WWYDW: The Expendables

Hey, some things happened. The Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers completed a trade. The Vancouver Canucks announced another pair of signings. That’s all so very neat.

Now we’re just waiting for that big trade to happen. You know, the one the Canucks are rumoured to be exploring the market for. Rumour has it, they want to land a second line winger in specific. Now, to do that, they’re going to have to part with somebody. Maybe even a few somebodies and the odd draft pick. There’s only so many roster spots, after all.

So, I’m asking you, which player(s) are you most willing to part with to land that marquee name in a trade. As always, try to be reasonable. You’re not landing Gabriel Landeskog for Jannik Hansen.

Last week I asked: So, if you were tasked with drawing the Canucks lineup on the white board, how would your second line look? Now, just to make this interesting, you can sign someone in free agency or execute a (realistic) trade to suit your needs. But remember, this is just your second-line. Let’s save the other three for another day.

The ideal second line? With what the organization has available it would have to be Sedin/Sedin/Hansen. Hell, I could live with Horvat/Baertschi/Eriksson if Sutter is there to back them with a strong third. Count me as one of the many who feel that it’s the future of the first line that has me concerned. Boesser does have the look of a budding first-liner and I’m confident at least one of our young players or prospects will grow into the role so….I like where the team is going but unless a trade is made for a bona-fide top six LW it’s going to be a couple of seasons (and a #1C) before our second line is our main concern.

Just to throw out there: Tavares is UFA in two seasons and will be only 28 (I admit to wanting this player on the team since he was 16). If I remember correctly his uncle was not only Box Lacrosse’ best player of the last few decades but played into his 40’s at a dominating level.

Derek Dorsett and two other guys

…is what Willie Desjardins would probably say.

Agree with Bud Poile – Burrows – Sutter – Hansen – but probably a pointless exercise as Desjardins is a coach who is constantly changing his lines. Perhaps this is because the results continue to be unsatisfactory? Some coaches are always mixing, some prefer more stability. Certainly the players prefer regular linemates but not always possible + coach may be attempting to match certain players vs opponents.

The Canucks will have 3 second lines, and 1 energy/grinder line.

Our defense will be better at moving the puck, which will help on the PP as well as helping all the young forwards get comfortable.

The Canucks will have to figure out what they have on their hands this season, in terms of skill and chemistry.

There’s a lot of new players. I’ve never seen Rodin play. I’ve hardly watched Sutter play. There will be guys that transformed over a good long off-season.

After next season is when you have to become a lot more specific in identifying a new 1C, making room for Boeser, making room for Subban, who is expendable but valuable for trading

i can see the canucks starting out with a sutter second line and generally trying to act like a veteran team bringing along young players carefully.

but the clock is ticking. if burrows-sutter-hanson stays as the second line, the team is toast. it will mean none of the young guys have progressed to top 6 status and that the canucks are headed off a cliff.

If 1st line =Sedin-Sedin-Eriksson then 2nd line = Baertschi-Sutter-Hansen//Rodin?

If 1st line = Sedin-Sedin-Hansen then 2nd line = Baertschi-Sutter-Eriksson

If 1st line = Sedin-Sedin-Sutter then 2nd line = Baertschi-Horvat-Eriksson

Baertschi might swap out with Burrons as others are suggesting as well..

Kilhorn Horvat Eriksson

Trade Sbisa 50% retained, Gaunce and our 2017 2nd for Kilhorn.

My vote for the 2nd line would be William Nylander flanked by Valeri Nichushkin and Matt Tkachuk, aka the CA Dream Draft lineup.

I think our real 2nd line will be a mainly shutdown one that provides a modicum of scoring — likely Sutter with Hansen and Rodin or Burrows. I think this would give great protection to a 3rd line of Horvat with Baertschi and either Virtanen (if he stays with the team) or Etem. I think Gaunce is the spare part with Granlund and Dorsett. I think Burrows and Etem slide up and down the lineup. Etem is actually my pick for dark horse; he was a very highly regarded prospect, was so-so in Anaheim was both unlucky and poorly used in NY and really came on in the last part of the year. Great wheels, great hustle. Lots of teams adopt a scoring by committee approach for their bottom 9 and I think that’s what we’ll likely do. Would be nice to get some more scoring from the D too — I am hoping that Gudbrandson actually starts using the heavy shot we’ve heard about instead of getting buried for the vast majority of his starts in the D-zone.

Bo has shown he can play with multiple forwards so I would have Sven play on one wing and as for the other??

If Jake come into camp in shape with a serious attitude, I would give him a shot. Sutter and Jake would be big bodies that will give Sven room to be creative. Also Sutters faceoffs will give the second line more possession time.