Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Who's Returning to the Utica Comets, Who Has Moved On A look at where last year's Utica Comets players will be plying their trades in 2015-16.

Be interesting to see what kind of camp Grenier, Gaunce and Shinkaruk have for the Canucks.

Be interesting to see what kind of camp Grenier, Gaunce and Shinkaruk have for the Canucks.
- LeftCoaster

Spots are pretty limited front so even a strong camp may not be enough.

Henrik
Daniel
Vrbata
Burrows
Higgins
Sutter
Horvat
Hansen
Dorsett
Prust
Vey
Baertschi

Those are 12 forwards right there that will make the team, and Willie D loves his vets so even if a rookie makes the 13 or 14 man forward roster, he may not be given much of a role unless he forces the issue like Horvat(doubtful that happens again. Or of course, if an injury occurs.

Spots are pretty limited front so even a strong camp may not be enough.

Henrik
Daniel
Vrbata
Burrows
Higgins
Sutter
Horvat
Hansen
Dorsett
Prust
Vey
Baertschi

Those are 12 forwards right there that will make the team, and Willie D loves his vets so even if a rookie makes the 13 or 14 man forward roster, he may not be given much of a role unless he forces the issue like Horvat(doubtful that happens again. Or of course, if an injury occurs.
- Nucker101

Point being - if they have a really good camp they might force the Canucks GM to start looking at moving some vets to make room for them come TDL.

Conversely, if they have poor camps, then there's not going to really be a push from below from anyone for a few years. Thus I'm interested in how they perform at camp.

I think the most exciting player to watch at camp will be Kenins. He definitely earned a spot last season and seemingly is exactly the type of player mgmt wants in the bottom 6.

I think he also has the potential to be a bit of a darkhorse when it comes to our young forwards. To a certain extent many are expecting/hoping that Horvat/Baertschi/Vey take a step forward this year but I think it is just as likely that Kenins can make a player like Higgins/Prust/Dorsett expendable.

Spots are pretty limited front so even a strong camp may not be enough.

Henrik
Daniel
Vrbata
Burrows
Higgins
Sutter
Horvat
Hansen
Dorsett
Prust
Vey
Baertschi

Those are 12 forwards right there that will make the team, and Willie D loves his vets so even if a rookie makes the 13 or 14 man forward roster, he may not be given much of a role unless he forces the issue like Horvat(doubtful that happens again. Or of course, if an injury occurs.
- Nucker101

Another year of limited available positions to be taken, but I think they are planning to move people once injuries or needs are created with other teams.

Also, while Prust and Vey take roster spots, I think they share the 4th line spot at the moment, so a playing spot is still out there

Point being - if they have a really good camp they might force the Canucks GM to start looking at moving some vets to make room for them come TDL.

Conversely, if they have poor camps, then there's not going to really be a push from below from anyone for a few years. Thus I'm interested in how they perform at camp.
- LeftCoaster

Unfortunately the two most replaceable players in terms of hockey ability is Prust and Dorsett. With them being resigned or acquired recently I doubt they will be the ones being moved. That leaves Higgins/Hansen/Burrows whose contributions I doubt would be able to be filled by either the previously mentioned players or any rookies.

I think all the spots for young guys have already been filled.

Another year of limited available positions to be taken, but I think they are planning to move people once injuries or needs are created with other teams.

Also, while Prust and Vey take roster spots, I think they share the 4th line spot at the moment, so a playing spot is still out there
- WhiteLie

I wish there was some competition for the 4C spot but I doubt Prust was brought in for that role.

I think the most exciting player to watch at camp will be Kenins. He definitely earned a spot last season and seemingly is exactly the type of player mgmt wants in the bottom 6.

I think he also has the potential to be a bit of a darkhorse when it comes to our young forwards. To a certain extent many are expecting/hoping that Horvat/Baertschi/Vey take a step forward this year but I think it is just as likely that Kenins can make a player like Higgins/Prust/Dorsett expendable.
- belcherbd

I agree that he's underrated. I have a feeling the Canucks brass want him to play more like Dorsett and Prust offensively though, he has some nice offensive vision and skill but gets benched if one of his plays don't work. They'll want him to dump and chase.

I wish there was some competition for the 4C spot but I doubt Prust was brought in for that role.
- belcherbd

Totally agree.


4C is going to be really weak in terms of competition for Vey. I know some fans think Cassels might win it just like Shinkaruk was a popular sleeper pick last year but I doubt that happens right out of camp. And Gaunce got moved to the wing(still think he's better suited as a center).

Unfortunately the two most replaceable players in terms of hockey ability is Prust and Dorsett. With them being resigned or acquired recently I doubt they will be the ones being moved. That leaves Higgins/Hansen/Burrows whose contributions I doubt would be able to be filled by either the previously mentioned players or any rookies.

I think all the spots for young guys have already been filled.
- belcherbd

It's more about what those kids do in camp that I want to see. Not will they make the team. I want to see what kind of progress they've made with a year of professional hockey under their belts and a full summer of training. That's what I'm most interested in.

The development, or lack of, our younger players goes a long ways in determining what the future of the club will look like.

As for Prust and Dorsett, I wish people would understand they're not in the lineup because of their "hockey ability", they're there to serve a different purpose which is needed. But yes they do have to be able to play the game.

Gone are the days, for the most part, of players that only know how to fight. You've gotta be able to contribute in a positive way for say eight minutes a game now.

Totally agree.


4C is going to be really weak in terms of competition for Vey. I know some fans think Cassels might win it just like Shinkaruk was a popular sleeper pick last year but I doubt that happens right out of camp. And Gaunce got moved to the wing(still think he's better suited as a center).
- Nucker101

I agree on Gaunce and still have hope that he moves back considering how weak Utica is up the middle.

