the show. It's Dan Rachow, Satyar Shah, here in the Kintech Studio, Kintech Canada's favorite orthotics provider, powered by thousands, thousands of five star Google reviews, sore feet. What are you waiting for? You want to be a part of the show? We welcome that 656 50 on the Dunbar Lumber text message inbox. The bridge street Dunbar Lumber and Ladner has moved to progress way in Tilbury's industrial park more room, more product, more awesome details at Dunbar Lumber dot com. It's a beautiful day. Portugal Portugal has been knocked out of the European Championship, so I'm very happy. It's short of Italy winning. It's probably the best thing that can happen for you, right? Pretty much. Yeah, that's next best on the range of outcomes in a European Championship. So we're very happy about that, but we got lots to get into. We had a decent size trade in the NHL today. At least it's an intriguing trade, right? It involved the real NHL player. Yeah, you know, which is nice. It's one of those like that can cause a lot of debate and wonder how it shakes out. And that's what we like when it comes to a trade, not just a straight cap dump or futures dump. There is some tangible things to look at here from both sides with the Edmonton and Buffalo deal. We'll get into that a little bit more. But let's get in on your Vancouver Canucks. It's the open. Welcome to the open. That's your home. Are you too good for your home? Answer me. The open on Canucks Central, we bring you the latest on the Vancouver Canucks and our take on it. And the latest is people chirping us for. Yeah, the, you know, because we decided that we liked a couple of players on the show this week. And now, apparently according to Twitter, sad is now pegged key for Sherwood for more than 60 goals this year. 60 goals now? It's gone up to 60. I mean, there's, there's really no limit. We started at a modest 30. Of course, it is all just in good fun that we are having these conversations. Yeah, I mean, it's not true. No, it's not. I mean, I'd love to see it though. Now that we were joking about this, it's like, you know, I never said that, but if he scores 30, you damn well, no, I'm going to claim it. The evidence is there. Look at the tweets. Look at all the tweets. That was right. This whole time. Unbelievable. All right. So, okay, kidding aside, the Canucks still have some flexibility going into the summer. And this being our season finale show, you know, we always sort of wonder what could bring us back in the summer. Is there a move out there that would warrant an emergency podcast on August 15th or whatever it might be? Just picked a random day. It's just just a day. I think I'm actually working that day. So we're probably okay. You're fine. I'm fine in that sense. But point being, Canucks still have some flexibility. We know they'd still like to add to the roster. They didn't shy away from saying any of those things in the last week after they spoke after their July 1st signing. So what is out there? What do they have available to them, Sat? Well, in terms of what would bring us together on the free agent market, is there anybody in the free agent market that would necessitate in an emergency podcast? Now, no, our audience would want one regardless. Mm hmm. I don't think signing Kevin LeBanc is going to know, like even pew suiter last year, we don't think we did anything for pew suiter. You guys always did some stuff on radio, you're working and stuff. But yeah, I don't know if there was anybody on the free agent market. Trade obviously is a different discussion. But let's just start on the free agent market to begin with, right? Because I think that's the easiest, most likely path for the Canucks to make some sort of addition, right? So for needs then, I mean, look, there's still a wonder if the Canucks would be chasing a veteran back up. But that's the list is very small. So let's focus on potentially adding to the forward group. And ultimately, this team would benefit most from finding a big ad in the forward group that is not there and available on the unrestricted free agent market or what's left of it. And some kind of another defenseman to add to their current group. I don't know if there's a top four guy out there, but there is is there somebody that could fit what they're trying to do on defense? Like those are two of the ads that they could still make the very same time. I could see them going into the into training camp with the roster that they have right now. But there is enough intrigue out there on the on the market that you could see them maybe taking a bet on somebody with a little bit of upside looking for maybe a show me type of contract that potentially, right? Especially on the forward group, as far as the Fencemen go, I think on the right side, there are a couple of options. As far as the right side of defense, we're talking that can actually move the puck. Are we talking veteran type like a like a Justin Schultz Tyson Barry, maybe John Klingberg, even even Chatton Kirk would fit that mold, right? Like, you know, you're talking about a third pair of defense when I move is the puck, right? Now, like we've been, you know, outlining extensively, there aren't a ton of left hand options. No, I think Justin Schultz would make sense because of familiarity also with the Pittsburgh organization. He was making three million last year. Is he looking to get close to that again? Is he willing to play for like one 1.5 or something along those lines that four board