Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Picks for Final Four, Bonino vs Garrison, Nicklas Jensen Breaking down the NHL's conference final, and Nicklas Jensen continues to dazzle for Denmark at the IIHF World Championship.

thanks carol. Hungary big win!

Sorry Carol, to me Bonino is a modern day BJ MacDonald.

Thanks Carol...enjoy the game!

Three things...

1) Garrison is probably pretty happy things turned out the way they did for him.
2) Nick Bonino is a nice complementary/streaky player for the Pens, he's currently on a bit of a hot streak. That said, he doesn't have the skill-set to maintain that. But glad he's doing well, good guy!
3) I always liked Jensen, I don't know if he got a fair shake with Benning because he was a Gillis draft pick. Jim seems to not care for any of them outside of Horvat.

I have been consistent about moving out three Burrows Higgins Hamhuis and bringing in three.
- VANTEL

From other thread...easier said than done though Vantel. You're competing against 29 other teams for services. What does Vancouver have to offer other than money? Chances of winning are slim, it rains all winter so the nice city thing is pretty irrelevant, the schedule dictates massive amounts of travel.

From other thread...easier said than done though Vantel. You're competing against 29 other teams for services. What does Vancouver have to offer other than money? Chances of winning are slim, it rains all winter so the nice city thing is pretty irrelevant, the schedule dictates massive amounts of travel.
- LeftCoaster

I think he means filling the three spots via trade & UFA.

From other thread...easier said than done though Vantel. You're competing against 29 other teams for services. What does Vancouver have to offer other than money? Chances of winning are slim, it rains all winter so the nice city thing is pretty irrelevant, the schedule dictates massive amounts of travel.
- LeftCoaster

Well said, Lefty. My thoughts exactly.

From other thread...easier said than done though Vantel. You're competing against 29 other teams for services. What does Vancouver have to offer other than money? Chances of winning are slim, it rains all winter so the nice city thing is pretty irrelevant, the schedule dictates massive amounts of travel.
- LeftCoaster

To attract the UFA's that really wanna be here, the Canucks needed a better lotto result. Now we can just look forward to next years lottery. But interesting to see how healthy the Canucks remain next year. Could mean less "balls"

But adding another top pick next year would obviously be great. Also, Boeser will be ready to make the jump.

How many years away is Tkachuk/Dubois? 2017-18? or 2018-19?

I think he means filling the three spots via trade & UFA.
- VanHockeyGuy

I don't like the idea of trading because it means you're dealing from a position of weakness when you don't have depth, which the Canucks don't. You're making your team worse down the road for a quick fix. Plus Benning sucks at trading.

Trading ANY youth for quick fixes at this point is ridiculous. They're not is a position to compete for a Cup or even the playoffs IMO.

To attract the UFA's that really wanna be here, the Canucks needed a better lotto result. Now we can just look forward to next years lottery. But interesting to see how healthy the Canucks remain next year. Could mean less "balls"

But adding another top pick next year would obviously be great. Also, Boeser will be ready to make the jump.

How many years away is Tkachuk/Dubois? 2017-18? or 2018-19?
- storm88

Doesn't matter, you need one of those guys in the system.

I don't like the idea of trading because it means you're dealing from a position of weakness when you don't have depth, which the Canucks don't. You're making your team worse down the road for a quick fix. Plus Benning sucks at trading.

Trading ANY youth for quick fixes at this point is ridiculous. They're not is a position to compete for a Cup or even the playoffs IMO.
- LeftCoaster

Barrie for example?

To attract the UFA's that really wanna be here, the Canucks needed a better lotto result. Now we can just look forward to next years lottery. But interesting to see how healthy the Canucks remain next year. Could mean less "balls"

But adding another top pick next year would obviously be great. Also, Boeser will be ready to make the jump.

How many years away is Tkachuk/Dubois? 2017-18? or 2018-19?
- storm88

If they're healthy next year I still say they finish bottom ten, depending on the summer moves, which is fine, they need another good draft pick.

As for the two kids, IMO your looking three years down the road before they make impactful contributions. But you're still happy as heck to have either in your system!

Barrie for example?
- VanHockeyGuy

What was the trade scenario?

