Not sure it was me referring to Pedan, I did point out that Gaunce was getting top minutes and playing all situations though.

I did say that the expectations for Pedan shouldn't be face punching, it's something he has done ( at the expense of multiple concussions) but that he has much more value as a puck mover with a great shot and big open ice hits.
- belcherbd

I think it was you, could be wrong, but I believe you pointed out he was getting top minutes, top pairing and the Comets were likely going to make the playoffs and it was all good experience for his development - no need for him to sit in the pressbox with the Canucks. Whatever it was you said, it sounded good to me.

agree on Pedan and his role in regards to fighting, I want him to be the nuclear deterrent that rarely to never has to drop the gloves.

Horvat. That is how we get a good young D...
Patience people, we need to address the D through the draft
- CanuckDon

I agree but at the same time I hope that it is also time to cut bait on the projects that haven't worked out. I hope Benning spends all that cap space trying new guys in the bottom half of our defense.

Yep, we have trouble playing against big teams that play a heavy game with lots of forechecking, getting on our dmen in the corners. If Pedan can handle it, that should be a step in the right direction.

Gaunce back in, shouldn't have been sent down, WD said he looked like he was ready at camp to be a regular.
- hillbillydeluxe

I have enjoyed watching Virtanen and McCann in the NHL this year but for an organization claiming young players need to earn their roles, Gaunce should of been in the lineup ahead of them coming out of camp.

- Codes1087

For everyone complaining about how many centers are on Canucks, take a look at above roster. Outside of Benn the entire group of forwards are C.

Oh and great blog Carol. I was wondering what is taking you so long to speak your mind.

VAN sources say the #Caucks are trying to sign defenseman Nikita Tryamkin but are dealing with some cap issues.

— NEWS 1130 Sports (@NEWS1130Sports) March 3, 2016

- Codes1087

one of the reporters pointed out it was an emergency call up for Gaunce, replacing Hansen and his injured ribs. I guess that has some sort of cap implications.

VAN sources say the #Caucks are trying to sign defenseman Nikita Tryamkin but are dealing with some cap issues.

— NEWS 1130 Sports (@NEWS1130Sports) March 3, 2016

- Codes1087

Cap doesn't matter when you are retooling/rebuilding

I agree but at the same time I hope that it is also time to cut bait on the projects that haven't worked out. I hope Benning spends all that cap space trying new guys in the bottom half of our defense.
- belcherbd

Pedan, Teyamkin and Larsson is a fair bit of change...we will see if it makes us better

double edged sword.

Do you want to let a sulking jerk playing, while probably letting his +/- get worse and worse but not allowing a kid to play.

OR

Bench him for his contract year while his stats are bad and let the kids show what they can do for the final 20 ish games?
- Codes1087

Shut him down, let the kids play. If it effects the cap then put him on LTIR. Like I said yesterday, let him call 1040 if his pissed about he's ice time.

Shut him down, let the kids play. If it effects the cap then put him on LTIR. Like I said yesterday, let him call 1040 if his pissed about his ice time.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I think we all know he is pissed regardless lol. I just want a top 5 pick soo bad, I don't really care. If WD ends up giving Vrbata half the games until the end of the season, and the other half to kids, that would be ideal.

Been to both but im not talking the city life or scenery im talkin hockey.....Stamkos is going to want to play for a contender which none of us are...I asked you guys a few days ago about what direction your team wants to go in and no one answers....you really think Stamkos is gonna go to Vancouver? Really? nothing against the city this is a hockey discussion...if you are Benning how do you sell your team to Stamkos? and dont say money because lots of teams could line up with cash for him and ill also add USD > CAD
- RatedR80

This might come as a revelation to you but all NHL contracts are in USD. And speaking of which, all players that are money savvy should look North for a contract. It is an instant 40% pay bump. So if he signs here for 10/ then in Cad he is actually getting 14/ season. Just saying.

Pedan, Teyamkin and Larsson is a fair bit of change...we will see if it makes us better
- CanuckDon

Yup, can't be much worse than Bart, Weber and Sbisa, still hope those guys you mentioned are battling each other for the 7/8 spots and not the 4/5/6.

I have enjoyed watching Virtanen and McCann in the NHL this year but for an organization claiming young players need to earn their roles, Gaunce should of been in the lineup ahead of them coming out of camp.
- belcherbd

I wasn't against sending the kids back, either or both.

Heard it suggested McCann could end up in Utica next season, sounds like we should expect some drama if that is the case.

Ready to play in the NHL this year but not next?

i was thinking of the Draisitl situation with Edmonton last season, they sent him back, McCann didnt get sent back, largely I'm assuming because Sutter was injured, and not because McCann was ready... and some injuries to potential callups from Utica too.


JV has looked like he belongs of late.

Pedan, Teyamkin and Larsson is a fair bit of change...we will see if it makes us better
- CanuckDon

I doubt it makes them better, but puts in a situation like Hutton where people will live with his mistakes. You just hope that they learn from them and not be a Schultz...

I wasn't against sending the kids back, either or both.

Heard it suggested McCann could end up in Utica next season, sounds like we should expect some drama if that is the case.

