Had some fun with CapFriendly’s armchair GM tool today.
Management is dead set on making the playoffs next season, that much is obvious. In order to do that though, there will need to be pretty major reconstruction and that’s exactly what this lineup reflects.
Trade #1: Kuznetsov’s play has dipped in recent seasons, and with Backstrom’s uncertainty, they will want a trustworthy offensive option to complement Ovechkin as he chases Gretzky’s record. They get to upgrade their offensive pretty significantly and move down 3 spots in the draft, but receive another pick as well. The Canucks get to move up in the draft and take a gamble on a former star to fill a 2C role full-time, something Miller was only able to do somewhat dubiously.
Trade #2: With Bergeron and Krejci potentially retiring, and Hall and Bertuzzi likely signing elsewhere in free agency, the Bruins have to address their top 6 heading into next season. Garland immediately helps in this respect, and Rathbone gets a fresh start with his hometown team and a chance to compete for the 3LD spot. Grzelcyk is a really solid player and it is rumoured that the Bruins may have to move on from him due to cap reasons. Offer them a chance to offload Mike Reilly’s contract as well (who would easily be a top 6 dman on the Canucks) and I think this is a trade that makes sense for both teams.
Trade #3: With Dumba and Klingberg leaving in FA, the Wild are *thin* on defence. Of course they have Spurgeon, Brodin, etc. but it will be an area they’ll try to address, especially if they’re hoping for a deep playoff run. Adding Myers at 3,000,000 is a big improvement among their bottom 3 defencemen, and the Canucks receive a physical and effecitve PKer. Will the Wild want to move Dewar? Probably not. But situationally this makes sense for both teams.
Trade #4: Kupari sort of found his footing late-season on the Kings’ 4th line. They also have good depth on the wings already. But adding a guy like Beauvillier as a full-season rental increases their flexibility in moving players around the top-9, and keeps 4th line players on the 4th line. With there being no shortage of skilled players for Beauvillier to find chemistry with, this will provide a lot of value to the Kings. Canucks take a chance on a young, former top prospect, who has had a good defensive impact at all levels. If he is able to take another step forward to become a 3C, it will be extremely beneficial to us.
Free agency: Re-sign Hoglander to a long term, low cap deal and hope to extract surplus value during its duration. Kupari gets a bridge deal. Low risk, high reward. Soucy and Gudas round out the blue-line nicely, adding plenty of physicality and defensive responsibility. Antti Raanta becomes the first reliable backup goalie the Canucks have had since, well, Thatcher Demko.
Misc. Insights: This places a lot of pressure on Podkolzin and Hoglander to have taken significant steps forward. Not too worried about Podkolzin, although I can see why Hoglander could be hit or miss. But with guys like Mikheyev, the Canucks have enough insurance to gamble on Hoggy. As it stands, Dewar – Kupari – Mikheyev would be a tremendously effective shutdown line, something the Canucks haven’t had since ~2012? With Pearson, I penciled him in so as to be conservative with the Cap Space projection. If he remains on LTIR however, it’s an easy substitution with PDG/Studnicka, maybe even Karlsson.
Interbrett
Well done, this is a realistic take. Not sure about the radko signing that cheap and the Miller trade seems pretty fair if not caps leaning.
ILoveHipChecks
Kuznetsov is pretty checked out and reportedly doesn’t really love playing hockey anymore. I get the appeal of moving down and getting out of the Miller deal before it could potentially go bad, but the team clearly has it’s eyes on the playoffs and Miller to Kuznetsov is a significant downgrade.
Who do you have the Canucks taking if they’re moving up in the draft? Michkov?
L3aNo
I am not sure if the Miller trade make sense, moving up 3 spots really doesn’t do anything for us I feel like there is going to be the same tier of player there at 11 than there is at 8, Reinbacher is more than likely gone by then and Washington wouldn’t trade the pick if Michkov is there. Just not worth it to downgrade Miller into Kuznetsov, People don’t like Miller’s timeline for this core I am not sure how getting the older player in Kuznetsov helps that, people already hate Millers defensive efforts I think Kuznetsov’s defensive efforts would legit break this sub. Just not worth the downgrade in players IMHO.
