Alex Biega is a fantastic professional. He is realistic about his role on an NHL team, comfortable with sitting in a press box for extended periods of time, and immediately provides a spark when he does get in the lineup.
The Canucks decided that Biega’s play and personality were the right fit for a depth defenceman, re-signing him for the next two years at $825,000 per year.
Recent reports suggest that the Canucks could have traded Alex Biega in the past. Considering the source of these reports is former Assistant General Manager Laurence Gilman, they’re pretty solid. Frankly, if the Canucks could have gotten a late-round pick for Biega, they should have pulled the trigger on the deal.
Biega is a replacement-level player, which are, by definition, replaceable, but there’s something to be said for getting a reliable pro, who sets a good example with his hard work and determination, to slot in as your seventh or eighth defenceman.
“Call him a depth defenceman, call him whatever you want,” said Travis Green. “Alex Biega knows what he is.”
There was a moment in the press conference where I my facial expression was apparently a pinch too expressive.
“What has he brought? A lot. He’s a good player,” said Green, then paused. “You don’t think so? You shrugged at me, so I didn’t think you thought that.”
In all honesty, I think Biega is perfectly-suited for his role. He has the right personality and the right element of energy and hard work to make him a great fit as a depth player comfortable with sitting in the press box while younger players ahead of him in the NHL or get big minutes in the AHL.
“He’s a guy that can go in, not play for 30 games and come in and play really good games for us, give us good minutes,” said Green. “He’s comfortable in that position. And he wants to be a Canuck. He wants to help this team progress forward and he’s a great example for our young guys to be around as far as being ready to play, taking a scratch and not letting it affect you.”
The money is plenty reasonable for Biega, fitting well under the $1.025 million limit for burying contracts in the AHL. If the Canucks end up waiving Biega and sending him to the Utica Comets, he won’t count against their salary cap.
This is a decent deal for both the Canucks and Biega, who gets his second straight two-year contract after four one-year deals.
“It’s obviously a little bit more job security,” said Biega. “The other thing is, realistically, you’ve gotta like the city, and the culture, and what you have around you. I like being in the dressing room, I like being with the guys, and that’s an important piece for me.”
This season, Biega has seen an improvement in his underlying possession statistics. Last season, under Willie Desjardins, the Canucks were significantly out-shot and out-chanced when Biega was on the ice. This year, the Canucks have out-shot their opposition at 5-on-5 with Biega on, the only Canucks defenceman for whom that is the case.
The explanation for the turnaround might come from a new coach and new system.
“I think he understands my system,” said Green. “He’s physical and he gets shots to the net. He’s very dialed in when he plays. He’s a smart guy off the ice and he’s worked really hard on his game over the years. SInce the first time I met him, to see the player he’s become is something.”
Green’s system permits or even encourages an aggressive approach from his defenceman.
“I think can use my skating more, backwards skating, tracking guys,” said Biega. “That way, if you have tighter gaps, you don’t really have to block shots, you don’t have to give up those grade-A chances or whatnot. For me, if you’re closing guys off at the redline, and you can break the puck out, you’re not going to play in your zone much.”
Biega has particularly found chemistry with Derrick Pouliot. When they’ve been on the ice together, the Canucks have controlled 53.5% of the shot attempts, making them one of the team’s most effective pairings this season, albeit in a sheltered, third-pairing role.
That suggests that with the right partner, Biega could be more than just a seventh or eighth defenceman, but could become an everyday presence on the third-pairing. Even if it’s a longshot, it’s something for which Biega strives.
“For me, it’s coming to the rink every single night and it doesn’t change,” said Biega. “It’s proving that I can be a player and proving to myself that I can be a guy that can even surprise myself and be that guy that can maybe be a 5-6.”
“At the end of the day I take pride in what I bring as a person to the club and as a player to the club,” he said. “I think I’ve proven that I can sit out for two weeks or so and come in and be ready and contribute right away. I try to bring that value.”
