CanucksArmy: Stop Asking me About Nikita Tryamkin, Oliver Wahlstrom, Quinn Hughes, Noah Dobson & Trade Talk!

You couldn’t just throw me a softball to get this one started, eh? This is a difficult question to answer, is what I’m trying to say.

I’d have to consider it. Whether I would do it or not is another story entirely. If the Chicago Blackhawks could eat even one or two million on Brent Seabrook’s deal, that could tip the scales.

On the one hand, if the Canucks add Oliver Wahlstrom and Quinn Hughes in the same draft, that would accelerate the course of the rebuild to a significant extent. I think you could reasonably argue for either of those players in the top five. It’s almost impossible to overstate what this would do for the Canucks. Then again, they’ll have close to $7-million in dead cap on the books right as they turn the corner.

I’m less and less interested in player comparisons with each passing day spent analyzing draft prospects. I try my best to avoid them whenever possible. So take any comparison with a grain of salt.

Quinn Hughes: Zach Werenski, and his floor is probably something akin to a Jared Spurgeon type of player.

Oliver Wahlstrom: Brock Boeser (maybe, I guess?), and I think his floor is as a second-line winger.

Noah Dobson: Alex Pietrangelo, and his floor is probably as a number-four defenceman.

The potential exists for such a move, absolutely, but I’m not sure the Canucks have it in them to pull the trigger. It’s just not the type of move they’ve shown a proficiency in making thus far in their current front office’s time in Vancouver. The closest they’ve come is taking on Jussi Jokinen for Tyler Motte.

I think sending Chris Tanev to the Edmonton Oilers would be an excellent return for the Canucks. I’m not sure of Dobson’s availability, but there would have to be someone of interest to the Canucks at ten.

Not if you’re the Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings apparently.

If the question is, who do I think is the better defenceman, I lean towards Luca Sbisa. In terms of the better asset, it’s Erik Gudbranson. I wouldn’t make that trade if for no other reason than one would have to imagine there is better value out there for Gudbranson in another trade. Ideally, I’d have a team without either of them.

That’s not a bad question, but I wouldn’t be a card-carrying member of Stats Club if I didn’t remind you that plus/minus is less than useless. Using 5-on-5 goal differential, I’ve found it’s not quite as dire. Henrik Sedin was a minus-ten and Daniel was a minus-eight. By expected goals, they’re both in the black. I’d suggest their poor goal numbers are due in large to a 975 PDO (combined on-ice shooting and save percentage), which is far more a luck than skill thing.

I’ve never seen the rules laid out in plain, but from what I can gather, a player is eligible up until they’ve played two AHL seasons.

I suspect the Canucks will go defence-heavy in this draft, so I could see them going for K’Andre Miller or Jared McIsaac — maybe Rasmus Sandin. I’d look at all of these players. Maybe Jonny Tychonick works his way into consideration, too.

Every time I get the opportunity to hand over a dollar for a three cents return.

Not me.

My money is on the San Jose Sharks or the Vegas Golden Knights.

I don’t think it will have too significant an impact on Canucks general manager Jim Benning’s off-season. It might force his hand on signing an extra veteran scorer to a short-term deal to provide offence next season, but beyond that, not much else.

I try my best to watch other teams and leagues play as often as I can as a reminder that hockey is supposed to be enjoyable.

I doubt it, but I’ve seen crazier things happen.

I love it! Thanks so much for asking. And for those who’ve noticed my absence of late, there’s the reason why: I’ve been moving. Not only have I been moving, but as part of my deal to get the place, I had to offer to paint it. So I’ve been coming here every day after work for about a month to make it happen, which says nothing of the hours spent on weekends painting this place.

Honestly, it’s by far the nicest place I’ve ever lived, and that’s on all fronts. It’s spacious and loaded with new appliances, and it’s downtown, too. My new Mother’s Basement fills me with such pride. Sorry for the rant, but it’s been a long-time coming, and I love it.

Speed and skill, baby.

Brock Boeser

Oddly enough, I’m still not his agent. I have no clue. I’d really love it if you’d all top with the Nikita Tryamkin questions.

The Canucks seem pretty committed to this whole “speed and skill” mantra that they’re pushing daily. I don’t expect that to change given the success of the three remaining teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Sure, why not? As I’ve said countless times, I want nothing but the best for almost everyone I cover, but that’s especially true of Luca Sbisa. He’s an awesome dude. I wouldn’t mind his succeeding in the slightest.

It’s hard to say what the cost for Elias Lindholm is. If the Canucks could get him for Sven Baertschi and a middling asset, for example, that would be palatable. I suspect that Lindholm is more top-six than top-line given where he’s at in this stage of his career, but he’s young, cost-controlled and just entering his prime. He could have a part to play in the Canucks’ turnaround, should it happen.

Dobson has played some great hockey for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the Memorial Cup, no doubt. It’s probably not enough to move his draft stock, though. I think he’ll go in that seven-to-ten range regardless.

7: Quinn hughes

18: Barret Hayton

37: K’Andre Miller

68: Jett Woo

In that scenario, I take Oliver Wahlstrom, assuming he’s there.

I’m not sure that’s a perfect comparison. Pretty much all of the Golden Knights blue line can skate really well, with the exception of Brayden McNabb. If the Canucks can get a player like Evan Bouchard, obviously, that would be great. I’m just not sure that it makes sense for them given where they’re drafting.

An Alex Pietrangelo-type.

To your first question, I think the answer is yes. As for the rest of your question, less so.

Any bad contract with three or fewer years remaining should be in consideration. Depending on the number, even a four-year contract could make sense.

No. I’d keep that cap space, or use it on players I could flip for futures, so that I can afford those players in their prime years and insulate them with great support players. That’s how you avoid being the Edmonton Oilers.