Indeed. That long with moving Myers once his bonus is paid is the biggest necessities at this point. It's also a lot of why I will truly wait to judge this management group until they have completed their work next summer. Missteps have been made but I think there is still the chance to right the ship. I also always assumed this year would be a write off no matter what because of the contractual mess the roster was in so I don't get worked up over the shit I see on the ice (yes they made it worse yada yada yada). It was expected IMO. I also think they knew full well this could happen...they knew the team road goaltending and that was about it.
This deadline and the upcoming offseason to me was always going to be when we see the true colors and the long term plan should start to take shape because that is when the bigger blueline moves could start to be made. I put very little in the day to day musings of Rutherford or Alvin. It's standard GMs not saying anything of consequence in the first half of the season stuff. Clearly can be frustrating but I'm certainly not expecting any grand proclamations right now. I expect build one brick at a time nonsense (every plan be it rebuild or go for it is done a brick at a time).
Of the three you mention, however, Kuzmenko is the one I'd like to see stay. This is based on the assumption that the canucks are going to keep Pettersson no matter what. Those two have chemistry and honestly along with Mikheylev have formed a pretty dominating line. I think no matter the strategy management takes with the team that is something you strive to keep together.
That said, if someone wants to knock your socks off with an offer for Kuzmenko of course you do it.
Yes i think were on the same page with how they are gonna try to proceed.
With Boeser Miller and Hughes struggling and the fact we have had arguably the worst goaltending and penalty killing in the NHL we have been doomed to failure this year.
We would have had to have a middle pack PK, Demko as a Vezina candidate and the 3 mentioned with closer to 30-35 goals at this point than the paltry 15 they have to keep us in the hunt.
Best case scenario is unfolding as far as im concerned..... provided they take advantage of the SELL off opportunity at the deadline and actually sell some players for draft picks without any contracts coming back that remain on the books beyond the off season. Unless they have strong convictions they can be part of our core going forward.
Regardless the best case scenario is 3-4 players of or all of (Garland Boeser Myers Schenn Pearson) sold for just picks we can use to strengthen the prospect pool reset some cap and then finding a top4 D and a couple players to replace that are good 200ft and can win some 1v1 battles.
A chance at a lottery winning pick (as minimal as it is) an attractive thing and even if its 8-12th OA that should be an impact player on a ELC down the road which should be huge especially a young C if they can get one.
To take this back to Kuzmenko i think there is an understanding that they both want him to be part of the future here. I would be shocked if how things have played out are discouraging enough to change the relationship but we'll see as unrestricted free agency brings risks and maybe im completely wrong and its Horvat and Kuzmenko that go but like yourself i would think playing with Pettersson and PP1 should be enticing
