Get your vote in - Canucks Somewhat Realistic #2 Center Options

[wetcoast]

Mika Zibinejad. Although there are rumors that he refused to waive his clause.

He is cooked, I want no part of him here.

Guy has dropped 10 points 2 seasons in a row and doesn't have a 200 foot game.

The Rangers also don't really need him with their 1-2 center punch, why would we trade to solve their problem anyways?

That and being 32 with a 8.5 contract, no thanks.

 

[wetcoast]

We really should have done what it takes to get Cozens after xmas when it was becoming obvious a divorce was happening and not bothering with Josh Norris.

Hronek Chytil +/- for Cozens Byram +/- would have been a great move for us long term

Sure but the Canucks probably would have needed to add there and either way that ship has sailed.

Not trading brock to the Canes for their first rounder was also really dumb if it was there.

Could have used the NYR 1st for Carlo or Pulock to fill the RD hole instead of the LD

Cozens 23 for Chytil 25 at 2C
Byram 23 for MPet 29 at LD2
Pulock 30 for Hronek 28 at RD1

Having Byram would have been a nice contingency also if Hughes decides to bolt given his PP abilities.
1-2 locked up a C with a 24yr old and a 26yr old about to hit prime years with Hughes etc would have been ideal

Agree with some of the stuff here but I'm not sure if Cozens is going to be that type of center and it's a moot point.

 

[rypper]

OEL wasn’t a fit here, then moved on to becoming a Stanley Cup Champion and is contending for his next one.

Zibenajad doesn’t need to rediscover his game, he still put up good production last season and is one season removed from having an excellent playoff performance. 8 million won’t buy you a PPG player RH center in this upcoming free agency, Zibanejad can produce at that rate.

I also don’t give af about what Rangers fans say, every fan is rabid and emotional, that doesn’t lead to good analysis or decisions.

I don't think you actually read my post at all. Anyway, watching him float around at 4 nations was enough to turn me off.

 

[VancouverJagger]

Some guys I'd target

Zibenajad - lower acquisition cost won't have to give up one of our 3 prized rookies (Lekk, DP or Willander) and should be serviceable as a 2c for the next 3 years. Proven 2 way player and at minimum a 2C you are counting on having a bit of a rebound by escaping the Big Apple.

Kulich - young guy who can grow with our team for the next several years. Decent ceiling with Speed down the middle and defensive responsibility. Gonna cost you Willander most likely thou

Norris - big gamble but best friends with Hughes and all round upside make it worth it. Probably cost us a premium asset though like Willander unless we find a third team to involve and trade our first and other assets to

Mittelstadt - this won't be popular here but he's the type of player we need to be targeting hoping they can find their game. His tag isn't too bad and the cost to acquire should be somewhat feasible and not cost you a premium assett.

Horvat - he's probably my favorite target as he largely fits what we need for this role. Some skill and great on face offs. Cost to acquire is gonna be expensive (Willander, Krud, and a 1st might do it) but he would be a nice plug and play option and a very known quantity.

Outside of that Rossi is a bit small and can't see him being a target, McTavish I don't see being available and if he is he costs a fortune. We kinda gotta target a guy that has lost a bit of shine and hope with a new opportunity they bounce back. We don't really have the assets to be big game hunting here.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Thank God Zibanejad doesn’t want to come here anyway.

 

[ephmrl]

if they get either Sillinger or Kulich i’d be ecstatic

 

[Attack Vector]

I don't think you actually read my post at all. Anyway, watching him float around at 4 nations was enough to turn me off.

I did but the only semi interesting thing it said was the OEL comparison.

 

[Jyrki]

Some guys I'd target

Zibenajad - lower acquisition cost won't have to give up one of our 3 prized rookies (Lekk, DP or Willander) and should be serviceable as a 2c for the next 3 years. Proven 2 way player and at minimum a 2C you are counting on having a bit of a rebound by escaping the Big Apple.

Kulich - young guy who can grow with our team for the next several years. Decent ceiling with Speed down the middle and defensive responsibility. Gonna cost you Willander most likely thou

Norris - big gamble but best friends with Hughes and all round upside make it worth it. Probably cost us a premium asset though like Willander unless we find a third team to involve and trade our first and other assets to

Mittelstadt - this won't be popular here but he's the type of player we need to be targeting hoping they can find their game. His tag isn't too bad and the cost to acquire should be somewhat feasible and not cost you a premium assett.

