Monday Mailbag: Post-Draft Edition

I’m as perplexed as you are. The Canucks should have been in on Marleau, but I’m still completely unconvinced that Jim Benning grasps the concept of weaponizing cap space and I think at this point he’s basically all-in to make the playoffs next year because he knows he’s out of a job if he doesn’t. It makes sense when you look at it from that perspective. If the goal is to save your own hide in the short-term rather than to build for long-term success, trading for JT Miller is an understandable move.

To be honest, I don’t think the Canucks are in a position to be giving up first round picks except in very special circumstances; but had they chosen to go down that route, Jakub Vrana, Kevin Fiala, Travis Konecny, and Kasperi Kapanen would have probably been the best targets.

Gardiner is the better fit because he’s the better player, full stop. He’s also less likely to break down over the course of his contract. Judging by Myers’ size and play style, he’s probably 2-3 years away from completely cratering. I don’t trust any defenseman to make it through a contract that carries them until they’re 35, but Gardiner probably at least gives you an extra year or two of utility, and the decline won’t be as steep. Both players will be looking for long-term deals, so my preference would be neither player, but if I have to pick one it’s Gardiner every day of the week.

I have to be honest, I’m pretty unconvinced that Russian teammates play a big factor in convincing players to come over. It’s more about where the player is going to get a better deal. That’s why the superstar Russian players almost always stay in America and the mid-tier players go back home.

If the number of Russian players was really the deciding factor for these guys, none of them would ever come over. You’re not going to beat Russia when it comes to having Russians. Besides, who’s to say Podkolzin and Tryamkin know anything about one another, or that they’d like each other even if they did? Maybe Vasili vapes on the team bus all the time. Then having him on the team would make him less likely to come over. I doubt it makes even the slightest bit of difference.

As for the second question, I thought the Canucks did about as well as they normally have under Jim Benning. Their first two picks were both great value, then things got more hit-or-miss in the mid-to-late rounds. They probably got an impact player in Podkolzin, and might get another middle-of-the-roster player in Hoglander. After that, it’s a crapshoot; but it always is, and the Canucks certainly didn’t to any worse than most teams do. Keppen, Malone, and Plasek look like decent selections even if there were arguably some more interesting options on the board.

All signs point to the team moving on from Loui Eriksson one way or another, so I don’t think he factors in to the question. It sounds like there’s a real chance Spooner could get bought out and he’s already cleared waivers so I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being a non-factor, too. Schaller spent most of last season in the press box and seems poised to take on the role of designated 13th forward again next season. Assuming your premise is correct, (there are issues with it, but it’s plausible) that leaves Goldobin, Motte, and Leivo to fight over that last spot. In this scenario, I would imagine they’d swap out Levio and Motte depending on the makeup of their opponent, and try to find a landing spot for Goldobin. My gut tells me there’s going to be a lot of movement between now and the fall, so I wouldn’t put too much stock in any projected lineups this early in the game.

I don’t think it’s an unreasonable question. On paper, there are a lot of similarities between the two players; but Miller has historically been more productive offensively and more consistent. The Canucks desperately need more offense and even if each player brings a similar profile, they’ll appreciate the 45-50 points Miller has usually potted per season regardless of how he gets them. I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not that’s worth a first-round pick, but in a vacuum I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the Canucks adding Miller.

Before I get to the heart of question I should clarify that this season, being better than four teams in the Pacific would not have been enough to make the playoffs. The wild card system allows for 5 teams from one division to make the playoffs in a given year, and I’d expect the Central is good enough for it to happen again next year and possibly the year after, too.

As far as the Pacific goes, I think the Canucks are probably better than Anaheim and L.A., but all bets are off after that. The Yotes took a step forward this year and surprised a lot of people and the Oilers may be the Oilers, but they were still in the playoffs more recently than the Canucks and they have the best player in the game on their roster.

There is a chance, albeit a small one, that the Canucks gave away a lottery pick in 2021 in this trade. That’s a bad bet to make, and there just isn’t another way to put it. It’s an unnecessary risk and they deserve to be criticized for it.

I’m gonna let our dear, departed friend answer this one for me.