Neither.
I agree with Carol, Gaunce stays.
- Marwood

I'd rather run a few vets out of town, keep the two CHL aged players and send Gaunce down short term (until you can move the contracts) to bring him up for the rest of the year. I say ride the younguns and live or die by their performance. If the team sucks then sell off everything you can by the TDL for the full on Rebuild, draft and sign a UFA or two next off season to try and be competitive again right away.

Thanks for the article Carol, although wouldn't the options be to keep either 14 forwards and 7 D or 13 and 8?

I think McCann without a doubt looks more NHL ready in terms of hockey sense than Virtanen, which is fine but neither are ready for the NHL and I don't see a lot of point in keeping either for 9 games.

Gaunce has earned a spot IMO, regardless of the rest of camp and Hutton is making a good case for himself and I think deserves a trial if he keeps it up.
- belcherbd

Yes, you're right on the numbers.

I explained it properly in the Canucks Army piece—Higgins will still need to be on the opening night roster before he can be moved to IR, so the Canucks have 22 players—who are pretty much guaranteed to be on that list—13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies.

If Gaunce takes Higgins' spot, then the opening is for either a 14th forward or eighth defenseman, as you say. I'll make that edit in the blog.

Thanks!

I'm not sure how to respond to this it's so ridiculous

Sorry but it is...define a lot less depression. To the best of your knowledge how many players suffer from depression when they retire? As oppose to other people who are forced to change careers mid-life.

It's up to the NHLPA (a union) and it's members to educate themselves/players for life after hockey...much the same as it's up to you to take ownership of your own life and what path you follow.
- LeftCoaster

A lot less depression - "depression amounting to less, a lot less, then before"

Benning gave up a 2nd round pick for a young AVAILABLE player in the age group that made him NHL ready, or seemingly. He was trying to bridge a gap of talent that was left void by previous managers. How is that a bad thing???

Giving up a 2nd round pick when you have two 1st's and another high 2nd is not something to begrudge a manager for....forest for the trees scenario. When the organization is void of any talent you try to fill that void, without ignoring the draft, which he didn't.

He's screwed with you people if he does something and he's screwed if he does nothing LOL...he drafted three quality prospects in the 2014 draft before he would have made the pick he used for Vey.
- LeftCoaster

I didn't say it was a bad move..... I said if it doesn't work out its fair to begrudge him because of that. It was a good risk to take, as was Baertschi and Sutter and markstrom over Lack and Clendening etc. But some of those moves need to turn out for him to show his rep as a talent evaluator is correct.

It's all good man,

For what it's worth I see a better player out of Virtanen then Krieder is.
- Bieksa#3

Virtanen reminds me of a more physical version Jim Sandlak, and before anyone says "oh just (frank)in great", Jim Sandlak was a very good hockey player. Another kid the Canucks of yester-year didn't develop properly.

He was dominant in the 1986 World Juniors and then played with the Canucks as an 18 year old. As a 19 year old in 86/87 he had a good season. Injuries derailed him, I hope that doesn't happen to Jake.

A lot less depression - "depression amounting to less, a lot less, then before"
- 1970vintage

thanks for the explanation - I'd be lost without your brain-power!!

Funny enough...Gary Valk just spoke on 1040 about this the other day, it was all started when they were talking about Todd Ewen's suicide.

Gary said his wife could see him spiraling downhill shortly after his career ended so she called to get him help, and he was a college guy.

He said it wasn't because of a lack of an education, because he had one, it was from everything he'd ever known as an adult was suddenly gone and it wasn't really his choice. He was told when to be at the rink, when to be at the airport, when to eat, when to sleep, when to do this and that...etc. etc.

And then it all ended. It was the sudden life change that came as a shock to him, not his lack of education. That can affect anyone in the general public. If I get laid off next week, we're laying off 500 employee's, it's up to me to ensure I'm prepared for such situations, which I am.

A lot less depression - "depression amounting to less, a lot less, then before"
- 1970vintage

every hockey player is depressed, that's why we have to worry about their feelings.

every hockey player is depressed, that's why we have to worry about their feelings.
- A_SteamingLombardi

https://pbs.twimg.com/twe...video/CP7ubgIXAAAb3TQ.mp4

I think you would see a lot less depression from former players if they have something to fall back on. Another focus. Life isn't just hockey no matter how much you want it to be.
- thundachunk

Its all to do with concussions and this I know personally. Its no shock that its for the most part related to guys who dropped the mits for a living...

I didn't say it was a bad move..... I said if it doesn't work out its fair to begrudge him because of that. It was a good risk to take, as was Baertschi and Sutter and markstrom over Lack and Clendening etc. But some of those moves need to turn out for him to show his rep as a talent evaluator is correct.

