Coconuts

Definitely, should hit 20 goals this year, which is a nice milestone I like Mik, he's a complimentary guy, that line needs a different element in the Kuzmenko slot though imo, give that line another top notch threat and Mikheyev being a middle six tweener is fine Most teams don't have six bona-fide top six guys in their top six Mikheyev reminds me of Hansen minus Hansen's grit and heart, both possess speed and defensive savvy I wouldn't bring Bertuzzi in and I don't think he'd come here, but someone with similar hockey attributes could fit, those are tough players to find though which is why he probably won't have trouble picking where he goes next D is still a work in progress imo, but it's good enough for the remainder of the season as is If they tweak anything I'd see what could be had in a Kuzmenko hockey trade

4-3 Nucks Pettersson

Definitely, him playing bigger than his size helps too Could find himself cementing a too aix spot in a season or two if he can keep building on his success Him and Boeser are up for new deals the same offseason too Between Hoglander, Boeser, Pettersson, and Miller there are skill options up front, Mikheyev is serviceable and adds a different element but I wouldn't call him a high skill option Adds speed and two way play though, complimentary elements What the Canucks could really use, which other users frequently allude to, is a skill guy with more edge/grit to add yet another element up front If Bertuzzi weren't such an oddball and his last name didn't have the baggage I'd wonder if he might not be a UFA option Lekkerimaki should supplant someone at some point, Raty/Podz could too but I question whether they'll be top six guys Mind you, they could also use a more top tier skill guy to go with Pettersson and leave grit/edge more to their bottom six and D, depends on who is available

And/or Kuzmenko, if only to add a different element to the forward group Seems inevitable that we only keep one of him and Boeser anyway

Cap being tight also drives home the importance of being able to bring in RFA's and players on ELC's. I'm not expecting Lekkerimaki to make the jump next season but he could be a boon when he does, the Canucks need Podz and Raty to show they can be NHL'ers sooner than later. At least Hoglander looks to be progressing.

Top talent looks better with other top talent, shocker. Kuzmenko's regressed and been scratched a number of times this season, Mikheyev is a defensively responsible middle six forward. Lot of other top forwards around the league have at least one high tier running mate, Pettersson hasn't had one this season and that's an issue for the Canucks. Regression was always going to happen for Kuzmenko, his shooting percentage wasn't going go be sustainable forever the same way Boeser's shooting percentage this season likely isn't. Canucks need an upgrade in their top six and they likely know it.

Why would he take less because of QH? Both him and Hughes sat out last time they were negotiating and neither gave the Canucks a discount. Just wait til it's time for Hughes to get his next deal, with the way the cap will rise over the next few seasons he could probably crack 13M if he keeps it up and wins some hardware.

I think some of it is that Winnipeg isn't shoved in anyone's face the way Edmonton has been, in fact they're probably the least likely Canadian team to get widespread coverage, it's either them or Ottawa imo Winnipeg has generally been more likeable too, when they've been good they've appeared well built despite their inability to have playoff success If Edmonton didn't have McDavid, who is shoved in our faces the way Crosby and Ovi were when they were younger, folks might cut them more slack

We all do

You're not wrong, the Kuzmenko conundrum is a bit of a head scratcher and Mikheyev is a middle six tweener by the looks of it, despite being an effective two-way player. Canucks are top heavy in regards to point production this season from both their forwards and their D, they're fortunate that their depth guys have performed pretty well. That second line needs more, although 19 points in 33 games from Kuzmenko and 21 in 35 from Mikheyev isn't terrible. You'd just expect someone of better caliber alongside Pettersson.

It's a shame they're putting the band to rest, they're such a versatile group of musicians. Punk, metal, straight ahead rock, hip hop influences early on, other bits too. Solid cover, can't say I've seen many bands cover Rage.

Probably, times are a changing. We'll undoubtedly have two of them in both Pettersson and Hughes down the road if Pettersson signs longer term. Folks need to start wrapping their heads around NHL players making 10M+ as being more of a norm going forward, because it will be as the cap continues to rise.

