Gollumpus

I was assuming that you were just going with the guys who are currently under contract/team control, but a trade wouldn't surprise me. Agreed with the money situation for next season. I'm not too concerned about next year's cap situation (new Boeser deal?), it's the year after that where things have the potential to get really tight (Horvat, Miller, et al). It wouldn't hurt my feelings if Chiasson weren't brought back, however, I do think the team needs a(nother) bigger body/physical winger in the bottom-6. While I do like Lockwood and how he plays, I would prefer to have him playing a regular shift in the AHL than warming a seat in the press box, or playing a few minutes every 3 - 4 games. Highmore(RW) is a comparable type of player to Lockwood, so does one of Highmore or Lockwood move to the other wing (probably Highmore)? And then there'd be a couple of (borderline) smaller wingers with a lot of tenacity on the 4th line. For Dickinson, I figure that the team could try to pay to have another team to take him in trade (draft pick etc). I wouldn't mind keeping the guy as I do believe he's a decent bottom-6 player, but his cap and the upcoming situation with Boeser, Horvat and Miller argues against keeping him. Dickinson's contract would likely pay for the increases on the new deals for Boeser, Lammikko and Highmore. regards, G.

Well, "listen" back at yah. I don't profess to know the inner workings of Bo Horvat's heart and mind or what makes a good captain. I'd like to say that I agree with your POV but, maybe someone offers a deal too good to pass up (money, term, TOI, potential line mates, potential for the new team to win a Cup in the short term AND perhaps additional Cups). It would be good for him and his family to sign with this other team, and we're not just talking about it being his "... best chance to win a Cup" kind of situation which was Ehrhoff's claim for signing with the Sabres (but it might be a factor). Why wouldn't he go? Richardson is slower than he was previously in his career, but how fast would he have to be considering the top-9 in front of him? He'd be playing 5 - 6 minutes in the Canucks' end of the ice (perhaps giving Horvat a bit of a breather if there are a lot of penalties) where he wins the face off (a good probability) and the team gets the puck out. Maybe it would be good if he could skate to the bench a second or two faster... I'm not married to Chiasson, but the team does need someone who plays a physical game and has some size. If the team feel that' Chiasson is their guy, okay. If they get some other guy (via UFA or trade) then that is okay too. For right now, I would want a guy bigger than Lockwood, which is not to say that I dislike the kid, but some size (with some ability) would be nice to have to go with the tenacity. regards, G.

Yeah, I figured that this would be how things would look. This brings up further questions/thoughts (I'm not following hockey/the Canucks much since baseball season started up). 1.) What if Horvat decides that his best choice for career advancement is to not be a 3C in Vancouver? This involves ego and $$$$. This doesn't necessarily have anything specific to do with Kuzmenko (him being a LW), but it does impact on how Miller is used (it tends to push him further out of the LW position, which doesn't seem like a bad thing) which then argues for Horvat being moved to 3c (behind Miller and Pettersson, assuming Pettersson plays like he did in the latter half of this past season). And if Horvat becomes the 3C, how much TOI would he be getting, and how much of that TOI would be in the other team's zone, and how would that affect his point production, and any future contract demands? And what kind of money could Horvat demand in his next contract if he has been relegated? Some will argue that $6+ million per season (assumed for the next contract) is a lot for a 3C, even one who would be as good as Horvat would be in that role. 2.) I'm surprised (not disappointed, just surprised) that both of you are assuming that Dickinson will still be with the Canucks next season. If he gets mentioned, in most cases it's in a "Dickinson gets traded" kind of comment. There is the not so great year which he just had, but there's also his cap hit which seems to constantly be brought up, and folks are complaining about that when he's being discussed as a third line C/LW and not playing on the 4th line. I think (hope) the guy will have a bounce-back year next season, but we will see how/where he gets used. 3.) The other guys: I'm also assuming that Chiasson will be re-signed (or someone else who fills a similar role), which takes another winger spot (4LW?). I like the idea of Richardson being re-signed. Back in the day, Malhotra (as a 3C) took a lot of pressure off of Kesler for FO duties, but who did the Canucks have behind him...? Richardson backing up Horvat will likely be a good thing over the course of a season. Having Richardson as 4C shifts where Lammikko plays, no? And this once again directs attention to Dickinson and his future here. 4.) I'm assuming that Lockwood gets put back in the AHL for next season, purely for numbers reasons. If he is kept up with the Canucks, someone has to go, so who would it be? Chiasson/new guy (LW)? Lammikko (C/LW)? Highmore (RW)? More as things develop. Need fud. regards, G.