MGM-Wonder
Would rather keep Miller than trade for Kuznetsov, but overall I really like what you’ve done here.
mediumyeet
I can’t wait until July 1 when we can hopefully stop trying to trade Miller. His deal is a bargain given his comparables. He’s a true competitor with fire in his game. Miller will be an integral part of our success over the next 3-4 years (Hughes demko contracts)
ubcthrowaway-01
I can see Hog signing a 3 year deal at that cap hit if which I think would still make him an RFA, but if he’s taking a 6 year deal, he’d ask for way more
ILoveHipChecks
If we’re accepting that playoffs are not the goal for next year and are moving Miller, I’d much rather go for broke and try to get him to Columbus for the 3rd overall. Clearly Jarmo is feeling the heat and is going for it this year and the lack any real top end centers.
But my trade idea is probably as unrealistic as ownership being ok with no playoffs again this year.
SpectreFire
The Miller trade is a good one to do to get out of his contract.
Personally, I’d love to see a Kotkaniemi for Miller trade, highly doubt that would ever happen.
Simple_Employment_49
Every time I see someone trade garland instead of boeser, I die on the inside a little bit.
avmp629
Grzelcyk-Hronek would be a heart attack of a pairing
Gudas on the top pair would not last long
Mike Reilly is not an NHL defenseman anymore
Höglander making $2.5M for 6 years after spending most of last year in the AHL is wild
I’d rather have Miller than Kuznetsov, and the Caps aren’t trading their pick
I do like trying to get younger guys like Dewar and Kupari, though. Not sure if either team bites on those offers
Thelynxer
I’m so confused seeing Ilya on the 3rd line.
DisplacedNovaScotian
Hmmmmm you have a lot of good ideas here. The D takes a big step forward. Raanta is a very good option as a backup goalie which gives Silovs time to keep growing and not be rushed in. I too find the Miller trade somewhat questionable, but I don’t think it’s crazy. Kuznetsov’s not far removed from point per game status. My real issue is if we move Miller, I’d rather aim for a younger return.
E. to clarify second last sentence.
ijekster
Looks pretty terrible, bottom 10 roster
forward98
Can’t see the Bruins doing that trade tbh. Think they’d rather clear space with any trade than take on a contract. Also, I know it’s a weirdly popular analytics idea for a lot of players around the league, but I wouldn’t go 6 years on Höglander. 3 or 4 would be my limit. I’d be more open to something like that with Podkolzin tho.
15 Comments
Had some fun with CapFriendly’s armchair GM tool today.
Management is dead set on making the playoffs next season, that much is obvious. In order to do that though, there will need to be pretty major reconstruction and that’s exactly what this lineup reflects.
Trade #1: Kuznetsov’s play has dipped in recent seasons, and with Backstrom’s uncertainty, they will want a trustworthy offensive option to complement Ovechkin as he chases Gretzky’s record. They get to upgrade their offensive pretty significantly and move down 3 spots in the draft, but receive another pick as well. The Canucks get to move up in the draft and take a gamble on a former star to fill a 2C role full-time, something Miller was only able to do somewhat dubiously.
Trade #2: With Bergeron and Krejci potentially retiring, and Hall and Bertuzzi likely signing elsewhere in free agency, the Bruins have to address their top 6 heading into next season. Garland immediately helps in this respect, and Rathbone gets a fresh start with his hometown team and a chance to compete for the 3LD spot. Grzelcyk is a really solid player and it is rumoured that the Bruins may have to move on from him due to cap reasons. Offer them a chance to offload Mike Reilly’s contract as well (who would easily be a top 6 dman on the Canucks) and I think this is a trade that makes sense for both teams.
Trade #3: With Dumba and Klingberg leaving in FA, the Wild are *thin* on defence. Of course they have Spurgeon, Brodin, etc. but it will be an area they’ll try to address, especially if they’re hoping for a deep playoff run. Adding Myers at 3,000,000 is a big improvement among their bottom 3 defencemen, and the Canucks receive a physical and effecitve PKer. Will the Wild want to move Dewar? Probably not. But situationally this makes sense for both teams.
Trade #4: Kupari sort of found his footing late-season on the Kings’ 4th line. They also have good depth on the wings already. But adding a guy like Beauvillier as a full-season rental increases their flexibility in moving players around the top-9, and keeps 4th line players on the 4th line. With there being no shortage of skilled players for Beauvillier to find chemistry with, this will provide a lot of value to the Kings. Canucks take a chance on a young, former top prospect, who has had a good defensive impact at all levels. If he is able to take another step forward to become a 3C, it will be extremely beneficial to us.
