Ya but I dont see many spots up for grabs for young guys unless Benning moves some vets.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Burrows Bonino Kassian
Higgins Richardson Hansen
Sestito Matthias Dorsett

Hopefully Sestito is in Utica and that opens up a spot for Jensen who IMO should be playing with the Sedins. I also think this organization will give Vey every chance to make this roster and can't see him filling a role on the 4th line.
- belcherbd

Steve Ott is still available. .539 FOW% with over 900 faceoffs. Always been pretty solid.

Trade Hansen and Higgins for picks and that clears 5mil, more then enough to sign Ott.

I believe he would be a great replacement for Hansen, as early as next season. Good speed, tenacious on the fore check, plays a grittier NA style than most europeans.
- 1970vintage

Could be but IMO Hansen will be hard to replace, I think he is an excellent 3rd liner but the wheels begin to fall off when he is asked to be a 1st or 2nd line guy. If Kenins can come in and lay the body consistently I see him more of a replacement for Archibald (essentially pressbox/4th line call up) at this point. If he turns into a guy like Hansen I will be ecstatic.

Could be but IMO Hansen will be hard to replace, I think he is an excellent 3rd liner but the wheels begin to fall off when he is asked to be a 1st or 2nd line guy. If Kenins can come in and lay the body consistently I see him more of a replacement for Archibald (essentially pressbox/4th line call up) at this point. If he turns into a guy like Hansen I will be ecstatic.
- belcherbd

Think Hansen of 3/4 years ago. Not asked to play first or second line minutes.

Santorelli was given a last chance to extend his (frank)in career last year with the Canucks, no one wanted him...get real. The Jets waived him. I like the guy but he's a journeyman that we have plenty of.
- LeftCoaster

I'm not sure if Winnipeg gave him the proper chance. And I'm not sure if I would quite call him a journeyman (he's 28 and been on only 2 - and now 3 - teams). If you want journeyman, Vrbat is the epitome of such.

I realize he's no Naslund, but he could have easily slotted in on the third line (he is versatile and can play both wing and centre and has obviously shown offensive touch - you might recall he scored 20 goals in Florida a few years back.

My main issue is, the Canucks have now signed two players over the hill who are in decline (without any sort of market discount) So answer me this - what happened to the youth movement? but more importantly, what happened to the stewardship of the team? Are you feeling better about things now than when you did after the draft?

Steve Ott is still available. .539 FOW% with over 900 faceoffs. Always been pretty solid.

Trade Hansen and Higgins for picks and that clears 5mil, more then enough to sign Ott.
- Mungo

Higgins/Hansen over Ott/AHL replacement any day in my books. I think that this team could use a guy like Ott for the 3rd C role that would push both Matthias and Richardson to the 4th but not at the expense of 2 excellent 3rd liners.

Steve Ott is still available. .539 FOW% with over 900 faceoffs. Always been pretty solid.

Trade Hansen and Higgins for picks and that clears 5mil, more then enough to sign Ott.
- Mungo

Ott is available? what is the asking price? would love to have him on Vancouver. But @#$@#, let's take Vrbata instead!

Think Hansen of 3/4 years ago. Not asked to play first or second line minutes.
- 1970vintage

AKA Honey Badger

Ott is available? what is the asking price? would love to have him on Vancouver. But @#$@#, let's take Vrbata instead!
- Zogg

Are you more upset with the salary of Vrbata or the player himself. Just curious because I like the acquisition of Vrbata even if a bit too much IMO but hate that Santorelli couldn't be signed here for what Tor paid.

Think Hansen of 3/4 years ago. Not asked to play first or second line minutes.
- 1970vintage

Hansen of 3 yrs ago was a 16 G 39 pt player.

Ott is available? what is the asking price? would love to have him on Vancouver. But @#$@#, let's take Vrbata instead!
- Zogg

Ott wont get 20 goals
Sign Ott for 3rd line center get rid of burr and let shinakruk or jensen play second line with bonino and kass and we have a team on our hands. Id rather see linden vey as third line center or horvat thought because if the kids dont start now when will they and the twins arent getting any younger. Play some kids and see what we have

and to anyone saying vrbata is overpaid i guess we should have signed Nik Kulemin for 4.5 instead

Ott is available? what is the asking price? would love to have him on Vancouver. But @#$@#, let's take Vrbata instead!
- Zogg

Move Burrows and you can have Ott.

I'm not sure if Winnipeg gave him the proper chance. And I'm not sure if I would quite call him a journeyman (he's 28 and been on only 2 - and now 3 - teams). If you want journeyman, Vrbat is the epitome of such.

I realize he's no Naslund, but he could have easily slotted in on the third line (he is versatile and can play both wing and centre and has obviously shown offensive touch - you might recall he scored 20 goals in Florida a few years back.

My main issue is, the Canucks have now signed two players over the hill who are in decline (without any sort of market discount) So answer me this - what happened to the youth movement? but more importantly, what happened to the stewardship of the team? Are you feeling better about things now than when you did after the draft?
- Zogg

Cant get everything done in a month. You have exaggerated the NTC's that came with these players, respond like the terms are long and forget that many of our young players are not ready yet. You kind of are bouncing all over the place as well... Ott is older and we are jammed up with 3rd line C's. We are short NHL wingers.

