Yo man, glass houses and all that poop....youve become the biggest whiner this side of Fosco, you used to be cool man.....
- chompsey

Take it easy on the youngster. He's probably never seen the Canucks during lean years.

Have you never watched Sutter? Kassian is a WAY grittier player. Brandon Sutter has a less physical game than Alex fuking Semin.
- BINGO!

When people think of Kassian and grit, they picture him running around missing checks with both gloves on the glass and his head on a swivel, looking around, how did I miss that guy? look on his face...

Kassian had a hard time playing with both grit and offense. It was often one or the other or neither... inconsistent.

Kassian == Semin.......he hits for about 5 games a year - softest 6'3" winger in the league outside of Shawn Mathias....
- chompsey

That's nice, but completely ignores the fact that Brandon Sutter is (frank)ing terrible.

Yo man, glass houses and all that poop....youve become the biggest whiner this side of Fosco, you used to be cool man.....
- chompsey

You have your pom poms out today again

Have you never watched Sutter? Kassian is a WAY grittier player. Brandon Sutter has a less physical game than Alex fuking Semin.
- BINGO!

From what I've seen of Sutter (roughly a dozen games) I will concur that he is not a gritty player in the slightest.

Anyone who thinks we just acquired a gritty, 2 way center needs to dispel that thought immediately. Sutter is fairly mediocre and just about every PIT fan that I've read today are happy to see the back of him.

That's nice, but completely ignores the fact that Brandon Sutter is (frank)ing terrible.
- BINGO!

What do you and the Pens fans know? Canuck fans watch him 2-6 times a year compared to you guys watching him play full seasons.

Take it easy on the youngster. He's probably never seen the Canucks during lean years.
- golfingsince

Yup. Yet I think the Leafs who also suck are making smart moves. This isn't about winning games, it's the logic in these moves.

From what I've seen of Sutter (roughly a dozen games) I will concur that he is not a gritty player in the slightest.

Anyone who thinks we just acquired a gritty, 2 way center needs to dispel that thought immediately. Sutter is fairly mediocre and just about every PIT fan that I've read today are happy to see the back of him.
- AlexF

He's a 2nd/3rd line winger that's been miscast as a center. He's great streaking down the wing, which is why he gets so many Short handed goals.

The rest of the aspects of his game are either "meh" or garbage.

Yup. Yet I think the Leafs who also suck are making smart moves. This isn't about winning games, it's the logic in these moves.
- Nucker101

As Booner said, it's much harder to make smart moves when you're handcuffed by NTC's.

Also, you are once again forgetting that we don't know what the directive is from ownership. What we do know is that Leafs ownership gave them the go ahead on full Oilers style rebuild.

I realize what Benning said regarding Sutter but what did you expect him to say ? We acquired him to flip him at the deadline and clear cap space ?

Like some of the others, I'll wait and see.

He's a 2nd/3rd line winger that's been miscast as a center. He's great streaking down the wing, which is why he gets so many Short handed goals.

The rest of the aspects of his game are either "meh" or garbage.
- BINGO!

That cap space pit got must have been enough to sign fehr too. Van did a hell of a favour to pit.

Sorry Carol you are wrong. This move is all about THE PLAN.

Funny thing, VANTEL and Benning's thought process on rebuilding is pretty much the same. Go figure.
- bloatedmosquito

Benning also drinks Naked Grape?

That cap space pit got must have been enough to sign fehr too. Van did a hell of a favour to pit.
- manvanfan

That was exactly it.

The only way they could have helped Pittsburgh more would have been to take Scuderi off their hands and give them literally anything.

As Booner said, it's much harder to make smart moves when you're handcuffed by NTC's.

Also, you are once again forgetting that we don't know what the directive is from ownership. What we do know is that Leafs ownership gave them the go ahead on full Oilers style rebuild.

I realize what Benning said regarding Sutter but what did you expect him to say ? We acquired him to flip him at the deadline and clear cap space ?

Like some of the others, I'll wait and see.
- golfingsince

I read earlier that the Canucks were working on getting Sutter signed to a new deal (ie one that takes him past just this season). If that's what they end up doing then it's clear Sutter was the player they were after and not just a future TDL pawn.

Thoughts on if Benning were to give Sutter an extension and a raise, say $3.5-4M per?

Tanking aside, is anyone else alarmed at how thin our D core is getting?

Thoughts on if Benning were to give Sutter an extension and a raise, say $3.5-4M per?
- RonPielep

Sutter on the open market could likely get higher than that. Were I him I'd wait for the better deal next summer.

Some incredibly narrowminded thinking in here today.

Gotta admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the trade but its not all horrible either.

a) Benning opens up one more roster space for a younger player who WILL get ice time - isnt that what everyone is female doging about?

b) The Canucks continue to get bigger and grittier - isnt that what everyone is female doging about?

We were manhandled in the Calgary series and Benning is addressing that - not sure what the problem is. Offensively Bonino LOOKS better tha Sutter but his production is marginally better while Sutter makes up for it in FO's an dgrit.

Clendening was never going to get a fair shot and may never become a regular, Hes already on his 3rd team....i dont know guys....
- chompsey

I really don't have a huge problem with the trade ( for once ) other than the draft picks, which is again a bit of a headscratcher. Did they really need to go there?

I think Sutter is an excellent shut-down center- something that we could've used in the Calgary series. He's got a great shot (which he should use more often) is great on the PK, is a decent center, and is an 'honest' two-way player. You have to remember he was actually used in a more offensive role when he was in Carolina (and did quite well) but was thrust in a defensive situation in Pitt. He would always be third on the depth chart and now gets a chance to perhaps move up the line-up. He rarely had any PP time so his 20 goals are not too shabby all things considered.

As far as Bonino, I was never really sold on him. He had a chance to prove himself but unfortunately fell flat. Can he turn it around? anything is possible but I have to say I don't mind the assets Benning gave up (again, for once at least)

They still need that 3 Rd for an OS next year when they will have money.

General Fanager has it listed as their own third coming back
- VANTEL

It's a conditional pick so it will change.

Benning also drinks Naked Grape?
- A_SteamingLombardi

If he likes a bargain

Pens fan here....

Sutter and grit are like oil and water. He may be the softest center in. the league. He's not bad offensively but his entire offense is based on individual skill, particularly his wrist shot from the right circle. He refuses to use his linemates, which is easily the most frustrating part of his game(even moreso than the softness). His offensive zone game consists of "Do I have the puck? If no, play defense. If yes, shoot it hard at the net. If it goes in, great. If it doesn't.... Play defence." Granted, his defensive positioning is solid.

I'm not expecting Bonino to be much better, but don't expect Sutter to do any sort of grinding.

If he likes a bargain
- VANTEL

Probably pays $100 a bottle

Tanking aside, is anyone else alarmed at how thin our D core is getting?
- AlexF

Not at all surprised . They had 6 guys who did nothing but play safe. They need grit , a puck mover and a guy with a shot

Probably pays $100 a bottle
- Nucker101

Touche

Probably pays $100 a bottle
- Nucker101

It's not his money so who cares.