Horvat - he's probably my favorite target as he largely fits what we need for this role. Some skill and great on face offs. Cost to acquire is gonna be expensive (Willander, Krud, and a 1st might do it) but he would be a nice plug and play option and a very known quantity.

Outside of that Rossi is a bit small and can't see him being a target, McTavish I don't see being available and if he is he costs a fortune. We kinda gotta target a guy that has lost a bit of shine and hope with a new opportunity they bounce back. We don't really have the assets to be big game hunting here.

Good list. I think when you consider cost and willingness of teams to move any of these players, I think the choices would ultimately get narrowed down to either Zibanejad (Rags looking to shake things up after a disappointing season by moving aging center who slumped) or Sillinger (lost in the mix in Columbus but unsure if he can actually be a 60+ points player in a full season).

Imo moving Wiliander would be a big mistake. It's not a sure thing that we actually have a logjam because the blueline we have right now only played together roughly 1/4 of a season, with Mancini/EP2 still being very raw and Wiliander possibly showing them up in training camp. Until they prove themselves everyday NHLers without injuries or trades of players above them in the depth chart I wouldn't pencil them into the lineup. While Myers and Forbort had nice resurgences this season, there's a real chance either or both also regress given their age and the rookies end up really needing to take their minutes.

 

[bossram]

Ah the old ‘skating is deteriorated’ argument when you want to want to make up bullshit about a player. The difference now is you can actually verify this, and he’s 90th percentile in skating bursts last season.

He had a down season by his standards and that’s why might actually be available and acquired at a reasonable cost. Looking at his past work, it’s more likely last season was a anamoly rather than the norm.

There's skating fast in straight lines and actually using your skating to be useful. Zib doesn't. He's weak on his skates and can't make plays at speed anymore. His battle level is awful. His age is already a concern on its own and his play this season is even more worrisome.

The one making up BS is you. You clearly have not watched this player one iota. You're a HockeyDB scout.

 

[Burke's Evil Spirit]

I really wonder what it would take for Nashville to listen to offers on Marchessault. It can't be much.

I'd look at Ryan McLeod in Buffalo (who is arbitration eligible) and Luca Del Bel Belluz in Columbus (who may be squeezed out).

if they get either Sillinger or Kulich i’d be ecstatic

I don't see why either of these players would get moved.

 

[Burke's Evil Spirit]

I wouldn't take Zibanejad at 50% retained.

I don't think a bounce back is impossible, but it's such a huge risk.

 

[VancouverJagger]

Good list. I think when you consider cost and willingness of teams to move any of these players, I think the choices would ultimately get narrowed down to either Zibanejad (Rags looking to shake things up after a disappointing season by moving aging center who slumped) or Sillinger (lost in the mix in Columbus but unsure if he can actually be a 60+ points player in a full season).

Imo moving Wiliander would be a big mistake. It's not a sure thing that we actually have a logjam because the blueline we have right now only played together roughly 1/4 of a season, with Mancini/EP2 still being very raw and Wiliander possibly showing them up in training camp. Until they prove themselves everyday NHLers without injuries or trades of players above them in the depth chart I wouldn't pencil them into the lineup. While Myers and Forbort had nice resurgences this season, there's a real chance either or both also regress given their age and the rookies end up really needing to take their minutes.

Good point on Sillinger........he's another potential target like you said though I'm just unsure if he has second line upside. If he could be had for anything outside a premium asset he's another one to add to the list. Colombus is in need of a defensive rhd and the ask might be Willander in which case I balk.

I might also add Mcann to the list.........the ask might not be a premium asset either in which case I look long and hard at that.

Agree completely on Willander - the only guy on my list I might consider him for would be Kulich who has pretty solid potential imo. I would move heaven and earth though to try to avoid moving anyone of our premium rookies (Lekk, Willander or DP) I'd even prefer doing a couple of firsts over that. Willander is probably the last guy we should be moving and only for a real premium younger asset.

