July 3 Open Thread: Fighting Back The Yawns

by Yankee Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 8:24 AM PDT in Free Agency Comment 55 comments

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is? Never try.

Your scorecard heading into day three:

In: Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Aaron Rome, Nolan Baumgartner, Lawrence Nycholat, Matt Pope, Tanner Glass

Out: Mattias Ohlund, Jason Labarbera

Who's this Tanner Glass you ask? I have no idea and can't find a source to confirm he signed except Hockeys Future has him listed as a Canuck prospect, so for now, let's assume he's on our side. Career stats are here. If true, he appears to be a decent pick up:

Glass is a reliable, hard-working two-way forward noted for his great leadership. He is a player who leads by example and will do whatever it takes for the betterment of his team. Glass is a fierce competitor who isn’t afraid to mix things up. His quickness and speed allows him to win many battles to loose pucks. He is defensively responsible and can play in virtually any type of situation.

Besides that, day two was pretty much the same as day one with Gillis standing pat at the NHL level, opting to pick off AHLers to round out the cavalry. From a depth perspective, not much to complain about. Though to quote John Muckler, "Having a bunch of great guys in the room is nice, but maybe we need a couple asses that can play hockey."

Mirtle guesses that Vancouver has plenty of money to spend and we know the holes that have to be filled. Is today the day? Some quality names are still floating out there, including Tanguay, Kovalev, Sykora, Afinogenov, Samuelsson, Jason Williams and Fedotenko amongst others. On the blueline there's still Mara, McKee, Morris, Kalinin, Seidenberg, Bergeron and Beauchemin (though he has got to be in a bidding war by now).

If you see something, drop your thoughts in the comments.

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Koivu is still out there too.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 8:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mikael Samuelsson:

Canucks sign a guy with a Cup ring, and an earned one at that!
Come post-season time, I have one thing to say:

FUCK. YES.

Next up, a D Man!
WOO!

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 9:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not that familiar with Samuelsson, what style of player is he?

by kentcheesehead on Jul 3, 2009 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

From a Wings fan -

He’s a very solid checker, excellent defensively – you need have no worries on that count. Decent passer, very hard shot. For some reason he always seemed to tick off opponents (I thought of him as the world’s crankiest Swede), not a fighter, but an agitator always in the middle of scrums and conversations. Tenacious player, good skater.

He does score timely goals, but he is a really, REALLY streaky scorer, so be prepared for the inevitable droughts from time to time. Also, he acquired the nickname William Tell for his (lack of) accuracy so Vancouver’s glass budget just went up, and the team had best reinforce the boards on either end. He can play the point on the power play (was on the second unit with Detroit), but his turnovers will make you crazy.

There is a little bit of bad with the good, but no one’s perfect – and he should do very well for you.

As long as he doesn’t break a teammate’s jaw again. :-)

Good luck, and be nice to Sammy!

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jul 3, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks. I like the sound of this guy. Anyone that was made by the Red Wings machine tends to be a quality product that usually us out in Canuckland just get to be jealous of.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s a good guy, and his tenacity will be missed, although his marksmanship will not. Be prepared for hearing a lot of “Samuelsson shoots and misses the net!” But when he does get on a hot streak, he can score a goal a game for a couple weeks in a row. I’m glad he went somewhere that Swedes are appreciated. Won’t be any problem in the locker room, low maintenance character, low key personality – I think the Canucks fans will like him.

For what it’s worth, he wasn’t a discarded UFA either – the problem was that he wanted more than Detroit could afford, or he would have been back. It happens.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jul 3, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To clarify, I don’t think your team got screwed over on the contract, either – he made $1.2 million last year and Detroit wasn’t offering more than $2 million, I think, so it isn’t as though he is a minimum salary player getting $4 million a year for the next four years or something. Overall, I think it was a smart signing on your team’s part.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jul 3, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t imagine him getting too big a raise, maybe in the $2.4-2.8 million range?

by cyxj on Jul 3, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Province is saying 2.5 mill

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard three years, $7.5 total. Not crazy.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jul 3, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smart two way forward, timely goals in the 08 post season, scored a beauty wraparound on Fleury in Game of the 08 SCF against Pittsburgh.
I say 20+ goals this season.

