Another Gillis Dilemma: Figuring Out Line 3

by Sean Zandberg on Jun 25, 2009 3:00 AM PDT in The Gillis Era Comment 3 comments

Personally, I really enjoyed the work ethic of Steve Bernier, Kyle Wellwood and Taylor Pyatt / Mason Raymond for most of last season. They did score the goal of the year while Pyatt was out. Simply magic. But now, Pyatt is an unrestricted free agent who will most likely not get a contract. Wellwood is a restricted free agent and his stay will depend on the dollars he is asking for.

Once again assuming that the Sedins do re-sign, Gillis just needs to acquire another top 6 forward and the top 2 lines are set:

Dank-Hank-Burrows

Demitra-Kesler-???

And of course line 4 is signed up and ready to go:

Hordichuk-Johnson-Rypien

Where does that leave line 3? To continue being an inquisitive bastard, does Gillis let Wellwood and Pyatt go and put Cody Hodgson and/or Michael Grabner there with Steve Berner or Mason Raymond? (Would that be a fast line or what?) So much hinges on not only the Sedins, but how Hodgson and Grabner fare at training camp. I'd guess that Grabner makes the cut for sure, but that doesn't fill the hole at center on that line. Wellwood was so damn good at the middle position. Maybe that's where Hodgson makes the cut as he is a centerman.

This is confusing. Is Raymond going to break out this year? It will be a contract year for him after all. If he does then there is no need to acquire another top 6 guy (if the Sedins return). If the Sedins don't return it's a whole new bowl of wax. If they do, we have too many forwards on our hands. That could spell a trade. (Oh shit, I forgot about Jannik Hansen. See? Too many forwards.)

And too many questions. YOU be the armchair GM. What would YOU do? My current opinion is to sign the Twins and put Raymond with Kesler and Demitra, thus having Hodgson center Bernier and Grabner (and letting Wellwood go work at McDonald's or on another team because we cannot afford his potential raise.) That would also mean that Gillis will be able to sign a Bouwmeester or Niedermayer-type after July 1.

For a great reference on Canucks forwards, check out Yankee's "Picking Up The Pieces" post from May 21.

But I want to know YOUR opinion, Canucks fans.

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I think Grabner and Raymond is a safe bet, but if Gillis gets another winger, you may see Burrows dropped back to the third line too. Again depends on the Sedins. Pyatt isn’t coming back.

Grabner, Raymond and Hansen maybe the guys to watch in camp to see who wants it the most. Doesn’t bode too well for the Patrick White’s of the world.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Jun 25, 2009 5:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I suppose we’ll have to wait until after the 1st, when we see what Gaborik signs for.

Sorry about that. Resume breathing, please!

Keeping in mind Hordichuk’s a part-timer, one player (probably Hansen again if he doesn’t go great guns in camp) is going to be spelling him off. I’d love to see the like YC described – talk about pushing the opposition back! – but if Grabner comes up, do you keep a sniper on your third line? Classically speaking, that’s the line used to shut down the opponents’ best, and I really don’t see Grabner in that role.

I think Bernier could get another shot on the top line, but not for long if he doesn’t produce. Otherwise, it’s him, Wellwood, and Hodgson for 10-15 games with Raymond on the second until the rookie goes back to junior and Ray-of-Light drops to the third.

It’s not like Vaingault is going to keep whatever lines he makes for longer than two weeks or so any way.

by Thursday on Jun 25, 2009 12:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

it's really a cornucopia of mediocrity

under the assumption that the sedins resign:

none of the contracted guys you’re talking about (raymond, hansen, bernier) have made or in my opinion are likely to make a big impact. they’re a bunch of warm bodies with good work ethics. wellwood on the other hand is a surprisingly effective checking line center and a very good playoff/shootout specialist. i would be very disappointed if the canucks don’t sign him. pyatt is a log on skates, a try hard player that has already reached his potential and is not worth the contract he played under last year. that said he is part of the canuck family and with the carly tragedy i could see the canucks giving him a 1 year deal to stick around, given that they need some big bodies in the lineup. with out pyatt and sundin they’re going to get run over by the sharks, ducks, flames, etc of the league.

i think hodgson is pretty much a lock to make the team and i could see him playing on the second line with demo and kesler. with a little seasoning he could be a good 3rd twin given his high hockey iq. if grabner comes up and sticks i think someone has to go down and i’d put my money on hansen as he seemed to not progress at all last year.

really though, i don’t think there are any players that played on the roster last year that have a big step up in them. too many players had their career year last year and there is nothing i could point to for any of them as a hurdle they could clear on their way to becoming significantly better than they already are. the one exception to that is that if bernier could finish he’d be a much much better player, but bernier can’t finish so that point is pretty moot.

now, given most of the forwards are the same kind of mediocre, good skating, younger players i’d love to see us trade 1 or 2 to get a legit power player.

by bitterguy on Jun 25, 2009 2:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs