Proposal: Derek Morris on a try-out?

[biturbo19]

Still don't know why Weber is on this team. Back in lockout time, Weber seemed average in swiss league. He just can't handle NHL games and play. Against bigger guy i fear he brakes his bones.

I love the way you phrased this.


Anyway. No on Morris for me. I do think it would be a good idea to bring in a bit more competition/stopgap for #6RD spot. Someone with a big RH shot would be ideal. Would prefer it be someone younger though. Less risk factor on the "Young to Mathieu Schneider signing" scale. Morris has looked to be teetering on the brink of "too old, washed up" for a while now...this could well be the year he goes full over the cliff. I think every team in the league is probably looking at that as well.

Morris is also a guy who, from my understanding...really likes living in Phoenix and golfing or whatever. That's where his family is settled and he's made enough money that he may not even be terribly interested in moving for one last kick at the can with a team that realistically isn't shaping up to be a surefire contender in Vancouver.

 

[denkiteki]

Try-out/Camp invite sure, but i doubt he'll make the line-up. Pretty sure Weber (who would be his direct competition) would beat him. If Weber (and Corrado) can't beat him, i would be worried...

 

[biturbo19]

The other problem with bringing a guy like Morris in, is that it takes away from minutes in the preseason/camp that could be going to younger guys, and even some of our vets who may need some time to adjust to the new system being installed.

If it were a younger guy on a tryout/competition basis i'd be okay with it. But not on a guy on his absolute last legs like Morris.

 

[Nordiques1979]

Try-out/Camp invite sure, but i doubt he'll make the line-up. Pretty sure Weber (who would be his direct competition) would beat him. If Weber (and Corrado) can't beat him, i would be worried...

If Corrado is ready, let's go for it, but i'm pretty sure Morris can outplay Weber, no disrespect to the dude, but sincerely he's not made for NHL.

Morris is also a guy who, from my understanding...really likes living in Phoenix and golfing or whatever. That's where his family is settled and he's made enough money that he may not even be terribly interested in moving for one last kick at the can with a team that realistically isn't shaping up to be a surefire contender in Vancouver

Morris is from Alberta, he go back there when the season is over, all his family are living there, i'm sure he would appreciate to get closer to his family.

 

[denkiteki]

If Corrado is ready, let's go for it, but i'm pretty sure Morris can outplay Weber, no disrespect to the dude, but sincerely he's not made for NHL.



Morris is from Alberta, he go back there when the season is over, all his family are living there, i'm sure he would appreciate to get closer to his family.

I really doubt Morris can out play Weber... at least Morris @ 36. Weber played fine last year and is in the prime of his career. Morris wasn't bad but wasn't great for PHX last year (and thus wasn't resigned) and realistically is at the end of his career. Realistically, like others said, i would rather give Salo a try-out if he's interested over Morris just because Salo has been here before and know some of the players (thus easier to adapt).

Also note that this isn't NHL 15 and it does take time for players to make an adjustment and learn to play with their partners. That alone should give Weber an edge over his competition. Weber actually played his role perfectly last year and the spot up for grabs look to be the same role (#7 dman). Our top 6 looks to be set (unless there is an injury or another trade happens) which is why Corrado likely won't make the team (doesn't need to clear waivers making him a great 8th dman or 6th dman if someone is out long term/IR).

The thing to note is life style in Alberta is pretty much the opposite as Vancouver. PHX is probably closer to Alberta than Vancouver is (in terms of life style) so Morris might prefer to play somewhere where he can live a similar life style. On top of that, being close during a NHL season isn't too meaningful because he'll rarely have time off to visit his family.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

 

[PetterssonSimp]

In order of PTO's I'd like to see for right hand shot defensemen, McBain, Morris, Salo.
The Canucks have good experience on the back end, adding another younger player like McBain who isn't that bad on the PP could give the Canucks a better Weber and have someone who can play consistent #6 minutes as the other PP Dman to Edler.

If he was willing to take a 900K 1way deal, where he makes NHL money still if he did get sent down, but not cost Vancouver any cap space if he didn't make the team.

 

[biturbo19]

In order of PTO's I'd like to see for right hand shot defensemen, McBain, Morris, Salo.
The Canucks have good experience on the back end, adding another younger player like McBain who isn't that bad on the PP could give the Canucks a better Weber and have someone who can play consistent #6 minutes as the other PP Dman to Edler.

If he was willing to take a 900K 1way deal, where he makes NHL money still if he did get sent down, but not cost Vancouver any cap space if he didn't make the team.

I still really don't see what the harm would be in offering a younger guy like McBain a tryout or a 1-year cheap deal that can be buried like that. A bit more viable competition for Weber (who is handy roster depth but really shouldn't be a regular in an NHL lineup) and a young guy like Corrado who may or may not be ready to play in the NHL every night.

