RobertKron
Registered User
- Sep 1, 2007
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Always ambivalent about sending really top (sic) prospects to practice.
Confirmed with Link: Canucks sign F Daniel Sprong to 1-Year Deal ($975K)
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Brookbank
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- Nov 15, 2022
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There should be a way to utilize him. Maybe with matchups or something. Ryan Huska is winning games with Kuzmenko.
It was just 2 games. But a lot of ppl assumed Sprongs speed would get him out of trouble defensively in a way Kuz couldn't
The jury is still out
Brookbank
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- Nov 15, 2022
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Maybe in a very situational role. It looks like the idea of him being there regularly is already done
Diversification
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- Jun 21, 2019
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Meh. Game 3/82. Maybe they need to work with him like they did with Desharnais and then he'll draw back in. I mean they more or less promised that was what they would do with him, which is why he signed with us in the first place.
Way too early to tell how significant this is.
Way too early to tell how significant this is.
So Bains is in for Sprong, and immediately is placed on the top line with Miller and Boeser.
If he were to get on a heater, I'm not sure Sprong ever gets his spot back.
If he were to get on a heater, I'm not sure Sprong ever gets his spot back.
With Sprong, I don't think it's so much that he's a league minimum player but for reasons he's been utilized as a 4th line player with some healthy scratches despite his offensive production.
Ernie
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- Aug 3, 2004
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It's just funny that lots of people seemed to have him permanently slotted into the top six.
both sprong and heinen are guys who have failed to stick on nhl teams over and over. they were okay bets to maybe contribute a little but pencilling them in as regular top 6 contributors is pure fantasy
thecupismine
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- Apr 1, 2007
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I thought it was pretty obvious from the preseason that he is who he is at this point. Low IQ, incredibly skilled player who can carry the offensive load for a line but doesn't really know how to utilize his teammates.
Put him with two defensively responsible players on the 4th line and it's fine, but we might have enough depth where we can get the offense without sacrificing defense on that line.
His best role outside of that is being a sniper on the 2nd unit PP, where you give him very specific options in a static formation.
Ernie
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- Aug 3, 2004
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yeah this is his first multi year contract since his elc i think? he signed 1 year deals with boston, pittsburgh, pittsburgh again and then boston (after a pto). i don't think he's a terrible player but there's a reason he's had to take scraps his entire career
Ernie
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- Aug 3, 2004
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He was signed for 2 years @ $2.8m per after his ELC by Boston, then flipped to Anaheim. Since then he's been squeezed by the flat cap but still played 3rd line ice time at a 30pt ES pace.
i missed the 2 year deal coming off his elc but doesn't change the fact he's had 3 straight seasons where he's been squeezed out. if he was a legit top six guy that wouldn't have happened
Heinen joined the Bruins on a PTO, had a decent training camp last year, and earned a spot. Then went on to score 17 goals.
But despite this, the Bruins made little effort to re-sign him. He's had three separate stints with Bruins; and lasted as couple of seasons in Anaheim and Pittsburgh.
And as has been reported at length, Sprong is on his sixth team in six years. Maybe these guys discover something in Vancouver that they've never achieved before. But more likely at their age, they are what the are.
The real shame is that they're taking up roster spots for younger guys in Abbotsford. Frankly, I'd rather see guys like Bains, Raty, Sasson or even Karlsson and eventually Lekkereimaki up here. They may not be as good now, but the gap isn't that wide.
And neither Sprong or Heinen will be anywhere near a Canuck team that's actually a threat to win a Cup.
Cancuks
Former Exalted Ruler
Heinen is fine on the 3rd or 4th line. But they pencilled him on the 1st with Miller. He's never been a top 6 player and never will be on a contending team.
the gap is actually very wide. raty's taken a nice step in his development but it's clear he isn't there yet.
Stick Sprong on the 4th line (& PP2) with Sherwood & Aman/Raty. 2 defensively responsible players allowing him to create individually while giving the coach less migraines. Utilize his offensive skills instead of having a dry boring 4th line. This strategy worked with Hoglander while he rounded out his game and then worked well with Kuzmenko after.
Been really happy with him so far, especially at the price. Isn't really setting the world on fire or anything, but he seems like a good bottom six skill guy, as long as you're deploying him at the right time. I think the trouble starts with this player when you give him too much to do. Keep it simple, give him time to learn the systems, and don't overwhelm him, and I don't really see how this can go wrong. He and Bains seem like a good match, because they're both hungry as hell to do something on this team, and make a name for themselves. That's no small thing.
