Confirmed with Link: Canucks Sign Tom Willander to ELC

[Bleach Clean]

@Bleach Clean from the agent himself.

The small amount of money the team should have readily paid.

You're confusing the gap to be $17k, it wasn't. It was the distance the team moved up to cover to get to within $200k.

 

[Jerry the great]

Strongly disagree.

This isn't a multi-year NHL vet that has already made millions of dollars, it's his first (and possibly last) NHL contract. I agree it's kind of a bad look to hold out for this amount, but to me Willander isn't the one coming out of this looking like a fool.

The NHL franchise worth over a billion dollars pinching pennies is a far worse look, especially when it prevented their top prospect from joining Abby in their playoff run. The Abby fans could have gotten a look at him in-person, Willander could have gotten some NA pro hockey experience.

There's a reason why this almost never happens.

The vast majority of agents wouldn't give this advise, because it makes the players look greedy and entitled....and the vast majority of rookie NHL hopefuls don't want to came across that way for reasons that should be obvious. They sign the ELC as presented because the one being presented is almost always in line with their draft position.

The cubic zirconia was shooting for max As, ended up getting his client an extra $17K/year in potential bonuses and whipped a bunch of fans into a tizzy in the process. what a wanker.

 

[arttk]

You're confusing the gap to be $17k, it wasn't. It was the distance the team moved up to cover to get to within $200k.

Like i said, JR said we offered what other 11OA got, agent said this was only small amount that was the sticking point, Dahliwal reported we were only 200K apart, the difference between final offer and the offer before that was 17K.

You are the one making baseless assumption that management offered something way lower and there is no solid reporting that supports that.

 

[Raistlin]

The small amount of money the team should have readily paid.

You're confusing the gap to be $17k, it wasn't. It was the distance the team moved up to cover to get to within $200k.

its more to do with setting a precedent. these things are guarded and it makes sense to make it hard for agents to push for. There is a cap in place and its not like Abby or the main team needs him right now... why not wait?

 

[Raistlin]

There's a reason why this almost never happens.

The vast majority of agents wouldn't give this advise, because it makes the players look greedy and entitled....and the vast majority of rookie NHL hopefuls don't want to came across that way for reasons that should be obvious. They sign the ELC as presented because the one being presented is almost always in line with their draft position.

The cubic zirconia was shooting for max As, ended up getting his client an extra $17K/year in potential bonuses and whipped a bunch of fans into a tizzy in the process. what a wanker.

its bad advice from the advisor.

 

[tyhee]

If that was the threshold to a deal, then this was all over shifting $25k to year 2...? (madness)

In that case, the Geekie Schedule A bonuses were not offered to Willander, as Rutherford relays. The $500k ceiling on year 1 contradicts that premise.

My guess is that Willander agreed to take less in bonuses in Year 1 than the Canucks had offered and the team agreed to raise the 2nd year bonus potential by about $100K.

That strikes me as good for Willander as probably both he and the team expect him to spend a good deal of time in the AHL in Year 1 so see him making performance bonuses in Year 1 a bit of a longshot anyway, while he has a realistic chance of meeting his performance bonus targets in Year 2.

 

[Raistlin]

Willander absolutely has more value and I really like EP25 but this untouchable talk is ludicrous.

From a long term salary cap and team building value trading Hronek makes more sense to me than trading a valuable cost controlled younger guy.

Packaging younger guys who don't hold the same value won't get the return needed.

You have to give to get.

the current blend allows for the rookies and sophomores to grow with veteran support without the added pressure to play mistake-free in crucial situations, and basically allow the team to "win now". I think we will achieve a balance of optimal asset management and the success of the on ice product with the current makeup. you remove the 2D from the equation and the house of cards crumbles. other than hughes, Hronek is the only one thats proven to be able to provide consistent offense if youknowwho decides to leave. I ask for the comp between EP25 and Willander because they kinda occupy the same niche. with EP playing with more of an edge and physicality and Willander with a greater ceiling in skating and defensive instincts. I believe talent evaluators can see EP25 projects very well also.... and can also be part of the package to acquire a 2C.

