OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Vancouver Canucks - 2014

CanuckJohnny · 12-30-2023, 05:03 PM

Canucks pull trigger on Bonino trade, acquire future first from Kings

February 25th, 2017 -
Trevor Linden is getting to work early a week ahead of the trade deadline. With only a year left on his contract and no extension in place, Nick Bonino was rumoured to be available after seeing himself surpassed by Bo Horvat on the Canucks depth chart down the middle. The Kings finally bit, moving next year's first and a second this year along with prospect defenseman Jacob Middleton for a package of picks and Bonino. Reports are that Vancouver will retain 50% of Bonino's salary the remainder of the season.

The Trade: LAK acquires C Nick Bonino (28yo, 61gp, 5-12-17, -1) [50% retained], 2017 VAN 3rd, 2017 VAN 4th, 2018 VAN 2nd, 2018 VAN 3rd; VAN acquires prospect D Jacob Middleton (21yo, AHL 56gp, 8-8-16, +3), 2017 LAK 2nd, 2018 LAK 1st.

Bonino was part of the return for disgruntled center Ryan Kesler at the end of the 2014 season. Vancouver had hoped to see him step into a second line role but at 28 he's looking more like a very solid 3C. His two season prior to this he had 38 and 39 points but this year his icetime and also his production has trailed off a bit. However, his reputation as a hard working, defensively reliable pivot who can chip in made him a valuable piece for the Kings. He was a key penalty killer for a Vancouver unit that is surprisingly top five in the league and is tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals with two. The Kings value his style of play and he will fit right in down the middle in a lineup that has Kopitar, Kruger and Boyle at center already. Bonino should play a key 3C role for a team that is looking to go deep in the playoffs this year. The Kings give up their first next year and second this year but do gain more mid round picks in the next couple drafts, getting a third and a fourth this year and a second and third next year, hoping that quantity rather than quality will pay off for them.

At 21, there are questions over whether Middleton will be able to develop enough offense into his game to play NHL minutes in anything more than a depth role. As a defender of his size he will need to add more physicality to his game as well, but his defensive IQ and willingness to sacrifice his body blocking shots will always give him a chance to earn a role in the big leagues someday. He was seen as more of a throw in to make the roster numbers work, but he is definitely in the mould of defensively responsible blueliners with size that Linden and co tend to target for AHL depth and NHL prospects. He will have to earn his icetime on a deep Utica blueline as the Canucks continue to accumulate minor league defensemen.

Vancouver gets back into the first round in next year's draft and adds a second second rounder this year. They thin out their number of draft selections even more in the process however and after the second round is complete they won't have another pick this year, barring further wheeling and dealing anyways. Trevor Linden is betting big on quality over quantity with draft selections and it may take a few years to see if his strategy will pay off. If it does, he may not be around to see it as Vancouver fans and ownership are already getting restless with the listless franchise.

12-30-2023, 05:03 PM	#122
CanuckJohnny All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 554	Canucks pull trigger on Bonino trade, acquire future first from Kings February 25th, 2017 - Trevor Linden is getting to work early a week ahead of the trade deadline. With only a year left on his contract and no extension in place, Nick Bonino was rumoured to be available after seeing himself surpassed by Bo Horvat on the Canucks depth chart down the middle. The Kings finally bit, moving next year's first and a second this year along with prospect defenseman Jacob Middleton for a package of picks and Bonino. Reports are that Vancouver will retain 50% of Bonino's salary the remainder of the season. The Trade: LAK acquires C Nick Bonino (28yo, 61gp, 5-12-17, -1) [50% retained], 2017 VAN 3rd, 2017 VAN 4th, 2018 VAN 2nd, 2018 VAN 3rd; VAN acquires prospect D Jacob Middleton (21yo, AHL 56gp, 8-8-16, +3), 2017 LAK 2nd, 2018 LAK 1st. Bonino was part of the return for disgruntled center Ryan Kesler at the end of the 2014 season. Vancouver had hoped to see him step into a second line role but at 28 he's looking more like a very solid 3C. His two season prior to this he had 38 and 39 points but this year his icetime and also his production has trailed off a bit. However, his reputation as a hard working, defensively reliable pivot who can chip in made him a valuable piece for the Kings. He was a key penalty killer for a Vancouver unit that is surprisingly top five in the league and is tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals with two. The Kings value his style of play and he will fit right in down the middle in a lineup that has Kopitar, Kruger and Boyle at center already. Bonino should play a key 3C role for a team that is looking to go deep in the playoffs this year. The Kings give up their first next year and second this year but do gain more mid round picks in the next couple drafts, getting a third and a fourth this year and a second and third next year, hoping that quantity rather than quality will pay off for them. At 21, there are questions over whether Middleton will be able to develop enough offense into his game to play NHL minutes in anything more than a depth role. As a defender of his size he will need to add more physicality to his game as well, but his defensive IQ and willingness to sacrifice his body blocking shots will always give him a chance to earn a role in the big leagues someday. He was seen as more of a throw in to make the roster numbers work, but he is definitely in the mould of defensively responsible blueliners with size that Linden and co tend to target for AHL depth and NHL prospects. He will have to earn his icetime on a deep Utica blueline as the Canucks continue to accumulate minor league defensemen. Vancouver gets back into the first round in next year's draft and adds a second second rounder this year. They thin out their number of draft selections even more in the process however and after the second round is complete they won't have another pick this year, barring further wheeling and dealing anyways. Trevor Linden is betting big on quality over quantity with draft selections and it may take a few years to see if his strategy will pay off. If it does, he may not be around to see it as Vancouver fans and ownership are already getting restless with the listless franchise.