How true is the following statement? “The Canucks aren’t in a position to be moving even more picks and prospects?”

[Patel Bure]

How true is the following statement?  “The Canucks aren’t in a position to be moving even more picks and prospects?”

 

Over the last few years, we’ve moved a large number of picks and prospects. Madden, 2020 1st, 2021 1st, and multiple non 1sts for JT Miller, OEL, Garland, and a cup of coffee with Tyler Toffoli (although his presence did play a role in helping us qualify for the playoffs that year).

 

The point I’m making is this:  When you look at our current roster, the Canucks seem to be a top tier team in MANY categories, while being extremely sub-par in a few categories.  However, the addition of just one piece in the form of a top pairing “defensive” right sided defenseman, could effectively kill these sub-par birds with one stone in the form of vastly improved penalty killing, a superior shut down defensive pairing up front, and more ‘stabilized’ versions of Hughes and OEL on defense.  
 

Our roster at full health should be some variation of the following:

 

Miller-Pettersson-Boeser

Pearson-Horvat-Hoglander

Garland-Dickinson-Podkolzin

Motte-Highmore-Chiasson

 

Dowing

 

OEL-Myers

Hughes-Hamonic

Rathbone-Poolman

 

Hunt

 

Demko

Halak

 

I am of the belief that the line-up above would be in the top 10 in the following categories:

 

1) Left side D prowess in OEL, Hughes, and Rathbone.

2) Our 3rd pairing defensive pair in any form of Rathbone-[Poolman/Myers/Hamonic]
3) Our two power plays in any form of Hughes, Pettersson, Boeser, Miller, Horvat, OEL, Garland, Hoglander, Podkolzin, and Pearson/Myers

4) Our forwards up front in terms of scoring ability (Pettersson, Boeser, Horvat, Miller, Hoglander, Garland), our ability to shut down (Miller, Pearson, Dickinson, Podkolzin, Garland, Motte, Highmore), and our variety of playing styles (PWF’s, playmakers, snipers, grinders, and two-way players).

5) Goaltending with Demko and Halak - this is contingent on whether Demko can go back to playing like he did in the bubble and/or like he did before both Covid outbreaks occurred in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

 

So long story short - I think the Canucks could *already* be Top 10 in many categories:

 

Here is where I think they are projected to struggle however:

 

1) Penalty Killing. 
2) Their top defensive pairing.  People will disagree, but I don’t think any of Myers, Hamonic, or Poolman should be anywhere near the top pairing.  Poolman is a 3rd pairing guy, while both Myers and Hamonic are #4’s. If we want to maximize the incredible talents of OEL, then a stronger RD will be needed here.

3) The 2nd defensive pairing:  Again, if you want to maximize Quinn Hughes here, then playing him with any of Myers or Poolman could be risky.  Myers isnt strong enough defensively and doesn’t fit stylistically with Hughes (I would even argue that Myers doesn’t fit in well with OEL due to this), while Poolman is a 3rd pairing calibre defenseman.

 

So - all of this points back to my original question:  
 

To what extent are the Canucks in a position to “make a push” in terms of addressing this deficiency on right side D?

 

Most Canucks fans and hockey pundits will likely say that “we aren’t in a position to be moving even more picks and prospects, but I’m not so sure.........and here’s why:

 

Despite all of our bled picks and movement of long term assets to satisfy the short term, the Canucks have still managed to bring in Horvat, Demko, Boeser, Pettersson, Hughes, Hoglander, Podkolzin, and Rathbone into the line-up since 2013.  8 players in 8 years.  8 players that were handed absolutely nothing and earned their roster spots through merit (unlike perhaps many other teams that have an artificially high number of “graduated” prospects in their line-up).   And to the point of what was brought up in my last thread, I admit that both Podkolzin and Rathbone are still unproven......although my defense of that claim is that neither Rathbone or Podkolzin were handed spots.  They flat out earned it.  Klimovich and Dipietro are also legitimate pipeline prospects, while guys like Lockwood and MacEwen are borderline NhL’ers as well.

