Colorado to trade Barrie (Detroit?).
Then Colorado will trade for Zaitsev for scraps - Zadorov Zaitsev pairing.
(M4)
- MaximusAurelius

ZZ Bottom

Fans who watch him play on a regular basis says 5M per should be max...
- 21peter

Benning says hi

Have you noticed Mark Hunter can't get an NHL job?
- RogerRoeper

That was the first thing that crossed my mind . . .I don't know. If he was so good, someone would have hired him by now. Since Hunter resigned from the Leafs:

Edmonton Oilers hired Ken Holland
Detroit Red Wings hired Steve Yzerman
Philadelphia Flyers hired Chuck Fletcher
Tampa Bay Lightning hired Julien BriseBois
New York Islanders hired Lou Lamoriello
Minnesota Wild hired Paul Fenton

Detroit and Tampa were pretty foregone conclusions, but for the others, I don't know how seriously he fit into the mix. I think Edmonton had in in their final three until Holland showed interest and trumped everyone.

Colorado to trade Barrie (Detroit?).
Then Colorado will trade for Zaitsev for scraps - Zadorov Zaitsev pairing.
(M4)
- MaximusAurelius

Zadorov-Zaitsev Top pairing?

Benning says hi
- winsix

I still can't believe he traded their 1st round pick for J.T Miller. He's worth a late first, but is Benning really expecting the Canucks to improve into a top 10 team in the league?

Zadorov-Zaitsev Top pairing?
- Aetherial

haha yup.
2 russian guys - one offensive minded but defensively responsible plus another defense minded d.. could work as a 2nd D pair.

I still can't believe he traded their 1st round pick for J.T Miller. He's worth a late first, but is Benning really expecting the Canucks to improve into a top 10 team in the league?
- RickJames77

What the hell is Benning supposed to say.

" Ya, we picked up Miller to keep us firmly within the bottom third of the league"

Has Marner been offersheeted yet, lets just get this over with

That was the first thing that crossed my mind . . .I don't know. If he was so good, someone would have hired him by now. Since Hunter resigned from the Leafs:

Edmonton Oilers hired Ken Holland
Detroit Red Wings hired Steve Yzerman
Philadelphia Flyers hired Chuck Fletcher
Tampa Bay Lightning hired Julien BriseBois
New York Islanders hired Lou Lamoriello
Minnesota Wild hired Paul Fenton

Detroit and Tampa were pretty foregone conclusions, but for the others, I don't know how seriously he fit into the mix. I think Edmonton had in in their final three until Holland showed interest and trumped everyone.
- Monkeypunk

He's waiting for the coveted Ottawa job that will likely come up this year

What the hell is Benning supposed to say.

" Ya, we picked up Miller to keep us firmly within the bottom third of the league"
- bixll

No, I just don't understand the move is all. That move doesn't take them out of the bottom third IMO, even with the influx of young talent, so what's the point of trading a potential lottery pick for J.T Miller?

Edit: Oh, I guess he protected it. Still, I could see Vancouver miss the playoffs in 2021 as well.

No, I just don't understand the move is all. That move doesn't take them out of the bottom third IMO, even with the influx of young talent, so what's the point of trading a potential lottery pick for J.T Miller?
- RickJames77

the more important point is that JT Miller isn't really that good.

No, I just don't understand the move is all. That move doesn't take them out of the bottom third IMO, even with the influx of young talent, so what's the point of trading a potential lottery pick for J.T Miller?
- RickJames77

It is a pretty awful trade. He isnt that good. They helped Tampa, and overpaid to do so.

the more important point is that JT Miller isn't really that good.
- MaximusAurelius

I agree

It is a pretty awful trade. He isnt that good. They helped Tampa, and overpaid to do so.
- Archaic

Apparently it's lottery protected in 2020, then slides to 2021. I could still see them being a lottery team in the 2020-2021 season. I'd say they'd be a fringe team. Though, we have seen teams overestimate where they think they'll be in standings in the future and surrender lotto picks. Looking at your Burke, Brian.

No, I just don't understand the move is all. That move doesn't take them out of the bottom third IMO, even with the influx of young talent, so what's the point of trading a potential lottery pick for J.T Miller?

Edit: Oh, I guess he protected it. Still, I could see Vancouver miss the playoffs in 2021 as well.
- RickJames77

I could too. They are getting better, building from youth seems to be the way forward.

Apparently it's lottery protected in 2020, then slides to 2021. I could still see them being a lottery team in the 2020-2021 season. I'd say they'd be a fringe team. Though, we have seen teams overestimate where they think they'll be in standings in the future and surrender lotto picks. Looking at your Burke, Brian.
- RickJames77

It will definiteily be a 2021 pick. Vancouver isnt making the playoffs next year likely.

I could too. They are getting better, building from youth seems to be the way forward.
- bixll

Quinn Hughes at defense will help them alot.

So will Miller.

The west being weaker than the east these days makes them a playoff aspirant imo.

Quinn Hughes at defense will help them alot.

So will Miller.

The west being weaker than the east these days makes them a playoff aspirant imo.
- Scabeh

Id say they improve, but I think making the playoffs is a stretch.

Quinn Hughes at defense will help them alot.

So will Miller.

The west being weaker than the east these days makes them a playoff aspirant imo.
- Scabeh

Defense is the toughest position to come into the NHL and be a real difference maker. Although, lately it seems to be happening more often (Heiskanen, McAvoy, Makar, etc). I guess we'll have to wait and see. I wouldn't bet on them making the playoffs next year.

Jets, Avs, Stars, Blues, Sharks, Knights, Flames, Preds would be the most likely group I'd think.

Id say they improve, but I think making the playoffs is a stretch.
- Archaic

Wouldn't call them favorites you're right.

But I feel like they will be in the race.

Defense is the toughest position to come into the NHL and be a real difference maker. Although, lately it seems to be happening more often (Heiskanen, McAvoy, Makar, etc). I guess we'll have to wait and see. I wouldn't bet on them making the playoffs next year.

Jets, Avs, Stars, Blues, Sharks, Knights, Flames, Preds would be the most likely group I'd think.
- RickJames77

So basically the exact same group as this year?

I don't think this ever happened before.

For what it's worth, I think the Sharks, Jets and Preds will be worse than they were last season. Might not be enough for them to miss the playoffs though.

Even the Blues could come back to earth after that ridiculous 2nd half run.

Oh and the Knights are in cap trouble... how they manage that situation will be interesting.

Rantanen signs for a friendly 8mil. Colorado offer sheets Point for 10.5. Signs Panarin for 11mil.

Rantanen signs for a friendly 8mil. Colorado offer sheets Point for 10.5. Signs Panarin for 11mil.
- AdamFrench

So basically the exact same group as this year?

I don't think this ever happened before.

For what it's worth, I think the Sharks, Jets and Preds will be worse than they were last season. Might not be enough for them to miss the playoffs though.

Even the Blues could come back to earth after that ridiculous 2nd half run.

Oh and the Knights are in cap trouble... how they manage that situation will be interesting.
- Scabeh

I was thinking the same. I guess if you're looking for teams that could force their way into the conversation, then who do you think? Edmonton always has a shot just due to McDavid.