Rathbone for Fabbro is interesting but I want to see what Rathbone has this year before we move him.

Since when has Cole been worth $4 million?

Ya I’ve liked Fabbro for awhile now. Vancouver has needed a young RD for some time, and now that OEL and Hughes are here for the long term, I think they could also use a top 4 RD who’s solid in his own zone. I was completely against trading Rathbone before the OEL trade was made as I also wanted to see how he developed, however I just don’t see him getting much of an opportunity behind Hughes and OEL, so nows probably not a bad time to move on from him.

Lol can’t win with people in this site! People only like to comment on the part of the team that they see as being “poor”.
I’ve seen plenty of AGM’s where people list Cole for under 4 and people bark about under payments. If he can be had for less than sign him for less.

A canucks armchair GM without a lopsided schmidt or holtby to the Bruins trade? Thank god.

Sorry, I didn’t mean any offense. I’ve only joined fairly recently, and the overall negativity in the AGM comments must be starting to rub off on me. After seeing the same people comment “X team passes” with every trade I attempt I guess I’m becoming bitter.

The team looks good, I like the Halak and Thompson free agent signings and the Myers/Holtby cap dump was a good way to free up the extra space. The Fabbro trade was very shrewd as well.

I’ll try to be more positive, while it can be hard to resist the aura of negativity here, it’s definitely better to have a discussion that includes a team’s good qualities.

I think the Canucks really believe that Rathbone has a chance to be something good in the NHL. I have a tough time believing they'll hold him back if he shows he can handle it, which he might be able to based on his short stint this year.

All good man, I rush wrote the comment and it didn't come off the way I had intended. I appreciate the mature response.

I think the Canucks see his potential for sure, however I am not as confident they will provide him with an opportunity to flourish. We know QH will be playing over 20 minutes a night and on PP1, and I think it would be hard for management to justify a 7.25million defender playing 3rd pairing minutes with limited or no PP2 time. As a result, unless someone learns to play the right side, I don't see Rathbone getting a fair shot in Vancouver for at least the next 4 years.

Been there, done that.

Either Rathbone or Hughes can play RD and move up the lineup to increase minutes. Sergachev is behind Hedman and McDonough on LD in Tampa but can move up and play with Hedman at any point they need him to.

None of OEL, Rathbone or Hughes have played the right side. They may try someone over there, but it’s not as easy as just placing someone on the right side and calling them a RD. Most left shot players play the left side for a reason.

Hughes and Rathbone have played RD at other levels.

Competitively? I was listening to Vancouver sports radio the other day and this very topic was being discussed. The hosts mentioned none of QH, JR or OEL had played the right side before...

Not at the NHL level but Rathbone spent some time at RD in the AHL and Hughes stated in his rookie year that he's comfortable playing either side.

Rathbone only played 8 games in the AHL, I'm assuming the majority were on the left side, that's not enough of a sample size to say he can play RD at the NHL level.

I seem to recall you being correct on Hughes though, as that does sound familiar. Strange the radio hosts said they had no experience (it was some of the more well known hosts), wonder if Hughes was talking from experience or just willing to give it a try. He is an sparkling talent, maybe he could swing it.