 

So, what’s my point?  My point is that I am of the belief that the Canucks ARE in fact in a position to move another 1st round pick and some B level prospects if it means bringing in a Top defensive RD that would 

 

1) Further solidify and stabilize a top defensive pairing with Hughes or OEL.

2) Further solidify and stabilize the 2nd defensive pairing with Quinn Hughes or OEL via trickle down effect (ie one of Hamonic or Myers could play on this pairing.  Myers with OEL)

3) Trickle down effect for our 3rd pairing

 

Our defense right now:

 

OEL-Myers

Hughes-Poolman (Hamonic)

Rathbone-Schenn (Poolman)

 

Our defense with an added strong RD

 

Hughes-[TopDefensiveRD]
OEL-Myers (Myers playing in a more suitable #4)

Rathbone-[Hamonic or Poolman].  Poolman in a more suitable 3rd pairing role.

 

Conclusion:

 

Said [Top defensive RD], along with stabilizing our top pairing and 2nd pairing via trickle down effect, would also help significantly improve our penalty killing.  In other words, killing 3 birds/team weaknesses with one stone/trade.  Given the success that the Canucks have had in implementing prospects into their line-up since 2014, I am of the belief that the Canucks can afford to make yet another deal involving their 1st round pick for this top pairing “defensive” RD.

 

Most importantly however, I am of the belief that the addition of a legit top “defensive” RD would not only help us a punch a ticket into the playoffs, but would also make us a significant dark horse in terms of progressing beyond the 2nd round.  We will already likely rank in the top 10 in many categories, while the addition of this RD would effectively kill the few categories where we are slated to rank lowly in.

 

Edited October 13, 2021 by Patel Bure

[Xol]

Adding a top player in any position has a trickle down effect. Unfortunately, top defenceman are hard to find when you have no prospects or cap space...

[c00kies]

I think it's true. 

 

At this point, we should only trade to get over the hump in the playoffs (say a couple 2nd/3rd round exits).

 

You need first round picks to continue to be successful. Look at what happened to Boston compared to Vancouver after 2011...Boston continued to be successful and implement youth, while the Canucks struggled with their current ageing lineup and limited prospects.

 

We have a young lineup now, but I want to continue to pump solid young players for our farm teams and be able to grow from within when free agents leave.

[Curmudgeon]

44 minutes ago, Patel Bure said:

How true is the following statement?  “The Canucks aren’t in a position to be moving even more picks and prospects?”

 

Over the last few years, we’ve moved a large number of picks and prospects. Madden, 2020 1st, 2021 1st, and multiple non 1sts for JT Miller, OEL, Garland, and a cup of coffee with Tyler Toffoli (although his presence did play a role in helping us qualify for the playoffs that year).

 

The point I’m making is this:  When you look at our current roster, the Canucks seem to be a top tier team in MANY categories, while being extremely sub-par in a few categories.  However, the addition of just one piece in the form of a top pairing “defensive” right sided defenseman, could effectively kill these sub-par birds with one stone in the form of vastly improved penalty killing, a superior shut down defensive pairing up front, and more ‘stabilized’ versions of Hughes and OEL on defense.  
 

Our roster at full health should be some variation of the following:

 

Miller-Pettersson-Boeser

Pearson-Horvat-Hoglander

Garland-Dickinson-Podkolzin

Motte-Highmore-Chiasson

 

Dowing

 

OEL-Myers

Hughes-Hamonic

Rathbone-Poolman

 

Hunt

 

Demko

Halak

 

I am of the belief that the line-up above would be in the top 10 in the following categories:

 

1) Left side D prowess in OEL, Hughes, and Rathbone.