I see a lot of guys saying no to Zib and I don't blame them - that's kind of the position we are in though - having to take a risk on a guy that we are praying a change of scenery revitalizes them. We have limited assets to play with. If we can somehow get a top 2 C and upgrade the rest of our top 6 using our draft pics and anyone outside of the 3 top 3 rookies above that's a massive win. I'm also very hesitant to trade Demko - he's such a weapon for us when healthy.

At this point I'm even willing to take a flyer on Kuzmenko (2 years x 3.75 mill?) I have a feeling Garland is gonna be used here he's one of the few guys i see that we could actually move that have value.

Whatever happens gonna be a very interesting offseason.

 

[tantalum]

I think they try to re-sign Suter and also look to sign Nelson.

Also, there is no log jam on the blueline. And if there is, it isn't the younger and likely better player (in short order) that you move.

 

[sting101]

If your signing Suter it's to be in concert with Chytil as your 2/3Cs. You wont be adding Nelson or the other top free agents Duchene Tavares Granlund Bennett on top of that

Boeser and Suter not being signed is about more than just agreeing to contracts it's about flexibility to bring in a big contract at C. If that happens you can kiss Suter good bye as the most obvious and then it's trying to find a way to meet Boesers demands or pivot to a cheaper player who can still produce 20-30 goals which is easier to find than a top6C that is in prime years

Jared McCann was rumoured to be on the block in Seattle last year.

* With the emergence of Shane Wright as a top2/3C the Stephenson signing and having Beniers down the middle it makes a lot of sense for Seattle to capitalize on his peak seasons and sell before he gets to UFA.
* Also has diminishing value if pushed exclusively to wing and might be unhappy there as well.
* He's probably the only remaining player with 1st round pick asset value remaining of the older veteran group they would be willing to part with as Larsson just re signed.
* JR traded for him previously and wasn't with PITT when they traded him to TOR


Bring Beth's boy back home

 

[tantalum]

If your signing Suter it's to be in concert with Chytil as your 2/3Cs. You wont be adding Nelson or the other top free agents Duchene Tavares Granlund Bennett on top of that

Boeser and Suter not being signed is about more than just agreeing to contracts it's about flexibility to bring in a big contract at C. If that happens you can kiss Suter good bye as the most obvious and then it's trying to find a way to meet Boesers demands or pivot to a cheaper player who can still produce 20-30 goals which is easier to find than a top6C that is in prime years

Jared McCann was rumoured to be on the block in Seattle last year.

* With the emergence of Shane Wright as a top2/3C the Stephenson signing and having Beniers down the middle it makes a lot of sense for Seattle to capitalize on his peak seasons and sell before he gets to UFA.
* Also has diminishing value if pushed exclusively to wing and might be unhappy there as well.
* He's probably the only remaining player with 1st round pick asset value remaining of the older veteran group they would be willing to part with as Larsson just re signed.
* JR traded for him previously and wasn't with PITT when they traded him to TOR


Bring Beth's boy back home

Suter...might be the case but he is also flexible asset. He doesn't need to play center.

They have plenty of flexibility going into next year because as you say the Suter and mainly Boeser contracts coming off the books. I do think they will operate on a "future years be damned...we can address it when it's an issue" plan. So, I think they have the room to potentially bring in a big name and one of the mid-range UFAs on the market this year (or retain Suter). Or can make the bit of extra room to do so.

I also think they may try for the big fish but will get shut out on that and have to move to that mid-range tier.

 

[Jerry the great]

If your signing Suter it's to be in concert with Chytil as your 2/3Cs. You wont be adding Nelson or the other top free agents Duchene Tavares Granlund Bennett on top of that

Boeser and Suter not being signed is about more than just agreeing to contracts it's about flexibility to bring in a big contract at C. If that happens you can kiss Suter good bye as the most obvious and then it's trying to find a way to meet Boesers demands or pivot to a cheaper player who can still produce 20-30 goals which is easier to find than a top6C that is in prime years

Jared McCann was rumoured to be on the block in Seattle last year.

