It’s a good time of year to be a hockey fan. NHL playoffs and the U18 World Hockey Championships? Yes, please. Oh, and the draft lottery this Friday. That’s especially important for us Canucks fans.

But back to the non-Canucks hockey. How excited is everyone for a Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals match in the second-round? Or game seven between the Chicago Blackhawks and St Louis Blues? Maybe hockey would be better without the Canucks all the time. There are days…

For those wondering, the trade John is referring to is the one at last year’s draft, which saw the Edmonton Oilers trade the 16th and 33rd overall picks to the New York Islanders for Griffin Reinhart. I don’t know if it’s the single worst trade of the last year, but it’s certainly up there.

It’s made all the worse by the players the Isles landed with those picks. First, they selected Matthew Barzal with the 16th overall selection, then traded back into the first round to take Anthony Beauvillier. I think the world of those two prospects. I remember wanting the Canucks to pick Beauvillier when they opted for Brock Boeser.

I am sad for Roberto Luongo, yes. He was great, for the most part, in the Florida Panthers series against the New York Islanders. In fact, the whole team was. They really deserved a better fate.

Then again, for most of the Panthers, this is just the beginning. They’re just scratching the surface on their potential. Wouldn’t be surprised if this is the stepping stone to an extended playoff run next spring.

First of all, I’m not the spokesperson for Valeri Nichushkin. Not saying I wouldn’t take the job in a heartbeat, but I’m not there yet.

Anyways, I touched on this with my Monday Morning Musings post, this morning. Frankly, I think the Stars would be out of their minds to trade Nichushkin. They’ll never get a return anywhere near what he can achieve at the top of his ceiling. 

I think what often gets lost in the mix is that Nichushkin is just one year removed from a brutal hip injury, which took away an entire season and required surgery. Remember how long it took Hunter Shinkaruk to get back up to speed following his own hip operation? Wouldn’t be surprised if Nichushkin is back on track next season.

No idea what the price for Nichushkin would be from Dallas’ perspective. Not even sure why they’d shop him, though.

I don’t think Lucic is off the market. Not in the slightest. Probably won’t until the two teams actually agree to an extension.

The Canucks really shouldn’t be pursuing big-ticket free agents like Okposo or Lucic, though. They should be saving their cap space and biding their time. Can’t build a contender in free agency. Not in the salary cap era. Look at how well that method of roster development is serving the Minnesota Wild.

if the Canucks really do want to be big spenders in free agency, though, I’d go for Loui Eriksson.

The Canucks should be blowing up Patrick Roy’s phone for Tyson Barrie. And if they can’t come to terms by trade, maybe hit them with an offer sheet.