Nobody knows. Many think they will take bridges, if that's the case I would guess we'll see EP around 8 and Hughes around 6 or 7
- NorthNuck

Bridge deals are dying, or at least they should be for star players. Most players have their best years between 20 and 27 years old and they should be compensated right out of their entry-level contracts. This avoids the Loui Eriksson type deals trying to squeeze as much as you can out of an older player for max dollars before he runs out of runway.

I think Aho is a good comp for EP... so probably around 8.5 mil

I think Hughes could go for less. Comps would be Chabot at the high end at 8mil, while ekblad is 7.5 and Seth Jones and Werenski are 5.4 and 5.0 respectively. Plus Hughes has not arb rights and can't be offer sheeted... I think somewhere in the 7's would be fair.... he might go for a small bridge and hope to hit it big a little later down the road.
- Mungo

8.5M for EP long term would be pretty sweet

Bridge deals are dying, or at least they should be for star players. Most players have their best years between 20 and 27 years old and they should be compensated right out of their entry-level contracts. This avoids the Loui Eriksson type deals trying to squeeze as much as you can out of an older player for max dollars before he runs out of runway.
- Pacificgem

Yeah, the thinking has finally caught up to reality now. It's better to overpay a young player a year or 2 before they really hit their peak rather than overpay a vet who's a year or 2 from falling off.

Along the same philosophy that it's better to let go of older players one year too early rather than one or more years too late.

Bridge deals are dying, or at least they should be for star players. Most players have their best years between 20 and 27 years old and they should be compensated right out of their entry-level contracts. This avoids the Loui Eriksson type deals trying to squeeze as much as you can out of an older player for max dollars before he runs out of runway.
- Pacificgem

I 100% agree, I've been saying this whole time they need to try to extend EP for 8 years ASAP as it will definitely pay off in the long run. Same goes for Hughes, though him I could understand bridging a bit more since he has barely played 1 full season yet.

8.5M for EP long term would be pretty sweet
- Nucker101

Anything under 9.5 would be great if it's for 8 years imo

8.5M for EP long term would be pretty sweet
- Nucker101

I agree! He would outperform that pretty easily.

Could happen... Leon Draisaitl got 8.5 out of his EL contract as well.... he's another decent comp.

Unfortunately there's comps like A. matthews and Marner out there too.

Thanks Carol. One part of the quote from Podz's SKA GM about getting in shape. Hope its not repeated cause the JV/Tryamkin labels are so easily applied by those wanting to slam him.

On the other tidbits seemed Podz was getting scratched to rest up from being over played. Plus sent down to work on his offence to be ready for junior tournaments.

So this is part of his development and not a sign of being a bust, correct?

So are we in the dog days prolonged by no certainty of next season, or is this the time to work on extending EP and QH?

8.5M for EP long term would be pretty sweet
- Nucker101

Realistically Aho and Barzal are EP's comparables. Once Barzal signs, we know roughly what EP will get. Aho also signed based off a 81.5m cap ceiling so you can't argue EP getting more based off cap % either.

Realistically Aho and Barzal are EP's comparables. Once Barzal signs, we know roughly what EP will get. Aho also signed based off a 81.5m cap ceiling so you can't argue EP getting more based off cap % either.
- Retinalz

Good point about Aho's contract in relation to the cap. The fact that he signed an offer sheet too really enforces that should be the max amount IMO. Can't get closer to market value when you have another team offering an amount and the player accepting that.

Barzal's contract should be super interesting. He might be forced to take a bridge contract simply due to NYI's lack of cap space

Good point about Aho's contract in relation to the cap. The fact that he signed an offer sheet too really enforces that should be the max amount IMO. Can't get closer to market value when you have another team offering an amount and the player accepting that.

Barzal's contract should be super interesting. He might be forced to take a bridge contract simply due to NYI's lack of cap space
- Mungo

Another wrinkle is what the next few seasons will look like – how much escrow/sharing/deduction in pay the players are going to lose. Some players might want to get long-term security and just play, and others might think it best to take a bridge deal, save some money while the league stabilizes, and then cash in when they can.

