Its not even a re-tool imo. They didnt outfit this team to compete in the playoffs like the Canucks three years ago. Its purely a stop gap. They dont have kids ready to fill all those spots without going into tank mode. This isnt a team thats going to do that. Ownership needs fan base, players want to win, new coach probably had expectations before signing, GM is going to balance future success against tickets and profit.....

Cant expect all the 1st rounders from this year and last year to step in. The rest are not ready or sub par for the most part. Youth cant take over this team yet.... hence the 2 and 3 year contracts for Miller and Vrbata.... which will turn into more picks in 1.5 and 2.5 years.... contributing to the youth movement that way.

I think Benning will land us picks from vets by the TDL closing anyways. Edler, Bieksa, Hammer, Higgins, Hansen.... one or 2 of them will be gone... a second 1st in this draft.... book it.
- boonerbuck

This actually makes a ton of sense and is the best way to go. I hope Benning is given the green light to become a seller at the TDL this year and/or next year though. You gotta wonder if Aquilini would be completely on board if this team is sitting in the 7th-9th range at the TDL. You have to assume that Benning's plan was presented to approved by ownership so let's hope that this really is what Benning had in mind. It's a very smart way to rebuild, re-tool or whatever you want to call it.

Signing stopgaps so the team isn't filled with youth that may not be NHL-ready from top to bottom and brought up in a lottery team culture since the vets signed should at least keep the team from being a bottom feeder. And gain extra assets in picks/prospects by selling veteran players at the TDL/draft. Then again replace those guys with stop gap signings until the youth is eventually ready and this team is on the upswing again.

I've brought up this exact suggestion back in 2012 when we were randomly discussing the failed constant rebuilds of teams like the Panthers, Thrashers, Jackets in years past. I'm fully on board if this is in fact the plan.

http://howlinhockey.com/2...the-hart-memorial-trophy/

This whole NTC craze is not just a canuck problem but a NHL problem. The league needs to get away from these deals. More and more you see these contracts have a negative affect on the teams, the game, and the players themselves.

Kesler was lucky, doesn't always work out so nicely.
- bloatedmosquito

Should adopt a rule from the NBA, must be a league veteran of X amount of seasons(NBA has 8, NHL can do something like 8 years after being drafted). And the 2nd part of eligibility is that the player must've been apart of the organization that he's re-signed with for at least 4 consecutive seasons. UFA's would not get NTC's, only basically veterans who've played on the same team for quite awhile would get them.

Its not even a re-tool imo. They didnt outfit this team to compete in the playoffs like the Canucks three years ago. Its purely a stop gap. They dont have kids ready to fill all those spots without going into tank mode. This isnt a team thats going to do that. Ownership needs fan base, players want to win, new coach probably had expectations before signing, GM is going to balance future success against tickets and profit.....

Cant expect all the 1st rounders from this year and last year to step in. The rest are not ready or sub par for the most part. Youth cant take over this team yet.... hence the 2 and 3 year contracts for Miller and Vrbata.... which will turn into more picks in 1.5 and 2.5 years.... contributing to the youth movement that way.
I think Benning will land us picks from vets by the TDL closing anyways. Edler, Bieksa, Hammer, Higgins, Hansen.... one or 2 of them will be gone... a second 1st in this draft.... book it.
- boonerbuck

I agree with it all, but what is the stop gap for if you are going to trade away Miller and Vrbata for picks in 1.5 and 2.5 years? Does that not delay an inevitable youth movement? Will the fan base ever be ready for that? Why not start that process now?

Eventhough our prospects are not quality right now I think you got to develop these players in the NHL to truely see what you got.

Should adopt a rule from the NBA, must be a league veteran of X amount of seasons(NBA has 8, NHL can do something like 8 years after being drafted). And the 2nd part of eligibility is that the player must've been apart of the organization that he's re-signed with for at least 4 consecutive seasons. UFA's would not get NTC's, only basically veterans who've played on the same team for quite awhile would get them.
- Nucker101

Sort of defeats the purpose of getting to choose where you play if they could sign and trade you doesn't it?

This whole NTC craze is not just a canuck problem but a NHL problem. The league needs to get away from these deals. More and more you see these contracts have a negative affect on the teams, the game, and the players themselves.

Kesler was lucky, doesn't always work out so nicely.
- bloatedmosquito

You are right, its not a Canuck problem. I dont expect too many vet UFA's to sign without one if they are a offensive producer. Its the term and the outs that Benning secured that get some credit going his way.

