Speculation: NEED CONFIRMATION! WE HAVE BEEN TRICKED?! WILLANDER TO ?!

[Gliff]

McT has cleaned up all of the bad things from last season, he is on pace for 58 points, and has been over PPG over the last 30+ games. He isn't untouchable, but a futures deal aint it.
Zegras had 3 points in his first 15, since then has 27 in 37 for a 60 point pace playing the wing.

Neither guy should be moved in a trade like this. I understand Zegras because the never-ending speculation, but McT sure as hell isnt available.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Guerin has a pretty good relationship with Jim Rutherford from his days under him in Pittsburgh. I think a deal could make a lot of sense. MIN will want to get off of Rossi before FA because he’s an offer sheet target, and they don’t have a first currently. My guess is VAN 1st + a decent roster player gets it done, I personally would not like it though.

Can definitely see that too,

Interesting tho that you say Minny would want a roster player rather than a prospect....

Canucks dont really have many decent roster players they can move....

Hoglander
Chytil
Bleuger
Myers

Those are the only 3 i can see the Canucks willing to part with that would have any interest from other teams.

 

[StreetHawk]

Barzal
Kent Johnson
Cole Sillinger
Marco Kasper
Marco Rossi
Trevor Zegras
Mason Mctavish

Van is looking for help now. So, what they are offering in pick/prospect is futures or unknowns.

Which club is interested in taking a step back vs keeping their 23-29 year old C?

Columbus has enough kids that they should be pushing forward unless it's a hockey trade that works for them. Ana, same thing. Det, I'd say the same thing. They need offense.

Isles, too pot committed with their vets in Bo, Pelech, Pullock, Barzal, Sorokin to jump ship now it seems. Have to be committed to moving them all basically to sell off 1 of them.

Whenever the condition is "Young" meaning RFA age, I find it hard to get a trading partner when the offer is futures/unproven NHL player.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Casey Mittelstadt is young and has been used as a 2C before.

 

[KaprizovSaveUs]

Can definitely see that too,

Interesting tho that you say Minny would want a roster player rather than a prospect....

Canucks dont really have many decent roster players they can move....

Hoglander
Chytil
Bleuger
Myers

Those are the only 3 i can see the Canucks willing to part with that would have any interest from other teams.

They’re not really going to be in an aquire prospect phase anymore now that the buyouts are done. They’re have built up a decent system and are more likely to use prospects as ammo in a big trade. Going back to the Pittsburgh connection, he may like Blueger.

I would more like to see them add to Rossi to get Barzal.

 

[SEALBound]

Barzal and Rossi are who instantly came to mind but that's been discussed already.

An interesting option might be Connor Geekie in Tampa. They are pretty set long term at center. Adding a 1st and Lekkerimarki or Willander would help replenish their coffers a tiny bit.

 

[sting101]

Dawson Mercer checks a few boxes but NJ is not taking a step back so not sure how you pull that one off unless they wanted Garland or Debrusk or signed a high profile UFA and took back a futures package

Lundell would be the dream but FLA is not weakening the best C ice depth in the NHL and it's not a contract situation where they need to make a move

Pinto Sillinger Krebs Newhook are young Cs who could be 2Cs (more middle six guys) but aren't good bets to be good one's if so at this stage. Could buy time though and all 4 have upside if you have good depth vs a 1-2 power C set up.

Thought about Dach before but he's a mess and was bad at C before this latest set back. Not sure if there's much of a window for relying on him for anything at this stage

 

[Archijerej]

Nice to meet you Vancouver. Welcome to the club.

 

[gojetsgo]

What?

Canucks 13th-15th Overall 1st round pick is undoubtedly more valuable than Colorado's 1st round pick.

Willander and Ritchie were the same draft year and Willander went 11th overall and Ritchie went 27th.


So how exactly is an offer of Canucks 1st and Tom Willander the same price that Colorado paid to get Brock Nelson.....

and ritchie would go much higher then 27th in a redraft

yes the canucks package would be better then the avs but not enough to make up the difference in value between a rental brock nelson and a "very good young" 2C

canucks package > avs package

Very good young 2c >>> rental brock nelson

half the league is looking for legit 2nd line centers let alone very good young ones, going to take a massive offer to get what you want

 

[3074326]

Is Kent Johnson still in consideration to become a C?

