captaincowbasher

I'm not sure what you've been watching, but Demko is not a future number 1, Pearson's value has never been higher and with players like Hogs and Ipod coming he becomes very expendable. Stecher is probably being traded anyways, so why not bring in a guy that fills the first pair RD, and will be a slick, physical defenceman that is a Marc Methot-like player. No way does Hoglander play in Utica next season. Just watch and be pleasantly surprised, and remember CaptainCowbasher predicted this, and then pay appropriate respect...lol just kidding. When Ipod gets here he to will make the team, so think who would be expendable? it won't be Miller, Toffoli, Boeser, or Hoglander. Virtanen, after the upcoming playoffs might be the least expendable of all. So maybe Ferland some how gets through a full season and managers 15-20 goals and 150 hits making him a potential trade target that lands a decent draft pick...

If Rafferty is ready for a top 4 pairing then he would look good with Edler, but Barrie won't get the money he's looking for, he wants to play here, and he will mesh or pair up beautifully with Edler. In fact I think he'll add a few years to Edler's career, as Edler can become that stay at home, defence first guy. Don't worry about Hoglander,as he will be our 4th rookie of the year candidate in a row. Mark my words...

I'm not sold on Tryamkin guys, as he was just ok in the 3-4th best league in the world. Plus OJ is going to surprise everyone in training camp.

Here is what I hope the Canucks could do between now and next season...It does depend on a Hoglander shinning, which I truly believe he will. I feel Hoglander could be as good or slightly better then F. Fosberg. He has next level skill, as he sees the ice much like Petersson, and has a physical drive like Petey as well. They will make amazing line-mates, which frees up Miller to support Horvat and Boeser creating a extremely strong 1B option. Two scoring lines that will give opposing teams fits trying to defend. Ferland will be ready next season, as he will be 100% healthy and raring to go. Pearson becomes available, and he will be valued, and this leads to my first trade proposal. Edmonton would love Pearson, as he fits in as a top 6 forward with them, add Stecher, and Demko, and that should be enough to get Larsson who has never filled the value of the Hall trade in the eyes of Oilers fans. With Ethan Baer looking so darn good on the RD side, he should be the guy in that hole. E. Bouchard is a RD and will crack their lineup in October. The second and third trades are opportunities to clear cap for picks; Sutter + 3rd 2020 for a 2nd in 2020, and Roussel for a 3rd 2020. We let Tanev, Leivo, and Fantenberg walk. Really sad to see Tanev go, but who in their right mind signs a guy who has proven to be injured often to a deal like Tanev will be looking for. Plus Larsson will be an upgrade, and will mesh beautifully with Hughes for years to come, and is 3 years younger then Tanev. The 2 UFA's that I know would upgrade the Canucks are T. Barrie, at 28 years old, and probably could be had for around 6mil over 5 years. Imagine how dynamic he and Edler would be as a second pairing. The second UFA signing is Toffoli, and this is a must. He looked like a legit shooter option for Petey to pass to, which in turn makes Petey even more dangerous. The last piece to the puzzle in my mind is that OJ finally takes the leap to the NHL, and I predict he will help settle down Myers, as he is an exquisite passer, and will impress in training camp, as all of his physical gifts will shine and come through, and JB will be finally applauded for his guts in taking OJ. This team will be a top 10 team next year with Marky between the pipes, and a roster filled out like this. Proposed line up: Hoglander Petersson Toffoli Miller Horvat Boeser Ferland Gaudette Virtanen (this is a heavy line, and with three engines) Motte Beagle MacEwen Hughes Larsson Edler Barrie OJ Myers Markstrom Flame away...

Hughes - Dumba Edler - Tanev OJ - Myers Dumba brought in for Stecher, 2021 1st

1. Deal Sutter for a 2nd 2. Buyout both Eriksson and Roussel 3. Trade for Dumba; something like Stecher, Demko, and the rights to Tryamkin, or Lockwood 4. OJ makes the team once and for all Miller Petersson Toffoli Pearson Horvat Boeser Hoglander Gaudette Virtanen Motte Beagle MacEwen Hughes Dumba Edler Tanev OJ Myers Marstrom and Domingue

There's no need to move any of these pieces. JB has always talked about 3 scoring lines. The elite teams in the NHL have just that. Miller- Petersson- Toffoli Pearson/Hoglander- Horvat- Boeser Pearson/Hoglander- Gaudette- Virtanen This lineup is very much on the right track, and when iPod gets here JB will look to package up Pearson (who will probably be a 50pt. player), and a prospect, and or pick to bring in a top 4 defender like Dumba. This team is so close to being a legit contender The real question is what to do with Tanev and Stecher? Is Rafferty ready to upgrade on Stecher, and can Tryamkin come in and be better then Fatenberg or Benn. Rathbone and Woo are a couple of years away.

Boeser for Severson is a terrible deal for the Canucks, just terrible. Boeser is a legit scoring RW on the first line, and you don't take away from Pettey's options.

