Canucks News: No Rebuild, Closer Look at Dahlen, Goldobin, Cramarossa
The Vancouver Canucks have officially starter their… Well, what is it they’ve started?
Vancouver Canucks fans are all-in on the rebuild. So far, the process has been rather slow, but with the latest trading of veterans for prospects, it seems like management could officially speak of rebuilding.
Yet, they don’t do it.
The Canucks won’t call it what it is, but we’re happy as long as it’s happening.
Ed Willes of the Vancouver Sun shared some thoughts about the process, as well as the three newest Vancouver Canucks.
No Rebuild
Ed Willes (Vancouver Sun) — Canucks won’t call it a rebuild, but that’s exactly what it is
"“I look at is as a continuation of the things we’ve done over the last couple of years,” Linden said. “Perhaps it’s a more overt direction, but I’d say it’s a continuation.”“We’re in a transition period,” said Benning.Fine. Call it whatever you want. But there are now five players left from the team Linden and Benning took over in — yikes! — 2014, and if that isn’t a rebuild, it’s the next closest thing."
Fans and media are quick in calling for a rebuild and calling a club’s direction that same thing. I am one of those people, too, as I enjoy scouting and following junior hockey. I also believe younger teams are more exciting than older ones.
But, I also understand why NHL executives don’t want to use that r-word.
If you say “we are rebuilding”, you might as well say “we are going to lose the majority of the next 200 games”.
It doesn’t sell, and NHL franchises are products that need to be sold to the fans.
Everyone wants a rebuild, but no one wants to lose. In most cases, you can only have either a rebuild or a “winning team”, not both.
But if you make it a long “transition period” with a more aggressive phase that includes trading veterans for prospects, you might get close to having an exciting product while building for the future.
That’s what the Canucks are going for.
Newbies
Ed Willes (Vancouver Sun) — A closer look at the three players acquired by the Canucks at the deadline
"The Canucks are excited about their haul from the NHL trade deadline, but what’s the opinion of the rest of the hockey world? Here are some thoughts about Jonathan Dahlen, Nikolay Goldobin and Joseph Cramarossa from the scouting community."
Three simple takeaways from this one.
One, Jonathan Dahlen is an exciting prospect no matter what people say about his skating. The thing is, most of them have never seen him play, yet call him a “bad skater.” Luckily, the only negative about Dahlen’s skating is his stride — which is improving — the rest is excellent. Skating can’t be generalised, and “bad skater” descriptions make Dahlen sound far worse than he is.
Two, Nikolay Goldobin is exciting as well. Much more so after scoring his first goal as a Canuck last night in Los Angeles. Some scouts have concerns about his compete level, others question his ability to keep up with the NHL’s game speed. But, he has scored at every level he has played on, and is starting to do the same in Vancouver.
Next: Canucks Should Re-Sign Ryan Miller
Three, Joseph Cramarossa is probably just another Michael Chaput or Jayson Megna. Which isn’t all bad, though. A pending restricted free agent, Cramarossa can easily be let go at the end of the season, or get re-signed for another year, depending on his play over the next few weeks. A no-risk move for the Canucks that allows them to keep key AHL players in Utica for the home stretch.
GM Jim Benning did great work at the deadline. Let’s hope the trend continues.