BureBurrito Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Canucks will likely be bargain hunting and depth filling this year (compared to years past with Blunder Benning). The 2022 UFA lineup is pretty lacklustre but some names to watch for as the Canucks re-tool this year and next (along with stockpiling draft picks which they failed to do in 7+ seasons). Here's a look at team needs - Overall bottom 6 depth (3C/4C PKer's in particular) - Top 6/9 forward (speed/size/grit = Canuck hockey as Smyl suggested) - 2 x Top 4 Dmen - Journeyman depth AHL/NHL callup Dman (size/speed) - Possible backup goalie (steady 20+ game goalie; if Halak & Dipietro go at the deadline) Here's some names of interest Maxim Mamin - big tough winger with the Panthers - very young player (Palat light?); likely to resign with Panthers Mason Marchment - gritty top 9 forward (also with the Panthers) but has some hands; like Gadjovich but a better skater? Ryan Donato - JR ties (with his dad playing with the Whalers?) - played well as a scoring forward/PP2 with Kraken so far (AHL callup?) Kevin Lankinen - decent numbers as a backup/1B with a bad Hawks team Nick Paul - the perfect 3C player for Vancouver Max Domi - buy low candidate, ok numbers with CBJ; brings some grit/skill to the top 9 and a permanent winger for Horvat (going back to junior days)? Andre Burakovksy - reliable top 9 forward (always puts up numbers); contract might exceed 5m (puts Canucks out of the running) Ville Husso - decent backup numbers for STL; likely comes in at under a mill contract per year Zach Aston-Reese - JR ties with Pittsburgh - could well serve the bottom 3rd/4th lines well Andrew Copp - big centerman also a great pickup as a 3C or 4C Markus Nutivaara - bottom 6-8 D but carries puck and ties to coach Shaw Troy Stecher - smallish D man but plays a steady 5-6 Dman game; good for the dressing room? Hampus Lindholm - Top 4 Dman with coach Bruce ties Andrew Poturalski - Canes depth centerman Tomas Hertl - would be a fantastic pickup but likely getting a 7m contract (only works if Boeser is offloaded) Juuso Riikola - decent pickup (bottom pairing...JR ties) Ryan Murray - interesting former top draft pick...would be a buy low candidate if he could be a Top 4 Dman Evan Rodrigues - has scoring touch to be a 2/3rd line winger; ties to JR Victor Rask - can pop in a few points in the top 9 Nino Niederreiter - ties to coach Bruce in Minnesota; always produces as a top 9 whichever team he plays for Josh Manson - hulking D-man but only see him here if they deal Poolman/Schenn Cal Clutterbuck - also ties to coach Bruce in Minnesota(?) but plays the prototypical 4th line/PK game Evgeni Malkin - I don't think it's likely perhaps management thinks a show me short term 1-2yr deal is worth it (plagued with injuries; jersey sales)? College UFA Ethen Frank - big game scorer (esp game winners and short handed goals) from Western Michigan U Taylor Ward - son of ex Canuck (Dixon); take a flyer on him for the AHL? Brandon Scanlin - comes from the Brooks hockey league (see Cale Makar); big bodied Dman, point a game player in college 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd. Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Manson and Manin for me. ZAR wouldn’t be a bad pick up either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Heffy Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Manson is my first choice. I like Domi as well if he comes cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks Curse Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Nick Paul Domi Bukarowsky rodgrieques copp all intriguing Fs on the d end not much there to be excited about other than maybe Manson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 I'd happily take any of Paul, Tierney or Sturm for 3C. Particularly if/after we move Miller. All three are excellent fits. Doubt we're targeting any top 4 UFA D (IMO that's a Miller and/or Boeser trade) but I'd happily target a big, mean, PK'ing 3LD. McNabb would be ideal but he might be too costly and/or unavailable (signing to a contender). That's the player type we need though IMO. For RD...will depend on if we manage to move off Hamonic (who's been disappointingly unavailable for assorted reasons this year). If we do, I'd be ok looking at Lyubushkin as a short term fill in there, in Hamonic's spot. We don't likely have cap to go big game hunting for F's either but if Domi was game for a bit of a sweetheart deal to see if he can regain form playing with Horvat... College: Brandon Scanlin (D) Strauss Mann (G), Marc McLaughlin (C) 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBatch Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 Manson i've liked for a long time. Maybe it's the namesake a little. Dad was a top enforcer, but also a two time all-star .... mean. Fun fact he talks in whispers due to a throat punch thanks to Sergio Momesso. Lindholm would also be a solid add. