Big centers will be in demand this offseason, the Vermettes, Soderburg, Matthias types will be a hot commodity. We would need to move considerable cap space to be in the game.

Soderberg is a good fit, and Benning knows him. He'll likely target Bartkowski as well.
- moondawg

Said he's staying away from the 5mil +/- guys for obvious reasons. He will have to talk them into a discount, for a chance to suck the next 5 years.

Watching the parade anyone? This CM Punk guy needs to be a permanent fixture for blackhawks hockey, or nbc sports in general. guys killin it.

Watching the parade anyone? This CM Punk guy needs to be a permanent fixture for blackhawks hockey, or nbc sports in general. guys killin it.
- vancity787

Maybe, but he would probably be better off moving up to 3C at least to start the season. Soderberg could be an interesting addition to the Ikea crowd at 6'3 216. The return for Bonino would have to be real good.
- VanHockeyGuy

This is a smart way of thinking ...let Bo start as a 3C and end as a 2C

Let him develop properly and don't force it

- VanHockeyGuy

Scoobs in the middle.

Your on the right

Vantels on the left.

Scoobs in the middle.

Your on the right

Vantels on the left.
- vancity787

stfu

stfu
- VanHockeyGuy

Maybe, but he would probably be better off moving up to 3C at least to start the season. Soderberg could be an interesting addition to the Ikea crowd at 6'3 216. The return for Bonino would have to be real good.
- VanHockeyGuy

Not sure what you mean re Horvat. He was playing 3rd line minutes (ie as the 3C) for the 2nd half of the season. In the playoffs his line was virtually playing 2nd line minutes, or at least on par with the Bonino line (2B?).

This season he should be able to handle 2C minutes I should think/hope. We don't really have many other options of quality.

Edler is mostly god-awful defensively, that's my first guy to go if there is decent return.
- I-own_da-Northwest

Should have been traded 2 years ago when he had some value.

Re the draft on Dmen:

Benning says there are three defencemen that have broken away from the rest of the group: Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski.

“After that, in the next grouping, all the defencemen have different qualities about their game, whether they’re high-end skaters, transitional puck movers, guys who play an all-around game, or physical stay-at-home guy,” Benning said. “We’re going to look at it and assess it.”

I think it's high time we bring a blue-chipper into this organization (it's only been 10 years). Would be great if Benning could move up to nab one of those top 3 but I think they'll all go in the #5-10 range.

Not sure what you mean re Horvat. He was playing 3rd line minutes (ie as the 3C) for the 2nd half of the season. In the playoffs his line was virtually playing 2nd line minutes, or at least on par with the Bonino line (2B?).

This season he should be able to handle 2C minutes I should think/hope. We don't really have many other options of quality.
- AlexF

I don't think it's a question of handling the minutes, the team needs a center who is equal or better than him, preferably with a bit more experience. Bonino needs to stay on the team until they figure that out.

Should have been traded 2 years ago when he had some value.
- Grumpy13

There were a good few of us on here calling for it after he put up 50 points and made the All-Star game. The Detroit rumored offer for him was interesting but I'm not sure if Canuck management were ever really fielding offers.

I don't think it's a question of handling the minutes, the team needs a center who is equal or better than him, preferably with a bit more experience. Bonino needs to stay on the team until they figure that out.
- VanHockeyGuy

Experience has it's place but it was fairly clear to me last season that Horvat > Bonino. He continued to prove it in the playoffs. To give Bonino better linemates and more ice time is counter-productive IMO, unless you're looking to tank.

There were a good few of us on here calling for it after he put up 50 points and made the All-Star game. The Detroit rumored offer for him was interesting but I'm not sure if Canuck management were ever really fielding offers.
- AlexF

I am watching with interest to see what the Leafs can get for Phaneuf. How much salary the Leafs have to eat will indicate the value of Edler.

Matt Cooke on Waivors.



I hope Benning doesn't consider this.

There were a good few of us on here calling for it after he put up 50 points and made the All-Star game. The Detroit rumored offer for him was interesting but I'm not sure if Canuck management were ever really fielding offers.
- AlexF

Wasnt it like Nyquist and Tatar?

My goodness that would have been sweet.

Re the draft on Dmen:

Benning says there are three defencemen that have broken away from the rest of the group: Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski.

“After that, in the next grouping, all the defencemen have different qualities about their game, whether they’re high-end skaters, transitional puck movers, guys who play an all-around game, or physical stay-at-home guy,” Benning said. “We’re going to look at it and assess it.”

I think it's high time we bring a blue-chipper into this organization (it's only been 10 years). Would be great if Benning could move up to name one of those top 3 but I think they'll all go in the #5-10 range.
- AlexF

Tough to pick what order, I went with...

(a) physical stay-at-home guy
(b) guys who play an all-around game
(c) transitional puck movers
(d) high-end skaters

Said he's staying away from the 5mil +/- guys for obvious reasons. He will have to talk them into a discount, for a chance to suck the next 5 years.
- VanHockeyGuy

I would say they are 5M as a package. I think 7.5 over 3 year deals is fair.

We're talking about a 3rd line C, and a likley 6th - 7th dman.

I am watching with interest to see what the Leafs can get for Phaneuf. How much salary the Leafs have to eat will indicate the value of Edler.
- Grumpy13

I crap on most of the elder deals on here but he is a way better option than Phaneuf in my eyes and whatever dion nets you could add to for an elder deal

Experience has it's place but it was fairly clear to me last season that Horvat > Bonino. He continued to prove it in the playoffs. To give Bonino better linemates and more ice time is counter-productive IMO, unless you're looking to tank.
- AlexF

Bonino stays cause of his cap hit, can't get much better value.

I crap on most of the elder deals on here but he is a way better option than Phaneuf in my eyes and whatever dion nets you could add to for an elder deal
- Redmile247

They are both big, hard shot, soft on boards, and pylons on defense.

Tough to pick what order, I went with...

(a) physical stay-at-home guy
(b) guys who play an all-around game
(c) transitional puck movers
(d) high-end skaters
- VanHockeyGuy

How would you apply these rankings to our present defence?

Bonino stays cause of his cap hit, can't get much better value.
- moondawg

Yep, let him and BoHo battle 4 2C, solved. Wish it was that easy on the D!

They are both big, hard shot, soft on boards, and pylons on defense.
- Grumpy13

If I'm picking one to go on the ice with a lead in the third it's not dion ...plus elder has a better contract