Nice comedic tone to today's comments thus far. In keeping with the Sbisa love-in, this is just a response to a comment (I believe by Vintage) on the last blog regarding Benning/Sbisa:

You are right in that the sky isn't falling. However, this was nonetheless not a good decision by Benning - and that now makes two (the Miller signing - and not only the signing but how the actual negotiations went -i.e. there were none -even Benning said it was the easiest negotiation he's had in a while - is this how a GM acts? perhaps you don't play hardball but all the leverage was with the Canucks, given Miller wanted to play on the coast. Then to give him a limited trade clause, was the pies de resistance.

The Sbisa signing could have easily waited - don't know too many teams that were lining up for his services (in fact, it was with glee that Anaheim got rid of him, if sources are correct). Frankly, I would have rather given Sanguienetti a shot over Sbisa. But now we are stuck.

Ok, and yes, I realize I'm beating a dead Sbisa here....
- Zogg

I think I wouldn't have minded the signing so much if we had more cap room and had traded one of Bieksa, Hamhuis or Edler and gotten an upgrade on the back end first. He's decent enough as a 6-7 D that can play physical, but he's definitely not Top-4 material.

He any good, Stats aren't horrible for a 4th liner
- Retinalz

I thought he played well in the playoffs. At 23 i see him as a younger replacement for hansen or higgin on the 3rd in the future. Which we could offer sheets him for a 3rd this year and recoup a 2nd or 3rd for higgins and hansen

I think I wouldn't have minded the signing so much if we had more cap room and had traded one of Bieksa, Hamhuis or Edler and gotten an upgrade on the back end first. He's decent enough as a 6-7 D that can play physical, but he's definitely not Top-4 material.
- DariusKnight

With his contract now, he can't be moved. Let's pray.

With his contract now, he can't be moved. Let's pray.
- manvanfan

Give JB some time, I think he will be moved at some point before his contract expires.

With his contract now, he can't be moved. Let's pray.
- manvanfan

Nah, rather go with Scientology and hope that huge aliens come down from outer space and crush Sbisa underfoot and we can use his insurance money to get a better player.

Nah, rather go with Scientology and hope that huge aliens come down from outer space and crush Sbisa underfoot and we can use his insurance money to get a better player.
- DariusKnight

nice thinking outside the box, I like it

Give JB some time, I think he will be moved at some point before his contract expires.
- hillbillydeluxe

I'd still keep praying nonetheless

I'd still keep praying nonetheless
- Zogg

Bring on the wine.

Bring on the wine.
- hillbillydeluxe

Did someone mention alcohol?

With his contract now, he can't be moved. Let's pray.
- manvanfan

I'm holding out hope that JB has a sign and trade deal in place for Sbisa that he's waiting to announce until after the finals.



Trade Miller
Draft Provorov
F Sbisa

Bring on the wine.
- hillbillydeluxe

That's really good advice. Will do.

Anyone know who the best skating offensive defenseman in the draft is beyond the 10th pick?

Can I inquire as to what the prevailing opinions are on Kassian, Higgins, and Matthias? Curious they would be cost for acquisition (or contract in Matthias' case).
- jfkst1

Higgins and Matthias need to go bye bye but Kassian needs another shot at a full healthy season...if possible.

Can I inquire as to what the prevailing opinions are on Kassian, Higgins, and Matthias? Curious they would be cost for acquisition (or contract in Matthias' case).
- jfkst1

Higgins and Matthias need to go bye bye but Kassian needs another shot at a full healthy season...if possible.

Higgins and Matthias need to go bye bye but Kassian needs another shot at a full healthy season...if possible.
- LordHumungous

yeah, I'd like to see him have another shot, I think he is starting to realize he isn't a rookie anymore, and is on a short leash.

But, for the right deal, I don't have any issue with just about anyone on the team being traded.

More change please.

yeah, I'd like to see him have another shot, I think he is starting to realize he isn't a rookie anymore, and is on a short leash.