Doesn’t matter, the CBJ would be fools to move him. They don’t need picks and prospects. They need good NHL players, which is what Kent Johnson is. And he has a $1.8 cap hit through 2027 while just under PPG on the season.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Van is looking for help now. So, what they are offering in pick/prospect is futures or unknowns.

Which club is interested in taking a step back vs keeping their 23-29 year old C?

Columbus has enough kids that they should be pushing forward unless it's a hockey trade that works for them. Ana, same thing. Det, I'd say the same thing. They need offense.

Isles, too pot committed with their vets in Bo, Pelech, Pullock, Barzal, Sorokin to jump ship now it seems. Have to be committed to moving them all basically to sell off 1 of them.

Whenever the condition is "Young" meaning RFA age, I find it hard to get a trading partner when the offer is futures/unproven NHL player.

Columbus for instance would be an Awesome fit for Tom Willander. He could easily replace Jiricek as the RD stud for the next decade + in CBJ.

Centre wise they are flushed with talent....Cayden Lindstrom, Kent Johnson, Adam Fantili, Cole Sillinger, Luca Del Bel Belluz.....not to mention they have Sean Monahan.

This would be a perfect example of a hockey trade...something along the lines of Willander + 1st for Kent Johnson

 

[Baksfamous112]

Rossi makes a lot of sense to me, I've gotten the impression that Minnesota isn't going to want to pay him what Rossi is going to ask for, especially with his struggles since Kaprizov has been out.

Zegras also seems fairly possible but I'm unsure Anaheim has any interest in moving him right now.

There were rumors 2 years ago that Zegras was available when Drysdale got traded. Ducks fans shut it down saying Seravelli didn’t know a thing about the Ducks.

A week after the draft, a rumor came out pf Montreal saying that 21 + Mailloux for Zegras + 2nd fell through because Montreal backed out. Ducks fans shut it down saying Montreal media didn’t know a thing about the Ducks and made that up.

The same rumors were spread again a month or so ago. Two of the most connected Habs insiders in the media basically reported the same again. Ducks fans shut it down saying (again) Montreal media didn’t know a thing about the Ducks and made that up.

Here’s Friedman in his latest 32 thoughts:

“It’s believed there were two aborted trades at last year’s draft that could have changed history. First was Chicago’s offer to trade their 2026 first-rounder (unprotected) for the fourth pick, which the Blue Jackets turned down. (They took Cayden Lindstrom.) Second was the Canadiens’ own attempt to acquire Trevor Zegras. I’ve never received complete clarity on why that deal didn’t happen, but I suspect it's because the Canadiens changed their minds when they realized Demidov would fall to five — although they were not offering that particular pick in the Zegras deal.”

32 Thoughts: Montreal electrified by stud prospect Ivan Demidov

In this week's notes, Elliotte Friedman shares stories and memories about Greg Millen, plus the excitement around Ivan Demidov in Montreal, the playoffs in Winnipeg, and much more.

www.sportsnet.ca

I think Zegras is available and that he is available for exactly the kind of assets Vancouver is putting on the table.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Not gonna lie, I am confuse by what Vancouver is, as a team

IMO, right now, they are 2 or 3 years away before they have to go into rebuild and they should't sacrifice their future like this via Trade

If they want to do a retool they should first try their hand with the UFAs
If they can get someone, than re-evaluate and maybe Trade for to patch other holes in their line-up

 

[miscs75]

1st, Wallinder, Hoglander for Barzal and Engvall.

NYI can then re-sign DeAngelo for one year trade Dobson for an impact forward.

Keep Engvall and give them Mayfield. They can get a bottom pairing RD for the future.

 

[StreetHawk]

Columbus for instance would be an Awesome fit for Tom Willander. He could easily replace Jiricek as the RD stud for the next decade + in CBJ.

Centre wise they are flushed with talent....Cayden Lindstrom, Kent Johnson, Adam Fantili, Cole Sillinger, Luca Del Bel Belluz.....not to mention they have Sean Monahan.

This would be a perfect example of a hockey trade...something along the lines of Willander + 1st for Kent Johnson

Van is in a tough spot either way. Wallander is the drafted RHD they have coveted for a very long time. If he got moved, in 2 years time myers is done his contract and would be like 37. Mancini, he would defy the odds if he became a regular 3rd pairing D with size. Would open up a RHD top 4 hole again and they don't have anything coming up after Wallander.

