OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Vancouver Canucks - 2014 - what if Jim Benning never happened? Pt. 2

CanuckJohnny · 03-01-2024, 01:27 PM

Canucks Pre-Season Battles

Roster Locks and Projected Lines

Bertuzzi - Hischier - Burakovsky
McCann - Horvat - (?)
B. Tanev - Cassels - Filatov
(Svechnikov) - (?) - (Hartikainen)

Sergachev - C. Tanev
(Hamhuis) - McAvoy
(Dunn) - Andersson

Demko
DeSmith

*Bold - considered a lock to make the lineup
*(Italics) - the frontrunner, maybe pencilled in for now
*? spot up for grabs to multiple players

Forwards

The top six is fairly set with five of them pretty certainly Bertuzzi, Hischier, Burakovsky, McCann and Horvat. That second line right wing opportunity will likely be an open competition between Stefan Noesen and Josh Anderson though if neither have them have grown enough to seize that opportunity Nikita Filatov may slide back into that spot as well. Maybe somebody else surprises and claims that role, whether it's Ty Ronning straight out of junior or Evgeny Svechnikov upping his game enough to warrant him switching sides for the top six role.

Barring a promotion for Filatov it is likely that the third line is the most set of any going into camp. Brandon Tanev, Cole Cassels and Filatov clicked really well down the stretch last year and Bylsma really likes them together on the checking line.

The fourth line is going to basically be an open audition. Svechnikov may have the inside track on the left side but 24 year old Alex Iafallo will be looking to earn an NHL job this year as well as Dustin Jeffrey who will be trying to prove he still belongs with the big club. Teemu Hartikainen will likely be up against whoever of Anderson and Noesen isn't going to play on the second line when it comes to competing for the right wing slot. At center Danton Heinen is probably the front runner but Filip Chlapik and Blake Lizotte will both have ample opportunity to make their case.

Defense

It is assumed that Sergachev and Tanev will remain as the top pair but who knows what will happen between now and the start of the regular season? Sergachev had an impressive rookie campaign, claiming that top pairing in training camp and never looking back but if he struggles with a sophomore slump or takes things for granted don't think Bylsma will hesitate to give others that opportunity.

Vancouver is deep down the right side with McAvoy likely to play top four minutes again and Rasmus Andersson looking to build on his rookie season and lock down that third pairing role. Erik Cernak would like to prove he can play in the NHL and will be trying to wrest that sixth defenseman spot away from Andersson but it's unlikely he will. Dylan DeMelo is 25 and having established himself as a reliable AHL defensive defenseman he will be looking to take the next step and prove himself at the NHL level.

On the left side things are more up in the air, especially as they elected to mostly stay out of the thin free agent market and give opportunities within. The trading of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Derrick Pouliot certainly leaves them looking a bit thin here and Dan Hamhuis who was relegated to the 7th defenseman role for much of the year could find himself playing top four minutes again in the twilight of his career. Vince Dunn is eager to earn a regular NHL job after spending his first professional season in the AHL. Gustav Forsling signed from Sweden and may get a good look for the NHL lineup although he was originally expected to spend a season in the minors acclimating to North America. Free agent signing Ashton Sautner is only 24 and has rounded his game out. He is hoping to find a real NHL opportunity in Vancouver but will have to show he belongs. Will Butcher is also going to be in camp trying to fight his way up from Utica to Vancouver but he is a ways down the organizational depth chart at this point.

Goalie

Thatcher Demko won't quite be handed the reigns immediately, he will have to show in pre-season that he can play at the NHL level and he will likely split starts fairly evenly with Casey DeSmith. Expect Bylsma to go with the hot hand between his two inexperienced netminders but if Demko's talent shines in the NHL he will take over as the starter sooner rather than later. Nathan Lieuwen and Collin Delia will basically be camp bodies, they are both expected to play in the minors and be depth for the organization.

03-01-2024, 01:27 PM	#93
CanuckJohnny All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 554	Canucks Pre-Season Battles Roster Locks and Projected Lines Bertuzzi - Hischier - Burakovsky McCann - Horvat - (?) B. Tanev - Cassels - Filatov (Svechnikov) - (?) - (Hartikainen) Sergachev - C. Tanev (Hamhuis) - McAvoy (Dunn) - Andersson Demko DeSmith Bold - considered a lock to make the lineup (Italics) - the frontrunner, maybe pencilled in for now ? spot up for grabs to multiple players Forwards* The top six is fairly set with five of them pretty certainly Bertuzzi, Hischier, Burakovsky, McCann and Horvat. That second line right wing opportunity will likely be an open competition between Stefan Noesen and Josh Anderson though if neither have them have grown enough to seize that opportunity Nikita Filatov may slide back into that spot as well. Maybe somebody else surprises and claims that role, whether it's Ty Ronning straight out of junior or Evgeny Svechnikov upping his game enough to warrant him switching sides for the top six role. Barring a promotion for Filatov it is likely that the third line is the most set of any going into camp. Brandon Tanev, Cole Cassels and Filatov clicked really well down the stretch last year and Bylsma really likes them together on the checking line. The fourth line is going to basically be an open audition. Svechnikov may have the inside track on the left side but 24 year old Alex Iafallo will be looking to earn an NHL job this year as well as Dustin Jeffrey who will be trying to prove he still belongs with the big club. Teemu Hartikainen will likely be up against whoever of Anderson and Noesen isn't going to play on the second line when it comes to competing for the right wing slot. At center Danton Heinen is probably the front runner but Filip Chlapik and Blake Lizotte will both have ample opportunity to make their case. Defense It is assumed that Sergachev and Tanev will remain as the top pair but who knows what will happen between now and the start of the regular season? Sergachev had an impressive rookie campaign, claiming that top pairing in training camp and never looking back but if he struggles with a sophomore slump or takes things for granted don't think Bylsma will hesitate to give others that opportunity. Vancouver is deep down the right side with McAvoy likely to play top four minutes again and Rasmus Andersson looking to build on his rookie season and lock down that third pairing role. Erik Cernak would like to prove he can play in the NHL and will be trying to wrest that sixth defenseman spot away from Andersson but it's unlikely he will. Dylan DeMelo is 25 and having established himself as a reliable AHL defensive defenseman he will be looking to take the next step and prove himself at the NHL level. On the left side things are more up in the air, especially as they elected to mostly stay out of the thin free agent market and give opportunities within. The trading of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Derrick Pouliot certainly leaves them looking a bit thin here and Dan Hamhuis who was relegated to the 7th defenseman role for much of the year could find himself playing top four minutes again in the twilight of his career. Vince Dunn is eager to earn a regular NHL job after spending his first professional season in the AHL. Gustav Forsling signed from Sweden and may get a good look for the NHL lineup although he was originally expected to spend a season in the minors acclimating to North America. Free agent signing Ashton Sautner is only 24 and has rounded his game out. He is hoping to find a real NHL opportunity in Vancouver but will have to show he belongs. Will Butcher is also going to be in camp trying to fight his way up from Utica to Vancouver but he is a ways down the organizational depth chart at this point. Goalie Thatcher Demko won't quite be handed the reigns immediately, he will have to show in pre-season that he can play at the NHL level and he will likely split starts fairly evenly with Casey DeSmith. Expect Bylsma to go with the hot hand between his two inexperienced netminders but if Demko's talent shines in the NHL he will take over as the starter sooner rather than later. Nathan Lieuwen and Collin Delia will basically be camp bodies, they are both expected to play in the minors and be depth for the organization.