Kesler played his hand like a master and why wouldnt he. He learned how things go down with the Luongo fiasco. So instead of applying pressure directly through the media about his desire to leave, he spreads his own rumor during the Olympics and lets the momentum build from there. All of a sudden, Gillis is swamped with calls, Kesler is talking to players on the teams he wants to play for getting info out that way.... basic tampering going down... the Olympics were the perfect place for Kelser to make his move... away from GM's, coaches and his captain.

Kesler won this battle. It wasnt even one of attrition like in Luongo's case.

Sort of defeats the purpose of getting to choose where you play if they could sign and trade you doesn't it?
- 1970vintage

I'd imagine a GM who does that would have a more difficult time in the future with signing quality UFA's. The NHL could adopt a hybrid version of it, make it more player-friendly than the NBA's version.

But he said he was going to "snipe 45 this year." Where would our goals come from then?
- AlexF

Who ever we put against Kesler's line.

You are right, its not a Canuck problem. I dont expect too many vet UFA's to sign without one if they are a offensive producer. Its the term and the outs that Benning secured that get some credit going his way.

Kesler played his hand like a master and why wouldnt he. He learned how things go down with the Luongo fiasco. So instead of applying pressure directly through the media about his desire to leave, he spreads his own rumor during the Olympics and lets the momentum build from there. All of a sudden, Gillis is swamped with calls, Kesler is talking to players on the teams he wants to play for getting info out that way.... basic tampering going down... the Olympics were the perfect place for Kelser to make his move... away from GM's, coaches and his captain.

Kesler won this battle. It wasnt even one of attrition like in Luongo's case.
- boonerbuck

Guess he's just great at everything.

If their wives were leadership on this team, we would care about their conduct. I don't expect much from hockey groupies turned wives anyways....
- boonerbuck

I agree with your comment, but with any organization you identify who are "leadership material", who are followers, and who are arrogant, egomaniacs,that only care about themselves. This is where Kesler slotted in, if I'm an actual leader on the team I would have made sure the young impressionable players were aware of their surroundings, and who's who on the team.

I'm glad he's no longer a Canuck, but this schlepping other players wives is getting a bit overblown.

Who ever we put against Kesler's line.

- boonerbuck

Sestito's tweet was a precursor for him being sent down to the ECHL.

I think Benning will land us picks from vets by the TDL closing anyways. Edler, Bieksa, Hammer, Higgins, Hansen.... one or 2 of them will be gone... a second 1st in this draft.... book it.
- boonerbuck

I'll give you money against it:

Edler NTC
Bieksa NTC
Hammer NTC
Higgins NTC
Hansen NTC

This coming draft is deep. You might be able to get away with trading those players, but the return will likely be weak. You might be able to get a pick for one of those defensemen from a team betting it all on a deep run, but the player would have to agree to go there and I'm not sure that trading away any of those defensemen will give you what you want.

Carol, Benning didnt hand out a NTC like Kesler's. They are nowhere near that handcuffed with Miller and Vrbata. Shorter term as well. Its worth mentioning that Vrbata's wife was going through a high risk pregnancy in Europe when he left TB.
- boonerbuck

Good info. Often lose track of the fact that they are people too. That would affect anyone

I'm really excited that the Russian is coming to camp. Shows he wants to be here

I'll give you money against it:

Edler NTC
Bieksa NTC
Hammer NTC
Higgins NTC
Hansen NTC

This coming draft is deep. You might be able to get away with trading those players, but the return will likely be weak. You might be able to get a pick for one of those defensemen from a team betting it all on a deep run, but the player would have to agree to go there and I'm not sure that trading away any of those defensemen will give you what you want.
- Ronning4ever

Higgins and Hansen only have limited NTC's. Hamhuis, Edler, Bieksa and Burrows will be tough to convince to waive and even if convinced, I'd imagine they'll be picky about where they'll play which limits the return.

Don't particularly love the moves or hate them, the shakeup to the core was much needed though. Interesting that most of us were assuming that a forward would be moved due to a potential logjam up front but Benning days this is likely the roster going into camp. If true, it'll at least be nice to have a decent 4th line in Matthias-Richardson-Dorsett.Also puts Higgins and Hansen where they should be, as third line wingers. Not sure if they'll play well with Vey though.

It's going to be difficult for the young forwards to crack this lineup. I was really hoping Jensen would make the top 9 plus PP time. Will Horvat get some regular season games before likely being sent down? Injuries will likely happen, I just hope that the young guys get some decent NHL action this year. Nothing wrong with competition and depth though. It's certainly better than what Gillis did when trying to fill his 4th line by signing some AHL players and hoping 1 of them would be good enough.
- Nucker101

Yea I'm in a similar boat. Not exactly ecstatic about how things have gone, but I'm glad we have seen a good deal of change. If Carol had had a third option in between yes and no that's what I would have chosen

I don't think this fan base (specifically the maniacal HB community) will ever be "satisfied", but I think the ship is definitely pointing in the right direction now. Still lots more work to do however.
- 1970vintage

Very well put

Benning may have decided he is going to give this group a try but the coach will decide the lines and which young players earned themselves a spot and where. At that point it will be Bennings job to shuffle the roster a bit. Could see a bottom 6 vet being moved to make room for a Jensen, Horvat etc...

