The 2023/2024 Season, Management, Trades, expectations

[RU SERIOUS]

On 9/16/2023 at 3:56 PM, TheGuardian said:

Improved defence, not too sure about that. Apart from the contracts OEL and Myers have/had played outside of their comfort zones but both were playing close to 20 minutes or more nightly.

OEL never got that contract for playing like Edler he got it for playing more like Hughes, offence first. When he got here he was expected to play a game he really never had to play, defence first. It didn't help that he broke his foot before last season started either.

Myers is similar except he is expected to play, or was, to play a 1/2 shutdown role, PK specialist and mentor for many different partners. IMO in a reduced role he would be a valuable player to have on the team especially as he is one of few that can win board battles.

That said I don't think Hronek is a shut down defenceman either. Again young RFA defenceman with as few games as he had don't get contracts his size for being defensive minded, in fact his defence was often criticized in Detroit. 

And if they move Myers, the defence as a whole is one of the smallest in the league with only Soucy over 6'1"

Great post and I too read several concerning comments about Horn-Wreck that makes his acquisition for a high 1st and 2nd round draft picks in a very deep draft year seem puzzling - at best.    I hope he proves all those past comments and past observers wrong because he sure cost this team a huge chunk of their future!  Good luck to him and fingers crossed.

[TheGuardian]

Tocchet, coach of a troubled team trying to ease the minds of concerned fans. IMO he only fools the stupid one's!

 

'We're more of a committee team': Canucks' Tocchet not concerned with line tinkering

 

Then there is the comments of most players but this is current so;

 

Marner loving how the chemistry is building on top line with Bertuzzi and Matthews

 

So is it chemistry, like the Sedins had or mix and match?

 

Is it necessary to even ask which is better?

 

Tocchet is only saying those things because even he can see things are already desperate.

[Truefan99]

Out of playoff contention by Xmas. 

[TheGuardian]

On 10/5/2023 at 8:06 AM, Eddie said:

I can see us being a bubble playoff team off the back off the 'core'. 

You know what that means right? What happens if the team is close?

 

Turn back the way back machine Mr. Peabody!

 

Pics traded for players that can't be signed due to cap issues.

 

FA vets, also not able to be resigned, passing the TDL and going for no return, Hronek, BEAUVILLIER, BLUEGER, Cole, Myers, DeSmith, Joshua, Aman AND PETEY! Plus the 2.34 mil OEL cap hit and the loss of Poolman's 2.5 mil LTIR.

 

Better to hope they are well out by January and going for Celibrini or one of the other 3 kids. Because the following year isn't better for the cap either.

 

So I am hoping that there is no doubt come January

Edited October 6, 2023 by TheGuardian

[TheGuardian]

Having different player's agents getting permission to move players from the same team has a deeper meaning.

There are a few big issues that this can signal.

This AND the unnecessary buyout of OEL are big RED FLAGS!

A quick review here, there are now 4 players in total that have openly expressed a desire to move or hesitate to commit. Horvat might have even been included.

Sometimes and in Vancouver especially, the media have been shielding the team from the really bad internal stuff.

There have been multiple signs of problems for years now.

[Jeremy Hronek]

Hopes:  We duplicate the 2014/2015 season where all/most of our players still healthy and we make the playoffs.

 

Expectations:   Fighting for a wildcard spot

 

Realities:  Fighting for a wildcard spot but a lot of our success will depend on the overall health of our team.  Ethan Bear coming back could help us.  

[TheGuardian]

So two games in, two wins over a cup favourite.

A goalie steal from the backup.

12 goals, scoring at a 24% rate.

No added serious injuries.

PK not bad, better than last year.

PP doing well.

 

Does this change anything this early?

[cripplereh]

10 minutes ago, TheGuardian said:

So two games in, two wins over a cup favourite.

A goalie steal from the backup.

12 goals, scoring at a 24% rate.

No added serious injuries.

PK not bad, better than last year.

PP doing well.

 

Does this change anything this early?

Long road trips and back to backs will show what we have.

 

I think with this team we will be fighting for a playoff spot and why early in the season we need to keep it up.

 

Injuries is also always a concern.

[TheGuardian]

On 10/15/2023 at 4:42 PM, cripplereh said:

Long road trips and back to backs will show what we have.

 

I think with this team we will be fighting for a playoff spot and why early in the season we need to keep it up.

 

Injuries is also always a concern.

Just looked at some negative numbers, the last two games there have been almost 200 shots or attempts with 77 actual saves on 82 shots.

Edited October 18, 2023 by TheGuardian

[TheGuardian]

On 9/16/2023 at 2:02 PM, Jaimito said:

A decent start is a must.  Can't go 0-7.  Rough schedule to start, so they better be ready.  And so far even before the preseason starts, the players and coaches seem to be more focused and prepared.   

Achilles heel last season was PK.   Got new players for that's and a new staff.  Demko needs to be a difference maker, and stay healthy.  

They blew away so many leads last yr, it was comical.   If they can clean that up, they have enough offense to win.

I expect them to get in this season.   

The first couple of games WERE a great start. The second game was a goalie steal but goalies are part of the team too. PK was good vs Edmonton.

