Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet that is permanently set to a medium difficulty level.
Speaking of difficulty levels, they’re definitely increasing when it comes to coming up with questions for these weekly columns. Why? Because the world around the Vancouver Canucks is simply moving too fast right now.
Ask a question about an impending trade, and the deal may already be done by the time you read these words. Ask about the playoffs, and the Canucks might have slipped out of a postseason spot once again. Ask about anything current, and it’s probably outdated within a few days if not hours.
So what’s left to ask about? At this point in the year, we feel the need for something long-term, all-encompassing, and, if we’re being perfectly honest, positive. It’s getting a little dim and dreary in Canuckland of late.
With that in mind, we’re taking an early preview of what always ends up being the most-discussed team award at the end of the year: the Unsung Hero.
Look, sure, the end of January might seem an odd time to bring this up. But our thinking here is that, in a season in which plenty has been said about who is doing what wrong, it stands to reason that those who are quietly doing the right things are getting less notice for it than ever before. In other words, the Unsung Hero of the Canucks has probably never been so actually unsung, so why not jump the gun on giving them their due?
This week, we’re asking:
Who is the Canucks’ Unsung Hero of the 2024/25 season to this point?
Let it be known in the comment section.
Should the Canucks prioritize a LHD or a RHD on the trade market? (If they can only choose one.)
You answered below!
Rusty Bee:
Defense definitely could use an extra legit top-4 D, but I would rather pay a bit more and get a player that can be cost controlled for a bit versus giving up another first round plus prospect for a rental. If it had to pick, it would be another RHD, as you can’t have enough of them and the odds of picking up a LHD after the season is a lot easier.
Jibsys:
Yes, the Canucks should prioritize a RHD and a LHD at the trade deadline. However, that priority needs to be on selling, because this is not a playoff team and hopefully we have learned from the flawed history of Dave Nonis in 2006 that it is foolish to be buying when you are on the bubble. In 2006, they brought in several players and still missed the playoffs.
If they can make shrewd hockey trades that shake up the core and improve the defence, then I am all for it, but as for being buyers? Hell no.
54 years on…..?:
The Canucks priority in this order should be:
- Stop kidding themselves that this roster is a playoff contender.
- Clean out the disfunction on their roster. Get the best return possible for Miller and/or Pettersson. The return would have to include C and D and should involve moving out some redundant D in the process. Have no issue with trading anyone other than QHs, if it makes sense.
- Figure out the Boeser situation. Sign him or trade him.
- Decide if, in fact, a playoff run is even possible this year at that point. Act accordingly, but don’t waste ANY assets.
- Build the remaining D-corp prioritizing a combination of skating/size/skill.
- Add skating/size/skill to the forward group.
Win a Cup.
defenceman factory:
(Winner of the author’s weekly award for eloquence)
I’m sure there will be compelling arguments for both left and right. Perhaps the cost of the trade and the quality, age and contract of the player acquired outweigh which side they play. Not knowing who might be available as a UFA next summer makes choosing a side tougher.
The right side is the higher priority. Canucks have better depth on the left currently and amongst the prospects. Desharnais needs to go and Juulsen is only good as a #7 D-man. It is only Hughes who Myers couldn’t drag right down. All his partners have struggled since he got here. Can’t bear the thought of Myers in the top-four another year.
It would be tragic if Willander was rushed out of necessity. Maybe he can play bottom pairing next season, but not top-four.
I give blocking prospects little credence. If you trade for a good player that player can later be traded if and when prospects earn the job.
Upgrading the top-four is more important than which side you do first. I like the chances of signing a LHD UFA next summer better than attracting a RHD.
Matthew Pisko:
VAN should only make a trade for a defenseman if:
– the player has some years of team control (i.e. soon-to-be RFA or a UFA that agrees to an extension
– the player is a material upgrade to their pairings; that is, a true talent 2/3.
The team needs to push Soucy/Myers/Forbort/Juulsen to their respective levels – that of third pairing and depth defenseman. That may also mean trading one out of there to make room.
