Canucks Army Monday Mailbag: April 18th

Am I alone in feeling a sense of relief over watching a Vancouver Canucks free post-season? I’ve less than no emotional investment in these games, so really, I never lose.

I mean, of course, I’m pulling ever so slightly for former Canucks. Thing is, if you don’t want Roberto Luongo to win his first Stanley Cup, you might be an objectively terrible human. I’ve got time for anyone cheering on the New York Rangers for Alain Vigneault, too. Less so the Anaheim Ducks, though. There’s just no doing away with the stench of Ryan Kesler.

Well, now that I’m done waxing poetic on why playoff hockey is great and former Canucks are great too, I’ve a few of your questions to answer. Let’s get to it. 

I’m going to go with a definite yes. Like, did you catch Willie Desjardins at the Canucks year-end press conference? Just effusive with his praise of Horvat’s work ethic and development. Makes sense. There were a few Canucks that mailed it in as the season wore on. Horvat not so much.

As an outside observer Horvat seems much more mature and well-rounded than some of the peers in his age group with the Canucks. Seems like the obvious choice as the player to lead the next wave.

This is a tough one to answer. Are we talking draft prospects or players already held within one system or another?

I’ll start with draft prospects. Mikhail Sergachev is growing on me as we get closer to the draft. His production and size make him a strong bet to develop into an impactful NHL player and he’s fun as hell to watch, too. Just makes the game look so effortless. I’ve heard the Mattias Ohlund comparison made, but frankly, I get more of an Alexander Edler vibe.

If we’re talking prospects held in team’s systems, than it’s probably Madison Bowey. He’s a right-handed shot and has a well-rounded two-way game that should translate well to the pro game. 

I really, really like this question. One of the things we need to get over in the hockey community is the idea that you can have too much of a good thing. There’s nothing in the CBA that explicitly limits having too much skill or size.

Frankly, I have my own reasons for not being overly keen on Matthew Tkachuk. Pierre-Luc Dubois is a can’t miss prospect, though. If the Canucks feel that either of these two are the best players available at their spot, they should feel free to pick them. Thing is, they’re not just big guys and power wingers. They’re prolific offensive talents, that happen to be big.

Besides, they offer way more offensively than Jake Virtanen.

I’d rather the Canucks used the pick they spent on Alexandre Mallet on almost any other draft eligible prospect. So, in short, yes. 

The Colorado Avalanche aren’t the savviest franchise. They seem more committed to their head coach, Patrick Roy, than they do any of their core players. That includes Tyson Barrie. If I’m the Canucks, I’m dialing them up for Barrie all off-season.

Another option would be an offer sheet, although, given where the Canucks are as a franchise, I’m leery of that route.

That’s a tough one. Definitely not Tkachuk. I’ll tell you that much. Dubois seems reasonable in that range. I would definitely try to trade down though.

4. Pierre-Luc Dubois

5. Mikhail Sergachev

6. Alexander Nylander