Speculation: Canucks Off-Season is going to be Fun

[Qwijibo]

They do have all their picks for the upcoming draft, mb they'll offer sheet someone? What C's are avail via offer sheet?

Offer sheets require 2026 picks. Calgary (a divisional rival) owns Vancouver's 2026 3rd round pick. Which means they are severely limited by what sort of offer sheet they can tender

And for the record, Vancouver doesn't have their own 3rd or 4th round picks this year

 

[Captain Mountain]

They do have all their picks for the upcoming draft, mb they'll offer sheet someone? What C's are avail via offer sheet?

They don't have their 3rd, Calgary does. They can only offer contracts in these ranges:

Below $1,511,701
$2,290,458-$4,580,917
$11,452,295 and above

Not sure there's a target for them in those ranges.

The teams who are most unfettered to give offersheets are Anahiem, Boston, Calgary, Chicago, Detroit, LA, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Utah. Then again, St. Louis made moves to make their offersheets last offseason, so who knows.

Feel like LA and Utah are the teams to most keep an eye on for offer-sheets.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Hughes is gone after his contract , just go all in balls deep and rebuild when he bounces

 

[Sting]

It's hard to imagine a scenario where Hughes stays honestly. It's extremely unlikely unless they show a massive improvement year over year. Hughes isn't going to want to spend his prime on a non-playoff team with what appears to be chemistry/internal issues.

I think they'd be smart to ship him off for 3 really good assets and make another run at a rebuild/retool.

 

[kvladimir]

Agreed on Horvat being the ideal target. If NYI decide to re-tool, it makes sense to sell him, since he was acquired to push them as a contender.

Extend Boeser and Suter, if the number is even just ok - something like 4M for Suter, and just under 8M for Boeser with a NTC (I think his anxiety about being moved was an issue before, so if it gets his AAV down, a NTC for him would be fine).

This would leave just over 10M for Horvat, a Raty extension and a Forbort replacement. If they don't send cap back to NYI, the cost to acquire should be fairly minimal (prospect(s) + non-1st round pick(s)). Would be tight, so maybe explore moving Blueger or Hoglander, but theoretically they could look like this next year:

Debrusk-EP40-Boeser
Hog-Horvat-Garland
Joshua-Suter-Sherwood
O'Connor-Raty-Lekk
Chytil (if healthy, could run a Hog-Chytil-Sherwood 3rd line and move Suter to 2LW)

Hughes-Hronek
MP-Myers
EP(D)-Willander/Mancini
League-min Forbort replacement

Demko
Lankinen

^That team, if they don't get decimated by injuries like this year, and EP40 somewhat returns to form, should be very, very good

 

[Qwijibo]

Agreed on Horvat being the ideal target. If NYI decide to re-tool, it makes sense to sell him, since he was acquired to push them as a contender.

Extend Boeser and Suter, if the number is even just ok - something like 4M for Suter, and just under 8M for Boeser with a NTC (I think his anxiety about being moved was an issue before, so if it gets his AAV down, a NTC for him would be fine).

This would leave just over 10M for Horvat, a Raty extension and a Forbort replacement. If they don't send cap back to NYI, the cost to acquire should be fairly minimal (prospect(s) + non-1st round pick(s)). Would be tight, so maybe explore moving Blueger or Hoglander, but theoretically they could look like this next year:

Debrusk-EP40-Boeser
Hog-Horvat-Garland
Joshua-Suter-Sherwood
O'Connor-Raty-Lekk
Chytil (if healthy, could run a Hog-Chytil-Sherwood 3rd line and move Suter to 2LW)

Hughes-Hronek
MP-Myers
EP(D)-Willander/Mancini
League-min Forbort replacement

Demko
Lankinen

^That team, if they don't get decimated by injuries like this year, and EP40 somewhat returns to form, should be very, very good

You think you can aquire Horvat with spare parts? Not a chance. If he's available there will be several teams interested

 

[quackquackquack]

still think they made a terrible decision by not trading Boeser at the deadline. If he walks, they get nothing.

 

[VancouverJagger]

You think you can aquire Horvat with spare parts? Not a chance. If he's available there will be several teams interested

Yeah I agree with targeting Horvat but he's not coming for spare parts also. Probably a roster player, pick or two and a prospect. As mentioned previously something like Garland, Raty or Mynio + a 2nd + 4th might get us there or close to it..........That's a fair value offer type that we could realistically do........

 

[tnnr]

Yes it is a bottom third D in the league. Fixed for you


Quinn hughes = Top 2 offensive Dman in the world who plays little to no actual defense in his own zone
Hronek = Solid defensive dman, but still a middle pairing guy on most if not all playoff teams. He doesnt have a 1 anywhere except on crap teams.
m.petey = bottom pairing dman on most teams
Myers = bottom pairing dman on most teams
DPETEY = who?
Mancini = who?
Willander = who?

LOL what? You just basically told everyone here that you've never watched any of these players. I'm far from optimistic about the canucks but you are just plain flat our wrong and have minimal puck knowledge.

