‘The Nuck Stops Here’ is an exclusively Vancouver Canucks column that runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
News
Alex Biega Re-Signed
The following is a press-release from the organization:
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have re-signed defenceman Alex Biega.
Biega, 27, made his NHL debut in 2014.15, appearing in seven games and notching one goal as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. The Montreal, Quebec native also registered 19 points (3-16-19) and 24 penalty minutes in 62 games, ranking second in scoring among defencemen on the Utica Comets. Biega also played in 23 playoff games in the Calder Cup Playoffs for Utica, collecting four points (0-4-4) and 16 penalty minutes.
The 5’10”, 193-pound defenceman previously signed with Vancouver as free agent on July 5, 2013.
Jacob Markstrom Re-Signed
The following is a press release from the organization:
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have re-signed goaltender Jacob Markstrom to a two-year deal.
Markstrom, 25, appeared in three games with the Canucks in 2014.15 and 32 games with the Utica Comets, where he posted a record of 22-7-2, a GAA of 1.88, save percentage of 0.934 and five shutouts. Markstrom backstopped the Comets to the Calder Cup Finals with a 0.925 save percentage and 2.11 GAA through 23 games.
In 50 career NHL games with Vancouver and Florida, the Gavle, Sweden native has a record of 13-28-5 with a 3.19 GAA. The 6’6”, 199-pound goaltender was acquired by Vancouver from Florida alongside Shawn Matthias in exchange for Roberto Luongo and Steven Anthony on March 4, 2014.
Linden Vey Re-Signed
The following is a press release from the organization:
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have re-signed right wing Linden Vey.
Vey, 23, appeared in his first season with the Canucks in 2014.15, collecting 24 points (10-14-24) and 18 penalty minutes in 75 games. He finished the season ranked tied for 15th among rookies in points (24), tied for sixth in power play goals (4), tied for 18th in assists (14), tied for 20th in goals (10) and played one postseason game.
In 2013.14, Vey made his NHL debut and appeared in 18 regular season games for the Los Angeles Kings, recording five points (0-5-5) and zero penalty minutes. The Wakaw, Saskatchewan, native also played in 43 regular season games for the Manchester Monarchs in the 2013.14 season, recording 48 points (14-34-48), 20 penalty minutes and a plus-8 rating. His 48 points and 34 assists ranked second on the club.
Internationally, Vey captured a Bronze medal as a member of Team Canada at the U17 World Hockey Championship. He was acquired by Vancouver on June 28th, 2014 in exchange for a 2nd round selection in the 2014 NHL Draft and originally selected by Los Angeles in the fourth round, 96th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Kevin Bieksa Traded to Anaheim Ducks
The following is a press release from the organization:
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have acquired a 2016 second round draft pick from Anaheim in exchange for defenceman Kevin Bieksa.
“We would like to thank Kevin and his wife Katie for their incredible commitment to this team and community,” said General Manager Jim Benning. “It’s always a difficult decision to trade a player who’s been such a big part of an organization for so long and we wanted to make sure we did what was best for both Kevin and the Canucks. Kevin was a leader for us and will always be connected with our fans and the Vancouver Canucks because of all he did for this province and team. We wish him and his family the very best.”
@kbieksa3 has been with #Canucks almost as long as I've been covering the team. Best quote in my years and always accountable. Best of luck.
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) July 1, 2015
Analysis
Blue Line Getting Younger
The two main criticisms of the Canucks’ blue line was that it was old, and that it was too slow. With the Kevin Bieksa trade and Yannick Weber not getting qualified (not that Weber’s old, but he’s not considered young), younger and faster options in Frankie Corrado and Adam Clendening are guaranteed roster spots, and in the case of the latter, substantial power play time.
While losing the grit and experience that Bieksa brought to the table may not be ideal, with the likes of the Ducks, Kings, Flames and Sharks building their defense cores around younger players (Sami Vatanen, Brenden Dillon, Jake Muzzin and Dougie Hamilton just to name a few), it’s vital that the Canucks adhere to that philosophy as well, and making room for Corrado and Clendening is a good start.
With Chris Tanev seemingly in it for the long run in Vancouver, as well the organization being of the mindset that guys like Andrey Pedan and Nikita Tryamkin could be full-time NHL’ers in a couple seasons, fans, as much as they may love the turnover up front, may be starting to also see a youth movement on the back end.
Who Will Be The Canucks 4th Line Center Next Season?
The Canucks currently boast an abundance of prospects on the wing, and while they have some intriguing names up the middle in Cole Cassels and Jared McCann, they don’t have a surefire NHL’er at center for next season like they did in Bo Horvat.
Sure, it’s conceivable that Cassels or McCann come into training camp and win themselves a role, but it’s hardly something the organization should be relying on, and with Linden Vey apparently shifting to the wing, they lack many options within the organization. They could re-sign Brad Richardson for a third season as a Canuck, probably the best case scenario, or they could delve into the free agent market. There, they could add a veteran centerman in the vein of a Max Lapierre or a Gregory Campbell as a one-year fill-in while they wait on Cassels and McCann.
Whatever the case may be, it will be an interesting storyline to follow throughout the off-season and into training camp.
Around the Blogosphere
Why Radim Vrbata is a perfect fit in Washington [The Hockey Writers]
An analysis of the Canucks’ youth movement courtesy of Noah Dolinajec [The Hockey Writers]
Canucks blog Pass It To Bulis says goodbye to the Vancouver Sun [Vancouver Sun]
Ed Willes giving Jim Benning some credit [The Province]
Breaking down the Canucks’ trade failures at the NHL draft [The Hockey Writers]
The Canucks’ guide to 2015 free agency season [Nucks Misconduct]
