i get what you are saying chompsey, I don't completely disagree with you. Just trying to shed some proper insight on why I think people don't want him re-signed, instead of just "let him walk, or trade his rights away for another pick". I imagine that is what other people are thinking, or their rationale on the situation.

From my point of view, if Edler signs, our top 4 is pretty much locked barring injuries. The biggest wildcard looks to be that 5/6 D position. I get that Hutton is a stop gap for a year, but it really depends on how much you see this team improving next year. Can Rafferty/Sautner/Schenn/Biega replace Hutton at a fraction of the cost, and could a taker like Ottawa (his hometown and a organization lacking in D), could we squeeze a 3rd or a 4th for a proven NHLer? I personally would love to see him replaced from within and gain a pick, all the while sign someone cheaper. We ain't winning the cup next year anyway
- Codes1087

Reasonable scenario. I'm just working under the assumption that he is staying as I feel that is likely what JB is thinking.

Guance, Hutton


- VanHockeyGuy

Hutton > Vantels wife > gym socks > Gaunce


and i hold Vantel's wife in the highest regard just so we are clear...

Reasonable scenario. I'm just working under the assumption that he is staying as I feel that is likely what JB is thinking.
- chompsey

Debatable

Debatable
- VanHockeyGuy

Word

Reasonable scenario. I'm just working under the assumption that he is staying as I feel that is likely what JB is thinking.
- chompsey

Hutton didn't have a great year, I think he had one really good year in a contract year, and he hasn't lived up to that contract since signing it. I just put Hutton in the same category as Gaunce/Pouliot/Granlund, guys who i would prefer and be happy if they just left and didn't worry about saving face by letting them walk for free.

ahhh, i missread you. I don't understand what you mean. Retain Salary on Hutton? You mean trade him mid-season after we qualify/sign him and retain salary on that?
- Codes1087

Yeah, sign him for whatever the lowest you can get him for now and just be ready to ship him off if one of our other guys proves capable of replacing him. It'd be a 1 year contract so no issues retaining salary if that's what it takes to get a pick or 2 for him.

Hutton didn't have a great year, I think he had one really good year in a contract year, and he hasn't lived up to that contract since signing it. I just put Hutton in the same category as Gaunce/Pouliot/Granlund, guys who i would prefer and be happy if they just left and didn't worry about saving face by letting them walk for free.
- Codes1087

I think he has more to give than those monkeys but thats just my opinion and I reserve the right to be wrong.....

Yeah, sign him for whatever the lowest you can get him for now and just be ready to ship him off if one of our other guys proves capable of replacing him. It'd be a 1 year contract so no issues retaining salary if that's what it takes to get a pick or 2 for him.
- NorthNuck

I think you and I have very different opinions on Huttons worth, both contractually, or on the trade market haha.

Yeah, sign him for whatever the lowest you can get him for now and just be ready to ship him off if one of our other guys proves capable of replacing him. It'd be a 1 year contract so no issues retaining salary if that's what it takes to get a pick or 2 for him.
- NorthNuck

You can’t walk away from the arbitration ruling and he could get a significant raise. Flip him for a pick prior to the draft as the last thing we need is a $3.5MM number 6 dman. Sign a vet for 1 year $1.5MM to play with Schenn.

I think you and I have very different opinions on Huttons worth, both contractually, or on the trade market haha.
- Codes1087

Northy has always had a crush on Hutton.

You can’t walk away from the arbitration ruling and he could get a significant raise. Flip him for a pick prior to the draft as the last thing we need is a $3.5MM number 6 dman. Sign a vet for 1 year $1.5MM to play with Schenn.
- CanuckDon

I also wouldn't have a problem with trading him before the draft, I just don't see us having any more top 6 Dmen and he still has room to grow so seems like a low risk signing even though it would be for too much.

I just question whether we can trust JB to make a decent deal at the draft

I think you and I have very different opinions on Huttons worth, both contractually, or on the trade market haha.
- Codes1087

Hutton at 50% retained would be worth a mid round pick or 2 in my mind, he's a proven NHL player, 26 years old.

I also wouldn't have a problem with trading him before the draft, I just don't see us having any more top 6 Dmen and he still has room to grow so seems like a low risk signing even though it would be for too much.

