Ian Esplen: Big Mac & 5 Bold offseason moves
Big Mac & 5 Bold offseason moves
- IanEsplen

Seriously!! Gagner? That is flat out the worst idea of all time. He is more of what we dont need. We need a legit 3rd line enter who can play a shut down role. In NO way does Gagner provide this.

Is he a good player absolutely, just not for this team.

Bryz is NOT going anywhere!! Bought out for sure. Why would any team take on the worst contract in the NHL.

Not sure that helps Vancouver's "diving" image
- IanEsplen

Only move that is slightly possible here is the Lui deal. And that'll be a deal where Phx sends very little in terms of value and you see the Canucks retain 1.33 million of cap.
Lui just doesn't have the value we need him to have to get anything in trade.

Richards won't ever go to Nashville. They're still in the West and have a very mediocre team with no scoring support! Sound familiar? Yeah he strays from anywhere with media pressure and scoring pressure. He goes to Tampa IMHO. Unless he thinks he's still Superman and wants to be a hero and signs with Toronto who most likely will again offer the most money.

Hiller goes no where. The Ducks need a veteran in net until they know for absolutely sure Fasth isn't another Monster. They've shown patience when it comes to their tender position if you look back, Gigs was kept while having Bryz, Gigs was kept again until a full season had passed after Hiller took over. Now it'll be at the deadline if the Ducks don't need Hiller or aren't in a playoff position.

The Miller Bryz trade is just an attocious idea. Philly's best bet is a buy out and Miller's best hope is he doesn't get traded has a good season being the MVP of the Sabres and than cashing in next July. Miller has absolutely no reason to ask for trade or agree unless its a playoff team in need of a tendy. Which hasn't been very prevelant this past season.

Seriously!! Gagner? That is flat out the worst idea of all time. He is more of what we dont need. We need a legit 3rd line enter who can play a shut down role. In NO way does Gagner provide this.

Is he a good player absolutely, just not for this team.

Bryz is NOT going anywhere!! Bought out for sure. Why would any team take on the worst contract in the NHL.
- allen_gamble

Same could be said about Luongo???

Same could be said about Luongo???
- wicket

Not even close. Loungo has a long contract but is still a good player. Bryz has a bigger cap hit and probably would not be welcome on any NHL team at this point.

Broduer is still playing in his 40s why cant Lu.

Not even close. Loungo has a long contract but is still a good player. Bryz has a bigger cap hit and probably would not be welcome on any NHL team at this point.

Broduer is still playing in his 40s why cant Lu.
- allen_gamble

Gagner would be 3rd on your team in scoring.

Gagner would be 3rd on your team in scoring.
- Oilers4Life14

So who cares. How well did Roy work out? Canucks dont need anymore small player who arent physical. They need to add physical players with size who can actually play. The canucks have the same problem the oil do. Top 6 forwards are to small. I never said Gagner was a plug, I said he was a good player just not what the team needed.

No one is going to trade for Richards and that albatross of a contract. He'll definitely be bought out if he's leaving NYC. Will he sign with Nashville though? I doubt it.
- ProudestMonkey

Can we ban this word? It's easily the most overused word in this hockey season.

Sam Gagner??? Are you kidding?

Gillis did acknowledge the need to get younger, but he also acknowledged the need to get BIGGER! I know this is a "bold offseason prediction," but still.

Also, how do you fit that $4.75M under the cap? The only way to fit him in would be to trade Booth. Replacing a big power winger with an undersized center is contrary to the direction Gillis has made it clear he is headed.

Do you think that given the choice of 29 teams that Richards is going to select the Preds?
- IanEsplen

Absolutely not, but there's also no way Nashville takes that contract.

Sam Gagner??? Are you kidding?

Gillis did acknowledge the need to get younger, but he also acknowledged the need to get BIGGER! I know this is a "bold offseason prediction," but still.

Also, how do you fit that $4.75M under the cap? The only way to fit him in would be to trade Booth. Replacing a big power winger with an undersized center is contrary to the direction Gillis has made it clear he is headed.
- KB3Point0

Exactly!

Absolutely not, but there's also no way Nashville takes that contract.
- KB3Point0

He means if NYR buy outs Richards. He would then be a UFA and could sign any where. Preds would be a good fit i think. I just dont think he would want to sign there.

Nyr buyout. Pick him up for 2 years at 2.5. Good teacher for the young players van will be bringing up.
- manvanfan

Richards will most likely be bought out, but if he is he will get himself another good contract. Probably 4 years (maybe 5) at $3 - $4.5M per. Lots of teams need centers and the free agent crop is absolutely horrible this year as so many signed before last year trying to get in before the CBA expired.

