Trading a player because he's a good player on a bad team just for the hell of it seems silly to me. I understand why it could help the team but throwing him away because he's useful is very much a tactic of the tank culture teams.
- NorthNuck

It's not throwing a player away, its trading for a pick or prospect. The two biggest "tank culture" teams in the league: Buffalo and the Leaves look like pretty great lineups right now after two years of tanking. I'd take either one of those lineups going forward over ours in a heartbeat. They are going to be contending teams (particularly Buffalo as Ristolinen appears to be the real deal).

I understand the logic but I see what you mean, but I honestly think Hansen holds multi year value to this team, whereas most seem to think the opposite. I guess for me I would wait until the TDL and hopefully Granlund or Gaunce has established themself and forced management to trade Hansen in order to keep them. If not, keep him around, he's the swiss army knife of hockey players and I would want him on my team.
- NorthNuck

Which is why you trade him now.

Also, it's not that he is seen as having little value but rather the exact opposite, which again, is why you trade him now.

By the way, he's easily one of my favourite players on this team.

But if you want an even better team next year let them compete for those spots and Hansen would be motivation. He's fine to play on the 3rd line all year, move up in the case of injuries, and keep guys honest so they know their spots aren't guaranteed.
- NorthNuck

Hansen is a fail-safe play for any coach. Need a goal? Put Hansen with the twins. Need some defense? Put Hansen out there. The team wont be very competitive the next few years, so I say give the kids a longer leash.

Horvat was way over his head at the beginning of last year, but by the end of it, he was solid and has great confidence in his moves to the net this year. Sedin's, Louie are there to help, but Sven will be in his 3rd season, Virtanen his 3rd, it will be time for them to take on a bigger role IMO

Can't argue with that and plus they missed where the NHL was trending ...
- Nuck4U

Just look at Ottawa with Szinbingel and NYR with Budnekevich, speed demons who are young that either honed their craft in the AHL or a speed skilled guy in Russia. Surprised Benning hasn't taken more chances on skilled Russians

I think you are looking to far into the future. What makes you think that Hansen survives the expansion draft if you don't protect him. IF you protect him, you are leaving Baertschi/Rodin/Burrows/Granlund/Gaunce exposed. 4 of those players are under 24.
- Codes1087

Even if you protect Hansen you have 1 slot open to protect Baertschi. Like i said before, if Granlund or Gaunce can truely establish themselves I'd be much more on board with trading Hansen at the TDL in order to keep that guy around.

Trading a player because he's a good player on a bad team just for the hell of it seems silly to me. I understand why it could help the team but throwing him away because he's useful is very much a tactic of the tank culture teams.
- NorthNuck

That's one of the ways of building for the future.

How has hanging onto our aging players worked out so far?

It's not throwing a player away, its trading for a pick or prospect. The two biggest "tank culture" teams in the league: Buffalo and the Leaves look like pretty great lineups right now after two years of tanking. I'd take either one of those lineups going forward over ours in a heartbeat. They are going to be contending teams (particularly Buffalo as Ristolinen appears to be the real deal).
- neem55

But if you want an even better team next year let them compete for those spots and Hansen would be motivation. He's fine to play on the 3rd line all year, move up in the case of injuries, and keep guys honest so they know their spots aren't guaranteed.
- NorthNuck

This team will be sh*t again, next year.

That's one of the ways of building for the future.

How has hanging onto our aging players worked out so far?
- Marwood

I think it'd be easier for me to see if presented with an actual deal, I just meant that trading a guy away for the sake of trading a guy away seems illogical to me.

Exactly

What does a player like Hansen do for a team like Caps, Skarks, or Hawks?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Nothing. But there are a lot more teams in the NHL at the moment, 16 of which think they are going to go to the dance. Islanders, Flyers, Panthers, Hurricanes, Devils to name a few off the top of my head that could likely use a guy like Hansen.

- NorthNuck

What? Buffalo and Toronto have only picked in the top-5 and tanked for two or three years. The Leaves may have sucked for much longer than that, so to with Buffalo, but they haven't tanked until recently.

Chicago could never do this anyway unless it was a cap free world. But look at the talent that has been dealt or let go after a championship or just after an unsuccessful season.

Ladd, Brouwer, Byfuglien, Campbell, Saad, Shaw, Frolik, Bolland (yuck), Teurovainen, Sharp. Versteeg

That is a ton of talent that has been in and out of the lineup during the blackhawks last few Stanley cups.

Point is. Canucks need to identify their core, and start to get sell off aging assets for picks. The Blackhawks have been able to do this and remain competitive which is even more spectatular. Canucks have no expectations, they should be able to do make trades for the future without dealing those future players away. Critisize buffalo and Toronto all you want, it may not be the ideal model you would like to see the Canucks mimic, but looking at both of their rosters/prospects and then looking at ours, there is quite a big difference..

What? Buffalo and Toronto have only picked in the top-5 and tanked for two or three years. The Leaves may have sucked for much longer than that, so to with Buffalo, but they haven't tanked until recently.
- neem55

Alright I see what you mean. I guess I was thinking too much sucking=tanking

When I look around the league at teams that could seriously use Ryan Miller, 3 really stand out to me. Dallas, Nashville and Philly. All these teams have Stanley Cup dreams and Miller would help solve thier goaltending woes. Deal would have to be made closer to the trade deadline tho, esp with Philly, unless we take back a bad contract. BUT WE NEED MORE PICKS AND PROSPECTS!!!

