I wouldn't say the depth of the team is better than this year—but the improvement would come from the young stars being better than they were before. The trades would bring back some draft picks and it sets them up well for the draft lottery. Even if you knock each draft pick down a further round, they are necessary moves if they want to re-sign Petey and Hughes for 21-22 and bring in Podkolzin and Hoglander then too.
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Canucks re-sign Jacob Markstrom to be their franchise goalie. (5.5mm x 4)
Canucks re-sign Tyler Toffoli to ensure depth in their top-six. (5.5mm x 3)
Canucks re-sign Chris Tanev to a one-year deal, as his injury history prevents any other teams from offering him term, and to protect Tanev from being exposed to Seattle at the expansion draft. (4.5mm x 1)
Zack MacEwen makes the team and essentially wins Jake Virtanen's spot on the team.
Canucks trade away Loui Eriksson to Ottawa, who is willing to take on that contract to reach the cap floor. Eriksson has a $6mm x2 cap hit, but is only due to be paid $5mm total over his remaining contract term due to signing bonuses. Jake Virtanen is also traded for a high draft pick from Ottawa as the Canucks will not be able to protect him in the expansion draft.
Thatcher Demko is traded to the Detroit Red Wings because of the expansion draft. The Canucks cannot protect him as they have decided to re-sign Jacob Markstrom. Detroit covets a top goaltending prospect and is willing to trade a high draft pick and take a flyer on Sven Baertschi's expiring contract. The Canucks take on Calvin Pickard to be their backup for 20-21 and to fulfill their exposed expansion goalie requirement.
Brandon Sutter is traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning who are happy to take an offensive upgrade to their bottom six, on the condition that the Canucks retain salary to make the trade more equal. The Canucks exchange him for Barclay Goodrow to fill-in on their 4th line. If not Tampa, choose any team willing to take on 50% of Sutter's contract.
Jordie Benn is traded to the LA Kings who need defensive depth while they rebuild. His role has evaporated in Vancouver. If not LA, choose any team that needs defensive depth.
The moves leave the Canucks with approximately ~$5.9mm in cap space, which they use to pay the bonuses owed to Pettersson and Hughes rather than spread what is owed across two seasons.
Ottawa will demand assets to take on Loui. Tampa just gave up assets for Goodrow because he is so cheap, they aren't gonna downgrade to Sutter AND take on more money for a 6th.
I don't hate the Detroit trade and im not sure about the LAK trade
They are getting Jake Virtanen, and as explained, the Eriksson contract has value for an owner like Melnyk who is trying to make the cap floor without actually spending the money.
Good analysis. I agree with most of the points. What I don't exactly like though is Demko being moved. I love him and all, but I'm not sure if he can keep up the past couple years of elite goaltending. I guess it falls on the 2020-21 season and seeing how Demko works out, if Markstrom can stay Vezina level, and what the trade deadline looks like and how much cash to resign Pettersson and Hughes. If Markstrom struggles and Demko breaks out, the best move would protect Demko instead. I really don't want to throw Baer in the AHL, so I really hope he can grab a chance on another roster.
A few things:
-Virtanen *might* get rid of Loui, but you're not getting a 2nd back in that deal.
-Tampa has their own cap issues. That's why they gave up a 1st to get Goodrow in the first place.
-LA probably doesn't need Benn. The Habs fans around here seem to love him, so I'm sure they'd take him.
From a "Protecting yourself from expansion" standpoint, great work on the amount of detail and thought that went into this though!
Gunna be tough to get rid of Loui. On top of his bad cap hit and years he has the NTC which Im pretty sure automatically uses a protection spot in Seattle draft
Dount Wings give up a 2nd for Demko because of your own explanation about expansion draft and glut on this years market of goalies. Doubt Yzerman want SB as he is looking for players with alot of heart and need a new start. He is batting 1 for two, with Fabbri and Perlini. Just do not think Sven is Stevies kind of player.
They are getting Jake Virtanen, and as explained, the Eriksson contract has value for an owner like Melnyk who is trying to make the cap floor without actually spending the money.
but you made it sound like it was a 2nd for Virtanen. even then, taking Loui's contract AND giving up a second is not worth Virtanen. I agree they might look into Loui but they hold all the leverage there, they don't HAVE to take him but Vancouver pretty much HAS to move him. if you don't offer up enough assets they will find money elsewhere
As a Wings fan, I'm interested in Demko, but I'd rather take on a larger cap dump to avoid giving up a high draft pick. Also, if I were you I'd look for a better backup goalie then Pickard. He hasn't played even decent in the NHL since he was with the Avalanche in 2016-17
Dount Wings give up a 2nd for Demko because of your own explanation about expansion draft and glut on this years market of goalies. Doubt Yzerman want SB as he is looking for players with alot of heart and need a new start. He is batting 1 for two, with Fabbri and Perlini. Just do not think Sven is Stevies kind of player.
Baertschi is a cap dump plain and simple, he passed through waivers a few times last season and was never claimed. I like Demko and would be nice to have him but a cap dump, a player and a 2nd is more than I'd give up to get him.
A few things:
-Virtanen *might* get rid of Loui, but you're not getting a 2nd back in that deal.
-Tampa has their own cap issues. That's why they gave up a 1st to get Goodrow in the first place.
-LA probably doesn't need Benn. The Habs fans around here seem to love him, so I'm sure they'd take him.
From a "Protecting yourself from expansion" standpoint, great work on the amount of detail and thought that went into this though!
Not gonna lie I wasn't even aware that Goodrow had been traded for a 1st round pick. That is insane to me. Yeah, the value TBL place on him is completely different than what I interpreted.
Gunna be tough to get rid of Loui. On top of his bad cap hit and years he has the NTC which Im pretty sure automatically uses a protection spot in Seattle draft
NTCs do not warrant automatic protection, only NMCs. Eriksson can be left exposed.
None of Vancouver's players will receive automatic protection. They have 3 NMCs right now in Edler, Myers, and Ferland, but Edler's contract ends in 2021 and both Myers' and Ferland's clauses reduce to a NTC after the 2021 season.
Ottawa will have no problems reaching the floor without Eriksson. Vancouver on the other hand is pretty pooched if they can't shed some cap. Your offer is not accepted.
You can find some taker for Benn; just not Los Angeles. The other deals are all heavily slanted in favor of Vancouver.
Look at the Backes trade for the type of deal that 's going to be necessary to get rid of Eriksson, particularly now that the economic environment has worsened significantly since then. Eriksson with retention, Virtanen and a second is the least outgoing package I see working.
Baertschi isn't really a problem. He can be bought out for $1,766,667 and $800,000 over two years or you can just sit him out for one year.
Sutter is another cap dump who isn't going to bring you a positive return. I think that you'll have to give a third for a fourth to get him off your books.