Ben Hutton

Pacific Notes: Dell, Duclair, Hutton, Sekera

December 23, 2017 at 9:10 am CDT | by Brian La Rose 1 Comment

The Sharks aren’t expected to trade any of their young forwards for a scoring upgrade before the trade deadline, notes Paul Gackle of the Mercury News. The one exception to that is if they acquire a young core player in the trade which doesn’t seem likely to happen unless they’re willing to include other future assets in a deal. Accordingly, Gackle makes a compelling case to trade netminder Aaron Dell. The 28-year-old is having himself a strong season and while he provides an above-average insurance policy behind Martin Jones, it’s unlikely that San Jose will be able to afford to keep him around for next season with Dell hitting the open market this summer. With the young forwards off the table, Dell is the one trade chip they can use to bring in someone of consequence to help solidify their hold on a playoff spot. If they were to do so, they would presumably then have to turn around and make a follow-up move to bring in someone else to play behind Jones.

Elsewhere in the Pacific:

Coyotes winger Anthony Duclair was a healthy scratch against Washington last night. Head coach Rick Tocchet told Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic that since he wasn’t going to be used in a top-six role, there wasn’t much point to playing him as he’s unable to handle the defensive responsibilities that players in the bottom-six are expected to do. Unfortunately for Duclair, his production so far this season (7-6-13 in 27 games with three of those goals coming in one game) hasn’t been good enough to justify consistent top-six playing time so this may continue for a little bit.
The Canucks have scratched defenseman Ben Hutton twice over the past week but Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province argues that despite the fact his offensive game hasn’t progressed like many had hoped, Hutton is still their top option on the penalty kill. At 24, Hutton is still young enough to be considered part of their long-term future which makes the decision to sit him down for depth defender Alex Biega a bit surprising. Hutton has just four assists in 34 games but is averaging a career-high 20:50 in playing time per night.
Although Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera needed treatment yesterday on his recently-repaired knee following his season debut on Thursday, he will be able to suit up tonight against Montreal, reports Postmedia’s Jim Matheson. The treatment was just precautionary. After playing 16 minutes in his first game, it will be interesting to see if he gets a bigger workload tonight or if they wait until after the holiday break; he has logged more than 21 minutes per night in each of the last five seasons.

Pacific Notes: Oilers, Puljujarvi, Couture, Jones, Hutton

December 16, 2017 at 6:51 pm CDT | by Holger Stolzenberg Leave a Comment

The Edmonton Oilers are having a rough time this season as they currently sit in seventh place in the Pacific Division. However, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal writes that after Saturday’s 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild, the Oilers are starting to play quality hockey again, citing the team’s past five games as an indicator. Granted the team has a long way to go if they team has any hopes of reaching the playoffs. However, the scribe sees a team that is suddenly working hard and refusing to give up.

In fact, Staples writes that he no longer believes that the team’s issues has to do with speed. Originally, he believed the Oilers were built slow and could not overcome that deficiency. He now writes that he believes the team wasn’t working hard enough and was relying on their talent and reputation to get through games. Suddenly, he sees a team that is working harder to get goals and showing true grit that could spark the team to some success.

The team showed that effort against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 9 when they walked away with a 6-2 victory. The team followed that up with a 1-0, quality loss the next day. They then had an inspiring victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 14 before a 4-0 loss to Nashville. Saturday’s hard-fought win was just another step in the team’s hopeful turnaround.

Staples also writes the Edmonton Oilers need to start giving more playing time to winger Jesse Puljujarvi. The fourth-overall pick in the 2016 draft is starting to put things together, but isn’t getting the time on the ice as the 19-year-old only received 9:59 minutes Saturday and isn’t playing on the team’s lackluster power play. Puljujarvi, who scored his sixth goal of the season, should be playing more and showing the team what he can do as he played like a “beast” Saturday, according to Staples.
The San Jose Sharks have two concerns, according to The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz (subscription required). The team is worried about Logan Couture after he sustained a shoulder to his surgically-repaired face in Friday’s game against Vancouver. While there has been no word on the team’s leading scorer, there is talk that the 28-year-old center may have sustained a concussion on the play. Kurz adds that a second concern is the suddenly poor play of goaltender Martin Jones, who has struggled now over the past five games, having allowed at least four goals in each of those starts. After starting the season with a 2.05 GAA and a .930 save percentage, those numbers have increased to a 2.55 and .914 after just five games.
The Vancouver Canucks tweeted that coach Travis Green had no update after defenseman Ben Hutton came off the ice limping after practice. He is currently listed as day-to-day. The team’s second-line defenseman has four assists in 33 games this year. Vancouver has already lost defenseman Chris Tanev for three weeks due to injury as well as a number of other players on the forward lines.

