Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Jake Virtanen & Ronalds Kenins to NHLPA Rookie Showcase Jake Virtanen and Ronalds Kenins will take part in the NHLPA's Rookie Showcase in Toronto this September, Brandon Prust is skating in Canucks colours and a look back at the Sedins in their draft year.

When you think that Patrik Stefan was considered the other big prize of the 1999 draft, Brian Burke's maneuvering to bring the twins to Vancouver looks like an even savvier move.

Even fiancee Maripier Morin's Twitter is focused solely on her work stuff these days. -CS

Turned out to be the best move of the draft.

Might not be as cool for Prust's fiancée to have him playing for the Canucks than the Habs.,, What can you do? Habs traded him, wonder if he will have a chance to resign there as a ufa or it will be somewhere else like Vancouver and they will have a long distance relationship and reality show?

Did you see that Burkie quote? "They both skate well. All they need is maturity." Might of had that backwards.

That's Burke in a nutshell: pretty savvy until he actually starts talking. Come to think of it, that sounds like Benning as well, although the savvy part is still open to debate.

so Ronalds kenins is a top prospect ....interesting

surprised mccann wasnt sent instead of kenins.

surprised mccann wasnt sent instead of kenins.
- SMBDragon

Still injured and out of it?

Here's the NHLPA rookie showcase list:

The list of invitees, per the players’ union:

Connor McDavid (Oilers), Jack Eichel (Sabres), Dylan Strome (Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Maple Leafs), Noah Hanifin (Hurricanes), Ivan Barbashev (Blues), Chris Bigras (Avalanche), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Blue Jackets), Madison Bowey (Capitals), Connor Brown (Maple Leafs), Michael Dal Colle (Islanders), Nikolaj Ehlers (Jets), Robby Fabbri (Blues), Zach Fucale (Canadiens), Nikolay Goldobin (Sharks), Ryan Hartman (Blackhawks), Connor Hellebuyck (Jets), Julius Honka (Stars), Kasperi Kapanen (Maple Leafs), Ronalds Kenins (Canucks), Slater Koekkoek (Lightning), Dylan Larkin (Red Wings), Sonny Milano (Blue Jackets), Samuel Morin (Flyers), Mike Matheson (Panthers), Michael McCarron (Canadiens), Josh Morrissey (Jets), Brendan Perlini (Coyotes), Nic Petan (Jets), Emile Poirier (Flames), Shane Prince (Senators), Ryan Pulock (Islanders), John Quenneville (Devils), Mike Reilly (Wild), Nick Ritchie (Ducks), Travis Sanheim (Flyers), Mackenzie Skapski (Rangers), Brady Skjei (Rangers), Shea Theodore (Ducks) and Jake Virtanen (Canucks).

I think he is gonna be a good one! Seems to have speed and skill but also the sandpaper. A better version of Hansen!

Kenins that is

Shea Theodore....why didn't Benning ask for this kid in the Kesler transaction I'll never know...or maybe he did and they said "get bent"?

That's Burke in a nutshell: pretty savvy until he actually starts talking. Come to think of it, that sounds like Benning as well, although the savvy part is still open to debate.
- CubanBuffet

ya I think thats his job in calgary.....do your job and dont talk at all.

I remember him acquiring a guy in a trade or signing and telling the press this guy was the messiah....then everyone would laugh when it failed. The poor player that got caught up in it. If only he'd just say "well we'll see what he can contribute here" it'd be fine, not expectations of being jesus for the team, no crushed player, no laughing fan base.

just shut up burke.

