Canucks News, Rumours, and & Fantasy GM | Let the negotiations through the media begin!

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Last one was over 1,000. Continue here.

Vector's Transaction Tracker, UFA & RFA Projections, & Cap Space Spreadsheet

Click to read more...

 

[VanillaCoke]

Gonna be a great summer, nice ufa crop, competitive team looking to take the next step, solid core, depth, Defense and Goaltending.

Mgmt can see the same things we can, this team was a better tdl (cap flexibility) from being in the SCF.

Can't wait to see what the chef is cooking for the next few weeks/months.

 

[bossram]

Bo is a goal scoring center that gets mistaken as being good defensively because he can win draws and he asked for 8M+ so that’s a big difference compared to Lindholm who is a borderline elite defensive center that puts up less offense, maybe?, who is asking for 7x7?
If they just extend Lindolm and don’t get another top6 guy then yeah that’s not good. I actually don’t mind if their plan is to spend below the cap somehow and then save the picks to add a guy like Buch at the deadline.

Friedman literally said they offered something in the area of $7M x 7. So yes, that is the ballpark price to keep him.

Sure, Lindholm is a better defensive player than Bo (he is in no way "elite" defensively though). But he's also worse offensively, and his production basically entirely depends on whoever his linemates are (vs. Bo who produced despite being given consistently mediocre wingers).

If you re-sign Lindholm, you're pretty much pricing yourself out of any other bonafide top-six addition. There is not that much cap room. They also can't accumulate cap space for a big deadline add because they're in LTIR from Poolman. This is also why I posted a somewhat complex cash-for-AAV Mikheyev/Poolman cap dump with SJ a couple days ago.

 

[arttk]

Friedman literally said they offered something in the area of $7M x 7. So yes, that is the ballpark price to keep him.

Sure, Lindholm is a better defensive player than Bo (he is in no way "elite" defensively though). But he's also worse offensively, and his production basically entirely depends on whoever his linemates are (vs. Bo who produced despite being given consistently mediocre wingers).

If you re-sign Lindholm, you're pretty much pricing yourself out of any other bonafide top-six addition. There is not that much cap room. They also can't accumulate cap space for a big deadline add because they're in LTIR from Poolman. This is also why I posted a somewhat complex cash-for-AAV Mikheyev/Poolman cap dump with SJ a couple days ago.

Bo ended up signing for 7x8.5 so it’s not the right comparison.
I think the role with Lindholm is different too. He would be a more traditional matchup 3C and he would free up miller and Petey offensively. Bo couldn’t offer that, matchup Bo sucks.

I think they are going to get rid of two of Boeser,Garland,Mik and Lindholm would be asked to carry two super cheap wingers, Pod+ another 1M signing or Bains?

I don’t think we will be able to get rid of the Poolman contract. The 2nd rounder required should be used at the TDL instead and teams are willing to take back cap dump at that time vs at the beginning of the season.

 

[Diversification]

Signing Lindholm makes sense if they think they're going to strike out on the big name UFAs this summer. They probably have a good idea of their chances with Reinhardt and Guentzel - Reinhardt through friends and family and Guentzel through Pittsburgh connections.

Lindholm can fill multiple holes: RH faceoff ace, PK1, PP1, top 6 linemate. And 7M is the new 5.5M 2-3 years down the road. I know that it's tempting to try and fix what ailed the team this past playoffs, but it might be better to look at the offseason as a fresh page with fresh approaches possible.

 

[Bgav]

Which one are you? I so seldom follow people that aren't hockey insiders.

Bgav23

 

[StickShift]

I think the rationale to signing Lindholm now is that if they don’t—they’ll be trading another 1st+top tier prospect for another such center in the coming TDLs.

Centers are hard to come by. Wingers will shake free.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

Allan Walsh, Hronek’s agent. Talked about Hronek’s contract situation briefly

To sums it up

A lot of the media reports are made up

 

[oceanchild]

Unless Luke and Jack are coming back, what's the point.

