Canucks & NHL News, Rumours, and & Fantasy GM | Playing out the stretch.

With the season almost done, what do we think of the Canucks’ work in Free Agency last year?

Excellent:
Kiefer Sherwood
Kevin Lankinen

I categorize these two as excellent as both well exceeded the expectations that came with their contracts. Sherwood looks like a guy who could conceivably play in the top six, and has provided roughly 20-goal, 40-point production while being the NHL hits leader for a steal of $1.5m. Lankinen was one of the best bargain bin acquisitions of the summer, even if some of the shine has come off in the last few weeks. The Canucks’ season could have been sunk a lot sooner than it was if not for his efforts at league minimum.

Good:
Jake DeBrusk
Derek Forbort

Both these players came in and gave us exactly what they were advertised to do. DeBrusk has provided top six production, granted in streaks, while Forbort has been one of the best penalty killers in the league. The only reason I don’t have these guys higher is to at I would say they each met the expectations of their deal rather than exceeding them. Obviously we hoped DeBrusk could be a bit more consistent, but he still provides fair value for his contract. Forbort I only have down in this category because he had a very tough start to the season, though a lot of that was for understandable reasons.

Mediocre:
Danton Heinen

I didn’t have as much against Heinen as some did. He wasn’t a liability, he chipped in offensively here and there, and he was a decent defensive player. But he was very vanilla, and it’s tough to argue he wasn’t massively improved upon by replacing him with O’Connor. For a guy we hoped could be another Pius Suter for us, it just didn’t work out.

Poor:
Vincent Desharnais
Daniel Sprong

I have these guys here for two different reasons. Sprong is here largely as a head scratching “why did we bother” moment. It seemed clear before he even came here that he and Tocchet wouldn’t be a fit, and then we cut him loose after only 9 games. With all the injuries to our key guys, we could have used someone with his offensive ability beyond that.

Desharnais just didn’t work out at all. For such a big man, he played with very little snarl, and frequently got burned with speed and exposed in his own end. The Canucks were hoping for a poor man’s Zadorov with him (as was I), and it just didn’t happen.
 


Canucks’ Playoff Chances
  • Canucks and Flames are really far back on the tie breakers with the Blues and the Wild; can’t just tie these teams in points but need to beat them
Tocchet
  • Thinks the Canucks have made Tocchet a contract offer and he he didn’t accept it
  • Believes there is a bigger conversation than does Tocchet want to stay
  • One conversation is about “where are we going”, “what do we agree about on our roster”, “what do we disagree about on our roster”, and “what’s our process from here on in”
  • Second conversation is about his option; can’t see the Canucks forcing Tocchet to coach under the team option
  • Extending Tocchet will cost more than they’ve been willing to pay a coach in quite some time
  • Doesn’t know when they will sit down and discuss extension talks because, even though the odds are against them, Tocchet doesn’t want to talk about it while there is still a chance
 
This was a Be A GM simulated season and you can’t tell me otherwise
I mean this became obvious when Rantanen got traded twice, with one return being Stankoven and two late 1sts in distant years. Why would a contender like Carolina want late 1sts and then not subsequently deal them while they are in the middle of their contention window?
 


Canucks’ Playoff Chances
  • Canucks and Flames are really far back on the tie breakers with the Blues and the Wild; can’t just tie these teams in points but need to beat them
Tocchet
  • Thinks the Canucks have made Tocchet a contract offer and he he didn’t accept it
  • Believes there is a bigger conversation than does Tocchet want to stay
  • One conversation is about “where are we going”, “what do we agree about on our roster”, “what do we disagree about on our roster”, and “what’s our process from here on in”
  • Second conversation is about his option; can’t see the Canucks forcing Tocchet to coach under the team option
  • Extending Tocchet will cost more than they’ve been willing to pay a coach in quite some time
  • Doesn’t know when they will sit down and discuss extension talks because, even though the odds are against them, Tocchet doesn’t want to talk about it while there is still a chance


Aquilini, much like any other employer is probably going to cut costs over the next few years to withstand the economic impact of the looming recession and weakening Canadian dollar. He's probably going to have major reservations paying top dollars for a coach. Tocchet probably wants to go back East anyways. Philly would be a decent bet.
 
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Canucks’ Playoff Chances
  • Canucks and Flames are really far back on the tie breakers with the Blues and the Wild; can’t just tie these teams in points but need to beat them
Tocchet
  • Thinks the Canucks have made Tocchet a contract offer and he he didn’t accept it
  • Believes there is a bigger conversation than does Tocchet want to stay
  • One conversation is about “where are we going”, “what do we agree about on our roster”, “what do we disagree about on our roster”, and “what’s our process from here on in”
  • Second conversation is about his option; can’t see the Canucks forcing Tocchet to coach under the team option
  • Extending Tocchet will cost more than they’ve been willing to pay a coach in quite some time
  • Doesn’t know when they will sit down and discuss extension talks because, even though the odds are against them, Tocchet doesn’t want to talk about it while there is still a chance


The conversations about rosters and agreements and disagreements are of particular interest to me, here. I don't think Allvin's targets have always jived with the types of guys Tocchet would covet.
 
