Schedule

June 7, 2023

I think by now people know my feelings about signing age 28/29 UFAs to big contracts.

(Hint: I’m not a fan. )

But GMs are gonna keep GMing. And the market is still the market.

So, assuming the Canucks, like every NHL team, are going to continue to sign UFAs for more money than their worth, committing significant cap space and term to players the point in their careers where age related decline becomes almost inevitable, what do I think of Severson?

He’s probably a better target than most (at least when it comes to UFA RHDs who are pushing age 30).

I could wax on endlessly about the reasons why Vancouver should avoid this kind of signing (at least until the NHL’s UFA market finally corrects itself, which ain’t happening any time soon), but instead, I’ll try to accentuate the positives.

Severson profiles fairly well for our needs. He’s got good size, he’s mobile, plays a solid two-way game, can produce 30+ points per season, and offers some goalscoring potential from the back end. He can log big minutes and he can help on special teams. He’s very durable, having only missed a handful of games over the past several years, and he doesn’t have a ton of wear and tear on his body and/or major injury history.

Analytically, the past 4-5 seasons have seen him offer very stable impacts on 5v5 defence and the penalty kill. 5v5 offensive impacts have been fairly neutral (by Off GAR) but with some significantly positive underlying feature (by xOff GAR, which is trending up for Severson, and was as a whopping 14.7 last season). The overall profile is suggestive of a player who’s still in his prime, isn’t showing signs (yet) of decline, should be able to maintain strong value on defence and PK, chip-in around 30 points per season for several more years, and may even offer more scoring production with a change of scenery and usage/teammates (based on his consistently higher Off xGAR than Off GAR, he might be providing even greater positive on-ice offensive impact than the scoring rates suggest).

If Vancouver could somehow swap Severson for Myers, and also re-sign Bear, I actual think the right side D would look pretty good.

Accomplishing this feat will cost assets. Likely only a late round pick for Severson’s negotiating rights, but more significant assets would be needed to sweeten any trade to dump the full cap for Myers (and/or clear cap on other players). I don’t love the idea of parting with those assets, but I suppose the net cost/benefit might be acceptable, if it ultimately means “fixing” the D and allowing this team to compete sooner than later (which, like it or not, seems to be management’s plan).

June 5, 2023

12 minutes ago, bishopshodan said:

Cant stand Ray.

Please, I hope that he is not the replacement for Cheech.

I thought it was a done deal, but I haven’t been paying much attention.

I guess it’s still just at the rumour/anonymous source report stage?

I have no problem with Ray, personally. He’s a pretty knowledgeable guy who brings an interesting perspective. I think he’d be a good fit for 25 dates a season.

Much more concerned about who they’re going to pick for the other games.

What if we get stuck with Drance and his cackle for the remaining 57 games? **shudders**

June 4, 2023

23 hours ago, -AJ- said:

Why aren't we looking at Dakota Joshua? Seems like the obvious fit to me. Only caveat is that 23 points is a little low for a 3rd liner, but his face-off percentage is fairly strong despite being used mostly as a winger in Vancouver. If he can up his game to 30 points, he'd be an easy fit.

Definitely worth looking at. IIRC, Joshua mostly played as a centre in St. Louis, so he already has NHL experience at the position. And his NHL career faceoff winning percentage is 55% (100/182).

June 2, 2023

Would love to see the Canucks try to find their own version of a Pezzetta.

Especially in light of the current discussions around bringing in Lucic.

Pezzetta is 10 years younger than Lucic.

Pezzetta had 70 more hits (236 to 166) and 6 more fights (9 to 3) than Lucic last year.

Pezzetta has positive GAR and xGAR (3 and 0.8), unlike Lucic (-3.4 and -5.9).

Pezzetta can skate and has a nonstop motor. Lucic, not so much.

Lucic did have 4 more points, however.

But that also came with around 300 more minutes played, better opportunities/linemates, and more offensive zonestarts.

And even with the more favourable usage, Lucic still posted a negative offensive impact, with -0.7 Off GAR and -1.8xOff GAR (compared to Pezzetta, with 3.8 Off GAR and 1.7 xOff GAR).