Vrbada is better than Santo and will not make it to the end of his 2 year contract before he is turned into another asset. Vrbata is a wizard in the shootout, has had consistent success against our division and did well offensively on the 3rd line on a defensive team. We will probably get rid of one or two of our older bottom 6 wingers making room for the kids to compete.

Are you more upset with the salary of Vrbata or the player himself. Just curious because I like the acquisition of Vrbata even if a bit too much IMO but hate that Santorelli couldn't be signed here for what Tor paid.
- belcherbd

To tell you the truth, a little of both - but I think the one year Santo signing for a few nickels exacerbated my disgust.

But all in all, I don't mind the acquisition of Vrbata but not at that price.

Mind you, it's nowhere near as fubar as the whole Miller thing

What are your thoughts on the two signings and the Santo thing?

Are you more upset with the salary of Vrbata or the player himself. Just curious because I like the acquisition of Vrbata even if a bit too much IMO but hate that Santorelli couldn't be signed here for what Tor paid.
- belcherbd

I like getting Vrbata as well, It's miller that has me scratching my head, Benning is favoring a player he has a history with. Santo Meh.

I'm not sure if Winnipeg gave him the proper chance. And I'm not sure if I would quite call him a journeyman (he's 28 and been on only 2 - and now 3 - teams). If you want journeyman, Vrbat is the epitome of such.

I realize he's no Naslund, but he could have easily slotted in on the third line (he is versatile and can play both wing and centre and has obviously shown offensive touch - you might recall he scored 20 goals in Florida a few years back.

My main issue is, the Canucks have now signed two players over the hill who are in decline (without any sort of market discount) So answer me this - what happened to the youth movement? but more importantly, what happened to the stewardship of the team? Are you feeling better about things now than when you did after the draft?
- Zogg

That generally only works when you've got youth to inject into your line-up. Outside of Jensen, who's got a shot to make the team, there really isn't any, or am I missing something there?

To me, the team is in tough to make the playoffs, that said, we have a real generational gap because of Gillis and Nonis. They're just trying to fill that gap in my opinion until some kids are ready...say two to three years. We just don't have any kids that are near ready.

If the organization continues with the current trend of multiple 1st round picks and drafting well, seemingly, I'm definitely excited about that!!!

Cant get everything done in a month. You have exaggerated the NTC's that came with these players, respond like the terms are long and forget that many of our young players are not ready yet. You kind of are bouncing all over the place as well... Ott is older and we are jammed up with 3rd line C's. We are short NHL wingers.

Vrbada is better than Santo and will not make it to the end of his 2 year contract before he is turned into another asset. Vrbata is a wizard in the shootout, has had consistent success against our division and did well offensively on the 3rd line on a defensive team. We will probably get rid of one or two of our older bottom 6 wingers making room for the kids to compete.
- boonerbuck

If the twins can get a career yr (goals) out of Vrbata that return will be greater, another way the twins can earn their money.

Cant get everything done in a month. You have exaggerated the NTC's that came with these players, respond like the terms are long and forget that many of our young players are not ready yet. You kind of are bouncing all over the place as well... Ott is older and we are jammed up with 3rd line C's. We are short NHL wingers.

Vrbada is better than Santo and will not make it to the end of his 2 year contract before he is turned into another asset. Vrbata is a wizard in the shootout, has had consistent success against our division and did well offensively on the 3rd line on a defensive team. We will probably get rid of one or two of our older bottom 6 wingers making room for the kids to compete.
- boonerbuck

My philosophy is to get the best players at the cheapest caphit and term (and the Canucks could have easily signed a quality back-up for 1/4th of the money). I would have also loved to keep Santo if the term and money announced are correct. Lastly, I think most Canuck fans are absolutely DONE with any sort of NTC's being handed out. In terms of that, the Canucks have seemingly learned nothing and, as I indicated before, it feels like the same ole same ole.

That said, you make some good points with respect to the stop-gap aspect until our younger players can move up. But I'm saying that there were/are perhaps better choices in the market (or WERE better choices in the market) that we probably could have signed for much less and a shorter term (I'm primarily talking about the Miller contact, as I can almost stomach the Vrbata signging - and if he's only here for one year as you prognosticate, I will be very happy

P.S. don't get me wrong, I would love to see all of this work out, but based on years and years of 'master plans and strategies' being forced down our throats which were rarely successful, I have significant doubts

To tell you the truth, a little of both - but I think the one year Santo signing for a few nickels exacerbated my disgust.

But all in all, I don't mind the acquisition of Vrbata but not at that price.

Mind you, it's nowhere near as fubar as the whole Miller thing

What are your thoughts on the two signings and the Santo thing?
- Zogg

He was waived by Florida & Wpg.. If you sign Santo you basically tell all the kids your going back to Jr and AHL. The lines already have questionable chances for young players to make the roster. You can already ice a line up of just vets.

