Not necessarily disagreeing but I think they expect Goldy and Pettersson to play out the entire year in Van. Nobody cares about Mottes ice time, he'll never make the NHL.

No reason not to have as many kids as you can in Utica, if you want them to play together in Van eventually, let them build chemistry now
- NorthNuck

i dont care about motte's icetime either, but the coaches will. they play to win and thats why guys like boucher, chaput, megna keep getting contracts, so they can help the ahl team be successful

the problem with all of them being there is only 5 guys can play at a time, only 2 powerplay units, etc. we saw it in the playoffs this year, lind didnt play, dahlen was scratched

I also sem to remember this being something he said.
- neem55

He wants to taste test the IKEA food in Utica before committing

He does. And he did say that. But this way he gets to keep his options open.
- Nucker101

Understandable, I don't really see an issue. I know people make a big deal out of the smaller ice but I don't think it'll be too big of a barrier for him

It is as useful as tits on a bull seeing he will be playing in Vancouver
- VANTEL

Agreed

It is as useful as tits on a bull seeing he will be playing in Vancouver
- VANTEL

Better hope we find someone else who can play center in this franchise because a Horvat-Gaudette 1-2 punch ain't winning a meat giveaway.

Utica doesn't have much returning in terms of anything worth while. You get all those guys on that team if you can. Healthy scratches in the AHL are more of a tool because of the strange schedule. So you can sit guys when you have a 3 in 3 or a 5 in 7.

And with the Canucks roster there is going to be a lot of open spots, plus injuries, plus why not rotate some guys through? Give guys a limited taste. "Hey pal, its your week with the big club"

Sending him back to Finland would be a waste of a contract spot under the 50 limit. You generally don't give guys one of those spots and then not have them in NA. The team will probably be pushing 45+ contracts by the time camp rolls around.
- Lindenis#1

the team had like 45+ contracts all last year with juolevi and dahlen on loan and it had zero effect on them making deals. they have plenty of time and space to keep a buffer, that part is entirely a non-issue

the team had like 45+ contracts all last year with juolevi and dahlen on loan and it had zero effect on them making deals. they have plenty of time and space to keep a buffer, that part is entirely a non-issue
- johnnykarate

48 or 49 most of the year.

Having more flexibility isn't a bad thing when you should be trying to rebuild.

He wants to taste test the IKEA food in Utica before committing
- Nucker101

Seems smart that like you said he want options, makes a lot of sense. From a development standpoint not much left to be done in the SHL though

Seems smart that like you said he want options, makes a lot of sense. From a development standpoint not much left to be done in the SHL though
- neem55

Fully agree.

I'm sure he'll need tome to adjust to a new lifestyle and style of play over here, but eventually his speed, skill and hockey sense will shine through.

i dont care about motte's icetime either, but the coaches will. they play to win and thats why guys like boucher, chaput, megna keep getting contracts, so they can help the ahl team be successful

the problem with all of them being there is only 5 guys can play at a time, only 2 powerplay units, etc. we saw it in the playoffs this year, lind didnt play, dahlen was scratched
- johnnykarate

With good reason, you gotta earn those minutes. Nobody gets minutes because of where they were drafted unless the team is poorly managed. EP shouldn't be gifted a spot, but he looks good enough to earn one

48 or 49 most of the year.

Having more flexibility isn't a bad thing when you should be trying to rebuild.
- Lindenis#1

i dont disagree, but i think given the amount of contracts spots open heading into ufa and rfa signing season they should be able to manage the numbers heading into next season

Fully agree.
- Nucker101

Only benefit, and maybe actually the best thing, of going back to the SEL would sticking at center for a full season.

He isn't learning that over here and if he doesn't learn it soon chances are he won't at all.

Only benefit, and maybe actually the best thing, of going back to the SEL would sticking at center for a full season.

He isn't learning that over here and if he doesn't learn it soon chances are he won't at all.
- Lindenis#1

True


But I believe Elias Lindholm was drafted as a C out of the SHL by the Canes and mostly played as a W during his first few years in the league and now recently has gone back to playing C so it's not unheard of.

*bingo bat signal*

i dont disagree, but i think given the amount of contracts spots open heading into ufa and rfa signing season they should be able to manage the numbers heading into next season
- johnnykarate

Rough math I can see them around 42-ish easily. Depending on any trades or FA activity they could push 45-46.

You don't really want to be much higher than that. Injuries, a swaggy waiver claim, 2 for 1 trade, etc. Plus you want to sign your college class at the end of the year, any college FAs and they might sign their first rounder from this year before camp too.

With good reason, you gotta earn those minutes. Nobody gets minutes because of where they were drafted unless the team is poorly managed. EP shouldn't be gifted a spot, but he looks good enough to earn one
- neem55

agreed, it just becomes more difficult imo when youre talking ahl. need to balance opportunity to develop and time to do it, its tough for a kid to come in and take powerplay time from point per game ahlers while also trying to win games

Rough math I can see them around 42-ish easily. Depending on any trades or FA activity they could push 45-46.

You don't really want to be much higher than that. Injuries, a swaggy waiver claim, 2 for 1 trade, etc. Plus you want to sign your college class at the end of the year, any college FAs and they might sign their first rounder from this year before camp too.
- Lindenis#1

Rough math I can see them around 42-ish easily. Depending on any trades or FA activity they could push 45-46.

You don't really want to be much higher than that. Injuries, a swaggy waiver claim, 2 for 1 trade, etc. Plus you want to sign your college class at the end of the year, any college FAs and they might sign their first rounder from this year before camp too.
- Lindenis#1

I'd be okay with 47 or under.

Pettersson has a stipulation if he doesnt make the Canucks he goes back to sweden.
- phyllee

How stupid is Benning? I wish he would stop coddling these kids from Europe.

We don't need Gallant. We've got the best coaching staff ever. 🤺💯
- Pres.cup

I see the dog days of summer are creeping in.

How stupid is Benning? I wish he would stop coddling these kids from Europe.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I'd be okay with 47 or under.
- Nucker101

I'd say 47 should be the unofficial cap. 44-45 contracts + cap space would be a lot of fun for a proactive management team.

Time to sell off the franchise and move it.
- bloatedmosquito

I'm all for Vancouver getting a new expansion team.

How stupid is Benning? I wish he would stop coddling these kids from Europe.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Maybe Elias said I’m staying in Sweden for another year unless I have an out clause. Why do people always think negotiations are so black and white. Perhaps EP conceded elsewhere to gain the clause. Benning isn’t the only one involved in the negotiations and there are plenty of smart people in the Canucks org.

agreed, it just becomes more difficult imo when youre talking ahl. need to balance opportunity to develop and time to do it, its tough for a kid to come in and take powerplay time from point per game ahlers while also trying to win games
- johnnykarate

I mean that's the essence of development: you have to be patient and let guys actually improve at their own pace. Whether that's straight into the NHL or slowly earning minutes in the AHL.

Maybe Elias said I’m staying in Sweden for another year unless I have an out clause. Why do people always think negotiations are so black and white. Perhaps EP conceded elsewhere to gain the clause. Benning isn’t the only one involved in the negotiations and there are plenty of smart people in the Canucks org.
- CanuckDon

Ya I agree, after a year like that the player has a lot of leverage.