Slow means smooth and smooth means fast - new era

[Fogghorn]

So its Sedin + Sedin + Ryan Johnson in charge. Aquilini has used the word rebuild and Daniel has made it clear they're going to do it right, and won't be rushed. Words we've never heard, and I've been dying to hear since the end of the Gillis era.

Now we'll see if they can live up to their words.

First step, they remove Foote as coach.

I really don't care one way or another. This was a horrible season for any coach. A team with aspirations to bounce back and make the playoffs, loses their captain and best player every in November, injuries galore. Awful situation for a rookie head coach. On the other hand, he leaned on veterans who were not performing, rather than letting the kids play and make mistakes. Probably not the best coach for a rebuild. But damn good coach for a team committed to the tank.

Next step find a coach and then its the draft.

Rumours are they offering SJ a 2nd round pick and a prospect to move up to #2 spot so they can get Ivar Stenberg. The Nucks need centre's most, forwards secondly, and are really in very good shape for Dmen. So this move makes sense. However SJ really needs dmen, and there are 5 really good prospects ranked 3-8 and they have a lot of great forwards so they might like this idea.

In my opinion though, I don't think Stenberg is that much better a prospect then the dmen behind, better yes but not that much. A second is too much. If its a third, and not other prospect I'm in. Otherwise take the best player at #3.

[Pokecheque]

As Elliotte Friedman alluded to in the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, it would be rather surprising if Manny Malhotra doesn't get the job, especially since the Sedins and Johnson worked with him in Abbotsford when they won the Calder Cup.

So...that said, and again I'm cribbing off of Friedman here, do they then take Caleb in the draft?

[Logical Progression]

No funny business. Just take the best damn player available at 3. The bigger question is: in this draft class, who actually is that player? I am fine with Caleb at 3 but not if Mckenna or Stenberg are still on the board.

If they do end up hiring Manny, I don’t think they should realistically take Caleb. Too many distractions. Although RJ hinted he isn’t willing to eliminate any options at this stage.

Another interesting point on Manny -- RJ said he wasn’t sure how wide a net they’d cast in finding a new coach. They noticeably used the word “process” rather than “search.” Manny also has leverage with Toronto who is reportedly interested. There must be some path toward a deal here, otherwise I doubt RJ would have been so candid about speaking with Manny first.

By the by, Allvin said no the demotion offer. No surprise there.

[Pokecheque]

Allan Walsh bringin’ the drama

[Logical Progression]

Good god Allan, hold a grudge much? Walsh truly knows how to shape narratives publicly in order to generate public pressure.

[Fogghorn]

Manny Malhotra is the new Canucks's coach. I think this is a fantastic decision from everything I've read about the respect the players have for him. And fits into the culture the Canucks want to build.

Next order of business is the draft. Will SJ grab the dman they really need and allow Ivar Stenberg to fall to #3. Will the Canucks do a trade with Sjose to move up? Will the Canucks draft Caleb Malhotra and have a father and son dynamic for the news to write about for years to come?

I was pretty non-plussed about taking Caleb. Thought his numbers were a bit inflated based on the talent around him. Just found out he turned 18 yesterday. Those late birthdays are a bit of a deal for me. That 6 - 10 months at their age is a difference maker and believe he would have performed better if older. So I'm fine if that is who they take, unless of course they pass on Stenberg for him. Stenberg has the 5th most points of an 18 year old in the SHL behind only Daniel Sedin, Markus Naslund, Tomas Sandström, and Henrik Sedin. That list cannot be ignored, he's in elite company.

[Logical Progression]

Don’t take Caleb over Stenberg.

If Stenberg is still available at #3, that’s the pick. The SHL production at his age is simply too impressive to ignore.

For a team at the beginning of a rebuild, it’s often more about draft capital and volume than the actual draft position. If the Canucks truly have Caleb rated that highly and believe he’ll still be available a few spots later, then feather your nest and trade down. Pick up another asset and still get your guy.

And if Stenberg is gone, I’d still be looking hard at Carels, Verhoff, Rudolph, or even Viggo Bjork before reaching for that hot potato Manny storyline. All of those players have legitimate top-end upside.

The father-son narrative would be fun for the media, but it's another headache this team frankly doesn't need. Take the best player available, or maximize value by moving down if you think any of those targets will still be there.

[E.L.]

I feel like if the Sedins aren’t all in on Stenberg, they probably have a good reason why. They should have good intel on him.

[Logical Progression]

I feel like if the Sedins aren’t all in on Stenberg, they probably have a good reason why. They should have good intel on him.

Tell me more! According to Drance, Caleb was very impressive in the fitness testing, particularly in the skating-related metrics (translating to the NHL level). Apparently, he also handled the swarm of reporters peppering him with Manny questions remarkably well.

[E.L.]

Gallagher comes home

[Logical Progression]

Montreal retains 50% of Gallagher's salary and receive future considerations from the Canucks.

He's on the books for one last season at $6.5 million and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season.

[Logical Progression]

Hoagie to the Preds for a 3rd in 2029. Good luck with that Preds!

[Pokecheque]

Sounds like a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation with Vancouver and the Malhotras. If they take him, they of course take on all the potential drama therein. They don't take him, then the accusations come that they purposely sidestepped a kid who was by all accounts the best two-way talent in the draft because you wanted to avoid the drama...which would lead to drama.

[Fogghorn]

If Manny's son is anything like his father I don't expect this to be a problem. Manny has always had a focus, and serenity that most lack. I can't see any drama with these two. I do see the media trying to find a story here, and that can get distracting and annoying but I think Manny, Caleb, the team, and the organization will all be well rehearsed and prepared for this.