They got a good backup now and can give Demko rest

Vancouver has serious issues on defense. They aren't really close to a playoff team RN IMO. I have them pegged 6th in the Pacific right now.

Last season yea it was rough but the additions should help as Soucy is a solid underrated defender, Cole is a nice third pair Dman

The big wildcard is Hronek but if he continues to do what he did last season they are in good shape

As

Hughes-Hronek
Soucy-Myers
Wolanin-Cole

Aint bad and most of the new guys should help with that awful PK

Tidy business by Allvin. Saved some money and switched from a position of strength to position of weakness and didn’t give up too much to do so

Cole was statistically one of the best defensive defensemen in the league last year playing #3 minutes on the Bolts. He just needs to be top 4 quality this year. Soucy is a good #4/5. Hronek is easily an improvement over any RHD since Tanev. Still has some work to do, but with a healthy Demko, the defense shouldn’t be as much of a disaster as last season

Cap savings + unloading an unneeded winger and adding a decent backup. Goaltending was a nightmare when Demko was injured

My big if about Hronek is can he continue to do good things. As if you look at his stats before last season they were pretty bad. If he can continue doing what he did last season I think they should be good shape

#1D-3D
#6D-#5/#6D
Depth-#4D

This isn't going to win you anything, especially considering Vancouver isn't going to blow anyone away with their offense.

He has shown progression over the last few years. He’s also not being relied on to be a #1. Maybe he isn’t as dominant as last season, but he is definitely a major top 4 addition

Depends on how they perform this season

Last year Hughes played like a superstar 1D, Hronek played like a #2, Cole was very good as a #3, Soucy a very good #5. Bottom pair is a question but they won’t get much ice time anyway. Obviously can be better, but it’s certainly better than what they’ve had the past few years

The trade was good work for the Canucks, they needed a solid #2 in nets; but I hoped to see Silovs get a chance.

They move out part of their cap constraints and winger glut.

In the bigger picture I am higher on Soucy than most but the pairings are really awkward in Vancouver. They need Cole or Soucy to be a 1D on his offhand or for Meyers to have a resurgence. Hughes-Hronek as top pair would not be good defensively and removes one of them from bring a primary puck carrier.

The issue now for MTL following the trade : how can they fit Price on in-season LTIR?

I think it’s very clear they’re not going for that right now

Seems like Montreal is very active. Would love to see them move Armia or Savard next

If you put Armia, Pearson and Allen on waivers (+send down Harris RHP Slaf) and use 775k players to fill your roster, it's possible to put Price on LTIR in season while being near max cap. I just tried it

And why would Montreal do that? I know it’s better for us to put Price on LTIR on day 2 rather than day 1 but that’s a highly unrealistic scenario

Basu writes :

To be seen...

Hughes-Cole
Soucy-Hronek
Hirose-Myers

Cole has more experience playing big minutes and was the #3 in Tampa. It’s likely he will be the Luke Schenn upgrade

Team defense still looks pretty weak. PK should be improved, but we'll see. Demko will have to be above average for them to get in, imo. I think the Pacific gets 5 teams in, but they'll have to beat out CGY or hope that SEA regresses from last season.

matt murray to undergo fake surgery for his fake injury

Paul Byron announces his retirement

Brad Marchand named captain of the Boston Bruins

Hughes and hronek are both good defensively- agree with the puck carrier statement tho

Cole was solid on his offside in Tampa. It should work

Unfortunate ending but was happy to have him and he's sticking with the organization post retirement.
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