Confirmed Signing with Link: [VAN] F Andrei Kuzmenko signs extension with the Canucks (2 years, $5.5M AAV)

[MMC]

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[Empoleon8771]

That's not bad for either side, still gives Kuzmenko a chance to cash out as a UFA in the near future and it's not a bad AAV for him.

The Canucks desperately need to shake it up outside of him, though. I don't know that they plan to actually make those changes, though.

 

[kanucks25]

Canucks fans are split on this. Some want to trade him for picks, others want to sign him because he's a damn good player.

Has chemistry with Pettersson, fantastic hands and goes to the net to score his goals.

I personally want to keep him unless we get a ridiculous offer, but I don't see one coming given his lack of sample size.

 

[983 others]

that would be fine

but i do love the strategy of quadrupling down on a roster that clearly doesnt work

 

[TheDoldrums]

What? He's a UFA this summer according to Capfriendly. The concept of a bridge deal makes no sense.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Would be smart and doesn't change the equation too much. Could still move him later for a big return or hope it works out long-term, gives each side a bit more time to figure things out.

 

[kanucks25]

that would be fine

but i do love the strategy of quadrupling down on a roster that clearly doesnt work

Kuzmenko has only been here for half a season and he's been great. He's part of the solution if we're "retooling".

What? He's a UFA this summer according to Capfriendly. The concept of a bridge deal makes no sense.

It's because he doesn't have the body of work to garner a massive contract. Teams would find it way too risky.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Would be a good deal for the team but they really should trade him and get some free picks. He doesn't fit their timeline at all.

 

[kanucks25]

Would be a good deal for the team but they really should trade him and get some free picks. He doesn't fit their timeline at all.

He's turning 27 in a few weeks.

Demko just turned 27
Pettersson is 24
Hughes is 23

??

 

[joestevens29]

Would be a good deal for the team but they really should trade him and get some free picks. He doesn't fit their timeline at all.

Does anyone truly know what management's timeline is?

 

[Stealth1616]

Not sure why we don’t see more situations of a team trading a player and then signing that player again at the end of the year.

Could easily fetch a 1st

 

[Recipe Unlimited]

Does anyone truly know what management's timeline is?

Sounds like their timeline is to make the playoffs next season. I guess this signing further shows that...

 

[Satoru Gojo]

That's actually pretty dece for both parties

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Would be a good deal for the team but they really should trade him and get some free picks. He doesn't fit their timeline at all.

There is no timeline.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

He's turning 27 in a few weeks.

Demko just turned 27
Pettersson is 24
Hughes is 23

??

They're not contending in the next 2 years with him on this deal. After that if he impresses he may walk or demand a massive contract which has decent chances at being an overpayment and him not being an amazing asset at that point. If he disappoints he could go back to Russia and the Canucks could be wishing they traded him. I guess they can trade him next year or the year after depending on how things go but personally I think it'd just be better to sell high on him right now and get a bunch of free picks. For the rest of this season and the next 2 on that cheaper bridge deal I think he is more valuable to another team contending right now. I'm positive the trade market for him would be very robust.

 

[kanucks25]

Not sure why we don’t see more situations of a team trading a player and then signing that player again at the end of the year.

Could easily fetch a 1st

Do you see what's going on in Vancouver? If someone gets out they're never coming back

 

[SelltheTeamFrancesco]

Does anyone truly know what management's timeline is?

No, not even management knows.

 

[Szechwan]

They're not contending in the next 2 years with him on this deal. After that if he impresses he may walk or demand a massive contract which has decent chances at being an overpayment and him not being an amazing asset at that point. If he disappoints he could go back to Russia and the Canucks could be wishing they traded him. I guess they can trade him next year or the year after depending on how things go but personally I think it'd just be better to sell high on him right now and get a bunch of free picks. For the rest of this season and the next 2 on that cheaper bridge deal I think he is more valuable to another team contending right now. I'm positive the trade market for him would be very robust.

Yeah but you're a fan of the Canes, a team that actually understands asset management and has a specific set of rules that they stick to ensure long term success. Canucks are just living day to day man, maybe we'll get bedard, maybe we'll finish 14th, there's no way to know and we're not about to start trying to plan for it.

 

[kanucks25]

They're not contending in the next 2 years with him on this deal. After that if he impresses he may walk or demand a massive contract which has decent chances at being an overpayment and him not being an amazing asset at that point. If he disappoints he could go back to Russia and the Canucks could be wishing they traded him. I guess they can trade him next year or the year after depending on how things go but personally I think it'd just be better to sell high on him right now and get a bunch of free picks. For the rest of this season and the next 2 on that cheaper bridge deal I think he is more valuable to another team contending right now. I'm positive the trade market for him would be very robust.

Yes, there is risk involved considering his value may not be higher going forward given a higher cap hit and/or his play falling off.

But I guess I just believe in the player enough to have confidence that it wouldn't happen, and he'll still have good value even if they trade him at this time next year.

I'm not sure how highly GM's around the league value him right now given his lack of sample and zero playoff experience. But I guess it just takes 1 team to believe in the player and value his marginal cap hit.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Yes, there is risk involved considering his value may not be higher going forward given a higher cap hit and/or his play falling off.

But I guess I just believe in the player enough to have confidence that it wouldn't happen, and he'll still have good value even if they trade him at this time next year.

I'm not sure how highly GM's around the league value him right now given his lack of sample and zero playoff experience. But I guess it just takes 1 team to believe in the player and value his marginal cap hit.

Yeah that's completely fair, my main point is that the Canucks just aren't positioned right now to capitalize on him having the lower cap hit this year and the next 2 if he does continue to perform as he has so far. He very well could be enough of a beast long term that it doesn't matter and it's worth just keeping him and paying him big $ to contribute to future runs. Personally I'd trade him now but I can see both sides.

 

[bossram]

Canucks fans are split on this. Some want to trade him for picks, others want to sign him because he's a damn good player.

Has chemistry with Pettersson, fantastic hands and goes to the net to score his goals.

I personally want to keep him unless we get a ridiculous offer, but I don't see one coming given his lack of sample size.

The bridge deal route is about as dumb as it gets for Vancouver.

They should trade him. There is no logical argument against it. His trade value will be inflated vs. similar calibre players because his tiny cap hit makes him a palatable addition for any contender.

But signing him to a bridge deal is even worse than signing long-term. They won't be competitive in two years. If they want Kuz around when they might actually be good, they need a long-term deal.

As always with the Canucks, the dumbest option is what they'll go with.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

The money is good but why not sign him longer? Kicking the can down the road isn't that smart.

 

[Eggtimer]

If my Devils don’t get Meier , Kuz is the perfect plan B IMO , but apparently VanC wants to keep him . Hopefully they at least listen to offers

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Yes, there is risk involved considering his value may not be higher going forward given a higher cap hit and/or his play falling off.

But I guess I just believe in the player enough to have confidence that it wouldn't happen, and he'll still have good value even if they trade him at this time next year.

I'm not sure how highly GM's around the league value him right now given his lack of sample and zero playoff experience. But I guess it just takes 1 team to believe in the player and value his marginal cap hit.

That cap hit is absolutely huge. But if the Canucks don't give stupid NTCs or NMC, they can still get great value for him if they trade him.

 

[Ninjadude]

Signing him would be a mistake! The Nucks need prospects and picks and this is one of the best assets they have go getting those!!