Columbus for Fantilli and Jiricek

 

[MarkusNaslund19]

I think I'll do a deeper dive roster building post at some point, but I wanted to just do a basic outline.

1. I think this team will be built with the long-term in mind. I think a lot of people here are going to tear their hair out as we probably regress a bit next year to the 2nd or 3rd team in the division.

2. I think we will perhaps take a big swing at a Guentzel, Debrusk, or Ehlers, but I think we are going to be cautious about overcommitting to big contracts.

3. The time we are aiming for is two and 3 years ahead when Lekkerimaki and Willander will be contributors on ELC.

So I can see us adding a good forward long-term this off season if we think it contributes to that window, but I don't think the team blows its brains out knowing the UFA market is fairly weak, and that we have two young contributors just around the corner.

With that said, because of Willander, I could actually see the team balking if Hronek is asking for the moon and bringing in a Tanev, Roy, or DeMelo figure. But I strongly suspect that the braintrust are expecting a small step back in the regular season, with the thought that we can still be a dangerous playoff team, and then really swing for the fences in 25-26, and 26-27.

 

[quat]

I would be disappointed if Blueger signs elsewhere and it’s in the low 2s

Teddy has been great.

 

[TruGr1t]

Signing Lindholm makes sense if they think they're going to strike out on the big name UFAs this summer.

 

[theguardianII]

DeBrusk (5) – Miller (8) – Boeser (6.65)
Suter (1.6) – Petterson (11.6) – Lindholm (6.75)
Kostin (2) – Sturm (2) – Garland (4.95)
Hoglander (1.1) – Aman (0.825 – Podkolzin (1)
PDG (0.775)

Hughes (7.85) –DeMelo (5)
Zadorov (4.75) – Liljegren (2.75)
Soucy (3.25) – Myers (2.75)
Juulsen (0.775)

Demko (5)
Silovs (1.25)


OEL (2.34)

SJ

Mikheyev, Canucks 2025 2nd round pick, some of the assets returned in moving Hronek?

Van

Sturm
Kostin

I like the Debrusk thought. I wonder if Bennett might be cost effective enough.
Maybe Dillion instead of Liljegrin as a spot gab until Willander?

The large humans on defence change the way designations should be thought about.
3/4/5/6 really can just become a bunch of 3/4's.
If all but Hughes are over 6'2, 6'3 even better, can skate, hit, and dump a puck out or if like Soucy, Zadorov and Myers make good first passes then the defence could be almost set for years.
The thing is if younger fella's are added they get better with age so improvement with time, for awhile.
Large humans are also easier to trade if necessary.

I hope most posters really look at what happened in the playoffs because that is the real goal or should be.

The more I look over possible trade forwards Necas starts screaming he should be the guy.
Make a trade, retain 50% of Mikheyev and Podkolzin or ?
Pay the kid 7 mil for 4 to 6 years, the savings from Mik and Podkolzin equals 3.75 mil, half the 7 mil for Necas.
A RW. Even add a late pick if needed.

Frost, he would be a Tocchet guy and replacement for Joshua.

The Canucks I think need to sign enough younger players to last through the next couple of OEL buyout years.

The team hasn't re-signed Boeser yet, Miller was done a year early, next year he's a FA. 9 mil? Trade? Or just let go? IMO Trade

 

[quat]

Interesting to watch management put together a pretty solid group, understanding through cap constraints and the age of several of the pickups, it would be difficult to know which players to keep that add to, or will become part of the core / foundational group of players.

I can see the risk in assuming everyone will return with the same level of play, but at the same time, there's the right mix of players in this group that I think they'll be able to improve on. However, it's sure not going to be easy. I liked so many of the players this season, I can see the tendency to want to hang onto them, but you sure have to be careful with that attitude. It is after all, about building a better team.

I'm curious to sit back and see how they make things work this time around. I won't be surprised if the team takes a bit of a step back in the standings, but is equally or more improved in the post season. Well, perhaps that's more of a wish. They've got some pretty good players to work with, but you've got to find some gems to be something special.