2) Our 3rd pairing defensive pair in any form of Rathbone-[Poolman/Myers/Hamonic]
3) Our two power plays in any form of Hughes, Pettersson, Boeser, Miller, Horvat, OEL, Garland, Hoglander, Podkolzin, and Pearson/Myers

4) Our forwards up front in terms of scoring ability (Pettersson, Boeser, Horvat, Miller, Hoglander, Garland), our ability to shut down (Miller, Pearson, Dickinson, Podkolzin, Garland, Motte, Highmore), and our variety of playing styles (PWF’s, playmakers, snipers, grinders, and two-way players).

5) Goaltending with Demko and Halak - this is contingent on whether Demko can go back to playing like he did in the bubble and/or like he did before both Covid outbreaks occurred in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

 

So long story short - I think the Canucks could *already* be Top 10 in many categories:

 

Here is where I think they are projected to struggle however:

 

1) Penalty Killing. 
2) Their top defensive pairing.  People will disagree, but I don’t think any of Myers, Hamonic, or Poolman should be anywhere near the top pairing.  Poolman is a 3rd pairing guy, while both Myers and Hamonic are #4’s. If we want to maximize the incredible talents of OEL, then a stronger RD will be needed here.

3) The 2nd defensive pairing:  Again, if you want to maximize Quinn Hughes here, then playing him with any of Myers or Poolman could be risky.  Myers isnt strong enough defensively and doesn’t fit stylistically with Hughes (I would even argue that Myers doesn’t fit in well with OEL due to this), while Poolman is a 3rd pairing calibre defenseman.

 

So - all of this points back to my original question:  
 

To what extent are the Canucks in a position to “make a push” in terms of addressing this deficiency on right side D?

 

Most Canucks fans and hockey pundits will likely say that “we aren’t in a position to be moving even more picks and prospects, but I’m not so sure.........and here’s why:

 

Despite all of our bled picks and movement of long term assets to satisfy the short term, the Canucks have still managed to bring in Horvat, Demko, Boeser, Pettersson, Hughes, Hoglander, Podkolzin, and Rathbone into the line-up since 2013.  8 players in 8 years.  8 players that were handed absolutely nothing and earned their roster spots through merit (unlike perhaps many other teams that have an artificially high number of “graduated” prospects in their line-up).   And to the point of what was brought up in my last thread, I admit that both Podkolzin and Rathbone are still unproven......although my defense of that claim is that neither Rathbone or Podkolzin were handed spots.  They flat out earned it.  Klimovich and Dipietro are also legitimate pipeline prospects, while guys like Lockwood and MacEwen are borderline NhL’ers as well.

 

So, what’s my point?  My point is that I am of the belief that the Canucks ARE in fact in a position to move another 1st round pick and some B level prospects if it means bringing in a Top defensive RD that would 

 

1) Further solidify and stabilize a top defensive pairing with Hughes or OEL.

2) Further solidify and stabilize the 2nd defensive pairing with Quinn Hughes or OEL via trickle down effect (ie one of Hamonic or Myers could play on this pairing.  Myers with OEL)

3) Trickle down effect for our 3rd pairing

 

Our defense right now:

 

OEL-Myers

Hughes-Poolman (Hamonic)

Rathbone-Schenn (Poolman)

 

Our defense with an added strong RD

 

Hughes-[TopDefensiveRD]
OEL-Myers (Myers playing in a more suitable #4)

Rathbone-[Hamonic or Poolman].  Poolman in a more suitable 3rd pairing role.

 

Conclusion:

 

Said [Top defensive RD], along with stabilizing our top pairing and 2nd pairing via trickle down effect, would also help significantly improve our penalty killing.  In other words, killing 3 birds/team weaknesses with one stone/trade.  Given the success that the Canucks have had in implementing prospects into their line-up since 2014, I am of the belief that the Canucks can afford to make yet another deal involving their 1st round pick for this top pairing “defensive” RD.

 

Most importantly however, I am of the belief that the addition of a legit top “defensive” RD would not only help us a punch a ticket into the playoffs, but would also make us a significant dark horse in terms of progressing beyond the 2nd round.  We will already likely rank in the top 10 in many categories, while the addition of this RD would effectively kill the few categories where we are slated to rank lowly in.