* With the emergence of Shane Wright as a top2/3C the Stephenson signing and having Beniers down the middle it makes a lot of sense for Seattle to capitalize on his peak seasons and sell before he gets to UFA.
* Also has diminishing value if pushed exclusively to wing and might be unhappy there as well.
* He's probably the only remaining player with 1st round pick asset value remaining of the older veteran group they would be willing to part with as Larsson just re signed.
* JR traded for him previously and wasn't with PITT when they traded him to TOR


Bring Beth's boy back home

But McCann has never really stuck at C anywhere for an extended period of time has he?

 

[Raistlin]

Sillinger is the type of calculated risk you want to take where we are. his skating was an issue sicne being drafted, and has improved. I think his offensive ceiling is capped, but he can develop into a lesser Horvat type 2C playing physical and chipping in at a decent pace. his work rate is really high but he needs to win more draws to be a viable 2C long term. seriously Manny should hold faceoff seminars each summer.

 

[sting101]

But McCann has never really stuck at C anywhere for an extended period of time has he?

Yes true but same with Miller when we acquired him. He's capable i believe. Not as strong and good on faceoffs but still a quality 5v5 offence generator with a good 2 way game

Not a lot of plausible options but he's one that comes with only 2yrs of contractual obligations at 5 million that could slide to another weak spot LW if something else comes available. Would be better than the Ehlers contract with C utility and plenty of speed.

The biggest thing i like is his PP abilities. He basically sets up just as Miller does as a left shot on the high flank and is pretty deadly there.

Also Seattle has signalled retool from the older expansion draft group. He's another 1st rounder for them if they cash it in and waiting for UFA might just set the timeline back 2 more years with a lower pick from a contender

 

[sting101]

Sillinger is the type of calculated risk you want to take where we are. his skating was an issue sicne being drafted, and has improved. I think his offensive ceiling is capped, but he can develop into a lesser Horvat type 2C playing physical and chipping in at a decent pace. his work rate is really high but he needs to win more draws to be a viable 2C long term. seriously Manny should hold faceoff seminars each summer.

Yes i've been bullish on Sillinger for awhile.

Would put some pressure on him to step his game up here. Not sure how he fits our special teams needs but i do like the age and player. He projects pretty easy into a low end #2 with natural growth.

Would be odd for CBJ to trade him now though. Fantilli is their long term #1C Lindstrom is gonna need at least a couple years for big minutes. Monahan is a good stop gap for him and Del Belluz hasn't even put together a full season yet.

It could get crowded but why now? You're definitely giving up a premium player (Hronek or Willander) not a 1st rounder for him.

Del Bel Belluz is a better target given his draft status and prior production and NHL certainty wont give him that kind of trade value yet.

 

[Hodgy]

I wouldn't take Zibanejad at 50% retained.

I don't think a bounce back is impossible, but it's such a huge risk.

Ya, this is how I feel. I think he could bounce back, but I really don't want the Canucks to saddle themselves with five more years of a player who make continue to suck (or suck even more) when they might need to pull the trigger on a rebuild in a year or two. I'd rather just overpay short termish for a guy like Granlund or Duchene (although, admittedly, probably neither will come here).

I still stand by my prediction that fans aren't going to be happy with the management's "solution" to the centre ice problem this summer, whether overpaying for a perceived to be middling centreicemen, through free agency or trade.

I'd give it like a 10% chance that management acquires a centre that posters on here are happy to call a second line centre.

 

[sting101]

Might sound crazy but i would go get both McCann and Krebs and re sign Boeser

Both are doable and would give us plenty of capable Cs with a lot of roster flexibility.

Debrusk Pettersson Hoglander
McCann Krebs Boeser
Joshua Chytil Garland
O'Connor Blueger Sherwood
Raty

ABB - Lekkerimaki Sasson Karlsson Alriksson Bains Amen Mueller

the obvious issues are

* Hoglander - if he struggles you can promote Sherwood or maybe Lekk is ready. You hope so because then we're cooking. Hog is a stop gap here let's be honest he's never scored or skated like a top6 for a sustained period.