 

[wetcoast]

the current blend allows for the rookies and sophomores to grow with veteran support without the added pressure to play mistake-free in crucial situations, and basically allow the team to "win now". I think we will achieve a balance of optimal asset management and the success of the on ice product with the current makeup. you remove the 2D from the equation and the house of cards crumbles. other than hughes, Hronek is the only one thats proven to be able to provide consistent offense if youknowwho decides to leave. I ask for the comp between EP25 and Willander because they kinda occupy the same niche. with EP playing with more of an edge and physicality and Willander with a greater ceiling in skating and defensive instincts. I believe talent evaluators can see EP25 projects very well also.... and can also be part of the package to acquire a 2C.

Fair enough but I think the progress that both younger Dmen made last year and Willander has some offensive upside as well although not PP quality most likely.also what is the sue of the Canucks depth if it gets stuck in Abbotsford and for salary cap.purposes and for trade value I think using Hronek+ probably bring back the better player and is good for long term salary cap issues.

But if course all of this depends on other balls in the air mostly revolving around a #2 Center and an upgrade on the top 6 winger situation where we might have an internal answer but maybe not for 25-26.

Lots of moving parts but they need to get away from focusing on just making the playoffs and also have a long term plan around building a team and using the draft more to get and develop players in house instead of the trading carousel which frankly hasn't worked.

 

[ChilliBilly]

I think we have another D gem on our hands. He's going to be a stalwart back there. I could see moving Hronek at the draft. He's a very good D man, on a decent salary. When does his NMC kicking start, July 1?

Of course, it only makes sense if we get a significant player or a very good package.

Hughes Hronek
MP EP2
Myers Willander

Forbort KK Mancini all can be the #7 and are showing to be worthwhile prospects. And Mynio may be pushing for a spot.

If we trade Hronek

Hughes Willander
MP EP2
Myers -

With Mancini KK and Forbort all pushing for the 6th spot. And Juulsen may yet turn into an acceptable 7th, he sure wasn't last year.

And we have a lot of depth guys in Abby who can act as fillers if we get plagued with injuries.

 

[VancouverJagger]

I think we have another D gem on our hands. He's going to be a stalwart back there. I could see moving Hronek at the draft. He's a very good D man, on a decent salary. When does his NMC kicking start, July 1?

Of course, it only makes sense if we get a significant player or a very good package.

Hughes Hronek
MP EP2
Myers Willander

Forbort KK Mancini all can be the #7 and are showing to be worthwhile prospects. And Mynio may be pushing for a spot.

If we trade Hronek

Hughes Willander
MP EP2
Myers -

With Mancini KK and Forbort all pushing for the 6th spot. And Juulsen may yet turn into an acceptable 7th, he sure wasn't last year.

And we have a lot of depth guys in Abby who can act as fillers if we get plagued with injuries.

Wouldn't be opposed to moving Hronek once we see what we have in Willander and EP2 has proven he can play on the right side in a top 4 role. Yes both these things seem probable but imo it's a massive risk to move Hronek now without a clear replacement. We would potentially be robbing Peter to pay Paul.........

 

[ChilliBilly]

Wouldn't be opposed to moving Hronek once we see what we have in Willander and EP2 has proven he can play on the right side in a top 4 role. Yes both these things seem probable but imo it's a massive risk to move Hronek now without a clear replacement. We would potentially be robbing Peter to pay Paul.........

we can't really wait. NMC kicks in July 1 I believe

Edit - just to be clear, I am not pushing for this. But if a very good offer came in .... I sure don't want to move EP2 or Willander, pretty sure we would regret it in the long term.

 

[Bleach Clean]

Like i said, JR said we offered what other 11OA got, agent said this was only small amount that was the sticking point, Dahliwal reported we were only 200K apart, the difference between final offer and the offer before that was 17K.

You are the one making baseless assumption that management offered something way lower and there is no solid reporting that supports that.

This is wild.

The talks began in earnest once they got to a $200k difference. The Canucks increased their offer to get to $200k apart (Dhaliwal). From that alone, the delay is easily discernable to be due to the Canucks.

 

[Vector]

This is wild.

The talks began in earnest once they got to a $200k difference. The Canucks increased their offer to get to $200k apart (Dhaliwal). From that alone, the delay is easily discernable to be due to the Canucks.

The bolded is not what was reported. The initial talks were about 200k apart. On Friday, the Canucks increased their offer. They didn't increase their offer to get to 200k. Once the Canucks increased their offer, the Willander camp came down from their asking price.

It's not known if the Canucks increased their offer again after Friday.

