WWYDW: Thomas Vanek, 2018-19 Vancouver Canuck?

There haven’t been many success stories to come out of the moves Canucks general manager Jim Benning made this summer. The one everyone seems to agree on as a smashing hit though is the Thomas Vanek signing.

In the late stages of free agency, Benning picked Vanek up off the clearance aisle on a one-year deal valued at $2-million in the hope of bringing in some secondary scoring, and perhaps, a trade chip at this year’s deadline. So far, everything is going according to plan. Vanek is second on the Canucks in scoring with 37 points (15 goals and 22 assists) in 53 games, and teams are apparently starting to inquire about his availability.

There’s only one hitch. Apparently the Canucks are considering re-signing Vanek for, at least, another season. He’s been so good that they’re wondering if they can sustain his loss next year. To me, that’d be an awful mismanagement of a valuable trade asset. The idea is gaining traction though, so it’s worth exploring.

So, I ask you, the reader, what would you do with Thomas Vanek?

Last week(ish) I asked: What would you do with the Sedin twins assuming their interest in re-signing with the Canucks for next season is sincere?

Re-sign them with absolutely zero doubt. They will be fantastic 3rd line players as more young talent gets added to the roster. Their production is fine this year and similar production at a lower salary rate will be win win.

1 or 2 years of term. 3 to 4 million per seems fair to me for both sides.

5 mill each at the very least for a 1 year deal. Anything less would be an insult and there’s no other free agents that need to be pursued so cap space isn’t an issue.

One year deal MAX, cost not a big concern due to our current cap situation, but $5mil ballpark. And for god’s sake can we please split them up once and a while? No coach seems to have the stones to try it, even when our seasons our complete write-offs…worst case scenario you put them back together after a few games.

The Canucks may have trouble filling out their roster with competitive players next year, even if they bring up some rookies. This is especially so if players are lost at the trade deadline and thus not re-signed. Thus the Canucks will need to acquire some short-term free agents over the summer, so why not the Sedins?

But it depends upon the price. $4 million sound about right. The Sedins have scored well this year, but only by getting a lot of offensive-zone faceoffs and power-play time. Players who need protected minutes are not worth more.

regardless of the amount they are offered it’s going to have a big impact on the team’s ability to sign and re-sign other people. what if they stand in the way of a youngster who might otherwise be on the team? there are only 2 things that make sense to me. a trade at the deadline brings big returns, they resign for a day later and retire to the rafters. or they retire. that money is hugely important folks. there are guys here who need to be re-signed – think boeser. there will be free agents that can help along the way as kids develop. we don’t have to spend to the max when we are rebuilding even if that figure will be increasing. you bet it’ll leave us in a tough spot if things don’t pan out, like all the picks becoming superstars lol but what’s the problem with more picks? bye guys and thanks a lot…

The Sedins – should they be resigned or retired? For me it is a simple answer. Resign for a year with an option for a 2nd year (if that can be done). Why , well based on the points they have at 47 games – Henrik 32, Daniel 30 – they should both be in the 50 to 55 point range at the end of the season. IMO there is not a GM out there who would not resign 2 players who would contribute close to 100 points to the team in the 2018 – 19 Season. How much $3M to $4M each. I would also add that the Sedins make the PP work (even though Henrik should shoot more). As of this morning the Canucks have the 6th best PP in the NHL.

Finally, certainly would be a great asset in mentoring some of the young players that will probably be on the team next season. You cannot under estimate what their leadership adds to the team.

Re-sign them for another year. And honestly, I don’t think the dollar figure matters too much — we shouldn’t be in cap trouble next year, regardless. (And they’ll probably give half of the salary to the Children’s Hospital.)

So JB wants to know about Sedins for TDL. How many forwards is he willing to move if they commit to returning?

If it’s only Vanek that means only one of Gaunce or Goldobin play. How does this make room for all these prospects from Gaudette to Petterson knocking on NHL door? Resigning the Sedins doesn’t make the team younger nor give room for to mentor new prospects. Unless JB is looking to deal 3 more forwards on top of Vanek at deadline for futures(picks) or prospect D. If that happens, very doubtful, then resign twins to hone town discount that allows cap space to take on bad contracts for picks and to sign a young UFA like Kane that can fit 5 year contention plan.