 etc.), or 2) wait until the end of the year to pull the trigger on the best possible deal, rather than force a deal that at best looks like a risky gamble, and at worst looks like a complete gaff.
3) How disrespectful this trade makes the Canucks franchise look. Hodgson worked his ass off for probably too long in the minors, finally cracked the lineup for the best team in the NHL, earned a third line center roll and helped us win quite a few games single handidly, only to get shipped to a non-playoff team without being told in advance that he was even being shopped, nevertheless traded once it went down....just brutal.
To me this trade looks like one that a winner won't be decided for a few years still as Kassian likely won't hit his stride for a few years to come. To me, this is a huge mistake - to make this type of trade when your team is the best in the league, to tamper with your obviously effective group and bring in a complete unknown, all while you are ramping up for a deep playoff run.
Thanks for the great read though.
February 27 2012, 05:02PM
Gragnani plays left side. He was tried at right side at the beginning of the season. He said he has played left side all his life and prefers there. He had been playing on the left-side with Ehrhoff on his right for most of the season.
So...still missing that right side D pair.
February 27 2012, 05:08PM
Thanks for the correction Ryan, my bad. I did my due diligence too, went + watched a game from early in the season on Game Centre Live to be sure - saw him playing the right side + assumed it was his natural spot.
I really wish the NHL listed such things officialy.
February 27 2012, 05:37PM
Great trade from my perspectiveherein Edmonton.Oilerfan wishes we could get Kassian. Heck LA fan wishes. Good deal.
February 27 2012, 05:44PM
@Wendell P
I can't say I agree. It kills to see a guy like Hodgson go, but..
1) I think that's the whole point: he was never going to get the top 6 minutes he needed to develop here. I loved watching him play but he really didn't fit what the Canucks need right now. The few times we did see him playing wing, he really didn't impress.
2) How do you know (a) didn't happen? Besides that, I really don't like the idea of moving a promising rookie for a guy pushing 30, who might also be a cap issue in the future. As for (2/b), you have to think that the 'nucks didn't see Hodgson's value getting much higher by summer and/or must think Kassian has a real chance of earning a spot on the roster by the post-season. We can hope!
3) That's laying it on a little thick. Yeah, it sucks but that's the business. Considering Gillis has generally been as class act, so far as we know, I think it's safe to assume this trade came up at the last minute, quite possibly when we failed to get a guy like Ott for a reasonable price. Besides that, I think it's fair to say that going to a team that desperately needs a centre is probably the best thing for Hodgson right now. If he's as good as we hoped, he'll get his chance at the playoffs.
Again, I hate to lose Hodgson, but I think this was a good trade. Both sides gave away a quality piece that didn't quite fit and got what they needed. We finally got that young power forward we've been lusting after for years. Sure, he might be a bust, but then Hodgson might never have cracked the top-6 here anyway.
February 27 2012, 06:39PM
A point that everyone is missing is that this move is necessary because the Sedins are limited players.
The Sedins need the Ozone imbalance to produce as they do.
And They cannot put up these numbers against top d-men,and top lines, therefore they have to play against weaker competition. (unlike true elite talent like Toews and Datsyuk)
Therefore the Canucks third line needs to play against top talent (AV has said exactly that).
Hodgson is clearly not the type to play this shut down role BUT he was more then capable to excel against other 3rd line players giving us an edge. Unfortunately, the team is tied to the Sedins.
Remember the 'high flying' Canucks last year were one of the lowest goal scoring teams every to reach the finals
Also the Sedins are cumulative -10 or something (I know plus minus is filled with noise but -10?!!!)
They will look back with regret losing Hodgson's offense
as it ain't coming from Paulson. Lapierre or Maholtra!!
Look for the Canucks to try and win 1-0 or 2-1 like dallas 07 but -
Canucks out in the first round (especially if they play LA)!!
February 27 2012, 07:58PM
wow lortimer,
you don't know your hockey eh?
the canucks were the top scoring team last year.
262 goals detroit 261 philly 259 etc..
sedins are +42 combined
you must be trolling.
February 27 2012, 08:39PM
@Lortimer
The Canucks were the highest scoring team in the league last year.
Agreed, Troll.
February 27 2012, 09:41PM
@ae35
Typical 'blind' canuck fan..only looking at the preseason (i.e. regular)..
check out our PLAYOFF numbers. (the only season that counts for winners).. and perhaps you can figure the math out :)
February 27 2012, 10:54PM
Nice analogy, I'm thinking the Canucks just became a lot harder to play against with a little more sandpaper to back it up. Cody was out of his role and now thats been filled with pieces the team can lean on considering most situations.
February 27 2012, 10:59PM
The real reason Hodgson was traded :)
got to get that 'rat!
February 28 2012, 12:01AM
problem with power fowards are their development time. probably the longest developing scoring foward. JVR has a much better draft pedegree than kassian and he still hasn't panned out.
it was a very big gamble for gillis for sure.
February 28 2012, 05:04AM
@danceraldi
there is only playoff stat that matters
16w
February 28 2012, 09:58AM
@ae35
Yes..but the key question is - "how to get to 16.."
(the numbers clearly show that scoring goals is more important than stopping them)
The Canucks (under AV) have yet to show they can take their dominant reg. season offense and do it in the playoffs...losing Hodgson is a step backwards
February 28 2012, 03:39PM
Thanks for the article. There haven been a lot of different perspectives floating around the internet. To each their own.
But what I haven't heard discussed is timing. Why now? If he wanted a different make up to this team, why not do it in the summer? Why sign an old aging vet in Marco Sturm if you want a different make up? It's confusing and misleading, therfore some of us view this trade as a knee-jerk reaction.
It was stated that one GM specifically was angry about this trade. He called Gillis, Gillis said he wasn't available. Then word came out, no GM's knew Hodgson was available. If you are not taking the'markets temperature' of what he's worth, you can not value him accurately. It's a fact.
I liked Cody, thought he had tremendous upside, but I'm more angry about the 'business' side of this transaction. I think it's a panic move, and a very dangerous business decision.Get the Stoke City newsletter
Get the latest news from Stoke City delivered for FREE to your inbox.
Marc Wilson
PUBLISHED
19:00 20th January 2013
Key defender's comeback bid not helped by weather
TONY PULIS has admitted that the big freeze is hampering Stoke City’s bid to get Marc Wilson back in first team action at the earliest opportunity.
Although Pulis is delighted with the progress which the Republic of Ireland international is making in his recovery from a broken leg, he is frustrated that the cold weather has held up his progress following a return to training in the past few days.
Wilson is battling his way back from the injury which he suffered in the Premier League draw with Sunderland back at the end of October.
“The cold weather is not helping Marc,” revealed Pulis when asked how long it would be before the defender would be hitting the comeback trail.
“We have to be very careful in these conditions when he is coming back from an injury of this nature, so that is taking its toll at the moment.
“Marc has been a massive miss for us over the past three months and we want him back as soon as possible, but we have to get it right.”
He added: “He has been coming along nicely in training over the past few days, but it’s difficult to say at the moment when he’ll start playing.”
With Wilson still working his way back to full fitness, City had to go into