denkiteki
Registered User
- Jun 29, 2010
- 3,767
- 6
I think the Canucks will want to play Gagner on the 3rd line - probably at RW as they still seem to believe Sutter is a "foundational" piece at C. I feel he is better used similar to the way Torts used him in CBJ - as a 4th line forward with 1st unit PP time. He's played 3C most of his career, and it has usually resulted in him being over-matched defensively in 5v5 situations. He could also work as RW on the 3rd line with Sutter taking the defensive match ups. But I think there will be a rotating cast between all 3 4th line positions and the wings on the 3rd line.
Yes - I accidentally, in the various cuts and pastes swapped Gaunce and Gagner. Any one of Gaunce, Gagner or Burmistrov could play 4C, but if Burmistrov doesn't impress immediately, I would probably go with a 4th line of Gaunce, Gagner and Dorsett / Labate.
I doubt the Canucks would send Dorsett down until / unless he is well down the path of Higgins / Prust / Booth after injuries. Willie loved DD, but it went beyond that. Benning believes he's a "culture carrier". Best bet for Dorsett would be if he is 100% healthy (a stretch) use him in his proper role (4th line energy forward) and then trade him at the deadline for a 5th round pick to a team needing some playoff "truculence" and depth.
I'm not sure why I thought Rodin was a natural LW - I had in mind that Benning was looking for him to provide some offensive support behind Baertshi last year on LW. But he is listed as a LH shooting RW.
Actually based on ice time, Gagner was used more like a 3rd liner last year (~11m 5v5 per game and 2+ minutes on the PP). His ice time per game was i think 8th among regular forwards on CBJ.
Line-combo suggests he ended up playing with Sedlak and Bjorkstrand on the 3rd line. Statistically, he played the most with Hartnell followed by Sedlak (who basically was 3C for CBJ). It showed Gagner only played 53:28 with Karlsson (4C)... just a bit more than Dubinsky (2C). He actually played with Wennberg (1C) more than either. Again 5v5 stats so ignoring PP time.
I don't watch CBJ so all these stats are from hockeyanalysis.
Also although Gagner is a "natural" C, i wouldn't want him there and i don't think CBJ had him playing C much either. He's very bad in the circle (as in well under 50%) and Gagner is not exactly known for solid defensive play (actually the opposite).
As far as Labate goes, i'll be surprise he makes the team or even being considered. Even for a 4th line role, i would imagine Chaput/Megna/Molino are all considered before him. Green only really used him as a 3rd liner even in Utica so the only way we see Labate is if we have quite a few injuries.
As far as trading Dorsett goes, remember he has 2 years left on his contract. Even if we retain 50% for both seasons, i'm not sure there will be a team that wants him for 1.5 seasons instead of just "maybe" for the playoffs. That's the same reason i suggested (food for though) rather or not we should waive him instead of say Boucher.