Hindustan Smyl

And even before 2006, these guys weren’t exactly lighting it up. My memory is fading now, but even before 2006, hadn’t they missed the playoffs for the better part of 7-8 years? I seem to recall them getting a few playoff upsets during the late 90’s, but not really doing anything after that (until their cup run in 2006).

I remember the Lemieux/Draper incident quite well because the Wings were my co-favorite team at that time. 15 year old me smashed the TV remote when that hit occurred. I was at my aunt/uncle’s house and got into some very deep doodoo.

It’s Jim Sandlak’s fault.

Was not a fan of his writing but no one deserves this. RIP Jason. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.

Damon Severson + would get my attention, but the “plus” would have to be something fairly significant. I likely wouldn’t do the deal though.

Horvat will be named captain of the Canucks on Sedin appreciation night.

He stated on Team 1040 about a month back that he’d be open to returning in a hockey capacity, but it would have to be as a President (too old to be a GM), and he’d have to have leeway to do everything “his way,” without any ownership interference whatsoever.

Mike Gillis and “Canuck fans” on Hockeysfuture should just &^@# off to Seattle when they start playing so we never have to hear about them on the radio and on Messageboards.

It wouldn’t work because Gillis and Benning have almost polar opposite hockey philosophies. Benning would need to go. Gillis also stated that he’d only be open to returning if he had complete control and did things HIS way. Given the Acquillini is very “hands on” and has an old school philosophy much like Benning, I don’t think Gillis would be a good fit here. Only way Gillis comes back if current ownership and management were gone.

Calgary and Tampa: small men with small egg rolls? Over the past few years, the mantra has been that the game has changed. Speed was now the name of the game and teams with smaller players could now thrive. While I do agree that “speed” is the name of the game today, I think these playoffs have also shown that size and physicality are still very important elements, even if they have diminished in importance. On an unrelated note, while I usually do pretty well on playoff pools (I usually average out to 12/15), I’m getting slaughtered this year.

Perhaps it’s possible for the Canucks and *insert team here* to make a trade *before* July 1st (or both teams mutually agree to have something in place on July 1st midnight). On July 1st 12:00 am: *team* signs *RFA player to a long term deal that *team* knows that it can’t afford, but with the expectation that they will trade said player. #SignAndTrade July 1st 12:00 am: Canucks announce a deal with said team for said player. Why the other team does this: 1) They receive a higher compensation for said RFA (Two 1sts + Hutton) as opposed to a 1st, and 2nd, and a 3rd. 2) They aren’t straddled with a contract for one year that they can’t afford. Why the Canucks do it: 1) They get a young core piece signed long term. They have the cap space to afford it.

RFA offer sheets do more harm than good for GM’s in my opinion: 1) RFA offer sheets are almost always matched. 2) GM’s making RFA offer sheets take a big hit rep wise (in a negative way). My advice for Benning would be to see if a deal can be worked out with this teams for those cap crunched teams. 2019 1st + 2020 1st + Hutton should get the attention of some of those teams that are at high risk of losing their players to predatory RFA offer sheets. 1) Let cap strapped teams *begrudgingly* match predatory offer sheets from other teams (the operative word being ‘other teams.’). 2) Let us come in afterwards as the knights in shining armours, and offer our above package.

The only player that I would give up four 1sts for would be McDavid. On that above list, I’d be willing to two 1sts, a 2nd, and a 3rd for most of those players, but not a single one of those players are worth 4 1st round picks.

Callahan only has one year left on his deal right? (He becomes a UFA on July 1st 2020). If thats the case, then I would definitely be willing to absorb Tampa’s contract for 31OA.

My thoughts on this: 1) Depth is key. Have elite talents at relatively cost friendly cap hits + invest a little more in depth. This is what made Chicago, LA, and Pittsburgh successful when they multiple won cups between 2010-2017. 2) Center is the most important position. All teams must have atleast one franchise center. 2 extremely good centers + 1 franchise d + 1 first line superstar winger + 1 very good goalie that can get hot when the time is right appears to be the formula. + depth. 3) Team toughness is like goaltending. The importance of this may have diminished since 2003, but it’s still important......and will stand out like a sore thumb if you are deficient in this area. You can’t cut corners here. 4) Patience with kids + play kids in positions where they are in a position to succeed and can comfortably grow. Don’t overburden kids if they aren’t ready. If a kid becomes about 90% as good as a vet, then move said vet to make room for the kid by virtue of being more cost effective and banking on the fact that the kid will grow by 10% or more by virtue of more ice time. Still - kids need to EARN their spots. Nothing should be gifted. 5) Less on American Pro Scouting and more on Swedish Scouting (Pro and amateur). American collegiate athletes are far less likely to come to Vancouver since Canadians pay far more in taxes. Swedes view Canada and Vancouver as a great place since it’s considered to be safety than America (we won’t tell them about Surrey and East Van ;)). We’ve had a great history with Swedes here and so Vancouver might be wise to sell Swedish prospects on this. In general, Swedes are hard working, loyal, and very low maintenance. Swedes also seem the most likely to “take one for the team” if it means taking discounts in order to build a multiple cup winner.

Not proven. Someone with potential. The “Gaudette equivalent” on Right Side D who is of a similar age.

Just an FYI, I don’t want to dangle Gaudette because I found his first year here underwhelming (not true by the way). I only want to consider moving Gaudette because..... 1) We are relatively deep down the middle 2) We are very anemic on right side D. The reasons why you suggest that we keep Gaudette are the same reasons why he would have value. Drafting Söderström + getting the Gaudette-equivalent in right side D, would give us more balance in my opinion.

Perhaps, but maybe you can get someone going with upside? (Liljegren, Bode Wilde, etc?). I don’t know....

Keep in mind that I’m not suggesting we trade our 2019 1st. Why not draft Soderstrom (or Broberg) *and* trade one of Gaudette or Madden for a young RHD?

I do agree with this line of thought (Soderstrom is also the guy that I’m creaming my pants over), but I’m also of the belief that it doesn’t hurt to have more in the pipeline.....especially when you consider the fact that we’re anemic on that right side while being relatively deep down the middle.

I think Parayko would cost us too many assets unfortunately. Guys like Dobson, Bouchard, and Boquist would be nice, but I think those teams’ asking price would be too high (and rightfully so given their respective ages and ceilings). I wonder if it would be worth it on our end to inquire about Timothy Liljegren from Toronto? Benning and Dubas have an excellent relationship, and I don’t think it would cost us an arm and a leg to get Liljegren (although in Toronto’s case, I think they need a young RHD to emerge almost as badly as we do). If we get Bode Wilde out of Long Island, we’d have two of the coolest names in the NHL. :p (Bode Wilde + Jet Woo).

[proposal] Adam Gaudette and/or Tyler Madden for a young RHD Pretty self explanatory: 1) Would you do it? 2) What kind of player/prospect would Adam Gaudette fetch us? 3). What kind of player/prospect would Tyler Madden fetch us? Originally, I would have been interested in trading Gaudette for Fabbro (Dante Fabbro) but Nashville is pretty set down the middle, and I think they want to give Fabbro a legit shot. A young RHD would be nice however, and Gaudette/Madden are pretty decent bargaining chips are they not?

I’m about to go into corny territory here, but here goes: 1) The draft is in Vancouver this year. 2) We have the 10th pick. 3) Pavel Bure wore number 10. 4) Why not fly Bure out to Vancouver from Russia or Florida (or wherever he is right now) to make the selection? Keep it as a surprise as well. Spoil the fans.

Sounds like a good prospect but I personally wouldn’t risk taking him that high. Plenty of blue chip/safer options can be had at number 10. As someone that’s a little bit older, I’m not sure if the risk/reward factor really measures. If he’s there in the 2nd round however, then yeah......definitely make a pitch.

I’m thinking Viktor Soderstrom if he’s still there. Smooth skating two way defenseman with an excellent shot and defensive ability. I’ll actually be surprised if he’s available at 10 but if he is, you go for him.