The Bigger Concern Facing the Canucks

The Canucks seem to be in a major pickle. The short term problems are that they will miss the playoffs this year. That seems to be a given. 

The long term problems are a bit less obvious but they will become the elephant in the room in no time if this team can't right the ship by Christmas. 

Quinn Hughes is arguably the best Canucks player of all time. He almost carried a team that was ravaged by injuries and drama all season to a wildcard berth. Yet, if the Canucks can't put a winner on the ice why would Hughes stick around? With his two brothers in New Jersey, the simple logic states he is more likely to wind up with the Devils then the two brothers coming to Vancouver. 

The sad reality is, July 1st 2027 is coming quicker than most Canucks fans want it to come. To put some numbers in perspective, Erik Karlsson signed a 8 year 11.5 Million per year contract entering the 2020 season. His point production is still elite tallying 101 points in 2023 and 51 points so far this year. He was 29 when he signed this deal. 

I project it will take 14.5 Million a year to sign him. Maybe more if the cap keeps going up. That would be an 8 year deal presumably which would lead him to being 35 years old. Keep in mind that there is a chance he isn't as good after he is 32. The Canucks owe it to their fans to be competitive in the next eight years given their last nine have been underwhelming. 

The other option is to trade him. To use Erik Karlsson again, the haul Ottawa got in 2018 was massive and the Canucks would be able to fetch something similar. Here was the return. 

Erik Karlsson Francis Perron

September 13, 2018

Josh Norris Chris Tierney Rudolfs Balcers Dylan DeMelo 2019 2nd round pick 2019 or 2020 conditional 1st round pick 2021 conditional 1st or 2nd round pick 2022 conditional 1st round pick

Eight assets for two. I would like this return in September 2026 if the Canucks don't have him locked up by that date. Despite Ottawa having a seven year playoff drought, they have put themselves in position to make the playoffs this year. I wouldn't expect the Canucks to go on a seven year absence from the playoffs given their D prospects of Willander and Pettersson it would hopefully be a next man up thing. Especially with cap space this summer and cap space the summer of 2027 if Hughes is off the books.  

This is why the Canucks need to start their contingency plan as soon as possible to avoid dark days after Hughes and this is why I was so against the Marcus Pettersson trade. We need draft picks in the worst possible way or the Canucks once bright future will be over before Canucks fans could want.