Burrows and Higgins are definitely not ideal top 6 players but we can hope Kassian starts producing like one (though his window seems to be dwindling). The question is are we better off using bandaid solutions until we develop some higher end players or take value from another area to improve what seems to be working for now? We are weak on D for the moment and finally are improving our prospect pool, so can we afford the huge cost it would take for a top 6 forward?
- bezz44

Kassian does produce like a top 6 forward (points per 60) but he doesn't get the minutes, especially on the PP, to ever look like a top 6 forward. If Kassian was getting Vey's cushy PP role ( stand in the slot waiting for a one timer) I would bet he would be leading the team in PP goals as well. Nothing against Vey but I struggle to understand how Kassian hasn't gotten a sniff while Vey has been set up to succeed.

Maybe trying to ensure Benning looked good with the Garrison - Vey swap ?

Kassian does produce like a top 6 forward (points per 60) but he doesn't get the minutes, especially on the PP, to ever look like a top 6 forward. If Kassian was getting Vey's cushy PP role ( stand in the slot waiting for a one timer) I would bet he would be leading the team in PP goals as well. Nothing against Vey but I struggle to understand how Kassian hasn't gotten a sniff while Vey has been set up to succeed.

Maybe trying to ensure Benning looked good with the Garrison - Vey swap ?
- belcherbd

That bothers me as well, especially when you have Higgins and Burrows on the PP2 which has only scored in one game this year. (frank)ing unbelievable

Last night was actually the game I was looking forward to most of any in the regular season, because the Canucks and Senators are my two favorite teams.

People have made up all kinds of nonsense about my motivations, intentions, feelings, etc... there's not a lot you can do about that when some people apparently have time to post 100 times a day, but I'm not nearly the jerk I've been made out to be.
- khawk

Don't sweat it, that's what some peeps do around here... lols

Too bad he didn't do the same with his defense.
- Nucker101

He did a heck of a lot with his forward core. Give it time.

Front-loaded so that down the road he could potentially be moved to a cap floor type of team.

What kind of return would you get for either of them in this hypothetical?
- Nucker101

Current market value. Probably a low draft pick.

I don't think the return would be anything special anyway. You would assess this trade as cap relief and what impact would happen if either of those two were removed from the lineup.

Last night was actually the game I was looking forward to most of any in the regular season, because the Canucks and Senators are my two favorite teams.

People have made up all kinds of nonsense about my motivations, intentions, feelings, etc... there's not a lot you can do about that when some people apparently have time to post 100 times a day, but I'm not nearly the jerk I've been made out to be.
- khawk

You got to walk softly around here or you will be given a DESIGNATION.

Current market value. Probably a low draft pick.

I don't think the return would be anything special anyway. You would assess this trade as cap relief and what impact would happen if either of those two were removed from the lineup.
- bloatedmosquito

I know that this was hypothetical, but we don't need cap relief and we don't have the horses to replace either of those players. We've given way too many players away for far below market value recently, we can't afford to keep on doing it.

I know that this was hypothetical, but we don't need cap relief and we don't have the horses to replace either of those players. We've given way too many players away for far below market value recently, we can't afford to keep on doing it.
- CubanBuffet

Why does a 1st place team have to make a trade?, maybe if there was a rookie pushing out a vet, but that's not happening.

I know that this was hypothetical, but we don't need cap relief and we don't have the horses to replace either of those players. We've given way too many players away for far below market value recently, we can't afford to keep on doing it.
- CubanBuffet

Agreed. I honestly don't see any trades getting made anytime soon, and likely nothing significant at all this season.

He did a heck of a lot with his forward core. Give it time.
- AlexF

If Spezza walks all of a sudden they're not looking as promising outside of that top line IMO. That defense is thin.

I do think they'll re-sign Spezza though, unless he prefers the East.

Current market value. Probably a low draft pick.

I don't think the return would be anything special anyway. You would assess this trade as cap relief and what impact would happen if either of those two were removed from the lineup.
- bloatedmosquito

I'd keep both for now and see how things play out. If the team cools down and struggles then I'd look to move Burrows since he's already 33.

I don't mind Hansen with the Sedins considering what the options are. He may pass up hits playing with them but he still pursues the puck and is good at the cycle with them. The Sedin line looked dangerous all night and Hansen was part of that. Would be great to see him bury some chances but honestly its not his job when playing on that line, as it is with Vrbata, Hansen's role is to get the puck and give it to the Sedins, be a pain around the net and help cover on defense.

All that said I move Hansen over Burrows, he likely will have more value (when compared to his cap hit) in the trade market. I also think we have players who can fill Hanen's role on the "4th" easier than we have a player to fill Burrows on the "2nd".
- belcherbd

I have to agree. I would hate to break up a second line that if finally working for this team.