Canucks’ Chris Tanev Expected Out 2-3 Weeks

November 9, 2017 at 7:15 pm CDT | by Zach Leach Leave a Comment

Earlier today, Vancouver Canucks coach Travis Green revealed a fact too familiar to Canucks fans: Chris Tanev is injured. Green told the press that Tanev had been sent back to Vancouver from the team’s current road trip due to an upper body injury. Canucks beat writer Iain MacIntyre has since added that early indications are that Tanev, Vancouver’s top defenseman, could be out two to three weeks with his newest ailment. The specifics of Tanev’s injury remain unknown, but given this relatively lengthy timeline, more should be known soon.

Durability continues to be a major concern for the 27-year-old Tanev. The reliable two-way defender is as solid in his own end as they come, but as the old adage goes “the best ability is availability”. Now playing in his eighth season, Tanev has never played in more than 70 games in a season. Over the past four years, since Tanev truly became a regular blue liner in Vancouver, he has missed 72 games – nearly a whole season – due to injury. In fact, the 2016-17 campaign was his worst yet, as Tanev only managed to skate in 58 games and recorded a total of only 10 points.

Fortunately for Vancouver, the blue line has not suffered the same injury bug (so far) this year as they did last year. Tanev’s absence was felt in a major way in 2016-17, as Erik Gudbranson missed all but 30 games and both Alexander Edler and Ben Hutton were sidelined for 10+ games. Edler has been out of the Canucks lineup recently, but is ready to return, alongside a healthy Hutton and Gudbranson and newcomers Michael Del Zotto, Derrick Pouliot, and Patrick Wiercioch. That grouping isn’t without issue, but stands a better chance of surviving the loss of Tanev, as well as young Troy Stecher, than they did last season.

Salary Cap Deep Dive: Vancouver Canucks

September 24, 2017 at 4:20 pm CDT | by Holger Stolzenberg Leave a Comment

Navigating the Salary Cap is probably one of the more important tasks for any general manager to have. Teams that can avert total cap chaos by walking the tightrope of inking players to deals that match their value (or compensate for future value without breaking the bank) remain successful. Those that don’t see struggles and front office changes.

PHR will look at every NHL team and give a thorough look at their cap situation heading into the 2017-18 season. This will focus more on those players who are integral parts of the roster versus those who may find themselves shuttling between the AHL and NHL. All cap figures are courtesy of CapFriendly.

Vancouver Canucks

Current Cap Hit: $73,012,499 (under the $75MM Upper Limit)

Entry-Level Contracts

F Brock Boeser (Two years remaining, $925K)
F Jake Virtanen (One year remaining, $894K)

Potential Bonuses

Boeser: $850K
Virtanen: $850K

Boeser is one of the Canucks hope for the future. The team’s 2015 first-round pick has been playing exceptionally well in camp and looks ready to take a major role on the team. After two years at the University of North Dakota, Boeser managed to play in nine games for Vancouver last year, putting up four goals and an assist in that span and averaged 2.78 shots per game as well. Virtanen, on the other hand is just trying to cement a starting role on the team. The sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft, Virtanen has been disappointing and has had trouble finding a role with the club, playing 55 games two years ago and then settling for just 10 games last year. A solid camp so far suggests, he might have turned it around as he looks to take his game to the next level.