 

Outstanding post. Good work and lots of thought. A top pairing RHD would cost a lot, IF you could find one available. I'm thinking it may take more than picks and prospects.

[VancouverHabitant]

24 minutes ago, Xol said:

Adding a top player in any position has a trickle down effect. Unfortunately, top defenceman are hard to find when you have no prospects or cap space...

Although we have some decent prospects (don't underestimate the prospects on our main club and MacDonaugh), as you said we don't have the cap space. 

 

Good post OP. I think our best bet is praying for Hamonic to come back. If he doesn't, hopefully we're still in the hunt and a few teams are out of the running and we can squeeze a RHD in close to the deadline. 

[AK_19]

Ideally you pay that kind of price for that quality of player to get over the top in the playoffs. The problem is we paid a substantial amount just to get this team the level of quality it currently is. At this point we don't even have much in terms of assets to trade. We've given up already multiple draft picks in the past two years. This would be fine if our current prospects were making breakthroughs but if there is anything we learned from this training camp, they simply weren't good enough.

 

We've lost over the last couple years in prospects and young players: Madden, Lind, Gadjovich, Gaudette, Virtanen, and Joulevi. Again, this is fine as long as we're filling up the cupboard with new top picks but that wasn't the case either. I know other weren't so high on him but I really wanted Dylan Guenther so it hurt to see Arizona take him with our pick. 

[nux_win]

It's neither true nor untrue, it's always "it depends".  There are no guaranteed ways to build an NHL team, one has to analyze each deal individually and decide each and every time whether or not it is an improvement overall for the club.  Sometimes it's good to hold onto all one's picks and other times, if other teams are going to give away good players in exchange, then there's no point in holding on to them.  The basic strategy is not to acquire picks, the basic strategy is to build a winning team no matter how, and that means being open to either using the picks or trading them depending on the deal.  It always depends on what is being offered in return.  GCG!

[Patel Bure]

1 hour ago, Xol said:

Adding a top player in any position has a trickle down effect. Unfortunately, top defenceman are hard to find when you have no prospects or cap space...

It’s something that I mentioned on the Proposals section of the forum (

 

Manson is a top pairing guy and would definitely fill the void left by Tanev in terms of being that guy to take on tough defensive assignments.

Edited October 13, 2021 by Patel Bure

[wai_lai416]

Lol Rathbone and Podz did not *earn* their way onto the lineup.. theres simply no one else on the canucks thats a better option.. ideally both start the year if not the entire year in the AHL but due to injury and the lack of depth that is not an option. 

 

Also no we are not in the position to trade more picks away. The AHL cupboard is already bare with depth players nor does it look like we have any players to inject into the lineup to replace players that will prolly be gone due to cap casualty.. you can say whatever you want about whatever prospect we have left and hype them up all u want. But in reality canucks right now is prolly in the bottom 3rd of the league in terms of prospect in the farm. It's like when Gillis drafted a few players some of you here were all hyped about it then finally came to the conclusion they were bust many years down the road.

 

We were hyped on madden.. can't even make a rebuilding team.. we were hyped on Lind.. can't even make an expansion team. We were hype on gadj can't even crack this injury filled bottom 6 and now ppl claiming he's not that good etc. Basically all the later picks you guys hyped about have all turned into nothing with the exception of hogz and I expect more or less the same with whatever we got left so we need to refill the farm before running into more depth problem on this team

[Patel Bure]

47 minutes ago, AK_19 said:

Ideally you pay that kind of price for that quality of player to get over the top in the playoffs. The problem is we paid a substantial amount just to get this team the level of quality it currently is. At this point we don't even have much in terms of assets to trade. We've given up already multiple draft picks in the past two years. This would be fine if our current prospects were making breakthroughs but if there is anything we learned from this training camp, they simply weren't good enough.

 

We've lost over the last couple years in prospects and young players: Madden, Lind, Gadjovich, Gaudette, Virtanen, and Joulevi. Again, this is fine as long as we're filling up the cupboard with new top picks but that wasn't the case either. I know other weren't so high on him but I really wanted Dylan Guenther so it hurt to see Arizona take him with our pick. 