got? If you got that, I think he's the type of veteran I like to have in the mix. And I think he's a guy that's a reliable puck moving veteran defense. But I'm not expecting a tiny 33. He's playing on the third pair, but that could give them something they're kind of lacking relatively cheap. You know, he has probably the best profile of any of the defensemen that are out there and available. Like at this point, I don't think Tyson buries a fit for teams with, you know, that that really want to contend unless he's willing to take a seven, eight type role. Like, that's what he is now to a contending team for sure. And I mean, I think, you know, the, the only other guy that has a bit of upside is Oliver Schillington. But he's looking for a bit of a raise. Yeah. And I don't know if the connects are willing to go into paying him two and a half, closer to three over a couple of years. If he was willing to do like, you know, something like Souter, two years, a 1.8 or something, like I think that would be interesting as a puck moving defenseman for some depth that, you know, would would compete with forebored potentially for a roster spot and could be that type of guy that you need. But is he somebody that gets priced out? It, it feels like he could, you know, he's still just 27. So maybe looking for a little bit of term. And then you start to like look at guys like an Adam Bokefist type. Or Kaylin Addison, the prospect types that you're taking. Well, Kaylin Addison, there was, again, a Pittsburgh connection there with Kaylin Addison. They drafted him. Yeah. There was wonder if they would be in on Kaylin Addison when he was on his way out of Pittsburgh. Yeah. To bring him to Vancouver at that point didn't happen. Obviously he went to San Jose and well, obviously it didn't go all that well in San Jose because he did not get qualified. Yeah. I mean, you're not talking about a ton of money. Yeah. So in 13, that needs a lot of defense. So are we went to Minnesota then San Jose and now unqualified? Yeah. So I'm not and Bokefist is the guy that it was actually making some decent money, 2.6 had to get bought out. Yeah. And is he at a spot now where he actually has a few offers and he's trying to get all he can? Or is he kind of getting some very lame, yeah, low ball offers right now? And is that somebody that if he was asking for a couple million per year or two and a half per year? Yeah. Van wasn't doing that. But if he's willing to play for one year, you know, 1.5 or something, again, like I think these guys, under 2 million guys, like if you're an Adam Bokefist or a Kalen Addison, like situation should matter to you more than anything else. Yeah. And opportunity, you know, Bokefist and Addison, both of them probably want some semblance of power play time. Although like, I think Addison though, like you just want to, I think he just can he just survive in the league? Right. He's kind of in that Derek Polia sort of range. Yeah. Just get anywhere like, can I at least go to a team and then be a good number seven? Yeah. And gain some respect that way even. Yeah. You know, I don't know where Noah Julesin was a couple of years ago. And now Bokefist has to decide too. Like, does he have the upside to be a real defenseman or does he also have to fight for his life? And where is he at? You know what I mean? But you're right. Like, unless you're looking at those veterans we mentioned, it's either a flyer on either a Addison type that's more than likely only a seven, eight defensemen or Bokefist who has higher upside, but also could be a number seven defensemen as well, right? The problem with these young defensemen that have some offensive upside that's potentially untapped. Teams aren't carrying defensemen that profile more as power play specialists. Yeah. Most quality teams have their top power play unit figured out. And there's only one defenseman going there. After that, like a team is not carrying a defenseman because he might offer some upside to their second power play. More than likely, a team is very like, there's a much larger chance a team is carrying a depth defenseman that'll help their PK out. Yeah. Then we'll help their second power play unit. And I think that's where guys like Kaylin Addison or Adam Bokefist, even though the puck skills and they have some real qualities about them, they kind of get pushed out of the league, but you know, they find it hard to find a sticking spot because teams just don't want to carry these guys. No, exactly. And if you're the Canucks, for instance, would you rather do that and see if that guy can be that depth guy or just get a guy like even a Tyson Berry, for instance? Yeah. Like you're talking about about a puck moving defenseman. Well, they value a Derek Forbert a thousand times more than you know, one of these types. Absolutely. Right now. So I think that's that's kind of where you're looking at for the defenseman. On the forward side, I think it's a little interesting. Actually, like you could find, I wouldn't say a gem, but I think you could find a suitor type forward still on the free agent market. Okay. There is some players with scoring profiles still out there in the free agent market. I'm just gonna let's rattle off some names and start to discuss whether or not they are all that interesting. Yacobrana? No. Kevin LeBank? No. Tyler Johnson. He is one of the few right-handed centermen who is available. Now he's more of a winger, but can play center, can take some draws, but he's five