Gudbranson deal adds stability
Canucks envision big 26-year-old as shutdown defenceman
Adual franchise mandate is always going to be a vexing Vancouver thing. Trying to trend younger while icing a competitive product has been the double-edged sword that has deeply divided the hockey populace.
Those who applaud Erik Gudbranson’s three-year, US$12-million contract extension with the Canucks on Tuesday — in the hope for backend stability, shutdown ability, size and strength — are countered by those who wonder how high a draft pick he could have commanded at the NHL trade deadline Monday.
And those who believe the injured Chris Tanev could bring a firstround pick and a prime defensive prospect are opposed by those who think he might not bring that return and that the biggest franchise concerns are behind the blue-line — not in front of it.
It’s why the Canucks aren’t ready to give up on Ben Hutton, who was scratched for the 10th time in the last 26 games Tuesday, and why they have to be active at the deadline.
The obvious trade bait is unrestricted free agent Thomas Vanek.
Even though the 34-year-old was second in club scoring entering play Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche with 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists), he’s expected to be in the second wave of wingers moved at the deadline.
Landing a second-round pick or probably a third will depend on whether Vanek is viewed as a top-six fix or rental insurance for a Stanley Cup contender.
Accumulating draft picks is the building block in any rebuild, but so is a foundation that’s not crumbling.
“A rebuild is not nuking the whole system,” the 26-year-old Gudbranson said. “There has to be a transitionary period. Kids today are extremely talented and fast, but they need guidance. It’s a long season and mentally there’s a lot of pressure — especially in a market like this. You need guys who can show the way.”
Tanev could become a mentor to Olli Juolevi.
Yet aside from concerns about culture and environment and grooming, you also need guys who can play. Gudbranson’s improvement from a struggling third-pairing blue-liner to one who is healthy, comfortable and confident has been remarkable.
He has flourished in a shutdown pairing with Alex Edler and a meeting with head coach Travis Green solidified the belief that his emerging role was more enticing than testing free agency and possibly getting better term elsewhere.
“That was a big part of the process — I wanted to talk to the coach and it was a big thing,” stressed Gudbranson, who will earn $4.4 million, $4.6M and $3M (all figures in U.S. dollars) in the extension that doesn’t included a no-trade clause.
“We had a good conversation about the direction the team is heading and what his views are. They fit like a glove when I thought what this team is going to be like in the next couple of years.”
The manner in which Gudbranson and Edler shut down the Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak line in a 6-1 rout of the Boston Bruins Saturday at home was
not lost on anybody. Gudbranson logged 23:05 of ice time and threw three memorable hits — including stapling Marchand to the boards.
“The pairing gives me more purpose and you get a better product out of me if I’m playing like that,” Gudbranson said.
“When you see Marchand on the board in morning skate, I go home and think about how I can make his night miserable. I love that role.” The role could still change. Gudbranson has to be more than a physical deterrent. Defending better down low and in the corners must be complemented by swift and accurate puck movements.
But the franchise’s faith that he could evolve into this role — especially after missing 52 games last season with wrist surgery and a dozen this season by a shoulder ailment — helped sell him on signing as much as the coach did.
“There’s a grace period to figure out players and I didn’t earn it, either,” Gudbranson said of his struggles.
“He (Green) has extended the olive branch but it’s subject to change. I can be better. Hopefully, there’s no ceiling.”
Said Green: “He’s improving and we’re continuing to push him. He’s hard to play against and is at his best when he plays a simple game.”
Tanev’s situation isn’t as clear as trade speculation would suggest.
He’s out with a micro-fracture in his leg but is considered a leader in the room and on the ice.
GM Jim Benning has always been adamant he has no intention of trading Tanev, who has two years left at a $4.45-million annual cap hit.
“That’s still the case,” said Benning.
“We listen and, so far, there’s nothing that looks like it would make sense to consider moving him on. And as we transition, he’s an excellent support guy.”
As for the 24-year-old Hutton, Benning isn’t concerned there may be a disconnect between coach and player.
“We’ve asked him to do more work on the ice after practice and in the weight room,” said Benning.
“You have to earn the trust, but he’s going through growing pains of what we think he can develop into.”
Benning is also seeking a Derek Dorsett-type winger who can add bite, compete and playmaking ability.
He’s willing to do a player-for-player swap — giving up some skill in the process — but that likely won’t occur until the summer.
“Derek was a big loss to our team,” Green said. “He brought a lot of energy, grit and determination and was hard to play against. And teams that win are tenacious.”
OVERTIME — Green said Jacob Markstrom “tweaked” something that has progressed. Richard Bachman has been recalled from the Utica Comets and Anders Nilsson was to start Tuesday.