I have watched him a bit and can confidently say Flyer fans are fools if they are disappointed. He plays a complete game and is 23, he might not be the offensive power house that fans hoped for but is on pace for 60 pts playing mostly 2nd line minutes. He is responsible at both ends and hits very hard for his size, I think he will end up being a winger instead of C but still a fantastic young player.

I doubt they would be willing to move him but Bieksa is hyped up and Phi is always searching for D like him.
- belcherbd

I would be down for a player like that. Sounds like a nice buffer for Bonino

Precisely.
Having a functioning 4th line has been coveted for years, now we have one and most want to trade the pieces or not bother retaining these players. Fickle fans.
- Marwood

I love the functioning 4th line and think Dorsett is playing as advertised but I value Hansen over him and the opportunity for one of the farm players over what Dorsett brings. If he was brought back in as a 13th forward and Gaunce or whoever got a chance at that role even better. This is also all on the assumption that none of the currently signed players are moved. If Hansen/Higgins/Burrows is moved I think Dorsett is more likely signed.

I would be down for a player like that. Sounds like a nice buffer for Bonino
- bezz44

Watch him play if you get the chance, his style of play would be very refreshing in the top 6.

I would be okay with that but would rather see one of the prospects in that spot, one of Archibald, Gaunce, Kenins maybe even Fox or Grenier.
- belcherbd

I think if you want to roll 4 lines, Dorsett - Richardson - *rookie works.
But having 2 or 3 rookies back there means a 4th line at 8mins or less.
I would rather have Dorsett than Hansen back there- all things being equal.

Dorsett skates pretty well, hits and is a willing combatant if needed.
If fighting is removed from the game, then keep Hansen. Dorsett gives the team a little more confidence in heavy games.

Brings the stiffness.

I love the functioning 4th line and think Dorsett is playing as advertised but I value Hansen over him and the opportunity for one of the farm players over what Dorsett brings. If he was brought back in as a 13th forward and Gaunce or whoever got a chance at that role even better. This is also all on the assumption that none of the currently signed players are moved. If Hansen/Higgins/Burrows is moved I think Dorsett is more likely signed.
- belcherbd

So, in short, you would rather move on a proven Dorsett in favour of an unproven prospect?

I think if you want to roll 4 lines, Dorsett - Richardson - *rookie works.
But having 2 or 3 rookies back there means a 4th line at 8mins or less.
I would rather have Dorsett than Hansen back there- all things being equal.
- hillbillydeluxe

I guess I still see Hansen there so ideally Rookie Richardson Hansen.

But this all depends on who is still on the roster at the end of the season.

So, in short, you would rather move on a proven Dorsett in favour of an unproven prospect?
- Marwood

In short if we still have Hansen I would rather have a unproven prospect over resigning a proven Dorsett.

Jordan Schroeder is in the Wild line up, I think he's playing in a top 6 role, as well, with Vanek.

Good luck to him.

In short if we still have Hansen I would rather have a unproven prospect over resigning a proven Dorsett.
- belcherbd

So many factors involved.

When it comes to prospects like Jensen and Shink, I'd rather see them slot into the top6 and if Hansen is still around, he stays in the bottom 6.

I think unless Sbisa takes a step forward and outplays Stanton he won't be back at that guaranteed salary.

I don't think you can afford to have a top 4 making 4.5 - 5 each and your bottom pairing both making 2.5 each. At this point I like Stanton more and think he is and will be the better D. I'm not writing Sbisa off but I can't see him being anything but the 6 D at best with our current lineup and in my mind you cant pay your 6 D that much. The only reason we are getting away with it right now is that Stanton makes 550K and Weber 850K.
- belcherbd

Your logic makes sense but we have aging d core with Hamius and KB. Edler is also injury prone. Having a capable d in Sbisa as opposed to weber or recently departed Alberts as low cost 7-8 d is not a great alternative.

Jordan Schroeder is in the Wild line up, I think he's playing in a top 6 role, as well, with Vanek.

Good luck to him.
- moondawg

yep

In short if we still have Hansen I would rather have a unproven prospect over resigning a proven Dorsett.
- belcherbd

I hate the idea of losing a player for nothing. Dorsett cost a 3rd. Could be another Cole Cassels lost for 1 year of a 4th line player

I hope they re-sign Dorsett.
- Marwood

I endorse this post.

