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Vector

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Feb 2, 2007
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Junktown
Mario Ferraro to me is by far the most realistic option.

Solid mid-pairing LD that has tons of experience playing high-leverage and is doing really well for SJ right now, and is on a bargain contract.

Plus one of the few teams that will actively sell players off. Although I do think they'll only trade one of their three veteran defencemen signed for next season (Walman, Ferraro, and Benning).
 

Hodgy

Registered User
Feb 23, 2012
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Andersson is basically Willander's ceiling, and is signed for $4.4 million next year. And he's only 28 years old.

Unless the Canucks think Willander is ready to basically be a top four defensemen at the end of this year, and assuming the Canucks can afford to re-sign Andersson at the end of next season, then they should absolutely be looking at making that trade.

I don't know if there's a realistic scenario where I'd be okay in trading Willander.
To me, it really depends on management's current projection for Willander. Because, if they think he can step in this season and play meaningful minutes, and then play top four minutes next season with room to grow, then ya, trading him for Andersson right now doesn't make much sense.

But if they think he is going to develop much slower, and won't, for example, be a top four defensemen until 2027-28, then they should definitely consider trading him for a player like Andersson.
 

Vector

Moderator
Feb 2, 2007
27,290
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Junktown
Andersson is basically Willander's ceiling, and is signed for $4.4 million next year. And he's only 28 years old.

Unless the Canucks think Willander is ready to basically be a top four defensemen at the end of this year, and assuming the Canucks can afford to re-sign Andersson at the end of next season, then they should absolutely be looking at making that trade.


To me, it really depends on management's current projection for Willander. Because, if they think he can step in this season and play meaningful minutes, and then play top four minutes next season with room to grow, then ya, trading him for Andersson right now doesn't make much sense.

But if they think he is going to develop much slower, and won't, for example, be a top four defensemen until 2027-28, then they should definitely consider trading him for a player like Andersson.

The bolded is a crazy estimate. I'm far more conservative than many when it comes to when he'll make an impact and think he'll ultimately spend, at least, part of next season in the AHL. However, the way he's playing this season and given his strengths and weaknesses, he's looking like a 26-27 opening night roster player at the latest. Decent chance I'm way off in the other direction and he steps into the roster this season and is on the team next year.
 

strattonius

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Jul 4, 2011
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Andersson is basically Willander's ceiling, and is signed for $4.4 million next year. And he's only 28 years old.

Unless the Canucks think Willander is ready to basically be a top four defensemen at the end of this year, and assuming the Canucks can afford to re-sign Andersson at the end of next season, then they should absolutely be looking at making that trade.


To me, it really depends on management's current projection for Willander. Because, if they think he can step in this season and play meaningful minutes, and then play top four minutes next season with room to grow, then ya, trading him for Andersson right now doesn't make much sense.

But if they think he is going to develop much slower, and won't, for example, be a top four defensemen until 2027-28, then they should definitely consider trading him for a player like Andersson.

I don't think they have this tunnel vision approach where it's the next 2 yrs or nothing for this core. I think they see a large window here and project Willander in that window in the future.

Trading Andersson for Willander would be a massive blunder. An upgrade this year but a very possible downgrade as early as next year and that isn't even mentioning CAP.
 

wonton15

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Dec 13, 2009
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I don’t think he’ll be ready or should be ready for game action that fast, but this seems like it accelerated recently
 

Vector

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Feb 2, 2007
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I don’t think he’ll be ready or should be ready for game action that fast, but this seems like it accelerated recently


Tocchet said yesterday that Demko had 4 really good days in a row. If the team has lost confidence in Silovs, it makes sense if Demko is ready to return and they can ease him in with Lankinen still getting the bulk starts.
 

arttk

Registered User
Feb 16, 2006
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Los Angeles
Andersson is basically Willander's ceiling, and is signed for $4.4 million next year. And he's only 28 years old.

