Wally added to staff/ entry draft looms/ rumours
June 18th, 2008 by thewordbirdWith a lack of beautiful news to post lately and all the happenings in sports on other stages, I thought that an early post with regards to the status of the Vancouver Canucks was prudent. The Celts winning the NBA Final, the upcoming MMA announcement, Tiger’s outstanding effort - obviously all outflank the NHL right now. But the Entry Draft is shaping up for Friday afternoon and GM Mike Gillis has added another staffer.
WALLY:
The Canucks have added alumni player and former Stanley Cup winner (with the Canadiens) Ryan Walter as an Assistant Coach.
Walter is a British Columbia native and was known as a hard-working, honest player. This is a smart move and it continues the trend of giving the Canucks an identity. I applaude this hire as well as Mellanby and love that they retained Alain Vigneault. The next hiring should be in the vein of a highly technical, X’s and O’s type to compliment the staff.
Entry Draft:
With the entry draft just around the corner, all NHL teams are going over their notes to ascertain what the future possibly holds. Many fans and the media are throwing Kyle Beach’s name around, as many predictions and ‘mock’ drafts have the power forward from the Everett Silvertips slated at #10-Vancouver’s pick.
My thought is that he will not last that long, with forwards at a premium in the draft early on and teams (like Nashville for example) that are defense heavy, picking ahead of Vancouver.
Gillis has been quoted as saying that he is open to trading the #10 pick if the right deal arises. This is not surprising, as the common thought and reality is that Roberto Luongo wants to win NOW and immediate help could be secured with such a first-round pick. I am of the sentiment that if you are uncertain of your scouting staff’s preparations and are in need of scoring more than most, then you initiate offers and listen to replies.
That is your job as a GM of a team in this state. Period. And I am a fan of the way Detroit has built up their team continually (who isn’t?) and admire the job that teams such as the Predators and Senators have done to draft well. Look out for LA and Phoenix in those molds as well.
Rumours:
The ‘Mill’ has produced the rumour that centres and captains Olli Jokinen and Patrick Marleau are being shopped and the Canucks must at least kick the tires. Rumour had the Canucks denying the Panthers’ request for the Sedins+ in return for the ‘Joker’ and Ryan Kelser+ was the talk for the Sharks’ captain. Knowing that these were previous offers for outstanding players and the pressure is on… you have to look at the deals. Many teams would over-pay for such guys and the days and hours before the draft is typically ‘rip-off’ time….
I would look at offering a faceoff specialist his due and then look to guys like Andrew Brunette, Brian Rolston, Michael Ryder and Martin Gelinas before Pavol Demitra and Marian Hossa. Value and team commitment are a solid foundation. Sure, Ryder is a bit of an enigma, but the payoff could be huge as a slightly diminished UFA.
June 18th, 2008
Robin Keith Thompson
2 Responses to “Wally added to staff/ entry draft looms/ rumours”
By Jason C on Jun 21, 2008
Those guys you listed are all better options than Demitra and Hossa. I think bringing back Gelinas would be nostalgic and be great for the fans. A relic from the previous era.
Walter was hired exactly to be the X’s and O’s guy - he was a consultant for the Habs on offense and PP. He’s published a lot of books on coaching and a few drills he invented are now put in use by junior teams.
By thewordbird on Jun 21, 2008
Yeah, and Walter’s regularity in British Columbia’s version of ‘Hockey Now’ is an indicator of his involvement and ‘ear-to-the-ground’.