Friday Roundtable: So, Dan Hamhuis is Still Here…

The trade deadline sucked. It really sucked. It especially sucked if you were a Vancouver Canucks fan, though.

The Canucks didn’t really do anything. They dealt a high-risk, high-reward prospect for a surefire third-liner… need those. They surrendered a draft pick for what is more than likely a third pairing defender. Worst of all, they didn’t deal Dan Hamhuis. And believe you me, they received some pretty damn good offers. When Jim Benning said he received a “parallel” offer to what the Flames got for Kris Russell, he meant better.

Anyways, the only possible way to fix this public relations nightmare is to re-sign Hamhuis, right? I mean, that’s what’s being suggested in most circles, anyways. So I asked the Canucks Army writers if they would ink Hamhuis to a new contract.

At the right price/term, yeah of course. I think bringing someone back who is so integral to the community of the team is important, and he’s a silent leader that can provide quiet leadership to younger players, and hopefully some younger d-men in the coming years. As the rebuild begins, it’s not a bad thing from a marketing stand point to have a familiar face around, as well.

Ignoring the massive potential for a sunk cost fallacy here, after his non-trade at the deadline, I do think they should look at re-signing him. He clearly loves it here in Vancouver, even when the team is bad, and hammer is certainly the type of player you’d love to see the young guys play with and learn from. As long as the term doesn’t go beyond 3-4 years, the Canucks don’t look to be competitive during the length of the deal, so even if he’s not worth the money on the ice, re-signing him helps the youngsters develop, and is a nice bit of appreciation for the years he spent here at way below market value.

Going back to the non-re-signing of Willie Mitchell, the Canucks shouldn’t make that mistake twice. Yes, they should bring Hamhuis back obviously at the right price. As this team grows, the defense needs a leader/role model to follow and is there really a better elder statesman than Hammer? It’s a shame Willie Mitchell isn’t still here because we’d really have a great defense, for defense sake. 

Dan Hamhuis was a great pick up when we got him and he’s still worth having today. The whole NTC thing was a distraction but he didn’t need do a thing, that clause was in there so he didn’t have to have that situation forced on him.

Building a new nucleus needs building blocks and Dan Hamhuis is as good a block as any

I lean towards no. Two wrongs don’t make a right and frankly, I don’t think we’re half as keen on the idea if he’s dealt as we are now that he hasn’t. If that makes sense. 

The Canucks have seven defencemen that will have to clear waivers next season – six NHL players and Alex Biega. Vancouver is looking to get younger and Hamhuis is well into his thirties. Not to mention, if they’re going to do this rebuild right, it’s about time they entered a season with a couple extra bucks to spare.

Wouldn’t be the worst thing if they brought him back. Just not my cup of tea. Doesn’t fit the direction this team should be taking.