They need to look at the Leafs scenario, around 2011. The new ownership group demanded playoffs and hired Brian Burke. He promptly rebuilt the Bruins into a Stanley Cup champion by trading for Phil Kessel. The Leafs made the playoffs and went out in the first round. They didn't see playoffs again for 8 years. They depleted their draft picks and were just bad enough to miss the playoffs, but good enough to not get a top end draft pick. Finally, after 19 years they won a playoff round. Ownership groups need patience. It's not go hell bent trying to make the playoffs and mortgage your future to do so. Bottom out for a couple of years, get some elite talent on entry level contracts, then add other prospects and free agents. Build a core. This is where the team went wrong, this year. The OEL buyout is going to handcuff them for 8 years. If they'd just kept him while rebuilding, they could have bought him out in 2 years and saved the back end of the current buyout, just as they were about to get competitive. Not smart.
- PrinceLH

Honestly, the Canucks are just as close to a Stanley Cup as the Leafs are.

Both teams have won the exact same amount of playoff series over the past decade

.

Yeah I don't see the positives of the Leafs. They are really no different than us. They are constantly trying to get rid of bad contracts and now make cap room by moving a core player. Their D and goaltending suck. They have as many PO round wins as we do in the last decade and as many cup wins in the last fifty years as we do. They are in cap hell.

I find comparing us to the Leafs is like asking which STD do you like better.
- VANTEL

Seriously, hatred aside.

One is a team that is perennially among the best in the league, despite the limited playoff success .

The other team is ours, which fails to qualify for the playoffs on nearly an annual basis.

I like our goaltending advantage , aside from that I think the Leafs are in a much better position.

I think what Vancouver is banking on is making the playoffs, then having a better goalie.

I think what Vancouver is banking on is making the playoffs, then having a better goalie.
- golfingsince

Agree though that model gets you so far and first they have to make the playoffs.

So there will be changes. But the biggest indicators will be health and structure from camp on. A better D and solid tending will then make all the difference.

What we know is that the team won’t be the one that had the first half disaster or finished the season with fill ins. So those who say Canucks cannot or won’t be able to do anything are basing that on the past. Yes odds of success are less given circumstances. So it’s easier to bet against them.

However, something is happening cause you don’t buy out OEL just to stand pat.

Hoping this buyout of OEL is just the 1st of several good things to happen this off-season.
Although I would like to see a complete roster change, that isn't going to happen, but moving on from Miller Demko Hughes Boeser and Garland would be another step in the right direction.

Agree though that model gets you so far and first they have to make the playoffs.

So there will be changes. But the biggest indicators will be health and structure from camp on. A better D and solid tending will then make all the difference.

What we know is that the team won’t be the one that had the first half disaster or finished the season with fill ins. So those who say Canucks cannot or won’t be able to do anything are basing that on the past. Yes odds of success are less given circumstances. So it’s easier to bet against them.

However, something is happening cause you don’t buy out OEL just to stand pat.
- Quinn's Quest

Or, they hope they can make something happen, and when nothing does they blame the market and 'circumstances'. Again, we've seen this movie before, making moves that appear to be setup for bigger moves but nothing ever comes of it for a variety of reasons.

Hoping this buyout of OEL is just the 1st of several good things to happen this off-season.
Although I would like to see a complete roster change, that isn't going to happen, but moving on from Miller Demko Hughes Boeser and Garland would be another step in the right direction.
- Reubenkincade

That move on list seems a lot closer to a complete roster change than another step lol.

I can see how change is appealing. Pretty sure we will get some more. Not sure it can be done at a large scale. Unless you have some ideas?

By the way do you think they did that buy out so they can then move on from the rest of the roster?

Or, they hope they can make something happen, and when nothing does they blame the market and 'circumstances'. Again, we've seen this movie before, making moves that appear to be setup for bigger moves but nothing ever comes of it for a variety of reasons.
- DariusKnight

I get the disappointment. In fairness, you can’t control another teams agreement if it’s about trades. As for other moves, would not want to see the new cap space spent on this UFA crop.