One Year Remaining, Non-Entry-Level

F Daniel Sedin ($7MM, UFA)
F Henrik Sedin ($7MM, UFA)
D Erik Gudbranson ($3.5MM, UFA)
F Thomas Vanek ($2MM, UFA)
F Sven Baertschi ($1.85MM, RFA)
D Troy Stecher ($925K, RFA)
F Markus Granlund ($900K, RFA)
F Alexander Burmistrov ($900K, RFA)
F Anton Rodin ($700K, UFA)
F Reid Boucher ($688K, RFA)
D Patrick Wiercioch ($625K, UFA)

On a positive note, there are many contracts that are set to expire next year, which could give the Canucks quite a bit of cap space. What the team will do with the Sedin brothers, long-time franchise players, is still up in the air. Rumors that they have no interest in going to a contender to finish out their careers suggest that they may choose to retire or sign up for a much shorter, much cheaper deal with Vancouver. While both have been leading the franchise, their numbers have begun to decline now that they are 36 years old with Daniel Sedin putting up just 15 goals and 44 points a year ago, while brother Henrik also just putting up 15 goals and 51 points.

There are very few potential unrestricted free agents that are critical to the team’s building of the future. While Gudbranson is just 25 years old, the team has shown a willingness to move on from the defenseman and has been talked about in trade rumors all offseason. The former third-overall pick in 2010 didn’t fare well in his first year in Vancouver, suffering a wrist injury and playing in only 30 games. The team may want to move on before they lose him. Vanek, signed late in the offseason, is also likely a trade chip at the trade deadline.

As for restricted free agents, the team still has high hopes that Baertschi will continue to improve. After struggling to break into the Calgary Flames starting unit, Vancouver picked him up and got 15 goals in 2015-16 and another 18 last year. The 24-year-old could easily wind up on the team’s second line and have a big year. Granlund, 24, is another youngster who stepped up a year ago, putting up 19 goals as a full-time starter. Stecher will also be a free agent. The 23-year-old undrafted free agent had a solid rookie season after coming to the Canucks from the University of North Dakota. He is penciled in as a first-line defender. The team also has high hopes they can turn around Burmistrov’s career. The former top-10 pick in 2010 was signed away from Arizona with the hopes he can fill a need in the bottom six.

Two Years Remaining

D Alexander Edler ($5MM, UFA)
D Michael Del Zotto ($3MM, UFA)
D Ben Hutton ($2.8MM, RFA)
G Anders Nilsson ($2.5MM, UFA)
F Derek Dorsett ($2.65MM, UFA)
F Brendan Gaunce ($750K, RFA)

Edler has been a solid defender and a franchise player, having played his entire career in Vancouver. He is still effective, but his offense has slowed down over the last few years as he has had 22 or less points in four of his last five years. The team will have to decide whether to keep the 31-year-old blueliner when his contract is up, but that will likely have more to do with how he plays over the next two years. As for Del Zotto, the team signed him away from Philadelphia this offseason to fill a hole in the defense. Whether or not he can stay healthy is another matter. Hutton continues to develop his offensive game, but has time to do that.

Nilsson was also signed this offseason to challenge for playing time in goal. The 27-year-old was a solid backup in Buffalo, but is hoping for more playing time in Vancouver. As for Gaunce, the 23-year-old has yet to establish himself. He played in 55 games last year, but no goals and five assists will not cut it.

Three Years Remaining

D Chris Tanev ($4.45MM, UFA)
G Jacob Markstrom ($3.67MM, UFA)
F Sam Gagner ($3.15MM, UFA)

Tanev, a stay-at-home defenseman is a solid presence on a weak defense. The 27-year-old has established himself as a great defensive player and is well worth the money he is getting. Markstrom must prove he can handle being a starter. He only played 27 games as a backup, but must now prove he can hold off Nilsson and show he can be a starter in this league. If not, then he is just an expensive backup. Gagner came over from Columbus where he had a solid season, including 18 goals and 50 points.

Four Or More Years Remaining

F Loui Eriksson ($6MM through 2021-22)
F Bo Horvat ($5.5MM through 2022-23)
F Brandon Sutter ($4.38MM through 2020-21)

The team is in good shape in that it has few bad contracts that it must deal with on the long-term. However, the team did hand Eriksson a six-year, $36MM deal a year ago as he was coming off a 30-goal season with the Boston Bruins. However, the deal doesn’t look as good after the 32-year-old put up 11 goals in 65 games one year later and the team still owes him quite a bit of money. Horvat, however, is one of the new wave of young stars for Vancouver as the 22-year-old put up a 20-goal, 52 points season a year ago. The team hopes an even bigger breakout may be coming in his third year. Sutter is another one who the team hopes can become more consistent. The 28-year-old wing had 17 goals and 17 assists last year, but injuries have kept him in and out of the lineup, depending on the year.

