February 27, 2012
Canucks Deal Cody Hodgson

In late breaking and most surprising fashion, the Canucks have dealt Cody Hodgson, the first draft pick of the Mike Gillis era and a player who showed in limited action this season that he can be a legitimate offensive force at the NHL level.  Along with depth defenseman Alexander Sulzer, Hodgson heads to Buffalo for aspiring power forward Zack Kassian and defender Marc-Andre Gragnani.

We are most sorry to see Hodgson go.  He has, on many nights this season, been the Canucks’ most dangerous offensive player and, only in his rookie season, seemingly has a long career ahead of him.  We are also surprised that Mike Gillis would be willing to cut bait on his first ever NHL draft pick.  However, without a move to the wing by Ryan Kesler, it was an impossibility for Hodgson to be a proper fit in Vancouver - his skill set was not really complimentary to a team that needs a third line to deliver physically more than it needs to score.

Kassian has the potential to be the kind of player the Canucks have been sorely lacking - a physically imposing player that can play regularly.  At the NHL level, he is still an unproven commodity however, unlike Hodgson who is in the running for NHL rookie of the year honours.  The 6’ 3” 230 pound Kassian is a former first round pick and has demonstrated a decent scoring touch at the AHL level.  Riding shotgun with the Sedins could make him a scorer at the NHL level.

Gragnani fills the void of the injured Keith Ballard and may be what tips this trade in favour of the Canucks.  He is a young puck moving defender and of reasonable size.  After becoming a point per game player at the AHL level he leads all Buffalo players with a plus 10 rating this year (meanwhile ex-Canuck and $10 million man Christian Ehrhoff is minus 5).  He can play top four minutes if required and along with Chris Tanev, Kevin Connauton and Yann Sauve suddenly leave the Canucks with some longer term depth on defense.

In the end, this move (along with the pick-up of checking centre Sami Pahlsson) addresses the weaknesses that were identified (a lack of toughness and grit up front and a need for a Keith Ballard replacement).

This deal will likely rank as one of the biggest in Canuck history and will be a difficult one to assess in the long run because of the diversity of the players being exchanged.  It is probable that Hodgson could become a top 10 NHL scorer playing 20 minutes per night.  And it is possible that Kassian could become Milan Lucic and that Gragnani becomes the next great Canuck power play quarterback.  Alternatively, they could become Jim Sandlak and J.J. Daigneault, respectively.  Though if Kassian and Gragnani (not to mention Pahlsson) help to complete Mike Gillis’ Stanley Cup puzzle, then it will be the best Canuck trade ever…

1:34pm
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(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: Vancouver Canucks Buffalo Sabres CodyHodgson Alexander Sulzer Sami Pahlsson Zack Kassian Marc-Andre Gagnani Mike Gillis Christian Ehrhoff Milan Lucic J.J. Daigneault Jim Sandlak 
July 8, 2011
Canuck Comings and Goings

There has been plenty going on in Canuckland since our last post, but somehow life has gotten in the way of our valued commentary.  Here is a recap:

Out’s:

Jeff Tambellini - After starting the season on an incredibly high note, he regressed completely and by playoff time was a healthy scratch.  Clearly, on a team of this calibre, his opportunities to play will be limited to third or fourth line duty which is not a good match for his skill set.

Tanner Glass - It was hard to dislike this guy; he gave you everything he had.  The trouble was that wasn’t much - an NHL effort from a guy with borderline AHL skills.  Always a favourite of coach Alain Vigneault, who will be the new teacher’s pet?

Rick Rypien - Have the Canucks ever pampered a player so much who played so little?  At any rate, the love affair is over.  When healthy (physically or mentally, take your pick), he provided speed and incredible toughness, but dependability should count for a whole lot and it seems it finally has.

Raffi Torres - It’s hard to imagine that the Canucks could have expected more of Torres.  Say what you will about his bowling ball antics, he was about the only Canuck that consistently intimidated the opposition.  Apparently, the Canucks were only prepared to do another one year deal with him.  How many more auditions must the guy give?

Christian Ehrhoff - Everyone did the right thing here.  The Canucks offered him fair money in relation to how their defense is currently configured.  And Ehrhoff has found himself on a good young team with $40 million in his pocket.  We’ll miss his power play skills, but not his purse swinging.

Alexandre Bolduc - One of a lengthy cast of characters who played portions of the season on the fourth line, the wonky shouldered francophone provided size but little else.

Guillaume Desbiens - See Alexandre Bolduc, replace “wonky shouldered” with “wonky handed”. 

In’s:

Marco Sturm - For the money, he is a reasonable gamble.  He has the skill set to play on the top two lines, but does nothing to address the ever present issue of size and grit.

Andrew Ebbett - The Canucks become his sixth NHL team in his very brief career.  This move is a head scratcher.  Not only does this acquisition move Cody Hodgson to sixth on the depth chart at centre ice (at least in terms of NHL experience), Ebbett is a tiny skill player.

Mark Mancari - From the Buffalo system, he provides size and a shot.  Along with Ebbett, likely to spend the year on the farm team.

Steven Pinizzotto - An agitating winger who at age 27 has yet to play his first NHL game, the advance press is that he provides a Brad Marchand like pestiness though we say don’t believe the hype.

Alexander Sulzer - A German defender who has played roughly a full season at the NHL level, Sulzer is being added to provide depth to the defense.

Matt Climie - A goaltending prospect from the Coyotes system, we’ll bet that he never plays an NHL game with the Canucks.

After these moves, the Canucks’ talent and toughness have been depleted and with little left in the over priced free agent market, any improvements will have to occur via trade.

10:31am
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(Notes: 8)
  
Filed under: Vancouver Canucks Jeff Tambellini Tanner Glass Rick Rypien Raffi Torres Christian Ehrhoff Alexandre Bolduc Guillaume Desbiens Marco Sturm Andrew Ebbett Mark Mancari Steven Pinizzotto Alexander Sulzer Matt Climie