Walking home from dropping my kid off at UBC aquatic centre and came across a coyote. It was walking next to me. Big and healthy. Then a squirrel crossed our path and the coyote just took off and chased down, caught it, and chowed down.

I was shocked how fast a coyote is. I’ve seen hundreds of dogs chase squirrels with absolutely no chance of catching the damn thing. But this coyote… the speed was a bit intimidating.
- bloatedmosquito

A presentation of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom

We get them here in our neighbourhood. They've all but eliminated all of the outdoor cats. We also have few and far between rabbits. Even the squirrel and the racoon population has thinned. My biggest concern is rabies and or attacking a small child. They've culled them in the past, but not for about 10 years. It's almost time to do so again.
- PrinceLH

I’ve seen lots of coyotes around golf course and they are always emaciated and mangy. This was big and health, like the size of your average lab. Impressive.

You in Ontario? I’ve heard you guys get this hybrid coyote called coywolves. Those things are impressive. Really big, aggressive, and super intelligent. Now that’s intimidating.

Because ownership is demanding playoffs, and so, regardless of how much that directive will hamper the team from being able to build a consistent winner that's what management is going to try and do.
- DariusKnight

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.

Outrageous Contract, Trade and buyout aside, What was OEL's major flaw?

Can he still PLAY hockey?

Does he provide value to a team as a 3rd pairing guy making 1.5-2 Million?
- RoloTahmasee

No

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

Not a good example.

A presentation of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
- Marwood

Everyone’s talking coyotes this morning so I thought I would join the conversation. At least my coyote comment is more relevant then Lefty’s or Don’s coyote comments.

Evident by that panic extension with the problem child.
- Marwood

I don’t understand this. They can trade the contract if they want to do signing him was just solid asset management

I’ve seen lots of coyotes around golf course and they are always emaciated and mangy. This was big and health, like the size of your average lab. Impressive.

You in Ontario? I’ve heard you guys get this hybrid coyote called coywolves. Those things are impressive. Really big, aggressive, and super intelligent. Now that’s intimidating.
- bloatedmosquito

I've seen them. They are scary creatures. The odd one makes it far enough south. I've seen one in the City of Belleville near the railway freight yards. He's usually hunting around daybreak. I sure wouldn't want to meet him, out for a walk early in the morning. They are quite prevalent in the North Bay/Sudbury region. Further north you get the real wolves. I've seen timber-wolves further north in the Arctic watershed, near James Bay. They are gigantic.

If you're going to deal with a buyout this big, and for so long, why not just tear it down and start over again? If Vegas can win a Cup in 6 years and Seattle can make it to the playoffs in two, why not just get rid of everyone over 26 year of age recoup draft picks and prospects? Stink for a couple of years and reach the playoffs with players on entry level contracts and bridge deals? I'm sure you could use your current veterans to get you decent younger players that'll be your core in a few years? You're not going anywhere, with your current core.
- PrinceLH

The Canucks and leafs are both going no where with their core. No Canadian team is going anywhere

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

You should worry about your own team. They are in a far more desperate position than the Canucks and are trying to sign Matthews for another 8 years. At least the Canucks still have a decent young core

Not a good example.
- VANTEL

That is what will happen if they try to over-excelerate their retool. They have to get worse to get better. Now wasn't the time for the OEL buyout.

The Canucks and leafs are both going no where with their core. No Canadian team is going anywhere
- CanuckDon

Edmonton? Ottawa has a nice crop of prospects coming up.

According to Cap Friendly the buyout is :

2023-24 $146,667
2024-25 $2,346,667
2025-26 $4,766,667
2026-27 $4,766,667
2027-28 $2,126,667
2028-29 $2,126,667
2029-30 $2,126,667
2030-31 $2,126,667

The Canucks and leafs are both going no where with their core. No Canadian team is going anywhere
- CanuckDon[/quote]

Not anytime soon.

