Well, the season is finally over. And not a moment too soon. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m not sure how much longer I could’ve kept up with this team.
We did it, though. We stuck with this team through thick and thin, surviving the grind of an 82 game season that was as directionless as any I’ve ever followed. Were the Canucks all-in on a rebuild? Nope. Were they committed to building a competitive team? Sure, but they made moves to the contrary. It was all a confusing mess and I’m glad we had each other to get us through it all.
That brings me to the Monday Mailbag that ties the bow on this season at Canucks Army. Let’s get to it.
No. Don’t ask stupid questions.
No. I mean, to what exact end would the Canucks buy him out anyways? To sign that one free agent the extra $2.5-million or so dollars will afford them? Would the Canucks be any closer to contending in such an event?
The thing to remember is that a buy-out will keep Burrows on the Canucks books for another two seasons. Why not just suffer the extra couple bucks to have him on your roster for the final year in his deal? I’m not big on loyalty in sports, but I’m open to the idea the Canucks owe Burrows that much.
Besides, he brings a tonne of hashtag leadership and that’s kind of important for a rebuilding team.
Assuming everything remains constant, the Canucks will enter next season with eight waiver eligible defencemen. That doesn’t even account for Nikita Tryamkin. Or maybe Dan Hamhuis if they choose to re-sign him.
That’s the long-form way of answering with Andrey Pedan. I think the Canucks are aware of the numbers nightmare they’ve walked themselves into, which is why they’re already trying Pedan at forward. Can you imagine if the Canucks lose Pedan on waivers, though? What a great two years it will have been.
For many of the reasons listed above, I highly doubt it. He’s just not good. Like, he’s a great skater and totally capable of making a great first pass. But beyond that, he’s absolutely terrible.
Great personality, though.