Ready to play in the NHL this year but not next?

i was thinking of the Draisitl situation with Edmonton last season, they sent him back, McCann didnt get sent back, largely I'm assuming because Sutter was injured, and not because McCann was ready... and some injuries to potential callups from Utica too.
- hillbillydeluxe

I understand why McCann was kept up, we needed a centre and the goal was still to make the playoffs. I really hope that if he isn't ready next year he goes to Utica, ditto with Jake.

This mgmt shouldn't be worried about PR, let the kids develop naturally the rest will work itself out, unfortunately I think they spend way too much time trying appease the fans.

Yup, I've been looking forward to him getting an opportunity for a while now, I really hope he is given enough rope to get comfortable a la Etem, Vey, Baertschi.
- belcherbd

Yup, nothing to lose at this point.

so 3 of 4 of those are good. Notice there are no STINKER moves. Makes him look good.

Every GM wins some loses some....so with his % hes doing awesome if you judge by that alone.
- SMBDragon

Benning's biggest downfall is his pedigree. Everyone around the league knows that he is a Rink Rat and has an eye for talent. If he counters any offer and asks for another prospect I am sure that GM will be going back to look as to why and will be extremely hesitant to move that said prospect.

I understand why McCann was kept up, we needed a centre and the goal was still to make the playoffs. I really hope that if he isn't ready next year he goes to Utica, ditto with Jake.

This mgmt shouldn't be worried about PR, let the kids develop naturally the rest will work itself out, unfortunately I think they spend way too much time trying appease the fans.
- belcherbd

Could very well happen with the kids in Utica.
Much has to do with who replaces them.
Figuring Prust n Vrbata r gone n idk if UFA's r very interesting plugs.
Those holes need to be filled with someone n the way FA is its hard to say
he is a realist n dreams of the playoffs still instead of doing whats needed.

I understand why McCann was kept up, we needed a centre and the goal was still to make the playoffs. I really hope that if he isn't ready next year he goes to Utica, ditto with Jake.

This mgmt shouldn't be worried about PR, let the kids develop naturally the rest will work itself out, unfortunately I think they spend way too much time trying appease the fans.
- belcherbd

the fans, media and management, pressure from all sides. they are under a microscope, can't imagine this market going full tank and the empty seats...

whole heartedly agree with letting the kids develop at their own speed, I hate saying Toronto is doing it right, but keeping a kid like Nylander in the AHL can't hurt a club that isn't pushing to make the playoffs.

Benning's biggest downfall is his pedigree. Everyone around the league knows that he is a Rink Rat and has an eye for talent. If he counters any offer and asks for another prospect I am sure that GM will be going back to look as to why and will be extremely hesitant to move that said prospect.
- Linden_4_Capt

So he has them shakin in their boots? 😂😂

the fans, media and management, pressure from all sides. they are under a microscope, can't imagine this market going full tank and the empty seats...

whole heartedly agree with letting the kids develop at their own speed, I hate saying Toronto is doing it right, but keeping a kid like Nylander in the AHL can't hurt a club that isn't pushing to make the playoffs.
- hillbillydeluxe

Well in the AHL he is pampered with ice time.
In the bigs he has to earn it n its not easy for his size.
Babs doesn't like players not committed nor able to
handle the NHL rigors. Lots for him to work on still.


AHL proven n NHL ready r not one n the same.

the fans, media and management, pressure from all sides. they are under a microscope, can't imagine this market going full tank and the empty seats...

whole heartedly agree with letting the kids develop at their own speed, I hate saying Toronto is doing it right, but keeping a kid like Nylander in the AHL can't hurt a club that isn't pushing to make the playoffs.
- hillbillydeluxe

bookmarked

Well in the AHL he is pampered with ice time.
In the bigs he has to earn it n its not easy for his size.
Babs doesn't like players not committed nor able to
handle the NHL rigors. Lots for him to work on still.


AHL proven n NHL ready r not one n the same.
- Nighthawk

for the record, I haven't said he is NHL ready (I hope I ddn't say that) just it is good for him to develop in the AHL.... gm's shouldn't forget about players rushed into the NHL like Gilbert Brule...

no lineups yet...

Well in the AHL he is pampered with ice time.
In the bigs he has to earn it n its not easy for his size.
Babs doesn't like players not committed nor able to
handle the NHL rigors. Lots for him to work on still.


AHL proven n NHL ready r not one n the same.
- Nighthawk

You don't think he earned his ice time in the AHL?

He has dominated in the AHL as an 18/19 year old and one of the top leagues in Europe as a 17 year which like you said means nothing in the NHL but there really isn't any more he can prove in other leagues.

bookmarked
- Tumbleweed

Babcock with apparent message to #Leafs Nylander and Kapanen: “If you’re not going to compete, it doesn’t matter how much skill you have."

I understand why McCann was kept up, we needed a centre and the goal was still to make the playoffs. I really hope that if he isn't ready next year he goes to Utica, ditto with Jake.

This mgmt shouldn't be worried about PR, let the kids develop naturally the rest will work itself out, unfortunately I think they spend way too much time trying appease the fans.
- belcherbd

exactly. let the kids develop naturally. just b/c 1 or 2 have shown that they can handle a bigger role does not mean that all the prospects will react similarly. there is no need to put young developing players in situations that they might not be ready to handle.

this should not be sink or swim. give the kids time time in the shallow end before throwing them in the ocean. let's remember that this is going to be a multi year turn around. there is no need for incremental growth at the expense of long term development.

that goes for d as well as forwards.