In terms of the young players that you mentioned, how many of those are likely sunk costs/dead assets?  Virtanen and Juolevi are obvious choices.  Lind and Madden haven't shown much of anything so far, while Gadjovich and Lind look like they’ll be hard pressed to be anything more than 4th liners, if that.  Gaudette admittedly does look a whole lot better in Chicago as his past stomach-yeast infection appears to be behind him.  The point I’m getting at is that our loss of these young players doesn’t really seem to be that big a deal.

 

As far as “the cupboards” go, here is how I see it:

 

Current:

-Horvat (not young, but youngish)

-Pettersson

-Hughes

-Boeser

-Demko

-Hoglander

-Podkolzin

-Rathbone

-Garland

 

Unlike the 2011 core of the twins, Luongo, etc, most of our current core aren’t even close to being in their prime years.  Even for a guy like Horvat, he probably has about 6-7 more years before we can talk about age-related decline.

 

Pipeline:

 

-Dipietro (our future back-up)

-Klimovich.  While I usually try my best to be objective with regards to projections, Klimovich seems like a sure thing to me.  Lots of raw talent there and once he learns detail, he’ll be an NHL’er for sure.

 

Given the average age of our current core players, and given the fact that we’ve landed a number of gems outside of the 1st round for a number of years now (Demko, Rathbone, Hoglander, Klimovich), I don’t foresee a problem in which we would have difficulty in filling the pipeline, even if we parted ways with our 2022 1st.

[Fred65]

The draft picks given up under normal circumstances would likely make the grade after a couple of years so it'll be in likely 3 years before we feel the pain. 

Edited October 13, 2021 by Fred65

[Patel Bure]

5 minutes ago, wai_lai416 said:

Lol Rathbone and Podz did not *earn* their way onto the lineup.. theres simply no one else on the canucks thats a better option.. ideally both start the year if not the entire year in the AHL but due to injury and the lack of depth that is not an option. 

 

Also no we are not in the position to trade more picks away. The AHL cupboard is already bare with depth players nor does it look like we have any players to inject into the lineup to replace players that will prolly be gone due to cap casualty.. you can say whatever you want about whatever prospect we have left and hype them up all u want. But in reality canucks right now is prolly in the bottom 3rd of the league in terms of prospect in the farm. It's like when Gillis drafted a few players some of you here were all hyped about it then finally came to the conclusion they were bust many years down the road.

 

We were hyped on madden.. can't even make a rebuilding team.. we were hyped on Lind.. can't even make an expansion team. We were hype on gadj can't even crack this injury filled bottom 6 and now ppl claiming he's not that good etc. Basically all the later picks you guys hyped about have all turned into nothing with the exception of hogz and I expect more or less the same with whatever we got left so we need to refill the farm before running into more depth problem on this team

Fair enough, but do you honestly believe that Podkolzin, Rathbone, and Klimovich are comparable to Madden, Lind, and Gadjovich?   
 

While I do recall Madden having a fair amount of hype, both Lind and Gadjovich had tempered expectations from what I remember.  Maybe I’m wrong.

[Patel Bure]

2 minutes ago, Fred65 said:

The draft picks given up under normal circumstances would likely make the grade after a couple of years so it'll be in likely 3 years before we feel the pain. 

Garland is a young asset that we’ll have for five more years.  Perhaps I’ll be wrong, but I think Klimovich will end up being a roster player within the next two years.  
 

Lastly, even if we were to move the 2022 1st rounder, we’d still have 2023, 24, etc. and beyond.  Unlike our 2011 core, guys like Horvat, Demko, Boeser, Pettersson, Hughes, Hoglander, Garland, Podkolzin, and Rathbone aren’t even close to being “past their primes” and so I don’t foresee a situation where we’d “feel the pain” in three years.  

