Confirmed with Link: Canucks re-sign D Akito Hirose to 2-Year Deal ($775/350, $800K)

[alternate]

I liked him last year, going by the eye test. But there was an article a bit ago that said his fancy stats weren't very good. Wasn't really any question he was getting re-signed. Expect he will start in Abby, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he becomes.

 

[wonton15]

Asa Akira Hirose

10/10 signing could see him in the lineup at various times next year.

 

[ohnoeszz]

I liked him last year, going by the eye test. But there was an article a bit ago that said his fancy stats weren't very good. Wasn't really any question he was getting re-signed. Expect he will start in Abby, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he becomes.

Without knowing what the stats are, I would still assume they are irrelevant due to sample size.

 

[Siludin]

I have him penciled into the lineup for next year.

 

[pitseleh]

I liked him last year, going by the eye test. But there was an article a bit ago that said his fancy stats weren't very good. Wasn't really any question he was getting re-signed. Expect he will start in Abby, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he becomes.

The team got crushed when he was on the ice but that was in only ~100 minutes of ice time, so the sample size is not really meaningful. And he mostly played with Myers, which didn’t help.

 

[PavelBure10]

I really liked Hirose when he had a cup of coffee with the Canucks last year. A very smart player, who seems to always make the safe easy play. Hirose has a excellent first pass and always seems to position himself to be available to receive passes. I really like him as a project defenseman who could possibly be developed into a nice lower pairing dman in the near future. I really like this signing, Hirose has potential.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

I have him as our third best prospect

 

[Hoglander]

Seems to play a pretty smart/calm game, but I question whether he can physically handle a full season grind. Everything I can find, says he's 170lbs - and he looks it. That's awful for a 24 year old, after 3 years of college hockey - where there was ample time to gain muscle. Guy played 7 games during garbage time and has the body of a teenager at 24 years old, I don't think he makes the big club this year, and if he doesn't add significant strength over the next year, he probably won't amount to much.

 

[VanJack]

There's a lot to like about Hirose's game---even though it was a limited sample size. But seems to me the Canucks are overloaded with sub 6-foot d-men.

I guess when you're as talented as Hughes, size doesn't matter. But for guys like Hirose and Rathbone--there's no doubt it's a concern going forward.

Best scenario for Hirose is that he plays big minutes in the AHL--to see how he handles the grind of pro hockey.

 

[Nick Lang]

Without knowing what the stats are, I would still assume they are irrelevant due to sample size.

Also by the fact that he played excellently for a college free agent signing. Often the fancy stats are meaningless.