Shea Theodore....why didn't Benning ask for this kid in the Kesler transaction I'll never know...or maybe he did and they said "get bent"?
- LeftCoaster

I know. To be honest I thought that would have been what the nucks wanted coming back. I would have been cool with a 1 for 1, if we couldnt have grinded out any other picks

Shea Theodore....why didn't Benning ask for this kid in the Kesler transaction I'll never know...or maybe he did and they said "get bent"?
- LeftCoaster

Yeah. Or any d other than Sbisa. He was scratched there before the trade. Hopefully he turns it around. His brain doesn't seem to want to make the right decision. If he can simplify he may be an alright 5-6. Too much money on the contract but o guess he fills in while we get some prospects and UFA's on D

Still injured and out of it?
- hillbillydeluxe

No he was apparently OK the day after.

and its not like theyre playing or anything

I know. To be honest I thought that would have been what the nucks wanted coming back. I would have been cool with a 1 for 1, if we couldnt have grinded out any other picks
- mauryballstein

dont know him.....whats the scoop on him?

Thanks for the blog, Carol. Definitely puts the Sedins in perspective around the league and specifically with their draft peers.
I could see the argument that Zettersberg is the best player drafted that year but I think Henrik ( Sedin of course) would get a fair number of votes as well.

Cont. from last blog

But how did we do on the trade? And what other players were available to the Sharks that they could have signed instead to address their needs?

My point, that I at least found interesting, teams are in different positions. Some are lucky to have younger players on lesser salaries filling needs and creating more cap space to pay a premium to others to fill other roles.

Show me a successful team where everyone is getting paid the right amount, no overpayments, and I'm guessing they have a unicorn as their mascot.
- hillbillydeluxe

I think as long as you are balancing out good deals with over-payments, a team will be successful at managing their assets well. A lot of that comes from being able to have young players on ELC or cheap contracts able to play significant roles.

For example
Bieksa is arguably overpaid at 4 million
Fowler is arguably a good deal at 4 million
Anh also has a number of players signed to deals that are potential for goodvalue. Haglin, Silvferberg, Santorelli, Stewart and even Horcoff.

There are very few contracts that have been signed recently by Benning that I would argue have a realistic chance of becoming good value deals.

Miller would have to improve significantly to be a steal.
Dorsett had a good season but will need to improve on it to be a steal
Sbisa had a terrible season and will have to significantly improve to be good value

Vrbata was excellent value and a IMO should have another solid season.
Tanev had an excellent season and recieved a good raise, he has the potential to improve but likely not significantly offensively.
Vey has the potential to be a great value but he also has less certainty than some of the mentioned Anh players.
Ditto for Baertschi

Sutter is an unknown but his career so far doesn't point to elite 3rd line C which is what he has been paid for that said I'm optimistic that this might be our best opportunity for good value.

I think he is gonna be a good one! Seems to have speed and skill but also the sandpaper. A better version of Hansen!

Kenins that is
- fubtastik

As long as he keeps the sandpaper and picks his spots with his flashy play. Thought he brought some energy that lifted the team at times.

Sometimes, these players need a chance in the NHL to show a side of their game that may not be as apparent in the AHL. Want to see Grenier get a shot. Really looking forward to training camp to see where Gaunce and Shink are at in their development. See Jensen's last chance at earning a spot or a change in scenery.

Here's the NHLPA rookie showcase list:

The list of invitees, per the players’ union:

Connor McDavid (Oilers), Jack Eichel (Sabres), Dylan Strome (Coyotes), Mitch Marner (Maple Leafs), Noah Hanifin (Hurricanes), Ivan Barbashev (Blues), Chris Bigras (Avalanche), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Blue Jackets), Madison Bowey (Capitals), Connor Brown (Maple Leafs), Michael Dal Colle (Islanders), Nikolaj Ehlers (Jets), Robby Fabbri (Blues), Zach Fucale (Canadiens), Nikolay Goldobin (Sharks), Ryan Hartman (Blackhawks), Connor Hellebuyck (Jets), Julius Honka (Stars), Kasperi Kapanen (Maple Leafs), Ronalds Kenins (Canucks), Slater Koekkoek (Lightning), Dylan Larkin (Red Wings), Sonny Milano (Blue Jackets), Samuel Morin (Flyers), Mike Matheson (Panthers), Michael McCarron (Canadiens), Josh Morrissey (Jets), Brendan Perlini (Coyotes), Nic Petan (Jets), Emile Poirier (Flames), Shane Prince (Senators), Ryan Pulock (Islanders), John Quenneville (Devils), Mike Reilly (Wild), Nick Ritchie (Ducks), Travis Sanheim (Flyers), Mackenzie Skapski (Rangers), Brady Skjei (Rangers), Shea Theodore (Ducks) and Jake Virtanen (Canucks).
- we_are_all_canucks