It's all good man,

- belcherbd

Good point. People just have to keep it real. Benning is in a position where he had to take some risks... it is acceptable to miss on a few risks... thats why they call them risks. He needs nail a few to wash out the ones that didnt pan out... for that we wait.

I really can't think of a perfect comparable. He's more physical then Krieder and nastier. And as u said better shooter.
Like a Landeskog/Perry hybrid.
- Bieksa#3

Evander Kane??

Its all to do with concussions and this I know personally. Its no shock that its for the most part related to guys who dropped the mits for a living...
- mauryballstein

Its all to do with concussions.... wow. To think hockey players can't suffer depression from all the same reasons as everyone else is laughable... just from concussions.... and you know this too personally.... even more wow.

Benning gave up a 2nd round pick for a young AVAILABLE player in the age group that made him NHL ready, or seemingly. He was trying to bridge a gap of talent that was left void by previous managers. How is that a bad thing???

Giving up a 2nd round pick when you have two 1st's and another high 2nd is not something to begrudge a manager for....forest for the trees scenario. When the organization is void of any talent you try to fill that void, without ignoring the draft, which he didn't.

He's screwed with you people if he does something and he's screwed if he does nothing LOL...he drafted three quality prospects in the 2014 draft before he would have made the pick he used for Vey.
- LeftCoaster

I never liked the trade and would have been stoked to McKeon. Who might be our best D prospect if we had taken him...

Its all to do with concussions.... wow. To think hockey players can't suffer depression from all the same reasons as everyone else is laughable... just from concussions.... and you know this too personally.... even more wow.

- boonerbuck

As in concussions lead to depression. I dont know what laughable about the statement?? If youve never had one or multiple you wouldnt understand how bad they (frank) you up.

Evander Kane??
- mauryballstein

There's some feelings to worry about.

thanks for the explanation - I'd be lost without your brain-power!!

Funny enough...Gary Valk just spoke on 1040 about this the other day, it was all started when they were talking about Todd Ewen's suicide.

Gary said his wife could see him spiraling downhill shortly after his career ended so she called to get him help, and he was a college guy.

He said it wasn't because of a lack of an education, because he had one, it was from everything he'd ever known as an adult was suddenly gone and it wasn't really his choice. He was told when to be at the rink, when to be at the airport, when to eat, when to sleep, when to do this and that...etc. etc.

And then it all ended. It was the sudden life change that came as a shock to him, not his lack of education. That can affect anyone in the general public. If I get laid off next week, we're laying off 500 employee's, it's up to me to ensure I'm prepared for such situations, which I am.
- LeftCoaster

Just saying its an issue and being prepared for its eventuality is a smart way to go. I work my job like I could be laid off at any time because the reality is that its inevitable.

As in concussions lead to depression. I dont know what laughable about the statement?? If youve never had one or multiple you wouldnt understand how bad they (frank) you up.
- mauryballstein

Right, but Booner's point is that you can get just as (frank)ed up by your wife saying "I (frank)ed Kesler last night"

IMO McCann is making a case for getting rid of Vey. I'll never begrudge Benning for trying with Vey, he's talented for sure, that said, when someone comes along and proves better....you make the adjustments needed.
- LeftCoaster

This is the 100% best comment.


I am very happy Benning tried something different. Even if it fails and you learn by mistakes, at least he tried.

Great post Lefty

theScore ‏@theScore · 14m14 minutes ago
VIDEO: Nationals' Jonathan Papelbon attacks, and appears to choke Bryce Harper in the dugout. http://thesco.re/1KYOihv

Just saying its an issue and being prepared for its eventuality is a smart way to go. I work my job like I could be laid off at any time because the reality is that its inevitable.
- thundachunk

I agree that most guys in pro sports don't do enough to prepare themselves for life after sports. And...their unions don't do enough to help them with that transition.

Troy Brouwer/Joel Ward in their prime is still what I think we get, which is a valuable and effective player.
- belcherbd

Brouwer has no hands. He's a physical version of higgins

I never liked the trade and would have been stoked to McKeon. Who might be our best D prospect if we had taken him...
- mauryballstein

You don't know who they'd have picked and they needed players now...not four years down the road. At least that's my take on the situation.

theScore ‏@theScore · 14m14 minutes ago
VIDEO: Nationals' Jonathan Papelbon attacks, and appears to choke Bryce Harper in the dugout. http://thesco.re/1KYOihv


- LeftCoaster

Those to bumholes deserve each other. Throw in Bautista and you have the 3 biggest egos in the sport.

Evander Kane??
- mauryballstein

But with a functioning brain

I agree that most guys in pro sports don't do enough to prepare themselves for life after sports. And...their unions don't do enough to help them with that transition.
- LeftCoaster

It goes to what you said before your whole life is hockey right down to when you eat. Then bam cut off with no preparation.