WWYDW: Thursday Edition

Well, that happened. The Canucks, predictably, fell to fifth overall in last week’s draft lottery, despite having the second best odds at the top pick. While it’s clear the old system was frustrating to a number of fans, the new system has already produced mixed reviews at best. What changes would you make to the draft lottery if you were in charge?

Let the kids earn there way onto the team. If not play them on the farm and pick up left over ufa’s on the cheap to trade for picks at deadline. If any kid plays well enough to have a look bring them up at any time but don’t sit them in press box, play them. Bring the kids up that have earned a spot at the trade deadline. The kids should not be gifted any spots.

Jim Benning may have to draft another defenseman in the first round, instead of center. Now we need both. Juolevi has to make the team next year. Gudbranson has to be re-signed. Hope we don”t lose Sbisa in the expansion draft.

Travis Green may trust Pedan enough to give him an honest shot. Pedan wasn’t on Willie’s “A” list, but he played top pairing minutes in Utica.

Assuming no trades, I see Hutton/Tanev, Edler/Stecher, Pedan/Gudbranson. Biega and Subban would be first call-ups for the inevitable injury. Replace either with Juolevi if he can make the club, otherwise send him back to junior. Ideally, Edler gets traded as I remember Linden saying that if he were to put Edler on the trading block, other teams would be lining up around the corner to acquire him. A blue-chip prospect would be a good return. If Patrick, Hirschier, Vilardi and Mittelstadt aren’t available at the draft, the next best players are defencemen.

I’d love to suggest a trade, but I don’t see them trading Tanev, and I don’t see Edler waiving his no trade clause. With Tryamkin’s departure, it looks like this organization will give Juolevi every chance to make this team next fall. If Sbisa gets claimed and Juolevi makes the team, the defence could look like this next season.

Alex Edler – Troy Stecher
Olli Juolevi – Chris Tanev
Ben Hutton – Erik Gudbranson
Alex Biega

Juolevi would likely play third pairing minutes, but if I was Green I wouldn’t be comfortable putting him alongside Gudbranson. Man, that defence looks ultra soft. Could mean that a guy like Pedan gets a longer look during training camp.