Blue Jay
June 25th, 2009 by Jason ChenA quick web-surfing of hockey related rumours have suggested that Jay Bouwmeester is headed towards three destinations: Calgary, Vancouver, or Philadelphia. All of them present interesting scenarios but Vancouver has the best shot. They have the cap space and the ice-time for the minutes eater and 2010 candidate.
Calgary has too much salary locked up on defense and I’m assuming that one of either Regehr, Sarich, Vandermeer, or Phaneuf would have to go to Miami. I have a hard time believing it’s either Phaneuf or Regehr, but with Bouwmeester able to command up to $6m, I’m assuming both Sarich and Vandermeer could be part of the package. Philadelphia is pressed up against the cap and they can’t even afford a cheaper Martin Biron, so once again they’d have to part with a key roster player, most likely Joffrey Lupul who has 3 years remaining at $4.25m. The Flyers can go over the cap but dumping salary is easier said than done. Vancouver might have to part with a player, and if it is a defenseman then it’s only one of either Bieksa, Salo, or Edler. Wellwood, Hansen, and O’Brien are the Canucks’ RFAs and they could be included.
I have my doubts as to whether or not Bouwmeester can anchor a defense. Like I’ve said before, he’s always been a secondary player on his team and he lacks the leadership ability. Obviously that isn’t a problem now with Mitchell and Bieksa anchoring the Canucks’ defense, but sooner or later Bouwmeester has to realize that he can’t play 30 minutes and not be a leader on his team. He needs to step up his game - that being said, I like having Bouwmeester on defense because he’s a bona fide defenseman, truly underrated and if he played in a better hockey market he’d get the recognition he deserves. No disrespect to Phaneuf, but even though Bouwmeester may not have as intimidating a skill set, his hockey IQ is much, much better. This is key for all elite defensemen in the NHL.
And who can ever forget the Canucks’ transaction record with Florida?
Mike Babcock’s recently announced coaching staff, Lindy Ruff, Jacques Lemaire, and Ken Hitchcock, will make damn sure Canada’s defensemen remain accountable in their own end and motivated enough to leave everything on the ice. Good news for Luongo.
Posted in Canucks
4 Responses to “Blue Jay”
By Chris on Jun 25, 2009
Its funny you think hes underrated, I always thought he was not nearly as good as most people thought he was. That being said while the Canucks d isnt bad this gives them something closer to an elite level dman. If they can get him and the sedins under contract they should be better next year. I wouldn’t touch gaborik with a 10 foot pole thats for sure
By mthompson on Jun 25, 2009
i’m a big bouwmeester fan, i definitely agree with you jason that he’s underrated. at this point in both their careers, he is a much better defenseman than phaneuf, although of course the hope is that dion follows the same progression defensively has bouwmeester did.
if i were the flames, i would trade phaneuf for bouwmeester+ and get jay signed to a monster 10 year contract with a lower cap hit than the 6 he’ll probaby get with a 4-6 year deal… in an instant.
By Ted Bama on Jun 26, 2009
To me, Bouwmeester is the one player who I wouldn’t mind seeing the Canucks giving a long deal to (i.e. more than 3 or 4 years). Heck, 7-10 years with a lwoer cap hit isn’t too bad because he’s only 25 (26 when the 2010-2011 season starts), has the pedigree of being a high draft pick and is an excellent skater which is huge in the new NHL. Also, I think a Bouwmeester/Bieksa 1-2 punch would be the best in the NHL or damn near close to it.
In terms of being overrated/underrated, it would be too easy to just look at JayBo’s point totals and suggest he is not a big time offensive contributor. But a defenceman’s assist (and point) total is largely dependent on having forwards who can put the puck in the net. With a better forward group on a better team I’d expect 55-60 points along with 30 minutes a game. And this “leadership” stuff is hard to quantify. I think it’s very possible on the right team that he could be a “leader”.
Adding JayBo would give the Canucks the best goalie/defensive group in the league. It may even allow them to trade a dman such as Edler/Bieksa who would bring back a very nice return.
Fantasy draft day scenario:
1. Canucks acquire the rights to Bouwmeester and lock him up to a contract for around $6 million/yr for 6+ years.
2. Canucks acquire the rights to Gaborik and lock him up for 1 year at $6 mill or maybe 3 years at $5.5 mill.
3. Canucks trade Ryan Kesler and Alex Edler for Jeff Carter and a 1st round draft pick.
4. Canucks trade two first rounders (including Phillies pick) and their 2nd rounder for the Leafs 7th overall pick and draft Jared Cowan.
Fantasy: absoultely. But some of this makes sense (Bouwmeester and Gaborik) some of this has been rumoured about in the past (Kesler+ Edler - or Schneider - for Carter) and the last trade for the 7th pick is just my cherry on the top.
Either way, I see a number of scenarios that could play out between now and the first week of July that will put the Canucks in far better shape then they were last year…and last year they were probably a top 6-10 team in the league…
By Jason Chen on Jun 26, 2009
Well, the opinions on Bouwmeester remain quite polarizing…
Chris, if the Canucks don’t manage to lose any of their defensemen (I doubt it), the Canucks may have the best defensive corps in the league. As for Gaborik, it’s natural to be cautious given his injury history, but a one year deal would make sense and if his injury is serious there’s always the LTIR.
mthompson, I agree, Bouwmeester is one of the few free agents out there that can really legitimately command a long-term (5+ years) deal. People forget he’s really young because he plays a mature game, and the best part is, he’s still improving.
Ted, Bouwmeester can QB a powerplay as well, which would make Salo expendable. The only downside is that Bouwmeester’s a lefty, and be getting rid of Salo we’ll have to find another righty defensemen, although it’s not required. Leadership is hard to quantify, but he’s not a very vocal guy nor does he lead on-ice by making that one big play. He’s dependable, and some may argue that that is the true mark of a leader, but for now he seems still a couple seasons away from captain material.
Those trade scenarios make sense. As armchair GMs we have a tendency to make absolutely ridiculous deals, but those seem realistic. One thing though, I wouldn’t trade Kesler. I think he’s one of the few players on this team that I wouldn’t move, even if it is for a bona fide sniper like Carter.
As for the pick, like I said before, I’d prefer it if the Canucks select a forward, but given their track record with defensemen it’s not a bad idea. It just seems like we need more depth up front especially with Ellington and Sauve ready to make the pro jump next year.