So, who would be in the top-6 with Kuzmenko, and who would get kicked to the curb? Horvat moved to to 3-C? Garland or even Podkolzin dropped down? Hoglander looks like he could be relegated to the third line. Or, are people being traded to make room? I'm not necessarily arguing the point, just curious... regards, G.

The Leafs are all sitting at the bench, looking down at their feet like they are checking to see if their skates are tied... Good sign. regards, G.

Wut, ae you saying that NHL stands for "National Hockey Lightning" and not "National Hockey Leafs"? regards, G.

regards, G.

People want to get rid of Myers? Okay, two things: 1.) How do you get rid of him? Well, a trade is the most likely option. If he is as bad/inconsistent as some folks make him out to be, and his cap hit is so high, then another team isn't going to be that interested in acquiring him, at least not without some incentive (cap retention and/or a player/pick/prospect). Further, I don't see another team wanting to include a good RD prospect in exchange for Myers, unless he is part of a package with something really good (1st round pick and/or one of Boeser or Miller etc). Any ideas of a team that might be interested in Myers, and if so, for how much? 2.) Who do you bring in to replace Myers, or just someone who could be brought in regardless of whether Myers is moved or not? Getting a less expensive UFA is one option. Here's the list for this year (unless I've missed someone). https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents/2023/caphit/all/defense/all/desc/right?status=active-roster RESULTS (27) Stats displayed are season only · 1 GP required when sorting by stats PLAYER TEAM AGE POS HANDED GP G A P P/GP +/- Sh Sh% TOI W L SO GAA Sv% CLAUSE EXPIRY CAP HIT SALARY 1. P.K. Subban NJD 33 RD Right 77 5 17 22 0.29 -8 114 0.04 18:17 - - - - - UFA $9,000,000 $8,000,000 2. Kris Letang PIT 35 RD Right 78 10 58 68 0.87 20 214 0.05 25:46 - - - - - M-NTC, NMC UFA $7,250,000 $7,250,000 3. Anton Strålman ARI 35 RD Right 74 8 15 23 0.31 -16 95 0.08 21:20 - - - - - M-NTC UFA $5,500,000 $5,500,000 4. John Klingberg DAL 29 RD Right 74 6 41 47 0.64 -28 139 0.04 22:12 - - - - - UFA $4,250,000 $6,000,000 5. Josh Manson COL 30 RD Right 67 6 10 16 0.24 -11 92 0.07 18:58 - - - - - M-NTC UFA $4,100,000 $4,450,000 6. Justin Schultz WSH 31 RD Right 74 4 19 23 0.31 -15 92 0.04 16:55 - - - - - UFA $4,000,000 $5,000,000 7. Colin Miller BUF 29 RD Right 