No chance in hell that Cassels will earn a spot out of training camp, I don't even know if he is on the ice yet as he has been rehabbing an abdominal injury all summer. I do think he has a chance of being an injury call up though.

I agree on Gaunce and still have hope that he moves back considering how weak Utica is up the middle.

No chance in hell that Cassels will earn a spot out of training camp, I don't even know if he is on the ice yet as he has been rehabbing an abdominal injury all summer. I do think he has a chance of being an injury call up though.
- belcherbd

Unless his skating greatly improves, he'll never be trusted at the NHL level in terms of being able to play a 200 foot game. Centers have to skate twice as much as wingers and if you can't get there, you can't do your job.

Kids got great hockey IQ, hopefully he's had a good summer of training!!

It's more about what those kids do in camp that I want to see. Not will they make the team. I want to see what kind of progress they've made with a year of professional hockey under their belts and a full summer of training. That's what I'm most interested in.

The development, or lack of, our younger players goes a long ways in determining what the future of the club will look like.

As for Prust and Dorsett, I wish people would understand they're not in the lineup because of their "hockey ability", they're there to serve a different purpose which is needed. But yes they do have to be able to play the game.

Gone are the days, for the most part, of players that only know how to fight. You've gotta be able to contribute in a positive way for say eight minutes a game now.
- LeftCoaster

I hear what you are saying about the kids, it will just be fun to see how they have progressed regardless of if they can make the team.

I understand that Prust and Dorsett are key character guys and are also being depended upon for toughness. I like both players and while I don't necessary agree with the cost, I understand why Benning wanted them.

I do not think this team needs both in the lineup every night though, especially if a young player like Kenins, Grenier or Virtanen prove they are better or as good.

I would be very happy seeing a rotation of Prust/Dorsett/Kenins/Grenier in the pressbox when the team is healthy.

Unless his skating greatly improves, he'll never be trusted at the NHL level in terms of being able to play a 200 foot game. Centers have to skate twice as much as wingers and if you can't get there, you can't do your job.

Kids got great hockey IQ, hopefully he's had a good summer of training!!
- LeftCoaster

We made the playoffs with Henrik and Bonino as our top 2 centres.


His acceleration is pretty decent, it's his first two steps that aren't great. The guy is like 215-220 pounds so being a bit slower than others isn't a huge deal. His hockey sense and positioning is pretty decent as well. Wingers need speed to get in on the forecheck while centers are usually the 3rd man high so there's times when he's better suited at C too.

Can't quote?

Can't quote?
- CubanBuffet

nope....

I think the most exciting player to watch at camp will be Kenins. He definitely earned a spot last season and seemingly is exactly the type of player mgmt wants in the bottom 6.

I think he also has the potential to be a bit of a darkhorse when it comes to our young forwards. To a certain extent many are expecting/hoping that Horvat/Baertschi/Vey take a step forward this year but I think it is just as likely that Kenins can make a player like Higgins/Prust/Dorsett expendable.
- belcherbd

I'm intrigued by him as well. It seemed like he didn't get much rope to do things offensively, not sure if that's because he hadn't earned the rope or doesn't have the hockey sense to understand when to pick his spots. He also seemed to get away from the physical game that allowed him to stick with the Canucks in the first place.

I'm intrigued by him as well. It seemed like he didn't get much rope to do things offensively, not sure if that's because he hadn't earned the rope or doesn't have the hockey sense to understand when to pick his spots. He also seemed to get away from the physical game that allowed him to stick with the Canucks in the first place.
- CubanBuffet

Either he was hurt or just was not consistent with his physical play though nearing the end of the season and into the playoffs.

Unless his skating greatly improves, he'll never be trusted at the NHL level in terms of being able to play a 200 foot game. Centers have to skate twice as much as wingers and if you can't get there, you can't do your job.

Kids got great hockey IQ, hopefully he's had a good summer of training!!
- LeftCoaster

First things first, the AHL is a great spot for him to see if he can make it work up the middle. IMO he was one of the most effective wingers last season at the end of the year and was able to play a 200 ft game from that position.

IMO might as well give him a shot again in the middle, it's not like he will be taking a spot away from another prospect.

Right now the C depth is entirely Vets or guys who have a very small chance of making the big show with the exception of Cassels.

He wasn't hurt its his MO is inconsistency. He is still finding out what his game is at a higher level of hockey.

Either he was hurt or just was not consistent with his physical play though nearing the end of the season and into the playoffs.
- Codes1087

I think he was benched in favor of McMillan a few times which likely came with a message to be less reckless. I understand that you need to be smart but this team has many players who play it safe and very few that takes chances.

I would much rather watch Kenins go through some growing pains and learn to adapt opposed to watching a player like McMillan play it safe.

I would like see JV make the team but I fear his two-way game isn't there. With Horvat that was what solidified his spot on the team.

Spots are pretty limited front so even a strong camp may not be enough.

Henrik
Daniel
Vrbata
Burrows
Higgins
Sutter
Horvat
Hansen
Dorsett
Prust
Vey
Baertschi

Those are 12 forwards right there that will make the team, and Willie D loves his vets so even if a rookie makes the 13 or 14 man forward roster, he may not be given much of a role unless he forces the issue like Horvat(doubtful that happens again. Or of course, if an injury occurs.
- Nucker101

This lineup is pretty much spot on. Gonna be tough for Virtanen but he may be able to get the 9 games. Vey and Higgins are the question marks.

it's an interesting occurrence, where player X (Kennins, Kassian, whoever) is brought in to be physical, does it well for a game or 2, gets the fanbase excited, says the right thing about 'i know what i've got to do out there' and then disappears...is it injuries, fear, change of attitude, etc.

With that said, i hope Kennins can continue the physical fore check role with a dash of offense.