May 31, 2023

32 minutes ago, Ghostsof1915 said:

I was looking at going to Saratoga Beach for a week. I can't afford the prices.

Miracle Beach (just south of Saratoga) is an option, if you’re willing to do a tent or RV. We’ve camped there a couple times and really enjoyed it.

https://bcparks.ca/miracle-beach-park/

Might be tough to reserve anything now though. Finding anything on the BC Parks website can be a nightmare sometimes and it seems like lots of people will book up multiple weeks and then cancel the ones they don’t plan to use, which can sometimes make it really hard to find any bookable campsites for July and August.

May 31, 2023

21 hours ago, 250Integra said:

Been camping at Lake Cowichan a few times in the last 5 years or so. Definitely tubing down the river is a hit with family and friends. You normally start in the city and tube down the river to a point where most people get picked up (forgot the name). It takes a good hour (or so) so pack suncreen, snacks, etc. I'd recommend buying your own tubes in advance or else you'll be paying local prices, which aren't too bad.

For Parksville / Comox area, lots of things to do with the family. There's go-karting (https://www.fasttime.ca/), mini-golf, and other fun family activities. The beaches in Parksville are quite nice as well, and I saw someone above posted the sand castle competition that happens every year. Parksville has some good food as well. I highly recommend a place called Salt pizzeria which is one of the best pizza places you'll come across IMO. Some other recommendations on the way down from Comox to Lake Cowichan:

Coombs. The main plaza there is called "Goats on the roof" and other cool novelty shops. There is one particular place that sells like 20 different kinds of freshly made donuts. There is also a really nice Italian restaurant in the plaza which is often booked up in advance.

Nanaimo has some good food places and the closest Costco to Lake Cowichan (outside of Victoria / Langford). If your family is into Japanese food, I highly recommend going to Nori. The same plaza has Bin 4 burger lounge as well which serves some of the best burgers in BC. Costco is right beside it too.

Duncan is not too far from Lake Cowichan. They usually have farmers markets on the weekends, and they also have a place which serves awesome fried chicken. It's called "Lee's Chicken" and it's another island favourite with a few locations. Another local gem there is "Saison Vineyard" which serves some of the best baked goods on the island. It's a neat location where you can enjoy some food while overlooking a beautiful vineyard. They're closed for now but might be open when you're there.

Thanks! Appreciate the info. I was considering that river tubing adventure. Will look into the other recommendations as well.

20 hours ago, gwarrior said:

If you're into cider, I'd recommend Merridale cidery.

I enjoy a good cider but I’ll probably save that one for the next trip with my wife (sans kids). Although the restaurant looks good too, so maybe I can sample the ciders while the kids eat (if I can convince my wife to drive us home after)…

35 minutes ago, chon derry said:

Siefferts farm on knight road is close to kye bay. Well worth checking out good selection good prices.

We hit Sieffert’s regularly while in Kye Bay. So close and convenient and their veggies are really good quality. Not exactly the cheapest, when it comes to buying off a farm, but can’t beat the location and the staff are always really nice.

May 31, 2023

21 hours ago, brilac said:

I went ziplining in Sooke once. The kids might like that.

Great idea! I’ll look into the one in Sooke. I also saw there’s a big zipline course on Mount Washington so might check that out. One of my sons is really getting into rock climbing and those “treetop adventure” courses and he has been asking about doing a bigger zipline.

May 31, 2023

This is awesome! Thanks everyone for all your ideas and recommendations! I had a feeling that “crowdsourcing” on CDC was going to return some great information and you guys did not disappoint.

May 30, 2023

2 hours ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

Ten year old twins.....how is your sanity lol

Surprisingly, not too bad! :lol:

They’re really good kids. We’re lucky. I know a few kids in their friend group who’d drive me bonkers if they were mine.

The early years were the hardest. Going from no kids to twins is definitely an adjustment. I’m pretty hands on too, so I did the two kids at once feedings and bedtimes so my wife could rest. She also works outside the home more than me, so I’ve been the primary home parent for most of their lives.

