Technically because the expansion draft will be held before both of their contracts expire they don't need to do anything. Extending Markstrom and exposing Miller would be the plan and then if they needed a back up option they get one after the draft in free agency. Contracts don't end until free agency so I doesn't matter one bit because both are signed until then already.
- WhatTheNuck

Not true:

iii) One goaltender who is under contract in 2017-18 or will be a restricted free agent at the expiration of his current contract immediately prior to 2017-18. If the club elects to make a restricted free agent goaltender available in order to meet this requirement, that goaltender must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the club's protected list.
-from https://www.nhl.com/news/...n-draft-rules/c-281010592

Holy cow are they ever. This is why i don't understand the strategy. Even if the twins and loui have a great year I don't think it will translate into wins and more importantly a playoff spot (let alone compete in the playoffs).
- bloatedmosquito

I just want them to be more competitive, to defend better, that's my hope. The good draft picks will fall into place regardless of them signing Eriksson and trading for Gudbranson.

dreamer...
- LeftCoaster

There is a more accurate term we use around here for comments like that.

Interesting read. Out of Hudler, Jooris, Gagner and Pirri who do you all want?

https://thecanuckway.com/...rrie-hudler-pirri-gagner/

This assumes Barrie isn't obtainable, because he is not.
- FLflames34

None of them. we need some grit up front. If I had to choose one I'd say Hudler but I fear he will be overpaid.

I just want them to be more competitive, to defend better, that's my hope. The good draft picks will fall into place regardless of them signing Eriksson and trading for Gudbranson.
- LeftCoaster

Are you predicting that because JB is such an awesome drafter or because of placement in the draft (betting on percentages)?

Don't say both...

See above for my comments on Calgary, they can score, if they defend better, they finish ahead of the Nucks because Vancouver is still going to have trouble scoring.
- LeftCoaster

I am on the fence with them too, only because Elliot has had some streaky play and if I am remembering correctly, has never been the true #1. They could be improved, but they could also be a lot like last season

dreamer...
- LeftCoaster

Lets make a friendly wager on the amount of goals the forwards score this year. Last year they scored 150.

Not true:
- WhiteLie

Touche. And good info. It still couldn't be a big problem but I doubt they sign miller to an extension because he wouldn't want to be exposed and leave his wife in the west coast. He'd probably retire before that. Perhaps they sign a really cheap back up or trade Miller for 1 signed for an additional year at the TDL. You're right. It could be interesting.

There is a more accurate term we use around here for comments like that.
- bloatedmosquito

Canucks suck, Benning is an idiot. We will finish last and won't make the playoffs for 10 years. feel better?

Touche. And good info. It still couldn't be a big problem but I doubt they sign miller to an extension because he wouldn't want to be exposed and leave his wife in the west coast. He'd probably retire before that. Perhaps they sign a really cheap back up or trade Miller for 1 signed for an additional year at the TDL. You're right. It could be interesting.
- WhatTheNuck

What the (frank) does his wife have to do with it? He's making $6M in 16-17 and will probably get another contract around $3M-$4M after that. The more he makes the bigger the pension. His wife's salary/job has little to no significance in his thought process.

Too much money at stake.

Touche. And good info. It still couldn't be a big problem but I doubt they sign miller to an extension because he wouldn't want to be exposed and leave his wife in the west coast. He'd probably retire before that. Perhaps they sign a really cheap back up or trade Miller for 1 signed for an additional year at the TDL. You're right. It could be interesting.
- WhatTheNuck

Hopefully Miller will be traded at TDL.

Canucks suck, Benning is an idiot. We will finish last and won't make the playoffs for 10 years. feel better?
- CanuckDon

Don't forget we will lose all 3 lotteries...............and you call yourself a troll

Having Eriksson over Vrbata alone will add 15 goals. Our youth will grow and add an additional 20 goals. I don't think it will be a huge concern.
- CanuckDon

Vrbata scored 13
Vey 4
McCann 9
Hamhuis 3
Cracknell 5

That's 34 goals right there they have to find, sure Eriksson will go a long ways to helping that, but they'll still have trouble scoring more than 200 goals IMO.

Will Daniel get 28 again, even odds, will Hansen get 22 again, highly doubtful with him not on the Sedin line, Virtanen should get 8 more, Baertschi should get 5 more.

Canucks suck, Benning is an idiot. We will finish last and won't make the playoffs for 10 years. feel better?
- CanuckDon

Does it include any 1st overalls? How many? Can we trade for lots of first and second round picks?

Otherwise, solid post.

Touche. And good info. It still couldn't be a big problem but I doubt they sign miller to an extension because he wouldn't want to be exposed and leave his wife in the west coast. He'd probably retire before that. Perhaps they sign a really cheap back up or trade Miller for 1 signed for an additional year at the TDL. You're right. It could be interesting.
- WhatTheNuck

The reason I find it interesting, is the domino effect of needing a player to be put up and how that might impact Gartieg, who is a UFA after the season as well. If VAN keeps Bachman, he doesnt get claimed and is back in the AHL with Demko, Garteig might be an asset lost if he leaves not wanting another ECHL season.

