[Signing] Canucks sign Holtby (2 yrs, $4.3 mil AAV)

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Blaster86 whats your take? How do you feel about this?

Perfect. While Holtby isn't as good as Markstrom, he also isn't the tire fire he's being made out to be here. His job is to play 40 - 50 games depending on how Demko is doing. He makes sure that Demko isn't without a safety net and gives the Canucks more of that play-off pedigree.

Also gives Beagle another friend. Beagle loves friends.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

It's a gamble, but not a really terrible high risk one because of the short term. Which as far as UFA goes is not that bad a gamble. Basically, there are three possible things that could happen.

1. Holtby could return to form somewhat and be a legitimate starting netminder.
2. Demko could show that he's ready and become a legitimate starting netminder.
3. Holtby could be washed and play like he did this past season, and Demko could turn out to not be a legitimate NHL starter.

In one of those three scenarios, this turns out to be a disaster and the Canucks are bad and miss the playoffs this year. But even that wouldn't be the end of the world for them, because it would presumably reduce the amount they would then have to shell out to Pettersson and Hughes.

I think they'll end up getting something slightly below NHL average goaltending, not because their goalies suck but because their blue line sucks.

[CaptainYooh]

Benning after signing Holtby:

[Fire]

Good signing by the Canucks. Makes a lot more sense signing Holtby short term than Markstrom long term with Demko being the future.

[Manhattanboy]

Guys on the radio saying the VAN strategy will be to expose him in the expansion draft. So who knows he may be a Kraken or whatever their name is.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I think they'll end up getting something slightly below NHL average goaltending, not because their goalies suck but because their blue line sucks.

It's really our only question mark left now. I'd expect any deals or UFAs to be around that now

[Barca]

It'll be interesting what Ian Clark will do to his game.

he has won a Vezina and is only 31 years old. Marky is 30.

[Barca]

Originally Posted by gioforpm

it’s often been stated like this, but how often is an older goalie really a mentor to the younger guy, especially one who’s trying to get the starting job. Was smith a mentor to rittich? Was talbot?

https://twitter.com/user/status/1314632616704839680

[AC]

Originally Posted by Barca

https://twitter.com/user/status/1314632616704839680

I bet every new goalie to a team does something like this.

[btimbit]

I like this for the Canucks. Vet to mentor Demko as they slowly give him more games, getting Holtby on a 2 year deal is nice. I woulda thought Holtby would hold out for more term, but I can understand him not wanting to wait until Markstrom is signed and risk not having any good suitors if he waited too long

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by AC

I bet every new goalie to a team does something like this.

But you have to admit, that Lionel Richie meme was just great.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

It's really our only question mark left now. I'd expect any deals or UFAs to be around that now

This isn't true at all. As I just said, the goalies are still a question mark - specifically, will Holtby return to form? Will Demko become an NHL starter? Then you have the bottom 6 forwards and bottom 4 D, which aren't so much a question mark as just... bad.

The Canucks are a team that only made the playoffs last year because of a goalie that just left town. They have lots of question marks.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

This isn't true at all. As I just said, the goalies are still a question mark - specifically, will Holtby return to form? Will Demko become an NHL starter? Then you have the bottom 6 forwards and bottom 4 D, which aren't so much a question mark as just... bad.

I meant question mark as in who is going to be playing. Bottom 6 forwards are pretty much locked in.

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

The Canucks are a team that only made the playoffs last year because of a goalie that just left town. They have lots of question marks.

And a top power play. We were the second highest scoring team in the west. So yes, how our defensive play shakes down now including goalies is going to be a huge factor.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Barca

Riiighttt lol

Literally all of Canucks Reddit/hfboards/twitter and CDC are all happy with this signing.

2years is perfect term for the Seattle draft and a mentor for Demko.

All I know is Ian Clark will transform this man.. only a year older than Marky too.

Goalie coaches are being given WAY too much credit by fans these days. Can they make a difference? Yes, sometimes.

But if you think a 34 year old is going to be transformed, well, good luck to you

[Barca]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Goalie coaches are being given WAY too much credit by fans these days. Can they make a difference? Yes, sometimes.

But if you think a 34 year old is going to be transformed, well, good luck to you

Holtby is 31... a year older than Markstrom who Ian Clark transformed in 2 seasons.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I like this for the Canucks as well, 4.3 for Holtby seems very reasonable when looking at the other Goalie signings today.

[Barca]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1314636676946227200

having the best goalie coach in the league has its perks.

[dino7c]

These comments won't age well, Holtby will get lit up there

[Strange Brew]

Logical signing for vancouver, and will only spend $5.3 million on goaltending next year.

[keenan87]

Good low risk signing imo. Good move by Vancouver after letting Markstrom go.