New Look Canucks Not Much to Look At

Barring any more moves by GM Travis Fleming, it appears like the Vancouver Canucks’ roster is set for the 2018/19 season. Suffice it to say, it’s a far cry from the star-studded veteran rosters of the past. After a major overhaul that began halfway through last season, the Canucks’ lineup is a shell of its former self.

Let’s review some of the trades and signings that occurred over the offseason.

Ovechkin Dealt for DeBrincat and Futures

Although it had been rumoured for months that star forward and fan favourite Alex Ovechkin was likely on his way out of town, it still came as somewhat of a shock when the deal was announced.

Ovechkin was shipped to Dallas, along with a 4th round pick, for Alex DeBrincat, Mikkel Boedker, Nic Hague, Troy Terry, Dallas’ 1st round pick in 2019, and $1.5 million. It was more than fair value for the Russian superstar, but only time will tell if they deal pays off in the long run.

“It’s always tough to deal a player like Alex (Ovechkin),” said Fleming after the news broke. “He’s been the face of this franchise for the last two seasons, and he’ll be sorely missed. But given the state of our organization, it just didn’t make sense to keep him around. We need to get younger, and he wants to win. So, I think this is a win-win scenario for both parties.”

The centre-piece of the Canucks’ return is clearly Alex DeBrincat, the 20-year-old winger who has all the makings of a star player. Although it’s unfair to ask him to replace Ovechkin’s production, the hope is that in a few years’ time he can be a 30, maybe even 40 goal scorer.

Nico Hischier Acquired in Blockbuster Trade with Rangers

Just when you thought you wouldn’t see a bigger trade than the Ovechkin deal, Fleming pulled off another massive swap that saw the Canucks’ acquire 19-year-old centre Nico Hischier from the New York Rangers. The Swiss forward is the former 2nd overall pick in the 2017 EHE draft and one of the favourites to win this year’s Calder Trophy.

Hischier didn’t come cheap though. The Canucks traded veteran netminder Tuukka Rask, along with prospect Joe Veleno and Boston’s 2019 2nd round pick. Troy Terry and Dallas’ 2019 1st round pick, acquired in the Ovechkin trade just a week earlier, were also sent to New York. In addition to Hischier, the Canucks acquired goaltending prospect Adam Huska.

“Yeah, it was a lot to give up,” Fleming admitted when questioned about the trade. “I think when you just look strictly at the overall value of what each team received New York won the trade hands down. But that’s just how much we believe in Nico (Hischier). It’s extremely rare that you have an opportunity to acquire a 19-year-old first line centre. The only way to get a player like that is either to be lucky enough to draft him, or you have to massively overpay. Unfortunately, we had to do the later. But we feel it was worth it.”

Hischier does fill a need for the Canucks. Following the draft, the Canucks had tremendous depth at centre, with Barrett Hayton, Veleno, and Isac Lundestrom all being selected in the first round. But many questioned whether any of them had first-line potential. 

Hischier should develop into a bona fide number one centre. If Hayton and Lundestrom develop as expected the Canucks should be set down the middle for years to come.

Canucks Dip into the Free Agent Market

With plenty of cap space available, many wondered whether Vancouver would make a big splash in free agency. Rumours were swirling that the Canucks were making serious plays for Semyon Varlamov and Alexander Steen, but in the end those two decided to sign elsewhere.

The Canucks did manage to pluck a few players from the free agent pool, but none of their signings were earth-shattering.

After Fleming failed to entice Varlamov to come to Vancouver, Thomas Greiss was signed to a two-year deal for $1.5 million per season. Backup Chad Johnson was also resigned for one season with a cap hit of $3 million. Johnson is expected to take over the starting job this year.

The Canucks entered free agency with some massive holes on defence. They rectified this by signing veterans Niklas Kronwall and Kris Russel. Kronwall signed for one year and $2.5 million, while Russell signed a two-year deal that will pay him $4.3 million per season.

Winger Scottie Upshall and defenseman Chris Butler were also signed to fill out the roster.

Fans Prepared for Losing Record

The rookie duo of Hischier and Debrincat should give fans something to cheer about, but other than that this roster isn’t going to inspire a lot of confidence. 

Neither Johnson or Greiss are anywhere close to a number-one goaltender, and the fact that Scottie Upshall is expected to play in the team’s top six this season tells you everything you need to know about the Canucks’ forward depth.

“We’re going to compete and work hard every night,” said Fleming about his roster. “We believe in our guys and I think we might just surprise a few people.”

No GM is going to come out and say his team stinks, but Canuck management has to realize that this is not a playoff team. It appears the organization is content to be bottom dwellers this season. 

This reporter isn’t about to accuse the Canucks of outright tanking. However, the team still has their first-round pick in the upcoming draft, so you have to think they’re counting on getting a high pick next year.

As it stands right now, Vancouver’s projected roster for next season is as follows:

Mikkel Boedker – Nico Hischier – Alex Debrincat
Scottie Upshall – Sam Reinhart – Jason Pominville
Tom Kuhnhakl – Leo Komarov – Joel Ward
Erik Condra – Dominic Moore – Luke Witkowski

Kris Russell – Niklas Kronwall
Brayden Coburn – Jake McCabe
Markus Nutivaara – Chris Butler

Chad Johnson
Thomas Griess

Apparently, #LoseForHughes is already trending amongst Canucks fans on Twitter.