Unless the Canucks think Willander is ready to basically be a top four defensemen at the end of this year, and assuming the Canucks can afford to re-sign Andersson at the end of next season, then they should absolutely be looking at making that trade.
We are not one player away form the cup, the goal should be to add MORE pieces to the team and then be a contender for multiple years. In order to do that, we need like a player like Andersson + a legit top 4 LD and a 3C or top 6 forward. Yes spending asset to get Andersson will add that one piece but the cost of it in terms of cap and pick + prospect will make it harder for us to acquire the other pieces we need.

Spend the little assets we have to get a top4 LD since they are cheaper anyway and use assets to get help up front then bring Willander on next season and then if it doesn't work out, add another RD with a 1st and whatever.
 

Hodgy

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Feb 23, 2012
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The bolded is a crazy estimate. I'm far more conservative than many when it comes to when he'll make an impact and think he'll ultimately spend, at least, part of next season in the AHL. However, the way he's playing this season and given his strengths and weaknesses, he's looking like a 26-27 opening night roster player at the latest. Decent chance I'm way off in the other direction and he steps into the roster this season and is on the team next year.

I don't really know what his development will look like, or what the Canucks project. But some have suggested, or think, he may play a whole year in the AHL next year in which case it wouldn't be surprising for him to be a bottom pairing defensemen for 2026-27, and becoming a top four defensemen in 2027-28 at age 23-24. That type of development certainly wouldn't be "good" in terms of expectations, but it also isn't terrible which would be him being a bust.

I don't think they have this tunnel vision approach where it's the next 2 yrs or nothing for this core. I think they see a large window here and project Willander in that window in the future.

Trading Andersson for Willander would be a massive blunder. An upgrade this year but a very possible downgrade as early as next year and that isn't even mentioning CAP.
Ya, I think you are right. I'd be more inclined to aggressively try to compete over the next few years while Hughes is under his current contract (assuming Petey regains form), but I think you are right in that this management thinks it can thread the needle ala Tampa and both compete short term and relatively long terms. I'm less confident that they can but I am not surprised they think they can. Their job security sort of depends on it.
 

Vector

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Feb 2, 2007
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Junktown
Here's the link to the Donnie and Dhali show where Rick mentions he thinks Demko is 2-3 weeks away.

3rd Pair RD:
-a lot of people reached out and questioned the Desharnais signing
-Canucks are working with Desharnais
-find it hard to believe that they have a project at the NHL level
-need to find a 3rd pair right-shot guy
-Tom Willander may be a possibility in the future

Bains:
-can change shift-to-shift
-Bains goes does the necessary video work

Joshua:
-not sure if they should send him on a conditioning stint
-other option is to keep him in the NHL and control his minutes

Demko:
-thinks he's 2-3 weeks away
 
Last edited:

mriswith

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Oct 12, 2011
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We're banking on Willander playing a top 4 role during the worst of the OEL buyout years, especially looking at what's in front of him on the roster. And given his playstyle, he's probably going to be fantastic value for cap for his entire rfa years too.

It's hard to think of a trade that makes sense involving him, even going all in on Hughes' contract I'd pay a lot more in other futures before involving him.
 

arttk

Registered User
Feb 16, 2006
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Los Angeles
We're banking on Willander playing a top 4 role during the worst of the OEL buyout years, especially looking at what's in front of him on the roster. And given his playstyle, he's probably going to be fantastic value for cap for his entire rfa years too.

It's hard to think of a trade that makes sense involving him, even going all in on Hughes' contract I'd pay a lot more in other futures before involving him.
Ideally we have Willander come in next season and then have a rookie LD come in the season after Soucy's contract is done.

24-25

Hughes - Hronek
Soucy - Myers
Top 4 LD @TDL - Desharnais

25-26

Hughes - Hronek
Soucy - Myers
Top 4 LD - Desharnais/ Willander

26-27

Hughes - Hronek
Top 4LD - Willander
KK/Dpetey - Myers / Top4RD @ TDL

I think that's probably the way to get around the OEL dead cap and still be competitive.
 

