Borvat

This brings up a very interesting thought. A round robin tournament involving the all-star teams from the top leagues outside the NHL. If an all-star game is too difficult to arrange then the Championship teams from each league. They can play IIHF rules but on an NHL rink: Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) / Swedish Elite League (SEL) / SM-liiga / Czech Extraliga (Tipsport Extraliga) / American Hockey League (AHL)

I think Hoglander has more offensive flair to his game but Podkolzin plays a more mature 200' game - which will translate well to the NHL. It may make Hoglander look like the more exciting (better) prospect at this point as Hoglander has the benefit of more minutes/game in a consistent environment typically in a top six role. Podkolzin appears all about team first. He plays PK and PP. If I have one critique he almost looks to pass too often as he appears to be an unselfish player - he has the ability to finish if given the chance. He has been given limited minutes in the KHL because he is 18 years old. He has had a whirlwind year as an 18 year old (Just turned 18 in June) drafted, World Juniors, KHL, VHL, MHL - this makes it difficult to settle in and mesh with teammates and coaching style. I am hopeful he can settle in next year and get a full year of development and stick with one team. I love his drive, attitude and team first mentality. Give him some time to mature and a stable environment and I think he will surprise.

I hope whatever it is for his sake and his family he puts his health first. I am a little concerned around the secrecy based on his past issues. I hope it is nothing serious. This pic was on his twitter site.

Like I said. If he signs good for him. I don't sign him just because he wants to be here. There are other options and I would pursue some of those first. His lack of production, size, current number of quality Canucks prospects/picks in the pipeline, other NCAA FA's, players like Justin Bailey, players like Justin Bailey that are too be found, can't play center, his injuries...... He is just not high on my list. I can see he has a real fan in you and good on you for supporting him. I hope he does well.

Ask the Boston Bruins circa 2011.

You have just described a ton of NCAA players some of which I pointed out. Just because we used a third round pick in 2016 doesn't mean they have to double down and offer him a contract - especially if there are other players available that have produced more, don't have the injury history, are bigger plus have all or most of those other qualities. I don't dislike Lockwood as a player. I am not sold and would pursue other options first. If they sign him I hope he does well.

I just don't see the upside on Lockwood. Maybe the Lockwood drafted in 2016 since then he has not been producing much. He has changed his game due to his injuries so comparing him to Motte and Roussel in 2020 may not be accurate. If he is bottom 6 bound I don't like the odds especially with the depth the Canucks now have in the system through the subsequent drafts and would pursue other players. To each their own.

Mitchell Chaffee - RW Josh Dunne - Center Ludwig Stenlund - Center Alex Limoges - Center To name a few there are more. Lot's of D as well. As I said I am not that high on Lockwood. Injuries and lack of production.

A friend of mine who is a HUGE Montreal fan (just puked a little) was harping on me when the Canuck's signed Benn. He said he is overrated and glad they didn't re-sign him. I don't mind Benn's game for $2M over 2 years. Pretty safe and the depth is always needed it seems. He can play both sides. I did expect a bit more bite.

Yes but is he better than signing a college FA. I am not sold on him as a bottom six player which is his likely NHL career if he makes it. He has already had to change his game which was more suited to a bottom six role due to prior injuries. I don't see the offensive upside and there may be better options to round out Utica. I guess I am not that high on him and feel there may be better options.

I find it interesting that if you critique Eriksson certain people label it "hate" What does hate have anything to do with it? Look at the stats below - before and since he became a Canuck. Benning paid Eriksson based on the pre-Canuck numbers in good faith. Good for Loui bad for Benning. Fair enough. But to say people are hating on him or don't want to see him succeed because they haven't been impressed with his play or performance up until the last little stretch is not realistic. I hope he has a long and healthy life. I have no ill feelings toward Loui as a person. I hope his family is blessed. I hope he pots 25-30 again - for the next 3 years please. Because that's what he has been paid to do. This little stretch is nice and I hope it continues for 2 and a half more years. These numbers aren't fabricated based on hate. This is his performance and this is a professional sport paid based on merit. The real issue is the cap crunch it has caused and will continue to unless it can be dealt with. Hate has nothing to do with it.

They also need to factor in number of contracts (50 max) and how many of these young players that are now in the pipeline will need to be signed over the next year or two. They will need to start being a little more careful about committing contracts on ELC's without ensuring it won't be needed for another more promising player or have wiggle room if a trade or signing opportunity arises (Tryamkin, College FA's etc). Canuck's are currently at 47 contracts committed.

My point is he won't be losing out at a minimum and more than likely will be a fair bit better off in the short term but more so especially the long term if he is successful. He isn't going to make as much in the KHL. Now is the time to take a chance for him at 25. If he waits much longer the window may likely close.

I am not sure what Tryamkin's KHL salary is but according to this article he can't be making close to what he could in the NHL. 64 Rubles to every $1 USD. Even if he is making 70 Million Rubles (which doesn't appear likely) it only equates to about $1 Million USD. https://www.traderumours.com/index.php?blog=8200&s=8

I don't think he will make the big club. I am hopeful he may get some games in Utica. This whole player pipeline is getting nice and plump. No need to rush or jump the gun. Just makes sure there is room in the system.

They play a few games over the All Star break so I would imagine it's likely.

Based on how TG likes to mix his lines up it may not be the worst thing to "start" on the fourth line. At least TG can see his game and it gives Bailey an opportunity. Short of more injuries (especially if Ferland returns) Bailey may not get a better option than to start on the fourth line this year.

To be fair those Buffalo teams were just awful and he was only 21/22 years old. I think he has earned some consideration with his play this year. As we have seen all players don't develop equally. With his size and speed it would be a shame to lose him without giving him a chance. Imagine he is the next Kassian without the fisticuffs. Kassian's trajectory is not far off if you look at his stats at the same age. Kassian had issues but maybe all Bailey needs is the right opportunity.

Gallant/Vegas were gifted a roster by the league that any decent coach would have had success with - plus endless ransom picks to further improve. I have been critical of some of TG's decisions and of the Canuck's playing style at times but I think he has done a very good job with the younger players. And I think he has been trying to keep the game simple as they learn - dump and chase at times when needed. Not all coaches have that ability. It is a gift. I think he will only get better as he gains more experience and the players he is mentoring (I especially like what he has done for Virtanen) mature and get older. I must say I really like the last San Jose game in particular. They stood up for each other in a way I hadn't seen much yet and was hoping for. You don't have to fight - just stand up for each other and push back. I hope it's a trend. Much like AV grew up with the last successful Canuck's team I am hopeful we may see the same with TG and this version - only with this version sealing the deal. Go Canuck's Go!

At the right price a player the Canucks can definitely use and currently need. Would really help round things out on the D core. Add Rafferty to the mix and this core could be really good. Juolevi would be a bonus.

I hope they name her Bolinda if its a girl.

He is top 10 in PPG production. He has only played 18 games in the league - teams have played 31. He is also #15 in scoring having only played 18 of 31 games. SuperElit is the highest level of Junior hockey in Sweden.

Players are people and like all people some mature and develop at different ages. Even in his interviews he seems more mature, focused and confident. This was my concern for him as his rep - here in Abbotsford where I live and he grew up - was one of having all the skills but not always the work ethic and focus. Good for him.