I just question whether we can trust JB to make a decent deal at the draft
- NorthNuck

It’s not a big concern either way. I’d just prefer a shake up personally

Hutton at 50% retained would be worth a mid round pick or 2 in my mind, he's a proven NHL player, 26 years old.
- NorthNuck

I imagine you could flip his rights to OTT ( Hutton's hometown team ), a team insanely thin for defensemen at both the NHL/AHL level, have them sign him a 2 or 3 year deal, and we would get as much if not more than retaining his salary and moving him mid season, just my opinion though.

Hutton at 50% retained would be worth a mid round pick or 2 in my mind, he's a proven NHL player, 26 years old.
- NorthNuck

If the arbitration deal is struck, I thought you can't trade a player for 1 year. This is why a lot of teams often sign a 1 year outside of arbitration.

It’s not a big concern either way. I’d just prefer a shake up personally
- CanuckDon

Understandable. I just get nervous looking at how weak this Free Agent class is in terms of Defense, don't think there's much out there.

I imagine you could flip his rights to OTT ( Hutton's hometown team ), a team insanely thin for defense man at both the NHL/AHL level, have them sign him a 2 or 3 year deal, and we would get as much if not more than retaining his salary and moving him mid season, just my opinion though.
- Codes1087

Also a good option

You can’t walk away from the arbitration ruling and he could get a significant raise. Flip him for a pick prior to the draft as the last thing we need is a $3.5MM number 6 dman. Sign a vet for 1 year $1.5MM to play with Schenn.
- CanuckDon

They have more than $10m committed to the 4th line (13th forward) and you’re worried about Huitton’s Arbitration award for one year?

They have more than $10m committed to the 4th line (13th forward) and you’re worried about Huitton’s Arbitration award for one year?
- 1970vintage

Yes I am. The fact our 4th line is overpaid is outside of anyone’s control. Compounding our cap problems is not

They have more than $10m committed to the 4th line (13th forward) and you’re worried about Huitton’s Arbitration award for one year?
- 1970vintage

I don't think that people are putting much thought into his potentional cap hit vintsy, as much as they are thinking there is a possibility to potentionally trade his rights for an asset and potentionally fill his role/spot with someone cheaper, and possibly younger at the same time. Canucks aren't winning a cup next year, so the cap implications on a 1 year contract count for next to nothing IMO.

Yes I am. The fact our 4th line is overpaid is outside of anyone’s control. Compounding our cap problems is not
- CanuckDon

I dont say it often, but i sure agree with Donny on this one. The only thing Hutton has proven himself to be is a liability unfortunately.

I don't think that people are putting much thought into his potentional cap hit vintsy, as much as they are thinking there is a possibility to potentionally trade his rights for an asset and potentionally fill his role/spot with someone cheaper, and possibly younger at the same time. Canucks aren't winning a cup next year, so the cap implications on a 1 year contract count for next to nothing IMO.
- Codes1087

If the Canucks are worried about his salary award in arbitration because he’s barely a top 6 defender who’s about to be over paid, and Rafferty et al. are a better/cheaper options is there a stupider GM (then Benning) who would give up a draft pick in order to acquire this problem?

That the fan base is so complacent about all the other bad deals because “there is nothing we can do about it now” and are getting so worked up about over paying one more guy is hilarious.

Yes I am. The fact our 4th line is overpaid is outside of anyone’s control. Compounding our cap problems is not
- CanuckDon

Sorry, we have cap problems now? I have it on good authority that the cap isn’t a problem, the Canucks have plenty of space now and in the future..

Sorry, we have cap problems now? I have it on good authority that the cap isn’t a problem, the Canucks have plenty of space now and in the future..
- 1970vintage

Cap matters. Grow up

If the Canucks are worried about his salary award in arbitration because he’s barely a top 6 defender who’s about to be over paid, and Rafferty et al. are a better/cheaper options is there a stupider GM (then Benning) who would give up a draft pick in order to acquire this problem?

That the fan base is so complacent about all the other bad deals because “there is nothing we can do about it now” and are getting so worked up about over paying one more guy is hilarious.
- 1970vintage

I truly don't care about his salary at the end of the day, and I don't think Donny, or anyone else wanting to go a different route is either. I think its more so about keeping him for the bottom pair, or thinking you can replace him and go in a different direction.

and to answer the bold above. Yes, I think so. Rutherford acquired Gudbranson while giving up someone who scored 9 goals in 19 games. Dorion is a moron. Paul Fenton is an idiot.