Hoping this buyout of OEL is just the 1st of several good things to happen this off-season.
Although I would like to see a complete roster change, that isn't going to happen, but moving on from Miller Demko Hughes Boeser and Garland would be another step in the right direction.
- Reubenkincade

STFU

Images flashing in my head of Booner’s mom

- Shuswap Wap

You would have never seen her with any kind of rebel flag. Not a redneck... just a drunk crazy Ukrainian woman. In and out of jail through the 80's.
:lol

Agree though that model gets you so far and first they have to make the playoffs.

So there will be changes. But the biggest indicators will be health and structure from camp on. A better D and solid tending will then make all the difference.

What we know is that the team won’t be the one that had the first half disaster or finished the season with fill ins. So those who say Canucks cannot or won’t be able to do anything are basing that on the past. Yes odds of success are less given circumstances. So it’s easier to bet against them.

However, something is happening cause you don’t buy out OEL just to stand pat.
- Quinn's Quest

Agreed.

STFU
- Load Management

No.

I wonder if we could sign Ryan Graves with the OEL money. I'm guessing he'd be similar to Gavrikov money wise

You havent been around much crazy if you think there can only be one in a relationship.

- boonerbuck

Regretfully, I've been around more than I'd care to admit.

Agree though that model gets you so far and first they have to make the playoffs.

So there will be changes. But the biggest indicators will be health and structure from camp on. A better D and solid tending will then make all the difference.

What we know is that the team won’t be the one that had the first half disaster or finished the season with fill ins. So those who say Canucks cannot or won’t be able to do anything are basing that on the past. Yes odds of success are less given circumstances. So it’s easier to bet against them.

However, something is happening cause you don’t buy out OEL just to stand pat.
- Quinn's Quest

100%….there’s some poop goin down behind the scenes, I hope they can make something big happen.

I get the disappointment. In fairness, you can’t control another teams agreement if it’s about trades. As for other moves, would not want to see the new cap space spent on this UFA crop.
- Quinn's Quest

No, but you should have backup plans in place, and have expectations that deals may not go through. Trades aren't easy even in the best of times so making moves like this raises a lot of expectations. I will say though, I seriously doubt they make any significant trades as they want to make the playoffs and the assets that would get them the most are for the most part untouchable. I expect them to make lateral moves and then overpay in the UFA market because honestly, that's what FA wants.

I wonder if we could sign Ryan Graves with the OEL money. I'm guessing he'd be similar to Gavrikov money wise
- Jkuzzi

1) Hmm big boy liked in NJ will he make it to UFA?
2) If he does why chose Canucks unless it’s an overpay?
3) If signed, does he become the next Myers paid too much to play above his abilities?

No, but you should have backup plans in place, and have expectations that deals may not go through. Trades aren't easy even in the best of times so making moves like this raises a lot of expectations. I will say though, I seriously doubt they make any significant trades as they want to make the playoffs and the assets that would get them the most are for the most part untouchable. I expect them to make lateral moves and then overpay in the UFA market because honestly, that's what FA wants.
- DariusKnight

This describes 90% of the teams in the NHL.

Regretfully, I've been around more than I'd care to admit.

- VanHockeyGuy

It's a catch 22 because they are usually the best ones in bed.

100%….there’s some poop goin down behind the scenes, I hope they can make something big happen.
- LeftCoaster

Maybe those trade inquiries lead to possibilities of a bigger deal. Like where Canucks needed cap room to pull it off. Like for a RFA needing a pay day team not able to fit in?

This describes 90% of the teams in the NHL.
- LeftCoaster

From the sounds of it 90% of the guys in here don't have what it takes to handle a redhead.

100%….there’s some poop goin down behind the scenes, I hope they can make something big happen.
- LeftCoaster

Probably another desperate signing to 'go all in' with an atrocious anchor contract. Can't wait to see how they fuck this up.

From the sounds of it 90% of the guys in here don't have what it takes to handle a redhead.
- Load Management

Right….fuckin pussies!! Not only am I married to one, my 30 year old daughter and my four year old granddaughter are also redheads. No matter what comes my way in life, I can deal with anything.

100%….there’s some poop goin down behind the scenes, I hope they can make something big happen.
- LeftCoaster

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Maybe those trade inquiries lead to possibilities of a bigger deal. Like where Canucks needed cap room to pull it off. Like for a RFA needing a pay day team not able to fit in?
- Quinn's Quest

I’d love a big ass trade, but I won’t hold my breath waiting.