Canucks Army Monday Mailbag: February 27

As it so happens, I sent out my request for Monday Mailbag questions yesterday and almost every single one was about how badly this year’s trade deadline can go. I figured you would get bored of my answering that same question worded many different ways, so I sent out a request for different questions. Wherein there’s a problem is I’ve never fielded more questions in my life. What I’m trying to say is: don’t expect terribly long answers in this week’s mailbag, as I’m trying to get to everyone and make sure I do due diligence.

Well, it’s not looking good. I can admit to that much. I still reckon we’re in the nascent stages of deadline dealing though so there’s ample room for that to change. Then again, wouldn’t it be nice if the Canucks realized they should be selling, oh, I don’t know, weeks ago?

I don’t blame people for getting antsy. I’ll say that much. One second the Los Angeles Kings were right in the thick of it for Ryan Miller, and the next they traded for Ben Bishop; one second the Minnesota Wild are reportedly interested in Jannik Hansen, and the next they throw a fistful of draft picks at the Arizona Coyotes for Martin Hanzal. 

I don’t want to say with any authority how the Miller sweepstakes are going to end. I just don’t have a clue. As far as I’m concerned, though, it’s a two-horse race between the Anaheim Ducks and nowhere — that nowhere being another few months in Vancouver. The Ducks have an obvious need, but they’re short on cap space and seem more interested in investing what little they have left elsewhere. Basically, don’t hold your breath.

I’d imagine it’s fairly obvious at this stage that I don’t tend to agree with the Canucks front office on, well, much of anything. Let’s be fair, though. They plucked Sven Baertschi from the Calgary Flames for a late second-round pick and took Markus Granlund from them a year later for Hunter Shinkaruk. They’ve had their moments, to be sure. Honestly, though, I doubt they get much done at this deadline. They waited far too long, it seems.

Alexandre Burrows, Ben Hutton, Jannik Hansen, Jack Skille, Jayson Megna, Ryan Miller and Philip Larsen.

Atlantic: Boston Bruins

Metropolitan: Washington Capitals

Central: Minnesota Wild

Pacific: San Jose Sharks

Well, I think the Canucks have done a right terrible job with Jake Virtanen to date. He trained with them all off-season and came to camp about 15 pounds overweight. That doesn’t get nearly enough air time, in my humble opinion. Then there’s the fact that he probably shouldn’t have played in the NHL at all last season; then how they bungled his usage early this season.

As for Brock Boeser, well, I frankly haven’t a clue what the Canucks have done to foster or hamper his development. They don’t even have the kid under contract. There’s just not much they can do as is.

The Canucks can’t afford to rush either player. Boeser is a fantastic prospect, but he’s not the saviour. There’s a Boeser in most team’s prospect pools — the kid needs a little help along the way from his friends. As for Virtanen, just stop expecting the world of him. He’s never going to be a top of the lineup power forward. At his best, he’s probably Raffi Torres. Adjust expectations accordingly.

I work for a company called HockeyData Inc. and we track underlying metrics for junior hockey around the clock. It’s fascinating stuff. Really wish I could say more on what we do. I think anytime you can add to the available pool of information, that’s worth doing. 

When Todd Bertuzzi was in his prime, he captivated me in a way no other hockey player has since. His ability to absolute destroy an opposition game plan and take over games in a matter of seconds always caught my eye. He’s probably the biggest reason I have such a fascination and fixation on power forwards.

I honestly still get shivers whenever I discuss the havoc Bertuzzi wreaked on the St Louis Blues in that playoff series from the early-2000’s (can’t remember the year off the top of my head). I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it since, and that accounts for Ryan Kesler’s series against the Nashville Predators in 2010-11.

Isn’t being a Canucks fan the absolute worst?

If the Canucks can’t pull off anything at this year’s deadline — and that’s a big if — then I think the market’s dissatisfaction will trump last year’s in a big way. That will be two straight years in which the Canucks, a team bound for a bottom-five finish, won’t have secured anything in the way of futures in a league where teams do that annually like clockwork. I thought last year’s deadline was confidence shattering. If it happens again, that’ll be something else.

Right now I’m leaning towards Owen Tippett. Holy hell, is that kid ever fun. The power in his stride and the release on his shot… it’s unreal.

Well, they told fans last year they couldn’t get “anything” for Hamhuis. Then they said they could, but they didn’t think it made sense. Who knows at this point? Let’s hope it doesn’t come to this.

I’m definitely the type of beer drinker who lets the season point him towards his next brew. I’ve spent much of this winter chasing porters (and often coming up empty, to my chagrin). I love the Granville Island Winter Ale, too. In the summer, I’m big on Newcastle’s Brown Ale — it’s surprisingly light and drinkable. Last summer I got really into saison’s, too, so I’d imagine I’ll carry on down that path when the weather gets warmer.

Markus Naslund – President

Kyle Dubas – General Manager

Travis Green – Coach

I’m going to defer on this to Ryan Biech. If you don’t follow him on Twitter already, you probably should. Seriously, though, I imagine we’ve a bunch of content down the pipeline on these topics.

People think I’m negative? Well, I’ll be damned. Let’s just put it this way: if the Canucks take Michael Rasmussen in the first, your angst will be very much so justified.

I would rule out Brandon Sutter, right off the hop. We see a nominal third line centre on a good day; the Canucks see the second coming of Patrice Bergeron. I wouldn’t rule out Sven Baertschi or Markus Granlund, though, especially if they can’t put something together for Hansen.

I think the Canucks will probably sign both by the time Vancouver’s season’s ended. I reckon Boeser makes the Canucks out of camp next year, too. Adam Gaudette will need seasoning — though he might get a game this season.

As of right now, I’m leaning towards losers. Still, lots of time left, though. Things can change. I certainly hope they do.

I’ll have a Barbacoa Quesarito with Double-Meat and Guacamole.

I don’t get the sense that the Canucks front office reads too much into what the media has to say. So, no, I don’t think it will have any impact.

Well, I can’t get any worse, right? I see you, comments section.

I wouldn’t be upset if they put in a claim. They might need Teemu Pulkkinen on the other side of the deadline. By that same token, I’d just keep the contract slot.

I think the captaincy is Henrik Sedin’s until he retires or is dealt somewhere else.

I don’t see Alexander Edler getting traded at this year’s deadline, no. If the Canucks did want to move him, though, I could see Edler fetching a first-round pick and a damn good prospect.

I haven’t watched much of Nico Hischier, truthfully. I’m a big Nolan Patrick fan, though. I’ve watched a lot of Patrick, too. He’s still number one on my board.

If the Canucks find a way to trade all three of Hansen, Burrows and Miller, then power to them. They’ve killed it.