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[Canucks LB]

I mean his statement is not wrong.

Previously it was basically a lock that Willander would come straight into the team to some capacity given how poor the defense was.

Now there's the very likely scenario that mgmt wants him to start in the AHL given the depth they have.

I would not be surprised if he announces going back for another year if neither side budgets on their demands.

The moment the Canucks get any inkling, he’s not gonna sign, he’s gonna get traded

 

[aregora]

One possible scenario is that the Canucks gave Willander two contracts and he could choose which one to sign. Tom - you decide which you want and we'll support you.

1. Here's an NHL contract to play 2 games in the NHL and burn a year off your ELC.
2. Here's an AHL contract to go on a playoff run on a top team.

So, maybe Willander's just taking some time to mull over both options, talk to Manny and Rick.

Also known as, the non-doom and gloom scenario.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

The moment the Canucks get any inkling, he’s not gonna sign, he’s gonna get traded

Which is why the percentage of him getting traded this offseason increases.

With this new found depth on defense and the dire need for forward help, especially at C, it's conceivable that Willander gets traded if they don't reach a middle ground on an ELC.

 

[Vector]

They're probably responsible for most of, if not all of his information flow.

He's very transparent about it, which I do appreciate. When it's not coming from an agent, he usually says "team source" or "another team".

I mean his statement is not wrong.

Previously it was basically a lock that Willander would come straight into the team to some capacity given how poor the defense was.

Now there's the very likely scenario that mgmt wants him to start in the AHL given the depth they have.

I would not be surprised if he announces going back for another year if neither side budgets on their demands.

From everything that was reported, where Willander starts isn't the issue but the bonuses. That's where I have a hard time taking anything Dhaliwal says about this subject without an entire Salar de Uyuni. There's an agenda he is pushing on behalf of the agent in order to turn public sentiment away from the team and towards the player. It's not something that fans should care about other than if/when he gets signed.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

He's very transparent about it, which I do appreciate. When it's not coming from an agent, he usually says "team source" or "another team".



From everything that was reported, where Willander starts isn't the issue but the bonuses. That's where I have a hard time taking anything Dhaliwal says about this subject without an entire Salar de Uyuni. There's an agenda he is pushing on behalf of the agent in order to turn public sentiment away from the team and towards the player. It's not something that fans should care about other than if/when he gets signed.

Part of it would have to be tied to where he starts though for him to actually earn some of those bonuses.

If he starts in the AHL, then achieving any bonuses related to the Calder potentially go out the window.

Start in the NHL, there's atleast a chance.

Either way, mgmt still appears to be cheap which wouldn't be the first time they have appeared that way.

 

[LemonSauceD]

This is akin to people wanting to gift Silovs the #2 goalie position after last season. These are not proven NHLers. Raty will probably be pencilled in for a spot on the roster; the other two have to earn it.

It’s not the same thing at all considering we’re talking about 2 very different positions.

 

[Goatlender]

50 points and he's the 3C? That's championship caliber, we should be so lucky!

Woops, I worded that poorly. I think his ceiling is likely 50 points (in his prime). On a separate note, I think by the end of next season he will be our 3C. This is probably silly optimism drummed up following a pretty stupid season, though.

 

[Vector]

 

[Canucks LB]

Is there any hints or notes that we’re gonna sign any of these college free agents?

Like what is going on right now?

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

With Forbort out, makes sense.

Hope he plays as it would be nice to see what he can do at the NHL level for the last two games.

 

[Nick Lang]

i wonder if blueger could be cap casualty this summer. if raty sassons or whoever takes his spot for 1/2 price and they find a righty hand centerman.

third line: sherwood/raty/joshua.
4th line:???/aman/sassons.

Already been mentioned but Blueger is incredibly cheap, almost league minimum. He's also been incredibly stable and a great PKer when we've just had a horrible year when it comes to the center position. I think this would be an incredibly short sighted move without some bigtime reinforcements coming in. I would never go into the season with that line-up over keeping Blueger.

Raty should be 4th line.

Chytil 3rd line.

Aman can be the call up option.

Then add a 2nd liner.

This is reasonable but we still need Blueger to cover in case Chytil is not healthy.

If chytil could stay healthy I'm all for this. I don't think he'll be able to stay healthy though.

I totally agree he can't 100% be penciled in but having Blueger allows us to hope he's healthy enough to fill the 3C, or another position while always having Blueger to step in if necessary.

I would be very surprised if they moved him. True C, probably their best PK forward (top 2 for sure). Neither Raty nor Sasson likely to carry the PK water, so unless they find an all situations #2, saving $900k by moving a very reliable bottom 6 C would be foolish IMO. he's also an asset they could move at the deadline next year if the season goes pete tong.

Ding ding ding. We have a winner. He's way more valuable then a guy like Hoglander at
this stage if we want to save some $$ he should be moved as Sherwood, and Joshua, and even O'Conner maybe are ahead of him on the depth chart imo.

 

[Bleach Clean]

It’s not the same thing at all considering we’re talking about 2 very different positions.

It kind of is in that you're not hedging against a drop off in play. I made the same mistake with Silovs thinking he could secure the #2 spot, largely because he was only projected to play about 25 games.

I would pencil in only Raty and make Sasson + Karlsson beat out another forward for their spots.

 

[Burke's Evil Spirit]

I think long-term Raty isn't a C. I see a lot of Tanner Pearson in his game.

 

[Bleach Clean]

Why is there such an issue with Willander's bonuses? If he hits it that means he play above expectation, the team should be happy to pay it. If not (the more likely scenario), the money is not paid, so nothing lost there.

I'm not sure why the team is so hung up on this?

It's a dominance play.

