dorsett horvat and hansen were pretty effective together and it didn't matter.

Higgins can play any position including defence... lols.

i just can't see Dorsett and Prust on one line and Horvat will not be put into a 2nd line C position where he might face too much pressure...

I like Sutter as a two C with two skill guys. He brings the grit and defensive play for the two guys counted on to score..
- kaptaan

I think horvat has shown great potential with skill guys in a playmaking sense. Sutter has low assists so pure shutdown center more likely. Probably see lots of pk and own end minutes.
For those reasons horvat definately is 2C.

But hey we can only wait and see.

I hated MGs foolish Ballard trade, not cuz we got Ballard, but because he included Grabner instead that idiot AVs pet Raymond who I thought was a useless muck from the beginning.
- kaptaan

...and a 1st wasnt it?

I thought we were getting a better player than Ballard turned out to be but I still thought it was a steep price. It's amazing how many people are sweating over chump change now in comparison.

Fosco?
- boonerbuck

No, but it was someone who was always pretty reasonable. After his "early advance stat" take people really started teasing, there was the Corsi Cup yadda yadda

This trade came outta nowhere it seems. No rumors, no hints just boom there it is. Now sven is signed.
This is good I was never sold on bonino and hated him innthe playoffs, looked liek a useless boob. Good riddance......just wish we didnt over pay like we did.
That 3rd shouldve just been coming our way in the package.

But its over and done and happy it happened. Not happy will all his moves but it appears JB is taking out the trash when it comes to character of the players. Playoff guys are what he seems to be stockpiling.
Quinn did the same in 94. Tim hunter had a horrid season but was king kong in the playoffs. We all know what that crew did. Perhaps linden learned a thing or two from good ol quinn.

I think Horvat is gonna end up 2LC at some point just on effort. He had a great last season. I could see it being very close about who gets that spot. Sutter probably has the edge but I think Bo could surprise everyone again.

I think horvat has shown great potential with skill guys in a playmaking sense. Sutter has low assists so pure shutdown center more likely. Probably see lots of pk and own end minutes.
For those reasons horvat definately is 2C.

But hey we can only wait and see.
- SMBDragon

I bet we see him on the PP with the Sedins as a net-front presence.

Dank Hank Sutter
Vrbata Edler

Sven Horvat Burrows
Hamhuis Corrado/Tanev

I think Horvat is gonna end up 2LC at some point just on effort. He had a great last season. I could see it being very close about who gets that spot. Sutter probably has the edge but I think Bo could surprise everyone again.
- nelson911

Horvat >>> Sutter

The only reason Sutter would get 2C minutes is if they are intent on bringing Horvat up slowly (ie not rushing him). Horvat was our 2C in the playoffs already.

Don't bother. The brain trust here has already condemned the move.

Riot at 10.
- rugdnit

I think Horvat is gonna end up 2LC at some point just on effort. He had a great last season. I could see it being very close about who gets that spot. Sutter probably has the edge but I think Bo could surprise everyone again.
- nelson911

I think Sutter is gonna surprise some people too, just not in the way they would like.

Horvat >>> Sutter

The only reason Sutter would get 2C minutes is if they are intent on bringing Horvat up slowly (ie not rushing him). Horvat was our 2C in the playoffs already.
- AlexF

Thats just it, Sutter is there to shelter Bo if he doesnt progress the way they hope. A lot will have to do with the chemistry of the other players. Horvat will be a better player no question. Is he now? I'm not sure..but he may prove it this year

All right guys. It's a no win situation for me. All I've done is try and be objectionable and combat the hyperbole that some of our fans keep creating. I'm more than capable of being harshly critical at the GM's as some of you may remember.

Around here that makes you a #1 fan of Benning. Funny, when I started to criticize only some of Gillis' moves,,, I was called his #1 critic immediately... and to no surprise it's the same people making both the accusations.

The Gillis fan club keeps up the old fight... under a disguised flag.
- boonerbuck

I'm on your side....and I thought it was amazing that you had the last 20 posts in the previous blog lol

I think Sutter is gonna surprise some people too, just not in the way they would like.
- jfkst1

It seems you are under the impression that Sutter is useless and Bonino is going to be some type of saviour for your franchise. Bonino is a lesser player than Sutter, but he also happens to make less money.