As for Miller, Vegas isnt too far from LA. I had thought they might have behind the doors conversations between Vegas/Miller/VAN and Miller signs in VAN only to be claimed so he can be closer to his wife and be mentor/vet in the Vegas tandem. Though I dont quite know the rules around pending free agents and such with expansion

EDIT: wasnt aware Gartieg was RFA after this year. Happy for that

Touche. And good info. It still couldn't be a big problem but I doubt they sign miller to an extension because he wouldn't want to be exposed and leave his wife in the west coast. He'd probably retire before that. Perhaps they sign a really cheap back up or trade Miller for 1 signed for an additional year at the TDL. You're right. It could be interesting.
- WhatTheNuck

I doubt Miller's wife would mind Vegas...it's not far away from LA. Vancouver and Vegas are actually almost the identical distance/ flight time.

Don't forget we will lose all 3 lotteries...............and you call yourself a troll
- A_SteamingLombardi

Canuck luck. But you play the percentages and hope for the best. I hate to say it but Tor got their stud. It was a gamble worth taking IMO.

Don't forget we will lose all 3 lotteries...............and you call yourself a troll
- A_SteamingLombardi

I am a troll in training...I never claimed to be an ASL level troll

My two cents on how to handle the goaltending situation with respect to the expansion drafts, and early standouts from development camp, in the new blog:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...evelopment-Camp/194/77997

In 3-4 years they might be. Which is when the Sharks started retooling...
I'm not getting in a pissing match, just pointing out similar situations if you want to get down to it.
- Scooby_Doo

The convo that was going on when you responded was about next year not 3-4 years

Are you predicting that because JB is such an awesome drafter or because of placement in the draft (betting on percentages)?

Don't say both...
- bloatedmosquito

Placement in the draft lottery. As in close to the bottom.

Despite what some of the Flamers fans are saying, they're rebuilding while the Canucks are "going for it", our drafting hasn't been too dissimilar from theirs over the past four years, we're on the same path as they are.

In the past four years Calgary has drafted five times in the first round, 4th, 6th, 6th, 22nd & 28th.

The Canucks have drafted six times in the first round, 5th, 6th, 9th, 23rd, 24th & 24th.

Despite keeping the Sedins, which they claim we should get rid of like they did with Iginla, they only finished two points ahead of the Canucks last year.

So tell me Flames fans, how is your current path so different than the Nucks?
- LeftCoaster

We are being led by our future and the Canucks are being led by their soon to be or already past

What the (frank) does his wife have to do with it? He's making $6M in 16-17 and will probably get another contract around $3M-$4M after that. The more he makes the bigger the pension. His wife's salary/job has little to no significance in his thought process.

Too much money at stake.
- bloatedmosquito

Are you married?


His wife is also a actress making decent coin. She works in LA so I doubt she moves to Vegas. Happy wife happy life?

See above for my comments on Calgary, they can score, if they defend better, they finish ahead of the Nucks because Vancouver is still going to have trouble scoring.
- LeftCoaster

Ya not sure I can get there on Calgary...not qualifying gys like Colborne and Jooris and a few others they lost a ton of goals off the roster. Bo will get more as wil Sven. Etem and Granlund as well. Eriksson adds 30+ (hopefully)plus if Benning adds another 20+ goal impact winger van will be back above 200 goals. I think the Flames have stepped back a bit in the scoring dept. No Hudler...Jooris...Colborne and a few others. They really have only added Brouwer and there is no guarantee he will get 20 on a much lesser talented squad in Calgary vs STL. Calgary has lost too much 3rd and 4th line scoring to finish higher than Van IMO.

Ya not sure I can get there on Calgary...not qualifying gys like Colborne and Jooris and a few others they lost a ton of goals off the roster. Bo will get more as wil Sven. Etem and Granlund as well. Eriksson adds 30+ (hopefully)plus if Benning adds another 20+ goal impact winger van will be back above 200 goals. I think the Flames have stepped back a bit in the scoring dept. No Hudler...Jooris...Colborne and a few others. They really have only added Brouwer and there is no guarantee he will get 20 on a much lesser talented squad in Calgary vs STL. Calgary has lost too much 3rd and 4th line scoring to finish higher than Van IMO.
- LordHumungous

Ferland needs to have a better season, at least 12 goals. Shink or Tkachuk (whoever makes the team) should pencil in for at least 10. Brouwer is going to get more minutes than he should so will at least match Colbornes lost production. The wild card is Bennett, and if he takes it up another notch. If he can then the goals from last year should be met or exceeded from the prior year. For now, Id say both forward groups seem to pencil in fairly equitable numbers for year end. I do think Calgary's defense will be improved though, or, at least I sure hope so.