Maddogy

I recall many Canucks fans including The Hockey Guy bitched and complained during the 2017 draft that Elias Pettersson was a crap pick over the other centres and that Jim Benning should have moved down in the first round to maximize value. I am hearing the same bitching and complaining now. It’s pretty reasonable to say that the Canucks internally perceived the choice between Willander and Benson as top pairing D vs top 6 winger. Time will tell if the Canucks’ scouts got over excited but I would not be surprised if they are proven right.

Pesce is clearly better than Hronek, however he will be 29 later this year and he played for a defensive juggernaut. Hronek took on a big role for a leaky Detroit team. I don’t think P.A. will overpay for 29 years old Pesce. If he is 25 years old then P.A. will definitely over pay. I just don’t see Canucks will come away with Pesce considering the list of contending teams going all in this year.

Todd Harvey confirmed that the top 10 picks were what the Canucks expected save for couple variations thus if those 2 bigger D’s were available at #11 they may have not picked Willander. Willander has a higher floor than Zack Benson.

After watching the interview with Todd Harvey I think they genuinely think Willander is better than Zack Benson. They may have perceived their respective potentials as top pairing D vs top 6 forward (i.e. not #1 centre).

NCAA players will become UFA after 4 years. Macklin can indicate that he would be very excited to become a Canuck. Vancouver media can drum this possibility up by asking Macklin whether he may “defect”. Macklin can simply decline to answer. Other teams will get the hint and stay away from wasting their 1st round picks on Macklin. I don’t think the team will collude on this in any fashion lest the league hands down a penalty against the Canucks.

Jalen Chatfield played for Carolina on their 3rd pair. Having 4 great D’s can carry the rest of the team.

It’s 4 inches.

Who dropped out of the top 10 and Steve Yzerman did not bother to pick.

A RHD who can actually defend? Impressive

Is Hronek a shut down D?

He is a safer pick than Wallinder in terms of their floors.

This buyout is not about OEL per se. The ownership did not wish to pay almost $20M cash to get rid of a contract. This is all about making E.P. stay long term. If E.P. leaves down the road then so will Hughes and Demko. Missing the playoffs does not scare the ownership as they are used to it. They are also clearly liquid with cash. What scares the living shit out of them is that the Winnipeg situation plays out here in Vancouver.

The ownership may be worried that Pettersson will not commit long term and the same thing that is playing out in Winnipeg will happen here. The Canucks do not have a choice but to show Pettersson that he should remain a Canucks for many years to come.

I think management compelled the ownership to pay for this buyout so that Pettersson WOULD commit long term.

Do Pettersson, Demko and Hughes have patience？Look at Winnipeg.