[Fred65]

1 minute ago, Patel Bure said:

Garland is a young asset that we’ll have for five more years.  Perhaps I’ll be wrong, but I think Klimovich will end up being a roster player within the next two years.  
 

Lastly, even if we were to move the 2022 1st rounder, we’d still have 2023, 24, etc. and beyond.  Unlike our 2011 core, guys like Horvat, Demko, Boeser, Pettersson, Hughes, Hoglander, Garland, Podkolzin, and Rathbone aren’t even close to being “past their primes” and so I don’t foresee a situation where we’d “feel the pain” in three years.  

I doubt we can keep them all because frankly 5 of your list will need new contracts and a team just to stay in the Cap absolutley need quality ELC on the roster. That's my read but I will say this the SC is about now

[wai_lai416]

29 minutes ago, Patel Bure said:

Fair enough, but do you honestly believe that Podkolzin, Rathbone, and Klimovich are comparable to Madden, Lind, and Gadjovich?   
 

While I do recall Madden having a fair amount of hype, both Lind and Gadjovich had tempered expectations from what I remember.  Maybe I’m wrong.

Podz is a first rounder so he deserves the hype and prolly will be better than any of those players mentioned. Meanwhile I believe Rathbone and klimovich is overhyped. They showed glimpse here and there. I think Rathbone is simply gonna struggle like hughes defensively while not as good offensively and ppl were suggesting we trades hughes and replace him with Rathbone lol. This team the defense is certainly not setup for more than 1 offensively gifted small defender that have questionable defense. I think Rathbone and his partners are gonna get exposed when playing on the road when other teams have last change. Klkmovich is way too early to tell/overhyped about. 

 

Sure Lind gadj don't have as much hype as the others. But they were always talked about as being part of the future bottom 6 as early as last season. Bottom line is we over hype almost each and every single one of our prospect when we first get them and up until we get rid of them. 

[Elias Pettersson]

We have enough young players on the big club now that we don't have to worry about what is currently in the pipeline.

 

Pettersson, Boeser, Horvat, Garland, Hoglander, Podkolzin, Dickinson, Lammikko, Hughes, Rathbone, Demko.  That's 11 guys that are 26 or younger.  Plus we have 2 pretty decent locks in DiPietro and Klimovich that should crack the lineup in the next year or two.  Woo and Lockwood are close and have a good chance as well I think.  Juulsen is a sleeper.  I think he will make the big club sooner rather than later.  He may even play some games in the NHL this year.

 

However, moving forward we cannot afford to trade away any more draft picks as the cupboard is almost bare after all of the above players.  Benning needs to keep all of his draft choices moving forward.  If holes need to be filled in the next 2-3 years then they must be filled by making a hockey trade or via UFA.  ELC contracts will be important in order to keep this club competitive in the future. 

[Patel Bure]

5 minutes ago, Elias Pettersson said:

We have enough young players on the big club now that we don't have to worry about what is currently in the pipeline.

 

Pettersson, Boeser, Horvat, Garland, Hoglander, Podkolzin, Dickinson, Lammikko, Hughes, Rathbone, Demko.  That's 11 guys that are 26 or younger.  Plus we have 2 pretty decent locks in DiPietro and Klimovich that should crack the lineup in the next year or two.  Woo and Lockwood are close and have a good chance as well I think.  Juulsen is a sleeper.  I think he will make the big club sooner rather than later.  He may even play some games in the NHL this year.

 

However, moving forward we cannot afford to trade away any more draft picks as the cupboard is almost bare after all of the above players.  Benning needs to keep all of his draft choices moving forward.  If holes need to be filled in the next 2-3 years then they must be filled by making a hockey trade or via UFA.  ELC contracts will be important in order to keep this club competitive in the future. 

Great post EP.

 

I agree with you to a large extent.  

 

I'm wondering if the Canucks could, or should.....

 

1) Make a big move to get a top flight defensive RD this season (my suggestion is Anaheim's Josh Manson).

