After Benning's reign of error Allvin has been given a very long leash by fans but that honeymoon should be coming to an end and some of these bizarre signings and trades should be examined a little.
Good
He scoops the entire NHL for a coveted Russian who is quite successful as EP's wing man.
Bad
Only to trade him, a first round pick, a very, very promising AAA RHD prospect and B prospect large dman for essentially a rental.
Benning did this to a lesser effect, both teams played extra games but both ended up with nothing for the future, if anything these could be looked as desperation moves only Benning's cost less.
Good
Allvin again scooped the NHL for a very highly ranked FA in Mikheyev and that guy started to play pretty well even with a severe knee injury with EP and Kuz until he had to get surgery. Fans forget that with this combination EP had his best year, Kuz scored almost 40 goals and Mikheyev also had his best year even with a damaged knee. They were also one of the best defensive lines, so good EP was touted as a possible Selke candidate.
So what happened? Why? This was a stout line that worked well together?
Bad
Mikheyev get dealt with retention, 2nd rnd pick and an NHL player, for a 4th rnd pick.
So these first two, which was the mistake, signing or the price of trading?
IMO really bad
Then there is the OEL buyout. A ridiculously long term damaging NHL record payout that will last another 6 years. Why? One excuse was to pay some other player that aren't here anymore. It was so well known that Tocchet and OEL had issues that is was a topic at his hiring. But again, even over paid and asked to change his game OEL was still a serviceable top 4 dman good enough to carry the Cup Champs for a couple of months by himself basically providing what he used to be good at, PP quarter back. If they had not bought him out then what player isn't here? His cap hit is a 4+million dollar back hole or a 4 dollar player not on this team. Stated so they could get more players, who?
Good
Okay to Zadorov.
Many teams wanted this unicorn but Allvin stole him from the Flames for a 2nd rnd pick, a fantastic and envied trade. After getting here the Canuck defence got ranked in the top five in the NHL and Zadorov started to bloom.
Bad
.
The guy stated he wanted to stay, he would take a pay cut to stay, a guy that after playing for years behind high paid star defencemen got a chance and was starting to show just how good he really is and he is let go for a difference of 275 thousand? Does anyone understand the true significance of this? He is 29 yrs old, a deterrent, massive, very hard hitter, durable with no severe injuries, one of the fastest recorded skaters in the league at 37.5 kmh that had almost no PP time but still ended up being the 2nd highest scoring dman in the playoffs, a playoff performer that stepped his game up a notch or two when the real season was going. Played left or right side. Signing him would have secured a top 4 d position for the next 5 years or so with a rising cap to make 5 million in three years will be cheap. So the team could have had Hughes, Hronek, Zadorov with Myers/Pettersson/Willander/??? at known costs for 5 years or so.
Bad
Rachel Dohrety stuff
Ian Clarke issues
Maybe unintentional but possible Russian bias from coaching? All Russians eliminated from the team even at high expense for nothing in return except 20 some odd games?
Lindholm's snubbing of the Canucks in favour of moving across the country for the same money, why?
Almost the same number of picks traded away as the previous nightmare.
Not a problem yet but another 8 million dollar 37yr old forward, Miller will be 32 yrs old this year with another 5 years on his NMC contract?
Cap space eroded. 4+ mil dead cap space for the next two years of this team's "window"
Draft picks lost.
Hired in 2021
IMO they, Rutherford and Allvin, started with a vision of building a team but when they hired Tocchet they changed direction to his vision. The got rid of all the players he didn't like. IMO the Russians had fun, Kuzmenko was a card in the room, Zadorov took over the music played, Mikheyev smiled, they all did. Tocchet wanted guys like himself, Miller types, boards guys. Keenan players. Now they are stuck with this group and Tocchet's next contract to deal with next year. Again I think Tocchet will demand behind closed doors to get a deal done before the end of the season to extend him beyond 2026.
I hope the season starts soonest, this tin hat stuff can be so entertaining and laughable
