I would argue there's players like Thomas Chabot and Miro Heiskanen who both get paid over 8 million who are very similar to Hughes.

It's easy to cherry-pick older guys like those two but you've got a young guy who's really only had one bad season defensively, which everyone and their brother will use as it fits their narrative, who has so much potential. Which older guys like Klingberg and Tyson Barrie don't have.
- LeftCoaster

I was cherry picking the type of player they are and how their careers progressed.

I'd take Chabot and Heiskanen against any top line in the league nightly. Hughes has shown that he's not near that. If you are going to pay Hughes are a #1 D man, he has to play like it. In ALL situations, he's not.

Barrie is getting 4.5M a season at 30 years old. Hughes would be smart to be taking 6.25M until he is 30 years old.

I thought that was a pretty clear and easy breakdown of what the Canucks are looking at cap-wise to start the season and how LTIR works specifically with Ferland
- NewYorkNuck

Great job of dumbing it down for the intelligent Canuck fans

He might be missing some variables in there as well. It's going to be tight either way but will get done.

I would argue there's players like Thomas Chabot and Miro Heiskanen who both get paid over 8 million who are very similar to Hughes.

It's easy to cherry-pick older guys like those two but you've got a young guy (QH) who's really only had one bad season defensively, which everyone and their brother will use as it fits their narrative even though it's largely a fault of the team, who has so much potential. Which older guys like Klingberg and Tyson Barrie don't have.
- LeftCoaster

Heiskanen is a whopping 3 months older than Hughes.

I thought that was a pretty clear and easy breakdown of what the Canucks are looking at cap-wise to start the season and how LTIR works specifically with Ferland
- NewYorkNuck

It was a decent explanation. On occasion Dayal surprises me.👍

I was cherry picking the type of player they are and how their careers progressed.

I'd take Chabot and Heiskanen against any top line in the league nightly. Hughes has shown that he's not near that. If you are going to pay Hughes are a #1 D man, he has to play like it. He's not.

Barrie is getting 4.5M a season at 30 years old. Hughes would be smart to be taking 6.25M until he is 30 years old.
- manvanfan

I thought he was poor defensively at times his first year but he's got an active stick, he's a WAY better skater than Barrie and he'll improve his spots when he rushes with better coaching, again, his poor +/- imo is more a product of team systems/coaching than it is inability on his part.

I know people want to pick him apart because they can sign him for less but I don't think it's realistic. I'm guessing his agents will point out the two young players I mentioned above and also point out how flawed the team has been the past two year defensively.

I could see the high 6's for a short term deal, say 6.75 million, but people are dreaming if his agents are going to let him sign for less than six on a short term deal. The kid is dynamic offensively and with better coaching he can be much better defenseively.

Heiskanen is a whopping 3 months older than Hughes.
- Reubenkincade

I know it's hard to see the chalkboard from down there, but if you follow along, I'm referring to John Klingberg and Tyson Barrie with that comment.

I thought he was poor defensively at times his first year but he's got an active stick, he's a WAY better skater than Barrie and he'll improve his spots when he rushes with better coaching, again, his poor +/- imo is more a product of team systems/coaching than it is inability on his part.

I know people want to pick him apart because they can sign him for less but I don't think it's realistic. I'm guessing his agents will point out the two young players I mentioned above and also point out how flawed the team has been the past two year defensively.

I could see the high 6's for a short term deal, say 6.75 million, but people are dreaming if his agents are going to let him sign for less than six on a short term deal. The kid is dynamic offensively and with better coaching he can be much better defenseively.
- LeftCoaster

You must have blinders on when you watch this kid in the defensive zone, of you think it is all the coaching or systems.
The kid is clueless 95% of the time, in the defensive zone.

I thought he was poor defensively at times his first year but he's got an active stick, he's a WAY better skater than Barrie and he'll improve his spots when he rushes with better coaching, again, his poor +/- imo is more a product of team systems/coaching than it is inability on his part.

I know people want to pick him apart because they can sign him for less but I don't think it's realistic. I'm guessing his agents will point out the two young players I mentioned above and also point out how flawed the team has been the past two year defensively.

