I know, I know, looking at this makes me angry too. Obviously, this team needs a massive shake-up after the disaster that was the last two seasons, right?
Well, yes, but actually no. Not this summer, at least. The only way we improve significantly is by clearing cap space. And the only way we clear cap space is through buyouts or trades. Allvin's already said he won't do buyouts, and I think that's actually the smart move. Buying out OEL, for example, leaves us with $4M+ in dead cap right in the middle of this team's hypothetical window (2025-2026).
Which means every Canucks fan should be praying our offseason looks something like this, because we CANNOT afford to give up any more draft picks.
Look, we're not going to turn this ship around in one offseason. The best we could hope for with our cap situation is to threaten for a wild card spot, and I'm not convinced there are any moves out there that get us closer to that without giving up way too much in return.
If a few things go right, this team as it stands is in the hunt anyways. And if things go wrong, we'll take another lottery pick and sell whoever we can at the deadline. Beauvillier should fetch a decent return and maybe Garland and/or Boeser have a market, too.
I want a rebuild as much as any other fan, but that's not going to happen. Which means sitting on our hands is the next best thing. Making an aggressive move now will only set us further back.
Next year, Myers comes off the books. Boeser, Garland, and even OEL's contracts will be easier to move if need be. Most importantly, we'll have a stronger prospect pool and a much better idea of what the medium-term future looks like.
Our core is young. I know it's been a long, long time since we've been actual contenders, and I'm running thin on patience, too. But if we want to get back there, trying to fix it all in one summer, when we have the least possible leverage to do so would be huge mistake.
Followed by the obligatory presser where Allvin says 'moving money isn't easy' for the third year in a row. If you could massage the money to add a 23rd player that would be ideal along with Hirose and Johansson as top pair in Abby.
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