Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Troy Brouwer Shows Interest, Draft Combine Interviews Impending unrestricted free agent Troy Brouwer sounds like he'd be open to entertaining a contract offer for the Canucks, as Jim Benning opens up about what he'll be trying to learn at this week's draft combine.

So if Dubois is gone what will JB do?

I'm surprised at Brouwer showing interest.

I mean, you can't swing a cat without hitting half a dozen NHL players claiming they have no interest in playing for a certain team.

why are you surprised? the guy is from B.C. so it would make sense he might be interested in returning home to play (and that the Canucks might have a bit of an inside track)

Matthew Tkachuk's overtime goal won the Memorial Cup for the London Knights on Sunday, but it doesn't appear that he—or any of his teammates—are key players on the Canucks' radar

Of course! There are only two players we have a chance at getting (Tkachuk and Dubois). Everyone else we either won't get (Matthews, Puljujarvi & Laine), or are much worse than those two (everyone else).

Tkachuk is clearly the better player of the two (meaning he's the one we should be hoping to get) - so, of course, we aren't even looking at him.

Typical Canucks player-evaluation! It's amazing how we always seem to ignore the best player available to us.

Of course! There are only two players we have a chance at getting (Tkachuk and Dubois). Everyone else we either won't get (Matthews, Puljujarvi & Laine), or are much worse than those two (everyone else).

Tkachuk is clearly the better player of the two (meaning he's the one we should be hoping to get) - so, of course, we aren't even looking at him.

Typical Canucks player-evaluation! It's amazing how we always seem to ignore the best player available to us.
- stringerbell

What do you base this on? Dubois is a more versatile player seeing that he can play centre and wing and his stats as just as impressive if not more so than Tkachuk

I'm probably the minority but I'm saying no to Brouwer. 40 pt player on 3 very good offensive teams (Chicago, Washinton. St. Louis) After his playoff performernce he is going to paid like a 1st liner. He is going to be very overpaid by some team to be a gloried 3rd liner.

I would rather spend the money on Eriksson or even Lucic as they are proven top 6 forwards

Of course! There are only two players we have a chance at getting (Tkachuk and Dubois). Everyone else we either won't get (Matthews, Puljujarvi & Laine), or are much worse than those two (everyone else).

Tkachuk is clearly the better player of the two (meaning he's the one we should be hoping to get) - so, of course, we aren't even looking at him.

Typical Canucks player-evaluation! It's amazing how we always seem to ignore the best player available to us.
- stringerbell

missed the winky face?

apparently, we can't go wrong with either Tkachuk or Dubois, and JB has also mentioned a dman being in his top 6...

I'd be curious to see how JB's draft order differs from others, and if he doesn't go with the consensus, who does he pick and how much of a shock will it really be?

looking forward to the draft and free agency.

I'm probably the minority but I'm saying no to Brouwer. 40 pt player on 3 very good offensive teams (Chicago, Washinton. St. Louis) After his playoff performernce he is going to paid like a 1st liner. He is going to be very overpaid by some team to be a gloried 3rd liner.

I would rather spend the money on Eriksson or even Lucic as they are proven top 6 forwards
- fiveandagame

I don't mind Brouwer but I don't want to give him term or a pile of money.

I don't mind Brouwer but I don't want to give him term or a pile of money.
- golfingsince

If they could sing him to reasonable contract that's fine, but this has Brian Bickell written all over it.

If they could sing him to reasonable contract that's fine, but this has Brian Bickell written all over it.
- fiveandagame

I was thinking Ryan Clowe.

Of course! There are only two players we have a chance at getting (Tkachuk and Dubois). Everyone else we either won't get (Matthews, Puljujarvi & Laine), or are much worse than those two (everyone else).

Tkachuk is clearly the better player of the two (meaning he's the one we should be hoping to get) - so, of course, we aren't even looking at him.

Typical Canucks player-evaluation! It's amazing how we always seem to ignore the best player available to us.
- stringerbell

You are out to lunch! Thanks for the Monday morning laughs

I'm probably the minority but I'm saying no to Brouwer. 40 pt player on 3 very good offensive teams (Chicago, Washinton. St. Louis) After his playoff performernce he is going to paid like a 1st liner. He is going to be very overpaid by some team to be a gloried 3rd liner.

