Note: This roster is not based on what will happen or what management would do. It's based upon moves that I think would be beneficial to the team's upcoming season. Everything is explained in this description -
SIGNINGS:
Sven Baertschi: $4.25M x 5 years
Reasoning: Baertschi has improved every single year in Vancouver so far, and has become a fixture in the top 6 group. Were it not for injuries, he would have totalled 22 goals and 45 points this season on an 82 game pace - not bad considering the Canucks' offensive woes. He's also 25 and just entering his prime. He's proved himself in Vancouver. He has earned a longer-term contract at this point.
Troy Stecher: $3M x 2 years
Reasoning: Stecher is probably Vancouver's third best dman, behind Edler and Tanev, and their best young dman. Is he deserving of a long term contract? Yes. The reason I didn't give it to him is because he has slumped a bit offensively this year, which is why a two year, bridge deal (similar to Hutton's last year) would be beneficial for both sides, to see if the offense comes back or not.
Jake Virtanen: $1.9M x 2 years
Reasoning: This is similar to the bridge Baertschi got a couple seasons ago. I love Virtanen with the Canucks. He's almost as fast as McDavid, can soar past dmen easily, and has a nice shot - but he needs to start putting the puck more in the back of the net. The talent is there, he now just needs to continue to find ways to use it best. P.S: most of you non-Canuck fans probably think he's a bust. If so, please watch a Canucks game in the future...you'll think differently.
Markus Granlund: $1M x 1 year
Reasoning: After falling back down to earth this year, from a sensational 19 goal season the year before, this is a prove-myself contract for Granlund. Either he returns back to his former form, or otherwise he should be traded to make room for others.
Derrick Pouliot: $1.25M x 3 years
Reasoning: Pouliot has been awesome in Vancouver. Great with the puck, and has plenty of talent. Defensivley, he could use some more work, but by 3 years he should be (hopefully) a top 4 dman.
The Sedins: I did not sign them in this team. I would love to have them back, and they have really done well this year. The only reason as to why them not returning is a good thing, is it makes room for Goldobin and Boucher. Nevertheless, by not signing them on this team doesn't mean I'd love to have them back.
LINEUP:
First Line: The do-it-all attitude of Gaudette. The playmaking by Pettersson. The finish by Boeser. Need I say more.
Second Line: Leipsic has really done well so far on the top line with Horvat, and I feel like he deserves a top 6 spot. As for Virtanen, he can really elevate his game with someone like Horvat, who's a very smart player. It would help Jake to potentially "break out"
Third Line: Another somewhat fun line. Gagner's value would increase while playing with Baertschi and Goldobin, and at the same time he'd be helping them out.
Fourth Line: The "defensive" line. Eriksson and Gaunce would occasionally replace one of the wingers on that line.
Vancouver has no need for MDZ in their LHD pool of players, which consists of Edler, Juolevi, Hutton, Pouliot, as well as possibly Tryamkin. Instead, they roll with the young guns, while absorbing a contract San Jose has no need for, while taking a prospect along the way.
Rod doesn't look like he would have a future in San Jose. Martin is completely useless to them. Del Zotto would provide additional depth, in exchange for two pieces who aren't/wouldn't be to any use.
The Canucks should start transitioning Demko into the NHL, with Markstorm as his mentor - that leaves Nilsson out of the picture. However, teams can easily get a backup in FA, so the only way they can move Nilsson for something in exchange is by taking on a bad contract. The Canucks would then, like Martin, waive Brouwer and send him to the AHL.
The real question is: why would Calgary take Nilsson, when they already have a backup, or can even go and get a new one for free in free agency? The answer, is because Vancouver can use it's cap space to help Calgary out. The Troy Brouwer experiment in Calgary hasn't worked out well. He plays on the 4th line, fans aren't fond of him, and there are others who can easily take his spot. Moving him frees $2.5M in cap space this year, and $4.5M next year. With the Backlund extension kicking in this year; Tkachuk, Bennett and Ferland needing raises the next, as well as Brodie, Hamonic, Stone, Frolik, and others contracts all coming up in 2 years, the Flames need to start freeing up cap. Considering they're also getting a half-decent backup, a 2nd + 6th to take on 2 years of Brouwer is reasonable.
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
nobody liked this.
CapFriendly
CapFriendly