If Jensen impresses at camp, I have no doubt they will make room for him. This is what they need, this is what Benning will do.
- boonerbuck

I'm impressed with what JB has done with the limited options he had, getting rid of the players that didn't want to be here or just didn't fit into future plans (Booth, Schroeder, Dalpe, the Adulterer, etc..). Still don't think we are a playoff team, but perhaps a bit more competitive and entertaining. Is Radim Vrbata the new Anson Carter 2.0?

For years, young draftees had no chance at making the big club here. Perhaps understandable with a real shot at the holy grail for the past few years. With the new management and coaching I'm hoping this changes and at least one or two get a real shot each year. Out with old, in with the new. At least that makes it more interesting to watch.

We should have brought back Malholtra, just for faceoffs.

Should adopt a rule from the NBA, must be a league veteran of X amount of seasons(NBA has 8, NHL can do something like 8 years after being drafted). And the 2nd part of eligibility is that the player must've been apart of the organization that he's re-signed with for at least 4 consecutive seasons. UFA's would not get NTC's, only basically veterans who've played on the same team for quite awhile would get them.
- Nucker101

That's a great rule. You're hired.

Sestito's tweet was a precursor for him being sent down to the ECHL.
- Nucker101

Wall of text.
- Nucker101

Very smart way to go about things, just have to be patient, we'll never pull an Edmonton here. Honestly, I also like that we've created redundancy in net, good way to acquire additional assets.

I'm impressed with what JB has done with the limited options he had, getting rid of the players that didn't want to be here or just didn't fit into future plans (Booth, Schroeder, Dalpe, the Adulterer, etc..). Still don't think we are a playoff team, but perhaps a bit more competitive and entertaining. Is Radim Vrbata the new Anson Carter 2.0?

For years, young draftees had no chance at making the big club here. Perhaps understandable with a real shot at the holy grail for the past few years. With the new management and coaching I'm hoping this changes and at least one or two get a real shot each year. Out with old, in with the new. At least that makes it more interesting to watch.

We should have brought back Malholtra, just for faceoffs.
- we_are_all_canucks

1) I've seen the Vbrata-Carter comparisons a few times between HB, HF and Twitter. Carter was 6'1 and 2010 pounds, built well for the cycle game and for battles in and around the crease. Vrbata likes to hang around in the slot, not much help in the cycle game or for puck retrieval. Vrbata is also a player who generates a decent amount of his offense off of the rush as well, something the Sedins don't really do. Both are good finishers though.

2) Manny is not an upgrade over Richardson as a 4LC, Richardson is a much better skater, can also play wing and outside of faceoffs I really don't see any part of Manny's game at this point that is better than Richardson's.

Should adopt a rule from the NBA, must be a league veteran of X amount of seasons(NBA has 8, NHL can do something like 8 years after being drafted). And the 2nd part of eligibility is that the player must've been apart of the organization that he's re-signed with for at least 4 consecutive seasons. UFA's would not get NTC's, only basically veterans who've played on the same team for quite awhile would get them.
- Nucker101

This is basically owners once again asking the league to save them from themselves. No owner is forced to provide a NTC just like no owner is forced to overpay a UFA. They do it anyway because they have limited choices available to them to improve their team.

I believe less regulation, not more, is the way to resolve many of these types of constraints. Owners should stop praying to the parity god and then complain when their prayers are answered.

1) I've seen the Vbrata-Carter comparisons a few times between HB, HF and Twitter. Carter was 6'1 and 2010 pounds, built well for the cycle game and for battles in and around the crease. Vrbata likes to hang around in the slot, not much help in the cycle game or for puck retrieval. Vrbata is also a player who generates a decent amount of his offense off of the rush as well, something the Sedins don't really do. Both are good finishers though.

2) Manny is not an upgrade over Richardson as a 4LC, Richardson is a much better skater, can also play wing and outside of faceoffs I really don't see any part of Manny's game at this point that is better than Richardson's.
- Nucker101

This is basically owners once again asking the league to save them from themselves. No owner is forced to provide a NTC just like no owner is forced to overpay a UFA. They do it anyway because they have limited choices available to them to improve their team.

I believe less regulation, not more, is the way to resolve many of these types of constraints. Owners should stop praying to the parity god and then complain when their prayers are answered.
- AlexF

I don't know why but this comment made me think of this scene