Is it really that unlikely that Hughes signs a 3 year deal at around $5.5m? I don't see Hughes commanding a crazy contract right away. And that way, you can resign Pettersson long-term to something like 8 years x $9.5m

I think, In general, the main point of Canucks AGMs is that Hughes + Pettersson = $15 million. Their individual contracts don’t matter for next year, just what they add up to.

How ever, I very much agree that the scenerio you put out is the best option for the team. Going long in petey is the best move if they can do it

As long as they get one of them (preferably Pettersson) signed long-term, then I think they'll be fine. I know a lot of people like the Demko deal, but I think they could've signed him to a 2-3 year bridge deal at around $3m. I would've rather gambled on having to pay Demko slightly more down the road (though I still don't think he would make much more than $5m in 2-3 years anyway...)

I think the main benefit of the Demko deal is it expires when he is 31. If the bridges him again, they will have to extend him at age 28 to a 5 or 6 year deal which takes him j to his mid 30’s and could be another anchor. I’m okay with paying more now for Demko.

I think hughes makes the most sense to bridge. He is the biggest unknown and he has the least leverage.

Agree with the author about Benning and his failings. He wasted so much cap on UFAs, who don't live up to their contracts, as a result the Canucks are tapped out with a just a middling team at best.