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 9:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Alright, awesome. And he's a Swede! :)

by kentcheesehead on Jul 3, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

35 points in 69 postseason games, good 2nd line guy for us.

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yankee, Zarnstrom, start the bandwagon engine, we got a GM with a brain!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!
(if he signs Marchant for cheap 3rd-4th duties and trade Demo for something,
my head will explode)

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 9:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where are we expecting Samuelsson to play?

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 9:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I feel like he eats a slot that I had allotted for Hodgson (3rd line, 35-40 points). So either they want Hodgson for 2nd line (I think that’s risking too much) or they don’t expect him on the team (which I can’t believe) or they’re planning on trading someone on line 3?

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes!! I’d been saying how I want him on our team. He’s already been developed by the Red Wings so you can rely on him to play a sound 2-way game.

by cyxj on Jul 3, 2009 10:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, he’s great, and good for our 3rd line. He improves a third line that was already a good third line. Unfortunately, we doesn’t solve any of our holes though. Still need a solid 2nd liner (unless we think that one of those 3rd liners are going to turn into one this year… though none of them did last year when given the opportunity). And we still need 2 defencemen, including one top 3 player.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Samuelsson could fit ANYWHERE in the top 9, he did in Detroit regularly. I can see Vigneault trying him out on all 3 lines through out the season just like Babcock, and you know how he loves to do that. That’s the beauty, he’s very versatile.

Some stats:

-He played with Zetterberg and Franzen for 830 shifts (most frequent)
-" " with Filppula and Hudler for 542 shifts
-" " with Hudler and Helm for 368 shifts
-" " with Cleary and Zetterberg for 304 shifts

by cyxj on Jul 3, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was really interesting. Where’s the data from? That got me a lot more enthusiastic!

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

http://www.dobberhockey.com/frozenpool_linecombo.php

by cyxj on Jul 3, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i just looked at daniel sedin on there. he’s almost always with henrik, but i did find 7 combos without henrik.

GO CANUCKS GO!

by missy on Jul 3, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hodgson most likely has another year in the AHL.

by rsm on Jul 3, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please no. What more does he have to prove?

All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!

by rollonubears on Jul 3, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another? He hasn’t had one full season with the Moose yet.

by cyxj on Jul 3, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Strangely I think he’s to young to play with the Moose next year and must either play with Vancouver or return to Brampton in the OHL for another year. Hard to see how another year at the OHL level would help.

by vansteve on Jul 3, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too young to play for the Moose, but old enough to play for the Canucks? Huh?

I also don’t think another OHL season is gonna help him develop any further.

It’ll probably be a year with the Moose with some stints for the big club.

by cyxj on Jul 4, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

If he doesn’t make the NHL, he’s sent back to junior. Don’t know if he has anything left to prove at that level, though.

by Thursday on Jul 3, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn’t. That’s the connundrum.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Jul 4, 2009 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, they could see how well he would do with a slightly weaker team… (I kid!)

by Thursday on Jul 4, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

how about another Ruutu?

i was just over at Cane’s Country, and read that apparently Tuomo Ruutu is an RFA left-winger.
just throwing this out there.

GO CANUCKS GO!

by missy on Jul 3, 2009 10:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He did have a bit of a resurgence last year… but I imagine Canes have enough cap space to match anything we could throw his way, and they’d be fools not to after the chemistry that team had late last year and the playoffs.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hodgson:

I’m hoping Hodgson, despite the pressure, is given some shifts with the Sedins and Kesler on the top lines to rack up a few points.
I’ve said this before, the smarter teams give the rookies
ice time with the big boys (Colorado’s peak with young Tanguay-Sakic and Forsberg-young Drury or Datsyuk’s rookie season paired with Hull) instead of burying them on the 4th line. Stamkos surged late in ‘08-’09 when he was being fed by St.Louis instead of a tomato can on the 4th line.
Get Cody’s point up early and we got ourselves another weapon in the arsenal.