F A N

Registered User
Aug 12, 2005
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3rd Pair RD:
-find it hard to believe that they have a project at the AHL level
-need to find a 3rd pair right-shot guy
What does this mean? Whose the project and so is he saying Desharnais isn't the 3rd pair RHD answer?
 

VanJack

Registered User
Jul 11, 2014
22,484
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Canucks Army with an insightful piece about the d-men who might be available heading towards the trade deadline, and it's an underwhelming group.

There's little doubt 'demand' will far exceed 'supply'.....and it'll be a sellers market. The prices will accordingly be difficult to swallow.

Marcus Pettersson and Ivan Provorov are probably the best of the lot in terms of impending UFA's. Everybody keeps bringing up Rasmus Anderson in Calgary. But he's making $4.55m this season and next, before he hits the UFA market.

Why would the Flames trade him now....unless someone like Canucks were to dramatically overpay? I know Allvin is capable to pulling rabbits out of a hat,, but acquiring defensive help this year is going to cost him dearly and my not be the smartest move in the end.

This could the year he's forced to go with what he has.....or hope that someone like Wilander or maybe one of young guys from Abbotsford can step in and play.
 

mriswith

Registered User
Oct 12, 2011
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I don't get it. Desharnais hasn't been sent down to the AHL has he?
That threw me off too, I thought the quote meant mgmt was saying they were surprised to find out VD is an AHL project calibre player and I was like wow, that is some really heavy handed criticism this early :laugh:
 
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pitseleh

Registered User
Jul 30, 2005
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Vancouver
While it is good to hear the team is looking to add a puck mover on defence, it is a bit annoying that this has pretty clearly been their biggest hole for some time and they’ve passed up opportunities to add when it would have been cheaper to do so. Waiting for the deadline to maximize cap space would be fine but adding now is likely going to come at a high cost with basically no cap relief.
 

Diablo2020

Registered User
Feb 11, 2020
243
181
Calgary
Bit of armchair GMing..

To BUF - E.Pettersson, Hoglander
To VAN - Cozens, Greenway, Helenius, 1st, 2nd

*Sabres retain half of Greenway

To PIT - Forbort, Buf 2nd, Van 2nd
To VAN - M.Pettersson

To CGY - Desharnais, Buf 1st, Van 1st
To VAN - Andersson

Basically,

E.Pettersson --> Cozens
Hoglander --> Greenway
1st, 2nd --> Helenius (#14 2024)
Forbort --> M.Pettersson
Desharnais --> Andersson

And under the cap.
 

credulous

Registered User
Nov 18, 2021
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5,198
While it is good to hear the team is looking to add a puck mover on defence, it is a bit annoying that this has pretty clearly been their biggest hole for some time and they’ve passed up opportunities to add when it would have been cheaper to do so. Waiting for the deadline to maximize cap space would be fine but adding now is likely going to come at a high cost with basically no cap relief.

it's very frustrating that they've committed significant cap (and term) to pieces like debrusk, heinen and myers who really don't fill key roles on the team. they've overinvested in middle six wingers and bottom pairing defenseman at the expense of a real top line forward or someone who can carry a second pairing
 
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sandwichbird2023

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Aug 4, 2004
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it's very frustrating that they've committed significant cap (and term) to pieces like debrusk, heinen and myers who really don't fill key roles on the team. they've overinvested in middle six wingers and bottom pairing defenseman at the expense of a real top line forward or someone who can carry a second pairing
I think they did try to get Guentzel to fill the top line forward role, but after Tampa snatched him up, Allvin had to pivot to plan B, which is add depth. They clearly wanted to get Petey a winger, and when the best one is off the table (Guentzel), they settled for the (in their opinion) 2nd best fit in Debrusk.

Also, I don't think there were any defenseman capable of carrying a second pair available in the summer, or am I forgetting someone? Who was available, and if he is not UFA, what would it cost in terms of assets?
 

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