Quantum

Ron Francis showed the rest of the league what you can do when you weaponize cap space. He's been a master at that. He also put together all the major pieces for Carolina. He's a very underrated GM.

He's a UFA July 1st...

Andrew Ladd was the worst of the 2016 signings. Kyle Okposo getting a contract extension beyond the minimum is great value for a team on the rise. Buffalo has been really smart over the last 2 years. Kevyn Adams, I had my doubts about him, but he's turned out to be a very good general manager and has made a serious of very smart decisions. Buffalo is going to be dangerous in the East in the next couple of years especially now that they have the best young goalie in the world, Devon Levi, under contract and ready to tear up the NHL next season.

This Fisherman better be ready when he shows up in Vancouver next season. All bets are off.

DON'T YOU DARE VOTE FOR TRYAMKIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He needs to buyout OEL. It makes too much sense not too. Other options: Trade a winger. It seems like that's going to happen. Garland's name is out there but I won't be shocked if they flip Anthony Beauvillier since he's on an expiring deal and they likely won't re-sign him. Boeser may also be flipped. I don't think moving Garland makes sense because Garland has experience with Rick Tocchet and thrived under him both here and in Arizona. Move Tyler Myers. Yeah, his cap hit is high but his salary is low. A team may bite without needing a sweetener unlike some of the wingers not named Beauvillier. To save on cap, I don't think the Canucks sign a name back up goalie. There's a very good chance they just re-sign Collin D'Elia and roll with Demko/D'Elia as the tandem next season with Silovs as the call up option/starter in Abby. With that said, I think it's more realistic that Martin returns as the backup because of the signing of Mikita Talapila from the Allsvenseken. I think they'll want to run a tandem of Silovs/Talapia in Abby next season.

I think Auston Matthews goes to Arizona and saves the franchise. That's what I believe. They'll have the cap space to give him the biggest contract in NHL history next summer if he chooses to walk.

I think he'll get a two way with a club like Columbus or Arizona.

I like Tryamkin as a meme and that's about it.

If this is Bergeron's last season, it would be a helluva send off for him to get the Selke. My feelings about the Bruins have simmered over the years. Bergeron's career has been legendary and he deserves the award out of the three finalists. It's a joke that Marner has the nomination, though. It's really a two car race between Bergeron and Hischier in my mind.

New NHL regulars in the Canucks lineup. I think we're going to have 4-5. I believe Akito Hirose and Filip Johansson probably make the opening night roster as the bottom pair. They essentially replace Kyle Burroughs and Travis Dermott. Cole McWard is an underdog to take Filip's spot. I assume one of Beauvillier/Boeser/Garland will be traded this offseason and with that a new forward is going to have to take their spot. Of internal candidates already in with the club, I can see Hoglander returning to the main club with a vengeance. Linus Karlsson and Arshdeep Bains are my low key dark horses to make the big club next season, however, since they both don't require waivers to go to the AHL, I won't be shocked if they start in Abbotsford for next season. Arshdeep Bains feels like he'd be the perfect bottom six addition. He's got a high hockey IQ and plays physical. His transition from the WHL to the AHL has been impressive. He seems like he could be the "Nils Aman" surprise of camp this Fall, in my opinion.

The Canucks don’t have the cap space to sign a “name” backup.

He'll probably be the backup in Abbotsford next season. Spencer Martin is signed for next season. Likely version of the goalie depth chart is as follows: Thatcher Demko (NHL starter) Spencer Martin (NHL backup) Arturs Silovs (AHL starter) Nikita Tolopilo (AHL backup) They might get one more goalie if they're not confident in Martin bouncing back. Martin seems to have refound his game after being thrust into a position in the NHL he wasn't ready for and should be the backup next season. I suspect Collin Delia signs elsewhere since he's a UFA this summer.

Unsigned prospect for Unsigned prospect I always hope these kinds of deals become like the Ryan Graves for Chris Brigas deal where it's viewed as this super minor trade at the time it happens but then one of the players becomes a bonafide NHLer and everyone goes "wait, how did they let that player slip away from them like that?" Seems like Judd Caulfield wasn't going to sign in Pittsburgh so Anaheim sent over a defensive prospect they likely weren't going to sign for him. Smart move. I do wonder if Nickl gets signed in Pittsburgh. Right shot d man but his stats have been very underwhelming in the SHL this year and last year.

