Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Draft Prospect Jakub Zboril, Cody Hodgson's Buyout? As former Canucks' assistant coach Mike Sullivan leads the list of candidates to take over as head of the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, a look at draft prospect Jakub Zboril and examining the terms of ex-Canuck Cody Hodgson's possible buyout.

I definitely think Hodgson's horrendous season was an outlier because of a bad team plus bad coach. Lots of players have bad seasons. The problem with Hodgson is that even if he regains his form to become a 20 goal 40-45pt player his defense is so awful there is just no room for him on the Sabres (hard to believe right?). We have a very, very young team with tons of offensive upside. With a very young team you are going to expect a lot of young mistakes, mostly in the form of defensive miscues. Young kids need defensively responsible vets around them to both teach them how to develop that game (which comes around later for them) and also to bail them out when they make those mistakes. Not only can Hodgeson not do that...but he needs bailing out more than anyone else. Put him with a quality 2-way center and I think he'll be just fine.

But as you noted, being on the edge of a 1/3 or 2/3 buyout. Sabres need to hedge their bets and get it done. The risk is not worth the additional $1 million cap hit per season. And, as I noted, even if he does rebound he's still got his problems.

Interesting find on the buyout detail for a younger player, it does ring a bell now that you mention it.

700K over 8 years isn't too bad I guess but I won't be surprised if Hodgson still ends up being an NHLer whether that is for Buf or another team.

I also think they could flip him for a small return to a team like the Coyotes who need to get to the cap floor somehow.

If they don't get a 2nd they pretty well need to go D with #23. However JB say's BPA.

I definitely think Hodgson's horrendous season was an outlier because of a bad team plus bad coach. Lots of players have bad seasons. The problem with Hodgson is that even if he regains his form to become a 20 goal 40-45pt player his defense is so awful there is just no room for him on the Sabres (hard to believe right?). We have a very, very young team with tons of offensive upside. With a very young team you are going to expect a lot of young mistakes, mostly in the form of defensive miscues. Young kids need defensively responsible vets around them to both teach them how to develop that game (which comes around later for them) and also to bail them out when they make those mistakes. Not only can Hodgeson not do that...but he needs bailing out more than anyone else. Put him with a quality 2-way center and I think he'll be just fine.

But as you noted, being on the edge of a 1/3 or 2/3 buyout. Sabres need to hedge their bets and get it done. The risk is not worth the additional $1 million cap hit per season. And, as I noted, even if he does rebound he's still got his problems.
- cornball

At times he looked pretty good in VAN, they were concerned with his 200' game.

I definitely think Hodgson's horrendous season was an outlier because of a bad team plus bad coach. Lots of players have bad seasons. The problem with Hodgson is that even if he regains his form to become a 20 goal 40-45pt player his defense is so awful there is just no room for him on the Sabres (hard to believe right?). We have a very, very young team with tons of offensive upside. With a very young team you are going to expect a lot of young mistakes, mostly in the form of defensive miscues. Young kids need defensively responsible vets around them to both teach them how to develop that game (which comes around later for them) and also to bail them out when they make those mistakes. Not only can Hodgeson not do that...but he needs bailing out more than anyone else. Put him with a quality 2-way center and I think he'll be just fine.

But as you noted, being on the edge of a 1/3 or 2/3 buyout. Sabres need to hedge their bets and get it done. The risk is not worth the additional $1 million cap hit per season. And, as I noted, even if he does rebound he's still got his problems.
- cornball

I still think Hodgson can be good. He played really well at world championships, and I think he would excel without some enforcer who has yet to score more than 10 points and some no namer as his line mates.

Buyout. Where are all the jokers who were pining for Hodgson now? Hopefully hanging their heads in shame.

No shame, still the worst trade that Gillis made while he was here.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Hodgson got horrible advice in the form of his father and his agent and ended up believing all the hype and press he got. The sad fact is we felt he was Trevor Linden II when really he was closer to Patrick White. Herein lies the danger of having someone who is too close to you with their own agenda making decisions and giving bad advice.