eight. Yeah. Doesn't fit the profile what these guys go after, right? So that's what makes me like intriguing depth option. I just don't know if he will be a fit here. Mike Hoffman. I just I don't I just don't see like two specialists. Yeah. And he's not even that special added anymore. It's very fair. Tanner Pearson's not coming back to Vancouver. We know that. Alex Barabana. This is my. Here you go. Here you go. All right. Here we go. Alexander Barabana. I liked him in San Jose. And then of course the news came out. Frank Sarah Valley saying the sharks couldn't give the sky away at the deadline. It's like, well, obviously nobody wanted to take on his full freight of salaries. Because they couldn't retain anymore, right? They had no retained spots after they traded hurdle. They had no retained spots left. So and nobody could take on the two million. He was like, well, it's 2.5. It was insignificant for a flat. And no playoff team had cap space. No, and he scored like three goals anyway. So like what? What were you expecting? Yeah, right? He had a really tough year. He did. So but I think if you're looking at him for one year, one million or something. Yeah. Intriguing. Well, he had 47 points in 68 games last year with San Jose. And he he can four check well. He's got a little bit of speed. You know, he's a he's a sturdy place. Not huge. He's not tall, but he's like wide. Yeah. He's he's thick. Yeah. Yeah. He's noticeable on the ice. Like there's elements of his game, traits of his game that I really do like. Yeah. They weren't anywhere to be found this year with with San Jose. But you know, that's where the the show me kind of contract comes in. Does he come in and maybe play as a, you know, somebody who comes into camp fighting for the 12 thirteenth role in the forward group and maybe try to work his way up the line. Yeah, exactly. Right. And I think I think he's a guy that would fit that mold. I think there are two other fours that are actually intriguing. Okay. Now this guy had a really good season. He scored some goals and back to back years is Daniel Spronk. But he's still sitting there. He made two million last year. Why does the league hate Daniel Spronk? Because he's kind of a bottom six guy, right? Doesn't play on the power play in your first unit, maybe on the second unit. Yeah. And how much can you pay a guy like that? Who's not really a great defensive player? Like, you know what I mean? He's he's especially he's an offensive type of player, right? But if he's if he's not getting what he's looking at, would he consider taking one year and then fighting for a spot to play with Patterson, potentially? Like he'd be fighting guys like Niels Hoaglander and Kiefer Sherwood. But like we're talking about Kiefer Sherwood potentially getting a look there at some point. Yeah. He's a fourth liner. Daniel Spronk. Would he bank on himself? Be like, you know what? 1.5. Let me see if I can seize that opportunity. And then if I score 25 30 even or something like that, pops for me. The shot is is legit for for Spronk, right? I mean, you saw it in Seattle. It continued in Detroit. He still had 18 goals last year, not a bad return for the $2 million that they spent on him. You know, he's scored at a high enough rate over the last really four seasons back to his Anaheim day, 14 goals his first year in Anaheim and 47 games. So he's got a good track record of being on a on a 20 goal pace, no matter where he's playing and continuously playing in a depth role in all of these situations. But you know, this is sort of the issue like the Canucks might get into with with Niels Hoaglander for example, where it's like, yeah, we can see some scoring potential. But if you if you don't provide in other roles in the lineup, this is what you're worth because we're just paying you for the 20 goals. And that's what 20 goals is worth to us. Exactly. And I think if you get a guy like that on a bargain deal, yeah, fantastic. Yep. You know, there's value in that. Yeah. If you're paying a guy like that, you know, 3 million, 2 and a half 3 million on term, that's where it becomes a little bit onerous. And maybe he has multiple 2 million plus offers. And he's looking for three because he's had, you know, 40 plus point season, right? But yeah, he's a guy I look at. And it's also a guy the Rutherford draft in a Pittsburgh 2015. Second round. Now they traded him as well. Yeah. But at the same time, you know, somebody that was part of their organization at some point. And I think he's a guy that's intriguing. And the other guy who actually had a bit of a down year, but has a record or scoring goals in his 6, 2 is Dominic Kubalik. He's only 28. What happened to this guy? I mean, he scored 30 in his rookie year. Like, I know he was like an older rookie. I think he started when he was before 25 when he first played with Chicago. But like he goes from scoring 30 in his rookie year to a guy who can't get a job just like four years later. Seems a bit strange. It is. But at the same time, like, you know, he just had a bad year and he scored 20 with Detroit the year prior. Yeah. So he's a guy who has a little bit of scoring ability. And he's probably not getting a lot of money at this stage after 11 goals this past year. Yeah. And I think these are the types of forwards that and defenseman as we just kind of gone through on the market that are available. Like there aren't any real sentiment available. No. And that will fit the mold of what Vancouver needs on the free