But I think you would have to really think about it. Is Burrows going to stay healthy for an entire season? Is his reputation with the refs going to hurt this team? Will his tendency to take stupid penalties increase as he ages? Are there more suspension coming? Are we already seeing his skills diminish and can he afford to lose a step or two and still contribute?

Kassian does produce like a top 6 forward (points per 60) but he doesn't get the minutes, especially on the PP, to ever look like a top 6 forward. If Kassian was getting Vey's cushy PP role ( stand in the slot waiting for a one timer) I would bet he would be leading the team in PP goals as well. Nothing against Vey but I struggle to understand how Kassian hasn't gotten a sniff while Vey has been set up to succeed.

Maybe trying to ensure Benning looked good with the Garrison - Vey swap ?
- belcherbd

I don't think there's a conspiracy against Kassian,but he has to show the maturity and consistency.

burrows bonino andhiggins are producing like legit 2nd liners, not sure why people are down on those guys, burrows and higgins. burrows is a legit 2nd liner and his numbers and what he brings shows it game in and game out. what else do you really want the guy to do?

hansen is a legit 3rd liner/ utility player, who is usually playing on the 4th line which just makes that line better.

i feel willie d has got the best out of the guys.

i like the way defazio played and the young line. bringing them along slowly is the right idea instead of rushing and ruining players confidence the way Gretzky did in Arizona toall their young players like Turris whilehe was there.

Bieksa is getting better and should based on what Carol wrote be getting better as we go along.

Edler hasn't been the disaster he waslast season and here''s hopinghe gets to all star form.

some peopple complain about the one goal, shootout, and o/t wins, but at least they are showing the resiliency to win.

i think the first part of the season bodes well for the team.

I know that this was hypothetical, but we don't need cap relief and we don't have the horses to replace either of those players. We've given way too many players away for far below market value recently, we can't afford to keep on doing it.
- CubanBuffet

I just tried to create a situation where you would have to get rid of one or the other. Wanted to see what people thought of each player's value on this team.

I just tried to create a situation where you would have to get rid of one or the other. Wanted to see what people thought of each player's value on this team.
- bloatedmosquito

If they had the same salaries, I'd def keep Burrows. I just worry about his 4.5 million dollar cap hit while he's going to be 33-35 years old. I can see why some people would be against it though.

Main reason for trading him: His value will only depreciate(except for maybe during the last year of his deal at the TDL when there isn't much risk in trading for him).

Main reason against: Canucks will not get back enough value, and the team will be worse in the short-term without him.


Hansen's situation isn't nearly as complicated:

- His 2.5 million dollar cap hit is pretty much league average for an experienced bottom 6 player

- Doesn't have a full NTC(I believe he can only provide a list of 10 teams he won't go to, so that's 19 potential trading partners)

- He's 28 years old still so he has some prime years left in him

Hypothetically speaking, if you were the canuck’s GM at this very moment and you had cap issues, would you trade Burrows (with his $4.5m cap hit over the next 3 seasons including this one) or Hansen (and his $2.5m cap hit over the next 4 seasons)?

This question is open to all.

As a side note, I didn’t realise that Burrows got paid $8m last season and will make $6.5m this season.
- bloatedmosquito

In a hypothetical World, we would need to be bombing and going for McDavid, then I would trade them both at the deadline.

Or in another Hypothetical World where we have some young prospects pushing for a top 6 or even bottom 6 role on this team (and sadly we don't) it would depend where the young guy pushing out an older player would fit. If it was Jensen or Bo lighting up the AHL and making an impact here, I would move Burrows.
If it was a player like Defazio or Archibald, I would move Hansen. It just really depends on the situation.

But in reality, we need to keep these guys, until that youth forces a move. or we bomb out for McDavid, which looks unlikely.

If they had the same salaries, I'd def keep Burrows. I just worry about his 4.5 million dollar cap hit while he's going to be 33-35 years old. I can see why some people would be against it though.

Main reason for trading him: His value will only depreciate(except for maybe during the last year of his deal at the TDL when there isn't much risk in trading for him).

Main reason against: Canucks will not get back enough value, and the team will be worse in the short-term without him.


Hansen's situation isn't nearly as complicated:

- His 2.5 million dollar cap hit is pretty much league average for an experienced bottom 6 player

- Doesn't have a full NTC(I believe he can only provide a list of 10 teams he won't go to, so that's 19 potential trading partners)

- He's 28 years old still so he has some prime years left in him
- Nucker101

Agree with this assessment. Burrows would be better dealt in the offseason when Benning comfortably has the time to find a suitable replacement, promote a prospect, etc. Trading Burr now or at the TDL, unless we took a freefall in the standings, would destabilize a team playing well as a unit and for what? A 3rd round pick (at best)?