Edmonton? Ottawa has a nice crop of prospects coming up.
- bloatedmosquito

I think this Edmontons last shot. I hope Ottawa can figure it out but they are still very far away. Toronto, WPG and Calgary are (frank)ed for another ten years

According to Cap Friendly the buyout is :

2023-24 $146,667
2024-25 $2,346,667
2025-26 $4,766,667
2026-27 $4,766,667
2027-28 $2,126,667
2028-29 $2,126,667
2029-30 $2,126,667
2030-31 $2,126,667


- winsix

2.5M savings at min is good. 3 ELC contracts

That is what will happen if they try to over-excelerate their retool. They have to get worse to get better. Now wasn't the time for the OEL buyout.
- PrinceLH

Wrong.

This over the eight years will prove out to be a Rocky D Pietro 2.0 buyout.

Yesterdays buyout was a huge step forward. They now have the room to build a NHL D.

Grant McCagg
@grantmccagg
·
3h
I have had NHL scouts compare Smith to Nylander...and I like that comp for him. I have also seen Leonard compared to Bennett, and I like that comp too...but I think Leonard is a bit faster and has a better shot. I don't know...to each his own...but give me Leonard.

NHL teams don't draft players for a fantasy league. They try to find players who will ultimately help them win. Bennett, as an example from 2014, has way fewer reg. season pts than Nylander, Ehlers and Fiala. Yet what team wouldn't prefer him over those three in a playoff game?

I'd say this is fine and all but Bennett isn't helping nearly as much to get to the playoffs.

You should worry about your own team. They are in a far more desperate position than the Canucks and are trying to sign Matthews for another 8 years. At least the Canucks still have a decent young core
- CanuckDon

First off, Matthews is about to re-sign a new 5 year contract. One of either Marner or Nylander is likely to get traded to free up Cap relief and to grab another top 4 defenseman. They have a good enough core to compete for first in the Atlantic. They're about 3 tweeks away from being the top team in the Atlantic. They already have 6 NHL caliber defensemen and 3 NHL caliber goaltenders. The big question is what to do with Matt Murray? They have the Cap space to sign their own UFA's if they choose to bring them back. Schenn is probably going to be signed this week coming up and they're also planning to bring back Noel Accari. Bunting is probably gone, and O'Reilly is a 50-50 tossup.

The Bruins are in Cap hell and will be shedding contracts. The Lightning are also sliding backwards. Florida went on an improbable run, but they only squeaked in on the last weekend and goaltendered their way to the finals. Ottawa, Buffalo and Detroit are on the upswing and will challenge for a playoff spot. The Habs are 3 years away. Maple Leafs are in the best position to be the top team in the Atlantic, baring a slew of injuries. I'm not worried about them making the playoffs.

Now trade Miller and Boeser and use that money to extend EP40 and build around him. Make him the Eichel or MacKinnon of the Canucks and build a team like Vegas/Colorado.
- DariusKnight

Petterson will not want to stay for another 'retool'. He stated a couple years ago he wants to win setting the groundwork for a Matthew Tkachuk type situation. This team is worse now than it was then, so I fully expect him to force his way out ... and I don't blame him.

Everyone’s talking coyotes this morning so I thought I would join the conversation. At least my coyote comment is more relevant then Lefty’s or Don’s coyote comments.
- bloatedmosquito

Very true. I did find your perspective interesting, seeing things beyond a gated community of rich crackers.

Wrong.

This over the eight years will prove out to be a Rocky D Pietro 2.0 buyout.

Yesterdays buyout was a huge step forward. They now have the room to build a NHL D.
- VANTEL

Yes they can, but they're not even close to making the playoffs. Asset management is crucial.

I don’t understand this. They can trade the contract if they want to do signing him was just solid asset management
- CanuckDon

I don't see it as a sign & trade.
Man, do I hope I'm wrong.

There's too many happy Canucks fans in here.

According to Cap Friendly the buyout is :

2023-24 $146,667
2024-25 $2,346,667
2025-26 $4,766,667
2026-27 $4,766,667
2027-28 $2,126,667
2028-29 $2,126,667
2029-30 $2,126,667
2030-31 $2,126,667


- winsix

Year 3 and 4 are going to be killers.