38 2 12 14 0.37 -2 48 0.04 18:58 - - - - - UFA $3,875,000 $3,875,000 8. Ethan Bear CAR 25 RD Right 58 5 9 14 0.24 1 97 0.05 16:04 - - - - - RFA $2,000,000 $2,500,000 9. Erik Gudbranson CGY 30 RD Right 78 6 11 17 0.22 15 129 0.05 18:08 - - - - - UFA $1,950,000 $1,950,000 10. Justin Braun NYR 35 RD Right 69 6 12 18 0.26 2 73 0.08 19:32 - - - - - UFA $1,800,000 $1,800,000 11. Troy Stecher LAK 28 RD Right 29 1 2 3 0.10 -7 50 0.02 16:39 - - - - - UFA $1,700,000 $2,200,000 12. Nick Blankenburg CBJ 24 RD Right 7 1 2 3 0.43 -3 13 0.08 17:34 - - - - - RFA $1,688,452 $900,000 13. Ilya Lyubushkin TOR 28 RD Right 77 2 13 15 0.19 -2 54 0.04 17:27 - - - - - UFA $1,350,000 $1,350,000 14. Jan Rutta TBL 31 LD/RD Right 76 3 15 18 0.24 25 86 0.03 16:23 - - - - - UFA $1,300,000 $1,700,000 15. Joshua Brown BOS 28 RD Right 52 0 6 6 0.12 -7 45 0.00 14:13 - - - - - UFA $1,200,000 $1,400,000 16. Anthony Deangelo CAR 26 RD Right 64 10 41 51 0.80 30 151 0.07 19:48 - - - - - RFA $1,000,000 $1,000,000 17. Matthew Benning NSH 28 RD Right 65 0 11 11 0.17 -24 61 0.00 16:20 - - - - - UFA $1,000,000 $1,000,000 18. Mark Pysyk BUF 30 RD, RW Right 68 3 9 12 0.18 -4 64 0.05 17:49 - - - - - UFA $900,000 $900,000 19. Noah Dobson NYI 22 RD Right 80 13 38 51 0.64 -3 190 0.07 21:27 - - - - - RFA $894,167 $832,500 20. Adam Boqvist CBJ 21 RD Right 52 11 11 22 0.42 -11 64 0.17 17:02 - - - - - RFA $894,167 $832,500 21. Timothy Liljegren TOR 23 RD Right 61 5 18 23 0.38 15 79 0.06 16:24 - - - - - RFA $863,333 $832,500 22. Sean Durzi LAK 23 RD Right 64 3 24 27 0.42 -9 119 0.03 19:35 - - - - - RFA $809,166 $842,500 23. Austin Strand LAK 25 RD Right 8 0 2 2 0.25 -1 9 0.00 15:17 - - - - - UFAGroup 6 $771,750 $771,750 24. Michael Stone CGY 32 RD Right 11 2 4 6 0.55 3 24 0.08 17:27 - - - - - UFA $750,000 $750,000 25. Andrej Sustr ANA 31 RD Right 38 1 5 6 0.16 -4 28 0.04 14:43 - - - - - UFA $750,000 $750,000 26. Chris Wideman MTL 32 RD Right 64 4 23 27 0.42 -25 76 0.05 14:52 - - - - - UFA $750,000 $750,000 27. Nicolas Meloche SJS 24 RD Right 50 2 5 7 0.14 -17 36 0.06 16:52 - - - - - RFA $750,000 $750,000 Letang, Manson, Miller, Rutta, Stone and Wideman might be a fit, with an outside chance for Bear. There's term/cap hit and age factors to consider with all of these. As I see it, the only way that the Canucks get a new RD with all of the wants/needs being asked here, is if he is a part of a return for the often spoken of trade of Miller/Horvat/Boeser/etc. regards, G.

