Real good waiver pickup, looking at his stats, in any other situation he wouldnt' have been placed on waivers. He'll be a real solid bottom pairing defenseman. I think we will see Gillis trade a defenseman for to improve the 3rd line.
I didn't realize he was 28 - thought he was older. Depending on how he plays I could see Gillis viewing this as a longer-term depth solution on the blue line.
I agree it was a steal on waivers. Had Philly not had the Briere-crunch it seems they could have turned this guy into a 2nd or 3rd rounder at the deadline.
This is just the Canucks acquiring depth for the playoffs. He'll probably bump O'Brien, Davison or Nycholat for the time being. But I don't think we will see any of our other depth defenders moved out.
Defensemen like Vaananen usually go for mid-round picks around the deadline so this is awesome to get him for free. If they can sneak Nycholat down to Manitoba through waivers the Canucks will be pretty set for depth. It's nice to know that the Canucks can survive one injury and not have to insert Davison/Nycholat in the lineup and instead still roll with 6 competent NHL defenders who are all capable of logging 15+ minutes per game.
As for Vaananen, just looking at the numbers he's been quite good for Philly. Of their regular defensemen he's been on the ice for the fewest GA/minute.
I actually sort of hoped they'd pick up Metropolit too but I didn't think that Vaananen would even make it to the Canucks on the waiver list.
In other good news, Vaananen is a +25 in 476 career NHL games, and despite apparently being a physical defensive defenseman has only logged 482 PIMs in that many games. Looks like Mitchell-lite to me.
I think we see SOB and Raymond packaged for someone...
Yes, good point. If Gillis is using this is a pre-emptive measure in order to set up the dealing of Ohlund or Salo, then I will continue to have his back.
If Gillis moves out SOB for this guy, I will turn against him. Beware.
Vaananen is a tough, physical defensive defenseman. He has twice as many hits and has blocked almost twice as many shots as O'Brien has in only 46 games.
Yes, good point. If Gillis is using this is a pre-emptive measure in order to set up the dealing of Ohlund or Salo, then I will continue to have his back.
Vaananen is a tough, physical defensive defenseman. He has twice as many hits and has blocked almost twice as many shots as O'Brien has in only 46 games.
Plus he's not a total minor penalty machine. Only 22 PIMs in 46 GP this year, and his career PIMs are also quite low. We could save ourselves from a lot of minor penalties by replacing O'Brien with this guy.
Plus he's not a total minor penalty machine. Only 22 PIMs in 46 GP this year, and his career PIMs are also quite low. We could save ourselves from a lot of minor penalties by replacing O'Brien with this guy.
If he is so good, why did Philly decide to get rid of him? Could they not have dealt this awesome physical shot blocking stud for at least a late round pick?
Cmon people - this is not the second coming of Bobby Orr - it's another teams cast-off. Let's curb our enthusiasm a bit - ok?
I see him becoming a long term position with the canucks Leaving Ohlund. I personally think SOB can be a 5th dmen for us especially during the period of games where he didn't take a penalty.
Bieksa
Mitchell
Edler
Salo
SOB
Vannanen
If he is so good, why did Philly decide to get rid of him? Could they not have dealt this awesome physical shot blocking stud for at least a late round pick?
Cmon people - this is not the second coming of Bobby Orr - it's another teams cast-off. Let's curb our enthusiasm a bit - ok?
Nah, I still like the pick-up that much.
The fact is a lot of Philly fans are not overly thrilled with losing Vaananen. He played quite a few games on their top pairing beside Timonen, and though he's struggled recently his career numbers indicate he's a very capable NHL defenseman. Had there not been a cap-crunch for the Flyers he'd have been kept, and could likely have garnered a mid-round pick at the deadline. Picking up a good depth defenseman for nothing, and not having to move any assets to fill one of our needs is reason for a slight celebration in my eyes. Honestly, I wanted Vaananen, but never thought he'd fall to our waiver position.
If he is so good, why did Philly decide to get rid of him? Could they not have dealt this awesome physical shot blocking stud for at least a late round pick?
Cmon people - this is not the second coming of Bobby Orr - it's another teams cast-off. Let's curb our enthusiasm a bit - ok?
Kunitz, Pomminville, Sullivan St. Louis, Briere.....need I go on?
