[Signing] Canucks sign Gudbranson (1yr, $3.5 mil)

[1qqaaz]

It looks like Gudbranson has only played about 55 games per season throughout his career.
I wonder if his fragility was taken into account when he was signed to this contract.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Well, they can either have him for X games for $3.5 mil, or not have him at all, so it seems like this is literally the best thing they could do with him. If he's playing, he seems an OK 2nd pair guy.

[Meers]

A show me contract after a poor season makes sense.

For a player who went No. 3 in his draft year, he's a disappointment. Not a top pairing guy. Debatable whether he's even a second pairing guy. With this contract he gets his last chance to prove it.

[Juggernaught]

Originally Posted by Meers

A show me contract after a poor season makes sense.

For a player who went No. 3 in his draft year, he's a disappointment. Not a top pairing guy. Debatable whether he's even a second pairing guy. With this contract he gets his last chance to prove it.

Agreed, not a huge payday given the standards for D-men these days...he's got the front half of the season to show something to either earn another contract or be traded for whatever they can get at the deadline if not before. It has to be remembered that the Nucks were already down a roster dman with the departure of the Russian dude so they do need to fill a few jerseys back there.

[Poe969]

I've honestly always liked the guy only because he's big and doesn't usually seem like that much of a liability. I'd love him as a #5 but I don't think he's good enough to be a top 4 guy unless he proves otherwise.

Is he a UFA after this year though?

[Erick Estrada]

From a Canucks point of view this signing is essentially an investment in rebuilding as they are going to flip him at the deadline. How good he plays next season will determine how much they receive but it's a case of hoping that $3.5 million buys them a warm body for a season and if expectations are exceeded a 2nd round draft pick at the trade deadline.

[Violator]

I have no problem with this signing. this pretty much had to happen after Nikita went home

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I've honestly always liked the guy only because he's big and doesn't usually seem like that much of a liability. I'd love him as a #5 but I don't think he's good enough to be a top 4 guy unless he proves otherwise.

Is he a UFA after this year though?

yep, which helps the trade value

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Engelland played on our top line for weeks 2 years ago, and Calgary made the 2nd round. Doesn't make him a top line player. Same with Gudbranson in Florida.

I thought Russell and Wideman were our top-D pairing in the 2015 playoffs.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

I thought Russell and Wideman were our top-D pairing in the 2015 playoffs.

Oh who remembers, I was hammered

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Oh who remembers, I was hammered

So was Bieksa, by Ferklund.