I hate the idea of losing a player for nothing. Dorsett cost a 3rd. Could be another Cole Cassels lost for 1 year of a 4th line player
- bezz44

Thats the reality of the league though, just be happy it wasn't a 1st for Paul Gaustad. Even if he is resigned it is still a 3rd for 1 year of a 4th liner, maybe he gets an extension but I think that decision is best made after a season not during.

IMO
Shawn Mathias UFA 1.75 - resigned for same
Derek Dossett UFA 1.633 - resigned for same
Brad Richardson UFA 1.15 - resigned for more
Tom Sestito UFA 7.50 - released
Linden Vey RFA .735 - resigned for more
Brandon DeFazio RFA . 497 - no clue, leaning towards released
Lucas Sbisa RFA 2.175 - resigned for same
Christopher Tanev RFA 2.0 - gets a hefty raise
Yannic Weber RFA .850 - resigned for same or released
Ryan Stanton RFA .550 - resigned for more
Frank Corrado RFA - gets Q/O
Joacim Erickson RFA - released
- bezz44

The most intriguing name for ma of this list is Vey. All of the other players have defined roles and are pretty much playing at or near their ceiling. Vey meanwhile plays 4th line and is on the top PP team. If we bring him back where does he slot in? At what cost does he resign?

Your logic makes sense but we have aging d core with Hamius and KB. Edler is also injury prone. Having a capable d in Sbisa as opposed to weber or recently departed Alberts as low cost 7-8 d is not a great alternative.
- Linden_4_Capt

Ideally, teams don't have 3 of their top 4 dmen with limited ntc's or whatever the ntc is. Would like to see Tanev stay around but don't want to see another ntc handed out unless we move one of the other 3. And totally agree about having cheaper alternatives in the third pairing or press box. Hoping Benning can address our lack of d depth at the draft.

You have to have prospects, and their lower cap hit, constantly pushing for playing time and an opportunity with the big club.

Ideally, teams don't have 3 of their top 4 dmen with limited ntc's or whatever the ntc is. Would like to see Tanev stay around but don't want to see another ntc handed out unless we move one of the other 3. And totally agree about having cheaper alternatives in the third pairing or press box. Hoping Benning can address our lack of d depth at the draft.

You have to have prospects, and their lower cap hit, constantly pushing for playing time and an opportunity with the big club.
- hillbillydeluxe

Ideally teams don't have 3 NTC on their D, however for us it is a reality and we cannot ignore it. Unless 1 of KB or Hamius is moved we need a strong selection of 7-8 d. Unfortunately our D prospect pool at the moment is wet paperbag thin. Corrado has not impressed at all. After him our next D is about 2-3 years away.

I would be okay with that but would rather see one of the prospects in that spot, one of Archibald, Gaunce, Kenins maybe even Fox or Grenier.
- belcherbd

Archibald hasn't been impressive with the Comets, I think we're seeing why a team like Detroit didn't even bother giving him a contract as a prospect. Fox is still in the ECHL. Grenier is a good AHl scorer, but he's soft as butter and not much of a two-way player...no thanks.

Dorsett is a great 4th liner in the cap world.

In short if we still have Hansen I would rather have a unproven prospect over resigning a proven Dorsett.
- belcherbd

Why not Hansen, rookie/prospect, Dorsett?

Good morning,

Lineup notes from practice and a poll on the Canucks' playoff chances in today's blog:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=63938

Why not Hansen, rookie/prospect, Dorsett?
- Marwood

I'm surprised people are so eager to get our random depth prospects into the lineup, these guys aren't exactly forcing a call-up. There's a reason why DeFazio was called up over Grenier/Archibald. Grenier was one of the first cuts in main camp.

Ideally teams don't have 3 NTC on their D, however for us it is a reality and we cannot ignore it. Unless 1 of KB or Hamius is moved we need a strong selection of 7-8 d. Unfortunately our D prospect pool at the moment is wet paperbag thin. Corrado has not impressed at all. After him our next D is about 2-3 years away.
- Linden_4_Capt

Yeah, I am not sure what expectations we can have of Corrado from what we have seen so far. And as far as Sbisa goes, guessing he won't resign for the same or less so, I'd almost rather see him traded at the end of the year- he might be worth a higher salary for a sh!tty team. Stanton deserves a raise, Weber- I don't know.

Yeah, Benning has some work to do on the backend.

Jordan Schroeder is in the Wild line up, I think he's playing in a top 6 role, as well, with Vanek.

Good luck to him.
- moondawg

When did we lose him?