CanucksArmy Monday Mailbag: January 8th – Part Deux

If the Canucks finished one spot higher in the standings last season, it’s possible, likely even, that they don’t have a shot at Elias Pettersson. No, tanking doesn’t secure a first overall pick. But finishing in last place, or close to, limits how far one can fall in the draft and adds value through rounds two-to-seven.

The Canucks can ask Alexander Edler if he’d be willing to waive his no-trade clause — maybe they already have, though I doubt it — but they’d get nowhere. By all accounts, Edler has no desire whatsoever to uproot his life to join another team.

Edler earned his no-trade protection and has every right to wield it to keep him and his family in Vancouver.

I think it would play some role in how I deployed my players, but at the end of the day, it’s a results-based industry, and I would be judged in this hypothetical scenario based on wins and losses. It’s a delicate line to walk and one that I’m sure every NHL coach does try to handle that balancing act as best they can.

Canucks head coach Travis Green is doing a mostly good job, I think. I’d quibble with a lot of what he’s done/is doing, but overall, the body of work is solid.

In Canucks general manager Jim Benning’s tenure, they’re the Cleveland Browns.

Luca Sbisa in the defensive zone.

I can’t profess to have any insider knowledge on the Canucks and Arizona Coyotes winger Anthony Duclair, but I don’t get the sense they’re overly interested. I could be wrong. It’s just that this isn’t the first time Duclair’s name has surfaced in rumours and we’ve never once heard the Canucks as a potential suitor from a reputable source.

University of Michigan defenceman Quinn Hughes.

I think the Canucks will move Erik Gudbranson sooner than later. In fact, word on the street is they’re already taking calls for the pending unrestricted free agent defenceman. I have a hard time gauging Gudbranson’s value.

The Canucks could move another pending UFA in Thomas Vanek and it wouldn’t surprise me. For Vanek, the Canucks could probably get a third-round pick.

There are no buyout options for the Canucks with Loui Eriksson. They’re in it for the long haul.

Are we sure that Benning is going to be around to make that decision? If I were to guess, I’d suspect that the Canucks will just move Michael Garteig from the Kalamazoo Wings in the ECHL to the Utica Comets in the AHL and let them work together with Thatcher Demko as the starter.

Among those players, only Michael DiPietro will be available for Team Canada at next year’s World Junior Hockey Championships.

Jack Rathbone hasn’t played a lot this year, but he has played. Check out his www.EliteProspects.com page for proof!

It’s the whole centre of the universe thing that makes them so insufferable. The Canucks were in Toronto on Saturday and there was literally an article where Auston Matthews was commenting on Brock Boeser because lord knows, we need confirmation from the Maple Leafs star centre that Boeser is good.

When I last checked, Boeser was producing at about 269% of his expected goal rate. No forward was ever crossed the 260% mark. Yes, Boeser is getting lucky.

I’d say it’s about a three right now.

Alexander Kerfoot signing with the Colorado Avalanche this off-season doesn’t reflect on the Vancouver Canucks at all. They made their pitch to Kerfoot, and he chose to play with the Avalanche. That’s how free agency works sometimes. They did their best, I am sure, but they couldn’t make Kerfoot’s mind for him.

That’s a tough one. I think you have to take a patient approach to that issue and let the draft take care of both in due time. This year’s class is loaded with defensive talent, so take a couple of swings and see what happens. You can’t fix that kind of problem in free agency and trading for defenders can be very cost-prohibitive.

I’m sure that at this stage Chris Tanev’s inability to stay healthy is impacting other team’s willingness to pay top dollar for him in a trade. As the saying goes, your best ability is availability.

There’s no real rush to get a look at Philip Holm this season. He’s playing really well for the Utica Comets, by all accounts, so let him finish his first full season in North America with confidence gained on the farm. There’s nothing to lose but there isn’t a lot to gain by playing Holm in the NHL this season either.

The Canucks need to win the draft lottery. They need to desperately.

I’m sorry, man, I’ve answered this one like ten times. Reference another mailbag, and I’m sure it’s there.

I still think Olli Juolevi can be a top pair defenceman. It’s probably more likely that he’s a second pair guy, but I won’t rule out the optimistic scenario.

If the Canucks move Ben Hutton, they’re probably looking at a mid-round pick. Something like a third-round pick, similar to what the Montreal Canadiens got for Nathan Beaulieu.

Quinn Hughes.

I’d say Michael DiPietro has about a one-in-three chance, but I’m also not a goaltender expert, so take that with a grain of salt.