Monday Mailbag Part 2: Bowen Byram, Kole Lind, and The Jerk

The simple answer is that it depends on where they end up picking. It’s early yet, and there’s always a lot of movement in draft rankings over the year, especially when it comes to defensemen. However, if he more or less maintains his spot in the draft rankings and the Canucks aren’t picking in the top 3, I’d imagine they’ll have a hard time passing up the chance to select a massively hyped Vancouver Giant in front of hometown fans.

You might wanna pump the brakes on that one. Gaudette’s probably an NHL-calibre player, but there’s no guarantee, and Jonah Gadjovich hasn’t played a pro game yet, let alone in the NHL.

Lind had some impressive pGPS matches that included Mark Stone, Marian Hossa, and Ray Ferraro so I think there’s definitely a small chance he could be a first-line winger if everything goes right. I think what’s more likely is he carves out a career as a journeyman middle-six offensive producer like Tomas Fleischmann or PA Parenteau. What exactly his role will look like if he makes the NHL will have a lot to do with how much he bulks up and improves on the defensive side of his game.

I’d imagine Horvat’s six-year, $33 million contract would serve as a measuring stick for Boeser’s camp. It’s difficult to predict given we don’t know how his sophomore season will go. If he can put up another 30-goal season I’d imagine something in the neighbourhood of seven years and $45 million would make sense if Boeser’s camp is looking for term.

Questions like this seem to come up just about every time there’s a major talent at the top of the draft. We’ve been spoiled recently with Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Rasmus Dahlin and now Jack Hughes in four of the last five drafts. The answer is always dependent on where the team is picking. If Alex Newhook is on the table I’m not trading the pick and another good centre, even for Jack Hughes, but if it’s outside the top 3 or 4 you absolutely have to do it.

Adam Gaudette. I don’t think we’ll see Palmu in the NHL for at least another season or two, if ever.

I don’t think Derrick Pouliiot or Brendan Leipsic would make it through waivers. I also wouldn’t be surprised if a team took a chance on Ben Hutton, despite the $2.8 million price tag.

It’s hard to take a team from the basement to the penthouse without getting some luck in the lottery. If you look at the Winnipeg Jets, that’s a team that’s nailed just about every first round pick they’ve made since relocating, and they still only look to be finally turning the corner towards sustained success now seven years later. Even then, they still got a little lucky in 2016 getting Patrik Laine.

Getting an elite talent can make up for a lot of deficiencies, and if you look back at the Stanley Cup winners over the last decade, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington all have elite players that were drafted at either first or second overall. Teams that have been successful without an elite or generational talent have to be consistently better than their peers in every facet of management. Barring a sudden intervention like a front office change or landing a Jack Hughes or an Alexis Lafreniere it will probably take at least another three years to turn things around, and that’s a generous estimate.

I can’t tell how much of this question is sarcastic, but in all seriousness, the effect J.D. has had on the CanucksArmy brand can’t be overstated. CA has had a long, fantastic run of analysts and data-savvy contributors, but J.D. brought with him an air of professionalism and a dedication to craft that you just don’t see very often on a team-specific blog. He’s also had a near-unprecedented level of bile and harassment directed his way over the years and has always taken it in stride. The CanucksArmy readership and staff has been better off for his presence. The good news is, this all applies to Managing Editor Ryan Biech as well. The community had been lucky to have both on hand for as long as they were. Despite the loss, however, I’m confident the new-look CanucksArmy will continue to provide intelligent commentary and analysis into the 2018-19 season and beyond.