My crystal ball says: 1, Tanev will be dealt for a either a late 1st or early 2nd. He's coming off his absolute best season (playing with Hughes has truly helped his value, as teams like TO can see the fit with Rielly). At 30 years old and often injured this would be a very astute move. 2. Compliance buyout due to the Corona virus effect. Vancouver will finally be rid of L.E. 3. Sutter will be dealt as well. He will probably get us a late 2nd or early 3rd. 4. Hoglander will be ready to step in to play on the third line. His amazing play making abilities will fit nicely with Gauds and Virts. This might be one of the best third lines in the league next year. 5. Toffoli will be signed by JB, and at 27 years old he could sign a 4 year deal at 5.25-5.5 million per year. He will be considered a core player, along with Petey, Boesser, Miller, Horvat, Hughes, and Markstrom. Finally, two very good forward lines, a franchise defender, and top 10 goalie. This team is super close to being a perennial playoff favorite. 6.Lind will make the team, along with MacKewan, and this means Roussel and Leivo are out. Motte will rotate when healthy. 7. Canucks will have a number of defenders pushing for spots; OJ, Tryamkin, Rafferty, and Brisboise. This becomes the big unknown with the club, as they need to build a D-corps that is mobile, physical, and can move the puck to support the style of play that they want to play.

Marky's main concern is getting healthy to help get this team back on course, but man he's got to be thinking no less than 6 million over 5 years.

The other lineup change that might help is pull Erikksson out and call up Goldobin to play with Petty and Miller. Tofu goes to Horvats line. If Goldobin does well, and he probably will when Boeser gets back Goldobin slips to Gaud's line with Virtanen.

The line up change required is in goal, as Demko has been the sole reason for the past two losses. He's too deep in his net and his angles are off. This is a confidence issue for Demko, and you don't keep throwing him to the wolves to fix his confidence. A solid week of perfect practice with Ian C. will correct Demko.

This might sound crazy, but JB has irons in on PK, but the deal hinges on NJ taking LE... It would look something like this, Stecher, Demko, Lind, and LE for PK. This would bolster the Canucks defence, and put them in a position to make a serious run for the playoffs. Believe it or not the dollars actually work.

JB has made it clear that he doesn't want to trade away futures for a TDL deal that helps the Canucks for 2 months. So if you read between the lines he's looking to add a signed top six forward that fits with the team moving forward. Enter Kyle Palmieri from New Jersey. At 4.65 mil per year, and he's signed for another year. Has decent size, plays a 200' game, and will get 25 goals, 50 points. He's a perfect fit for Horvat and Pearson, and in essence completes the second line. The Devils do this because we have a player that they covet- T.Madden, add Stecher and a 2nd rounder in this years draft and we got ourselves a deal. This move will put pressure on other teams in the Pacific to react, which often causes teams to over spend to stay competitive, which often only hurts them moving forward. We would be making an astute move based on our need to complete our top six. Dealing from a position of strength, as we have a number of good right side defenders, and an amazing cupboard of young prospects up and coming. Great job JB and company for putting us in this position.

Terrible trade for the Canucks, as Boeser is our #1 RW, and Woo will be a permanent fixture as a #4 Dman for years to come.

Miller- Pettersson- Virtanen Pearson- Horvat- Eriksson Rouselle- Gaudette- Boeser Ferland- Sutter- Motte Press Box: Beagle, Schaller Stecher+ T.Madden+3rd= M. Dumba Hughes- Dumba Edler- Tanev Fatenberg- Myers

Come this trade deadline mark my words, as Anaheim shifts to acquiring picks and prospects. Getzlaf and Fowler will be made available. This is where the Canucks should be looking to pick up their top 6 forward. Rickard Rakell- 26 years old, skilled, good physical presence, and good speed. Could fit beautifully with EP as a legit 30-35 goal scorer. Keep Virtanen on the right side, and bring Miller, Horvat, and Boeser together to create a dynamic second line.We would need to give up Stecher, Demko, and our 1st rounder in this years draft (as were not making the playoffs). I'm ok with this price tag, as I believe Rakell might really flourish with EP. Flame away...

Nope we should not let JB go. I agree about the OJ pick, as he made a positional need pick with a 5th overall selection, and that will always be a mistake. When your picking that high you always grab the best possible player. Huge mistake by JB and company, but i do believe he's learned from that hence the IPod pick. With that said, EP40 might be the best pick this franchise has ever made, and the Miller trade was a huge coupe (a physical, play driving forward who will probably get 30 goals and 75 points) for a conditional 1st. JB had the fore thought to make the 1st conditional; if we don't make the playoffs this year we keep the lottery draft pick, and this years draft is ubber full of talented forwards, giving the Canucks a chance at landing another top 6 forward. I would say JB has been competent, and strategic in the way he's building the team from the time the rebuild started, so let him see this process through, 2-3 years before this team is contending.

