Canucks Army Monday Mailbag: June 5th

The word going into the NHL Scouting Combine was that the Canucks coveted either a playmaking centre or a power play quarterback. In particular, the rumour making the rounds in Vancouver was that Canucks general manager Jim Benning coveted Casey Mittlestadt, Timothy Liljegren and Cody Glass, and in that order.

That’s where things get interesting. The Canucks were one of only three teams to not interview Liljegren. Word is they’re starting to warm up to Cale Makar at Rogers Arena, and they did speak to him at the combine. It’s still interesting that the defenceman most believed was at the top of their board didn’t even get an interview. Makes you wonder how sincere they are about snagging a defenceman.

I always think it wise for teams to take the best player available in the draft — especially a team like the Canucks, with so many needs everywhere in their lineup. Luckily for them, I fancy that the best player available will fill an organizational need at centre.

I’ve been advocating for a move like this for a while now. I know Brayden Point isn’t a household name and he doesn’t have draft pedigree, as someone who the Tampa Bay Lightning plucked in the third round. He’s still a centre who just turned 21-years-old and put up 40 points in 68 games. That production prorated over an 82 game season would be about 49 points. That would be the third highest mark on the Canucks. The kid can play.

The Canucks probably want a little something to go with Point if they’re parting with Chris Tanev. Elliotte Friedman suggested that the price for Tanev is high, and I’m not sure Point qualifies as that kind of return. It’s a hell of a starting point though.

Okay, that’s a loaded question. I’m going to pick three suitors who make the most sense and pick a starting point prospect from each organization. I should qualify my answer — none of these players alone should pry Tanev from Vancouver. It’s a starting point.

I tend to think that Tanev for Kari Lehtonen and 3rd overall is something the Stars would consider. They want to win now. They can’t have $5.9-million tied up in a backup. If the Stars move Lehtonen, that gives them the ability to buy Antti Niemi out and only suffer $1.5-million in dead cap. It’d be like they’ve just freed up Kevin Shattenkirk money overnight.

I don’t hate Elias Pettersson. Hell, I don’t even dislike him. He’s 12th on my board, which is more or less where consensus has Pettersson. I just don’t think he’ll be the best player available to the Canucks at fifth overall. If they drop back a couple spots, then sure, why not? At fifth overall, I’m not sold. Sorry, bud.

That will depend on how Jake Virtanen looks when he comes to camp next year. I tend to lean towards Utica, but it’s possible that Virtanen has a great training camp and forces his way on the team. That wouldn’t be the worst thing either.

It depends on the contract, really. There are so, so many variables at work here. Not sure I can give you a worthwhile answer here.

From what I can gather, Pettersson has low-end first line centre ceiling. Pettersson at fifth overall is a bit rich for me, yes.

To quote Obi-Wan Kenobi “a long time” pauses for a moment of reflection “long time”. I think that with shrewd management, this team can get back to the playoffs in three years. I think four or five is more realistic though.

If I’m the Canucks, I make that trade without a moment’s hesitation.

I think it depends on the player. If you’re a player who has significant injury concerns dragging your stock down, the combine can do a lot to help ease the concern of scouts.

I like massive trades, so I’m going to give Cory full marks for this one. The creativity is on full display. However, I don’t know how I feel about this trade. That seems like a low-end return for a player of Tanev’s quality. I’m also uncertain of how interested in this deal Columbus would be. Their blue line is starting to come together in a big way.

That should be enough to land the third overall, I think. What a boon that would be to the Canucks’ rebuild.

Why, of course, we’re keeping tabs on overage prospects. In fact, the Nation Network Prospect Profile countdown’s included two of them so far. Morgan Geekie and Alexander Polunin make an appearance.

I spoke with one scout who said that he saw some Tanner Pearson in Geekie. Take that as you please. I’m less sold on Gregoire and Steenbergen in the early rounds, but I’d absolutely take a flyer on them later on in the draft.

The answer to both questions is Olli Juolevi. I think a lot of people are going to look really silly with the handwringing over Juolevi, who in my estimation is a hell of a prospect.

I see red flags with Mittlestadt, certainly. The discrepancy between his even strength and power play production is concerning. I think he developed some bad habits playing high school hockey. One scout I spoke with said he was at least three years away from the NHL. I definitely prefer Glass to Mittlestadt.