 

[iceburg]

This is the way I'm thinking about the forward group going into the off season:

DeBrusk-EP40-(1RW)
(2LW)-(2C)-(2RW)
Joshua-Raty-Sherwood
O'Connor-Blueger-Karlsson
Sasson
Aman
Bains

UFAs
(Boeser) - I would not be surpised if they re-signed him after he and his agent get a sense of the market in late June. He would automatically slot into the top 6RW spot.
(Suter) - useful player. Can fit a top 6 role if playing with 2 higher end forwards. Otherwise the line quickly becomes a 3rd line by default.

Can fit in top 6 role but upgrades are preferred. Best trade candidates for the "roster player" in a roster player+1st+prospect package for a legit top 6 centre. These are the Beauviliers in the Horvat trade.
(Hoglander)
(Garland)
(Chytil)


(Lekkerimaki) - fall back top 6 slot if everything else fails. He could deserve the spot out of training camp but I don't think the club can rely on that in the summer decision making.

 

[moiderer]

its bad advice from the advisor.

Todd Diamond is also Kevin Lankinen's agent, and got him a sparkling 950K (corr: 875K) contract last season (though it worked out for everyone in the end).

Not putting evil on him but he was also the agent for Tryamkin and Virtanen(?), and those were sagas of their own.

 

[arttk]

This is wild.

The talks began in earnest once they got to a $200k difference. The Canucks increased their offer to get to $200k apart (Dhaliwal). From that alone, the delay is easily discernable to be due to the Canucks.

The bolded is not what was reported. The initial talks were about 200k apart. On Friday, the Canucks increased their offer. They didn't increase their offer to get to 200k. Once the Canucks increased their offer, the Willander camp came down from their asking price.

It's not known if the Canucks increased their offer again after Friday.

this.

 

[Jerry the great]

Todd Diamond is also Kevin Lankinen's agent, and got him a sparkling 950K contract last season (though it worked out for everyone in the end).

Not putting evil on him but he was also the agent for Tryamkin and Virtanen, and those were sagas of their own.

$875k but the point remains.

Kevin Epp was Virtanen's agent while he was in Vancouver, did he make the change to cubic and co when he went to Europe?

 

[moiderer]

$875k but the point remains.

Kevin Epp was Virtanen's agent while he was in Vancouver, did he make the change to cubic and co when he went to Europe?

I have recollections of when things were unfolding and Jake bolted that Diamond was involved, but can't find sources at the moment. I'll edit my post.

 

[HairyKneel]

i watched him a lot the last two seasons. i don't think ahl time will really help him much. he might need a little time to adjust to the speed of the pro game but he's pretty much a finished product skill wise

i think he'll probably struggle with forecheckers who are bigger and faster than what he saw in the ncaa but he should be fine as a transition defender and a secondary puck mover

i don't think he'll be anywhere near the top pairing though. he simply isn't a good enough passer or shooter to work well with hughes

I don't believe he's scatched the surface offensively. He started playing D at what....15? His first few steps are explosive. He's going to be a beauty. These ELC contracts for the young D men will be like gold the next few years while management grabs their ankles with the OEL tap for the next half decade. Thanks Elmer.

He's an interesting player with the pace he can play at and he has enough jam to succeed. He wasn't the top offensive option at BU. Passes the puck well, stick in the lanes defensively. He's a cerebral dude. Having all the other Swedes here should help him accelerate his development.

If nothing else this management has built up a stable of good you g D men here.

Hronek- 27
Mancini-22
Wilander-20
D-Petey-21
KK-21
Sawyer-20

Hell, McWard is apparently playing well. Mix in quality vets like Myers and Meaty, notto mention a top 5 player in the league in Hughes and this is a top 5 blue line as early as October. Maybe top 3.

I liked Foote's comment about the young D. He loves it, but he said, 'we always want more'

 

[Bleach Clean]

The bolded is not what was reported. The initial talks were about 200k apart. On Friday, the Canucks increased their offer. They didn't increase their offer to get to 200k. Once the Canucks increased their offer, the Willander camp came down from their asking price.

It's not known if the Canucks increased their offer again after Friday.

Here are the quotes:

Insider Reveals the Vancouver Canucks Have Increased Their Offer to Prospect Tom Willander, But Is It Enough?

An NHL insider has revealed that the Vancouver Canucks have increased their offer to top prospect Tom Willander, who is ready to make the jump to professional hockey

www.canucksdaily.com

"Most people you talk with around the league are surprised the Canucks are doing this with a first round pick. Funny this is, they're not super far apart. The two sides have dug in their heels though. Some say the gap is only $200,000." Dhaliwal said.

