John Jaeckel: Franson likely more than a PTO

First?

And I'm fine with this.

Low risk, high reward. Would like to see a solid dman paired with Franson to let him lead the rush out of the zone. Pipe dream though

Low risk, high reward. Would like to see a solid dman paired with Franson to let him lead the rush out of the zone. Pipe dream though
- ikeane

Not sure were going to get solid. Likely:

Keith + Murphy
Seabrook + Kempney
Franson + Forsling most likely...maybe Rutta?

7th d-man - Rozi or Rutta. Maybe carry 8 with both?

I like the PTO invite. At least 2-3 weeks ago I mentioned that I would like to see the Hawks explore signing Franson as a 5-6 guy. I don't think he is a world-beater, but I think he can be useful as a bottom pairing guy and a BIG BODY.
Hope they get him on a short, low-cost deal.

Excellent signing. Gives us some much needed depth on D.

With a low-cost depth add like Franson, then the remainder of the Hossa money could go into "abeyance,"

Not fair having me look up words this early in the day.

Not sure were going to get solid. Likely:

Keith + Murphy
Seabrook + Kempney
Franson + Forsling most likely...maybe Rutta?

7th d-man - Rozi or Rutta. Maybe carry 8 with both?
- MNHawk

not convinced connor murphy should be playing on a top pair, but the defense should be more mobile than last year

Franson is a strange case. Puts up great fancy stats and he's a talented defenseman, but his skating so noticeably bad that it almost looks like he's moving in slow motion. I think he can be an effective bottom pair guy but when you see him skate you'll understand

Any other veterans on pto. Thinking mashinter or gallant battle tootoo for last spot loser goes to Rockford where we are very thin on veterans and sandpaper. Heard anything jj

Low risk, high reward. Would like to see a solid dman paired with Franson to let him lead the rush out of the zone. Pipe dream though
- ikeane

Lead the "rush"!

Funny.

John Jaeckel: Franson likely more than a PTO
- John Jaeckel

Gatekeeper is a funny guy, at least he is from what I can see on Twitter. I like his recent exploits into Canada (eh).

I'm on the fence about Franson. He wouldn't be my first choice as a depth d-man, but the move seems to be relatively low-risk overall. Assuming Rozsival doesn't start on the team there is still room for some of the young d-men to contribute and have Franson play. Q can evaluate and play whomever emerges as the best option.

Not sure were going to get solid. Likely:

Keith + Murphy
Seabrook + Kempney
Franson + Forsling most likely...maybe Rutta?

7th d-man - Rozi or Rutta. Maybe carry 8 with both?
- MNHawk

Low risk, high reward. Would like to see a solid dman paired with Franson to let him lead the rush out of the zone. Pipe dream though
- ikeane

cant wait to see Franson vs Yakupov in the new battle of the Central Division Wednesday Night Rivalries

Gatekeeper is a funny guy, at least he is from what I can see on Twitter. I like his recent exploits into Canada (eh).

I'm on the fence about Franson. He wouldn't be my first choice as a depth d-man, but the move seems to be relatively low-risk overall. Assuming Rozsival doesn't start on the team there is still room for some of the young d-men to contribute and have Franson play. Q can evaluate and play whomever emerges as the best option.
- DarthKane

He is the type of veteran D Q HAS TO HAVE. It allows Q that fallback if the young guys are struggling. I get it. In a 6-7 role its fine.

- Codes1087

Ya....the Forsling/Clendening trade is a sore spot for Canucks fans. The jury is still out on Forsling. There are positive signs that he'll be an NHL defenseman, but he hasn't made it yet. This should be an important season for Forsling to prove he belongs with the big club.

Not sure were going to get solid. Likely:

Keith + Murphy
Seabrook + Kempney
Franson + Forsling most likely...maybe Rutta?

7th d-man - Rozi or Rutta. Maybe carry 8 with both?
- MNHawk

Forsling plays on the left and Franson and Rutta on the right.

Ya....the Forsling/Clendening trade is a sore spot for Canucks fans. The jury is still out on Forsling. There are positive signs that he'll be an NHL defenseman, but he hasn't made it yet. This should be an important season for Forsling to prove he belongs with the big club.
- DarthKane

It will always be a sore spot. I remember watching Forsling in the WJC the year before the trade, and just remember thinking that with patience, he might turn out to be a real good player for us. I am happy to see him playing in the NHL though

It will always be a sore spot. I remember watching Forsling in the WJC the year before the trade, and just remember thinking that with patience, he might turn out to be a real good player for us. I am happy to see him playing in the NHL though
- Codes1087

This should make you feel better.