These older guys like Morris/Salo, for where this team is right now i think there are some risks. There's the potential of something like that whole Mathieu Schneider disaster where you've got an older Vet player who simply just isn't good enough anymore, but holds sway in the locker room and expects a bigger role. That can get ugly. And it's a lot harder to send an established Vet on their last legs to the AHL if it isn't working out...it's insulting/embarrassing and just poor form really.

The other factor for me, is that there's really not any upside to it. At best, you get a one year stopgap who doesn't cause problems and can actually still play a depth role in the NHL. And then that's it. With a younger guy like a 26 year old McBain...if you actually manage to rehabilitate their career a bit, maybe you've got a player young enough to keep around for a while as depth. It's not exactly earth shattering upside, but at least it's...something. There's a small potential "reward" to it if it works out.

But based on Benning's comments, it certainly doesn't seem as though there is any real interest in bringing in Veteran NHL Tryouts for camp. So i guess we've got what we've got.

 

[Pioneer]

I still really don't see what the harm would be in offering a younger guy like McBain a tryout or a 1-year cheap deal that can be buried like that. A bit more viable competition for Weber (who is handy roster depth but really shouldn't be a regular in an NHL lineup) and a young guy like Corrado who may or may not be ready to play in the NHL every night.

These older guys like Morris/Salo, for where this team is right now i think there are some risks. There's the potential of something like that whole Mathieu Schneider disaster where you've got an older Vet player who simply just isn't good enough anymore, but holds sway in the locker room and expects a bigger role. That can get ugly. And it's a lot harder to send an established Vet on their last legs to the AHL if it isn't working out...it's insulting/embarrassing and just poor form really.

The other factor for me, is that there's really not any upside to it. At best, you get a one year stopgap who doesn't cause problems and can actually still play a depth role in the NHL. And then that's it. With a younger guy like a 26 year old McBain...if you actually manage to rehabilitate their career a bit, maybe you've got a player young enough to keep around for a while as depth. It's not exactly earth shattering upside, but at least it's...something. There's a small potential "reward" to it if it works out.

But based on Benning's comments, it certainly doesn't seem as though there is any real interest in bringing in Veteran NHL Tryouts for camp. So i guess we've got what we've got.

I really like the idea of picking up Dmen in the 26-30 age range. They are either what you're expecting or they take a step into their prime and are better. Anyways I like the idea of picking up McBain, no risk, possible reward of a top 4 PP specialist. Dump Weber and let injuries sort it out

 

[denkiteki]

I still really don't see what the harm would be in offering a younger guy like McBain a tryout or a 1-year cheap deal that can be buried like that. A bit more viable competition for Weber (who is handy roster depth but really shouldn't be a regular in an NHL lineup) and a young guy like Corrado who may or may not be ready to play in the NHL every night.

These older guys like Morris/Salo, for where this team is right now i think there are some risks. There's the potential of something like that whole Mathieu Schneider disaster where you've got an older Vet player who simply just isn't good enough anymore, but holds sway in the locker room and expects a bigger role. That can get ugly. And it's a lot harder to send an established Vet on their last legs to the AHL if it isn't working out...it's insulting/embarrassing and just poor form really.

The other factor for me, is that there's really not any upside to it. At best, you get a one year stopgap who doesn't cause problems and can actually still play a depth role in the NHL. And then that's it. With a younger guy like a 26 year old McBain...if you actually manage to rehabilitate their career a bit, maybe you've got a player young enough to keep around for a while as depth. It's not exactly earth shattering upside, but at least it's...something. There's a small potential "reward" to it if it works out.

But based on Benning's comments, it certainly doesn't seem as though there is any real interest in bringing in Veteran NHL Tryouts for camp. So i guess we've got what we've got.

There isn't that much interest mostly because its time for a youth movement. We hired a coach who has a long history of youth development (basically spent his entire life in Jr hockey) for that reason. We also have a few prospects that spent a few years in the AHL already so its time for them to either step up or not be resigned. Prospects who are going to be RFAs + need to clear waivers:

Peter Andersson
Darren Archibald
Kellan Lain

Of course clearing waivers shouldn't be much of an issue for those players but if they don't show something next season, it might be time to let them go. Lain and Archibald will be competing for a 4th line spot that probably doesn't exist, because Richardson probably has the center spot locked up, pending injury, the person who doesn't make the top 9 will take the other spot and then there is Dorsett and Sestito claiming the last spot. That's also not considering that one of our other prospects win a top 9 spot. Andersson will likely be competing for a depth dman slot or to be more exact, competing to move up in the depth chart. Considering he's a LHD, the odds are probably stacked against him to move higher than 5th in terms of LHD depth chart tho he would have a shot @ the #7 spot, he'll have to really out play Weber and Corrado to get that spot.

