P. LeBrun

As we talked about yesterday, Florida hopes to take a run at Panarin and Bobrovsky so after today’s trade they have more flexibility to do it. And while they could wait until July 1 to go after them, they could also inquire before Feb 25 if something makes sense... so stay tuned

Makes sense.
- LeftCoaster

I'm just happy there is a serious contender out there to put a damper on the Bobrovsky to Vancouver rumours

3rd team by age 22 isn't a good look. But I could see him doing well in the Jordan Staal/Brandon Sutter/Brassard role
- WhiteLie

If he was in more of a garbage in/garbage out trade I'd agree, but I don't really see that in this trade. Florida probably didn't feel like paying him a raise on his current RFA deal and Pitt probably wanted some sort of sweetener for taking on the money in Bjugstad's deal+draft capital.

That's probably the PR spin but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they're just cutting salary.

Not sure how they'd fit Bob into their goaltending. Lou's got like 3 more years and Reimer has 2.
- Lindenis#1

Apparently Lu will be on LTIR, Reimer can be the backup...

P. LeBrun

As we talked about yesterday, Florida hopes to take a run at Panarin and Bobrovsky so after today’s trade they have more flexibility to do it. And while they could wait until July 1 to go after them, they could also inquire before Feb 25 if something makes sense... so stay tuned
- LeftCoaster

That'll fix the mess of a defence in Florida for sure.

Apparently Lu will be on LTIR, Reimer can be the backup...
- 1970vintage

Lou would have to comply. If they LTIR'd him while he still intended to play that's a massive grievance.

I'm just happy there is a serious contender out there to put a damper on the Bobrovsky to Vancouver rumours
- WhiteLie

I don't think those Bob rumours have had much legs for a few months. Markstrom stopped letting in 2 of the first 6 shots every game and Demko's on the roster. Dipietro's shown well enough that Jimbo can get by with this group for probably 2 years

Ed Willes

Finally, Canucks GM Jim Benning met with Alex Edler and his agent, Mark Stowe yesterday. Benning describes talks as "productive." Column to follow later today.

That's probably the PR spin but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they're just cutting salary.

Not sure how they'd fit Bob into their goaltending. Lou's got like 3 more years and Reimer has 2.
- Lindenis#1

Lou to the LTIR, or a Reimer bury/buyout is my guess. They out-shoot their opponents but give up the 3rd most goals against - thats just killing the team up front. All their goalies have over 3.00 GAA and sub .900 S%. thats pitiful

Ed Willes

Finally, Canucks GM Jim Benning met with Alex Edler and his agent, Mark Stowe yesterday. Benning describes talks as "productive." Column to follow later today.
- LeftCoaster

I'm really curious to see how much of Edler's ear his agent has. Eddy could go to FA and get a fat deal with some term, but that's not as likely in Vancouver. But he could also just tell his agent to get whatever deal doesn't see him move for the next 3 years.

If he was in more of a garbage in/garbage out trade I'd agree, but I don't really see that in this trade. Florida probably didn't feel like paying him a raise on his current RFA deal and Pitt probably wanted some sort of sweetener for taking on the money in Bjugstad's deal+draft capital.
- Lindenis#1

Yeah I included the "but" because I think its a good trade and clearly FLA is clearing long-term commitments. I do think its a little interesting to see him included in a deal where they intend to flip Brassard though. You'd think a 22 year old with 200+ NHL games would net a better return than Brassard on a bad year

Lou to the LTIR, or a Reimer bury/buyout is my guess. They out-shoot their opponents but give up the 3rd most goals against - thats just killing the team up front. All their goalies have over 3.00 GAA and sub .900 S%. thats pitiful
- WhiteLie

They're a flawed defensive team because their defence is terrible. Ekblad isn't the player people anticipated, Yandle is as he does which is basically play midfield. After that you can have a real argument about whether anyone else would be top 4 in the rest of the NHL. Matheson Pysyk as the 5-6 isn't bad, but sadly they're basically their #3 and 4 guys.

They're barely a positive possession team, they have 88 goals at 5v5 which is pitiful, negative in scoring chances, big negative in high danger chances

I don't think those Bob rumours have had much legs for a few months. Markstrom stopped letting in 2 of the first 6 shots every game and Demko's on the roster. Dipietro's shown well enough that Jimbo can get by with this group for probably 2 years
- Lindenis#1

There's no reason for us to be out looking for a starting goaltender with our current situation

Jim Benning: We're in dialogue with (Edler). We're talking about what his intentions are and what he wants to do going forward. I think he's made it clear to us that he wants to stay in Vancouver...so we're going to continue to talk to them and see if we can figure something out

More Benning on Edler: He's our best defenseman. He's a leader in our room. He's a mentor to Petey. He's an important guy for the development of our younger players. If we can get something figured out, I'd like to do it