What was the trade scenario?
- LeftCoaster

There isn't one. All i'm suggesting is you have to have a real good look at an opportunity like that. Yep, you will probably pucker at the price but...

From other thread...easier said than done though Vantel. You're competing against 29 other teams for services. What does Vancouver have to offer other than money? Chances of winning are slim, it rains all winter so the nice city thing is pretty irrelevant, the schedule dictates massive amounts of travel.
- LeftCoaster

You have to replace them. You have the money and you have the openings. There are not 29 other teams with 20 mil in cap space.

There isn't one. All i'm suggesting is you have to have a real good look at an opportunity like that. Yep, you will probably pucker at the price but...
- VanHockeyGuy

Like Barrie, he's a good little player, but it's gonna cost five draft positions and a roster player, probably a dman, which we can't afford to give up.

I think when someone first posted it I was like, not a bad scenario, but in retrospect, I say stay the course and draft your own talent.

If the team had depth in prospects or at any one position, then it's a different story, but they don't.

Doesn't matter, you need one of those guys in the system.
- VanHockeyGuy

Insert Captain obvious pic.

You have to replace them. You have the money and you have the openings. There are not 29 other teams with 20 mil in cap space.
- VANTEL

They don't really have 20 million in cap space though, they have to re-sign Etem, Baertschi, Vey, Pedan and a few other RFA's, plus they only have Edler, Tanev and Sbisa signed as NHL caliber dmen...and Sbisa is questionable there lol.

A lot of teams have space and can go 10% over the cap during the summer. To me they probably have about 12 to 14 million to spend. Which would be a couple decent players or one Stamkos.

Edit: next years cap space...17 teams have more cap space than the Canucks. But some of them only have 11 to 15 players signed. With just over 58 million committed it means they have 14 million if the cap is 72 million.

http://www.spotrac.com/nhl/cap/2016/

Thanks for a great blog Carol, things will be quite tonight with no Saturday night hockey.

When is the players combine coming up and will that have any influence in choosing who goes where? Teams interview players at this event don't they?

I don't like the idea of trading because it means you're dealing from a position of weakness when you don't have depth, which the Canucks don't. You're making your team worse down the road for a quick fix. Plus Benning sucks at trading.

Trading ANY youth for quick fixes at this point is ridiculous. They're not is a position to compete for a Cup or even the playoffs IMO.
- LeftCoaster

well said

They don't really have 20 million in cap space though, they have to re-sign Etem, Baertschi, Vey, Pedan and a few other RFA's, plus they only have Edler, Tanev and Sbisa signed as NHL caliber dmen...and Sbisa is questionable there lol.

A lot of teams have space and can go 10% over the cap during the summer. To me they probably have about 12 to 14 million to spend. Which would be a couple decent players or one Stamkos.

Edit: next years cap space...17 teams have more cap space than the Canucks. But some of them only have 11 to 15 players signed. With just over 58 million committed it means they have 14 million if the cap is 72 million.

http://www.spotrac.com/nhl/cap/2016/
- LeftCoaster

Even adding stamkos to this team isnt getting them in the playoffs next year and if by chance it does they are gone in 1 round. Like you said keep drafting high when we are a player or 2 away from being a quality team then you add your couple players via trade or free agency.

thanks carol. Hungary big win!
- storm88

Thanks. And yes, that's awesome for Hungary! Their fans have been fantastic throughout the tournament.

Even adding stamkos to this team isnt getting them in the playoffs next year and if by chance it does they are gone in 1 round. Like you said keep drafting high when we are a player or 2 away from being a quality team then you add your couple players via trade or free agency.
- mauryballstein

Ya they don't have enough depth even with Stammer. He'd be more of a longer term solution to the Sedins leaving though, as in a seven year deal.

Realistically there's zero chance he wants to join a rebuilding team though, unless it's his hometown.

Thanks for a great blog Carol, things will be quite tonight with no Saturday night hockey.

When is the players combine coming up and will that have any influence in choosing who goes where? Teams interview players at this event don't they?
- Makita

Yes, the combine is coming up quickly. May 30 - June 4.

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=882212