 

[arttk]

Columbus for Fantilli and Jiricek

And a 1st of course

 

[Vector]

Allan Walsh, Hronek’s agent. Talked about Hronek’s contract situation briefly

To sums it up

A lot of the media reports are made up

Time Stamp: 19:50

Hronek:
-doesn't want to say too much; has been very careful not to provide any oxygen to speculation
-doesn't like what the salary cap does to player discourse
-for the second half of the season the Canucks market has been obsessed with contracts; 1st Pettersson then Hronek
-all the speculation is fantasy
-when the player is one year away from free agency, the player has tremendous leverage
-Hronek loves Vancouver, the organization, his teammates, great repore and respect for the coaches
-Hronek, his girlfriend, and their dog love the city; is really upfront about how much likes it and wants to stay
-every RFA situation has it's own specific circumstances
-generally a 10% premium on right shot defencemen

Arbitration:
-thinks arbitration is a very fair process; encourages a deal to get done before a hearing
-has several times had players file for arbitration and got a deal done the night before or morning of
-has signed a deal as the arbitrator is walking in the room
-NHL and NHLPA jointly pays the arbitrator
-arbitration is not contentious
-no longer same process as when Tommy Salo's GM made him cry
-arbitration is based on statistics
-looks at the cap when the comparable deals were signed and what their % of the cap
-comparables will have similar games played, TOI, and offensive production
-teams will argue the player is at the bottom while the agent will argue the player is at the top
-GM opinion is no longer relevant; does not testify
-focus on stats since at least 2005
-of 40-45 arbitration filings, only 1 will go to hearing
-with an RFA with 1 year before UFA left, they can only get a 1 year deal

 

[Jerry the great]

Signing Lindholm makes sense if they think they're going to strike out on the big name UFAs this summer. They probably have a good idea of their chances with Reinhardt and Guentzel - Reinhardt through friends and family and Guentzel through Pittsburgh connections.

Lindholm can fill multiple holes: RH faceoff ace, PK1, PP1, top 6 linemate. And 7M is the new 5.5M 2-3 years down the road. I know that it's tempting to try and fix what ailed the team this past playoffs, but it might be better to look at the offseason as a fresh page with fresh approaches possible.

I just don't think it makes sense to paint yourself into a corner cap wise to sign a guy that is a small upgrade on Blueger at ES even if he has some PP utility. Blueger is 1/3 the cost (at most) on a short term deal and is just as good a penalty killer and not much of downgrade defensively (f at all). Id rather have cap flexibility to start the year than sign Lindholm to a retirement contract just because he's the best we could get.

 

[StickShift]

I just don't think it makes sense to paint yourself into a corner cap wise to sign a guy that is a small upgrade on Blueger at ES even if he has some PP utility. Blueger is 1/3 the cost (at most) on a short term deal and is just as good a penalty killer and not much of downgrade defensively (f at all). Id rather have cap flexibility to start the year than sign Lindholm to a retirement contract just because he's the best we could get.

I think they perceive they can get out of those corners by moving Mikheyev, Garland, and/or Boeser.

This management tried to move Garland and Boeser before this past season. They might see their good seasons as the oomph they needed to finally get the trade they want for them?

Again—not saying that’s what I advocate but just trying to put myself in management’s shoes.

 

[oceanchild]

And a 1st of course

That seems a bit rich!

Waddell won’t have time to wait, I am sure promises were made. He wanted EP in Carolina, he will want him Ohio!

 

[oceanchild]

I really cannot understand the rationalizations for bringing back Lindholm at a 7x7 deal. That is absolutely disastrous.

I don't even have much confidence he can keep this somewhat disappointing level of production up for another two seasons, let alone beyond that. For the crowd that thinks we should sacrifice depth to upgrade the top-six, but simultaneously want to bring back a $7M 3C....it makes no sense. The club didn't want to invest this kind of money in Bo Horvat to be a 3C, but want to do it with Lindholm? Why?

It only makes sense if Lindholm becomes their permanent top-six fixture. But again, I don't really think he's going to maintain a high enough level of play to ever justify the contract, perhaps not even in year 1. His level of play is largely just driven by whoever his linemates happen to be, and I think there are many other passenger players out there you can find for a lot cheaper.

