biturbo19
Registered User
- Jul 13, 2010
- 25,892
- 10,953
The posts attacking Tanev are childish. Calling a man's character into question because of a news report that someone else is interested in hiring him is just stupid.
Tanev does have leverage. He is an NHL quality defenseman, one of the top players in the world. That has worth and gives him leverage.
Gillis has given Tanev leverage by trading Schneider, too. Gillis can't very well walk away from Tanev, now. Losing a second "best young player" in a single offseason for debateable reasons would damage Gillis and the club. I know, it's not like there are stampedes to join the team, now but it could get worse.
On ice, the Canucks appear to have four NHL players under contract on defense. Weber isn't a regular. Corrado is pretty raw (so is Tanev!). Some might remember the Canuck's adventures with shot blocking? If Tortorella actually is a coach who demands that sort of thing don't you need depth to pull it off over a whole season? This is leverage for Tanev.
Tanev might not want to sign with Vancouver or play for Tortorella. That's fair. Schultz chose to live in Edmonton, rather than sign with the Canucks (another obvious bungling by Gillis!). He stated hockey reasons and you have to allow a man room to manage his career as he sees fit. It is Gillis' job to overcome these objections.
Any reasonable observer accepts the Canucks are facing significant challenges this season. It's a matter of opinion how this will go. For example, some see a seasoned starter poised to reclaim his elite status. Others see a washed up hasbeen who didn't win the job on the ice. Which is right? For fans, it doesn't really matter. For Tanev, it's a work issue. As a young defenseman, do you want to be blocking shots for an expensive goalie? It isn't like those shots don't actually hurt anybody, guys get broken legs blocking shots nowadays. Again, the blocking shot thing is just an example. A guy like Tanev is capable of examining a coach's scheme for himself. If he likes the ideas and sees a fit for himself and a chance to excel, then he signs the contract. It's the management's job to sell the player on this kind of stuff. If, after meetings, the player is still not convinced, there is a world of options!
To be frank, i wouldn't want to play for Tortorella either. So i can't say i'd blame Tanev there.
But then, he is a professional, and we don't all get to choose our bosses.