriksson (sedins still 1st line thanks to no acquisition of #1C future talent, they remain stagnant but consistent slow scorers, slow and steady as she goes.) Rodin?

Baertschi - Horvat - Boeser (the new hotness line)

Hansen - Sutter - Virtanen (surprising ultimate checking line)


Boeser and Virtanen-bigger/stronger/humbilized), they'll make next season interesting.

And more importantly the young defense core at least will get better.

So the only positives out of the worst case scenarios is Virtanen and Boeser plus the improving defense.

[Carl Yagro]

Rome wasn't built in a day, especially since it was in rubbles when the regime took over, but let's blame him for that... Sort of like giving all the credit to Gillis for the great young core he inherited, from the previous regime. The Gillis legacy - Hodgson, Schroeder, Jensen, Gaunce, Shinkaruk, Mallet, Subban

You forgot Horvat, Hutton, Markstrom, to name a few.

Well one would assume that in 6 drafts and 6 UFA markets that Gillis would at least have something of value to show for his his tenure here. 6 years is sufficient enough time for a GM to build a legacy - Horvat, Hutton, Markstrom and Tanev...amazing

Having a piece like Schneider really helps doesn't it? Bo is a no-brainer pick and I think with his character, would have developed just as well under the old... which wasn't known for development were they?

Great desperation trade after all the incompetent Lu/Schneids dicking around? Sure let's give him that one.

Tanev and Hutton? Really good signing and draft. It always is whenever you can get everyday NHL players no matter in which round. Give a shout out to the US college scouts too.

Didn't we just have a discussion that Markstrom is a decent enough part-time no. 1 at this point but hasn't really distinguished himself yet? Is he really the shit at this point?

Remember he was "the best goalie not in the NHL"? When he arrived, he was the worst goalie in the NHL. Given the track record of Rollie and staff and the situation we see with Lack, how much stock do we put into Markstrom? I just kind of see him as a good younger placeholder than Miller. Maybe good trade bait for the subtle tank.

[ESQ]

Problem is the vets are a big part of what's keeping them competitive and 'in the hunt'. Benning and Linden may want to keep all the vets they have to keep it that way till the young core takes over, but Benning should start refining just who he wants in his 'old mentor' core. Expansion draft will factor in, but if he keeps all his vets he risks going through Calgary's late tenure of Iginla and Kiprusoff - the dreaded nether regions of the draft where you almost never acquire a franchise-building player.

I agree, but the difference between last year and this is that the vets, to this point in the season, are not keeping them competitive and in the hunt.

It will take a drastic turnaround, in the next month, for the Canucks to get back in the hunt. .500 hockey won't cut it. They need a 5-game win streak just to get above .500 for the first time since the opening week.

[Hockey Widow]

I think Benning has defined which vets he sees as staying around to mentor. He has named Burrows, Edler and Miller. While he sings the praises of Tanev, Hansen and Dorsett he doesn't talk about them in the same way, maybe Hansen a bit. He talks about Dorsett's work ethic and protecting the kids. He doesn't mention Tanev much really. Oh and Sbisa, he rarely mentions.

On Miller I think he doesn't try to move him for a variety of reasons:

He has proven he is still the number one
The return would be shit
The team wants him back for 1-2 more years as they don't have the confidence in Markstrom.

I would like them to move:

Tanev
Hansen.
Sbisa.

Re-sign Miller and Burrows, one year
Keep Dorsett at least one more year.
Edler stays to play with Stetcher and take some pressure off of Hutton on the left side.
Keep Markstrom and get him into more games. Hope Demko is ready after next season to join the Canucks then trade Markstrom with Miller as the mentor to Demko.

Eriksson and Sutter aren't going anywhere. They are Benning's foundational pieces.