The Vancouver Canucks have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the ninth time up to now 12 seasons. Even after final yr’s division title and second-round Recreation 7 loss, they’ve so much to repair. President Jim Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin have to make trades this offseason to enhance the Canucks. Which positions ought to they aim, and who ought to they convey in?
All of that is assuming that Rick Tocchet will come again as the pinnacle coach. Either side are reportedly dedicated to reaching an extension. However as of Sunday, he doesn’t have a contract with the Canucks or some other staff. If he leaves, a brand new coach coming in may need totally different gamers. However the gamers they’re bringing in ought to match their wants and Tocchet’s id as a coach.
The Canucks already traded JT Miller and are doubtless shedding Brock Boeser in free company. Which forwards may they commerce for to enhance their scoring?
The Canucks’ grand-slam choice is Marco Rossi
The Minnesota Wild are up towards the wage cap ceiling, and Marco Rossi’s entry-level contract is expiring. Simply because the cap goes up and the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts decline, Kirill Kaprizov is eligible for an extension. He may set a brand new wage report this summer time, which might necessitate a commerce of Rossi. The Canucks may swoop in and commerce for Rossi.
Rossi scored a playoff purpose on Thursday, his first of his profession. Within the common season, he has two 20-goal seasons already and topped out this season at 60 factors. All of this comes earlier than he turns 24 years previous. If the Wild commerce Rossi, the Canucks ought to be among the many first groups to name. With Miller gone and Boeser doubtless leaving, they want the scoring.
The Canucks must half with some prospects to make this deal work, however ought to be snug doing that. They do not have an important pipeline, however they should encompass Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson with expertise now. Rossi is ascending not like any present Canucks prospect and can be an important addition.
Name a couple of Flyers defenseman
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Latest harm information prevents Rasmus Ristolainen from being the headliner for this deal. If the Canucks are okay with Ristolainen doubtlessly lacking coaching camp, they may make this deal. But when not, they need to nonetheless name the Flyers for one in all their different defenseman. Cam York and John Tortorella bought right into a skirmish that price the coach his job. Relying on the severity, the remaining entrance workplace may need to commerce York as effectively.
If the Flyers had been prepared to commerce Travis Sanheim, the Canucks ought to be throughout that. He has six years left on his deal at $6.25 million, however Philly may look to maneuver him to begin a rebuild. That might be a large decide and prospect haul to land him, however they should encompass Quinn Hughes with expertise.
Sanheim would instantly develop into the second-best defenseman on the Canucks. He would enhance their energy play and secondary defensive traces dramatically. The Canucks and Flyers might be good commerce companions this offseason, assuming Rick Tocchet does not develop into Philly’s coach.
Make an RFA commerce for Sabres teenager
Again to the ahead unit, the Canucks may use their draft-pick capital to choose up strong ahead JJ Peterka. The 23-year-old German would instantly enhance their backside six and can be comparatively cheap. They may give him a proposal sheet and let the Sabres match it. However as a result of they don’t have their very own third or fourth-round picks, a commerce would make extra sense.
The Canucks may quit the San Jose Sharks third-rounder to the Sabres together with some other picks it could take to get Peterka. But when they did a proposal sheet, they’d not be capable of use the Sharks’ decide. In order that brings within the commerce, the place the Sabres might be seeking to transfer on. They’re coming into a rebuild and will search for a strong prospect to reset their clock.
Peterka shined this yr with 27 objectives and 41 assists for a profession excessive 68 factors. Even on a foul Sabres staff, he discovered a option to get on the scoresheet. On a Canucks staff with expectations, he may add to their backside six or assist break Elias Pettersson out of his funk.