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 10:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Samuelsson-Kesler-Burrows

That is one helluva 2nd/checking line with a nice goal scoring touch.

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 10:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok, so what happened to Demitra? He sucks with Sedins.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baroque:

Thanks for the info, and the Wings look great to retool with Erickson, Leino, Abdulkander(sp?), Howard and Helm next year.
Damn good youth there.

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You're welcome.

I know how tricky it can be to get a handle on a new player, and the stats only tell so much, and don’t give any idea of the subjective stuff. Seriously, you will get used to seeing a minor scrum and picking Sammy out of the middle of it. It cracked me up because in interviews he was always so mind and quiet and soft-spoken, and yet for some reason opponents don’t seem to like him. I like that checking line with Kesler and Burrows – it will drive opponents nuts.

And we’re hoping some of our youngsters produce. It will be exciting to see them develop as players.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jul 3, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and it’s Abdelkader – you were close. :)

I only have an easy time with it because I also saw him play when he was going to college at Michigan State, so I’ve been practicing.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jul 3, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes thanks for the insights Baroque, I didn’t really know a lot about Samuelsson but your posts here have given me a pretty good idea of what we just signed.

by jozsef on Jul 3, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Demitra:

I’m sure he’s good for 4+ injuries next year.
Otherwise trade bait or press box?

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 10:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No one will take him only because of his salary. But he’s our only legit 2nd line player and you have him in the press box? He’s not bad, he’s just overpriced. And injured. But when he actually plays, he’s not bad.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s not that overpriced, he’s market priced. Look at his p/60. 3rd on the team for most of the year iirc.

by rsm on Jul 3, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Demitra:

I was being tongue-in-cheek.
He’s useful in the additional scoring dept. that the Canucks would need going deep if he’s healthy, like what Kennedy/Fedotenko provided late for the Pens this year.
Kesler and Samuelsson are certainly 2nd line worthy.

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Samuelsson is bubble-second line. 2nd line playeyr should get you around 50 points in a full season. Samuelsson has never done that. What about his stats make him ‘certainly’ 2nd line worthy? Kesler had a 2nd-line worthy season last year. Hopefully he can keep that up, I agree that there’s not reason why he shouldn’t.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I tend to rate ex-Wings highly unless their name is Martin Lapointe.

by Sneps-ish on Jul 3, 2009 11:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In case anyone wants to know more about Samuelsson

There are quite a few links here, including it looks like his press conference:

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/07/mikael_samuelssons_signing_wit.html

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jul 3, 2009 12:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I like it, I like it a lot. Great signing, Samuelsson is gonna be a great pickup. I like what Gillis has done, we are way deeper on offence this year. It should be a good season.

Now for a “rock” defenceman still.

by Nuckels on Jul 3, 2009 2:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. One of those not big time but still amazing signings that championship teams make.

All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!

by rollonubears on Jul 3, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This much does sound very good: (curtesy of The Province)

Samuelsson is expected to be the Sedin twins’ running mate on the power play. It won’t be the first time.

“At the Olympics they played together and I think at the World Championships they did at one time,” Henning said.

“They like playing with each other and it’s a great power-play setup. It’s always good when you can have a right-handed shooter with the twins and he does have a great shot.”

Samuelsson can man the area around the net and be the right-hand shot head coach Alain Vigneault is always looking for to play with the twins.

He can also play the point, which he did for most of the playoffs in Detroit. This will be especially important during Sami Salo’s inevitable visits to the injured list.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 3, 2009 4:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs