Why Turris works

If the Canucks are going to be a cup threat they need to improve secondary scoring, and not by waiting for Mason Raymond to be healthy again, or juggling the current roster.  They'll need to find a way to add affordable talent, preferably without giving much up in return.  I love the David Booth trade and I'm a huge Chris Higgins fan but unless something drastic happens I don't see chemistry forming between the American Express line; they're all too similar - cue Turris.

Turris would be expected to play the wing but he is a very capable center and having that option in case of a waive out is invaluable to a team built on puck possession.  His holdout makes him incredibly undervalued and he would likely sign for much less than his outrageous demands in Phoenix.  The biggest question would be is he the right fit, or, can he become the player he is supposed to be in the Canucks system?

I think the answer is yes.  He had 11 goals to 24 assists playing with Blake Geoffrion at the U. of Wisconsin.  He showed the same level of playmaking ability in the AHL with Mikkel Boedker and Brett McLean on a young farm system for the Desert Dogs.  He was rushed to the NHL and then sent to San Antonio where he performed well but upon his call up he was burried behind Eric Belanger and Shane Doan on a 'Yotes team that had 11 double digits scorers and worked more as a goals by comittee system.  As a designated top six forward on a Stanley Cup calibre team he could be the missing link.

This does wonders for team depth.  Higgins ability to finish makes him a better fit on the third line.  How many times did we see Janik Hansen miss should-be goal scoring opportunities last night.  What if it had been Higgins on the wing with Hodgson and Malhotra?  It's a definite move away from the defensively smart and physically imposing Torres/Malhotra/Hansen line of last year but could be an upgrade offensively and the lack of secondary options in the goal department in Vancouver was exploited last season.  Going a little further down the line that makes Hansen a fourth line winger and about the best one in the league.  Hansen and Lapierre with Weise or Volpatti is an impressive fourth line.

If it isn't Turris and things don't turn around pretty quick it will be someone.  There's no way Mike Gillis is rolling this current wait-and-see roster down the stretch and in to the playoffs.