Sedins-Vbrata
Burr-Bonino-Kass
Higgins-Matthais-Hansen
Sestito-Richardson-Dorsett

I agree with Benning Santo gets signed if you cannot sign a legit scorer. It would have been worth it but they don't need a guy that was falling off before his injury anyway.

That generally only works when you've got youth to inject into your line-up. Outside of Jensen, who's got a shot to make the team, there really isn't any, or am I missing something there?

To me, the team is in tough to make the playoffs, that said, we have a real generational gap because of Gillis and Nonis. They're just trying to fill that gap in my opinion until some kids are ready...say two to three years. We just don't have any kids that are near ready.

If the organization continues with the current trend of multiple 1st round picks and drafting well, seemingly, I'm definitely excited about that!!!
- LeftCoaster

It's all about development from this point forward, is Green the right guy? why keep another Gillis guy? Benning must have a list of names he wants there.

It's all about development from this point forward, is Green the right guy? why keep another Gillis guy? Benning must have a list of names he wants there.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I'd say Green did a great job last year with what he had, he also did well with Portland, maybe Gully should go down there? Anyways, yes development and soak time is key right now.

To tell you the truth, a little of both - but I think the one year Santo signing for a few nickels exacerbated my disgust.

But all in all, I don't mind the acquisition of Vrbata but not at that price.

Mind you, it's nowhere near as fubar as the whole Miller thing

What are your thoughts on the two signings and the Santo thing?
- Zogg

Miller seems like a mistake to me at this point, I really don't like the idea of a 6 million dollar 33 year old goalie in this league anymore. I think that he has declined over the last couple of years and might get torn apart in this division. He isn't very large and IMO is a little oversensitive, what happens SJ, LA, ANH all start crashing the net as they like to do?

One of the things I like about Lack the most ( and Schneider for what its worth) is their sense of calmness in the net, Luongo never had it and I don't think Miller does either.

That said if some more moves are made and some players up their games he could be good enough to return us to the playoffs while letting our youth develop. I have doubts about Bonino being a legit 2nd line C and think Santorelli would of been pretty good insurance at 1.5.

I'd say Green did a great job last year with what he had, he also did well with Portland, maybe Gully should go down there? Anyways, yes development and soak time is key right now.
- LeftCoaster

I'd almost want Willie to coach his first year in Utica for the benefit of the kids.

My philosophy is to get the best players at the cheapest caphit and term (and the Canucks could have easily signed a quality back-up for 1/4th of the money). I would have also loved to keep Santo if the term and money announced are correct. Lastly, I think most Canuck fans are absolutely DONE with any sort of NTC's being handed out. In terms of that, the Canucks have seemingly learned nothing and, as I indicated before, it feels like the same ole same ole.

That said, you make some good points with respect to the stop-gap aspect until our younger players can move up. But I'm saying that there were/are perhaps better choices in the market (or WERE better choices in the market) that we probably could have signed for much less and a shorter term (I'm primarily talking about the Miller contact, as I can almost stomach the Vrbata signging - and if he's only here for one year as you prognosticate, I will be very happy

P.S. don't get me wrong, I would love to see all of this work out, but based on years and years of 'master plans and strategies' being forced down our throats which were rarely successful, I have significant doubts
- Zogg

I get the feeling Miller is a luxury "stop gap" of sorts, which we "had" the money to spend on. Lack should be on the move this summer to a team desperate for goaltending (looking at you WPG). Adding Miller without giving up assets while moving a decent goalie with upside (that is not ready for the 60+ starts required with Markstrom as a backup, would likely get shelled next year, and would be around 30 when our younger players are ready to make an impact) for an asset is good management IMO. That being said, who knows what Benning will actually do, just seems to make sense to me.

That generally only works when you've got youth to inject into your line-up. Outside of Jensen, who's got a shot to make the team, there really isn't any, or am I missing something there?

To me, the team is in tough to make the playoffs, that said, we have a real generational gap because of Gillis and Nonis. They're just trying to fill that gap in my opinion until some kids are ready...say two to three years. We just don't have any kids that are near ready.

If the organization continues with the current trend of multiple 1st round picks and drafting well, seemingly, I'm definitely excited about that!!!
- LeftCoaster

Couldn't agree more if this team continues to focus on getting multiple draft picks and is able to draft well I'm stoked but I don't think the Miller signing shows that is the goal, there are/were many other stop gap options available. Jensen, Vey, Archibald, Corrado, Grenier are the guys we might see this year for call ups IMO.

If next year we see Horvat, Shink, Gaunce, Fox being called up and some of the previously mentioned with starting roles we are heading in the right direction.

I get the feeling Miller is a luxury "stop gap" of sorts, which we "had" the money to spend on. Lack should be on the move this summer to a team desperate for goaltending (looking at you WPG). Adding Miller without giving up assets while moving a decent goalie with upside (that is not ready for the 60+ starts required with Markstrom as a backup, would likely get shelled next year, and would be around 30 when our younger players are ready to make an impact) for an asset is good management IMO. That being said, who knows what Benning will actually do, just seems to make sense to me.
- eternalcashflow

This

Combined with a possible 30 goal year out of vrbata and we can flog him at the deadline next year for more youth. Miller will be here until demko is ready in 3 years time. Both great signings