 

I wonder about the more focused though as I am sure over the last 7 years they were focused just as much.

 

Demko through his first three games has made a massive difference.

[Rick_theRyper]

If they don't find a decent RHD within the first 30 games I think it'll be next to impossible to get in the playoffs with Myers playing more than 12-14 mins. Still too many soft wingers too, this team is missing Mikheyev in the top six. Beau and Garland there is a joke aside from pumping Garlands stats for a trade.. Studnika only shows bursts of effort. Joshua is starting to play the way he needs to again. Some tweaking of the lines when Mikheyev comes back and hopefully that fixes things, trade Beau/Garland (dump the other somehow for cap relief) and pick for Boquist or something like that. If everything goes right we will barely make the playoffs. But I think it's gonna be really hard to do the in the Pacific. We're doing well so far against divisional teams, win most of those games and maybe we can do it. Start winning some road trips east too and the odds are even better. But if we have Myers playing anything close to 20 mins and we're in trouble. 

[TheGuardian]

7 minutes ago, Rick_theRyper said:

If they don't find a decent RHD within the first 30 games I think it'll be next to impossible to get in the playoffs with Myers playing more than 12-14 mins. Still too many soft wingers too, this team is missing Mikheyev in the top six. Beau and Garland there is a joke aside from pumping Garlands stats for a trade.. Studnika only shows bursts of effort. Joshua is starting to play the way he needs to again. Some tweaking of the lines when Mikheyev comes back and hopefully that fixes things, trade Beau/Garland (dump the other somehow for cap relief) and pick for Boquist or something like that. If everything goes right we will barely make the playoffs. But I think it's gonna be really hard to do the in the Pacific. We're doing well so far against divisional teams, win most of those games and maybe we can do it. Start winning some road trips east too and the odds are even better. But if we have Myers playing anything close to 20 mins and we're in trouble. 

I think he is just fine if they can find another dman to play RHD on the PK. But there is also his size, Freidman couldn't move out Tampa players, Hughes has been one handed off the puck, Hronek has surprised me but still too easily moved off the puck. I don't know if posters listened to Shorthouse but he totally missed or just didn't call it, the times Hughes lost or gave away the puck, sometimes he skipped Hughes misplaying the puck altogether or blamed a bad pass on a poor reception, "Ohhh ? missed that pass"

 

Soft wingers and small wingers too. Mikheyev isn't a "boards guy". Joshua will not last the year but he will try knowing he is one comment from the coach to not playing.

 

So far Edmonton looks to be in trouble, Calgary coming back, Seattle broke the cherry. But yes it is much too soon for predictions although odds makers are doing fairly well and have been pretty accurate in their evaluations of teams and the standings.

[OldFaithfulcap]

Who'll have more points this season - the canucks or bedard?

[TheGuardian]

The team has got off to a great start and is earning back some fans love.

 

It is good times for fans right now but beware the pendulum swing back if there is a stumble.

 

Hughes is showing growth in his game.

Pettersson is developing a mean streak.

Miller looks much more reserved.

Both goalies re looking like vezina candidates.

Defence by committee is working but with half the game played by two, not so much committee.

 

Too bad most of these guys will not be around next year, well the bottom guys will.

 

The team IS shaping up to look like a two year window, this one and next year. They still need to get bigger to succeed in the real season IMHO.

[TheGuardian]

After the last few weeks the title becomes relevant again.

 

So which is it?

 

14 wins, 5 wins over a struggling Edmonton that spent time at and near the bottom of the league and a AHL team called San Jose who at the time had 3 and less wins?

 

The 6 games, 5 of them wins, allotted the team ungodly stats. Of the 88 goals scored, 34 are in those games. Still 52 goals in 16 games is pretty good.

 

If those outlier games were not used then the team is at 9 wins and 7 losses putting them 2 games over .500. Probably enough to make the playoffs.

 

Much is being made of the schedule by the media, it is the same type of schedule as always and not as bad as some years.

Tocchet acknowledges the travel but isn't the person bringing it up over and over again, that is the Roger's guy IMAC or Murphy for the most part, so maybe it is the team trying to make the schedule into an item/excuse. The Schedule has been this way for 50+years, nothing new and other western teams get them that way as well.

 

Hughes is scoring at Canuck record numbers BUT Makar has caught and passed him by the smallest of margins in two fewer games played. Still Hughes is putting up great numbers.

 

Vancouver is the tired team in 9 back to back games 6 of those will coincide with both teams being in the 2nd of back to back. 11 teams play Vancouver in their 2nd game in two nights while the Canucks are the rested team. Canucks will get an advantage this year with them being well rested for those the 11 games.

This year the Canucks also get one of the easiest schedules in the league.

 

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by TheGuardian

[TheGuardian]

With significant recent trades, something unheard of in the recent past, Allvin and Rutherford are regaining some respect from some fans and belief that real change does and can happen.

 

Two brilliant November trades that are not just AHLers or marginal players in November has shaken the concept of "too hard to make a deal" for the entire league. Teams every where are now hunting to make deals earlier.

 

How refreshing to see Vancouver at the forefront of dismantling of a myth. While not easy to do, just not impossible as advertised before.

