Canucks are going to keep the strong forward group they have . Hughes has moved to the right side playing with Larsson in practice this morning . This fits the cap nicely and gives Hughes a very strong defensive partner.

No disrespect meant as a neutral fan: does Hughes have significant experience playing on his off side? Because I can tell you as a fan of my team (Flyers), that doing relying on that without any background can be tough regardless of the player's ability. Its not a magical switch. I'm not trying to be mean I'm genuinely asking because, as you said, if he does it works out pretty well.

Then who is your second pairing LD? And while it may be possible for him to switch it's not ideal. Getting Severson for Garland would be a win win.

It would likely end up being Rathbone or Dermott as second pairing LHD. How that works out likely depends on how Rathbone develops this year

He has played on the right side before , how much I don't know . Again this is how they lined up today and there was talk about doing this in the offseason. Sounds like their play is to outscore the opposition.

Vancouver "Philadelphia Phillies" Canucks

Dermott already has shown he can play both sides and as for Rathbone I guess it comes down to how good he really is. I like him a lot. I could see him being a star but hard to pencil him into a top 4 role as it is with Dermott. That's why the Severson deal makes so much sense because no matter what happens we are losing some of those fwds next season has Miller's deal starts, Hoglander/Kuzmenko come off entry level deals and we figure out what to do with Horvat. Better to trade one of them now for a position of weakness.

Never at the professional level. Though he is talented in enough no doubt to do whatever he wants really. Im not sure it helps the Canucks that much to move him there though unless Rathbone is ready to explode which could be the case.