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BureBurrito Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 (edited) Looking at the UFA list there's more than enough decent moneyball contracts and prudent signings to shore up the bottom 6 and maybe one top 6 forward. I think the D will be shored up via trade (only way short term...but this time no let's sign Holm and Clendening....). Vegas and Seattle have a boatload of Dmen and can easily be snagged in a trade. One wonders as well if the Canucks would look to Buffalo and do a Owen Power trade (rumors he wasn't too keen on being picked by Buffalo). I do think until the depth and youth is up to speed, you're looking at the team being a 'fighting for a wild-card' to 'being a wildcard or bottom 8 conference' team over the next 3-5 years if Aqua lets them shore up much needed holes. Benning Edited January 18, 2022 by BureBurrito Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Blight Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 46 minutes ago, aGENT said: I'd happily take any of Paul, Tierney or Sturm for 3C. Particularly if/after we move Miller. All three are excellent fits. Doubt we're targeting any top 4 UFA D (IMO that's a Miller and/or Boeser trade) but I'd happily target a big, mean, PK'ing 3LD. McNabb would be ideal but he might be too costly and/or unavailable (signing to a contender). That's the player type we need though IMO. For RD...will depend on if we manage to move off Hamonic (who's been disappointingly unavailable for assorted reasons this year). If we do, I'd be ok looking at Lyubushkin as a short term fill in there, in Hamonic's spot. We don't likely have cap to go big game hunting for F's either but if Domi was game for a bit of a sweetheart deal to see if he can regain form playing with Horvat... College: Brandon Scanlin (D) Strauss Mann (G), Marc McLaughlin (C) He is making $6M ($5.3M cap) a year now having his 2nd best season on a PPG basis. Unless there is no market for him I just don't see us affording him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 21 minutes ago, Rick Blight said: He is making $6M ($5.3M cap) a year now having his 2nd best season on a PPG basis. Unless there is no market for him I just don't see us affording him. Meh, he's hovering around is normal +/-.5PPG. Far cry from his career season in 18-19 when he was .88PPG. Probably not though, I agree. Hence my comment on not having cap to go big game hunting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bure1010 Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 Unfortunately this team only has 10.1 mil projected cap next year. after boeser contract. And possible halak bonus. This team might have 2-3 mil to resign or replace motte. Highmore. Lamikko. A 7th dman and a backup goalie. unless significant money is moved out. I don’t see anyone good getting a contract in vancouver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanSeanBean Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 If they come cheap, I'd take a flyer on Domi or Murray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VancouverHabitant Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 4 hours ago, BureBurrito said: Canucks will likely be bargain hunting and depth filling this year (compared to years past with Blunder Benning). The 2022 UFA lineup is pretty lacklustre but some names to watch for as the Canucks re-tool this year and next (along with stockpiling draft picks which they failed to do in 7+ seasons). Here's a look at team needs - Overall bottom 6 depth (3C/4C PKer's in particular) - Top 6/9 forward (speed/size/grit = Canuck hockey as Smyl suggested) - 2 x Top 4 Dmen - Journeyman depth AHL/NHL callup Dman (size/speed) - Possible backup goalie (steady 20+ game goalie; if Halak & Dipietro go at the deadline) You named a bunch of guys that would not qualify as "bargain hunting and depth filling". Also you say that we need a top 4 d-man... wait, you said TWO! That's not considered bargain hunting or depth filling. Those are major acquisitions. Same goes for a top 6 guy. Anyways my wish list for this off-season (when it comes to UFAs) would begin and end with a 3rd line center. I really hoped that Jason Dickinson was that piece, but it has been shown that he is a much more effective player on the wing. I'm fine with letting Juho Lammikko develop into a 4th line center. Nick Bjugstad for less then 2 mil/year is someone I would look at (he signed a one year 900k deal with Minny). I actually think that having Brad Shaw work with Tucker Poolman will allow him to keep improving. Our fans have jumped down his throat after 30 games when really our whole team has struggled. He has looked much better under Boudreau and might end up being a good top 4 solution. Otherwise Luke Schenn has proven to be a good partner with Quinn Hughes as well. Ilya Lyubushkin would be my go to target on defense. He's a well built d-man that likes to play physical. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VancouverHabitant Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 1 hour ago, Bure1010 said: Unfortunately this team only has 10.1 mil projected cap next year. after boeser contract. And possible halak bonus. This team might have 2-3 mil to resign or replace motte. Highmore. Lamikko. A 7th dman and a backup goalie. unless significant money is moved out. I don’t see anyone good getting a contract in vancouver 82.5 million cap - 69.7 million leaves us with 12.8 million to sign Boeser, Motte, a backup goalie and three other forwards. Take away 7.5 million for Boeser (worst case scenario if you ask me), give Motte a raise to 2 mil/year, Highmore 1 mil, Lockwood and Lammikko at 750k, and a cheap backup goalie takes us to the cap. If we want to sign someone then we have to find a way to ship out Hamonic. It would be one of the best low-key moves that JR could pull, if he was to find a taker for Hamonic and his 3 mil/year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 (edited) 39 minutes ago, VancouverHabitant said: You named