 

Now there is the time to move on from two players that wanted out last year, Boeser and Garland. Trade on the team's timeline.

What is more important to most fans, two players or a team capable of winning playoff games? Boeser's goals, last year it was "How are they going to replace Horvat's goals" they did and they will with Boeser's. Garland just doesn't fit at 5 million. He can't get the minutes or assignments (PP) to enhance his point totals that he might with other teams.

 

IMO, the Beauvillier and Zadorov trades were brilliant and will have a direct impact on the team and games, and please note this comment now, the team played with playoff intensity at the beginning of the season and are probably going to have a market adjustment, this will not be due to new players just added, it will be the result or 2 months of pedal to the metal play. Players playing 5 to 10 minutes more than the other 2/3 of the team.

[TheGuardian]

Just another observation that recently made the rumour mill. Barrie and the Preds have decided to part ways.

This is of interest because Zadorov and Barrie were with Colorado when Barrie had his best years and Zadorov was part of that. An instant chemistry or pairing? 

The Canucks still need cap space and have two bloated contracts to move. Before those contracts needed sweeteners and/or retention. The Preds could use some PP help and Boeser has 8 PP goals already. Boeser for Barrie and a late pick? Prospect? The cap space is the big win here.

 

The playoff window looks to be now with the Canucks.

[TheGuardian]

The predicted trade today?

A suddenly odd media conference called at 1 am for this afternoon.

IF Hoglander was benched and he is the subject of a deal then;

His cap hit plus the cap space is almost a prorated 5.4 million.

Irwin sent down so a roster spot is open.

Rutherford/Allvin are all in and really don't wait and have cap space open 

[Bob Long]

18 minutes ago, TheGuardian said:

The predicted trade today?

A suddenly odd media conference called at 1 am for this afternoon.

IF Hoglander was benched and he is the subject of a deal then;

His cap hit plus the cap space is almost a prorated 5.4 million.

Irwin sent down so a roster spot is open.

Rutherford/Allvin are all in and really don't wait and have cap space open 

 

It has to be bigger than just hogs to warrant a press conference doesn't it?

[Alflives]

21 minutes ago, TheGuardian said:

The predicted trade today?

A suddenly odd media conference called at 1 am for this afternoon.

IF Hoglander was benched and he is the subject of a deal then;

His cap hit plus the cap space is almost a prorated 5.4 million.

Irwin sent down so a roster spot is open.

Rutherford/Allvin are all in and really don't wait and have cap space open 

Don’t trades, when made, get released to the press. I can’t remember a trade that was announced at a presser. 
If there is a trade I hope it’s Garland out. 

[Bob Long]

1 minute ago, Alflives said:

Don’t trades, when made, get released to the press. I can’t remember a trade that was announced at a presser. 
If there is a trade I hope it’s Garland out. 

 

It would have happened on the plane ride home, whatever it was.

[TheGuardian]

3 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

It has to be bigger than just hogs to warrant a press conference doesn't it?

The player coming back

Moving a valuable player that Hogs has become with a small cap hit adds to his value. They also just signed Aman, essentially a free asset.

Cap space plus what they have prorated equal around Cernak's cap hit. Cernak was speculated last year as a possible trade if they got enough back but Tampa is reeling from a lack of forechecking and cheap scoring.

There are other teams but the timing of the announcement of the presser would seem to indicate, big, significant and urgent. Something not planned.

[TheGuardian]

10 minutes ago, Alflives said:

Don’t trades, when made, get released to the press. I can’t remember a trade that was announced at a presser. 
If there is a trade I hope it’s Garland out. 

 

8 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

It would have happened on the plane ride home, whatever it was.

1 AM pacific time, 4 AM eastern time on a Sunday. It might be sitting on the fax machine waiting for someone to show up. Can't announced before registered I am sure.

 

Definitely not planned.

That is why I think it could be connected to Tampa.

 

The Hoglander tie is just because he was playing great and then suddenly benched. And his cap hit plus available space fit Cernak's cap hit. Tampa also has another large specimen making a lot less. Cernak is a little bit damaged goods as he has at least one concussion.

Edited December 3, 2023 by TheGuardian

[Bob Long]

1 minute ago, TheGuardian said:

The player coming back

Moving a valuable player that Hogs has become with a small cap hit adds to his value. They also just signed Aman, essentially a free asset.

Cap space plus what they have prorated equal around Cernak's cap hit. Cernak was speculated last year as a possible trade if they got enough back but Tampa is reeling from a lack of forechecking and cheap scoring.

There are other teams but the timing of the announcement of the presser would seem to indicate, big, significant and urgent. Something not planned.

 

I hope you are correct sir. Not sure about Cernak tho didn't they just give him 8 year extension?

[TheGuardian]

2 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

I hope you are correct sir. Not sure about Cernak tho didn't they just give him 8 year extension?

No clause, they need cap space for Stamkos. Turmoil on the bench.

 

And Vancouver was going to do a deal very soon anyway using up the cap space they have. As much as everyone love Bear I don't think they would use it up on a player that hasn't declared himself fit yet. And they have lots of time to announce that if he was the principle