Free agency: Re-sign Hoglander to a long term, low cap deal and hope to extract surplus value during its duration. Kupari gets a bridge deal. Low risk, high reward. Soucy and Gudas round out the blue-line nicely, adding plenty of physicality and defensive responsibility. Antti Raanta becomes the first reliable backup goalie the Canucks have had since, well, Thatcher Demko.
Misc. Insights: This places a lot of pressure on Podkolzin and Hoglander to have taken significant steps forward. Not too worried about Podkolzin, although I can see why Hoglander could be hit or miss. But with guys like Mikheyev, the Canucks have enough insurance to gamble on Hoggy. As it stands, Dewar – Kupari – Mikheyev would be a tremendously effective shutdown line, something the Canucks haven’t had since ~2012? With Pearson, I penciled him in so as to be conservative with the Cap Space projection. If he remains on LTIR however, it’s an easy substitution with PDG/Studnicka, maybe even Karlsson.
Well done, this is a realistic take. Not sure about the radko signing that cheap and the Miller trade seems pretty fair if not caps leaning.
Kuznetsov is pretty checked out and reportedly doesn’t really love playing hockey anymore. I get the appeal of moving down and getting out of the Miller deal before it could potentially go bad, but the team clearly has it’s eyes on the playoffs and Miller to Kuznetsov is a significant downgrade.
Who do you have the Canucks taking if they’re moving up in the draft? Michkov?
I am not sure if the Miller trade make sense, moving up 3 spots really doesn’t do anything for us I feel like there is going to be the same tier of player there at 11 than there is at 8, Reinbacher is more than likely gone by then and Washington wouldn’t trade the pick if Michkov is there. Just not worth it to downgrade Miller into Kuznetsov, People don’t like Miller’s timeline for this core I am not sure how getting the older player in Kuznetsov helps that, people already hate Millers defensive efforts I think Kuznetsov’s defensive efforts would legit break this sub. Just not worth the downgrade in players IMHO.
Would rather keep Miller than trade for Kuznetsov, but overall I really like what you’ve done here.
I can’t wait until July 1 when we can hopefully stop trying to trade Miller. His deal is a bargain given his comparables. He’s a true competitor with fire in his game. Miller will be an integral part of our success over the next 3-4 years (Hughes demko contracts)
I can see Hog signing a 3 year deal at that cap hit if which I think would still make him an RFA, but if he’s taking a 6 year deal, he’d ask for way more
If we’re accepting that playoffs are not the goal for next year and are moving Miller, I’d much rather go for broke and try to get him to Columbus for the 3rd overall. Clearly Jarmo is feeling the heat and is going for it this year and the lack any real top end centers.
But my trade idea is probably as unrealistic as ownership being ok with no playoffs again this year.
The Miller trade is a good one to do to get out of his contract.
Personally, I’d love to see a Kotkaniemi for Miller trade, highly doubt that would ever happen.
Every time I see someone trade garland instead of boeser, I die on the inside a little bit.
Grzelcyk-Hronek would be a heart attack of a pairing
Gudas on the top pair would not last long
Mike Reilly is not an NHL defenseman anymore
Höglander making $2.5M for 6 years after spending most of last year in the AHL is wild
I’d rather have Miller than Kuznetsov, and the Caps aren’t trading their pick
I do like trying to get younger guys like Dewar and Kupari, though. Not sure if either team bites on those offers
I’m so confused seeing Ilya on the 3rd line.
Hmmmmm you have a lot of good ideas here. The D takes a big step forward. Raanta is a very good option as a backup goalie which gives Silovs time to keep growing and not be rushed in. I too find the Miller trade somewhat questionable, but I don’t think it’s crazy. Kuznetsov’s not far removed from point per game status. My real issue is if we move Miller, I’d rather aim for a younger return.
E. to clarify second last sentence.
Looks pretty terrible, bottom 10 roster
Can’t see the Bruins doing that trade tbh. Think they’d rather clear space with any trade than take on a contract. Also, I know it’s a weirdly popular analytics idea for a lot of players around the league, but I wouldn’t go 6 years on Höglander. 3 or 4 would be my limit. I’d be more open to something like that with Podkolzin tho.