Jim Benning: We're in dialogue with (Edler). We're talking about what his intentions are and what he wants to do going forward. I think he's made it clear to us that he wants to stay in Vancouver...so we're going to continue to talk to them and see if we can figure something out

More Benning on Edler: He's our best defenseman. He's a leader in our room. He's a mentor to Petey. He's an important guy for the development of our younger players. If we can get something figured out, I'd like to do it
- LeftCoaster

Petey really likes his fellow Swedes

Benning on Hughes: His family, the player, and his agent have to talk it over and they have to decide to leave school. And...if he decides to turn pro, at that point we'll try to get him signed and get him in here #canucks⁠ ⁠,

There's no reason for us to be out looking for a starting goaltender with our current situation
- NorthNuck

I sorta get the idea behind Bob. Defence might be real piss next year depending how much space they open (ideally a lot) to work in Hughes full time, OJ part time and then some coffee dates for Sautner, Brisebois, Chatfield, McEneny, etc.

So if your defence might be piss but you want to win, try and get Vezina goaltending to balance it out.

But he hasn't been good enough to warrant whatever deal he wants. He's over 30 and having a bad year.

I don't think those Bob rumours have had much legs for a few months. Markstrom stopped letting in 2 of the first 6 shots every game and Demko's on the roster. Dipietro's shown well enough that Jimbo can get by with this group for probably 2 years
- Lindenis#1

I don't disagree, the group is fine. But cap-space and playoff hopes makes Benning do some crazy things - its a smoke/fire situation for me. I completely believe they have considered it, so I'm happy that someone is better positioned to make a compelling offer

I think after this year they should really be trying to make the playoffs. I agree we're still a ways away from being ready to trade away draft picks, but I think signing a top 6 forward or a top 4 Dman in free agency this summer would be a good step
- NorthNuck

That's the goal. I guarantee you Aquilini has said to MNGT he wants this team in for the 50th Anniversary season. Guarantee it.

They're a flawed defensive team because their defence is terrible. Ekblad isn't the player people anticipated, Yandle is as he does which is basically play midfield. After that you can have a real argument about whether anyone else would be top 4 in the rest of the NHL. Matheson Pysyk as the 5-6 isn't bad, but sadly they're basically their #3 and 4 guys.

They're barely a positive possession team, they have 88 goals at 5v5 which is pitiful, negative in scoring chances, big negative in high danger chances
- Lindenis#1

They aren't cup contenders but with league average goaltending they would be a playoff contender IMO. The defense isn't the worst but Luongo's lateral movement this year has been dreadful and Reimer should be an AHLer. Sure the team is flawed but a new goalie would cover a lot more of the mistakes

Jim Benning: We're in dialogue with (Edler). We're talking about what his intentions are and what he wants to do going forward. I think he's made it clear to us that he wants to stay in Vancouver...so we're going to continue to talk to them and see if we can figure something out

More Benning on Edler: He's our best defenseman. He's a leader in our room. He's a mentor to Petey. He's an important guy for the development of our younger players. If we can get something figured out, I'd like to do it
- LeftCoaster

Whether its actually true or not, he's using Pettersson's well-being as a shield from any backlash

I don't disagree, the group is fine. But cap-space and playoff hopes makes Benning do some crazy things - its a smoke/fire situation for me. I completely believe they have considered it, so I'm happy that someone is better positioned to make a compelling offer
- WhiteLie

Oh I'm with you. Benning doesn't seem like he can help himself in FA.

His shopping list this summer should be 3 (Panarin, Stone, Karlsson), maybe 5 (Stralman, Hayes) players long, and if he doesn't get those players he needs to walk away.

It could be crippling on the cap if he swings, misses on the big fish and Loui Eriksson's himself into like Nyquist and Myers for 14 million anually.

That's the goal. I guarantee you Aquilini has said to MNGT he wants this team in for the 50th Anniversary season. Guarantee it.
- LordHumungous

Which makes me hope that Benning makes the right choices in Free Agency this year. Signing another Eriksson could set us back

That's the goal. I guarantee you Aquilini has said to MNGT he wants this team in for the 50th Anniversary season. Guarantee it.
- LordHumungous

Franny's all in on that 50. Only thing missing is an ASG.

Twins in the rafters
Ass load of ROH entries
Host draft
Doubling down the cultural heritage and whatnot nights
New primary sweaters
New third
New captain
New seats in the rink

There was something else I remember seeing but I don't recall.

Franny's all in on that 50. Only thing missing is an ASG.

Twins in the rafters
Ass load of ROH entries
Host draft
Doubling down the cultural heritage and whatnot nights
New primary sweaters
New third
New captain
New seats in the rink

There was something else I remember seeing but I don't recall.
- Lindenis#1

Playoffs?