Buyouts

F Chris Higgins ($833K in 2017-18)

Retained Salary Transactions

G Roberto Luongo ($800K through 2021-22)
F Jannik Hansen ($500K in 2017-18)

Still To Sign

None

Best Value: Tanev
Worst Value: Eriksson

Looking Ahead

The Canucks are in a position to build a solid roster after this season. The team should be able to make a big free-agent splash if it wants and begin to build a winner. What this teams seems to lack is young talent, especially on offense. Horvat and Boeser should be great and there are a few others, but the team seems to lack those top young players who will turn the franchise around. That’s because several of their first-rounds like Gaunce, Virtanen haven’t panned out yet, which leaves a gaping hole of talent on the roster. Nevertheless, the team did a solid job bringing in solid role players for reasonable and short deals, which should only make them stronger.

Pacific Notes: Kings, Miller, Oilers, Canucks

February 28, 2017 at 5:55 pm CDT | by Brian La Rose Leave a Comment

While the Kings could still stand to add some offense before tomorrow’s trade deadline, it appears likely that they’ll be quiet on the trade front, suggests Elliott Teaford of the Daily Breeze. He notes that one of the challenges for GM Dean Lombardi will be to find trade assets that teams will be interested in. It’s well-known that the team wouldn’t mind moving on from wingers Dustin Brown (who has five years left after this one) at a $5.875MM cap hit) and Marian Gaborik (four years at a $4.875 cap charge) but they won’t be able to get quality assets in return for either of them.

There’s a good chance that this played a factor into their decision to add Ben Bishop and basically double down on a strength even though it doesn’t address their scoring concerns (heading into Tuesday’s action, Los Angeles sits 11th in the West in goals). They do still have some cap space to play with though as they can add another $3.2MM in a full-season cap hit, per CapFriendly.

Injury Updates: Hutton, Rodin, Cullen, Dumoulin, MacArthur

January 17, 2017 at 3:24 pm CDT | by Brian La Rose Leave a Comment

The Vancouver Canucks will be without the services of defenseman Ben Hutton for the next three-to-six weeks, the team announced (Twitter link). He’s dealing with a small fracture in his hand and has been out of the lineup since January 8th.

This season, his second NHL campaign, the 23 year old has played in 41 games, recording 11 points (4-7-11). He also ranks third on the team in ice time per night at just under 21 minutes per game.

This will place further strain on a Vancouver back end that is already missing Erik Gudbranson (wrist) and Philip Larsen (head).

Still with the Canucks, the team also provided an update via Twitter on winger Anton Rodin. Two weeks ago against the Flames, he re-aggravated the same knee that was surgically repaired last January. The team has decided to shut him down and give him a period of rest before beginning his rehab. He’s set to undergo an MRI later this week. Rodin, who signed a one year deal for this season back in March, has suited up in just three games this season.

[Related: Canucks Depth Chart]

Other injury news from around the league:

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without center Matt Cullen for the next three-to-four weeks, notes Michelle Crechiolo on their team website. Cullen sustained a foot injury while blocking a shot in last night’s wild 8-7 overtime victory against the Capitals. The 40 year old has played in all 43 games this season, tallying eight goals and nine assists. Earlier this month, he suggested that he might not retire after the season, citing the fact he has been able to remain healthy as one of the reasons for potentially sticking around.
Still from Crechiolo, defenseman Brian Dumoulin joined the team for practice today in a non-contact jersey and a full face shield. He has been out of the lineup since late December after suffering a broken jaw. He’s on long-term injury reserve after the original diagnosis had him missing four to six weeks. As a result, he must miss at least ten games and 24 days before he can be activated.
While the Senators were hoping that left winger Clarke MacArthur would be able to accompany the team on their three game road trip, he was left behind to undergo further testing, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports. He has yet to play this season as he continues to deal with concussion problems. Head coach Guy Boucher didn’t seem particularly bullish on him being able to return in the near future as he suggested it’s not just a matter of when he will be able to return but also if he will be able to.

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