I wasn't impressed with Tryamkin last night either, as Desjardins mentioned, he needs to pick up his intensity in a big way!!
- LeftCoaster

Hope he's willing to go to Utica.

Hope he's willing to go to Utica.
- VanHockeyGuy

I doubt it, but we'll have to wait and see. He can make a million in the KHL or 90 thousand in the AHL. Just guessing!

I think Etem should be on waivers asap, and assigned to Utica.
I think he would clear easily at this point, but maybe not as the season gets closer...

I'd rather see Ruutu as the 13th forward at this point. He's more versatile and looks hungry for a job. Plus, if his effectiveness fades, he's fairly disposable, would likely clear waivers or if he does get claimed he was a surprise, free asset anyways, so no loss.

On defense, Sbisa has to go. Somehow.
They could use his contract spot to sign Ruutu and still have 2 spots open.
Stetcher has made a strong case to stay and Pedan deserves a job here more than Sbisa at this point. Here's hoping Benning can somehow get rid of Sbisa and bring some clarity to the D picture, because right now there is a $3.6mil/year roadblock making a mess of things.
- Vanoxy

Carol is right, we don't have enough contract spots for a PTO right now. We need those spots open for potential trades. Unless we buy somebody out of course

Great Blog Carol.

Go Flames.
- DuranDuran

"Is Stetcher better than Larsen"

From Kuzma's article in the paper today.


It’s the storyline that won’t go away, and a one-word summation by Desjardins only fuelled the roster speculation fire Monday. When asked if his expected third defensive pairing is set — Luca Sbisa to provide the muscle and Philip Larsen the power play creativity — he didn’t hesitate.

“No,” said Desjardins. “(Troy) Stecher has thrown a wrench into it — we didn’t expect him to be in that (competitive) spot yet and he’s played well. We’ll have eight defencemen but then it’s which six are playing, and there are two battles going on in that.”

The obvious one is Stecher versus Larsen. You could argue that Stecher would be a raw NHL rookie and better off in Utica for now. Or that he’s done everything to make the team. He’s been good at both ends of the ice, is feisty and his gap control was better Monday. Larsen was quiet.
- LeftCoaster

Stetcher has been better but I think it would be a mistake if he starts in the NHL. Give Larsen a legit shot before you fire him on waivers. Let's see what he can do with more structure and a 15 game sample size.

I doubt it, but we'll have to wait and see. He can make a million in the KHL or 90 thousand in the AHL. Just guessing!
- LeftCoaster

I don't really care one way or another. If he spends another year in the KHL that's fine, we still hold his NHL rights. Pencil him in for next years lineup when he has a little more experience.

I don't really care one way or another. If he spends another year in the KHL that's fine, we still hold his NHL rights. Pencil him in for next years lineup when he has a little more experience.
- CanuckDon

or be smart and tow the company line by going to Utica for the short-term, and when the inevitable injuries happen, but right there to be called up and secure your spot in the bigs.

I don't really care one way or another. If he spends another year in the KHL that's fine, we still hold his NHL rights. Pencil him in for next years lineup when he has a little more experience.
- CanuckDon

He would be better off in Utica development wise. Then there's the $ issue. Try to talk him into a 3 month assignment.

He would be better off in Utica development wise. Then there's the $ issue. Try to talk him into a 3 month assignment.
- VanHockeyGuy

I am sure they will speak to him about it I am just saying if he refuses it's not the end of the world. At this stage he isn't better than Sbisa, Stetcher, Pedan or Larsen.

Carol is right, we don't have enough contract spots for a PTO right now. We need those spots open for potential trades. Unless we buy somebody out of course
- CanuckDon

Correct... which is why I addressed that issue in the third paragraph of the post you quoted.

Correct... which is why I addressed that issue in the third paragraph of the post you quoted.
- Vanoxy

Where is Sbisa going? They aren't going to buy him out

It will be interesting to see how Jake handles Utica if he's indeed assigned there to start the season.
- golfingsince

Is he going to get any preseason games or is he still day to day ?

Where is Sbisa going? They aren't going to buy him out
- CanuckDon

To our 3rd pairing...

Where is Sbisa going? They aren't going to buy him out
- CanuckDon

trade him out east somewhere: Boston, Carolina, Florida, NJ could all use some help on D.

Is he going to get any preseason games or is he still day to day ?
- Redmile247

Only Jake knows....it's a shame, I think he may have earned a spot with Bae and Horvat if he was healthy.

trade him out east somewhere: Boston, Carolina, Florida, NJ could all use some help on D.
- dbot

I am not sure he is tradable at this stage. Team Europe chose to use two players in front of him that can't even get an NHL contract. He will need to play and play well to become a tradable asset.

I am not sure he is tradable at this stage. Team Europe chose to use two players in front of him that can't even get an NHL contract. He will need to play and play well to become a tradable asset.
- CanuckDon

Ok, so he's not in the top 6 Defencemen for some random European countries.
He still has value.

Only Jake knows....it's a shame, I think he may have earned a spot with Bae and Horvat if he was healthy.
- CanuckDon

If that's the case than he really has no choice but to go to Utica until he is healthy and in game shape ...it's not like he isn't the first call up

Carol I think this is your best blog ever. Flames rule Canucks Drool.
- DuranDuran

Flagged for being to over the top

I don't think generalfanager's contract number is correct. Their total of 48 seems to include Sheppard, who does not have a regular contract. The total also includes Brisebois and Juolevi, who both have been sent back to juniors. Their contracts should "slide" and therefore should not count. I think the real total is 45, which gives the Canucks room to sign additional players if they wish.

trade him out east somewhere: Boston, Carolina, Florida, NJ could all use some help on D.
- dbot

Why would they take on his cap hit ...probably cheaper options to fill what he would bring

I don't think generalfanager's contract number is correct. Their total of 48 seems to include Sheppard, who does not have a regular contract. The total also includes Brisebois and Juolevi, who both have been sent back to juniors. Their contracts should "slide" and therefore should not count. I think the real total is 45, which gives the Canucks room to sign additional players if they wish.
- bryndog

Good to know

Why would they take on his cap hit ...probably cheaper options to fill what he would bring
- Redmile247

Correct, if he had value he would likely be gone already. Personally, I don't mind Sbisa

I don't think generalfanager's contract number is correct. Their total of 48 seems to include Sheppard, who does not have a regular contract. The total also includes Brisebois and Juolevi, who both have been sent back to juniors. Their contracts should "slide" and therefore should not count. I think the real total is 45, which gives the Canucks room to sign additional players if they wish.
- bryndog

Thanks - I think you're right about this.

CapFriendly says the Canucks are at 45 contracts and notes that Juolevi and Brisebois are both exempt from the 50-contract limit.

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/canucks

That could change things...

Correct, if he had value he would likely be gone already. Personally, I don't mind Sbisa
- CanuckDon

I don't know. With the WCH happening, and other teams wanting to see what they have, trades might not be exactly guaranteed.
I think it's entirely possible to start talking trade with NJ or Fla once the season starts and players have cleared waivers, been injured, or whatever.

I don't mind Sbisa either btw.
But with the log jam we have, something has to give.