agent market. Like Tyler Johnson is the only right handed sentiment type that makes any real sense. And they need a righty center if they're looking to sign another center. Yeah. I think that given the options on the free agent market right now, I think that's something they address in season if they can find another right shot center via trade at some point more than anything else. But, you know, all these names, like there's some intrigue there. There's no guarantees at this point of free agency, but you're maybe taking a look see at a couple of different guys. I wonder. Sammy Blake. Okay. I mean, the thing is, is he of, I get what you're saying, but is there even a market around him? Where you're looking at like a suitor type bargain? I got traded for Butch Nevich. Yeah. But this was not long ago, a few years ago. And it's been tough ever since. You know, there was an injury in there that sort of derailed him quite a bit, but he had a great reputation as being like a hard to play against. Yeah. Anyway, he's got size and physicality. You know, he forechecks. Well, I'm not against him. One year deal. Can I see scoring though? And he doesn't provide scoring. No. And that's where for Vancouver, you're talking about somebody fighting for a spot in your top six potentially. We'll give you some cover and depth, like in case Heinen doesn't work out, right? Or in case like things don't 100% goal would dip Ruskin, you got to move them. Who else do you have like a play with Patterson? Like you need, you don't need. But I think you'd like to have more options. Like Dallas, we love Dallas. The depth of their scoring this year, they had eight guys over 20 goals. I'm not saying the Canucks need that. They only had, I think five players over 20 this past year, seven players over 15. If you include Queen Hughes as a defenseman, six forwards, one D over 15 goals. They had Souter at 14, Lafferty at 13 and McKay have had had 11. So they ended up having, you know, a bunch of double digit guys. But can you get eight players, eight forwards in over 15 goals by season's end? Like that adds up. It's not unnecessary to have. But like that's the kind of depth scoring that you would feel really good about going into the postseason with. And especially if you have some injuries along the way, you know, having some guys and give you that depth scoring that carries you over some tough spots over the course of the season. So that's the free agent market. The only other guy I throw in there on the back end is Travis Dermott. Okay. Lefty defense, moves the puck has a little size can PK like he could fit the mold of, you know, he's not forebored. You know what I mean? But like, hey, some mobility there potentially. Wonder if he's wanting to come back to Vancouver after the way it ended. You know, it was an injury related with him, but that's pretty much all. So that's that wraps the free agent market. And honestly, the trademark side, there's just not much. There's nothing like that's why we talk about him and Schillington and Schillington is probably going to be priced out. Like that's pretty much it on the left side that makes any real tangible sense. And then on the trade market, there aren't a ton of stuff out there even. The only guy I'd keep an eye on over the course of the summer. And if this trade went down, we would do an emergency show. And it's not a blockbuster trade. But it's still a player with, you know, at least some intrigue. He's young. Martin Ajax. Well, he would fit the bill as well. I just don't think it's that that's going to come to pass. Dawson Mercer renew Jersey. Okay, that's interesting. I mean, he scored what 20 in each of the last two seasons? Yeah, 27 to a couple years ago, had like 20 goals, 13 assists this year. Like Josh pointed out to us in the prep lounge this morning, this afternoon. So like, if you're talking about a bit of a down year, but he's on his ELC has had back to back 20 goal years, like, can play center can play up the line up and right handed and wing roll. Yeah, right can take some draws for you to, you know, like, he would kind of fit that hybrid role and he's young. Yeah, it wouldn't be cheap necessarily. But this like we talked about the bargain stuff on the free agent market. The Canucks, I don't think are opposed to doing something bigger on the trade market. Yeah. Now the question is, can you pull it off? But I think if we're looking at RFAs, there aren't a ton that fit that right hand center mold or right handed player that can do some, you know, has versatility for you, he's one of the few guys that does. And he's not signed yet. Are they do want to commit to him long term or not? What are they looking at in New Jersey? Is that an opportunity to swoop in for at some point in the summer? He's, he's still probably going to get like even a bridge deal probably looking around three and a half, four million bucks. Yeah. And I think if you can get him for around three for one year or two years and then figure it out afterwards, you can fit that in cap wise. But the cost would, you know, it's, I'm sure they would want him one of your top prospects plus the whole glander. Yeah. Now, can Vancouver make a trade like that without trading like Cara Mackie or Vlander? That's where the challenge comes in for them, I think. And if they're willing to trade those guys, is Mercer good enough? Or do they want more if they're moving those types of guys? But that's kind of the only RFA forward that I'm really keeping