Vancouver Canucks Analysis: The Power of Nikita Tryamkin
By David Joun
Tryamkin Analysis: The Fit in Vancouver
Tryamkin is the most Jim Benning defenceman in the system now. Of course — Benning drafted the Russian himself, did he not? Big, mobile defenceman with a blistering shot? File this under one of the better picks of the Benning Era.
At age 21, he is part of the core of the new era. The problem is that the new era has not settled in quite yet. There is no room for Tryamkin on a Canucks blueline already littered with defencemen.
As already discussed in a Canucklehead Lament, consider the following.
A Defensive Logjam
Alex Edler, Chris Tanev, Ben Hutton, Luca Sbisa, and Alex Biega are all signed through next year. Defenceman Philip Larsen should draw into the lineup next year after Benning acquired his rights from the Edmonton Oilers for a fifth-round pick. Andrey Pedan has been given the green light to proceed to the NHL.
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And with a mutual verbal agreement virtually bringing veteran Dan Hamhuis back to Vancouver next year, Vancouver already has eight defencemen penciled in for next season. With Benning also saying that the Canucks will draft a defenceman (early) in the first round of the 2016 draft, that number is bound to grow to 10.
Nikita Tryamkin, you have your work cut out for you. Who can you bump? Who can you challenge? Is an injury-riddled Alex Edler a possible target to bump in the near future?
Putting Luca Sbisa on the block?
The most popular name on the trade block seems to be none other than Luca Sbisa. And I can understand why. Perhaps Tryamkin’s physical presence can replace Sbisa’s. Tryamkin is a better skater and passer than Sbisa is. The main objection to that is that Sbisa has the edge that Tryamkin does not. And of course, Sbisa just scored a goal on Wednesday.
But watching the highlight reel from the 2014 World Juniors, a part of me thinks that Sbisa’s offensive production is overrated compared to how underrated Tryamkin’s offensive production is. Mind you, that was from two years ago.
Now this is a Tryamkin feature video from his KHL play in 2014-15. Feel free to watch the rest of the video if you want to challenge your Russian skills. Remember, this is him playing against men. This video should give a better feel as to what his every day play looks like:
Next: Tryamkin Analysis: The On-Ice Chemistry