Won't even get into your assessment of Quinn Hughes, he's far away recognized as a top 2 defenceman in the NHL.
Hronek the "solid defensive dman" plays tough matchup minutes and put up 48 points last season, and is playing at a 43 pt pace despite a major injury.

Marcus Pettersson is a solidified #3 dman according to almost every metric out there + eye test confirms it.

Myers at this point of his career is probably suited for a bottom pairing role on a contender but is solid enough to play 2nd pairing minutes and is probably headed there next season when Willander takes over.

Willander is a smooth skating RHD top prospect taken 11th overall in 2023 and is a huge part of BU's excellent team. He projects as a #2/3 in the NHL and is very ready to make the jump.

(D) Elias Pettersson is currently 20 years old and excelling in his minutes in the NHL. The expectations aren't sky high as he's slotted behind Hughes and Marcus Pettersson on the left side, through 21 NHL games this season he has cemented his role on the back-end. His game will only improve from here.

Mancini is a wild card but a tantalizing prospect who hasn't looked out of place in the NHL. 22 year old, 6'3 220lb RHD who can really skate and move the puck. If he can even be a 3rd pair guy, that's a success.

Either you were being facetious or you've actually never watched any of these guys play.

 

[landy]

LOL what? You just basically told everyone here that you've never watched any of these players. I'm far from optimistic about the canucks but you are just plain flat our wrong and have minimal puck knowledge.

Won't even get into your assessment of Quinn Hughes, he's far away recognized as a top 2 defenceman in the NHL.
Hronek the "solid defensive dman" plays tough matchup minutes and put up 48 points last season, and is playing at a 43 pt pace despite a major injury.

Marcus Pettersson is a solidified #3 dman according to almost every metric out there + eye test confirms it.

Myers at this point of his career is probably suited for a bottom pairing role on a contender but is solid enough to play 2nd pairing minutes and is probably headed there next season when Willander takes over.

Willander is a smooth skating RHD top prospect taken 11th overall in 2023 and is a huge part of BU's excellent team. He projects as a #2/3 in the NHL and is very ready to make the jump.

(D) Elias Pettersson is currently 20 years old and excelling in his minutes in the NHL. The expectations aren't sky high as he's slotted behind Hughes and Marcus Pettersson on the left side, through 21 NHL games this season he has cemented his role on the back-end. His game will only improve from here.

Mancini is a wild card but a tantalizing prospect who hasn't looked out of place in the NHL. 22 year old, 6'3 220lb RHD who can really skate and move the puck. If he can even be a 3rd pair guy, that's a success.

Either you were being facetious or you've actually never watched any of these guys play.

By Canucks fans and point watchers, sure. Its been proven here obnoxiously that he plays as little actual defense as possible. Call your buddy Evan in Edmonton and brag about your points.

Hronek is solid, but a middle pairing guy almost everywhere.

Marcus P is a middle pairing guy everywhere, bottom on contenders.

Myers sucks.

Willander hasnt played a game so dont care about him at all yet.

EPnot40 has played 21 games. Too soon to say anything and lol at excelling at his 12 minutes hes playing while doing nothing at the same time.

Mancini has played even less.

Could either of those two turn into something? Sure, but they have shown nothng to prove theyre consistent NHLers yet.

That defense sucks. Bottom 10 in the league.

 

[tnnr]

By Canucks fans and point watchers, sure. Its been proven here obnoxiously that he plays as little actual defense as possible. Call your buddy Evan in Edmonton and brag about your points.

Hronek is solid, but a middle pairing guy almost everywhere.

Marcus P is a middle pairing guy everywhere, bottom on contenders.

Myers sucks.

Willander hasnt played a game so dont care about him at all yet.

EPnot40 has played 21 games. Too soon to say anything and lol at excelling at his 12 minutes hes playing while doing nothing at the same time.

Mancini has played even less.

Could either of those two turn into something? Sure, but they have shown nothng to prove theyre consistent NHLers yet.

That defense sucks. Bottom 10 in the league.

Yeah, won't reply any further. Troll poster with 0 puck knowledge.

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

Hronek = Solid defensive dman, but still a middle pairing guy on most if not all playoff teams. He doesnt have a 1 anywhere except on crap teams.

This statement alone shows you have never watched a single game of Hronek because he'd slot into the top pairing on nearly every playoff team right now. The only exceptions being Colorado, Vegas and maybe Florida.

Now, of course, this assumes chemistry between players works out. Nobody is going to argue Carlo is a better player than Tanev despite how Toronto has them positioned. Likwise, nobody thinks Lyubushkin is a top tier defenseman. Chemistry just works out that way.

Nevertheless, the point stands. You've never bothered to look at how he plays.

 

[Regal]

still think they made a terrible decision by not trading Boeser at the deadline. If he walks, they get nothing.

Rumour is that it was an Aquillini decision because he wanted his playoff scratch (which he won’t get now).