The victory in this trade for the Pens is the cap space and the one that bothers most of us is moving up 5 or so spots in the draft. If you feel that Clendening is going to somehow make up for the loss of Harrington I'm afraid you'll be quite disappointed.

This is what 3 journalists in Calgary, Pittsburgh, and Edmonton are saying about the Canucks' trade today:

"I think this was a good example of someone's perceived value outweighing their actual value. Sutter is regarded by many as a very good defensive forward who can produce some offense. In reality, he's actually a possession anchor and he generally doesn't produce much. Sutter had 59 points over the last two seasons while Bonino - in nine less games - had 88 points. Despite that, the Canucks had to throw in a prospect and a higher draft pick to get a deal done."
- A Calgary journalist

"Penguins' GM Jim Rutherford and his army of Assistant General Managers were able to target a franchise that values the wrong things and took advantage of them. The Vancouver Canucks have been a mess the last few seasons and are believers in what the Penguins used to think was valuable."
-A Pittsburgh journalist

"Any time a division rival makes themselves worse it should be something we keep our eyes on. The Canucks have earned a reputation for making backwards moves. The Luongo deal, the Schneider deal, the Kesler deal, signing Miller. The laughs just keep coming from the Canucks organization."
-An Edmonton journalist

Benning has made the Vancouver Canucks a joke.

It seems you are under the impression that Sutter is useless and Bonino is going to be some type of saviour for your franchise. Bonino is a lesser player than Sutter, but he also happens to make less money.

The victory in this trade for the Pens is the cap space and the one that bothers most of us is moving up 5 or so spots in the draft. If you feel that Clendening is going to somehow make up for the loss of Harrington I'm afraid you'll be quite disappointed.
- golfingsince

I agree with all your points minus Clendening. I don't disagree I would just give him a chance in Mike Johnston's system and on the pens. Although he a lot of guys to climb over and him being waiver eligible will make things interesting. I still think the pens will make a move on D.

Thats just it, Sutter is there to shelter Bo if he doesnt progress the way they hope. A lot will have to do with the chemistry of the other players. Horvat will be a better player no question. Is he now? I'm not sure..but he may prove it this year
- nelson911

I've watched both play more than a dozen games each. Horvat is the better player (now). If Sutter is playing 2C for the Canucks we'll struggle to be a playoff team. Even as a shutdown guy Sutter isn't physical, nor a defensive specialist.

People on here talk about this trade improving the team, but if this is what improvement looks like we'll be cup contenders sometime around April 2026.

This is what 3 journalists in Calgary, Pittsburgh, and Edmonton are saying about the Canucks' trade today:

"I think this was a good example of someone's perceived value outweighing their actual value. Sutter is regarded by many as a very good defensive forward who can produce some offense. In reality, he's actually a possession anchor and he generally doesn't produce much. Sutter had 59 points over the last two seasons while Bonino - in nine less games - had 88 points. Despite that, the Canucks had to throw in a prospect and a higher draft pick to get a deal done."
- A Calgary journalist

"Penguins' GM Jim Rutherford and his army of Assistant General Managers were able to target a franchise that values the wrong things and took advantage of them. The Vancouver Canucks have been a mess the last few seasons and are believers in what the Penguins used to think was valuable."
-A Pittsburgh journalist

"Any time a division rival makes themselves worse it should be something we keep our eyes on. The Canucks have earned a reputation for making backwards moves. The Luongo deal, the Schneider deal, the Kesler deal, signing Miller. The laughs just keep coming from the Canucks organization."
-An Edmonton journalist

Benning has made the Vancouver Canucks a joke.
- monsmaark

People still criticize the Schneider deal ? WTF we landed a good sized C who played in the league at 19 years old. Also, what the hell has Edmonton done right except for win the lottery 4 times in 6 years ?

I agree with all your points minus Clendening. I don't disagree I would just give him a chance in Mike Johnston's system and on the pens. Although he a lot of guys to climb over and him being waiver eligible will make things interesting. I still think the pens will make a move on D.
- nelson911

Despite our weak D it appeared he didn't have much chance of cracking it. At best, he was going to hold a 7/8 spot for a year or two.