4 Jets rookies representing! Man, they've got some good players coming through their system.

Shea Theodore....why didn't Benning ask for this kid in the Kesler transaction I'll never know...or maybe he did and they said "get bent"?
- LeftCoaster

Benning said that Bonnio and the 1st were his targets. Had he been willing to take a 2nd or a different roster player Theodore might of been available.

Would you of been happy with a 2nd, Theodore, Bonino and Sbisa?

or

1st, Palmeri, Theodore, Sbisa?

Thanks for the blog, Carol. Definitely puts the Sedins in perspective around the league and specifically with their draft peers.
I could see the argument that Zettersberg is the best player drafted that year but I think Henrik ( Sedin of course) would get a fair number of votes as well.

Cont. from last blog




I think as long as you are balancing out good deals with over-payments, a team will be successful at managing their assets well. A lot of that comes from being able to have young players on ELC or cheap contracts able to play significant roles.

For example
Bieksa is arguably overpaid at 4 million
Fowler is arguably a good deal at 4 million
Anh also has a number of players signed to deals that are potential for goodvalue. Haglin, Silvferberg, Santorelli, Stewart and even Horcoff.

There are very few contracts that have been signed recently by Benning that I would argue have a realistic chance of becoming good value deals.

Miller would have to improve significantly to be a steal.
Dorsett had a good season but will need to improve on it to be a steal
Sbisa had a terrible season and will have to significantly improve to be good value

Vrbata was excellent value and a IMO should have another solid season.
Tanev had an excellent season and recieved a good raise, he has the potential to improve but likely not significantly offensively.
Vey has the potential to be a great value but he also has less certainty than some of the mentioned Anh players.
Ditto for Baertschi

Sutter is an unknown but his career so far doesn't point to elite 3rd line C which is what he has been paid for that said I'm optimistic that this might be our best opportunity for good value.
- belcherbd

You got my point. If you have some good value contracts, it isn't so bad if you are over paying on others and it balances out.

I wouldn't say the Miller contract is a steal, but more market value (career vs a player that was known to want to play as close to his wife as possible with limited teams interested), just don't understand the limited ntc.

4 Jets rookies representing! Man, they've got some good players coming through their system.

- we_are_all_canucks

Wonder how they do it.....it seems so hard.

4 Jets rookies representing! Man, they've got some good players coming through their system.

- we_are_all_canucks

They also have a few others that likely should of been represented before Kenins, in Blomqvist, Armia, Lemieux, among others.

You got my point. If you have some good value contracts, it isn't so bad if you are over paying on others and it balances out.

I wouldn't say the Miller contract is a steal, but more market value (career vs a player that was known to want to play as close to his wife as possible with limited teams interested), just don't understand the limited ntc.
- hillbillydeluxe

I will agree to disagree, but regardless I think he will need to perform better than last year to be considered good value.

Benning said that Bonnio and the 1st were his targets. Had he been willing to take a 2nd or a different roster player Theodore might of been available.

Would you of been happy with a 2nd, Theodore, Bonino and Sbisa?

or

1st, Palmeri, Theodore, Sbisa?
- belcherbd

I know he was targeting NHL ready players but it'd be hard to choose between Theodore and McCann right now?? And I really like McCann as a player!!!

Wonder how they do it.....it seems so hard.
- Nucker101

I think they sucked for many years in a row and have good asset management practices....maybe that's how?

I think they sucked for many years in a row and have good asset management practices....I think that's how?


- LeftCoaster

Hmm, that sounds more like a pipe dream to me. I think they just got lucky. It seems impossible to have good cap management, asset management and drafting/developing.