So JB obviously has faith in his current D as it sits today unless he has something on the backburner.

Fantenberg:
- Wanted to stay in VAN/NHL but got no contract offers.
- Not interested in sitting in the stands half the year (as a healthy scratch).
- Seems very excited/relieved to have a contract & play for a top European club.

So JB obviously has faith in his current D as it sits today unless he has something on the backburner.

Fantenberg:
- Wanted to stay in VAN/NHL but got no contract offers.
- Not interested in sitting in the stands half the year (as a healthy scratch).
- Seems very excited/relieved to have a contract & play for a top European club.
- VanHockeyGuy

A key part of the plan.

A key part of the plan.
- Marwood

Thinking the same

So JB obviously has faith in his current D as it sits today unless he has something on the backburner.

Fantenberg:
- Wanted to stay in VAN/NHL but got no contract offers.
- Not interested in sitting in the stands half the year (as a healthy scratch).
- Seems very excited/relieved to have a contract & play for a top European club.
- VanHockeyGuy

Or he, just like everyone else in the NHL apparently, thinks Fantenberg is shiit?

JB taking a lot of heat for letting crappy players go

As well, Fatty will probably wind up making more money in Europe this year as they're not clawing back any money from players.

Hoglander w his first goal. No longer a bust
- CanuckDon

He's been playing really well. He's more likely to be in Canucks top 6 over Podz.

He's been playing really well. He's more likely to be in Canucks top 6 over Podz.
- boonerbuck

You think Hoglander has a higher upside that Podz?
Bold.
I like it.
My gut disagrees, but i like it.

He's been playing really well. He's more likely to be in Canucks top 6 over Podz.
- boonerbuck

I think they've both already been traded for scraps

Or he, just like everyone else in the NHL apparently, thinks Fantenberg is shiit?

JB taking a lot of heat for letting crappy players go

As well, Fatty will probably wind up making more money in Europe this year as they're not clawing back any money from players.
- NewYorkNuck

So, now Markstrom, Tanev, Toffoli & Leivo are "crappy players".

He's taking a lot of heat for maxing out his cap on crappy bottom 6 players who are good in the room.

So, now Markstrom, Tanev, Toffoli & Leivo are "crappy players".

He's taking a lot of heat for maxing out his cap on crappy bottom 6 players who are good in the room.
- Marwood

Are you envious of Calgary’s Markstrom and tanev. Deals?

Are you envious of Calgary’s Markstrom and tanev. Deals?
- CanuckDon

The only deals that former Canuck players have signed with other teams via free agency that I think we should have offered are the ones for Leivo and Toffoli. Both were acquired at good deals, good term, no protection, and cost friendly given their roles. Any other deal IMO has been something that the Canucks should not have given.

The only deals that former Canuck players have signed with other teams via free agency that I think we should have offered are the ones for Leivo and Toffoli. Both were acquired at good deals, good term, no protection, and cost friendly given their roles. Any other deal IMO has been something that the Canucks should not have given.
- Codes1087

Yes. Absolutely. But Schmidt meant no Toffoli and obviously Schmidt is more important.

Are you envious of Calgary’s Markstrom and tanev. Deals?
- CanuckDon

Not in the slightest. I just find it funny that now that they are not Canucks, they are crappy players. Most people in here had them ranked based on importance of re-signing.

The only deals that former Canuck players have signed with other teams via free agency that I think we should have offered are the ones for Leivo and Toffoli. Both were acquired at good deals, good term, no protection, and cost friendly given their roles. Any other deal IMO has been something that the Canucks should not have given.
- Codes1087

Agreed.
Toffoli was the only signing i was actually bummed on though.
Leivo has a lot of question marks re his health imo, and we have a looooot of bodies in that middle 6 or bottom 6 role. I got no problem having ZacMac slide into that spot.

Toffoli will be more missed, unless we can nab another remaining UFA winger, or make a trade, but i'm not holding my breath.

Are you envious of Calgary’s Markstrom and tanev. Deals?
- CanuckDon

Do think Mathews is overpaid?