I don’t think it really matters what handedness the acquisition plays. It just has to be a good player. That is going to cost VAN, either in terms of one of its top centres or a 5v5 scoring-demon winger with reasonable term and dollar value, or even perhaps a pending UFA, one-time 40 goal scorer and a high pick.
Those players would be something like:
– Bowen Byram
– Owen Power
– Noah Dobson
– Phil Broberg
– Aaron Ekblad
– K’Andre Miller
– Ivan Provorov
– Mason Lohrei
– Rasmus Andersson
– Braden Schneider
RagnarokOroboros:
They should prioritize acquiring a Right-D, but only if it is a true upgrade on Myers and Desharnais. Right-D is the hardest to acquire, so if they are going to trade Miller or Pettersson it should be for right-side help on D.
Left-D is easy to acquire in the offseason.
HockeyfanMexico:
For the first time in many years, I am going with LHD. The question you are really asking is “who needs to play on the 3rd pairing more. Soucy or Myers”? I think with a better partner, Myers can play up. I think Soucy, for what ever reason, this season needs to be much more sheltered. For those reasons, LHD.
JCanuck:
For the she of discussion, I would say a LHD will be easier to find and cheaper. As for the trade itself, the team has to prove it’s worth cashing in future assets for a run today? Last year JR said the team earned a trade for Lindholm, but so far this year they haven’t.
bruce donice:
Don’t care which side just need a top-pair defender. Doesn’t have to be a partner for QH, but must be able to force the play, and skate like the wind.
CRobinson:
A month ago I would have written something lengthy about this, but now I think there are more pressing matters that need attention. Is this core/leadership group one that can take the team deep in the playoffs? The more I think about it, the more it becomes clear that it’s not the right mix. Until that is resolved, I don’t see any point in spending assets to address holes in the roster.
speering major:
Definitely LHD
Myers under contract for two more years. This is part of the reason that contract was a mistake. On top of term, the money they spent blocked the cap space they need to afford an actual top-four D.
Desharnais making $2 million next year, also.
Adding another RHD completely roadblocks Willander. You don’t have to pencil the kid in as a top-four guy anytime soon, but you aren’t sticking Myers in the press box for two years either.
If Soucy finds his game, he could also play the right side on the second pair.
Fozzy Bear:
If we are talking about bringing in a couple d-men, I am of the thinking to go for some veteran guys that can fill a role for a few years before the young guys are ready to step in. Guys like Chariot or Savard for the right price can give you some serviceable years and help to bring along the younger guys.
I mean if we are talking Miller in the trade, IMO, you have got to get a center back in the deal whether a high level prospect or regular such as Thomas in STL or even Dach in MTL. Or I would even consider Fantilli CBJ or Hayton UHC with some years left in the tank.
Besides trading for top-four guys that have the youth only get in the way for guys like EPD and Willander, so if going that route you might as well put these two on the table as trade options, right?
spiel:
Best player available regardless of handedness.
CraigCoxe:
Romanov shoots left… so LHD.
Craig Gowan:
I believe a LHD should be the priority. There is no second pair LHD behind Hughes. Soucy is a third pair D who will likely be back next season. Forbort won’t be. My first priority, if I were management, would be a top-four LHD. On the right side, Myers is signed for two more years after this year. He’s best thought of a third pair D. Willander will be on the team next year or the year after that. Trading for a top-four RHD prevents Willander from advancement. I don’t mind if they trade for a third pair RHD to replace Juulsen and Desharnais, but that player should be on an expiring contract or with one more year left on his contract.
Hockey Bunker:
LHD. Currently just one good one and the rest are awful.
DerekP63:
RHD. Anyone who can push Myers down to third pairing will be a smart move.
Kootenaydude:
LHD. When you have Hughes, a small undersized defender that gets all the offensive opportunities, you’re going to need a solid second pair defender that can play tough matchups, PK, and a shutdown role. He will also have to boost/ solidify the play of his RHD partner in Myers/ Vinny D or Willander. He will also have to play 20 plus minutes every night, move the puck and be big enough for the playoffs. LHD are much more easily available but still won’t come cheap. A LHD also won’t block the progress of Willander. The best teams have three solid defenders. We should, too.
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