It’s definitely a juggling act. Quite literally when you’re trying to carry around two babies at once.

But now that they’re older, they’ve become good friends, and they’re super independent and usually entertain themselves. I’m always around when needed, and of course we do tons of stuff together, but they’re the type of kids I can trust to take care of each other and not get into too much trouble, when I allow them some rope and a taste of freedom.

Like I said, we’re lucky that way.

May 30, 2023

@chon derry @canuck73_3 @luckylager @AV's Coin

Thanks guys! Appreciate the recommendations!

(And all the others who posted before)

I’m gonna look these over tonight when I have more time.

May 30, 2023

22 minutes ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

I have not been to Kye Bay in 40 years Good memories though

In Duncan there is this...used to be called The Forest Museum. Went there many times as a kid.

https://bcforestdiscoverycentre.com/

Not a whole lot to do in Honeymoon Bay. For a good lunch in Lake Cowichan there is

https://www.csbrewery.ca/jakes-at-the-lake

How old are your kids?

Kids are 10 (twins).

They’re at that age where they can do a lot independently and I give them freedom to explore, but I still need to keep line-of-sight (especially when around bodies of water).

Honeymoon Bay does look pretty limited, as far as the village itself. Google maps shows a general store, a butcher shop, and one cafe. But I’m not expecting much other than the park and lake. And the house has some woods and a treehouse out back, so I think the kids will also enjoy just hanging around the property.

We’ll probably use it a home base for some day trips. And otherwise just go down to the lake and play around in the water.

I’ll definitely look into the forest museum and Jake’s.

1 hour ago, 6of1_halfdozenofother said:

I don't have much to offer, but I will put in a plug for a friend of mine who has a very good cookie company that makes regular appearances at the Duncan Farmer's Market - her company is called "Bite Me Cookie Company", and the market runs every Saturday.

I think she also has a frozen yogurt machine, in case cookies aren't your thing.

And if you're a car enthusiast, she'll have you know that her company's motto is - "Bake / Sleep / Rally".

Have fun! It's been years since I was last on the island. I think I'm overdue for a roadtrip to Tofino.

Thanks!

Love a good farmer’s market. And the kids are always up for both cookies and frozen yogurt.

32 minutes ago, Gurn said:

Lake Cowichan:

it is possible to river raft/tube a large part of the river, down to Duncan; the locals will have more info.

Fishing on Cowichan Lake- with a lure named "The Cowichan Lake Special"

I presume you mean the back road between L Cow, and Port Renfrew?

Englishman River falls are around there iirc?

I think the world's largest hockey stick is still on display in Duncan- and there is an aboriginal museum there as well.

There is mountain, by Duncan where they do hang glider rides.

Chemainus- the town with all the murals is just a little way down the highway, from Duncan

Cathedral Grove-on the way to Port Alberni- absolutely HUGE trees.

Coombs- Goats on the roof, a few dinosaurs made of metal, and a restaurant that sell buffalo burgers

Over on Salt Spring Island, short ferry ride from Crofton, has a 'marketplace' on Sat? that shuts down the main street.

May bump into a few famous musicians.

Thanks so much! I’ll do some googling tonight on your recommendations.

And yeah, I meant the back road to Port Renfrew (Pacific Marine Road). I’ve never gone that way. Wasn’t even aware of that route until I checked Google Maps.

28 minutes ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

I would not recommend tubing down that river with kids. Can be dangerous . Also not sure about the water levels on the Cowichan River right now.

Englishman River Falls is road trip from Honeymoon Bay. But its cool. Parksville also for the beach

There is the sandcastle contest in Parksville which is cool

https://www.parksvillebeachfest.ca/

Competition: July 13-16, 2023
Exhibition: July 17-August 20, 2023

Times

Competition Hours Open to the Public:
Friday July 14: 2:00pm - 8:30pm
Saturday July 15 & Sunday July 16: 9:30am - 8:30pm
Exhibition Hours: 9:30am - 8:30pm daily

I totally forgot about the sandcastle competition! I’ll check out those recommendations. Thanks!

