WWYDW: New Year, New Canucks?

The Canucks didn’t start 2018 as they’d hoped they would, I am sure. A 5-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in front of the Rogers Arena faithful feels like a new low in a season full of them.

Clearly, things aren’t going the Canucks way. Even with the return of Chris Tanev, their defensive coverage left a lot to be desired and, in what’s becoming an alarming theme to this season, they couldn’t get a save when they needed one. Only compounding matters is the fact that other than Brock Boeser this team hasn’t been able to score consistently since Bo Horvat’s injury, not that you can outscore your defensive issues when they account for a touchdown surrendered.

So, obviously, there’s no one thing the Canucks need to fix to right this ship. Everything is in the dumps right now, it would seem. But if you had one New Years resolution for this team — think baby steps — to try and get things moving in the right direction, what might that be?

Last week I asked: if the Canucks come out of the Christmas break and continue to trend towards the sellers part of the market at the trade deadline, who do you see getting moved out? What would you do if you were in charge at the deadline?

I’m not sold on Goldobin, his inability to play defense has not been offset with NHL scoring. If he can be packaged with someone else to get a legit Top 4 D or Top 6 C prospect, I’d trade him.

Gudbranson and Vanek as soon as there is a good fit, and unlike Benning’s past moves, picks are better than prospects you did not really want in the first place (Goldobin). Toronto may be the best current fit for Gudbranson, and there should be more than a few parties interested in Vanek.

Speaking of Goldobin, if you don’t like what you see, you trade him. There are plenty of teams that are looking for scoring upside from the wings. Florida is one that jumps to mind. It makes no sense to let the asset depreciate or lose hope in finding opportunity here.

I’d consider moving Nilsson if there was an offer that made sense. Again, the objective would be to acquire a pick (or a prospect you actually want). I’d look at Tampa for a third-tier D prospect like Hajek, the Islanders for a pick (they have lots), Edmonton (pick), Calgary (Rasmus Andersson), or wait for an injury to crop up and find a compelled buyer. It’s also just fine to keep him.

Beyond those names, I’d certainly be listening on any offers for Granlund (RFA), Sutter, and Biega (UFA). Eriksson, Gagner and Del Zotto have negative value. We are stuck with those horrible contracts. Edler would be the ideal trade candidate for a rebuilding club but it sounds like he will never agree to a trade. Tanev would generate the most interest but the return would have to be massive (Liljegren + 1st,
or Heiskanen, or Foote and a 1st) to even consider the absolute destruction of our defense for the foreseeable future.

What I fear Benning will do: Trade Hutton, re-sign Gudbranson to another boat anchor contract (because he’s good in scrums), and/or trade for Evander Kane.

Goldobin to Caps for Lucas Johanson. Goldobin could learn how to be a better floater by the best floater in the league, Ovechkin.

Tryamkin for A 2nd(Fla) from Caps. Washington becomes Team Russia.
Either one of the goalies could go at tdl

It’s a good question.

Move Guddy for whatever they can get. Move Vanek for whatever they can get.
If they could get Edler to waive I’d be interested to see what we could get. He’s still got some pretty decent value I think. Maybe Goldy thrown in with him as a sweetener to get back a promising young D. (Don’t think Edler has the pull to bring back a good young D prospect on his own)

Aside from that I’d say keep what we’ve got and let it play out. It’s either guys who are to valuable (Tanev), guys who’s value sucks (Gagner), guys who could be solid producing cheap players (Granlund), or veteran leaders who are actually important to young development (Twins).

Move Gudbranson, entertain offers for Hutton, move Vanek, move Edler whenever you can which is probably not soon, and Gagner is expendable, I’m not concerned in the least about the return for a free agent signing if we could actually swing a deal.

I don’t understand the push to move Goldobin at all, it’s far too soon to make that call……if you support that, I’m wondering why you don’t want to move Virtanen….maybe because it takes some time to see what you’ve actually got? Goldy showed some sick puck skills and poise on a memorable play against St. Louis, when I see a player do that I give him plenty of rope. As if the rookie should be held accountable for a defensive standard that damn few veteran Canucks can manage right now……..