Call in sick tomorrow...
- 1970vintage

I've never called in sick in my life...plus I live in camp

Reminds me of David Booth, But Booth Couldn't:

Score
Play a full week
play center

Booth Can:
Wrestle Phil Kessel and live to tell the tale.
- SRam19

Biega could replace Sbisa.
- Nucker101

Probably, he replaced Bieksa , may I add at a lot cheaper

I'd bet anyone here Matthias doesn't score 20 next year unless he ends up playing with Henrik Sedin or some other elite playmaker.
- Nucker101

I agree but he is still an effective bottom 6 player, I doubt I like what he ends up getting resigned/signed for but he has done a good job this year at more than just being a streaky scorer.

Hopefully one of Jensen/Sven/Vey etc can replace his goalscoring moving forward.

Probably, he replaced Bieksa , may I add at a lot cheaper
- VANTEL

I think they're gonna make changes next year, like getting rid of Bieksa, to make room for guys on the farm.

Biega could replace Sbisa.
- Nucker101

yes

Biega could replace Sbisa.
- Nucker101

Beiga, the 27 year old with 7 career games to his name, over 25 year old Sbisa of 340 games? I would rather my team over pay Sbisa up front, live with his mistakes and let him continue to work on his NHL game than have a career minor leaguer take his place

Beiga, the 27 year old with 7 career games to his name, over 25 year old Sbisa of 340 games? I would rather my team over pay Sbisa up front, live with his mistakes and let him continue to work on his NHL game than have a career minor leaguer take his place
- WhiteLie

I bet he could rack up the hits and finish bottom 10 in goals against and bottom 25 in shots against while providing no offense.

Sure it matters, because it means he's improving, and hopefully he keeps improving. Benning was most likely saving a bit of face by signing him, defending his Kesler trade.

He was 40th or something in blocked shots, he was relatively healthy all year, he played in the 3/4 hole as well as the 5/6. It's not really a big deal at all as I don't see it affecting the cap in a negative way as we head into the draft or summer.

So many things can change between now and October.
- LeftCoaster

About the saving face comment. To me that makes little sense since Kesler would only go to the Ducks. Kesler wanting out was blown wide open to the public before Benning even arrived here so being someone else's mess... I really don't think Benning is under much pressure be it from him or anyone else to be honest.

I agree about Sbisa. It's not a big deal unless we have big plans for the free agent market which is probably unlikely for a few years.

We don't know poop that's for sure. Benning may have something mapped out that sees Bieksa out. I know fans here have this preset notion that he would never leave because he said it to the media. That makes me laugh.... the exact same belief was in place about Kesler. Fans drive Bieksa crazy and he's made it pretty clear going back almost a decade how personal he takes stuff from fans and media. He was all in our face about not being traded when Ballard was brought in... his second career is censoring twitter about how bad he plays. He could literately twittered out of town in half a season I bet.

It's not like he has to sell everything and never come back after retiring which will be very soon if he won't play in another city.

Biega could replace Sbisa.
- Nucker101

Yes, In 2 years.

That and any one who doesn't clap when Benning farts is a mommy hugging crybaby, who doesn't appreciate that the canucks are in the playoffs....
- belcherbd

You keep making an example of your self.

I bet he could rack up the hits and finish bottom 10 in goals against and bottom 25 in shots against while providing no offense.
- Nucker101

Its really likely he would be bottom 5 in both seeing as no one thinks hes good enough to get looked at for more than 7 games at league minimum...

I bet he could rack up the hits and finish bottom 10 in goals against and bottom 25 in shots against while providing no offense.
- Nucker101

Does he make a good pizza?

I bet he could rack up the hits and finish bottom 10 in goals against and bottom 25 in shots against while providing no offense.
- Nucker101

But he isn't a first round pick

About the saving face comment. To me that makes little sense since Kesler would only go to the Ducks. Kesler wanting out was blown wide open to the public before Benning even arrived here so being someone else's mess... I really don't think Benning is under much pressure be it from him or anyone else to be honest.

I agree about Sbisa. It's not a big deal unless we have big plans for the free agent market which is probably unlikely for a few years.

We don't know poop that's for sure. Benning may have something mapped out that sees Bieksa out. I know fans here have this preset notion that he would never leave because he said it to the media. That makes me laugh.... the exact same belief was in place about Kesler. Fans drive Bieksa crazy and he's made it pretty clear going back almost a decade how personal he takes stuff from fans and media. He was all in our face about not being traded when Ballard was brought in... his second career is censoring twitter about how bad he plays. He could literately twittered out of town in half a season I bet.

