WWYDW: Decisions, decisions
By J.D. Burke
7 years ago
The Canucks don’t have any even resembling a chance of landing coveted NCAA free agent Jimmy Vesey. Let’s just get that out of the way. It’s not going to happen. I am sorry.
He’s the talk of the town right now in every hockey town though because he’s expected to make a decision on where he’ll sign by the end of the week. I’ve heard any combination of the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are at the head of the pack. You can assume anyone in that Northeastern locale is in the mix to some extent, though.
So, it’s not overly Canucks relevant, I know, but here we are in the middle of August, with almost nothing new in Vancouver that’s hockey related, and I’m wondering where you would go were you in Vesey’s shoes. And I want to know why you would go there, too.
Last week I asked: If you were running the Canucks, which of the two (Jiri Hudler or Radim Vrbata) would you sign? Would you sign both? Or hell, maybe neither of them.
Alexk:
Canucks have about 3.4mil in cap space with 47/50 contracts filled. Ideally the canucks would have blown up the team and tanked this season in hopes for another dynamic forward or defenseman at next years draft.
However, the moves made during the offseason would suggest holding 3.4mil in cap space is an unwise move for a team that is not considered a cap team.
That being said, hutton, horvat and gudbrannson are all free agents next season and the cap relief from burrows and miller (10.5) has already been dented with markstroms extension. Even with bridge contracts, hutton, horvat and gudbrannson could yield (2.5, 4, 4.5) 10mil + depending on this years statistical success.
Hudler and or vrbata would be a welcomed addition to the team as long as it is a one year deal. The canucks could do better than signing a 2+, by simply offering PtO’s in preseason in hopes to strike gold. If not, then who cares. Im not upset if the canucks dont make the playoffs. I would be if JB offers a horrible contract that further laments the need for gilman to return to help with the accounting.
Olands:
Hudler: 1 year, 2.5. Do it. Vrbata: retired in March.
Horus:
One year deal for either@2mil or forget it. Really I’d rather just forget it and offer ptos and see what surfaces. If nothing surfaces, go with what we have. Please no more band-aid dumb contracts.
Bob Long:
I’d like to see Hudler for something like 2-2.5 mil over 2 years (so 1-1.25 per). He still has very good numbers and could also fetch some mid-round picks at the TDL if he’s healthy.
Vrbata would be a disaster, I sure hope thats just a Botchford fake article.
Vanoxy:
I wouldn’t sign anyone until Vesey makes his decision.
He could make another LW available via trade, depending where he signs.
The roster is already bloated with waiver eligible players and 1 or 2 trades will likely need to be made before the season to avoid losing guys on waivers.
Hold out for a good deal from a cap strapped team or a team with too many LWs who want to make a hockey trade, then look into moving a defenseman and a guy like Grenier to fill a need.
Frankly, Benning should be calling Yzerman daily, to see if we can lend a hand with their logjam and cap issues. Tampa will need to move at least 1 quality, young forward by the start of the season and have a few RFAs next year that will give them grief. Tyler Johnson or Ondrej Palat would look pretty good in Vancouver.
Kobra:
I would love Hartnell over Vrbata or Hudler, any day of the week. He also has some awesome chemistry with the twins haha.
crofton:
Haven’t seen that much of Hudler so don’t really know about him, but Vrbata? Too many times watching him last year he threw the puck away and peeled off so he didn’t get hit. Frustrating and way too soft
rodeobill:
I also think that if we cant find that physical forward presence they would like, we may have to suffice with smaller fast goalscoring at forward, with at least big D. Work with what we got and adjust the play style accordingly.
Kinda like a sword and shield.
froger84:
Neither please. Getting older and less physical isn’t really the direction the Canucks want to be moving in.
If we didn’t have Rodin on the roster, I might consider Hudler – but how many small forwards can a team have without replicating last season’s disastrous results.
How about taking a run at Jimmy Vesey? Fast as hell and not undersized.
Recent articles from J.D. Burke
