Hypothetically, what would be your plan for Burakovsky's contract next year? A QO is $3.25 mil for him (prior year's base salary). If he is signed for one year he will be an RFA, two and he becomes a UFA. I am assuming you would be willing to sign him to that QO (1 year x $3.25 mil), and make a catch or release decision the following year?

Also, McEneny is not an NHL defensemen. I'd suggest Chatfield, even though that makes 5 RD's. Sautner would likely be preferred if he was healthy, but no dice. You might want to get a warm body on defense from somewhere, if you aren't comfortable with putting Stanley there.

With Burakovsky his contract is dependant on how he plays for the rest of the season with Vancouver. If he plays so-so or not the greatest then it would probably be a one year deal to see if he does fit in, which I'm sure he will. So I would say the most probable contract would be a 2-3 year deal at 2-4 million dollars.

McEneny has been having a good season with Utica and I've heard his name tossed around as the potential next d man up. I'm not sure where Chatfield went, whether he is healthy scratched or long term injured, as he only has like 14 games and hasn't been all that great in his sophomore season. This is a situation where the Canucks are selling their best d man and acquiring futures and a young, inconsistent winger, therefore I'd be fine with icing schenn and mceney for the remainder of the season, with hughes coming in for the final 10 games or so, as the Canucks would be trying to pad there lottery pick percentages and be less of a wild card chaser. You're right though, the defence looks quite thin but I wouldn't trade one of our picks just for a 7th defenceman for the remainder of the season. Maybe if someone were dropped on waivers, the nucks could snag them up.

Chatfield has been hurt for much of the year. He came back earlier this month, though I haven't watched many games in which he's been back (out of area). He's not a point scorer, but he's good in his own end, skates well, is good at getting the puck out of his end, and doesn't panic under pressure (and in the NHL people get on you and pressure you quicker, that can be a major breaking point which I think he'd pass). He won't be flashy, but I'd say he's the most NHL-ready of our D men at the moment.

I noticed his +/- earlier (while he was hurt), and it doesn't match with my perceptions from casually watching the team. The team was more of a tire fire at the start of the year (most of his games) compared to now, so that may have contributed. But it's probably warranted to keep an on him to see what is causing that. Until then, that's my opinion on his play.

McEneny doesn't skate well enough for the NHL. I don't remembering if it's always been this bad, so it could be something nagging him. Either way, it's prevents him from being a NHL option in my opinion.