They should blow it up and start over, but whatever. Guess they're trying to win. Retool it is. I'm not the most familiar with the Canucks roster, so go easy on me.
Fixes come from finding players to help stats that the Canucks are worst at according to JFresh cards
There are a few major problems I can identify:
1) they too easily give up the neutral zone, too easy for other team to exit zone and enter defensive zone
2) they have literally no rush game. If they aren't able to get in zone to cycle, they won't score.
3) Even when they do cycle, it's not all that useful. Not enough shots, not enough rebounds chances, just not enough
Fixes
1) Bo Horvat is likely going to out-price himself at the end of the year, so the Canucks can't resign him. Even if they do, he's not all that useful of a player with what they need. Trading him for Artem Zub may help fix problem 1. Also creating a dynamic, defensive third line in Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Garland should be solid on both ends of the ice.
2) The Rush. This is a difficult one, because rush players are valued in the league. There really aren't many available for trade, and even less acquirable without giving up the whole farm. Instead, I think it just comes from proper lines. Hoglander-Petterson-Boeser under the influence of Boudreau should be able to move the puck up ice with speed, cycle, rush, and shoot.
3) Somebody is going to pull the trigger on a Puljujarvi trade and I think the time is now. He's a work horse in need of some refining. What he does bring is offensive power. He is going to be a player that will take shots, more shots, and even more shots after that. He doesn't have the best finish, but that should hopefully come with time. He is also good at moving the puck out of the zone to help defensive pressure. His trade value is rumored to be at a low.
None of these are long term fixes. I'm not sure there is one with the awful contracts Vancouver has. I still think that they should rebuild, because they have no shot when they have millions upon millions locked up in underwhelming players for years to come. They have taken way too many chances on players after just one or two great seasons and that doesn't seem to have changed. Miller should've been traded, but it is probably too late now if the hopes were to flip him for concrete value.
Canucks get a reliable shut down defenseman to help aid against the rush and zone entries. Not the best offensive player at all, but that may be boosted playing alongside Hughes
Ottawa gets a center replacement with Norris likely out for the year, as well as even more veteran presence. Rumors say Sens worry about whether they can resign Zub
Toronto seems to have built a bottom-6 that doesn't necessarily include Kerfoot anywhere. Shedding cap space while adding another goalie (albeit underperforming) to aid in their injury troubles in net may be worthwhile for them
There are rumours about Zub but make no mistake about it, if the Sens lose Zub the team will fall apart. They will do absolutely everything to keep him.
1. Ottawa is weaker on the Blueline than down the middle, even after Norris injury.
2. Zub is their only top 4 calibre RHD.
3. Even IF Ottawa might not be able to retain Zub after this season, that's still better than definitely not being able to keep Horvat.
4. Keeping Zub let's them retain the leverage of potentially offering Zub an 8 year deal, which would be a huge bargaining chip in trying to keep him.
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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