Vancouver Canucks: Ideal 2018 Offseason Moves

Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Vancouver Canucks have lost the third-most games out of all NHL teams over the past three years. How do the Canucks begin the turnaround process this offseason?

The Vancouver Canucks are not going to turn their franchise around in one season. Especially a season where they don’t have the first overall pick and don’t draft until the seventh overall spot. That could still turn into something incredibly valuable and the Canucks have prospects in the pipeline.

Over the past three seasons, Vancouver has lost the third-most regulation games in the NHL. The two teams ahead of them, the Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche, have gotten lottery picks in recent years (2015 for Arizona, 2013 for Colorado). The Canucks have not.

They’re building for the future, even if general manager Jim Benning makes moves that don’t seem to follow that. So how do the Canucks complete the rebuilding process over the summer and begin looking forward to the future?

The Draft and Prospects

More from Puck Prose

The Vancouver Canucks need to build through the draft and stop trading draft picks. They’ve done pretty well so far. Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, Jake Virtanen, Brendan Gaunce, and Adam Gaudette are all draft picks by the Canucks. That’s just a part of their young core, and they have further prospects developing.

Those prospects include Jonathan Dahlen, Olli Juolevi, Nikolay Goldobin, Kole Lind, Jonah Gadjovich, and Thatcher Demko. The Canucks will be able to build around a really solid core for the future, and if they can finally win a lottery in the next two years, that could mean even more. Especially if they trade off pieces or trade for pieces with future assets.

In this year’s draft, the Canucks have the seventh overall pick. With that pick, they could get Evan Bouchard, Noah Dobson, Oliver Wahlstrom, or Quinn Hughes. All of them are talented, all of them bring a new aspect for the Vancouver Canucks.

Wahlstrom could be another lethal goal scorer for the Canucks, somebody to compliment Boeser from the second line. Bouchard, Dobson, and Hughes are all offensive defensemen who could quarterback the Canucks’ power play for years to come, as well as hopefully helping Juolevi on the top pairing.

Trade For Future Assets

The Vancouver Canucks this offseason are freeing up 14 million from the Sedins’ contracts alone. They have an owner willing to spend and will have plenty of cap space. While they will be tempted to be a player in free agency, including for the biggest names, they need to stay away, at least from most of the free agents. One or two acquisitions, like Tyler Bozak, make some sense in the short-term, but no long-term purchase (minus John Tavares) is smart.

Instead, the Canucks would be wise to bring back bad contracts in exchange for assets. For example, the Chicago Blackhawks will need a buyer for Brent Seabrook’s contract. Seabrook still has value as a defenseman, and while his contract is a bit long, the Canucks have space. He could fit in well there, be a draw for fans, and be a mentor for their future defensemen.

Along with Seabrook’s contract, the Canucks could get a first round pick (probably Nashville’s), and a good prospect like John Hayden, Gustav Forsling, or Matthew Highmore. That could help Vancouver build their prospect pool and give them assets in exchange for cap space.

That’s just one of the multiple possible deals. They could grant the Calgary Flames room by taking on Troy Brouwer or relieve the Washington Capitals from Brooks Orpik’s contract.

Cure What Ails Them

In addition to bringing new contracts aboard, along with future assets, the Vancouver Canucks should get rid of their own bad contracts. Loui Eriksson might no longer be a moveable asset, at least not for a meaningful return. But the Canucks could still find a dance partner who’s near the cap floor – Ottawa, for example.

In addition, the Canucks need to let go of numerous players on the current roster. That includes free agents like Jussi Jokinen, Darren Archibald, and Nic Dowd.

While their defense doesn’t necessarily need a makeover, they could trade assets from it to clear space. Chris Tanev, Alexander Edler, and Erik Gudbranson all have value in other places. Tanev has long been on the rumored trade block.

In order to rebuild, the Canucks need to get in a position to give young players time to develop at the NHL level and a chance to play. Getting rid of players near the end of their prime – no matter how good they are – is a way to do that. It’s also a way to get the Canucks the most possible value for that rebuild.

The Core

With all of that going on this summer, the Canucks cannot lose sight of their future, and who that future is built around. That includes Horvat, Boeser, Dahlen, Gaudette, Brendan Leipsic, Demko, Juolevi, Elias Pettersson, and perhaps Troy Stecher. They need to focus on adding more core pieces, and not get attached to losing those who aren’t.

The Canucks could add core with that seventh overall pick. They need weapons for Gaudette, who could be their second line center of the future. Vancouver also needs more on the blueline. Either Wahlstrom or Bouchard could be crucial, but if Bouchard goes sixth to Detroit, the Canucks might also look at Dobson or Hughes.

Next: Each NHL Team's Mount Rushmore

The Canucks need a bit longer to build, but they’ve got a good foundation. If they’re willing to affect their present for their future, they could be one of the most dangerous teams in the league in five years.

Home/Vancouver Canucks