5nothincanucksohno

And a new leadership structure on the ice

I agree, I don't think Hogs is getting traded unless the return improves the team. Won't be as a sweetener. Plus Boeser seems to have the new coach's trust...I could see him staying around and Garland & Myers being moved. Or if he is traded, his point production has been strong so no sweeteners required.

I think the point was him potentially wanting guaranteed NHL time and the Canucks being unwilling to offer that. Would not be a problem if he is willing to improve in the AHL.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/03/vancouver-canucks-expected-to-sign-akito-hirose.html

Likely because skating is still a question mark

Tend to agree. The way things are shaping up, Canucks could be in a solid position to make the playoffs next year and recoup assets at the TDL. Bear will be on a one year contract, Beau will be in his last year (ie sign a decent deal or he gets traded), Myers if not moved in the summer, etc. Mgmt just needs to keep doing what they are doing a build solid depth that can hopefully begin to impact the roster by spring 2024 (on ELC deals).

IT'S A LOCK! Barbashev and Gavrikov are both clients of Dan Milstein https://thehockeywriters.com/canucks-news-rumors-hronek-barbashev-gavrikov/

Ya JT isn't getting traded unless it is for a big haul that leads to a young center coming back (directly or using the assets acquired)

JC is injured, who would have guessed

I know we can justify moves all sorts of ways but given the imbalance that existed on this team, I would happily trade Bo for Hronek. Looking at the other assets, we got Beau and Raty for a 2nd round nd pick. Solid work by Mgmt.

Mgmt has definitely improved the status/depth of the bottom pairing D and the fourth line (at the right price points). They appear to have dealt with the top five forwards and the top two D as well. So improvement of the 3 & 4 D positions and the 6 - 9 forward positions are what is now needed. They have added some solid, youthful depth at the forward level (and have potential bounce back players if some aren't traded) but will have some big decisions on OEL/Myers (get rid of them or can they improve their play in a better system? Former more ideal but hard to achieve). I expect they will be big game hunting this summer in terms of a #3 Dman and will likely look to focus on undervalued forwards. Will be interesting and things could really change for the team if cap space is created.

Very complimentary of each other - Dman and Center combo. I like both but Hughes is doing some crazy things right now on "what was" an average team. https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/travis-yost-vancouver-canucks-defenceman-quinn-hughes-is-not-a-defensive-liability-1.1935204

Agreed but the winning has to translate to next year otherwise all the good vibes to end this season don't amount to much. I just hope the new mind set carries over and the team is able to keep things rolling next year.

End of the day, happy for them to keep winning as long as it translates to next season. Not fun if they go on a run but crawl out of the gate again to begin the season.

Is this real life?

Yes, he is a good support piece IMO so not a contract I would sign

Gut feeling that Bear is gone - given the injury and his likely salary expectations. They can't spend a tonne on a #5 - 6 D-man (that may or may not be able to fill in at times beside Hughes). Hughes and Hronek are the guarantees. I assume OEL is as well given his contract situation. The other three spots are question marks. QH RHD partner: Need a steady defensive D partner that is responsible and can allow QH to push offensive upside. Need someone who can play a steady, low-event 18 mins a game. Additional QH mins will be PP and could be with Hronek. I haven't watched him enough this season to know where he is at but I wonder if Calgary would consider sending Tanev back for next to nothing or a winger (one more year left on his contract)? Hronek LHD partner: I suppose a dark horse candidate like Rathbone could emerge but it is unlikely. This is definitely where mgmt should allocate a larger portion of the available cap towards. Gavrikov, etc. OEL RHD partner OEL is an offensive D-man that is being asked to be a defensive D-man (not an excuse for his play but a reality). He needs to be put in a position to flourish offensively so a responsible low event partner is required. In sheltered mins, I believe he could be productively offensively and hopefully play low event hockey. Maybe the current group of #6 - 10 group of defenders can deliver by committee at a low cap hit Useful #6 - 10 D: Juulsen, Brisebois, Burroughs, Wolanin, etc. QH xx Xx Hronek OEL xx

Horvat was the captain though, so if that was his mindset, it was definitely the right move to trade him. They need leaders, including coaches on the bench, who lead by example and play with structure.

Plus, Horvat doesn't have to be the "leader" in NY - vets already in place to do that. He can just be a strong support piece, which he is...that wasn't going to be the case in Van. Best case scenario for everyone so far.

This mgmt team has definitely done a much better job of identifying NHL level talent. Let's hope the score a couple wins at the draft table.

Not wrong - I will happily watch a team with this type of grit - hopefully the commitment actually carries over to next year

I like this - good propaganda

I think the main issue is that he constantly sounds like the world is ending...and it isn't. Probably part of his "persona" but he is too draining to watch or listen to in my opinion. I haven't seen him on any Canuck TV panels so probably some sour grapes (Bill Burr inflection)

With no information, just observations from a far, I feel like this is why Horvat needed to go. He was the captain but too passive - clearly couldn't drive the team. EP is obviously a little "testy" (not sure what the right word is) and needs to grow into being the leader - a leader who drags the team into the fight. Hopefully he embraces the new leadership void and the team keeps building for next year.

Agreed 1 year deal max for Bear Focus on getting another top four D-man and keep running the group of D-men who are hungry to keep an NHL job: Juulsen, etc.