You think Hodgson is going to be able to step in as a rookie and play well enough to hold down the third line Center spot?
Don't think so. Despite what many people here believe, third line Center is an important position where defensive responsibility and systems play are paramount.
Hodgson of course, does not slack defensively, but in his first season, I would be shocked if he's prepared to carry the load of a third line center, full time.
The difference is that the Sedins/Burrows provide decent defensive play when they are out there. Kesler/Samuelson on the second line provides defensive awareness as well. I don't have a problem with three lines that can score and matching up lines 1a/1b with the top lines of the other squads. The fourth line with Rypien and Johnson provide a third line type role as well. Add Hansen to that 4th line and it is essentially a third line with a 4th line label.
Wellwood is a great contingency plan. Also, after showing he can handle steady 3rd line duties, it's nice to know he is around in case Demo is out for periods of time, or if we need to switch things up on the PP. Also, I love CoHo as much as the next guy, but he most likely will struggle at times in his rookie season, so again, it's nice having Wellwood around to plug and play into different parts of the lineup. I don't know if Hodgson can just jump into the center position in his first year.
Having Byron Ritchie/Isbister/Goren a couple years back was paiiiiiiiiinful to watch when they had to be utilized in any other role but the 4th line, so I really really hope Wellwood gets 1.5 million and has another year to prove himself.
What K_R said.
And Jesus, yeah, people need to lay off of Demitra already. He's fair value for what he brings to the table.
I don't mind Wellwood back for $1.3m - $1.5m as a backup plan given Demitra's injury. But he's on a short f-ing leash.
IF Wellwood is a 40-50 point center who skates back hard on the back check, I like him at $1.5m. If Wellwood is a 27 point center who only shows up half the time and runs incredibly hot and cold, then I'd rather have a more "heart and soul" player in the lineup.
The moment Sundin decides to come back, or if Hodgson and Kesler have locked up 2nd/3rd line center positions, it's down to the minors and buh-bye to the NHL for him. But unlike last season, there's no cap room this season to keep around dead weight on the team.
It might be hard to say that for a player who oozes skill like he does. And don't get me wrong - there were times last season when I was definitely cheering for him (that black eye actually made him look like a hockey player).
I don't mind Wellwood back for $1.3m - $1.5m as a backup plan given Demitra's injury. But he's on a short f-ing leash.
IF Wellwood is a 40-50 point center who skates back hard on the back check, I like him at $1.5m. If Wellwood is a 27 point center who only shows up half the time and runs incredibly hot and cold, then I'd rather have a more "heart and soul" player in the lineup.
The moment Sundin decides to come back, or if Hodgson and Kesler have locked up 2nd/3rd line center positions, it's down to the minors and buh-bye to the NHL for him. But unlike last season, there's no cap room this season to keep around dead weight on the team.
It might be hard to say that for a player who oozes skill like he does. And don't get me wrong - there were times last season when I was definitely cheering for him (that black eye actually made him look like a hockey player).
Completely agree with you. It seems the perception of Wellwood on here is mostly positive because his latest streak of good play happened at the end of the year and is still fresh on everyone's mind.
The report after the hearing sounds like it went off without fireworks:
Quote:
Kyle Wellwood's salary arbitration hearing was described Tuesday as a civil affair that lasted better than four hours and ended with assistant general manager Laurence Gilman and the Canuck centre shaking hands.
"I think both sides conducted themselves in a very professional manner," Gilman said by phone from Toronto after the hearing ended. "Both parties put their best foot forward."
...
"I spoke with Kyle after the hearing," Gilman said. "We shook hands and I asked him how he felt it went and he said that he was fine with it. Kyle was good. Our counsel presented a very rational, cogent and logical argument. Nothing was directed at Kyle personally. Everything was within the bounds of reasonableness."
...
A negotiated settlement between now and Thursday also remains a possibility.
"Sure, I have been part of deals where they have been settled in the middle of the hearing," Gilman said. "Sometimes they get settled between the time the hearing is finished and the award is made. So anything is possible."
I thought the sticking point was always a multi-year deal? I thought the Canucks were set on only a 1 year deal but that the price was allready negotiated?
That's interesting. He probably isn't really worth a raise from what he got last season, but I would thought he'd get a larger increase on the offer than that.
I would, but making next year's roster is ****ing tough. Unless there are changes coming, we won't know until training camp.
Roster is easy, actual line-ups will be harder. I don't think he's 100% a regular fixture in the lineup, he'll likely be the 13th man I'd assume (Hordi is dressing for probably just over half the games, I think they'll use him a tiny bit more sparingly this year)
I guess it's a good thing that we can now take skill and face-off savy for granted, but I'm still in favour of having too much of it on the roster.
I really don't like our C depth without Wellwood or another addition.
after Henrik:
Kesler is good. if he starts the season as our #2 C I'm okay with it. but I do prefer him on the wing in the top 6.
Demo I don't really even consider a C. he's so much better on the wing. besides, he's going to miss 20+ games in all likelihood, and that's if he starts the season on time.
Johnson, great 4th liner, but we are pretty weak if he has to move up the roster.
Hodgson would be a rookie (for those that don't know) and I hate the idea of needing a rookie to anchor one of our top 3 lines. and if he's not ready, there's absolutely no depth to fill in, especially when Demitra is out of the lineup.
Rypien, has health concerns to begin with, and isn't an upgrade on Johnson.
Bolduc needs another season with the Moose.
We need Wellwood on this roster. he brings skill to any line, can win face-offs, can QB a 2nd PP unit, good on shoot-outs, and is smart and defensively responsible. really, the only negative about him (assuming, as I am, that his conditioning concerns are behind him) is his size. But considering the options available for less than $1.5m, I'll take Wellwood's skill and versatility at the expense of his size.
Wellwood, if anything, is a back-up plan if Hogdson can't cut it.
I'd much rather go into camp knowing that Sedin, Sedin, Kesler, Burrows, Demitra, Samuelsson, Wellwood, Bernier, Raymond, Hodgson, Grabner, Hansen, Johnson, Rypien, Hordichuk were vying for spots.
We have enough money for a defenseman, and I'm much more comfortable going into camp with 15+ forwards looking for roster spots. If we don't have top-end talent at least we have depth.
