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"Bit of a toss-up" - NHL analyst opines on impact of Vancouver Canucks trading away key stars this offseason
NHL analyst Farhan Lalji talked about how the Vancouver Canucks' recent trades could impact the team. Last fall, the Canucks were still figuring out their lineup. Now, with all the trades and signings this offseason, people are debating how these changes will affect their future performance.
Lalji's analysis focuses on the Vancouver Canucks' recent trades and acquisitions. On July 1, 2024, the Boston Bruins signed Elias Lindholm to a seven-year, $52.5 million deal. Lindholm, formerly with the Calgary Flames, scored 42 goals and 40 assists in the 2022-23 season.
Despite a tough regular season with injuries and limited impact, Lindholm performed well in the playoffs. Lalji is unsure if the Bruins are definitely better with Lindholm, considering his mixed regular-season performance.
In contrast, Jake DeBrusk, who wanted a trade from the Bruins, joined the Vancouver Canucks. He signed a seven-year, $38.5 million deal with them, inspired by their recent playoff success.
Last season, DeBrusk had 19 goals and 21 assists. Lalji thinks DeBrusk may lack Lindholm’s versatility and faceoff skills but could be valuable from the start of the season. He is expected to play with Elias Pettersson, which might boost the Canucks' performance over 82 games.
The Bruins improved their defense by signing Nikita Zadorov to a six-year, $30 million contract on the first day of free agency. Lalji notes that despite Zadorov's inconsistent regular season, his impact may exceed that of Boston's previous defense acquisitions. He also suggests that the Canucks could be more financially efficient with their defensemen compared to the Bruins.
Ultimately, Lalji concludes that it's complex to assess the impact of these trades. He finds it hard to say if the Canucks are definitely better or worse.
"Taking into account the timing of player acquisitions and their availability, playoffs versus regular season, it's a bit of a toss-up. Right now, I'll sit on the fence and say it's about even. The Canucks may not be better or worse, but they seem more financially efficient," Lalji said (via TSN).
Still, he points out that the Vancouver Canucks appear to be managing their money better with their latest decisions. This puts them in a more stable position compared to how the Bruins have changed things up.
Ex-Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate defenseman Nick Cicek heads to Germany
Ex-Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nick Cicek is heading to Germany for the 2024-25 season, signing with Adler Mannheim of the DEL. Cicek played 49 games with Abbotsford last season, recording 13 points and 52 penalty minutes. After not being qualified by Vancouver, he became an unrestricted free agent.
Cicek was crucial to Abbotsford's penalty kill and playoff run, known for his stability and physicality. The former Portland Winterhawks captain has played 147 AHL games with the Canucks and San Jose Barracuda.
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