This will be unpopular with many in the fanbase, but I don't see this team in a position to compete for a Stanley Cup for quite a while. The defence as it is constructed, is just not good enough and by the time that is sorted out, the forward group will be transitioning out of their peak production window.
What we do have is Demko, Hughes, Rathbone, Horvat , Podkolzin, Pettersson and Hoglander as a good base to start with. They are all young enough and good enough to go forward with. I put Horvat in this group because he is the undisputed leader and a great foundational piece for a young team. Juoilevi, Woo, Lind, DiPietro are all good young players that may or may not turn into contributors for this team, but they should be given every chance to do so.
The key to turning this around is adding high picks (1sts and 2nds) and prospects that will arrive sooner than later.
Boston trade : Boston is still in their window and Miller fits perfectly with their style and needs. They are in the mix for Eichel, but this would be a much cheaper option. The Canucks can/should retain up to half of Millers salary to make this even more palatable for them. Beecher is a decent center prospect, but not one of their top 3. A late pick and a salary dump round out the package. DeBrusk might fit well in the bottom six in the short term, but can be moved down the road for another mid round pick.
New Jersey trade : The Devils have a shortage of skilled wingers and Boeser fits well there in terms of need and timeline. They are definitely looking to add. The late pick, Johnsson and Bahl ( 5th best prospect )lare a fair return. Bahl is a big stay at home D man (something the Canucks need) and a BC kid to boot. I would consider adding Juolevi to this trade, but more would have to come back. Johnsson hasn't really panned out and would fill a gap in the short term.
Buffalo trade : Buffalo will be making big changes this year. Ristolainen has been poor defensively and is a UFA at seasons end. He will not be resigning in Buffalo. Schmidt gives them a mobile D under contract (an upgrade on Risto ) and JV is a pure dump. I don't see him playing in Vancouver again. Whether he gets traded, bought out (only 50k) or has his contract terminated by the league its irrelevant. He is not really an asset, but maybe Buffalo is an option. Ristolainen, either finds some game or not, but he can be moved at the TDL for something or resigned. The goal here is cap room.
ED : Maybe Seattle takes Myers or maybe not, but he would be the best value player to them. He can be traded (with retained salary) for something decent as he is a good 3rd pairing right handed shot d man. The Canucks can always trade him too ( with retained salary) but I would rather go with defensive minded RD to compliment the skilled LD and cut ties with JB's disastrous FA signings.
They are now in a position to weaponize their Cap space in the short term and hopefully speed up their roster build with young skilled players to supplement the core. Maybe a stud RD can be signed in FA, but only a true number 1.
I understand the sentiment, but you're undervaluing Boeser and Miller. Boeser is a potential 40-goal guy and Miller is the biggest leader on the team other than Horvat, and has blossomed. I can't see Van trading either of them.
Also what an absolute cherry on top of an L for Buffalo to take Virtanen after the season they've had...would solidify their status as the biggest tire fire in the league on and off the ice.
Particularly if Virtanen does get acquitted this trade might interest Buffalo. How often does Schmidt play the right side? Buffalo has plenty of left side defenders going into next year, and if they’re trading Risto they really need more right side guys.
Particularly if Virtanen does get acquitted this trade might interest Buffalo. How often does Schmidt play the right side? Buffalo has plenty of left side defenders going into next year, and if they’re trading Risto they really need more right side guys.
He can play both, and they have Miller Jokiharju and Borgen so they'll be fine on the right
I like the idea of moving Miller to Boston. I'm concerned that Miller is fed up with Vancouver and management and might become an issue in the locker room. Boston has a ton of leadership that won't allow Miller to act out.
I like the Buffalo trade too but I don't think Schmidt would waive his M-NTC for Buffalo.
I don't like the return on the Boeser trade. He shouldn't be moved unless we are getting a top pair RHD
This is the biggest overreaction ever. Everything that could have gone wrong has went wrong this season. Imo we’re only a couple season away from competing for the cup, and with a few good additions we could easily be a playoff team next season. This is not a good idea
A month ago I would have said Devils take that.
After seeing Bahl up in NHL, its a tough one. I think we hold off.
(and skilled wingers is not a need for Devils as much as defensive d-men)
this is one of the most ridiculous comments I've ever seen. Bahl plays like 5 games in the NHL where he doesn't look totally out of place and now you wouldn't trade him for a young, shoot first, 1st line winger? come on man
this is one of the most ridiculous comments I've ever seen. Bahl plays like 5 games in the NHL where he doesn't look totally out of place and now you wouldn't trade him for a young, shoot first, 1st line winger? come on man
That is correct.
Our defensive needs far outweigh any deal for a winger.
I like the idea of moving Miller to Boston. I'm concerned that Miller is fed up with Vancouver and management and might become an issue in the locker room. Boston has a ton of leadership that won't allow Miller to act out.
I like the Buffalo trade too but I don't think Schmidt would waive his M-NTC for Buffalo.
I don't like the return on the Boeser trade. He shouldn't be moved unless we are getting a top pair RHD
I think Boeser maybe gets you more, but not much. Boeser should fetch a 1st/2nd and a good prospect and this is pretty much that. Johnsson easily fits on a team like Tampa in a future swap for a bad contract and high pick or a very good asset,
This is the biggest overreaction ever. Everything that could have gone wrong has went wrong this season. Imo we’re only a couple season away from competing for the cup, and with a few good additions we could easily be a playoff team next season. This is not a good idea
Personally I'm not that interested in playoffs as a goal. After 40 plus years, I want to see a cup. No Stanley cup team IMO will include Schmidt/Myers/Hamonic playing more than third pairing minutes. It's just not going to happen. This year has exposed so many glaring weaknesses that can't just be blamed on the pandemic. Much of it is organizational with the words toxic and dysfunctional being used to describe the Canucks by player agents and the like. A reset absolutely needs to happen, with the focus on winning the cup not just making the playoffs. Drastic?? Yes. Necessary, IMO, absolutely.
Unfortunately they would.........Tanev, Markstrom, Tofolli, and a whole litany of others are a testament to that. Turning something into nothing has been the go to Magic trick of Benning's tenure.
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Podkolzin,
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