Way over payment on Vancouver's part. I love Couture just as much as the next guy but he is not worth that much. Take away Podkolzin and maybe.

Um no? It takes a first to dump Eriksson, Couture costs more than a second

Podkolzin is a non starter for discussions. We also cannot afford Couture.

lol, so much wrong with this trade.

1. Eriksson is due 5mil over the next 2 seasons after his bonus pays out in July. He will be an attractive piece for cap-floor teams who can get 2 years at a 6mill hit per, for 2.5mil paid averaged over that same period. So It probably won't take a 1st to unload him.

2. Podkolzin is not going anywhere, at least not for anything less than being apart of a package that brings back a sub-23 y/o superstar like an Aho/Pettersson/Marner. However, NONE of those guys are going anywhere, which is sort of my point.

3. Vancouver is not giving up 3x 1st rounders for anything short of the scenario presented in point 2. Even then, They aren't close enough to be a true contender to leverage their future like that... Especially not for a player like Couture.

4. Couture is well past his prime, and an entirely superfluous player in Vancouver.

5. No team is going to take his 8x7yr remaining contract without something else of value coming back. That is a contract that is going to age almost as poorly as Karlsson's contract (and every other one of SJ's long-term deals) is going to age. Most teams are going to see a minimal long-term upside to a player north of 31 by the time he suits up for them next year, considering most players are on a steep decline by the time they hit 33/34 in today's NHL. Couture still has a couple valuable years left, but that contract is going to turn into a boat anchor around the neck of any team long before it is close to finishing the term. If he had 2-3years left at 8per, MAYBE the Canucks make that trade for but less return. The Canucks need a high-end young D-man like a Dumba/Trouba more than a Couture-type player.