2) Move JT Miller at the end of this season (maybe at the draft) to recoup a 1st while increasing cap space. The expectation would be that Podkolzin can fill the shoes of JT Miller.

3) At some point in the future, Klimovich replaces Boeser if Klimovich pans out. Boeser is then moved to increase cap space and/or recoup a 1st and/or prospects.

4) At some point in the future, Rathbone replaces Quinn Hughes. Hughes is then moved to increase cap space and/or recoup a 1st and/or prospects.  

 

Obviously, guys like Podkolzin, Klimovich, and Rathbone would have to hold their end of the bargain in order to make these things happen, but maybe this would be the long term strategy that we could consider?     

 

2021/2022 season:  Put all chips in and get that top RD. 

2022/2023 season:  Podkolzin with a more prominent role with JT Miller's departure.

2023/2024 season:  Rathbone and/or Klimovich with more prominent roles with Hughes and Boeser's departure.   

 

I don't know how realistic it is too assume that Podkolzin, Rathbone, and Klimovich can effectively replace Miller, Boeser, and Hughes one day while allowing us to increase cap space while ensuring a healthy prospect line, but this would be "the path" that I'd consider looking at long term.

[Elias Pettersson]

7 minutes ago, Patel Bure said:

Great post EP.

 

I agree with you to a large extent.  

 

I'm wondering if the Canucks could, or should.....

 

1) Make a big move to get a top flight defensive RD this season (my suggestion is Anaheim's Josh Manson).

2) Move JT Miller at the end of this season (maybe at the draft) to recoup a 1st while increasing cap space. The expectation would be that Podkolzin can fill the shoes of JT Miller.

3) At some point in the future, Klimovich replaces Boeser if Klimovich pans out. Boeser is then moved to increase cap space and/or recoup a 1st and/or prospects.

4) At some point in the future, Rathbone replaces Quinn Hughes. Hughes is then moved to increase cap space and/or recoup a 1st and/or prospects.  

 

Obviously, guys like Podkolzin, Klimovich, and Rathbone would have to hold their end of the bargain in order to make these things happen, but maybe this would be the long term strategy that we could consider?     

 

2021/2022 season:  Put all chips in and get that top RD. 

2022/2023 season:  Podkolzin with a more prominent role with JT Miller's departure.

2023/2024 season:  Rathbone and/or Klimovich with more prominent roles with Hughes and Boeser's departure.   

 

I don't know how realistic it is too assume that Podkolzin, Rathbone, and Klimovich can effectively replace Miller, Boeser, and Hughes one day while allowing us to increase cap space while ensuring a healthy prospect line, but this would be "the path" that I'd consider looking at long term.

Thanks Patel.  I love your enthusiasm but there is just no way we are going to trade both Boeser and Hughes if we want to stay competitive in the future.  We need to build around those players not trade them.

 

I agree with moving Miller at some point because he is not part of the young core and will be too expensive to keep when he is UFA.  We will need to give BO an 8x8 contract in order to keep him around long term so I don't think there will be any money left for Miller.  Podkolzin will most likely be a top 6 player by then like you said.  So Miller+ could get us the RHD we need.  As for Hughes, I don't see Rathbone as his replacement.  Hughes is a phenom, Rathbone cannot match his edgework and elusiveness.  I would package Rathbone with Miller to get a top 4 RHD.

 

Manson could be had but Anaheim probably wants one of our young guys or a draft pick, so I wouldn't do that trade.  Manson isn't what he used to be.  I don't think he is the answer to our problems on the right side.  

['NucK™]

2 hours ago, wai_lai416 said:

ideally both start the year if not the entire year in the AHL

"Ideally" Podz, a top 10 pick, plays his entire D+2 season in the AHL?? Kinda hard to take your seriously after that comment..

[wai_lai416]

1 minute ago, 'NucK™ said:

"Ideally" Podz, a top 10 pick, plays his entire D+2 season in the AHL?? Kinda hard to take your seriously after that comment..

how many top 10 picks spend D+2 +3 +4 season in the AHL? plenty? lol