The Canucks have signed Bo Horvat to a six-year, $33-million deal: https://t.co/rpoZRpbM5s pic.twitter.com/ssGh8VjDwa

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 8, 2017

This should make you feel better.

The Canucks have signed Bo Horvat to a six-year, $33-million deal: https://t.co/rpoZRpbM5s pic.twitter.com/ssGh8VjDwa

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 8, 2017

- DarthKane

Horvat is a good player, and I am definitely ok with 5.5 x 6 years. Still don't think he is a 1C, and we are a long ways away from being contenders, but a step in the right direction

Horvat is a good player, and I am definitely ok with 5.5 x 6 years. Still don't think he is a 1C, and we are a long ways away from being contenders, but a step in the right direction
- Codes1087

I don't think Horvat is a 1C either, but he's a solid 2C and he's probably the best forward the Canucks have right now. $5.5 is a decent cap hit too, that puts him in line with Drouin, Tatar, Landeskog, Foligno and Granlund.

I don't think Horvat is a 1C either, but he's a solid 2C and he's probably the best forward the Canucks have right now. $5.5 is a decent cap hit too, that puts him in line with Drouin, Tatar, Landeskog, Foligno and Granlund.
- DarthKane

Really hoping Pettersson becomes our top line center at some point. I honestly expect a bottom 5 finish for the Canucks again this year. Hopefully the Sedins retire after this year as well, which free's up 14 mill

Who from the Blackhawks prospects could be a sleeper to crack the lineup out of camp this year? Other than Forsling.

If nothing else the Hawks may be a little bigger. Maybe Ulfie will turn them lose and inflict some pain (like stiff cross checks in the back) on opposing centers in front of our net and forwards in the corners in our end. It disgusts me to see the way Toews and Anisimov are pounded in from of the opponents net and guys like Kane and Schmaltz are beat up in the corners and we never lay a stick or glove on the opponents forwards in front of our net or in the corners on our end.

Out
Hjalmarsson 6'3" 197
Van Reimsdyk 6'2" 188
Oduya 6'0" 195
Campbell 5'10" 192
Panarin - 5'11" 170
Kruger - 6' 0" 186
Motte 5'9" 188
Desi 6'1" 195

In
Franson 6'5 224
Murphy 6'4 215 (with some snarl)
Rutta 6'3" 200
Saad 6'1" 206
Bouma 6'1" 208
Wingels 6'0" 200
Dauphin 6'1" 180
Sharp 6'1" 200

And yes I know size does not mean as much as speed.

If nothing else the Hawks may be a little bigger. Maybe Ulfie will turn them lose and inflict some pain (like stiff cross checks in the back) on opposing centers in front of our net and forwards in the corners in our end. It disgusts me to see the way Toews and Anisimov are pounded in from of the opponents net and guys like Kane and Schmaltz are beat up in the corners and we never lay a stick or glove on the opponents forwards in front of our net or in the corners on our end.

Out
Hjalmarsson 6'3" 197
Van Reimsdyk 6'2" 188
Oduya 6'0" 195
Campbell 5'10" 192
Panarin - 5'11" 170
Kruger - 6' 0" 186
Motte 5'9" 188
Desi 6'1" 195

In
Franson 6'5 224
Murphy 6'4 215 (with some snarl)
Rutta 6'3" 200
Saad 6'1" 206
Bouma 6'1" 208
Wingels 6'0" 200
Dauphin 6'1" 180
Sharp 6'1" 200

And yes I know size does not mean as much as speed.
- -Doh-

Really hoping Pettersson becomes our top line center at some point. I honestly expect a bottom 5 finish for the Canucks again this year. Hopefully the Sedins retire after this year as well, which free's up 14 mill

Who from the Blackhawks prospects could be a sleeper to crack the lineup out of camp this year? Other than Forsling.
- Codes1087

I think a bottom 5 finish is realistic for the Canucks, another top 5 draft pick would certainly help with the rebuild. I always feel that the Canucks haven't turned the corner in the rebuild until the Sedins are gone.

It's really hard to say who could make the team, there aren't too many spots open and the Hawks don't have any top 10 picks ready to make the jump.

At forward Fortin could make the jump, he impressed at camp last season before going back to the Q. Although Hayden finished the season wit the Hawks he'll still need to earn a spot on the team next season. I would expect him to start in Rockford. There's lots of hype around Debrincat, but I don't expect him to be in starting roster. Dauphin could surprise and make the bottom 6 too.

On defense there is Rutta and Oesterle, but both would be depth options at best.

Edit: I am interested in seeing the battle to back-up Crawford. I think Forsberg will get a shot, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Berube win the job either.