With the news that their will not be the Canucks coach going forward, I've read a lot of doom and gloom from Canucks fans over the last several days. I get it, this year was really disappointing, but I don't think it is time to push the panic button yet.
For one, the Canucks still have two years left on Quinn Hughes' contract. Unless something dramatic happens, they should be favored to make the playoffs both years. My best guess is the Canucks open up as -125 to make the playoffs next year.
In addition, Alvin/Rutherford have stated that getting a Top 6 Centre a priority. That would mean likely improving the team a bit. I believe the price would be Willander and a 1st but the price would be worth it if we could a a Top 6 Centre under 27 with term.
I hear fans complain about a lack of consistency. I think it's coming. Getting rid of Miller's contract and getting three assets for him will be a win in three years. When the Canucks were winning from 2009-2012 they had nothing in the system. The depth was tested, and they didn't utilize the Moose the way they are using the Abbotsford Canucks now.
This leads me to believe that their getting their ducks in a row for whatever cards they get dealt. The GM can't control the puck luck. I'm ready to stay optimistic because it can get worse, but they are at least four or five more dominos to fall before we get to 2017 rock bottom.
Firstly, if Hughes were to walk then that is cap space in the Canucks pocket and flexibility to do almost anything. This is the exact opposite to the Sedin era where they wanted to retire Canucks and management was so loyal that it handcuffed the team to where it was nearly impossible to make the playoffs from 2016-2018.
Being loyal early on when you have a franchise player gets you where Toronto is right now. they can barely make the conference final with a #1 overall pick. I really wonder if the Canucks would rather have Vancouver's last 9 years or Toronto's as I don't think they are not much closer to winning a Cup than Vancouver.
From 1993-2013 Vancouver had won more playoff series' than any other Canadian team. Fans just can't see the things that are going well for Vancouver. This would have been a playoff team in the Eastern Conference which I will remind you that we were unfairly in during the 70's. Sometimes life and sports work like that but it isn't reason to rebuild from being unlucky.
