Canucks News N Notes 26-27

[Tciso]

Very brave to pencil Chytil in the line up.

Yeah. It makes Blueger at $4x2 look like a great deal. Is there a popliteus in the head, because I think Chytil could easily break his. Pencil might be too permanent for Chytil. Maybe dry erase. The cheap ones that get you buzzed.

It is obvious we need another center for at least 2 more years, especially if Scooter is traded. Blueger still seems like an easy fit that has trade value.

[Hockey Widow]

I have heard Blueger’s initial ask is north of 4. With the cap going up and the shortage of centres in FA he wants to test the market. Canucks already told his agent goodbye.

Now will either or both parties circle back should he still be available in a week who knows. But the Canucks are not willing to pay the cap or term with the trade protection his agent has out there at this point. RJ strikes me as a straight shooter so I don’t see him playing games. I see it more as this is what we are offering and here is why.

[Tciso]

Can’t wait until 2029 to get a third. I guess the third round in 2027 and 2028 is expected to be weak?
Nashville has two pick in the third round in 2027 and 2028, only one in 2029, so the 2029 pick must be more valuable?
Is 2029 a particularly deep draft and RJ is already targeting someone in the third round?

I think it's a matter of stacking assets for when we should be entering our competitive window. That 3rd in 2029 might be the extra part needed for a good trade. And, if we had the pick next year, it's likely the player picked in 2027 is not as valueable a few years later as the 2029 pick will be.

[UWSaint]

Can’t wait until 2029 to get a third. I guess the third round in 2027 and 2028 is expected to be weak?
Nashville has two pick in the third round in 2027 and 2028, only one in 2029, so the 2029 pick must be more valuable?
Is 2029 a particularly deep draft and RJ is already targeting someone in the third round?

I think it's a matter of stacking assets for when we should be entering our competitive window. That 3rd in 2029 might be the extra part needed for a good trade. And, if we had the pick next year, it's likely the player picked in 2027 is not as valuable a few years later as the 2029 pick will be.

There is a point with the number of picks in a given draft (or consecutive years) where there are too many picks to properly develop players. Since the Canucks are starting with a pretty weak system, I wouldn't think they are there for 2027 (though I also expect they will add to what they have). So my guess is that it was Nashville who was willing to trade a 3rd but wanted to hold on to both of their 3ds picks for next year's draft. And my guess is that Nashville was the only team offering a 3rd for Hoglander. It very well might be that between 2028 and 2029, the Canucks picked 2029 for the reasons you say.

I don't really put any stock into what will be a "strong" draft class more than a year and a half out. and only very limited stock into the strength of the next class overall. Individual development between 14 years old and 18 years old is wildly volatile from year to year, and a draft class that looks thin might have 15 Caleb Malhotras (guys that go from late round projections at best to first rounders in any draft class) and one that looks deep might have an unusually high number of Lamberts and (hate to say it) Ratys.

[Cornuck]

Looking at the depth chart has made me more interested in the '27 draft.

A lot will depend on who gets traded (EP40, Hronek, DeBrusk) - 2 of those would help us get a shot at #1 again. BUT... we do need some people around to show the kids how it's done - Gallagher will help, but keeping Hronek would be a boost (unless we bring in some other guys.

We have no centre depth, and as much as I'd like to watch Cootes, I'd hate to see him rushed - so a couple of short-term FAs should do the job. Or at least one (Scott Laughton?) to fill Chytil's spot (take the hint, Filip).

Our D will look like last year's, but with (hopefully!) fewer mistakes from the kids. Is it worth bringing in a UFA Dman to steady things? Let the kids 'earn' their spots again? Willander and D-Petey are still waiver-exempt, right?

Goaltending is the big question mark - Does Demko start the season? Then does Tolopilo get the Silovs treatment, or start in the A?

[Hockey Widow]

Rumour is that the Canucks will be looking at Ian Cole in FA. Who knows.

[theman]

At this time, I am fine keeping both vet D men, assuming they only bring in an Ian Coke to round out the top 6.

For forwards, I would like to see 3 of the following 4 gone before the next season’s TDL: EP40, DeBrusk, O’Connnor and Boeser. Hopefully 1 or 2 of them could bring back 1sts in the next few drafts.

Would love to see Demko gone too but unless you are retaining and only expecting mid / low pick coming back, I just can’t see it. Hopefully Lankinen is open to a change of scenery.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see 2 of the forwards gone before the season starts either. It looks like the FAs list, while not great, is okay enough to bring in vets to fill out the forward lines.

[UWSaint]

Very brave to pencil Chytil in the line up.

Yeah. It makes Blueger at $4x2 look like a great deal. Is there a popliteus in the head, because I think Chytil could easily break his. Pencil might be too permanent for Chytil. Maybe dry erase. The cheap ones that get you buzzed.

It is obvious we need another center for at least 2 more years, especially if Scooter is traded. Blueger still seems like an easy fit that has trade value.

If there wasn't interest in Blue Gill at this year's deadline (and IIRC, according to the RoboSwede there was none -- but how hard was he working when he knew he was done?), not sure why next year would look a lot different with the player another year older, a second year tagged on to it, and twice the relative cap hit. If he duplicates what he's done in Vancouver while healthy, it would be considered a success, and yet with that there wasn't a market.

That said, as a fan, I wouldn't be too nonplussed about overpaying (or paying market rate) for Blueger, even if he's not movable. I think the Canucks should have enough center depth to not force their hand into promoting Cootes or Mueller if they are better off in the AHL (which is my presumption), and I think they are going to need more forwards than what's on the signed roster who is better than average killing penalties -- because that will help others develop their PK games.

