Saturday, July 2, 2011

Who's In, Who's Out

(I think Marco Sturm is the one on the right)

So I had an entire post written out about the guys they kept, the guys they let go, and what they should be doing since the signings that have been made. However, Google has seen fit to be a piece of crap, and when I tried to post, asked me for my password, which I entered, but as usual with Google accounts it said it was wrong. Google is a joke when it comes to this BS and it drives me insane!

Anyway, you guys now get the Cliff Notes version. I like the Higgins and Alberts signings, especially at the price. Both guys got a bit of a bump in salary and deservedly so. I thought Torres went too low, and was surprised he went to a team on the decline such as Phoenix. Thought a contender would have stepped up. I hope Tanner Glass fairs well in Winnipeg. he is a great fourth liner and always goes full throttle. He is also a great presence in the locker room and in the community. Sad to see him go, but happy for him as well. 

I am completely perplexed by the Marco Sturm signing. He is an alright player when healthy, which hasn't occurred in three seasons. The only good part of this signing is its only for one year. Even so, if he gets injured that is a loss to a top six Forward roster spot. Not liking this at all. 

With so many teams under the Salary Floor they still can unload Keith Ballard. For the record I have nothing against Ballard, but it seems Alain hates him, due to the fact he barely played him in the playoffs. So what good is a $4.2 million a year Defenseman that you don't want playing in the playoffs? Send him to a place where he will play, and you can get $4.2 million off the books. But what do I know? I want to unload money, and NOT sign injury-prone under-achieving Forwards.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Some Wheeling And Dealing


The Canucks made some interesting moves on draft day. Turned one pick into two, which I am always in favor of, and seemed to go with size. This seemed a bit like the NBA draft, as far as being front-loaded, however, the NHL is like Major League Baseball, some of the best, if not the best, players come in the later rounds. So lets see the eight newest Canucks:

Round 1, Pick 29: Nicklas Jensen, Left/Right Wing, Shoots: L, 6'2" 187 lbs. 

The 18 year old Dane had a pretty nice rookie season for Oshawa Generals in the OHL, posting 29 Goals and 29 Assists in 61 games. His dad is Canadian Dan Jansen, a former OHLer in his own right. Although he scored as many goals as assists, the younger Jansen seems to be more gifted as a play-maker. He has been known to go coast-to-coast, and has the fore-sight to spot a developing play.

His biggest obstacles have been filling out his frame and using his size as an advantage. At 6'2" 187 lbs. he is a little lanky, so he has some room to fill out. He will definitely need to add muscle to excel at the next level. If he can use his size and (potential) strength to protect the puck with those skills he can be dangerous. He also has a tendency to be streaky. However, he is 18 years old and just finished his first season in the OHL. The kid has a lot of room to grow, and with a former pro father (who is not a Lindross) he should develop nicely. I look forward to seeing a lot more of him in the future. Plus his favorite movie is "Step Brothers."

Round 2, Pick 60: Traded to Minnesota, for the Wild's 3rd Round (71st overall), and 4th Round (101st overall).

I am a big fan of trading picks, especially if you have an offer that gets you more picks, they dropped 11 spots and gained a pick. The more bullets your fire, the more crap you hit. 

Round 3, Pick 71: David Honzik, Goalie, Catches: Left, 6'2" 209 lbs.

The 17 year old Czech goaltender played in his first season in the QMJHL for Victoriaville, and carried a majority of the load, playing in 36 games, posting a 3.54 GAA, with 1 SO, and an .884 S%. He improved in nine playoff games posting a 3.28 GAA, with a much improved .919 S%. He seems to have come on strong late, but he is still 17 and has a lot of room to grow. Nothing but upside here. And yes I am looking on the sunnyside of things.

Round 3, Pick 90: Alexandre Grenier, Right Wing, Shoots: Left, 6'5" 200 lbs.

The 19 year old Canadian posted some nice numbers for Halifax of the QMJHL last season, posting 9 Goals, 15 Assists, and only 6 PIM in 31 games. The Laval, PQ native was a defensive presence, and even participated in a few scrapes. He definitely has the height, but will definitely need to add some muscle mass to make it at the next level. I see a young Max Lapierre, but with more size, and possible a little more offensive productions.