a close eye on as far as a right hand center goes, right handed player. The, there's one player of interest to me on the on defense, a name that's been in trade rumors for a number of years. And maybe it's, it's died down of late, especially after they traded away Bowen Byron. But Colorado's in a really tricky cap situation right now. They have Gabriel Landescog on injured reserve. He could go into LTIR, but we don't know when he would be wanting to return or able to return. It may be something that's mid-season. And if you're the avalanche, well, how do you open up seven million bucks mid-season? Yeah. It's not easy to do, right? And they also have Nachushkin, who's unable to come off of the NHLPA player assistance program until November. So that's like, you're talking over 13 million bucks that are going to come back into your cap picture, mid-season. Now, maybe they go into this into the year as they are now, and I think they have close to four million in cap space. So maybe that's how they settle it. They don't have Landescog on off-season LTIR. So right now that's counting into their cap picture, it's just a really interesting situation in Colorado that I think you need to watch out for. Even somebody like Ross Colton might come available after they just signed them to a four million dollar a year contract. For sure. I think you're right about that. I think with Gerard, the only question I have here is size-wise. Not the biggest guy. And would they go after that on the back end, especially somebody that has a bit more commitment to him? Yeah. But I think Colton's interesting. Connects were interested in Colton when he was available in Tampa, but he ultimately ended up going there, right? The only other center I throw by that's maybe a little cheaper is Phil Thomasino. What is his pathway going to be like in Nashville, especially with the moves they've made? Yeah. And where does he fit in? Right-handed? He can play center, but mostly a winger. But it can take some draws. Would he fit like a reclamation project that they'd be looking at? Right. The guy they can bring in and perhaps can do some things for them? Those are the guys that kind of fit that center mode. But then as far as RFAs on the other RFAs, I don't see a ton. And then if you're talking about making bigger trades with bigger money, then we're starting to get into the idea of, well, you're talking Garland, you're talking somebody that has some money attached to them. And that's just where it becomes a bit more unlikely. But would you put that past the Canucks? I don't put anything past. This front office and what they might be willing to do. But those are just some of the options for the Canucks as we head into the summer and what you can keep an eye on as the team continues to look to make additions to their current roster. We did see one trade in the NHL today. It is Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tulio going to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for 2022 9th overall pick Matthew Savoy. I've seen a lot of takes on this one. Even somebody saying this could be a newer version of Erat for Forsberg, which I thought was maybe a little bit hyperbolic. But it's weird to see a team give up on a, well, not necessarily give up Ryan McLeod's a decent player himself, but weird to see a team come off a top 10 pick from just two years ago. So the logical part of my brain says, okay, I would imagine an NHL general manager who is down on a player he drafted two years ago with 9th overall pick is trying to move him now before the value plummets. And this is the best he could get. But knowing how NHL GMs actually operate and the most recent case in point being Steve Iersman trading Jake Wallman and half GMs going, we would have like given you something like why did you do this, right? So you can't assume they all do their homework properly. That's what I would assume. And honestly, like some of this feedback on Savoy that you've seen the last couple of years and you saw stuff today and if you texted some scouts or whatever and asked them their opinion, and they all kind of agree that now he's kind of a soft player. Not sure he has the makings of being a top six NHL producer, but maybe, you know, a skilled bottom six guy that can be a specialist for you. It doesn't scream like great value to me if that's all he is. Did play one NHL game coming out of camp last year. So he impressed enough at camp to get a game last year with the Buffalo Sabres, but then spent most of the year with the Moose Jaw Warriors scoring 47 points in 23 games. Buffalo, like people are saying, what's the plan? Like, I think their plan is you look at some of their ads, even Sam Lafferty, Beck Malinston, the lower mainland native, Nicholas Obay, Kubel, they just added speed into their bottom six. And they're saying we're playing fast hockey. Yeah. And Ryan McCloud helps them do that. You know, he's also a decent player. Like you look at the production, pretty good, still just 24. So, you know, there is still room for upside with Ryan McCloud, even if, you know, I still think he probably just tops out at being this kind of guy around 30ish points, playing in a third line type of role. Dan Reicho, Satyar Shaw coming up, landing Ferraro is going to join us as we continue on Canucks Central. Hey, it's Jamie Dodd and Thomas Strance. Get your daily dose of Canucks talk with us weekdays from 12 to 2 on Sportsnet 650. Or catch up on demand through your favorite podcast app.