Chicago could never do this anyway unless it was a cap free world. But look at the talent that has been dealt or let go after a championship or just after an unsuccessful season.

Ladd, Brouwer, Byfuglien, Campbell, Saad, Shaw, Frolik, Bolland (yuck), Teurovainen, Sharp. Versteeg

That is a ton of talent that has been in and out of the lineup during the blackhawks last few Stanley cups.

Point is. Canucks need to identify their core, and start to get sell off aging assets for picks. The Blackhawks have been able to do this and remain competitive which is even more spectatular. Canucks have no expectations, they should be able to do make trades for the future without dealing those future players away. Critisize buffalo and Toronto all you want, it may not be the ideal model you would like to see the Canucks mimic, but looking at both of their rosters/prospects and then looking at ours, there is quite a big difference..
- Codes1087

I think the problem there is that our core today is not really a core. We have a few talented old players and some young guys who MIGHT be part of the future core. Nothing to build on right now.

When I look around the league at teams that could seriously use Ryan Miller, 3 really stand out to me. Dallas, Nashville and Philly. All these teams have Stanley Cup dreams and Miller would help solve thier goaltending woes. Deal would have to be made closer to the trade deadline tho, esp with Philly, unless we take back a bad contract. BUT WE NEED MORE PICKS AND PROSPECTS!!!
- bigpetar

When I look around the league at teams that could seriously use Ryan Miller, 3 really stand out to me. Dallas, Nashville and Philly. All these teams have Stanley Cup dreams and Miller would help solve thier goaltending woes. Deal would have to be made closer to the trade deadline tho, esp with Philly, unless we take back a bad contract. BUT WE NEED MORE PICKS AND PROSPECTS!!!
- bigpetar

and Carolina, Islanders (looks like right now), Winnipeg, Calgary, Maybe even anahiem if we retain enough salary.

Edit: Miller to anahiem for Bernier and a pick might make sense, Bernier is garbage but in his last year anyway.

I think the problem there is that our core today is not really a core. We have a few talented old players and some young guys who MIGHT be part of the future core. Nothing to build on right now.
- NorthNuck

It's true. Boeser, JV, Bo, Juolevi, Stech, Hutt all need time to become those types of players. None of them (maybe Bo) are really foundation guys yet

I think you are looking to far into the future. What makes you think that Hansen survives the expansion draft if you don't protect him. IF you protect him, you are leaving Baertschi/Rodin/Burrows/Granlund/Gaunce exposed. 4 of those players are under 24.
- Codes1087

You might be a few players off there....

Burr is a non factor no contract not qualified

Rodin has to play 40 games to qualify and by the looks of it he doesn't seem likely

Baertchi fits into the numbers game they only need to protect 3 D Edler, Tanev... if still here and Guddy.

That leaves either Hanson, Guance or Granlund.... why a TDL trade seems likely to a contender for top value for Hanson to protect Guance or Gran.... though side deals with Vegas can always be made

Sweet HB got me through another day of work. Now to go home and watch...

When I look around the league at teams that could seriously use Ryan Miller, 3 really stand out to me. Dallas, Nashville and Philly. All these teams have Stanley Cup dreams and Miller would help solve thier goaltending woes. Deal would have to be made closer to the trade deadline tho, esp with Philly, unless we take back a bad contract. BUT WE NEED MORE PICKS AND PROSPECTS!!!
- bigpetar

Not sure how much Miller's St Louis experience spoils his playoff reputation around the league, but Dallas is a team that cannot afford another goaltender. Nashville is Rinne or bust, and Philly actually has had really good numbers with their tandem last year. They would be the ones I could see making a move, but I dont think they are pushing that strongly this year to make a move

I would trade him today if I could. He is probably close to peak value right now and this team is nowhere near a playoff team. Trade him for picks or young players or both. Same with Tanev.
- Marwood

Doesn't get enough credit that was legendary.... took a late heavy hit and first to jump in with a broken rib to defend Danny on Kadri dirty hit... wow. Can you imagine the play and hype it would get if this was a Leaf or North American player?
- Nuck4U

Don Cherry wouldn't be able to keep his lips off him.

Don Cherry wouldn't be able to keep his lips off him.
- we_are_all_canucks

On-air blowjob. Is that elder abuse?

It's not throwing a player away, its trading for a pick or prospect. The two biggest "tank culture" teams in the league: Buffalo and the Leaves look like pretty great lineups right now after two years of tanking. I'd take either one of those lineups going forward over ours in a heartbeat. They are going to be contending teams (particularly Buffalo as Ristolinen appears to be the real deal).
- neem55

These teams have sucked for years. They supposedly tanked on purpose for Mcdavid.... guess how that worked out.

The Leafs tried again and got Mathews... so that gamble worked but at hat point they had no one left to play so was it a tank or a team that was just plain bad with zero hope to win. Now they are a bad team with hope.... so lots of years of sucking not a couple ....