Way to twist things....ohh poor me, nobody wants to buy into my incestant whinning about everything, ad nauseam, it doesn't matter what the topic you need to challenge with vigour.
- Makita

The difference is that I never feel the need to resort to calling out other peoples opinions as whining or idiotic. I state my opinions and try to defend them and admit when I change my mind or feel I am proved wrong.

If you want to post on here saying I believe in Benning and his decisions ad nausium, I'm okay with that but if I disagree, I'm going to comment.

This is how a message board works....

Benning/WD see something in him, something that can lead to imminent improvement and justify a 3.6m cap hit. My guess is that Sbisa takes instruction really well and the Canucks org feel they've been successful in converting him into a player that they need. It's a 3 year deal so he's hedging his bets that the improvement materializes in the near term.

This is the only rationale that makes sense. Otherwise giving a guy who has 11 points and is -9 an 80% raise is completely bonkers.
- AlexF

And that's not a reasonable explanation?

Would it not be so canuck for Benning to turn out to be another Gillis? All these fresh ideas and high hopes are just a bunch of words that doesn't translate into on ice success.

I'm just joking of course.

(frank), I shouldn't have even said it.

I can definitely understand this argument, and I understand that both Benning/WD are way more qualified than me ( I'm not qualified at all and not suggesting they are poop), but I don't find that line of thought comforting.
- belcherbd

(frank) that!

It's prejudice and close-mindedness that has kept all of us out of hockey management.

Hockeybuzz is our voice so the excluded can be heard.

(frank) that!

It's prejudice and close-mindedness that has kept all of us out of hockey management.

Hockeybuzz is our voice so the excluded can be heard.
- bloatedmosquito

And I thought it was my underwear modeling career potential.....

Matthias's rights won't be worth anything if that was going to happen it would of been at the TDL. I'm happy he stayed because he is a solid member of this forward group.

The Luongo trade was terrible value then and now, yes it needed to happen but Gillis got straight up fleeced.
- belcherbd

The Luongo trade was the value we were going to get. No one wanted that contract. Addition by subtraction, no more headaches

I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking maybe the stanley cup?

Any moves that look contradictory to this end goal will be complained about. And I think that's ok. No more free passes for this franchise. It's time to expect the most from canucks management team.
- bloatedmosquito

Do you really think the the Stanley Cup would be enough to keep Vancouver fans happy?
Come on, get real, it would take the SC PLUS #1 AND #2 overall in the 15/16 draft as a starting point....

The Luongo trade was the value we were going to get. No one wanted that contract. Addition by subtraction, no more headaches
- VANTEL

For sure needed to happen, I would say that Florida is pretty damn happy with it though, they got a starting goalie signed to a reasonable contract who has so far provided that team with above avg goal-tending. The also don't need to worry about him retiring as that will be on us for the most part.

I think Luo at the end of the day wasn't willing to waive for any other team, but if he was I think more teams would of been interested and the return would of been better.

Do you really think the the Stanley Cup would be enough to keep Vancouver fans happy?
Come on, get real, it would take the SC PLUS #1 AND #2 overall in the 15/16 draft as a starting point....
- Lostinarink

The cup is nothing without the presidents trophy.

I like the signings as both players have show their worth, especially Dorsett. But I also agree that the price was too high for both of them.

Did either of them get NTC?

Cause to sign players to contracts that can be moved, you end up paying more now a days. If you want a hometown discount you have to offer a NTC, it seems.

Sbisa is still young too, at 25, his best days are ahead of him. If WD thinks he can mold him and keep developing him, its a worthy investment.

Why is Sbisa a priority and not Matthias? Is this a case of a GM validating his own trade?
- bloatedmosquito

Mattias is replaceable by prospects looking for opportunities.
We may may some decent D prospects, but none than can step in and, in the short term, replace a hard hitting mobile potential top four

I like the signings as both players have show their worth, especially Dorsett. But I also agree that the price was too high for both of them.

Did either of them get NTC?

Cause to sign players to contracts that can be moved, you end up paying more now a days. If you want a hometown discount you have to offer a NTC, it seems.

Sbisa is still young too, at 25, his best days are ahead of him. If WD thinks he can mold him and keep developing him, its a worthy investment.
- moondawg

Neither has any trade restrictions on their contracts according to Province

So the main arguments that Luca Sbisa is worth his deal are:

.......

- Nucker101

Rather than try to justify (or trash) the signing, would it not be better to ask "What is the GM seeing that justifies $3.6M to Sbisa" This is not a rhetorical question, the deal actually happened (as we all know). So what is it that the professional GM knows that we can learn from him?

Agreed. It's not like every NHL GM is great either...jury is still out on Benning.
- Nucker101

Takes a team that ended 24 th brings them into the playoffs
Makes a huge trade even though given just one team to do it with.
Gets respectability back from the league
Hires a head coach that has the most wins ever by a rookie coach
Brings the fans back
Finally brings youth and rookies to play on the team
Has a huge draft
Brings the farm club to the top of the league
Makes good trades
Moves a NTC

All in his first year.


Toe Blake just turned over in his grave

For sure needed to happen, I would say that Florida is pretty damn happy with it though, they got a starting goalie signed to a reasonable contract who has so far provided that team with above avg goal-tending. The also don't need to worry about him retiring as that will be on us for the most part.