It's not like he has to sell everything and never come back after retiring which will be very soon if he won't play in another city.
- boonerbuck

Who knows, what they based their decision on, it's definitely not giving me heartburn like some others, but each to their own.

I prefer to talk about what's going on with this playoff race and who we're gonna play.

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

It's be nice if he score his first goal of the season.

The fact he hasnt scored I find mind boggling. And rather pathetic. I know hes not an offensive dMAn. But c'mon, When Tanev is outscoring you and you're making that kinda money.

Pick it up brother.

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

- It's an overpay, but not crippling since the cap is at 70 million or so
- Beat out others to earn his minutes and role
- He's tough and physical and can skate well
- He's still young and has potential to improve
- He can still be traded after
- He's improved over the season and stepped up when injuries hit
- Decent on the PK
- Who do we replace him with?

And against:

- Has one of the worst goals against rates in the league(the worst among all playoff team dmen)
- Has one of the worst shots against rates in the league
- Has actually barely improved statistically in either of the above categories over the past 30 games.
- Doesn't provide offense
- Isn't getting difficult minutes and still has a bad GA rate
- Is easy and waaay cheaper to replace considering he's not good defensively or offensively
- Was a RFA so he could have been signed to a one year "prove it" deal before signing him to multiple years with a raise
- Nucker101

...but the for has the biggest single factor trumping everything you listed against.... he can be traded/dumped.

As early as late next season he can be dumped and it is all moot. A low risk gamble that only hurt our cap situation this summer when we could have spent that extra million or so on something much more needed.... which gets you (frank) all these days.

I can see your disappointment if you really wanted him gone. That makes sense. Then over paying 1$ feels like a slap in the face. I've been there before.

Who knows, what they based their decision on, it's definitely not giving me heartburn like some others, but each to their own.

I prefer to talk about what's going on with this playoff race and who we're gonna play.
- LeftCoaster

I personally am hoping we play the Flames and rekindle that rivalry (pun intended).
I give the nucks the edge in goal.
I don't know about the D (is Gio going to be back for playoffs?)
And although i like the Flames depth in regards to scoring, I give the edge to the nucks forwards, based on experience. If we can shut down/rattle their young players, i like our chances.

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

Not disagreeing with you, just stating what I think is going on. The Dorsett deal looks bang on from most outsider's perspective. The value in the Sbisa deal seems to be found from an insider's perspective. I'm speculating of course.

EDIT: Actually that post from Linden_4_Capt explains quite a bit.

I may be in the minority, but I don't mind these deals. As Murph points out, these two new additions have brought much-needed grit to the Canucks lineup—something that has been sorely lacking for the past couple of seasons.

There's about a dozen or so regular posters on here, so i don't think this board is representative of the legions of Nux fans... I do agree with some about the excessive whinging...

both were good deals to keep the team competitive in their div and conf for next season, which will be even harder to play in i believe. I think SJ fixes some things for next season and will be stronger. The Avs & Stars could be better as well... if they get some D help..

I personally am hoping we play the Flames and rekindle that rivalry (pun intended).
I give the nucks the edge in goal.
I don't know about the D (is Gio going to be back for playoffs?)
And although i like the Flames depth in regards to scoring, I give the edge to the nucks forwards, based on experience. If we can shut down/rattle their young players, i like our chances.
- dbot

It will be a hell of a series either way.
LA series will be stressful if it happens but I feel more confident this season that the team will compete be able to compete emotionally with any team. Which I do admit Dorsett and Sbisa are a big part of that competitiveness.

Not disagreeing with you, just stating what I think is going on. The Dorsett deal looks bang on from most outsider's perspective. The value in the Sbisa deal seems to be found from an insider's perspective. I'm speculating of course.
- AlexF

I was more worried about losing Dorsett than Sbisa. Missing that sort of physical player ever since Torres left.

We need some guys who bring hits and the physical element to the game. It gives the rest of the team confidence and makes a little room. Can't imagine how we would have fared this season without those guys.



Jim Jamieson @JamiesonCanucks
· 5h 5 hours ago
#Canucks Matthias will take the game off tonight for "maintenance". Baertschi likely takes his spot with Vey, Dorsett.

(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

On here, if you are not prejudice and closed minded about the Canucks and management... you become a target.

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
- dbot

Welcome to the meat grinder.

There are two rules here.

1. Stay away from my Percocet
2. ...and do you have any Percocet?

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

Please tell Lefty and me we found another Steelhead fishermen?