I could see the high 6's for a short term deal, say 6.75 million, but people are dreaming if his agents are going to let him sign for less than six on a short term deal. The kid is dynamic offensively and with better coaching he can be much better defenseively.
- LeftCoaster

You have to pick him apart otherwise, you're going to pay for something he's not. Simple as that.

The player you want to pay like a #1 defender has proven that he can't improve the defence at both ends of the ice. He's actually a detriment on the defensive side.

You can't pay Hughes for something he might turn into that he hasn't shown he's capable off.

You must have blinders on when you watch this kid in the defensive zone, of you think it is all the coaching or systems.
The kid is clueless 95% of the time, in the defensive zone.
- Reubenkincade

He certainly needs to be coached better, I don't think he's incapable of playing better defensively with better body positioning. Look, he doesn't have to be everything, does he have to improve defensively, sure, but he doesn't have to the best defensive player in the world.

Roman Josi was poor defensively this year, so was Seth Jones, they both make 9 million a year. His offensive contributions are going to dictate his pay, that's just my guess. It's gonna go right down to training camp I would guess.

I know it's hard to see the chalkboard from down there, but if you follow along, I'm referring to John Klingberg and Tyson Barrie with that comment.
- LeftCoaster

You lead into that sentence, using Chabot and Heiskanen, so it would only make sense that it was those 2 you were referring to.
I realize English is hard for you.
Also, you said he only had one bad defensive season, again you had blinders on and missed the fact that Tanev covered his butt many times and the kid was still a -10.

You have to pick him apart otherwise, you're going to pay for something he's not. Simple as that.

The player you want to pay like a #1 defender has proven that he can't improve the defence at both ends of the ice. He's actually a detriment on the defensive side.

You can't pay Hughes for something he might turn into that he hasn't shown he's capable off.
- manvanfan

Oh yes you certainly can, players get paid all the time for potential now, unlike yester-year where they got paid for what they'd done in the past.

Anyone who thinks a 21 year old kid with two years in the league has proven he can't play on the defensive side of the puck is out to lunch. He plays on a terrible team with regard to defensive structure.

If that were the case they'd have traded Bo Horvat, one of the teams best defensive players after his second year where he won the green jacket for a -30

You lead into that sentence, using Chabot and Heiskanen, so it would only make sense that it was those 2 you were referring to.
I realize English is hard for you.
Also, you said he only had one bad defensive season, again you had blinders on and missed the fact that Tanev covered his butt many times and the kid was still a -10.
- Reubenkincade

I was responding to this post....

When you see the history of players like Hughes. Looking at players that can create offence but are such a liability defensively.

Look at Tyson Barrie. Short contracts, not nearly as much as he should get for what he has scored. How much of an anchor contract has Erik Karlsson turned into.

John Klingberg in Dallas, good contract but doesn't move the 5v5 needle for the team. They got a lot better when they drafted a two way defender in Heiskanen.
- manvanfan

Oh yes you certainly can, players get paid all the time for potential now, unlike yester-year where they got paid for what they'd done in the past.

Anyone who thinks a 21 year old kid with two years in the league has proven he can't play on the defensive side of the puck is out to lunch. He plays on a terrible team with regard to defensive structure.

If that were the case they'd have traded Bo Horvat, one of the teams best defensive players after his second year where he won the green jacket for a -30
- LeftCoaster

So you pay him like Bo Horvat. 6 years 6M with today's cap percentage.

If you're going by Hughes offence, pay him like a forward that's defensively irresponsible.

I am fine if they move on from him, sooner, rather than later.
I know you cum-guzzlers disagree, but I dislike one dimensional offensive runts.
- Reubenkincade

You don't have to have 23 Bob Gainey's on the team, it's ok to have unique skillsets. Look at Pavel Bure, he loved to hangout in the neutral zone for the breakaway pass. Hughes skills are extremely hard to find, you need guys who can create offense from the blueline in order to win.

So you pay him like Bo Horvat. 6 years 6M with today's cap percentage.