We all know that JB and crew went for positional needs first in the 2016 NHL entry draft, which is always a huge mistake, and in essence created a gap or hole on the left side, as Mathew Tkachuck was the player that we all hoped JB would have taken. Three years later JB might be in the position to make amends. The Blue Jackets have a serious problem, they spent their load to take a run last year, and are a shadow of what they were last year. They need help in the goaltender position, and they need to restock the shelves with grade A prospects. I know this might be a stretch but PLD is the player JB had targeted in that draft, and he should target him now. PLD to Vancouver, for Vancouver's 2020 (our pick might be available if the Canucks are out of the playoffs) 1st round pick or 2021 1st rounder, Tyler Madden, Thatcher Demko, and Troy Stecher. Thoughts? New look lines: Miller- Petersson- PLD Gaudette- Horvat- Boeser Pearson- Sutter- Virtanen Roussel- Beagle- Leivo Hughes- Tanev Edler- Myers Fatenberg- Benn

I agree that the Canucks need to target Krieder, however they're going to want Stecher and Pearson. I'm Ok with that because we get a legit power forward who will get 20-25 goals and be a physical presence. Just the type of player we need for the playoffs. It does leave a whole on the right side of our defence. new look lines. Kreider- Petersson- Boeser Miller- Horvat- Virtanen Ferland- Sutter- Gaudette Rouselle- Beagle- Leivo Edler- Myers Hughes- Tanev Benn- Fantanberg

You dont think Petty and Nylander would dominate?

I know this has been beaten to death; a call for a skilled winger for either Petersson, or Horvat to play with. This might be the time to strike with either TO or with Vegas, as both teams are underachieving, The other day Miller, Boeser, and Horvat played a couple of shifts together, and it looked very effective. So my thoughts are, either JB targets a winger like Nylander from Toronto to play with Petersson, or a winger like Smith from Vegas to play with Horvat. This would solidify our top two lines and strengthen our overall forward depth. The question is what would TO want for Nylander, or Vegas for Smith. I think Tanev, 1st rounder, and a middling prospect would get the Nylander deal done. Tanev and Virtanen would get us Smith. I know Tanev looks unreal with Hughes, but all the more reason to trade Tanev, as his worth is as high as it will ever be. Thoughts...

7-1 Canucks Canucks score first, as they get 5 in the first period. Miller on the PP EP has huge night with 6 points 3-3

Thanks for the disclaimer. Your comments are all valid. Leivo on the 1st PP is a disgrace, and Edler on the 1st PP is just as disgraceful. Petersson and Hughes are of equal skill set and very much need to be on the same PP. Who ever is coaching the PP should be fired. If nobody is moving around on the PP, 3 PK'ers can shut this PP down. It's all about creating a two on one in the funnel, equaling a quality scoring opportunity. The Canucks are standing still and acting stagnant on their man advantages. I also think Boeser looks to be needing Petersson to go, and for that reason I would move Miller and Pearson onto Petersson's line, as Miller looks to be a far better playmaker, which might be a better support player for Petey. As well Horvat, Boesser, and Baertschi should be reunited. Ferland, Virtanen, and Gaudette would be a better third line.

I haven't posted for a while, but I think this topic, at this time of the year might be a good indicator of how you think JB and staff have done in the most important off season this franchise has had in 20 years. I truly believe management has crushed it. I liken JT Miller to a younger version of TJ Oshie. JT will be Horvat's RW and with either Baertschi or Pearson on the left side, gives the Canucks a legitimate 2nd scoring line. Look for JT to get 25 goals and 35 assists ( i'd give up a 1st rounder all day long for this guy). Horvat will get 30 goals and 40 assists. The 1st line will comprise of Petersson, Boeser, and Ferland. Ferland is exactly what the first line needed a fast, tough, gritty player who will retreat pucks, create space, and pop 20-25 goals. I liken him to an older version of Josh Anderson. Signing Edler who is definitely getting longer in the tooth, but he's still good at defending, and Tyler Myers who could look amazing with Edler as our top D pairing, and then consider young Hughes who looks absolutely dominant, and WILL drive play from the back end even at the age of 2o. Tanev is the perfect fit to help support young Hughes become that smaller version of Morgan Rielly. Mr. Rielly in his first two years in the NHL got 56 points, and I could honestly see Hughes getting close to that in his first year, and being a rookie of the year candidate. I don't want to under estimate Mr. Jordie Benn, as I think he'll be a perfect defensive partner for Stecher, which might allow Troy to jump up in the play more consistently, as when he does this, it adds another layer to the Canucks attack. With all of these amazing additions the Canucks have more depth, and can let young players slow cook in the minors, so when they finally crack the line up they're put in the best possible situation to succeed. Imagine Lind, Gads, and OJ with a couple of solid years in the "A", as leaders. I predict the Canucks will go 44-26-12 for a 19 point increase totaling 100 points. Here is how I think the Western conference will shake out. Nashville Vegas Vancouver St. Louis (Play off hangover) Calgary (Goal-tending) Dallas Colorado Winnipeg (No Trouba, no Myers)