What I can see being a reasonable set of moves for a "Vancouver-rebuild." Vancouver is a funny place for hockey, was always want a shot to have post-season hockey, which does not make rebuilding easy at all.
In this Armchair GM I tried to find out how I could make Signing Lucic (knowing he wants more money than LA, and that he dreams of being a Canuck) as well as being able to snag Ericsson in the Free Agency. (I have seen highlight videos of both players and believe these are fair prices.
Sbisa's contract is heft for an injury prone defenceman, and what we get back for him would be less than what his skill level is because we're also asking the other team to absorb all of his salary.
The Higgins trade is partly to spare Higgy of being shafted to the AHL and for the canucks to maximize on what was once a decent second line player with not very many years left on his contract.
Keeping Burrows was a hard decision, his contract fit for him when he signed it and maybe up until the end of 13-14. I kept him because he, like Bieksa and many before him, is a face of the franchise, and a great veteran to have in the locker room for the young players.
Although I would love to see BOESER in the NHL, he has already stated he's going back to the NCAA. I think this is a smart move actually. He did very well as a 17/18 year old there, and another year playing there still means he's playing against others whom are older than him. (Yes, "whom" is properly used there.) Also this is the same story of Troy Stetcher, whom I hope is not going to be another Dane Fox, but more of a Ben Hutton.
I would like to see Thatcher Demko in the AHL, I think this is a nice fit for him there moving up from College. Dan Cloutier, say what you want about his career, can definitely share some great experience with Demko (Yes, this includes how to save a shot from centre ice) as well as continuing his work here in Vancouver. I said continuing because he also helped out as an assistant goalie coach with Scheider and Lack. I think Vancouver is becoming more of a goalie-production plant rather than a graveyard, in recent years.
The players remaining in Utica and College, I would like to see them step it up there so that in 17-18 they can make the team, keeping in mind that the Sedins gargantuan salaries are due for renewal then and I can see them sign another 2 years for maybe 4-4.5/year to end their careers here in Van-city. I'm kind of hinting that this is Subban and Gaunce.
As for Juolevi, excellent pick! I think Vancouver could have him playing for Utica, or, possibly job-sharing with Hutton and Tryamkin? Should he be the 7th guy on our blue line, I would like to see him in the Press-box each night he sits. Wherever he goes, I hope he can play 50+ games, and either in Utica or Vancouver.
What do you think? I've thought about this actually too much maybe...
Seems like a legit lineup except for Lucic's salary. Since he was overpaid on his last contract @ 6 mil and his numbers have declined since playing out that contract I would expect something below 6 mil. Not to mention he would likely be taking a hometown discount. Anything between 5 and 5.75 mil is realistic for Lucic signing in Van imo.
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