Not disagreeing with the point, but they already expected a second significant cap jump next year and with the coyotes moving I could see a third in a row. If they add $10m plus to the cap in the next two years will it be that out of line.

 

[Diversification]

I just don't think it makes sense to paint yourself into a corner cap wise to sign a guy that is a small upgrade on Blueger at ES even if he has some PP utility. Blueger is 1/3 the cost (at most) on a short term deal and is just as good a penalty killer and not much of downgrade defensively (f at all). Id rather have cap flexibility to start the year than sign Lindholm to a retirement contract just because he's the best we could get.

I don't think you're thinking about it in the right way. Bluegar might be 60% of the player that Lindholm is (for argument's sake). And you might think that you can get 3 Bluegars for the cost of 1 Lindholm. But building a playoff caliber NHL team is not about adding up the collective value of the players relative to their cap hits. You need legitimate top 6 forwards and they cost a lot because they are rare. More and more, we're going to see a bi-modal salary distribution in the NHL - the lords and peasants split like we see in the NBA. And at 7M, that's less than the going rate for a top 6 C, especially one with PK, matchup and faceoff utility.

 

[Nuckles]

I'm not big into the idea of throwing a 7 year contract at a guy turning 30 in December, but I can understand the reasoning for locking Lindholm up.

- First and foremost the team's window is right now and possibly for not much longer. They're probably not too concerned about 4+ years from now.
- The flat cap era is over, so ~7M a year won't be as big of a hit later on.
- They may not be able to sign any other top 6 guys in free agency. And even if they do, there's no way of knowing if they're a good fit until they hit the ice.
- It'll be easier and cheaper to acquire a top 6 winger mid-season than a top 6 center.
- It gives them more options in the lineup. (IE. Lindholm/EP40 to wing)
- There's no other right handed centers on the team, and the UFA pool of decent righty centers is...almost non-existent. Next year also isn't great.
- It leaves the door cracked slightly open for a potential EP40 trade in the next 12 months if problems continue into next season.
- Had 10 points in 13 playoff games, 8 of which were even strength. Regular season he struggled, but it was reported he was dealing with an injury. And he was probably getting used to a new environment/linemates/etc.
- The Canucks have no good center prospects, plain and simple. No one to realistically step into the top 9 down the middle in the coming years. (Raty seems to be more of a winger)

 

[sting101]

My only fear with Lindholm if they have done their homework and think the player will be good for 4-5 yrs is that we really only have room for 1 more big contract over the next 3 yrs without axing one of our big pieces and we still need speed and play driving. Would suck to be one of the better teams in the Conference but have no way to get an addition that has impact up front while Boeser Miller and Lindholm are slowing.

I think some of you have nailed the difference between Bo and Elias though. Lindholm is a Selke level C. Bo and running 3 C's never worked because Miller still needed more commitment to defense Pettersson was our most skilled and the guy you would typically want in offensive situations vs match ups and Bo was too busy playing for a contract flying the zone and quite frankly was only good defensively because he tried hard and was a tank not due to acumen and reaction times.

Tough call for sure. If he goes into Ekman Larsson Eriksson mode we will be devastated.

I still like the idea of trading his rights for Debrusks rights. 2 yrs younger and probably 1.5-2 million less. My Bruins buddies think he has some breakout potential and could be that PP entry bumper player

 

[I am toxic]

I'm not big into the idea of throwing a 7 year contract at a guy turning 30 in December, but I can understand the reasoning for locking Lindholm up.