Back on topic, one possible issue with Morris. Didn't he demand a trade a few season ago and only wanted to go to PHX while he was in Boston? Demanding to be traded out of a playoff team to go "home" (PHX) seem to suggest he doesn't want to leave PHX and also foreshadows possible issues during the season (i.e. demand to be traded when he isn't getting ice time or things don't go his way... basically self before team type player). Of course that's assuming he makes the team (which like i said, i really doubt he would and honestly i would rather give Andersson, Tommernes, Biega, Corrado, Blain, and McEneny the pre-season time).

 

[VanJack]

Would rather see big Dustin Penner on a tryout...he's familiar with the Pacific Division and the West...can't believe nobody's taken a flyer on him yet

 

[denkiteki]

Would rather see big Dustin Penner on a tryout...he's familiar with the Pacific Division and the West...can't believe nobody's taken a flyer on him yet

Except he didn't play much in the NHL last season due to being totally out of shape. Unless he somehow got back in shape (unlikely due to his work ethic or lack of work ethic), i doubt anyone would take a flyer on him.

 

[The Gourmet]

Soon to be former NHL player Derek Morris.

 

[VanJack]

Except he didn't play much in the NHL last season due to being totally out of shape. Unless he somehow got back in shape (unlikely due to his work ethic or lack of work ethic), i doubt anyone would take a flyer on him.

Not much risk on a two-way for the league minimum or close to it...could go on waivers if it doesn't work out....you can never have too many 'big-bodied' wingers in the Pacific Division

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

^ don't want pancakes around looking for a buffet line wingman. what if he and kassian hit it off?

 

[Free Edler]

^ don't want pancakes around looking for a buffet line wingman. what if he and kassian hit it off?

..construct a DMZ between them in the dressing room?

 

[skyo]

Still don't know why Weber is on this team. Back in lockout time, Weber seemed average in swiss league. He just can't handle NHL games and play. Against bigger guy i fear he brakes his bones.

Weber was great in spurts on the powerplay, something that has been lacking since EHRHOFF left.

 

[biturbo19]

Weber was great in spurts on the powerplay, something that has been lacking since EHRHOFF left.

I wouldn't describe anything Weber did on the PP last year as "great". In fact, i wouldn't describe anything about the PP last year in general as "great". At times, Weber looked better than guys like Hamhuis, Bieksa...but still leagues below what Ehrhoff brought to the PP.

 

[skyo]

This is the NEW HARDCORE CANUCKS - NO MORE possible projects...(morris)

This is the NEW BRUINS - WESTcoast edition

 

[Nordiques1979]

I wouldn't describe anything Weber did on the PP last year as "great". In fact, i wouldn't describe anything about the PP last year in general as "great". At times, Weber looked better than guys like Hamhuis, Bieksa...but still leagues below what Ehrhoff brought to the PP.

Let's hope Sbisa can bring some PP time?? Did he ever played on PP with Anaheim?
Anyway, just read Morris received 3 invitations from Pacific Division teams I'll find the article and post the link shortly.

 

[biturbo19]

Let's hope Sbisa can bring some PP time?? Did he ever played on PP with Anaheim?
Anyway, just read Morris received 3 invitations from Pacific Division teams I'll find the article and post the link shortly.

Yes, he did actually. He has a pretty solid shot too, but he's yet another Lefty, and by no means a PPQB type, which really doesn't help with the biggest problem at hand in the RH/LH shot balance with this team.

 

[thepuckmonster]

Yes, he did actually. He has a pretty solid shot too, but he's yet another Lefty, and by no means a PPQB type, which really doesn't help with the biggest problem at hand in the RH/LH shot balance with this team.

I'm not singling you out on this, but Henrik has been the PPQB for years.

PPQB =/= puckmoving defenseman on the PP

 

[biturbo19]

I'm not singling you out on this, but Henrik has been the PPQB for years.

PPQB =/= puckmoving defenseman on the PP

No i agree completely.

Though we still need two things:

1)a puck moving defenceman (preferably who can play the right side).

2)RH shooting trigger man for the PP alongside Hank the QB. It would be swell if they had some decent puck moving ability and vision in the offensive end as well. It never hurts to have two "QBs" on a powerplay.

Two birds with one stone seems the best way to go there imo.

 

[Nordiques1979]

No i agree completely.

Though we still need two things:

1)a puck moving defenceman (preferably who can play the right side).

2)RH shooting trigger man for the PP alongside Hank the QB. It would be swell if they had some decent puck moving ability and vision in the offensive end as well. It never hurts to have two "QBs" on a powerplay.

Two birds with one stone seems the best way to go there imo.

Well 2 months ago the Leafs were willing to trade Franson for Gorges. I guess the price shouldn't be too high. Franson would be the perfect fit.

 

[thepuckmonster]

Well 2 months ago the Leafs were willing to trade Franson for Gorges. I guess the price shouldn't be too high. Franson would be the perfect fit.

I think Franson's skillset is good but not for a significant asset plus the 4M in salary.