If the conversation was "I want $4.5 M and 2 years" and the reply was "we have interest in you, but not at that amount (or the $3.5M-4M you are really asking for by starting at 4.5....) -- why don't you test the market and give us a call Wednesday once you know what's out there if you still want to be here," that's a totally reasonable approach with a player you haven't written off but wish to test either the market or the genuineness of the player's interest in sticking around what had been a tire fire. Its one thing to say "I love where this is going and am happy to be part of a rebuild" and show that you'd contribute to that environment by asking if the team would match a firm offer by another club that is at a different developmental stage. Another way to handle it is say, "we really like you, and we will offer you 2 years at $2.5M, and while we know you are looking for more, we will keep that offer open until Thursday if you want to test the market."

Of course, they might want nothing to do with Blue Gill, its just time to turn the page on guys at that age who aren't under contract. But its not a page I'd personally close until I asses at least one more center and one more penalty killer (could be the same player) because that is going to come from *somewhere*.

[UWSaint]

Goaltending is the big question mark - Does Demko start the season? Then does Tolopilo get the Silovs treatment, or start in the A?

Tolopilo and Silovs are in different spots, IMO. First, Tolopilo likely passes through waivers. Second, if the Canucks were terribly risk averse, they'd carry 3 goalies, but is going with Tolopilo and Lankinen when Demko inevitably gets injured really materially better than Lankinen and next year's Spencer Martin when "success" isn't going to be measured in wins? Longer term, I just don't see Tolopilo as developing into a future #1 so who really cares. And if he does, he'll be 30 by the time the team could be competitive, so there will be other options. Last, if Tolopilo doesn't make it through waivers, is it such a bad outcome if Koskenvuo and Young split the net in Abby next year? Time to see if either has what it takes to succeed at that level.

[BoS]

Rumour is that the Canucks will be looking at Ian Cole in FA. Who knows.

I’d be fine bringing Cole back, he was great in the room, stuck up for mates and plays heavy. Curious if there’s interest in Schenn again, too

[Tciso]

Very brave to pencil Chytil in the line up.

Yeah. It makes Blueger at $4x2 look like a great deal. Is there a popliteus in the head, because I think Chytil could easily break his. Pencil might be too permanent for Chytil. Maybe dry erase. The cheap ones that get you buzzed.

It is obvious we need another center for at least 2 more years, especially if Scooter is traded. Blueger still seems like an easy fit that has trade value.

If there wasn't interest in Blue Gill at this year's deadline (and IIRC, according to the RoboSwede there was none -- but how hard was he working when he knew he was done?)
<snip>

That said, as a fan, I wouldn't be too nonplussed about overpaying (or paying market rate) for Blueger, even if he's not movable. I think the Canucks should have enough center depth to not force their hand into promoting Cootes or Mueller if they are better off in the AHL (which is my presumption), and I think they are going to need more forwards than what's on the signed roster who is better than average killing penalties -- because that will help others develop their PK games.
<snip>

Of course, they might want nothing to do with Blue Gill, its just time to turn the page on guys at that age who aren't under contract. But its not a page I'd personally close until I asses at least one more center and one more penalty killer (could be the same player) because that is going to come from *somewhere*.

I think we are on the same page. We don't have 12, let alone 14 NHL calibre forwards yet, and Blueger fits in here pretty well. And as far as "No trade available" for Blueger at the tdd, I just don't think the old group was really trying, or the league knew we were a steaming pile of dog shit, and were seriously low balling us. Either way, Blueger makes sense, and we don't mind if we trade him next year once he becomes expendable, or if we need him to fill in for EP40 once we trade his sorry ass. If you look at his role on the team, it's very similar to what Manny's role was when he played. If they get along, Blueger could be a great asset for the coach.

[Madcombinepilot]

Can’t wait until 2029 to get a third. I guess the third round in 2027 and 2028 is expected to be weak?
Nashville has two pick in the third round in 2027 and 2028, only one in 2029, so the 2029 pick must be more valuable?
Is 2029 a particularly deep draft and RJ is already targeting someone in the third round?

I think the more picks we kick down the road, the better. If in 2029, when we are returning to respectability, and still have 10 picks in the first 3 rounds of 2030 and 2031, we will be in GREAT shape.

[Cornuck]

Last, if Tolopilo doesn't make it through waivers, is it such a bad outcome if Koskenvuo and Young split the net in Abby next year? Time to see if either has what it takes to succeed at that level.

If Tolopilo is lost, we don't really have that #3 to fill in yet.

I have zero confidence that Demko will play a full season, or even 1/2. He'll be shell-shocked, and over worked.

I'm guessing Tolopilo starts in Abby and is called up for permanent backup before Christmas.

[Madcombinepilot]

Can’t wait until 2029 to get a third. I guess the third round in 2027 and 2028 is expected to be weak?
Nashville has two pick in the third round in 2027 and 2028, only one in 2029, so the 2029 pick must be more valuable?
Is 2029 a particularly deep draft and RJ is already targeting someone in the third round?

I think it's a matter of stacking assets for when we should be entering our competitive window. That 3rd in 2029 might be the extra part needed for a good trade. And, if we had the pick next year, it's likely the player picked in 2027 is not as valueable a few years later as the 2029 pick will be.

oops. just read this.

[theman]

Briesbye, re-signed to 1 year 2 way contract.


https://x.com/canucks/status/2072040219 ... s1igZokqEQ