Canucks Lock-up Role Players
The Vancouver Canucks have taken a large step in shoring up the bottom half of their roster for the upcoming 2010-11 season. The Canucks announced that they have signed defenceman Shane O’Brien, forwards Tanner Glass, and Alexandre Bolduc, as well as goaltender Tyler Weiman.
What this Mean for the Canucks
These deals move the Canucks forward in locking up the bottom half of their line-up. Although none of the players signed by the Canucks today are stars in the line-up, they play major roles in what was a very successful season for Vancouver in 2009-10. Glass, O’Brien, and Bolduc were all restricted free agents and given qualifying offers before the start of free agency on July first. The signing of the three players means Canucks’ general manager Mike Gillies does not have to go to arbitration.
Shane O’Brien
O’Brien appeared in 65 games for the Canucks last year scoring two goals, with a total of eight points. O’Brien’s services were most notable throughout the playoff, in which the 26 year-old defenseman played 12 games and tallied three points with a plus-three rating. Getting O’Brien back for next season helps to shore up an already deep Canucks back end. With the acquisition of Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard, O’Brien may be seeing less time in the line-up, however last year’s decimation of the back end prior to the playoffs showed the Canucks brass that O’Brien can be used effectively to plug any holes that might arise throughout next year’s campaign.
Tanner Glass
Glass provides the Canucks with some fourth line grit, and another player that can be moved in and out of the line-up while still performing at a high level. Last season saw the Regina Saskatchewan native finish with 11 points in 65 games. Glass is a classic role player and was moved in and out of the Canucks line-up throughout their playoff run, playing in a total of four games. Glass is not a flashy player but he plays with a great deal of grit and can drop the gloves if needed.
Alexandre Bolduc
Bolduc is a 25 year-old centre from Montreal who was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round of the 2003 National Hockey League draft. Bolduc spent most of his time last season with the Canucks American Hockey League affiliate the Manitoba Moose, but enjoyed a 15 game stint with the big club. Bolduc has put up strong numbers in the AHL and looks to have some promise perhaps as a third or fourth line centre. Bolduc did not manage to get on the score board during his audition with the big club, but as he progresses he should expect to see more time up front with Vancouver.
Tyler Weiman
26 year-old goaltender Weiman was drafted in the fifth round by the Colorado Avalanche in 2002. Having spent most of his career in the AHL it is not likely Weiman will see any time in the NHL next season. Instead the youngster will be looked upon to shore up the goaltending situation in Manitoba for the Moose next year. With Andrew Raycroft on the move and Cory Schneider getting moved up to act as the back-up goalie for next season, Weiman fills the void left in the AHL. Weiman played in 43 games last season, winning 21 of them and posting a 2.48 save percentage.
Increased depth
The signing of O’Brien, Glass, Bolduc and Weiman do a great deal to fill up the bottom half of the Canucks roster for next season. Having already made major moves on the blue line picking up Hamhuis and Ballard, O’Brien will give Mike Gillies an option in case of injury. While Glass and Bolduc give the talented forward crop some more depth, and the acquisition of Weiman allows Schneider to finally make a move to Canucks back-up.
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