In Ian Clark We Trust

Kind of wish they'd swap out the Jets for the Kraken. Kraken are right there! It makes too much sense to have them in the tourney. Or, if you don't swap them out, just invite the Kraken up.

I think Dermott is done. He's had concussion issues this season. I don't expect the Canucks to re-sign him. He's struggled to stay healthy. I won't be surprised to see the Canucks not qualify him and let him walk as a UFA. It was a great bet last year but things haven't worked out. This management team seems like they are able to move on from their mistakes in relatively quick time (look at how they flipped Stillman). Rathbone probably stays. He's good depth and has value. He'll require waivers next season so if he has a so/so training camp, I could see the Canucks moving him for an asset. That said, they may just try and sneak him through waivers anyways. This team needs more bodies so I don't see a world where Rathbone is given up on... although I do think Rathbone becoming the next Forsling feels more realistic then anything else.

With Andy Carroll signing with Abbotsford and Akito getting an ELC, I really do wonder if Jake Livingstone signs here to complete the trilogy of Minnesota-Mankato signings this Spring for the Canucks. This is a good signing. I suspect Wolanin will be on the NHL roster all season next season so I expect Hirose will get the opportunity to be on the top pairing in Abbotsford next season. Allvin/Rutherford are going to slow cook these prospects. The days of rushing a player into the lineup seem to be over and that's for the best.

I think it really comes down to opportunity. For Jake Livingstone, he's 24, he's gotta ask himself -- which team gives me the most realistic shot at getting into the NHL and staying there? For RD, the Canucks might not be the best for him to get to the NHL in the fastest amount of time. Right now the RD depth chart is as follows: Hronek Myers Bear Then we have Tucker Poolman (who, personally, I don't believe will ever play another NHL game), Noah Juulsen, and Kyle Burroughs (for now) securing spots 4-6 on the depth chart in the RD role. You can make an argument that Poolman probably shouldn't be on the list because of his injury but if he does return, with his contract, you know the Canucks will give him games. The Canucks also have Filip Johansson, who everyone forgets about, waiting in the wings. He's a RD, good shot, skates well, and he's been tearing up the SHL this year. The rumors suggest that the Canucks are planning on giving Johansson every shot to make the roster out of training camp this Fall. He'd be the most obvious "competition" for Livingstone... and I think the question is -- is Livingstone better than Johansson? That's hard to say. With that said, in an ideal world, the Canucks have both Livingstone and Johansson and they both succeed but that's probably what the hang up is with Livingstone and why he's not all that jazzed with signing with the Canucks right now.

I'm a little disappointed by Livingstone ruling out the Canucks as a signing option. With that said, I can kind of see how Vancouver isn't the most appealing option for him right now. The right side depth is Hronek, Bear, Myers with Filip Johansson (who I feel like everyone forgets is now Canucks property) likely vying for the bottom pair role assuming Myers is moved in the Summer after his signing bonus is paid. I also wouldn't be the most surprised if Allvin and co have been putting more work into signing a guy like Hardy Harman Aktell who is only a year older than Livingstone and about the same size as Livingstone. Won't be shocked if Livingstone ends up in like Columbus or Edmonton.

Goalie of the future in Buffalo. He should be there next Ryan Miller. Just an awesome, awesome netminder. Still can't believe he fell to the 7th round in 2020.

Waiting for the 7th round trifecta to be signed. Kirill Kudryavtsev this week Aiden McDonaugh next week Arvid Costmar the week after that

Red Wings opening up a contract slot. Most likely, they have their eye on a NCAA player and need the contract slot open to sign him.

When I see him mentioned anywhere, I always think of Jason Botchford screaming "BREEZEBOH!!!!" on TSN 1040. RIP Botch. A solid, depth defender. He'll likely never get claimed on waivers so he's perfect for being a call up option/AHL leader when the Canucks need a d man in a pinch. I like the signing and I like the player. Curious if they'll re-sign Wolanin and Burroughs soon. Those two guys are also excellent depth pieces and should be locked up well before July 1st rolls around.