In a hypothetical World, we would need to be bombing and going for McDavid, then I would trade them both at the deadline.

Or in another Hypothetical World where we have some young prospects pushing for a top 6 or even bottom 6 role on this team (and sadly we don't) it would depend where the young guy pushing out an older player would fit. If it was Jensen or Bo lighting up the AHL and making an impact here, I would move Burrows.
If it was a player like Defazio or Archibald, I would move Hansen. It just really depends on the situation.

But in reality, we need to keep these guys, until that youth forces a move. or we bomb out for McDavid, which looks unlikely.
- moondawg

While the Comets are playing well, I don't think there's a young guy that's totally lighting it up and forcing a move. We're not exactly the Tampa Bay Lightening stacked with young talent that's NHL-ready.

While the Comets are playing well, I don't think there's a young guy that's totally lighting it up and forcing a move. We're not exactly the Tampa Bay Lightening stacked with young talent that's NHL-ready.
- Nucker101

TB is scary. Top of the league standings with a prospect pool that might also be top of the league.

While the Comets are playing well, I don't think there's a young guy that's totally lighting it up and forcing a move. We're not exactly the Tampa Bay Lightening stacked with young talent that's NHL-ready.
- Nucker101

No we are not....Sadly.

Thank god for some trades and acquisitions or we would have the oldest team in the league.
Bonino - 26yo, second NHL season
Vey - 23yo - 1st full season
Stanton - 25yo - second NHL season
Tanev - 24yo - third full season
Kassian - 23yo - third full season
Lack - 26yo - second NHL season

While the Comets are playing well, I don't think there's a young guy that's totally lighting it up and forcing a move. We're not exactly the Tampa Bay Lightening stacked with young talent that's NHL-ready.
- Nucker101

Agreed, but the Comets are doing very well and hopefully that translates well for the prospects as well. Gaunce has been very good so far, hasn't gotten lots of points but has fit in the best of the new guys so far. Corrado needs to take the next step and be a force in the AHL.

The only guy that could arguably be forcing a move is Horvat, if he stays you have to think that a Vet is moved if their isn't a significant injury. I also think Horvat would get more minutes centering Dorsett/Hansen than Jensen/Defazio.

TB is scary. Top of the league standings with a prospect pool that might also be top of the league.
- AlexF

One thing many people forget is they sucked to get that way....for a long time.

Agreed, but the Comets are doing very well and hopefully that translates well for the prospects as well. Gaunce has been very good so far, hasn't gotten lots of points but has fit in the best of the new guys so far. Corrado needs to take the next step and be a force in the AHL.

The only guy that could arguably be forcing a move is Horvat, if he stays you have to think that a Vet is moved if their isn't a significant injury. I also think Horvat would get more minutes centering Dorsett/Hansen than Jensen/Defazio.
- belcherbd

If he doesn't produce points, and get on the score sheet, I feel keeping him here will slowly turn him into a defensive grinder and he will lose his scoring mojo.

If you want him to be a top 6 player, send him back so he can keep progressing, and try and learn how to get that scoring translated to the NHL game.

I think keeping him here and playing him 8 minutes a night in a bottom 6 role, will turn him into a strictly defensive player.

I know you were looking short term, I was saying out loud we need to stop putting band aids on problems.

How many of us said last summer Higgins HANSEN and Burrows are not top 6 players and look what we have.

I know Virtanen might fill a spot next year but we could still use at least one more top 6
- VANTEL

Yup you nailed it Vantel - those guys are playing well because of Bonino, they're 3rd line players on LA or SJ. For the Canucks, they're tweeners now that they have a center that can distribute the puck.

When we play a contending team is very apparent that they need another top six forward!!!

Agreed, but the Comets are doing very well and hopefully that translates well for the prospects as well. Gaunce has been very good so far, hasn't gotten lots of points but has fit in the best of the new guys so far. Corrado needs to take the next step and be a force in the AHL.

The only guy that could arguably be forcing a move is Horvat, if he stays you have to think that a Vet is moved if their isn't a significant injury. I also think Horvat would get more minutes centering Dorsett/Hansen than Jensen/Defazio.
- belcherbd

This is one of the big questions right now for me. Is WD not playing that line because of the lack of experience on it from all 3 players and would he play Horvat 10+ mins a night if the team was healthy or would he still bench him or limit his shifts in 3rd periods of close games? I doubt Benning/WD aren't on the same page so if he's sent down we know it's probably because WD doesn't trust Bo as an NHL center yet that can handle 10 minutes a night.