Let The Kids Play
Aug 28th, 2008 | By Mike | Category: NewsI guess I should start bitching about the most recent twist in the Summer o’ Sundin which is he may not make a decision until after the season starts. I’d, rather, recommend a moratorium on mentioning this guy and the “Canucks” in the same sentence anymore. It’s simply not happening and it would behoove us, as the beleaguered fan base we already are, to let it slide and walk away with some friggin’ dignity. As has been said before: dude, he’s just not that into you.
However, in the same article, waaaay at the bottom where most readers might miss it, is an interesting tidbit:
If Sundin decides not to play or signs elsewhere, Gillis would have to resort to his Plan B, which he said Wednesday may include giving one or two of the team’s young prospects an opportunity to play.
“I am confident that some of younger players that we have spent a lot of time with this off-season are going to really push to be on this team,” he said. “We have added players, but I think there are going to be a couple of players who are going to step up here and show us they are prepared to play in the National Hockey League.”
Gillis wouldn’t name names, but was likely referring to the likes of Michael Grabner and Jannik Hansen [emphasis mine].
The Grabner era can begin and the Jannik Hansen era can be resurrected? $20 million for an aging center or let the kids play? Who cares because there isn’t an option A anyway.
The 14th pick in the draft two years ago, Grabner didn’t precisely knock the Canucks socks off last year in training camp. He did, however, have a successful year in Manitoba and the hope is that his game has matured to be far more then just relying on his speed. If his game can round out, a young one-two fast punch of Raymond and Grabner would be an incredible asset.
Statistically speaking, Hansen was right behind Grabner in points last year for the Moose after he failed to make the stay with the Canucks following the 2006-07 playoffs and a five game call-up last year. He played through some injuries and managed to not only rack up some points but finish up with a team best +/- of 23. He played this summer for the Danish national team in the Men’s World Ice Hockey Championships and, in case you missed it, showcased his stuff by zipping around the Leaf’s Tomas Kaberle (*snicker*) for his first goal of the tournament.
Both Hansen and Grabner are right wingers so where would these guys fall in? Optimistically speaking, something like this could work:
Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Steve Bernier
Mason Raymond – Pavol Demitra – Michael Grabner/Jannik Hansen
Kyle Wellwood – Ryan Kesler – Taylor Pyatt
Matt Pettinger – Ryan Johnson – Alexandre Burrows
I don’t imagine Hordichuk suiting up for every game, so he’s an easy person to scratch. Also, I’m not sold on “hit or miss” Wellwood making the top six at all, especially if someone from camp outworks him. And I know Demitra has said he doesn’t want to shift back to the center role, but whatever.
If Wellwood earns his spot on the wing, then the third line is a decent blend of “talent” (Wellwood), grit (Kesler) and size (Pyatt) while allowing the top six to be focused almost entirely on speed and cycling. That brings with both pros and cons but it’s certainly better then how this team ended last year (remember when Isbister was centering Naslund? Right).
There are several ways it could play out obviously, but with camp coming around the bend and this squad checkered with a million question marks, seems like a fine time to let the kids play.
And it sure beats blowing $20 million on a guy who doesn’t want to be here in the first place.
August 28th, 2008 10:46 am
Very well written column. The best fan site I’ve read. I just finished saying on a message board that Grabner and Hansen could make the team. Someone else refered to Jaffray.
August 28th, 2008 1:16 pm
Cheers Matt, I appreciate the kind words. Ya, Jaffray is another guy though Gillis may not be as hot on him as maybe Nonis or Vigneault were last season. He did finish with four more points then Grabner though last season so he’s definitely another guy who could earn some ice time. Or, like last year, be a good injury replacement.
August 28th, 2008 1:25 pm
I can’t imagine splitting Kessler & Burrows? Based on how they jelled last year, they have to be part of the 3rd line together. That’s how they managed to got under the skin of the other teams.
Agree that we should kiss Sundin Goodbye once and for all. Then If we still have $10M left to spend, Gillis should be looking for a Plan B forward. The Sedins cant play the role of a first line all year long & into the playoffs. By February the Fans will be chewing Gillis out for not spending the money on a power forward if he doen’t do anything soon.
August 28th, 2008 1:57 pm
Ali – I thought about not splitting Kes and Burrows up but I think (my coaching two cents for the one cent it’s worth) Kesler maybe should be pushed to take on a bigger role offensively. He may never hit that 30 goal plateau, but he did on the Moose and maybe he can if used in less of a shutdown role and more of a second line center role. Who knows, it’s fun to speculate…but he’s still young enough and talented enough to give it a shot.
I have to assume Gillis has a plan B. Several teams are above the cap, you have Tampa with like 17 NHL-caliber forwards and no defense and you have Ottawa and some others with holdouts. Sundin taking his sweet time may be the best thing for this team if Gillis can use the same money to bring in a number of different guys to shore up the offense.
I still think Bieksa will be moved, but no idea for who anymore.
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