May 30, 2023

So I’ve just booked two weeks of family time on Vancouver Island in July. We’ll be renting two vacation homes, spending a week at each one.

One is on Kye Bay in Comox. We go to Kye Bay almost every year, so I’ve got that week covered and know exactly what we’ll be doing there.

The other was a somewhat random pick. Rented a place on Honeymoon Bay, Cowichan Lake. I haven’t been to Cowichan Lake for over 25 years, so I’m not sure exactly what we’ll do the week we’re there. We’re not going to be bringing a boat and I don’t really plan to rent one (other than maybe a kayak or canoe).

But mainly looking for family suitable adventures, the best beaches, parks, good hikes (easy enough for kids), museums worth visiting, local restaurants, etc.

I’ve already decided we’ll do a day trip out to Botanical Beach/Botany Bay to show the kids the tide pools. Port Renfrew is a little less than an hour away from where we’ll be staying, so figured I couldn’t pass up that opportunity (the kids have never been to the west coast of the Island).

And any other excursions within about an hour radius are definitely on the menu (Shawnigan Lake, Duncan, etc).

It’s possible we stay very local too. We’re going to be right by the lake and Gordon Bay Provincial Park, so it’s quite possible there’s more than enough to do within walking distance of home base. My kids love to just play on the shore and wade out in the water for hours, and I’m happy to sit on a blanket with some cold drinks and just watch them.

And the house and property I rented looks great (big, private, forested lot; very short walk to the lake; and it’s a really nice house with lots of comfort features). So we might just stick around home base and have a very chill time.

But I’m calling on my Island friends on CDC, especially any locals to the area, to please give me their recommendations for any “can’t miss” activities in the Cowichan Valley area this summer.

Thanks!

May 30, 2023

Cole Huckins is also intriguing. Big bodied (6’4”) LH centre who plays a gritty, aggressive, power forward style. Was a point per game in his draft year and projected by many to go second round (Flames drafted him in the third). Some reports even described him as looking like a “young Joe Thornton.” Then he had a weird D+1 where his production fell off and he was later “sent away” from the team for an extended period. Rumour was it was for “disciplinary reasons” although I can’t find more than that, so it’s hard to say what was the issue (or how serious it was). He was then traded and had a decent D+2 season, getting back to nearly a point per game production (although that’s nothing special for a 20 year old in the QMJHL). Seems like there’s a very checkered history with this kid, and possibly lots of reasons to stay away (definitely can see why the Flames have soured on him), but depending on what the real story is, and whether or not he’s actually learned and grown since whatever went wrong, he might be worth taking a flyer on. Could be a player with a bit of a reclamation/redemption arc to the next chapter of his story, assuming those “disciplinary issues” weren’t anything too objectionable or unsavoury.

May 30, 2023

4 minutes ago, Odd. said:

Jayden Grubbe…. We have to sign him. Big 6’3 right handed centerman put up solid numbers in the W. 3rd round pick in 2021.

He’s definitely going to get some interest. I think I posted on Grubbe earlier in this thread (definitely posted about him somewhere a few weeks back). The Rangers were hoping to trade his rights before June 1st and secure an asset, but it’s looking like the other NHL teams will just wait them out and nab Grubbe for free. He would be a very good target for improving the Canucks’ centre depth and acquiring a “free prospect” who might become a future 3C.

May 30, 2023

6 minutes ago, coryberg said:

Ben roger might be worth taking a flyer on 6'4 RHD big physical stay at home d-man. Had a tough year in Kingston but the team stunk. Could be a good project for Colliton in Abby, he did wonders for woo.

Looks like we’re “on the same page,” both literally and figuratively, when it comes to Ben Roger (see my post three above).

May 30, 2023

10 hours ago, mll said:

Last year Vancouver signed Nils Aman and Filip Johansson who were on last year's 1 June list.