I think Luo at the end of the day wasn't willing to waive for any other team, but if he was I think more teams would of been interested and the return would of been better.
- belcherbd

Florida aren't as happy as I am

Rather than try to justify (or trash) the signing, would it not be better to ask "What is the GM seeing that justifies $3.6M to Sbisa" This is not a rhetorical question, the deal actually happened (as we all know). So what is it that the professional GM knows that we can learn from him?
- Lostinarink

Is young
Play with an edge
Can step up his game
Is coachable
Shows that there is more to his game

IMO, This is a coaching decision, management just puts pen to paper.

NTC, allows him to be moved. But more likely we see one year of overlap with he and Bieksa, and Bieksa is gone after next year...Or Hamhuis, but I bet Bieksa.

What's up sports fans!
Long time listener, first time caller.
Used to live in Vancouver, been in NZ for past few years where it is a bit more difficult to get my hockey fix. Looking forward to joining the ranks here.

My .02

Like the Sbisa signing given his age and our Dman ranks.
I feel like with the way Dorsett plays he is bound to incur some injuries that make us dislike that signing during the back half of his 4 year contract.

Beyond this, I am stoked on the playoffs and feel like we should ride the hot hand of Eddie Lack until he falters...I mean if he falters (conditioned expectations evident :lol

Is young
Play with an edge
Can step up his game
Is coachable
Shows that there is more to his game

IMO, This is a coaching decision, management just puts pen to paper.

NTC, allows him to be moved. But more likely we see one year of overlap with he and Bieksa, and Bieksa is gone after next year...Or Hamhuis, but I bet Bieksa.
- moondawg

Bieksa and Hamhuis contracts are up after next year.

I don't mind the extensions at all. Sbisa is the only Canuck dman that throws the body at every possible chance. Dorsett does the same up front. I'm not too worried about not being able to fit Mathias' salary in next year. The most body contact he engages in is when he' squeezes up to a teem mate on the bench. Hopefully he does well in the playoffs and garners interest at the draft for a team desperately needing size up front and willing to cough up a draft pick or two to get the inside track on signing the soon to be UFA.
- Itsjustarash

While using the body has often put Sbisa out of position. It's refreshing to see one guy on this defence that's willing to use his weight. wtf happened to Edler we'll never no. Since his two suspensions he seems too timid to throw around his weight. The Edler that almost knocked out Ryan smith in the playoffs a couple years back is the guy we sorely need.

He's a shadow of his former self.

And Bieksa needs to get so insanely mad he turns green to do anything. And that has become a very rare occasion.

While using the body has often put Sbisa out of position. It's refreshing to see one guy on this defence that's willing to use his weight. wtf happened to Edler we'll never no. Since his two suspensions he seems too timid to throw around his weight. The Edler that almost knocked out Ryan smith in the playoffs a couple years back is the guy we sorely need.

He's a shadow of his former self.

And Bieksa needs to get so insanely mad he turns green to do anything. And that has become a very rare occasion.
- vancity787

Hammer throws the hits less as well since that hip check during the Boston series, although in his defence he appears at least able to drop the boom from time to time.

Hammer throws the hits less as well since that hip check during the Boston series, although in his defence he appears at least able to drop the boom from time to time.
- dbot

I see Hamhuis game is declining but I am such a big fan. He does everything, and would play any role. I see him still as the leader of the D

I see Hamhuis game is declining but I am such a big fan. He does everything, and would play any role. I see him still as the leader of the D
- VANTEL

Oh I agree.
He's the backbone of our D
plus he's a Smithers boy (my hometown).

Lots of teams want guys his size, I think JB wants to keep him as well, who knows maybe he moves some $ around and signs him. That would probably put us right up against the cap though. Good or bad?

- VanHockeyGuy

Doesn't use his size.
Hit totals
Dorsett 163
Sbisa 149
Bieksa 107
Edler 94
Stanton 93
Kassian 88
Hamhuis 81
Hansen 80
Burrows 71
Kenins 71
Higgins 70
Horvat 68
Matthias 66 he's bigger than everyone a head of him, weak
Weber 65

How the hell did Biega get 34 hits in 7 games?

Doesn't use his size.
Hit totals
Dorsett 163
Sbisa 149
Bieksa 107
Edler 94
Stanton 93
Kassian 88
Hamhuis 81
Hansen 80
Burrows 71
Kenins 71
Higgins 70
Horvat 68
Matthias 66 he's bigger than everyone a head of him, weak
Weber 65

How the hell did Biega get 34 hits in 7 games?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Kenins 71

How the hell did Biega get 34 hits in 7 games?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Not a home scorekeeper bias either...5 of7 games on the road

In order to analyze the contract of Sbisa we need to look at the actual contract. Since Sbisa was an RFA in order to qualify without arbitration he would have needed a 10% raise. The raise is based on actual salary on the final year of contract and not cap hit. Sbisa made 2.9 last year that means at min 10% raise it would have been 3.19. His actual salary for next year is 3.2. Lets say JB only signed him to 1 year "show me" deal at 3.2, then for next year Sbisa would be at 3.5 and his current salary is 3.6. By the third year he would have become a UFA coming off a 3.5 cap hit looking for a raise. In 2 years time lets say the cap only goes up by 5 mil. That would mean Sbisa would have garnered well over 4 in the free market in year 2017/18. but is currently signed for 4 mil. This is a gamble from JB who knows the UFA market is bloated and Canucks current cupboard for D is bare. Could he have gotten another D with the same skill set at the age of just 24 for 3.1 next year? The answer to that question is absolutely not.
I am not a fan of this signing but coming from an auditing background I like to analyze and see more then what the numbers show and I feel I should change my initial reaction and see this signing as a good investment.