* Krebs - Definitely a long shot as a 2C but he would look good between Joshua
and Garland if he cant handle it. He's a feisty player fans would love him here. Can PK too

* McCann or Chytil between the 2 should be a decent 2C as a fall back

top4 Fs get 100 plus goals which puts us in the ball park for good playoff teams and plenty of speed size for the remainder with no rush for Lekkerimaki to produce or be on PP1

 

[Jerry the great]

Sillinger is the type of calculated risk you want to take where we are. his skating was an issue sicne being drafted, and has improved. I think his offensive ceiling is capped, but he can develop into a lesser Horvat type 2C playing physical and chipping in at a decent pace. his work rate is really high but he needs to win more draws to be a viable 2C long term. seriously Manny should hold faceoff seminars each summer.

He's young, but at the same time has almost 300 games under his belt and has shown pretty much no material development over his 4 pro seasons. Horvat's improvement from his 1st year pro to his 4th was huge.

his numbers are pretty horrific across the board: share of shots, shot attempts, chances, high danger chances, goals, high danger goals, expected goals.....all team worst by a large margin. And it isn't because he's being thrown to the wolves from a deployment perspective, though he has lost some of the o-zone opportunity to Fantilli, who is starting to emerge as a legitimate finisher.

I wouldn't be completely opposed to taking a chance on him, but it's risky and there is no way I'd include a premium asset in addition to a high pick, there's just nothing in his body of work that justifies it IMO. I'd probably offer the 15th OA pick this year (depending who was still on the board), but that's as high as I'd go.

i kind of view him a little like Braden Schneider, in the way he burst onto the scene in his D+1 year but has never really developed beyond that level.

 

[Regal]

Yes true but same with Miller when we acquired him. He's capable i believe. Not as strong and good on faceoffs but still a quality 5v5 offence generator with a good 2 way game

Not a lot of plausible options but he's one that comes with only 2yrs of contractual obligations at 5 million that could slide to another weak spot LW if something else comes available. Would be better than the Ehlers contract with C utility and plenty of speed.

The biggest thing i like is his PP abilities. He basically sets up just as Miller does as a left shot on the high flank and is pretty deadly there.

Also Seattle has signalled retool from the older expansion draft group. He's another 1st rounder for them if they cash it in and waiting for UFA might just set the timeline back 2 more years with a lower pick from a contender

The production wasn’t as strong as recent years but he did quite well at C with the Pens while Sid/Malkin were out at various points in 19-20. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to take a chance on as at least you still get a solid scoring winger if it doesn’t work out

 

[Raistlin]

He's young, but at the same time has almost 300 games under his belt and has shown pretty much no material development over his 4 pro seasons. Horvat's improvement from his 1st year pro to his 4th was huge.

his numbers are pretty horrific across the board: share of shots, shot attempts, chances, high danger chances, goals, high danger goals, expected goals.....all team worst by a large margin. And it isn't because he's being thrown to the wolves from a deployment perspective, though he has lost some of the o-zone opportunity to Fantilli, who is starting to emerge as a legitimate finisher.

I wouldn't be completely opposed to taking a chance on him, but it's risky and there is no way I'd include a premium asset in addition to a high pick, there's just nothing in his body of work that justifies it IMO. I'd probably offer the 15th OA pick this year (depending who was still on the board), but that's as high as I'd go.

i kind of view him a little like Braden Schneider, in the way he burst onto the scene in his D+1 year but has never really developed beyond that level.


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if its Sillinger, I think a first plus b prospect is enough to be honest, no way Willander is part of the conversation.

in those first 4 years, his foot speed is a major issue. he was always behind play, last year I feel he is holding his own. any power forward type takes a longer time to develop. I think hes ripe to take a chance on.... but its for sure risky. thats why I'd rather target a Barzal/Larkin/Cirelli type and dangle Willander than waste more resources on band-aids.

 

[VanJack]

I just don't get anyone being 'bullish' on Cole Sillinger as the answer to the Canucks hole at second-line center.

I mean look at his numbers--13 goals and 19 assists in 2023-24; and 11 goals and 22 assists last year. I'm not convinced that if Raty and Sasson got that kind of ice-time they couldn't put up that many points.

Based on what he's doing in these playoffs--Granlund is going to get somewhere. But as a 'stop-gap' he might work for Vancouver.

And I suppose they could roll the dice on guys like Mittelstadt or Zegras--and hope for some sort of bounce-back season as both are former high, first round picks.