This is what 3 journalists in Calgary, Pittsburgh, and Edmonton are saying about the Canucks' trade today:

"I think this was a good example of someone's perceived value outweighing their actual value. Sutter is regarded by many as a very good defensive forward who can produce some offense. In reality, he's actually a possession anchor and he generally doesn't produce much. Sutter had 59 points over the last two seasons while Bonino - in nine less games - had 88 points. Despite that, the Canucks had to throw in a prospect and a higher draft pick to get a deal done."
- A Calgary journalist

"Penguins' GM Jim Rutherford and his army of Assistant General Managers were able to target a franchise that values the wrong things and took advantage of them. The Vancouver Canucks have been a mess the last few seasons and are believers in what the Penguins used to think was valuable."
-A Pittsburgh journalist

"Any time a division rival makes themselves worse it should be something we keep our eyes on. The Canucks have earned a reputation for making backwards moves. The Luongo deal, the Schneider deal, the Kesler deal, signing Miller. The laughs just keep coming from the Canucks organization."
-An Edmonton journalist

Benning has made the Vancouver Canucks a joke.
- monsmaark

Pundits do what pundits do but I do believe they might be on to something. I'm not buying into Benning's vision.

Despite our weak D it appeared he didn't have much chance of cracking it. At best, he was going to hold a 7/8 spot for a year or two.
- golfingsince

Do we even have 8 NHL defenders on our roster now?

Nice try, I'll take word of Pens fans who watch him every game over yours.

Sutter is skinny by NHL standards at 6'3" he's only 190 lbs
Bonino is 6'1" and 195 lbs
Matthias is 6'4" 220 lbs
- Nucker101

My point is more to do with Mattias. He is incredibly soft. He is an embarrassment for his size. Sutter is not soft. Pens fans aren't the most educated lot, they have only been following hockey since Crosby won a cup. I'm not saying Sutter is a tough guy but he certainly has more grit than the others. What the hell does Mattias size have to do with his grit? Lol

It seems you are under the impression that Sutter is useless and Bonino is going to be some type of saviour for your franchise. Bonino is a lesser player than Sutter, but he also happens to make less money.

The victory in this trade for the Pens is the cap space and the one that bothers most of us is moving up 5 or so spots in the draft. If you feel that Clendening is going to somehow make up for the loss of Harrington I'm afraid you'll be quite disappointed.
- golfingsince

I can look at Bonino's underlying numbers and be confident he will be more cost-effective than Sutter. Sutter might have the right last name, but his overall game is nowhere near what Benning gave up for him. It'll be especially interesting to see what extension Sutter gets.

Do we even have 8 NHL defenders on our roster now?
- AlexF

Did we before?

Tanev-Edler
Hamhuis-Weber
Sbisa-Bartkowski

Corrado-Biega

It's not as though Clendening was going to vastly improve that mix.

Pundits do what pundits do but I do believe they might be on to something. I'm not buying into Benning's vision.
- AlexF

My first thought after I read about the trade this morning?

"What the Fk?"

How do you trade a definite top 9 scoring forward, your best defensive prospect, a 2nd, PLUS cap space for a bottom 6 guy? Sutter turns it up in the playoffs? Without Bonino will we even get there?

I can look at Bonino's underlying numbers and be confident he will be more cost-effective than Sutter. Sutter might have the right last name, but his overall game is nowhere near what Benning gave up for him. It'll be especially interesting to see what extension Sutter gets.
- jfkst1

We're all in agreement that Benning gave up too much. Where we disagree is how Sutter slots in on the Canucks vs Bonino.

I've watched both play more than a dozen games each. Horvat is the better player (now). If Sutter is playing 2C for the Canucks we'll struggle to be a playoff team. Even as a shutdown guy Sutter isn't physical, nor a defensive specialist.

People on here talk about this trade improving the team, but if this is what improvement looks like we'll be cup contenders sometime around April 2026.
- AlexF

Yea Sutter is more of a positional player and he can do it well. Not a lot of physicality, he also played with crappy wingers. I think the Canucks will have better ones than what he had in Pitt last year. His speed will be more welcome than Boninos. I'll still take Bonino though, Dupuis can make up for it.