The book is better (of course), but this is a nice way to wind down the day. regards, G.

Herman Li auditioned for joining Band-Maid: regards, G.

I woulda' won if it hadn't been for the 100 guys ahead of me... regards, G.

As noted elsewhere, the top-6 will include (barring trades rtc): Boeser, Garland, Horvat, Miller, Pettersson and Podkolzin. This leaves (barring trades etc): Chiasson, Dickinson, Highmore, Hoglander, Lammikko, Lockwood, Pearson, Petan, Richardson for the bottom-6. UFAs - Petan will (probably) not be re-signed. Richardson (who I do like - value for the money), as well as Chiasson might also not be re-signed (but probably will). Either, or both of the latter two might not be re-signed just for numbers reasons (bodies not cap). I believe Lockwood is still waivers exempt, so if necessary he could be kept in the AHL for another year to make room for someone else. Highmore, Hoglander, Lammikko and Pearson will probably still be around next season (barring trades). An argument can be made (not by me) that Pearson could/should be moved, but I would resist this on the grounds that of any of the guys who are in the bottom-6, he is the best option for playing as a middle-6 5v5 should it become necessary. He might not be as fast as Hoglander, but he can be efficient in his play and he can play a heavy game (like Chiasson?) while Hoglander is lacking in size. This pretty much leaves Dickinson. Assuming that the Canucks do dump Dickinson, how do they do it? Trade? Okay, but if the Canucks can trade him, it will probably be at a loss (ie. he probably won't return a 3rd), or the Canucks will have to add *something*. What is everybody willing to add in a trade to move Dickinson, or is him and his cap hit being gone good enough? Waivers? Perhaps, but there are costs associated with that course of action, aren't there? On the other hand, assuming he can't be moved, maybe Dickinson will have a bounce back year... regards, G. TL;DR - Petan not re-signed, Chiasson and Richardson possibly not re-signed (but probably will), Lockwood sent back to the farm for numbers reasons, Dickinson and Pearson possibly traded. Highmore, Hoglander and Lammikko the only three who will (with a high probability) be here next season.

Yup, get healthy and have a good May. regards, G.

Which would concern me, were I a Jays fan. What happened to the rest of the bats? Two other guys each had two hits, which resulted in no runs. The Jays kinda' remind me of the Giants. Whether it's because of injuries, or just an existential funk, one or more of the basics of baseball falls apart for a team (starting pitching, relief pitching, hitting and fielding). Some games, either of these teams look like world beaters, or, they are starting the game down 5 runs while the bases are still loaded. The next game, they look like something that dropped out of a tall cow's butt. At least it's a good sign that the Jays are able to win close ones (like today). regards, G.

Yup. We're good. regards, G.

.... or, there's the often noted problem of how some backups don't get enough time in net (in practice or in game) to stay sharp. If I recall, this was used as an excuse for Demko having a bad game while Markstrom was still here. regards, G.

regards, G.

Yeah, typos, the curse of late night posting...That was supposed to read, "3 goals on 16 shots". Still pretty bad for a goalie of Demko's caliber, and an indication of how the team periodically took periods off (or even entire games). Demko would get a pass in such games, Halak would get roasted by the folks here. regards, G.

Well, Halak certainly hasn't shown himself to be the best goalie Vancouver has ever had. The above being said, he certainly hasn't had a lot of help some games, and he certainly has received a lot of undue criticism, taking as an example, the Ottawa game on April 16. Demko allowd 13 goals on 16 shots. Halak came in and stopped 12 of 12, only allowing a goal in the shoot-out. Was the loss because of Halak, or was it because of Demko, or was it because of the team defense that was playing in front of them? regards, G. EDIT: this was supposed to read "...3 goals on 16 shots." Late night, bleary eyes. W/e.

The team management already know that Burroughs will be here next season, so they are trying to wring every last second of playing time out of his contract? regards, G.

I've got about an hour before the Giants game starts so let's see what happens... regards, G.

Yup. Toronto Maple Leaves... Matthews will (probably) always get paid where-ever he decides to play, so I suppose it will come down to his desire to win a Cup (assuming he hasn't won one with the Leafs) vs playing in his home town, regardless of what the team looks like. regards, G.

As far as I know it's all speculation, but there will be a long line of people saying, "I called it back 20(whatever)" should it ever occur. regards, G.

I prefer to think of it as an economy of effort. It looks like he also got in a poke at the goalie... regards, G.

Or, the Leafs are bounced early this year and next, but in 2023-24 they do (finally) win it - perish the thought!. The plot twist would be that the 2024 Leafs are fighting to get a wild card spot. They (still) can't stop goals being scored on them. Matthews is moved at the TDL, because he has told the Leafs he wants out, and he is refusing to play any more games for them. He wants to be moved to Arizona or he would allow his contract to run out, so if they trade him at the TDL, at least the Leafs get something for him. The package going to the Leafs would include (but not be restricted to): Arizona's 2024 1st, various picks/prospects, plus Erikksson, Beagle and Roussel (who are all playing well, and have all been signed to very short term, team friendly deals). The defensive leadership from these three former Canucks would give the Leafs the ability to win it all in the finals.... regards, G.