He means if NYR buy outs Richards. He would then be a UFA and could sign any where. Preds would be a good fit i think. I just dont think he would want to sign there.
- allen_gamble

Oh, I know. Was agreeing that there's no way he would choose to sign in Nashville, but also stating that there's no way Nashville would trade for his contract. So there's absolutely no way he ends up in Nashville.

So who cares. How well did Roy work out? Canucks dont need anymore small player who arent physical. They need to add physical players with size who can actually play. The canucks have the same problem the oil do. Top 6 forwards are to small. I never said Gagner was a plug, I said he was a good player just not what the team needed.
- allen_gamble

Gagner fought Brookbank once.

First- and third-round pick
- mbell

Sweet, Oilers could use Aaron Ekblad

Saw this trade suggested elsewhere and I like it:

Edler (and maybe a prospect) to Carolina for 5th overall; Carolina has said they're willing to trade their 5th overall for a solid young Dman.

Then trade Luongo and that 5th overall to Florida for 2nd overall.

Effectively trading Edler and Luongo for 2nd overall (MacKinnon) and clears up a ton of salary space. Although if Colarado takes MacKinnon at #1 then that doesn't work out. Maybe Drouin is still worth it?

And another thought...

How about Maholtra as assistant coach to be groomed for head coach?

Saw this trade suggested elsewhere and I like it:

Edler (and maybe a prospect) to Carolina for 5th overall; Carolina has said they're willing to trade their 5th overall for a solid young Dman.

Then trade Luongo and that 5th overall to Florida for 2nd overall.

Effectively trading Edler and Luongo for 2nd overall (MacKinnon) and clears up a ton of salary space. Although if Colarado takes MacKinnon at #1 then that doesn't work out. Maybe Drouin is still worth it?

And another thought...

How about Maholtra as assistant coach to be groomed for head coach?
- hapalino

Manny would be a great coach, but he still wants to play. Will be very interesting to see if someone gives him a shot.

Hitchcock also acknowledged publicly that he could see that Manny wasn't able to protect himself quite well enough anymore while on the ice, so it's going to be a big time liability if someone signs him and he gets hurt.

Then trade Luongo and that 5th overall to Florida for 2nd overall.

- hapalino

.... really? .....

Does Smith want out of Phoenix? If not, why trade for Bobby? I doubt the new contract would be higher, the term will certainly be better and he's younger.

I love Gags but Nucks would be stupid to offer sheet him. They need guys that are more difficult to play against.

I do agree that someone dumb enough to buy the Coyotes might be dumb enough to trade for Luongo.
- Canada Cup

I have a hard time seeing Luongo being traded at all and that has nothing to do with the quality of his game. Taking in a contract like that is super risky under the new CBA. I think the Canucks would have to retain half of Luongo's salary in order to make a deal palatable. If it were up to me I'd keep Luongo and trade Schneider, you'll get more for him.

An offer sheet for Gagner, not a bad idea but I don't think he's the type of player you offer sheet. The Canucks prospect pool is already shallow. Would you risk a 1st and 3rd round pick on an average 2nd line centre? Acquiring him is a good idea, but do it via trade instead of overpaying by offer sheet.

Miller for Bryz and you said my thoughts were a stretch. Stupid deal that doesn't help the Sabres rebuild. We make one questionable with Leino and all of a sudden where the Rangers. Ian I question your bias against the Sabres

I have a hard time seeing Luongo being traded at all and that has nothing to do with the quality of his game. Taking in a contract like that is super risky under the new CBA. I think the Canucks would have to retain half of Luongo's salary in order to make a deal palatable. If it were up to me I'd keep Luongo and trade Schneider, you'll get more for him.

An offer sheet for Gagner, not a bad idea but I don't think he's the type of player you offer sheet. The Canucks prospect pool is already shallow. Would you risk a 1st and 3rd round pick on an average 2nd line centre? Acquiring him is a good idea, but do it via trade instead of overpaying by offer sheet.
- DarthKane

I think keep Lu also cus were stuck with him. Now that AV is gone i could be possible that he comes back. Then use schneider to get a power winger, scoring winger or high pick.

I think keep Lu also cus were stuck with him. Now that AV is gone i could be possible that he comes back. Then use schneider to get a power winger, scoring winger or high pick.
- allen_gamble

Althought that could be a decent plan (still undecided myself) , we're past the point of having that option. It really seems like Lu has checked out of Vancouver.

I love Gags but Nucks would be stupid to offer sheet him. They need guys that are more difficult to play against.
- Oilfan19

Umm... I'm not sure if people know this or not but the Canucks No. 1 need is goals.

Not hits
Not toughness
Not grit
Not size

GOALS!!!!!!!!!!!