WWYDW: The New Guy

The Canucks picked up Josh Leivo for a song on Monday, taking another gamble on a relatively promising young forward who’s struggled to stick in the lineup of a deep team. Only time will tell where Leivo fits in the Canucks’ future, but the early returns have been good, as Leivo scored a goal in his first game with his new club, skating alongside Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser in the top-six.

His addition came with some controversy, though, as Nikolay Goldobin was removed from the lineup to accommodate Leivo’s addition. Not everyone was on board with the decision, to say the least. Where do you think Leivo should play, and who should come out of the lineup in his stead?

Last week I asked: Which defensemen would you like to see brought back next season?

In all seriousness, this team needs more top 4 defense in order to be competitive during the few cheaper forward contract years upcoming. That’s going to probably take 1. Draft luck and 2. Not removing the few quality D that want to play here. If you’re optimistic, maybe Hughes contributes next season and doesn’t need a partner to shelter him as he adjusts. Juolevi might never get there (meaning, he almost certainly makes the nhl but his flaws mean he follows a David Rundblad “not a difference-maker” trajectory). No one else is close.

Unless Edler or Tanev show no interest in staying here in their walk years or have unreasonable contract demands, the Canucks would do well to keep them. The fewer roster holes to have to fill, the better.

That said, if you’re not on a cheap contract (Stecher, probably Hutton) and not making a significant contribution, take a hike. I wish MDZ and Pouliot well in their future endeavours.

Bring back Hutton and McEneny. Hutton can stay up and McEneny could battle for a spot or be depth in Utica. Can’t have enough D.

Edler needs to be dealt at deadline and if any of the others can be dealt then do it.

No Pouliot or MDZ. Trading Edler and Tanev at the deadline this year is the right move. I am also open to seeing Gudbranson traded. That said It means there has to be a serviceable RHDman come back in one of those trades. Stecher and Hutton stay for sure.

No to signing Myers this offseason. He will want a long term contract beyond the end of Gudbranson’s and want more money. It’s questionable if he is really much of an upgrade.

The big test is still landing a young top 4 RHD.

With Juolevi and Hughes on the horizon both Pouliot and Del Zotto’s contracts are up after this season which should tell you something. As for Edler and Tanev you can neither chop both nor keep both IMO. Maybe one reliable vet can stay back there. That leaves Hutton, Stecher and Gudbranson coming back next year. What may happen at the TDL and/or July 1st will provide a clearer picture. I’m not all in on Myers or Alzner for that matter. Not at those prices.

Highly in favour of a trade at the deadline and then resigning [Edler] as a UFA. He wants to be here and we’ll need him for at least the next three years, easily.

What people are forgetting is that there is NOT this huge need to create room on the LHD for prospects. Juolevi is an exclusive LHD but Hughes has been very effective at either side of the blue line and is open about liking the benefits of each. He can easily fit in there and do extremely well even if it’s not his most optimum position, he’s an extremely high caliber player. It’s doubtful that MDZ and Pouliot return and those two can slide into their minutes as they adjust to playing in the NHL.

If there is a serious push to move Edler and Tanev at the deadline then we’re definitely going to need the veteran blue line presence for next year, and having someone like Edler that really wants to be here is a huge plus. Max out on the return at the TDL and then sign him for another 3 year contract, he’ll easily play at a high level for the length of it and it would transition our blue line perfectly.

I’m thinking sign Hutton cheap right now. Then you can keep him or he’s a young tradeable asset. If you keep him it’s Hutton, Hughes and hopefully Juolevi. RHD is Tanev, Gudbranson and Stetcher. Beiga is the extra body. Our AHL defensemen can also fight for any of our defensive positions if Juolevi doesn’t cut it.

I would sign Hutton to an extension. I like this version of Hutton. As of now, he is their best LDman on this roster.

Edler should/must be traded by this TDL. If possible, do the same with Pouliot and MDZ.

I really dunno what Canucks have in McEneny. His injury last season set his progression back. But I assume that he will earn another 2-way contract, and that’s fine with me.

Since many are expanding this to a discussion of RD as well, I say keep Stecher, and move Tanev. For me, Tanev looks off, and that may be an onset of a sharp downward slide. Maybe keep him until next season’s TDL for Hughes’ first season.

All I will say about Guddy is that Benning will not trade his precious, so that’s that. Or at least until/unless Woo is ready.

And for God’s sake, do not sign an expensive 28-30 year old RHD UFA that will kill your cap situation for the next decade. Go young!!