WWYDW: “Power” Play

 

Despite their best efforts, the Canucks just can’t lose in regulation, and somehow remain within spitting distance of the playoffs. Perhaps they’d be a little closer if they could get a handle on special teams, but alas, they continue to struggle mightily in that realm. They have the league’s 26th ranked PP, and Willie Desjardins seems to be the only man on planet earth that believes the current group is working. 

So, what changes would you make to the PP if you were in charge? Is it as simple as just changing personnel, or would you make tactical adjustments as well?  

Before we get into it, I just want to say that there were so many answers this week, most of them quite good, that I simply couldn’t include them all. If you’d like to see more, check out last week’s comment section.

Deal the vets.

1. This team needs an infusion of talent whether through drafting from picks obtained, prospects or a young roster player.

Particularly true since suitable players on waivers are passed by so often.

2. May be more fair to vets to let them go to contenders with the hope of a legitimate Cup run, not just one and done.

3. Given Benning’s marketing talents, there won’t be many trades anyway so likely the roster won’t change and some guys will walk for nothing.

This is just such a waste with WD coaching. It’s obvious he wants to win but his inability to adapt, change, and to make decisions are bigger barriers than the simple lack of talent and depth on this team.

Is management still in a post turkey tryptophan slumber? Time to wake up and get busy! 

Rebuild. Rebuild. Rebuild. Anyone over 30 who doesn’t have a no-trade clause should be considered possible trade bait. I would honestly even consider moving Chris Tanev. He’s a good player, but the Canucks have an abundance of defensive defensemen, and he’s the kind of player who could fetch a decent return, like a young forward or a high draft pick. Tanev is no spring chicken either – he’s 27 and will probably be past his prime when the Canucks are seriously ready to compete again in 2-3 years. 

Of course you deal – unfortunately Jimbo has yet to do that at the two deadlines he’s been at the helm.

Vrbata, Matthias, Hamhuis, Weber, Richardson etc. All on expiring contracts – not one asset to show for it. Not even a 7th rounder.

Absurd for a team that’s supposed to be rebuilding.

Vancouver will likely have the same problem it did last year; the players they have on expiring contracts aren’t likely worth much on the trade market. Horvat, Guance, Rodin, Gudbranson, and Tryamkin aren’t going anywhere. Larsen, Skille, Megna, Chaput, and Boucher have no value to a team looking to contend. The only players that Vancouver has on an expiring contracts and that are worth anything on a contending team are Burrows and Miller and if the last couple years has shown us anything is that those guys will not fetch Vancouver more than a few mid-round picks.

Looking at players under contract Edler, Tanev, Sbisa, and Hansen are the guys that have some value for a contending team. Hansens recent injuries have likely damaged his trade value, JB has said he wont move anybody with a NTC/NMC so Edlers out, that leaves Tanev and Sbisa. Of those two Tanev is the only one worth anything substantial. The problem with trading him is who replaces him? He plays a large roll on this team, it hurts when he is not in the line-up.

Tanev, Hansen, Sbisa, Burrows, and Miller. That’s all the trade bait Vancouver can muster.

This is a very contentious issue with the fan base. Personally, I put winning above all else. By selling the farm and gutting the team of anybody of value its basically throwing in the towel and giving up. Management saying they would prefer it if the team were losing instead. Is that the kind of attitude that we want? Is that the kind of message they want to send to their players? Winning begets winning, losing begets losing. I would rather see this team stay together and push as hard as they possibly can for a playoff spot than see them resign themselves to losing for the sake of landing a higher draft pick. 

See if there is a viable offer for the vets on expiring contracts. I agree with the principle that GMJB has of not giving away players for the sake of giving them away but this team does need more picks and more depth for the farm in the upcoming years.

One other thing…..please please do not be buyers at the trade deadline. We do not need more Weinrichs or Carneys. If this team somehow makes the playoffs then do it with the players already in the system. 

You absolutely deal the vets if you can get any kind of decent value for them.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t aim for the playoffs too. You aim for the playoffs while relying more on players that actually have a chance of being part of the future. Does that drop your odds a bit in the next couple of years? Maybe so, but that’s not the point.

Keeping Burr, Hansen and Miller (and possibly Edler) throughout the duration of their contracts to make a “run” right now is ridiculous. You try to get the best deal you can for them and bank it. Give every young player you’ve got a real chance to grow and become a part of the future nucleus. Give Rodin ice time with legit linemates. Throw Boucher in there and at least see if he’s got anything. Roll with Marky until Demko is ready.  

Another Hamhuis/Vrbata debacle would be absolutely crushing. 

A few thoughts:

1) If you are hoping for strong returns for veteran players at the deadline, this is the wrong year. With expansion looming I expect this to be the quietest trade deadline in years. I expect most trade activity will be post-season, just prior to the expansion draft. Sure a few teams will add a few expiring contracts, but people fantasizing about liquidating the entire roster for a ground up rebuild THIS YEAR are dreaming in technicolour.

2) Who cares what happened last year? Water under the bridge. Re-litigating past trade deadlines is a waste of time.

3) I expect the Canucks will miss the playoffs. The injury bug is starting to bite and I expect a couple of underachievers like Dallas and Los Angeles to find another gear in the 2nd half.

4) Tanking is no guarantee of a top three draft pick and there are TONS of examples of first line talents taken outside the top ten. I personally cannot countenance a plan to win by losing.

5) Play to win, let the chips fall where they may, and draft the best player available wherever that is.