- First and foremost the team's window is right now and possibly for not much longer. They're probably not too concerned about 4+ years from now.
- The flat cap era is over, so ~7M a year won't be as big of a hit later on.
- They may not be able to sign any other top 6 guys in free agency. And even if they do, there's no way of knowing if they're a good fit until they hit the ice.
- It'll be easier and cheaper to acquire a top 6 winger mid-season than a top 6 center.
- It gives them more options in the lineup. (IE. Lindholm/EP40 to wing)
- There's no other right handed centers on the team, and the UFA pool of decent righty centers is...almost non-existent. Next year also isn't great.
- It leaves the door cracked slightly open for a potential EP40 trade in the next 12 months if problems continue into next season.
- Had 10 points in 13 playoff games, 8 of which were even strength. Regular season he struggled, but it was reported he was dealing with an injury. And he was probably getting used to a new environment/linemates/etc.
- The Canucks have no good center prospects, plain and simple. No one to realistically step into the top 9 down the middle in the coming years. (Raty seems to be more of a winger)

Conversely, Jannik Hansen spoke about this at length today on 650.

If I understood him correctly, he suggested the amounts tied up at the C position would prevent the team addressing the pressing need of finding an actual wingervthat can play with Petey. Not sure the rising cap is going to help much, other teams will benefit from it and really it just drives up prices of the Zadarov's and Joshua's. Along with the OEL penalty the Canucks are in rough for two of the next three seasons.

He also discussed how having the three strong centers essentially wastes cap, as they can't all receive optimal ice-time , and the 4c is largely wasted on the bench.

Re Petey, I can't describe how immensely frustrating it is to play with (effectively) plugs against top opposition. Every time you step on the ice, it feels like you are short-handed even though it is 5v5. It takes a massive mental toll and I don't believe people fully appreciate it. The team needs to step up and give him talent to play with. Period and end of story.

 

[valkynax]

Conversely, Jannik Hansen spoke about this at length today on 650.

If I understood him correctly, he suggested the amounts tied up at the C position would prevent the team addressing the pressing need of finding an actual wingervthat can play with Petey. Not sure the rising cap is going to help much, other teams will benefit from it and really it just drives up prices of the Zadarov's and Joshua's. Along with the OEL penalty the Canucks are in rough for two of the next three seasons.

He also discussed how having the three strong centers essentially wastes cap, as they can't all receive optimal ice-time , and the 4c is largely wasted on the bench.

Re Petey, I can't describe how immensely frustrating it is to play with (effectively) plugs against top opposition. Every time you step on the ice, it feels like you are short-handed even though it is 5v5. It takes a massive mental toll and I don't believe people fully appreciate it. The team needs to step up and give him talent to play with. Period and end of story.

Pete has his own problems for sure, but I can't imagine what if anything you can do when your linemate has the finishing hands of a quad amputee.

Heck, even a quad amputee would've been able to scored a goal with his face.

 

[Vector]

Hurricanes:
-outside shot that the Canucks would get Necas
-has been told the Hurricanes want good draft picks
-Necas looking for 7y/7.5m
-no team has done better at finding a quantity of picks than the Hurricanes
-Pesce is out the door; have not made any offers
-like Chatfield's footspeed, size, and ability to handle the forecheck
-thinks they were talking to Chatfield about a 3y/2.75m-3m deal but that was 4 months ago
-probably trying to get their affairs in order before signing Chatfield
-wouldn't be shocked if the Blue Jackets went after Necas
-calls Pesce a flawless skater, incredibly intelligent, rarely ever in trouble but is looking for 5m-6m and with limited offensive skillset the Hurricanes aren't interested
-have already paid for the best years of Pesce

Hronek:
-trade market is down on him because of the perceived contract ask
-Canucks don't seem nearly as down on the player as the market
-need to find a replacement for Hronek if they trade him
-plays the hardest position to replace
-his number starts with an 8, probably 8 flat
-has never had anyone tell him that his cap hit must be under Hughes
-doesn't think the reported 6.5m offer from the Canucks earlier in the season was accurate

Joshua:
-not easy to replace him but doable

Pettersson:
-isn't sure how authentic the trade rumours around him to the Hurricanes was
-story and narrative is that they told Pettersson sign a contract in the next 5 days or we're trading you

Boeser:
-don't have a line of sight on what the Canucks are thinking about his future

Garland:
-doesn't know, trade value-wise, if you can get fair value back for him

Misc:
-thinks because so many players had a career year, management is more likely to rework the roster this off-season than keep everyone