But, they won't go anywhere either if Pettersson doesn't get back on track.

 

[StreetHawk]

Not gonna lie, I am confuse by what Vancouver is, as a team

IMO, right now, they are 2 or 3 years away before they have to go into rebuild and they should't sacrifice their future like this via Trade

If they want to do a retool they should first try their hand with the UFAs
If they can get someone, than re-evaluate and maybe Trade for to patch other holes in their line-up

Their main issue is Quinn Hughes who is under contract to June 30, 2027. His trade protection begins July 1, 2026. They need to make traction. Took a massive fall back this season.

They have to manage to show enough that they can compete for a Cup soon. Basically, to convince him to sign a new deal next summer.

 

[sting101]

Barzal would be great but he hasn't played much C in the last couple years. He's certainly capable though. He would be a great fit with Boeser. The skater playmaker and the shooter net front guy. Could help each other reach their ceilings. Would be a popular move bringing home a very popular local player.

OK NY lets get er done. Oh and they will need to take back about 4million lol. You want the OEL buyout?? In all seriousness would probably have to involve O'Connor and Chytil to match cap and retool objectives although im sure Islander fans would want more

1st Chytil O'Connor 3rd ?

Islanders aren't gonna want to do this are they

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

What would you offer for Pinto?

Montreal's 1st + Newhook.

 

[qcal1427]

Breaking:

Dallas Cowboys, Toronto Blue Jays, Real Madrid looking for a young NHL-proven 2c

 

[eojsmada]

Rossi and Zegras are probably is the only one available realistically for a mid-1st + Willander.

The draft looks really weak this year past 10 as well, so a mid 1st 2025 ain't worth a mid 1st 2024 or 2026.

This was my thinking as well. Outside chance at Barzal.

 

[miscs75]

Barzal would be great but he hasn't played much C in the last couple years. He's certainly capable though. He would be a great fit with Boeser. The skater playmaker and the shooter net front guy. Could help each other reach their ceilings. Would be a popular move bringing home a very popular local player.

OK NY lets get er done. Oh and they will need to take back about 4million lol. You want the OEL buyout?? In all seriousness would probably have to involve O'Connor and Chytil to match cap and retool objectives although im sure Islander fans would want more

1st Chytil O'Connor 3rd ?

Islanders aren't gonna want to do this are they

So the Isles take on your 1st, 3rd, LTIR distaster, a bottom of the roster players and a 4m retention for Barzal? Remember the saying “think before you speak?”. Let’s write that line down and repeat it until we realize what we said.

 

[UrbanImpact]

and ritchie would go much higher then 27th in a redraft

yes the canucks package would be better then the avs but not enough to make up the difference in value between a rental brock nelson and a "very good young" 2C

canucks package > avs package

Very good young 2c >>> rental brock nelson

half the league is looking for legit 2nd line centers let alone very good young ones, going to take a massive offer to get what you want

Just wondering how Ritchie would go much higher than 27th....

28 goals in 50 games last year
15 goals in 47 games this year as 19/20 yr old

When you have guys like Cristall, Nadeua, Augustine, Unger-Sorum etc drafted after him...

 

[Colezuki]

Again I think van gets outbid by mtl for any top center that’s on the market.

 

[Ivan eht Demidov]

What would you offer for Pinto?

I really like the fit with VAN/OTT around Pinto, although VAN would rightly be very hesitant to deal Willander.

I would much prefer Lekkerimaki, especially if Boeser is retained, that gives them much more depth at RW than RD, and Debrusk can play RW also.

So, let's say something like:

1: Pinto + FLA 3rd <--> VAN 1st, Lekkerimaki

Then, OTT still has Stutzle-Cozens-Grieg at C, adds Lekkerimaki behind Batherson on RW, and probably flips the VAN 1st, while VAN gets a (imo) solid 24yo RH 2C who they can play in an elevated role with solid wingers (Boeser, Debrusk, Garland, maybe Chytil if he recovers?)

 

[UrbanImpact]

Again I think van gets outbid by mtl for any top center that’s on the market.

MTL definitely has more assets,


Van would have to rely on certain things like Barzal using his NTC to dictate going home to Van..

Or perhaps teams like NYI ,Ottwa, Detrout, CBJ etc...not wanting to trade a young 2C within division/conference to the Habs.