a bunch of guys that would not qualify as "bargain hunting and depth filling". Also you say that we need a top 4 d-man... wait, you said TWO! That's not considered bargain hunting or depth filling. Those are major acquisitions. Same goes for a top 6 guy. Anyways my wish list for this off-season (when it comes to UFAs) would begin and end with a 3rd line center. I really hoped that Jason Dickinson was that piece, but it has been shown that he is a much more effective player on the wing. I'm fine with letting Juho Lammikko develop into a 4th line center. Nick Bjugstad for less then 2 mil/year is someone I would look at (he signed a one year 900k deal with Minny). I actually think that having Brad Shaw work with Tucker Poolman will allow him to keep improving. Our fans have jumped down his throat after 30 games when really our whole team has struggled. He has looked much better under Boudreau and might end up being a good top 4 solution. Otherwise Luke Schenn has proven to be a good partner with Quinn Hughes as well. Ilya Lyubushkin would be my go to target on defense. He's a well built d-man that likes to play physical. IMO, move Miller for Chytil, Schneider ++ and sign a Paul/Teirney/Sturm as 3C. I wouldn't hate Bjustad as 4C at the right price though. I'd love to have a bunch of guys who can play C in the bottom 6. Paul/Tierney/Sturm and Chytil should cost about what we're already paying Miller. Lyubushkin I agree is a good, short term target, but only if we manage to move Hamonic (which I'd be for, just not sure it's possible). Hoglander, Horvat, Boeser Podkolzin, Pettersson, Garland Pearson, Paul/Tierney/Sturm, Chytil Lammiko, Bjustad, Dickinson One or two of Highmore, Jasek, Focht, Lockwood etc as spares. OEL, Myers Hughes, Hamonic/Lyubushkin Rathbone?/UFA?, Poolman Schenn, Burroughs Eventually, Schneider, Woo etc start taking over as Hamonic/Myers expire. Edited January 18, 2022 by aGENT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJockitch Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 Team needs to stop trying to build through UFAs. It was ridiculous going into UFA day last year with one NHL right D and zero prospects to fill the void. Poolman's agent saw us coming and made out like a bandit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 ^ The Dr. is correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BureBurrito Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 11 hours ago, VancouverHabitant said: You named a bunch of guys that would not qualify as "bargain hunting and depth filling". Also you say that we need a top 4 d-man... wait, you said TWO! That's not considered bargain hunting or depth filling. Those are major acquisitions. Same goes for a top 6 guy. Anyways my wish list for this off-season (when it comes to UFAs) would begin and end with a 3rd line center. I really hoped that Jason Dickinson was that piece, but it has been shown that he is a much more effective player on the wing. I'm fine with letting Juho Lammikko develop into a 4th line center. Nick Bjugstad for less then 2 mil/year is someone I would look at (he signed a one year 900k deal with Minny). I actually think that having Brad Shaw work with Tucker Poolman will allow him to keep improving. Our fans have jumped down his throat after 30 games when really our whole team has struggled. He has looked much better under Boudreau and might end up being a good top 4 solution. Otherwise Luke Schenn has proven to be a good partner with Quinn Hughes as well. Ilya Lyubushkin would be my go to target on defense. He's a well built d-man that likes to play physical. The team likely won't be signing big UFA's (they currently have no cap and most of those UFA's are not in the age range they need) but there are some names that stand out that could be a piece as they re-tool. Tucker Poolman is a Benning blunder; a slow not offensively creative d-man. Best as a 5-7th D who cashed out on Benning (who had no idea how to sign players in the offseason). Look to the Blues, Colorado, Vegas, Tampa.... they will need to rehaul the d-core. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BureBurrito Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 15 minutes ago, DrJockitch said: Team needs to stop trying to build through UFAs. It was ridiculous going into UFA day last year with one NHL right D and zero prospects to fill the void. Poolman's agent saw us coming and made out like a bandit. We all know they'll be signing low-mid tier players to fill holes...drafting will take years (but is hopefully starting again under JR that the team failed upon for almost a decade)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 College UFA's I can see. Otherwise UFA's aren't the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 (edited) 52 minutes ago, Ghostsof1915 said: College UFA's I can see. Otherwise UFA's aren't the answer. I agree, college route is good. But still small chances of getting meaningful NHL Genre games out of them. I'm fine with them targeting a C (Paul/Sturm/Tierney... Maybe Bjugstad), particularly if we move Miller. Also wouldn't hate a big, mean, PK'ing 3LD. Neither should be cost prohibitive. UFA's really only get scary when you go big game hunting. And if we do manage to move off Hamonic, Lyubushkin is a good short term solution there that shouldn't cost an arm and leg either. Edited January 18, 2022 by aGENT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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