With so many forwards now on their roster, the Vancouver Canucks coaching staff should have their hands full when training camp begins. The team now has 14 forwards under contract with two restricted free agents still to sign in Brock Boeser and Nikolay Goldobin. That’s a lot of players for just 12 spots in the lineup.
One player who should find himself highly scrutinized is Loui Eriksson, who has made it clear he wouldn’t mind a change of scenery as he has stated he isn’t a big fan of Travis Green and his coaching staff. Unfortunately, a trade might be challenging as Eriksson still has three years remaining at $6MM AAV. When Vancouver Sun’s Patrick Johnson asked general manager Jim Benning about the possibility of sending Eriksson to the Utica Comets of the AHL, Benning was slow to answer.
“I don’t have a direct answer for that right now,” he admitted.
Eriksson’s agent said he doesn’t expect his client to be waived or re-assigned to Utica. Not sure if Benning feels the same way.
- With a large number of young wingers and recent two-way acquisitions this summer, the writing could be on the wall for winger Nick Ritchie, who still has two years remaining at a very reasonable $1.49MM. The 23-year-old hasn’t developed into the scoring power forward the team hoped for when they drafted him 10th overall in 2014 and he might be a perfect trade candidate, according to Eric Stephens of The Athletic (subscription required). Ritchie will have to fight for one of the left wing openings or he could find himself on a new team shortly.
- Edmonton Journal’s Kurt Leavins writes that while many people are questioning the Oilers decision-making in signing veteran goaltender Mike Smith after a disappointing campaign last year in Calgary, the numbers may tell a different story. While the 37-year-old goaltender finished with less than stellar numbers: 42 games, 2.72 GAA and a .898 save percentage, he did finish strong at the end of the season. In his seven of his last 10 regular-season games, Smith finished with a .923 save percentage or higher. He also did the same in three of the five playoff games he appeared in. He could bounce back in a big way.
- The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz (subscription required) looks at the Sharks salary cap situtation in 2020. The team should have $10.3MM in available salary cap space, but that doesn’t include an expected long-term deal for Kevin Labanc. However, the scribe notes that no matter what, the team will probably have to let defenseman Brenden Dillon go despite his value to the team’s blueline. However, if Radim Simek continues to get top-four minutes, Dillon would be only a third-pairing defenseman and wouldn’t be worth the $3.27MM he currently makes anyway, especially if he’s looking for a raise.
Eriksson is waiting on that bonus on July 15th , so will know more later as have read on previous stories regarding his future with Canucks, need to move on with Goldobin as well. hell send both to Edmonton for Puljujajarvi , Lucin and 2 nd next year , and future considerations later .
OOPS! Puljujarvi,
Gerald – that’s how Elmer Fudd types! Worse yet, that’s how Puljujarvi plays! And, if Ken Holland were so stupid as to give up Looch for Eriksson, he’d be run out of town on a rail in no time. Absolutely agree that Goldobin needs to be punted out of B.C., for sure. When Brendan & Corey note out loud how Travis has to incessantly stare daggers in Goldobin’s direction, it doesn’t make any sense to keep him around. That said, watch Jimbo overpay him and stiff Boeser, instead.
If Jimbo overpays Eriksson and Boeser, are they gonna have to fire the Blue Men , to have the extra money, and Zamboni driver. idiot me didn’t have my glasses on when typing.
Well, if Benning cannot trade Eriksson, and Eriksson really doesn’t want to play under Green anymore, I see no harm in waiving him and sending him to Utica. If he truly wants out of Vancouver then he should consider waiving his NTC…so it’s really his call. If no one is willing to trade for him then no one is going to grab him off the wire; however, if a team does claim Eriksson off of waivers then Vancouver is at least off the hook for his salary. I’m not sure how/if a player affects the cap if he’s playing in the minors though…my thinking is that no player on Utica affects the cap.