Casual Canuck

The Hockey Writers Kessel's definitely on the wrong side of thirty now. He's probably going to end up much like Vanek: playing contract to contract. Not a bad end to a career, but still. The writer to this piece did sneak in what seems like Penguins side-talking to justify the trade. I honestly dislike that. Just thank the player, and move on. There shouldn't be any need to drag names through the mud. Diplomacy is an art, and a necessity.

Sportsnet The Canucks probably aren't making the playoffs this coming season. The Canucks may have more scoring with the additions of Miller and Ferland, but those two role players aren't nearly enough to transform the Canucks from record-setting awful at scoring to anything resembling respectable. The Canucks will be better at forward, but not much better. Furthermore, the Canucks will be slower on defence this coming season with the loss of Hutton and the addition of Myers. He can score a little, but he gives up scoring chances against. He's not a good defender. Also, Edler's one year older, and has seen a decline in his ability to defend. Also, the Canucks haven't yet re-signed Boeser. That probably needs to happen, but the Canucks don't have the cap space for anything long-term. Honestly, the chances of the Canucks making the playoffs is still very low. They're better at scoring, but have taken a step back defensively.

Sportsnet Wild. The Thunder were able to get draft picks along with Paul? I don't think Westbrook was worth two first round draft picks, but I guess the Rockets really wanted Paul gone.

The Hockey Writers Bluntly speaking, $3 million in cap space is probably all Holland was after. Darnell Nurse is up for a new contract next season, and a few extra million will aid in getting him re-signed. The Oilers are not in position to be thinking about the playoffs this season. If they make it, then fantastic, but they don't have the depth to compete, and are in salary cap hell due to Lucic's contract. The Oiler's first order of business is acquiring young players and draft picks, and somehow magically moving out unmovable contracts. The Edmonton Oilers aren't just one or two parts away in free agency away from being contenders. They need top tier defenders, and top tier scoring wingers. Those aren't found in free agency. They're drafted.

Sportsnet Odd to see this guy in a Canucks uniform, but he's not a terrible player. The term and value isn't bad, but this new contract places the Canucks under pressure to find a way to sign Boeser. A long-term contract for Boeser is probably out for now. It may be something short-term, unless the Canucks find cap space by sending out a draft pick or prospect along with a bad contract. Does Ferland make the Canucks better? Well, he moves the needle a little: In analysis, he'll do well in a second or third line role. He's being paid for that level too, so it's a good contract. However, the Canucks are really doing things backwards here. Boeser's contract should've been priority number one. Then the team should've brought in role players such as Ferland. Update: NMC for the first two years. Yeah, dunno why the Canucks gave him that. If he wanted that, the Canucks should've driven down his salary further then. But NMC's should really be

I never really used this place too often, but I should make an effort to work it out. I'll try for a post a week until the season starts up, and from then on, if I'm in the country and able to watch Canucks games, I'll make a post after every game I watch. If I'm not in the country, I'll carry on with a post per week.