FYI for those that care, I updated my spreadsheet with roster and cap info for the off-season.

Edit: Well, tables are completely f***ed. Let me do this manually.

1) Columbus Blue Jackets - 43.89 - 14/23
2) San Jose Sharks - 42.03 - 17/23
3) Anaheim Ducks - 39.55 - 15/23
4) Caglary Flames - 37.14 - 14/23
5) Winnipeg Jets - 37.13 - 15/23
6) Carolina Hurricanes - 37.09 - 15/23
7) Chicago Blackhawks - 36.63 - 15/23
8) New York Islanders - 29.67 - 13/23
9) Boston Bruins - 27.08 - 13/23
10) Philadelphia Flyers - 26.62 - 17/23
11) Pittsburgh Penguins - 26.34 - 16/23
12) Los Angeles Kings - 26.06 - 17/23
13) Toronto Maple Leafs 25.18 - 18/23
14) Buffalo Sabres - 23.21 - 16/23
15) Detroit Red Wings - 22.34 - 17/23
16) Seattle Kraken - 21.75 - 14/23
17) Utah Hockey Club - 21.16 - 20/23
18) Minnesota Wild - 20.73 - 17/23
19) Nashville Predators - 19.14 - 19/23
20) Florida Panthers - 19.00 - 16/23
21) Ottawa Senators - 16.89 - 15/23
22) Vancouver Canucks - 15.93 - 18/23
23) New Jersey Devils - 14.81 - 17/23
24) Edmonton Oilers - 14.71 - 17/23
25) Washington Capitals - 14.1 - 17/23
26) Montreal Canadiens - 12.29 - 15/23
27) New York Rangers - 12.34 - 15/23
28) Vegas Golden Knights - 10.49 - 17/23
29) St. Louis Blues - 9.01 - 20/23
30) Tampa Bay Lightning - 7.95- 17/23
31) Colorado Avalanche - 7.92 - 18/23
32) Dallas Stars - 6.24 - 15/23
 
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Just stop, Friedman reported we didn’t get offers, teams don’t want to pay a 1st for Brock and it’s pretty f***ing obvious why they wouldn’t.
@arttk I’m sorry, but I need to respond to this.

I find it absolutely wild that people actually believe that Brock could not get a first, or Suter could not get a second rounder when the market was as open as it was.

When you see guys like Beauvillier, get good draft picks, you know that any sort of “leaking” or just statements about value are completely false.

Not to mention retaining 50% of Brock’s contract as well, you’re telling me that no one was interested?

And especially Suter who can literally play every position, and has scored at a great pace this year?

I call bullshit.

There already is an established history of ownership getting involved to make the playoffs, not to mention Rick has stated multiple times that ownership refuses to do a rebuild, and even this year, Rick said they were planning to keep Brock passed the deadline to use as a rental, why do you think that is?

Everybody knew we had a tough to make the playoffs, and everybody knows the chances of us winning The Stanley Cup is nonexistent this season, that’s just being realistic.

My assumption on what happened is ownership said listen we’re not gonna trade him directly for a first, unless you can flip him for a player immediately, or we are just keeping him and hope we make it.

So the market they were shopping and was completely different, because ownership had no interest in taking that draft pick, and using it as draft capital for trades in the off-season.

That’s my thought process, especially with all the injuries.

And I’m all up for a discussion, as long as it’s respectful
 
Aquilini, much like any other employer is probably going to cut costs over the next few years to withstand the economic impact of the looming recession and weakening Canadian dollar. He's probably going to have major reservations paying top dollars for a coach. Tocchet probably wants to go back East anyways. Philly would be a decent bet.
This is a good post, that being said, we had a lame duck coach before with Bruce, would they actually roll it back with Rick?

Especially since they have a team option?
It would save money, and it’s in the contract, so Rick can’t exactly complain.

Obviously, if they have another slow start, it would be a shit storm, at the end of the day. I think you have to go to Quinn Hughes and asks him exactly what he wants.

If he wants Rick to stay, open your wallet and keep him as long as possible
 
@arttk I’m sorry, but I need to respond to this.

I find it absolutely wild that people actually believe that Brock could not get a first, or Suter could not get a second rounder when the market was as open as it was.

When you see guys like Beauvillier, get good draft picks, you know that any sort of “leaking” or just statements about value are completely false.

Not to mention retaining 50% of Brock’s contract as well, you’re telling me that no one was interested?

And especially Suter who can literally play every position, and has scored at a great pace this year?

