Adam Fox was being scrutinized if the Rangers might move him.
No matter how good an established dman might be, the cap this year and next decide a trade.
They might sell out the future for a chance but time is running out.
The team will be playing a number of 4 point games soon. 4 points in that a win +2 and a loss -2 with a game used up.
Used to be just a divisional thing but now with them chasing a WC spot it becomes a conference competition.
Canucks will need two NHL players, defencemen good enough to be 2, 3 or 4 caliber with some PO experience and then cut back Hughes minutes to 21 or 22 a game.
A top 4 dman, IMO, will cost at least a first pick and maybe Willander or Lekkerimaki. They are tomorrow players 2 to 3 years down the road whereas any trades it appears Allvin makes are for NOW.
Allvin might see NOW because of the team aging, next contracts, getting stale or this core's last gasp.
Next year, will they sign Boeser for the NHL new standard of 8+ mil, What of Garland's next deal? 6 to 7 mil? Demko if he does come back to form, 8 to 10 or more as the cap goes up. Then there is Hughes next deal if he stays, likely close to 16+ mil because the cap will be over 100 mil.
While those players may make some fans warm and cozy if they don't advance in the standings winning one round in a playoff over 7 to 8 years screams this group isn't good enough and if the cap is used up and picks/prospects dealt to make them winners NOW how long to keep doing the same thing with the same players and getting the same results.
Allvin needs to make a really big trade, he needs to really roll the dice to make a BIG change in the line up. Tocchet has the system to make AHL players keep the game close, dump it in, chase it down, cycle in the offensive zone, use up the clock, score every now and then and rely on the PP to win games. Lots of effort losing just like under Benning's competitive teams.
Many of the comments above might not resonate with most folks but 2 years can go by in an eye blink and in 2 years, Boeser, Garland, Joshua again, Demko, Hughes, Myers gone, Soucy are all gone or needing bigger contracts. Hughes alone could cripple this group if they can't have enough to get out of the mushy middle and that is where they are now. I thought they might have had a defence last year that might have carried them through the next 4 years regardless of Hughes staying or not or at least the foundation. Hronek signed, possibly Zadorov, Soucy, even Myers at a bargain basement contract withWillander stepping up and maybe another prospect. Silvos looked to be the heir incumbant with Tololio right there but then Clarke disappeared and now so have the goalie prospects improvement.
What ever I am just filling in time here. It is just "almost there" and "next year" has been happening for over 50 years and only three times has there been the closest to getting "there". 7+ years of Benning must have taught some folks that talk is cheap.