No shame, still the worst trade that Gillis made while he was here.
- 1970vintage

Kieth ballard says otherwise.

Kieth ballard says otherwise.
- classic321

Kieth ballard says otherwise.
- classic321

Meh

31 for Lack. Let's do it!!

Go!

If they don't get a 2nd they pretty well need to go D with #23. However JB say's BPA.
- VanHockeyGuy

Ottawa thinks they can get a Top 6 forward AND a second or 3rd round pick according to Bob Mackenzie for Lehner or Andersson




Just makes Vancouver's asking price all the more reasonable.

No shame, still the worst trade that Gillis made while he was here.

I agree with this for this simple reason: when Cody was traded he was having a fine season for us, providing secondary scoring on a team that struggled for it and a team which had a very real window for winning a Cup. Kassian provided us none of that when he arrived (or since). Our window soon passed so the performances afterward are irrelevant.

The amazing thing with Cody is not his issue with skating, as that is plain to see when watching him play, it's his overall lack commitment on the defensive end.

With how hard he supposedly works in the offseason, his commitment, effort level, and conditioning should never be an issue, you would think.

Trade itself turned out me for both teams.

I agree though the problem in the end wasn't the trade it was that we had what appeared to be an amazing asset on a cup run year and basically got magic beans for him. You gotta wonder what Hodgson and Schneider would have got together even to the Devils

Ottawa thinks they can get a Top 6 forward AND a second or 3rd round pick according to Bob Mackenzie for Lehner or Andersson




Just makes Vancouver's asking price all the more reasonable.
- classic321

If they are thinking that, what are they being offered?

Always wonder if that is the market for goaltenders or the market for just one goaltender?

Who has proven the most? I wouldn't mind if we hitched our wagon to Lack. Whoever goes, there isn't any real drop off in that position.

If they are thinking that, what are they being offered?

Always wonder if that is the market for goaltenders or the market for just one goaltender?

Who has proven the most? I wouldn't mind if we hitched our wagon to Lack. Whoever goes, there isn't any real drop off in that position.
- hillbillydeluxe

Well apparently leaf fans think Bernier is on the trading block, so the goalie market got even more competitive.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/b...gram-controversy-1.310876

http://deadspin.com/jonat...you-believe-hi-1711984150

I can't believe that cities fan base. It's embarrassing.

Well apparently leaf fans think Bernier is on the trading block, so the goalie market got even more competitive.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/b...gram-controversy-1.310876

http://deadspin.com/jonat...you-believe-hi-1711984150

I can't believe that cities fan base. It's embarrassing.
- classic321

Expecting to see some players on waivers before they are bought out, some one has to be on the move.

I think Cody needs better role models. Put Cody with Kessel on the other wing and Wellwood as center would do wonders for him.

It won't let me quote AlexF, but his last post is spot on.

It won't let me quote AlexF, but his last post is spot on.
- CubanBuffet

On a side note, ever since this site got a facelift quoting another post seems to me hit and miss.

Well apparently leaf fans think Bernier is on the trading block, so the goalie market got even more competitive.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/b...gram-controversy-1.310876

http://deadspin.com/jonat...you-believe-hi-1711984150

I can't believe that cities fan base. It's embarrassing.
- classic321

You have to wonder if he would be. Its the same boat as Lack, if youre not winning any time soon why not trade the best goalie you have for better assets? Reimer could carry that team to 12th in the east for the next few rebuild seasons

If they are thinking that, what are they being offered?

Always wonder if that is the market for goaltenders or the market for just one goaltender?

Who has proven the most? I wouldn't mind if we hitched our wagon to Lack. Whoever goes, there isn't any real drop off in that position.
- hillbillydeluxe

Anderson is a great goalie and seems to get even better the more clutch the situation becomes. He's getting older but hasn't shown it yet, like Miller has for example. I still remember his 50+ save performance for the Avs v SJ some years back. I swear about half of those 50 were from prime shooting positions (in the slot, point-blankers, etc).

If he's on the block he should net a solid return. Lehner shouldn't net more that a 2nd, which is the same valuation I'd give Lack.