I call bullshit.

There already is an established history of ownership getting involved to make the playoffs, not to mention Rick has stated multiple times that ownership refuses to do a rebuild, and even this year, Rick said they were planning to keep Brock passed the deadline to use as a rental, why do you think that is?

Everybody knew we had a tough to make the playoffs, and everybody knows the chances of us winning The Stanley Cup is nonexistent this season, that’s just being realistic.

My assumption on what happened is ownership said listen we’re not gonna trade him directly for a first, unless you can flip him for a player immediately, or we are just keeping him and hope we make it.

So the market they were shopping and was completely different, because ownership had no interest in taking that draft pick, and using it as draft capital for trades in the off-season.

That’s my thought process, especially with all the injuries.

And I’m all up for a discussion, as long as it’s respectful
Yup, I don’t believe it for a second.

Suter and Boeser would have garnered several picks and prospects. Team simply decided they didn’t want to deal them in an attempt to make the playoffs.

Did we expect them to come out and say that? And lose face? Of course not.
 
Agreed, getting that 1st pick in the 3rd round will be very nice.
Especially since we’re mostly looking in the Winger market, most of the centres will probably be gone, and everybody looks for defence man.

It’s gonna be nice kind of being in the forward market for once
 
Yup, I don’t believe it for a second.

Suter and Boeser would have garnered several picks and prospects. Team simply decided they didn’t want to deal them in an attempt to make the playoffs.

Did we expect them to come out and say that? And lose face? Of course not.
Exactly, and they shouldn’t have honestly, but at the same time, our general manager also shot himself in the foot talking down about Brock, ironically, the PR angle never worked either.

At the end of the day, what happened happened, but it’s a missed opportunity.

Is it gonna drastically affect our off-season, probably not, but have an extra first and second rounder could make a difference if you’re trying to get an Impact forward in a trade.
 
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I mean this became obvious when Rantanen got traded twice, with one return being Stankoven and two late 1sts in distant years. Why would a contender like Carolina want late 1sts and then not subsequently deal them while they are in the middle of their contention window?
Exactly, Carolina just gets it, they are going to use the extra draft picks, and swing deals with teams and improve the roster, the final part of the deal won’t really be realized until the off season.

The one thing is, this draft is apparently weak, it will affect things
 
Exactly, Carolina just gets it, they are going to use the extra draft picks, and swing deals with teams and improve the roster, the final part of the deal won’t really be realized until the off season.

The one thing is, this draft is apparently weak, it will affect things

I don't think they do. Pretty long history of just turning those draft picks into more draft picks later in the draft.
 


Canucks’ Playoff Chances
  • Canucks and Flames are really far back on the tie breakers with the Blues and the Wild; can’t just tie these teams in points but need to beat them
Tocchet
  • Thinks the Canucks have made Tocchet a contract offer and he he didn’t accept it
  • Believes there is a bigger conversation than does Tocchet want to stay
  • One conversation is about “where are we going”, “what do we agree about on our roster”, “what do we disagree about on our roster”, and “what’s our process from here on in”
  • Second conversation is about his option; can’t see the Canucks forcing Tocchet to coach under the team option
  • Extending Tocchet will cost more than they’ve been willing to pay a coach in quite some time
  • Doesn’t know when they will sit down and discuss extension talks because, even though the odds are against them, Tocchet doesn’t want to talk about it while there is still a chance

Thanks for posting,

The Rick discussion is interesting because I think the dynamic of it, is mostly not about what Rick wants to do, because the Canucks do have an option to keep him, but Quinn Hughes wants to do.

Everything this season is going to be up to Quinn, Hughes, and next season honestly.

You have one job, make him as happy as possible, get him to sign an extension.

Everything else will be a complete failure, and if he decides to leave us, you absolutely have to trade him, which would be one of the most painful days in Canucks history, does not matter what comes back.
 
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I don't think they do. Pretty long history of just turning those draft picks into more draft picks later in the draft.
You know what, in usual years I agree with you, I feel they have more pressure recently
 
Thanks for posting,

The Rick discussion is interesting because I think the dynamic of it, is mostly not about what Rick wants to do, because the Canucks do have an option to keep him, but Quinn Hughes wants to do.

Everything this season is going to be up to Quinn, Hughes, and next season honestly.

You have one job, make him as happy as possible, get him to sign an extension.

Everything else will be a complete failure, and if he decides to leave us, you absolutely have to trade him, which would be one of the most painful days in Canucks history, does not matter what comes back.

 
The only pressure they have is from their owner and nothing else. Given how heavily involved he is, unless he's shown he has changed his modus operandi, we should expect the exact same result as always.
Do you think Carolina is content with just making the playoffs and winning a round every year?

They won’t admit it, but that’s a lot of playoff revenue.
 

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