Round 4, Pick 101: Joseph Labate, Center, Shoots: Left, 6'4" 180 lbs.

The 18 year old Minnesota High School product has already committed to the University of Wisconsin for next year. This will be a good move for the lanky ( I am seeing a trend) Center. He played well in the "State of Hockey," as Minnesota is know, posting 49 points (27 goals) in just 25 games. This while notching 42 PIM. Again, muscle mass will be needed, but he seems to have all the intangibles needed. Plus he seems to be a steal at the moment.

Round 4, Pick 120: Ludwig Blomstrand, Left Wing, Shoots: Left, 6'1" 198 lbs.

This 18 year old Swede seems to break the mold of the other draft picks, by not being as lanky as the rest. He spent last season with Djurgarden of the Swedish Junior League, playing in 35 games, posting 3 Goals, 4 Assists, and 14 PIM. He has an engine that doesn't seem to stop and never lacks in the effort department (which is a rarity among Swedes in this organization) and likes to grind out plays. Not too much offensive upside, but could be a solid thrid-liner (i.e. Raffi Torres) with some PK time

Round 5, Pick 150: Frank Corrado, Defenseman, Shoots: Right, 6' 190 lbs.

Another 18 year old, this time from Toronto, played for Sudbury in the OHL last season, posting 4 Goals, 26 Assists and 94 PIM in 67 games. He was on the top pairing and became a shutdown Defender in the second half of the season. He seems to get physical when needed, but can also use his skill and smarts when needed. Sounds like Scott Hannan-type potential.

Round 6, Pick 180: Pathrik Westerholm, Center, Shoots: Left, 5'11" 185 lbs.
Round 7, Pick 210: Henrik Tommernes, Defenseman, Shoots: Left, 6' 176 lbs.

Rounding out the draft the Canucks went with a couple more Swedes. The first, 19 year old Westerholm, posted 29 Goals, 29 Assists and 24 PIM in 60 games for Malmo in the Swedish Juniors. Although this does not bode well: he has a twin brother, and there are questions if he can be as productive without him. Still very gifted offensively.

Henrik Tommernes is the old man of the group coming in at 21 years old. Couldn't find much on this blue-liner, but he seems to be a more physical player, with flashes of offense throughout his junior career.



*Also a note: Shortly after I posted the article about Ehrhoff, his rights were traded to the New York Islander for a fourth round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Nice move by Gillis. If you can't sign him at least get something for him.





Bieksa, Max, and Ehrhoff Too?


So I got sidetracked writing this last night, however my boy Max Lapierre also resigned. Looks like Mike GIllis has been reading my blog. There has been a lot of talk of Bieksa taking a discount to stay in Vancouver. Some people scoff at this, but its a win-win situation, especially in this case. Bieksa stays on a winner, gets a nice raise of $1.1 million per season over five years (the per year pay is front loaded, but cap hit of $4.6 million), and he stays in not only a great hockey city, but a great city overall. He would be stupid not to take this deal.

Plus lets be honest, is the extra $1 million worth going to the Islanders, or Anaheim, or Phoenix, or Florida? When you look at who can really afford to pay big money for Bieksa, or Ehrhoff, for that matter, its a no-brainer. The no-trade clause was a throw in considering the discount I am sure. Thumbs up Mike, bravo sir.


Max Lapierre came in at a full million less than I had anticipated, signing a two year contract worth $2 million total. $1 million per year for a guy who annoys the absolute crap out of the oppsition and can net a few goals when the mood strikes, is not a bad deal at all. So as of right now Mike Gillis is making me look stupid (shocking that an NHL GM makes a blogger look stupid I know).


So it appears that Ehrhoff and his agent aren't exactly looking to go for the Bieksa discount. This is completely understandable, especially looking at the Unrestricted Free Agent Defenseman on the board. Ironically enough, Bieksa coming off the board has shot Ehrhoff's value up even more, because he is clearly the best available right now. He will get his pay day, and he should, he played great. Plus the way he played, especially in the finals, you can't justify the contract he wants. Good luck Christian.