It's a gamble, certainly, but he could potentially make more on two smaller deals than one big one at the end of the day, if he doesn't want a max deal a 3-4 deal would likely make more sense for him though, absolutely. He turned 25 in November, he'll be 26 shortly into the first year of any new deal. a 3-4 year deal would take him to 29-30ish. Still plenty of time to cash in if he wanted, he should be productive enough over the next few seasons that if nothing else a team would probably throw the bag at him in UFA. Depends on how much he's willing to bet on himself, but he's already demonstrated a willingness to do so by going into this season without an extension. It's hard to know what Pettersson wants regarding term, but he will likely get market value on whatever deal he gets. I don't see the Canucks getting a discount, neither Hughes or Pettersson gave them one last time they sat out in negotiations. Wouldn't be surprised if the Canucks end up paying Hughes market value down the road too, he'll very likely command more than Pettersson when you factor in cap increases. Particularly if he wins any hardware before his deal is up. The cost of having players put up top line/elite numbers without winning it all is having to pay them, but I'd rather have to pay the piper than be capped out and mediocre the way we were for years. Some folks want to have top notch talent without having to pay top tier dollars, you don't typically get one without the other.

I think Petey would, I think the team would want a smaller cap hit and probably more term Could see a compromise of a 5 year deal Still takes Pettersson through what should be most of his peak years and gives both sides a chance to reassess sooner than later

Yeah, there's still plenty of time for them to flub it

Leafs just have to be smart enough to not have four players making 10M+ going forward once Tavares's deal is up, whether they can accomplish that remains to be seen If they can't get Tavares back on a sweetheart deal they'd probably be better off letting him walk, captain and still productive or not Continuing to build such a top heavy team would be a mistake, they need to spread their cap around more effectively if they want to be more than a regular season darling

Doubt it, Tavares's contract is only a roadblock for one more season after this one, they'll likely just ride it out and use him as their own rental if he can't be flipped Not worth the headache of a buyout if he's still productive

Dunno how Shanahan still has a job tbh, he's been at the helm for as much failure as Dubas Only silver lining for the Leafs is that the core 4 likely becomes the core 3 sooner than later, and that Marner's raise shouldn't be as significant as Nylander's

One of Tavares or Marner would make sense, although both have NMC's and control their destiny's Both have a season remaining on their deals after this season, Tavares will have to take less if he wants to return as he'll be 35 before the first season of any extension begins Matthews, Nylander, and Marner are likely just cannibalizing the cap his expiring deal will free up tbh, Leafs would be smart to look for a more cost effective 2C going forward if they can Could get a good haul for Marner, it'd be tough to walk away from a player who's put up 3 90+ point seasons before he turned 26 though

Maybe, but I do think we'll see more stars and superstars opting for less than max term going forward. Call it the Matthews effect. Even if Pettersson opts for a four or five year deal and comes down to closer to point per game he'll likely get at least what he makes on this next deal on the following deal, if only because there will almost certainly be a team or two willing to pony up via UFA. Cap increases are a factor too, we're exiting a flat cap era and there's actual incentive to not take the max term deal. There's something to be said for stability and certainty, but there are likely several guys out there who are willing to bet on themselves as well. I think a lot of guys will continue to opt for the term and security, but I do think we'll see more higher tier guys betting on themselves so as to maximize their earnings.

Here's hoping

I mean, the bones of a good team were always there, they've been a little disappointing the past couple seasons but they've also only missed the playoffs once since 17-18 and they're on track to make it again. Jets have been good enough to make the playoffs for a while, it's the playoffs that they've struggled with, but they've been good enough to be in the mix. Could be the year they go deep again, they may have done more last season if they hadn't run into Vegas in the first round.

4-2 Rags Panarin

Looks like it's finally happening though, richest contract given out in Leafs history