The move for Willander is to do exactly what he has been doing. There's some insight into how Rutherford likes to negotiate here:



Forslund credits Rutherford with this career, but he had to get uncomfortable with negotiations before it happened.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

It's a dominance play.

The move for Willander is to do exactly what he has been doing. There's some insight into how Rutherford likes to negotiate here:



Forslund credits Rutherford with this career, but he had to get uncomfortable with negotiations before it happened.

Very old school approach.

Problem is sometimes this doesn't work as the initial interaction rubs people the wrong way and can't get past it.

 

[credulous]

Is there any hints or notes that we’re gonna sign any of these college free agents?

Like what is going on right now?

all the good college fas are already signed. there's a couple that maybe become available on august 15 but no one that really matters

celebrini went back because he's looking at the echl if he turns pro right now and willander who knows what's going on but it's not like the canucks are at risk of losing his rights. the only real concern i have is that if he commits to his junior year his trade value might be hurt as teams could expect him to be available for next season if they are interested in trading for him. there's also jackson kunz but he's not really a relevant prospect anymore

 

[Vector]

Yakov Trenin Punch on Forbort & the DPOS

• Trenin not receiving any supplemental discipline
• Forbort suffered a broken orbital bone
• Forbort’s agent and the Canucks were really mad
• Likes the way that the Canucks reacted in the moment
• Some people said to Friedman that they believe Trenin was committed to throwing the punch before the referee was separating them
• Thought there would be a suspension but previous aggressevor suspensions showed this was different than the other two; this was two guys getting into a fight and stopped when both officials got in there while with the other two, the aggressors didn’t stop punching
• Thinks that the NHLPAs appeals have made George Parros more careful when giving out suspensions; however someone he was talking to disputed that Parros is affect by this; was a passionate defence
• Parros has been in charge of DPOS for 8 seasons; one job in the NHL where everyone comes after you with their own agenda
• Wonders if there should be a term limit on the head of DPOS
• Believes that George McPhee turned down the position of head of DPOS after Washington but before Vegas
• Thinks the head of DPOS pays pretty well and is a big stepping stone, career-wise

Tocchet

• Thinks we will know which was this will go pretty quickly
• Neither the Canucks nor Tocchet want this to go on too long
• Thinks Hughes’ comments were very telling
• To keep him they will have to go to an uncomfortable financial area
• Team plays really hard for him

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Is there any hints or notes that we’re gonna sign any of these college free agents?

Like what is going on right now?

My only guess is they are super high on all of their unsigned prospects and want to preserve all available contract slots? Something just seems really really off though.

 

[Blue and Green]

It’s not the same thing at all considering we’re talking about 2 very different positions.

Not the same position but the same basic issue. Karlsson and Sasson haven't done enough to be gifted roster spots, never mind full-time lineup spots. Neither of them PK at the NHL level-- they're not even the top PKers in Abbotsford-- nor does Raty aside from perhaps occasional faceoff duty and any subsequent necessary usage until a change is possible. And Blueger does a competent overall job for the modest amount that he's paid. his $1.8M AAV is no problem for a 4C so why would the team want to blow him out the door anyway?

 

[vancityluongo]

wonder if willander has more value on the trade market with an extra year of control...

 

[Canucks LB]

 

[Vector]

Willander

• Has a bad feeling about the Canucks and Willander
• Other NCAA draftees are signing quickly
• Negotiations are very quiet right now
• Was seen attending classes at university this morning
• Not on his to Vancouver or Abbotsford
• Has not heard from his advisor and see that as another bad sign
• Two issues are burning a year of a contract and Schedule A bonuses
• Always have to say that things can change with one phone call
• Has been told that going back to school is an option

 

[Flik]

Willander

• Has a bad feeling about the Canucks and Willander
• Other NCAA draftees are signing quickly
• Negotiations are very quiet right now
• Was seen attending classes at university this morning
• Not on his to Vancouver or Abbotsford
• Has not heard from his advisor and see that as another bad sign
• Two issues are burning a year of a contract and Schedule A bonuses
• Always have to say that things can change with one phone call
• Has been told that going back to school is an option

Feels like fear mongering a bit, but to be fair, this is a bit strange for such a highly touted prospect.

 

[Vector]

Recap of the rest of Friedman's interview.

Tocchet

• All he has heard is that his status won’t drag on past the season
• Team was getting annoyed at the leaks of Tocchet potentially having interest from Philadelphia; team stepped in to point out that they have a team option but that stance has softened a bit
• Both Tocchet and Canucks want to figure out his future in the
• organization
• Will have a conversation about both term and dollars
• Canucks know how Hughes feels about Tocchet

Trenin vs Forbort

• Was surprised Trenin didn’t get suspended
• Thought the Canucks, in the moment, handled it really well; especially Blueger
• Previous aggressor penalty suspensions were very different; a lot more punches thrown and against unwilling combatant

Boeser

• Is a Canuck success story
• Seems like the Canucks are making a business decision and sticking to their term of 5 years

Willander

• Friedman asks Dhaliwal if he thinks that Willander was going to play in Vancouver and Dhaliwal says he thinks it would have been Abbotsford
• Friedman has heard some rumours that Willander wasn’t even going to play in Abbotsford this year; trying to figure out how serious this is
• Is obviously sabre rattling and definitely some battling going on
• Don’t freak out yet that he wasn’t going to play this year
• One theory is that he wasn’t going to play at all so the Canucks can be patient
• Dhaliwal had heard the battle was over Schedule A bonuses and burning a year of his ELC; says he thinks the Schedule A bonuses thing is “very real” but isn’t sure about burning a year; doesn’t think that burning a year is the best thing for him to do given that he’s not a point producer and might need to build up more of a resume

 

[credulous]

i don't think it's a disaster if willander doesn't sign this year but i think the ahl would be much better for his development than the ncaa