 

[landy]

This statement alone shows you have never watched a single game of Hronek because he'd slot into the top pairing on nearly every playoff team right now. The only exceptions being Colorado, Vegas and maybe Florida.

Now, of course, this assumes chemistry between players works out. Nobody is going to argue Carlo is a better player than Tanev despite how Toronto has them positioned. Likwise, nobody thinks Lyubushkin is a top tier defenseman. Chemistry just works out that way.

Nevertheless, the point stands. You've never bothered to look at how he plays.

He has RD going for hm so can argue he might be on the top pairing for that reason, but still may not be a top 2 dman on that team (lightning as the example). Almost every playoff team is arguable. He benefits from sheltered ES minutes paired with Quinn. At least he PK's so has that going for him.

Almost all playoffs teams, it is arguable at best. Hes a middle pairing guy.

 

[Regal]

Sheltering players for 25 minutes a game sounds exhausting. No wonder Tocchet has no hair

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

He has RD going for hm so can argue he might be on the top pairing for that reason, but still may not be a top 2 dman on that team (lightning as the example). Almost every playoff team is arguable. He benefits from sheltered ES minutes paired with Quinn. At least he PK's so has that going for him.

Almost all playoffs teams, it is arguable at best. Hes a middle pairing guy.

Now we're moving the goalposts, I see. Even with him being a RD, he's still among the second or third best player on almost every playoff team. You cite Tampa whose current first pair RD is Moser. He's 100% pushing him down as despite playing on noticeably worse team, he's still comparable defensively while providing significantly higher offense.

So unless he and Hedman just don't work together, Tampa's absolutely putting them together. Likewise, Dallas is easily slotting Hronek next to Harley over Lyubushkin; Winnipeg and Carolina are pushing down Demelo and Burns, respectively as well.

So right there we have four of the best teams in the NHL all slotting Hronek on their first pair. Will it work out? Perhaps not for the reasons I already said, but that's a chemistry issue not talent.

I can keep going if you like, but suffice it to say, your "almost all playoff teams" assertion is laughably wrong.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Willander for Shane Pinto? Sens C is a strength and
Sanderson-Willander
Chabot-Yakemchuk would set us up nicely for the the future.

Very, very, VERY nervous to move a C. I'd rather re-sign Jensen for a year past this upcoming and then begin looking for something.

 

[Connor McConnor]

Tocchet plays a low event defensively focused system yet they allocate all their assets to the area where his system technically should cover some warts. Idk it’s a very weird team construction

 

[landy]

Now we're moving the goalposts, I see. Even with him being a RD, he's still among the second or third best player on almost every playoff team. You cite Tampa whose current first pair RD is Moser. He's 100% pushing him down as despite playing on noticeably worse team, he's still comparable defensively while providing significantly higher offense.

So unless he and Hedman just don't work together, Tampa's absolutely putting them together. Likewise, Dallas is easily slotting Hronek next to Harley over Lyubushkin; Winnipeg and Carolina are pushing down Demelo and Burns, respectively as well.

So right there we have four of the best teams in the NHL all slotting Hronek on their first pair. Will it work out? Perhaps not for the reasons I already said, but that's a chemistry issue not talent.

I can keep going if you like, but suffice it to say, your "almost all playoff teams" assertion is laughably wrong.

My point with Tampa is that it is Hedman then McDonagh then Hronek depth wise. L/R shuffles them around on a lot of teams, but he is a 3-4 depth guy on almost every contending team. If you want to get into handiness or scenarios if hes there to offset someone who is defensively useless (cough cough) then ok, we can argue he can be put on "line 1".

In Dallas, we are just going to pretend Heiskanen is dead? Its Miro then Harley then anyone else there.

 

[Peter Griffin]

Probably best to just ignore the posts from a troll account created two weeks ago.

 

[Breakers]

No matter how many times you show strong defensive numbers for Hughes this simpleton trolls

Avs fan are obsessed with talking about him.

 

[VancouverJagger]

Yeah, won't reply any further. Troll poster with 0 puck knowledge.

Yeah he read on a forum a few years ago and says "Myers sucks" Funny enough most Nucks fans would have said that as recently as last year but anyone who actually watches our games knows that he's been pretty damn solid. most of this year.

Best to put guys like this who have no knowledge and are just here to troll on ignore.. I tried sparring with him but felt kind of like I was picking on a special kid so stopped.....

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Hronek has been just as good this year

Not offensively.

 

[Regal]

Not offensively.

He’s on pace for 43 points per 82 instead of 48 on a team that’s averaging far fewer goals. He had a crazy productive start last year along with the rest of the team but has settled in since as more of a solid offensive contributor but nothing flashy, and he seems to play his best hockey away from Hughes because he can defer too much to him. He’s being overrated by some, as most contender probably have a better #2, but he’s been a solid 2-3 type for the Canucks so far so I don’t think there’s a lot of concern over how he’ll perform next year.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

If Tocchet leaves for Philly, I expect Manny Malholtra to be the next head coach of the Canucks.