"I don't even think the gap is that far. The gap is close. The Canucks have gone up." Dhaliwal said.

Interpretation: The Canucks have gone up (past tense) to get to the current gap of $200k. Not that they have gone up from $200k.

But let's say it was always $200k apart and the Canucks recently decided to move off of their position. Why not just do that on April 12th to avoid the delay?

 

[credulous]

I don't believe he's scatched the surface offensively. He started playing D at what....15? His first few steps are explosive. He's going to be a beauty. These ELC contracts for the young D men will be like gold the next few years while management grabs their ankles with the OEL tap for the next half decade. Thanks Elmer.

He's an interesting player with the pace he can play at and he has enough jam to succeed. He wasn't the top offensive option at BU. Passes the puck well, stick in the lanes defensively. He's a cerebral dude. Having all the other Swedes here should help him accelerate his development.

i dunno i am hopeful i am wrong but his time at BU showed me he's not a good puck handler, his instincts aren't great and his decision making is often slow. his athleticism and skating mean it doesn't matter that much defensively because he can recover even when his decisions are a step behind but he'd need to massively improve both his puck handling and the speed he processes the game to really step up offensively

 

[MarkusNaslund19]

How come you post a version of this post in almost every thread it applies to? Just makes you seem bitter and resentful of people here.

I actually agree and never freaked out over this, but can appreciate that it happened in April/May (not much else to talk about regarding the Canucks) and our media ran with it (mainly Dhali). It also would have been nice to see Willander get some AHL experience and playoff games with Abby.

Because reading endless doomer posts based largely on ignorance and overreaction gets exhausting.

We're not discussing climate change here. We're literally talking about a pastime that we all choose to follow.

I'm not demanding people be unrealistically positive like, 'this is our year!' every year.

But all of the bizarre scenarios people work themselves up into a lather over.

"Petey's going to prove he belongs on waivers, Foote will chase Hughes out, and my stepdad steve will never let me eat chocolate again' seems to be the vibe based on nothing but a disposition of pessimism and it's exhausting. But even more than that, it's dull and offers zero insight.

 

[RandV]

its more to do with setting a precedent. these things are guarded and it makes sense to make it hard for agents to push for. There is a cap in place and its not like Abby or the main team needs him right now... why not wait?

Yes if you have to get him into the lineup right now then the delay looks silly. But if your aiming to have him signed for next season, then delaying a month or so arguing over relative pennies isn't that big a deal. Of course it would have been nice to get him into the AHL playoffs, but I'd imagine this a vastly higher priority for us fans than it is for the player/agent or team. Especially for a guy who probably expects to make the jump right to the pro team and stick there next season.

Now what I'm a bit confused about, my knowledge of signing college players may be out of date, but do we have him on ELC till 2027 or 2028? I would have assumed the latter, but considering that no one brought it up as an issue getting him signed and into some late season NHL games I'm not so sure. With Jim Benning and our other big college prospects we always signed them early and got effectively 2 ELC seasons instead of 3. Something I never really complained about but this would be a pretty big plus if we avoided that with Willander.

 

[Curm]

I don't believe he's scatched the surface offensively. He started playing D at what....15? His first few steps are explosive. He's going to be a beauty. These ELC contracts for the young D men will be like gold the next few years while management grabs their ankles with the OEL tap for the next half decade. Thanks Elmer.

He's an interesting player with the pace he can play at and he has enough jam to succeed. He wasn't the top offensive option at BU. Passes the puck well, stick in the lanes defensively. He's a cerebral dude. Having all the other Swedes here should help him accelerate his development.

If nothing else this management has built up a stable of good you g D men here.

Hronek- 27
Mancini-22
Wilander-20
D-Petey-21
KK-21
Sawyer-20

Hell, McWard is apparently playing well. Mix in quality vets like Myers and Meaty, notto mention a top 5 player in the league in Hughes and this is a top 5 blue line as early as October. Maybe top 3.

I liked Foote's comment about the young D. He loves it, but he said, 'we always want more'

Agreed. I've only seen him play 15–20 times, but he looks like the real deal to me. A top 5 blue line and a healthy, top 5 goalie tandem could make them a real handful next season.

 

[logan5]

I’m tired of watching Hronek just standing there like a jackass, then either missing the net or getting his shot blocked on the 2nd power play unit. Willander is far more mobile and far more capable of getting a shot on net. He will improve the 2nd unit, sooner or later.