Things change from year to year. This is an instance where they shouldn't panic to try and be competitive next year. Take the time to acquire the best players possible whether it's next offseason or the following TDL, or the next next offseason, or next next TDL. Trying to win it all next year to claim Quinn's heart is going to leave us without a hope in hell. We already have a very good defence set for years. Now build the top 6 one brick and trade one first rounder at a time if necessary.
Losing teams should not spend to the cap, it restricts management's flexibility.
Maybe lost on some posters/fans is the cap increase and it's effects on FA.
Every team except for Vancouver and maybe another will not have that increase due to 5.55 mil already spent on the buyouts.
BUT it also allows all the really good teams the ability to make offers for the best FAs to play on contending teams.
Name the best FA available and there is a cup contender that can make a 9+ mill offer now to play on an established winner. They may have to trade away a player they can afford to lose to a team like Vancouver so they have the added cap space but Vancouver cannot say no to ANY offered player because the skill depth is so lacking. They offer up their 3rd line center and he becomes the Canucks second or maybe even first center immediately, then they sign the best FA player(s).
Teams will offer up players that can't meet their teams demands.
Chytl was a marginal 3C on the Rangers, he had skill but also a glass jaw, they were relieved to move him so management didn't have to deal with or feel responsible for a career ending hit. He had skill but too many concussions. That shows the desperation of the Canucks.
This draft, if the team doesn't trade down, might be okay to deal the 1rst due to it;s lack of depth but there isn't a team that is going to help the Canucks for that 1rst unless the Canucks take on a bad contract for an older player.
Build the forward lines through two drafts IMO, less than a year to retool.
I really liked Hughes performance back east, it shows his trade value for a full game, he might be worth multiple 1rsts and players, maybe even beyond Lemieux and Lindros levels of trades. Can't count Gretzky because there was a 25 million dollar payment included in that one.
Showing how he did in the Ranger game added immensely to his trade value. Hopefully it is an eastern team that gets McKenna next year so he is part of a trade package.
One player traded and maybe all this teams lack of drafting solved and no tank needed.