I would rather spend the money on Eriksson or even Lucic as they are proven top 6 forwards
- fiveandagame

I agree with you, we need to address scoring more than anything this summer

I was thinking Ryan Clowe.
- golfingsince

Yeah, same difference.

Totally off topic but there was a debate last draft when Boston dealt Jones to Sanjose for a 1st and quite a few on here said that Lack was worth the same or some crazy enough to say more. When he went for a 2nd only a few of us on here recognized that Lack was worth that or less and said he was just a back up. JB looked like he did pretty well on that one to me. How are people feeling about who was worth what now that Jones led his team to a cup final?

I was thinking Ryan Clowe.
- golfingsince

Difference being Clowe may never play again, while Bickel is still playing in the AHL.

Of course! There are only two players we have a chance at getting (Tkachuk and Dubois). Everyone else we either won't get (Matthews, Puljujarvi & Laine), or are much worse than those two (everyone else).

Tkachuk is clearly the better player of the two (meaning he's the one we should be hoping to get) - so, of course, we aren't even looking at him.

Typical Canucks player-evaluation! It's amazing how we always seem to ignore the best player available to us.
- stringerbell

I'm sure Benning knows who Tkchuck is and what he brings to the table.

missed the winky face?

apparently, we can't go wrong with either Tkachuk or Dubois, and JB has also mentioned a dman being in his top 6...

I'd be curious to see how JB's draft order differs from others, and if he doesn't go with the consensus, who does he pick and how much of a shock will it really be?

looking forward to the draft and free agency.
- hillbillydeluxe

The problem with JB taking a defence man is there is no consensus top D in this draft. Even in here none of us can agree who is the best defence man. What we can agree on is we need a future top 6 center. I think we know who that is. There are 2 of them though. #BPAalltheway.

The problem with JB taking a defence man is there is no consensus top D in this draft. Even in here none of us can agree who is the best defence man. What we can agree on is we need a future top 6 center. I think we know who that is. There are 2 of them though. #BPAalltheway.
- thundachunk

With the McCann trade there is no doubt in my mind that Benning is drafting a forward.

With the McCann trade there is no doubt in my mind that Benning is drafting a forward.
- fiveandagame

If Tkachuk is available its him. If not I think it is one of 3 players. Dubois, Brown, Juolevi.

As per Carols report quoting Matt Lee saying Chireli was watching and JB wasn't. Benny has been scouting games all season. Also Edmonton is an hour drive from Red Deer. I am sure JB has seen plenty live and watched a ton of tape on this kid already. I am not concerned in the least over Benning not being there. The combine and interview process will tell a lot.

Edit: Matt Lee doesn't know $hit from shineola.

If Tkachuk is available its him. If not I think it is one of 3 players. Dubois, Brown, Juolevi.
- thundachunk

We know either one of Tkachuk or Dubois will be available whether or not Edmonton trades their top pick. If it is Dubois available, JB takes him. If it is Tkachuck, JB takes Juolevi. My guess anyway.

The other scenario would be whether Trader Jim can get another pick in the top 20 by moving someone like Jannik Hansen or a combo thereof. If he does, then he definitely takes a forward (Dubois/Tkachuk) at 5 and a d-prospect with the extra pick.

Totally off topic but there was a debate last draft when Boston dealt Jones to Sanjose for a 1st and quite a few on here said that Lack was worth the same or some crazy enough to say more. When he went for a 2nd only a few of us on here recognized that Lack was worth that or less and said he was just a back up. JB looked like he did pretty well on that one to me. How are people feeling about who was worth what now that Jones led his team to a cup final?

Thundachunk

Lack/Jones - Really?? that's not really comparable - Martin has "slightly" better team in front of him (especially his D) than Carolina. At the end of the day wont we have to wait and see how Brisebois turns out?

I was thinking Ryan Clowe.
- golfingsince

What do you base this on? Dubois is a more versatile player seeing that he can play centre and wing and his stats as just as impressive if not more so than Tkachuk
- Zogg

Dubois plays in the Q