Ben Roger is one name on that list who’s a bit interesting. I thought he was a reach and a bad pick for Ottawa at 49th overall in 2021 (and if they don’t sign him, it definitely was a bad pick for them), since he was ranked more 3rd-5th round. But as a free agent, I’d be very open to giving him a look. Great combination of size and skating in a RHD. He’s 20 years old, 6’4”, over 200 lbs (apparently added 35 pounds while training during the pandemic), plays a physical game, is “a strong skater for that size with a technically smooth stride that you could see translating to higher levels” (per one scouting report), uses his massive reach to his advantage, good gap control, highly mobile defender for his size, and is a RH shot RHD who was initially projected as a future NHL 3rd pairing guy and PK option. I can’t claim that I’ve paid much attention to him since his draft year, and Ottawa passing on signing their own 2nd round pick wouldn’t be a great indication for his development), but there’s no denying his has the physical package and profile of a player that could be useful for Vancouver. If he does go unsigned and hits free agency, and the Canucks’ OHL scouts like him, he looks like a good signing option. At the very least, I’d say a camp invite would be a sensible move.

May 28, 2023

2 hours ago, Googlie said:

Dhaliwal reporting that the Canucks are unlikely to sign him (or Costmar) .....

Wonder if they’ll offer him an AHL deal?

Evan Vierling (former Rangers pick) ended up signing an AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton recently. He had 16 more points, in 6 fewer games, than Lockhart did this year.

Gotta figure if Vierling could only get an AHL deal (and not even from his draft team), then Lockhart probably falls in the same category.

And for some other comparables, there are several age 20-21 OHL forwards out there, guys like Avery Hayes, Kyle McDonald, James Hardie, Sean McGurn, and Nick DeGrazia who are still without deals and available to sign as free agents this year. I’m not sure I can say that Lockhart deserves a NHL contract slot ahead of all those other guys (or a handful of similar profile undrafted free agents and unsigned draft picks in each of several other leagues).

So, much as I like Lockhart (and was hoping he’d get signed to an ELC), he’s probably just not quite at the level (yet) where he can command an NHL deal (from Vancouver or any other team).

But as far as an AHL deal, I’d be all for the Canucks making him an offer.

Would be happy to see him get a chance to play and work on his game down in Abby and maybe eventually earn himself a contract upgrade.

Lockhart has a ton of skill and he’s an excellent skater. He still has a lot of potential as a prospect and is worth some investment and time to develop further IMO. That could happen in Abbotsford on an AHL deal.

May 25, 2023

It’s so hard to answer without knowing what the potential trades would look like, but I think as far as this off-season goes, it makes the most sense to keep Beauvillier and Boeser (for now), and possibly move Garland.

I like Garland and there’s certainly an argument to be made that he’s been the best performing winger of the bunch, especially when you look deeper into the underlying numbers. And he’s probably on the most efficient contract, when you factor in current deals and pending extensions (Beauvillier is currently cheaper, but he’ll probably cost more to extend, and Brock’s deal is obviously the highest).

But Garland seems unable to find a consistent role in the top-six and he hasn’t been able to factor much on the PP, whereas Beauv and Boes seem to “fit” with the roster (at least as far as the coaches choose to construct the lines). Given the current usage, Garland seems like the most “surplus” of the bunch, so if a winger needs to be moved out this summer, it makes sense to trade him.

I also think that, especially if the cap goes up $3-4M, Garland should be pretty easy to trade.

If a good hockey trade could be made with Boeser, I’d be all for it, but it seems like his current contract, coupled with recent underwhelming performance, means that he’d be seen as a cap dump, and would require either sweeteners or retention to trade, and for minimal return. I’d rather not make that trade right now. I think Boeser becomes easier to trade as more time passes. Especially if he rebounds next season. So I’d keep him for now and gamble on him becoming a better asset later on.

Beauvillier probably returns decent value at the next trade deadline, given that he’s on an expiring deal, and he should have good numbers, assuming he continues to play with Pettersson. I’d be fine with extending him, if the team feels he’s a good longterm fit, and the extension is reasonable (both cap and term). Otherwise, I’d showcase him next season and then look to flip him for assets at the TDL.