If you're going by Hughes offence, pay him like a forward that's defensively irresponsible.
- manvanfan

I think his agents are going to get him paid like a dynamic offensive NHL player, that's what I think.

He was 36th in the NHL for even strength ice-time (defensemen), which means the Canucks rely heavily on him 5vs5...again, something his agents are going to point out.

I think his agents are going to get him paid like a dynamic offensive NHL player, that's what I think.
- LeftCoaster

If Adam Pelech gets paid 5.75 for 8 years as a dynamic defensive player that provides little offence. Hughes should get paid the same.

I'd point out that teams with dynamic offensive defensemen if they are paid like #1s kind of really suck.

And I would trade him for a package like Ottawa got for Karlsson.

Dylan DeMelo · $900,000
Chris Tierney · $2,937,500
Rūdolfs Balcers · $0 (AHL/JR)
Joshua Norris · $0 (Signing Rights)
2020 conditional 1st round pick* (SJS - #3 - Tim Stützle)
2021 conditional 2nd round pick** (SJS - #39 - Zach Ostapchuk)
2019 conditional 2nd round pick*** (FLA - #44 - Jamieson Rees)
Conditional 1st round pick****

If Adam Pelech gets paid 5.75 for 8 years as a dynamic defensive player that provides little offence. Hughes should get paid the same.

I'd point out that teams with dynamic offensive defensemen if they are paid like #1s kind of really suck.
- manvanfan

It's a guessing game at best, that said, I think you're going to be disappointed because I think he's going to get paid handsomely. Everyone and their brother was jumping for joy when they were putting up comparisons to Hughes and some of the greatest offensive defensemen in league history, and now that it's time to pay him, those same people are saying he's terrible defensively after two years on a terrible defensive team so lets get rid of him

Canucks fans at their finest LOL.

Well, it's been fun boys, but I've gotta head to the golf course. It's nice and cool here in Phoenix this morning, another storm last night. See y'all later

If JB can't get EP and QH both on long term for under 16M. Maybe Canucks need to get Gillis back.
- manvanfan

No chance any GM could get both long term under $16. Clueless

No chance any GM could get both long term under $18. Clueless
- CanuckDon

Toronto model.

It's a guessing game at best, that said, I think you're going to be disappointed because I think he's going to get paid handsomely. Everyone and their brother was jumping for joy when they were putting up comparisons to Hughes and some of the greatest offensive defensemen in league history, and now that it's time to pay him, those same people are saying he's terrible defensively after two years on a terrible defensive team so lets get rid of him

Canucks fans at their finest LOL.
- LeftCoaster

Wrong. I have been pretty consistent about him, even before he was drafted, I said stay away from this kid.
Nothing has changed for me.

Wrong. I have been pretty consistent about him, even before he was drafted, I said stay away from this kid.
Nothing has changed for me.
- Reubenkincade

Ruby hot take, Myers and his 3 PP last season should take over the Canucks first power play unit this season.

I am fine if they move on from him, sooner, rather than later.
I know you cum-guzzlers disagree, but I dislike one dimensional offensive runts.
- Reubenkincade

- Ball Bag

I borrowed that saying from one of the other posters.
I think it is a great quote.

4. Ekman-Larsson’s potential resurgence hinges only on one thing
There have been many deep dives recently about Oliver Ekman-Larsson and whether he can rebound or not.

This is one of those scenarios where you can crunch all the numbers you want to try and find an optimistic answer, but there’s really nothing positive to glean from his analytics.

If you’re praying for an OEL resurgence, you’re really just banking on one thing.

A change of scenery.

Whether it was his mother’s passing, a contentious relationship with Rick Tocchet, or playing for a team that failed to trade him and pay him within the span of six weeks last season, there was a barrage of reasons why Ekman-Larsson might not have been fully motivated to play for the Coyotes.

If you’re a Canucks fan, you have to believe that it was circumstance — and not a dramatic age-related decline — that’s affected Ekman-Larsson on the ice.

OEL has been playing on a bad team pretty much since he came into the league. 3rd worst win percentage behind Oilers and Sabres.

4th worst plus minus since he entered the league.

I'm hoping for a Justin Faulk like resurgence.