But, for the right deal, I don't have any issue with just about anyone on the team being traded.

More change please.
- hillbillydeluxe

No thank you, he's had more than enough time to establish himself and I'd rather have Virtanen or Grenier in his spot.

No thank you, he's had more than enough time to establish himself and I'd rather have Virtanen or Grenier in his spot.
- DariusKnight

I won't argue that.

But I am not the ones calling the shots. I think Grenier has a better chance of making the jump to the NHL than Virtanen with WD's expressed preference in having more seasoned players in the lineup than 18 year olds or I would guess, players fresh from the chl.

Did someone mention alcohol?
- LeftCoaster

No kidding, I think I was half dozen deep when I wrote that. Full dozen done now. Bring on game 7.

No thank you, he's had more than enough time to establish himself and I'd rather have Virtanen or Grenier in his spot.
- DariusKnight

I'm of two minds. On the one hand, I'm sick of Kassian and his potential, but on the other, he has shown improvement this season, seemed more engaged and not just while playing with the Sedins. The point being, if we trade him now we'll never get back the same value that we paid.

Maybe the better way to look at it is that we wouldn't be giving him another chance, but increasing his trade value.

I hate repeat winners

I'm of two minds. On the one hand, I'm sick of Kassian and his potential, but on the other, he has shown improvement this season, seemed more engaged and not just while playing with the Sedins. The point being, if we trade him now we'll never get back the same value that we paid.

Maybe the better way to look at it is that we wouldn't be giving him another chance, but increasing his trade value.
- CubanBuffet

Potential is there. I would love a right side of virtanen, Kassian, hansen, Dorsett.

No thank you, he's had more than enough time to establish himself and I'd rather have Virtanen or Grenier in his spot.
- DariusKnight

You feel strongly that Virtanen and/or Grenier is a better fit currently than Kassian? Not sure i agree with that. When Kassian is on, he's a force - unfortunately we just don't see that 'force' as much as we should be. I hope he can get some consistency in his game, because he has pretty much all the skills you need for success (and is remarkably a very good play maker! - who woulda thunk?). Easily a top six forward once he manages to establish himself as a day to day professional

You well strongly that Virtanen and/or Grenier is a better fit currently than Kassian? Not sure i agree with that. When Kassian is on, he's a force - unfortunately we just don't see that 'force' as much as we should be. I hope he can get some consistency in his game, because he has pretty much all the skills you need for success (and is remarkably a very good play maker! - who woulda thunk?). Easily a top six forward once he manages to establish himself as a day to day professional
- Zogg

Put him in th minors.
Omg a perfect example of a player who should have spent time in the minors instead of "learning in the nhl"

I'm of two minds. On the one hand, I'm sick of Kassian and his potential, but on the other, he has shown improvement this season, seemed more engaged and not just while playing with the Sedins. The point being, if we trade him now we'll never get back the same value that we paid.

Maybe the better way to look at it is that we wouldn't be giving him another chance, but increasing his trade value.
- CubanBuffet

Fully agree with your first paragraph assessment. And yes of course there is the trade route but until Kassian fully establishes himself as a consistent player, then any sort of trade will be inequitable.

Moreso, I do not want to see him blossom as a star somewhere else because we ran out of patience. Like you said, I also felt he improved quite a bit last year - let's hope it's a sign of things to come . It's not that he deserves a second chance, it's that he deserves continued development which the Canucks should be on top of

You well strongly that Virtanen and/or Grenier is a better fit currently than Kassian? Not sure i agree with that. When Kassian is on, he's a force - unfortunately we just don't see that 'force' as much as we should be. I hope he can get some consistency in his game, because he has pretty much all the skills you need for success (and is remarkably a very good play maker! - who woulda thunk?). Easily a top six forward once he manages to establish himself as a day to day professional
- Zogg

I would like to see this, but not sure if it is a chicken or the egg argument? Put him there and he will prove himself or make him prove himself so you have to put him there?

We see glimpses, we want moarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.