Team: 2022-23 Vancouver Canucks

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 26, 2022

Published: Aug. 26, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Has anyone done this one yet?


Jokes aside, Vancouver is such an interesting team to me. I feel like they *should* be good but what's holding them back? Their top 6 is filled with talent - I don't even have to touch anything here to make it work, and they have plenty of wing options to slide up if guys aren't playing well - Pearson & Podkolzin are solid middle 6 wingers playing below their station here, and if Andrei Kuzmenko plays up to his pedigree, you're gonna have 8 top 6 wingers and only 4 spots for them.

That's why I think it wouldn't be the worst idea to dangle Nils Hoglander for a young RD prospect like Ryan Merkley. It's a real "change of scenery" deal for guys with some pedigree and some track record that might succeed in a new environment. San Jose gets a winger that's better than most everyone in their bottom 6 currently, with the upside to be a solid top 6 player soon; Vancouver trades from a surplus to augment a position that needs depth - I could consider Merkley as RD3 here but would be open to him playing in the AHL to get 20+ minutes a night until he's got a chance to play full time - leaving Coghlan here because the bit doesn't work without him, and he's waivers-eligible and an almost definite claim if you try and pass him through.

I bought out Jason Dickinson. No one noticed.

Goalie is top notch, top 6 is strong as hell, 3rd line is definitely a high variance line but has huuuuge upside, and the 4th line would be a 3rd line on half the teams in the league. Top 4 on D is strong, the 3rd pair is iffy but easily sheltered when you've got workhorses like Hughes and OEL eating up 22-23 minutes every night.

This team should be good this year. Especially playing in a division where Vegas looks worse, Calgary had a ton of turnover, and LA is relying on a ton of young guys to make a leap in front of a bad goalie tandem.

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