May 24, 2023

10 minutes ago, Provost said:

If we could swap our 11th for 19th, a 2nd rounder, and ditch Myers…. I do that deal any day of the week. I doubt he waives for Chicago though.

If they take Pearson and Poolman, I do that as well.

Anything that means we can be in the game for starting to fill holes in the roster like Gavrikov/Barbashev level players.

The middle of the first round is a real crap shoot and the different lists have players all over the place. You could make that trade AND still end up with the player you want.

Yeah, if the cap dump is toward that end of the spectrum, I’d be open to the trade.

Not so much if it’s Garland plus our first for 19oa and a 2nd (which is what another source suggested).

But hopefully all the talk about Garland needing a sweetener to move is just talk and nothing more. I hate the idea of any Garland trade that requires us to add.

Getting off of one of our truly bad contracts, however, would be worth moving down (and picking up a 2nd rounder).

Still could draft a very good prospect at 19th overall. And at that position, it would be easier to justify taking a bigger swing at one of the higher risk/reward types. Especially with a 2nd round pick added to the haul.

May 23, 2023

Like others have said, this isn’t that bad a situation. Kravtsov really didn’t look ready for a pencilled-in spot in the NHL lineup. And he was waiver eligible, so no guarantee he clears (although I suspect he would’ve). Parking him in the KHL and then reassessing in two years is fine with me (assuming they qualify him and keep his rights). I’m definitely not expecting much, but stranger things have happened. Maybe everything clicks for him over the next two years in Russia and he becomes one of the KHL’s best players by age 25. At that point, I’d certainly be open to bringing him back over. Or even trading his rights.

May 22, 2023

7 minutes ago, Fred65 said:

I always believed Jasekwas a good prospect and can't for the life of me think what scouts have against him or a flaw that's maybe not noticable

I suspect it’s mostly a size issue and the usual biases around him being both European and of a slight build. He’s a pretty feisty kid and works his butt off along the boards, but he’s still probably around 180ish pounds (maybe even under that) at 6’1”, so he’s not built like your prototypical 3C, and he definitely didn’t have that kind of pedigree and profile.

It still surprises me, however, that they never gave him a look. Especially that one season when he was basically Utica’s 1C, top minute forward, one of the first choices for taking key draws (including D-zone), and one of their main special teams guys, both PK and PP.

Jasek always kept his head up, but I also know he felt personally hurt by the organization never giving him an opportunity, especially after he’d been such a “good soldier” and done everything they’d asked of him. It’s a pretty rare thing for a Euro kid who was basically seen as a winger to come over, switch to C (which he hadn’t really played with much regularity since he was a junior), and thrive in the position. And while he was always viewed as a speed/skill guy, he was able to quickly establish himself as a very steady defensive player, through hard work and determination, and really absorbing his coaching. Like I said, the kid worked so hard and he basically solved their roster issues by converting himself into a top level two-way centre in the AHL, which the Comets really needed at the time. Usually that kind of performance gets rewarded. Especially when the NHL club is in the basement of the standings and has no reason not to audition their prospects and depth guys.

May 22, 2023

Jasek transferred to IK Oskarshamn earlier this month on a two-year contract with the SHL club.

Canucks hold his rights until July 1st 2025, when he hits age 27 free agency (which also lines up with the end of his SHL deal).

It’ll be interesting to see how he does in the SHL. If he can continue to prove himself as a top line centreman, produce points, and play high minutes in all situations in Sweden, he might still get himself on the radar. If not with Vancouver, I could see another NHL team taking notice and giving him an opportunity in 2025.

It’s kind of a shame that we didn’t have our current staff and the team located in Abbotsford when Jasek was playing in the AHL. I really think under the current conditions down on the farm (and also with the roster up on the main squad), he would have been given a real chance with the NHL team, and it’s quite possibly he could have seized that opportunity and claimed a 3C role with the Canucks.

I also think the current farm system coaches/staff (and the expanded development department) would have given him better development and helped grow him into an even better player than he is today (although he still worked his butt off with Utica, did everything the coaches asked of him, and proved himself to be one of our best AHL players while he was here).

May 17, 2023

41 minutes ago, Mackcanuck said:

Cap could be going up by 3-4 Mil /team

https://canucksarmy.com/news/report-nhl-salary-cap-ceiling-could-increase-by-3-4-million-for-2023-24-season

Let’s hope so. An $86.5M cap would make things a lot easier for the Canucks (compared to the previously projected $83.5M). That would mean $3 million less cap needed to clear for Vancouver, and 31 possible trading partners with $3 million more to spend than expected.

May 17, 2023

1 hour ago, Ghostsof1915 said:

Isn't it Good? Matthew Wood.

Bob Mac's list shows #14 so I'm ok with it.

One worry supposedly is his skating.

If you listen to his current and former coaches, his skating has vastly improved and they no longer see it as an issue. He’s been on a very steep trajectory and continues to improve. He’s also a big guy who’s been growing the past few years, which can result in some wonkiness and limitations, but those should smooth out as he eventually settles into his size.

The Athletic has a good article on him. It’s paywall, but here are the sections where his coaches discuss Wood’s skating:

For a time, Wood’s skating was considered to be a question mark. That’s no longer the case.

“His skating just kept getting better,” said Didmon. “So I don’t worry about his skating because it has just been on a steady incline and progression over the last three years.”

Walter says it’s something that “he has worked very hard on” as a bigger kid all the way up. But Walter could also always tell it was going to get to where he needed to get it.

“He was always still growing into his body and going through that part of his life, but the skills were there and the passion was there for sure,” Walter said. “I’m really happy for him. There’s always been people who have doubted him along the way and he keeps proving them wrong.”

Helton argues Wood’s skating is “completely fine.”

“We’ve had this conversation with a lot of teams and people go after his skating and I don’t think it’s fair if you actually watch him go in straight lines a little bit,” Helton said. “I think college hockey’s pretty fast, and our league’s fast, and there wasn’t a game this year where I thought ‘jeez, Matty looks behind or he looks slow’ but there were times where I was like ‘whoa, he blew by that guy.'”

As his draft year at UConn progressed this season, Huskies staff got into the habit of inviting scouts out to their practices to that they could see his skating up close.

“I think sometimes people think he can just look a little aloof in games and I think that’s a habit that he’s gotten better at and is starting to break. And he’s just going to get stronger too,” Helton said. “And I mean, I watched him when he played with Connor (Bedard in minor hockey), so we’ve watched him for a long time, and his skating has improved and then from the start of this year to now, it’s gotten a lot better. And it’s only going to continue to get better. If a team chooses not to draft him because of his skating, I think that’s crazy. I don’t think it’s going to be an issue.”

https://theathletic.com/4457512/2023/04/29/nhl-draft-matthew-wood/?access_token=722796&redirected=1

May 16, 2023

3 hours ago, Coconuts said:

Which rumours? I've been out of the loop the last while. But if Allvin did indeed hamstring us with prices that were too high as opposed to working with teams on fair deals, that's disappointing. Not surprising, but disappointing.

I can’t find something to link right now, but I’ve seen it suggested that Garland, for example, could have been traded for a 3rd round pick before the last TDL but the Canucks weren’t willing to come down that far. This makes some sense, since when you go back to the previous deadline (2022), you have people like Friedman reporting the Canucks were asking for a first round pick for Garland and Toronto media people talking about the Leafs offering as high as a first plus roster player plus prospect.

If the Canucks were slow to adjust their ask, between TDL 2022 and 2023, I could easily see how they might get in their own way on completing a trade that could have shed Garland’s salary and returned a modest asset.

Now, we’re at a point where the chatter suggests the Canucks will need to add sweeteners to any significant salary (including Garland) that they want to trade. And fairly significant media people are pushing this same narrative and lending credibility to the idea that Vancouver will now need to spend assets to dump any cap.

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Posts posted by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME