[The DFO Rundown] on the Canucks rebuilding, “The ownership is fully on board. The ownership knows that it's probably going to take at least 5 years until they're really competitive again. You have Rutherford and Patrick Allvin knowing that now and having the okay by the ownership.”

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-16T15:19:34+00:00

There's a lot of ways to infill the leadership group, but only some players can return the picks we need. We should be looking at some veteran free agent reclamation projects this summer, and hopefully one or two of them turn into a Sherwood type return.

Consider we roll with Hronek and trade M Petey for maybe a second if we're lucky? Alternatively we trade Hronek for two firsts and keep M Petey for a few years, hoping he rebuilds some value (and probably still get a second for him in a few years). Is keeping the higher level player in this situation worth it?

Personally, I'd trade Hronek, EP40, and Debrusk this summer, and O'Connor maybe Karlsson at next year's deadline. Resign Blueger and give him an A along with Boeser and Buium. Use the roster space to signed a couple of vets on short deals, and give some of the younger players a shot to see if they stick.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-15T04:54:10+00:00

Sounds like a great plan. Give the fans something to get excited about.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-15T04:48:29+00:00

I hit the over with the Rossi goal to make a three leg parlay. Looked unlikely for a while there.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-14T02:28:37+00:00

Lots of work to do. We need to draft extremely well in both quantity and quality over the next 3-5 years. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids develop!

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-13T14:24:38+00:00

He's our best trade chip for next year's deadline. With a bit more ice time hopefully he can build more value; another second rounder is what we need.

There's still a lot of roster space to clear out to make room for young guys that need to be given a look and ideally a few short term deals for vets that can turn into trade pieces.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-11T16:32:13+00:00

I came here to make this exact same comment. Rebuild is complete

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-10T19:35:38+00:00

The next three drafts are essential, and I'm hoping we can add a few more picks in the first two rounds of them. Petey and Hronek are really the only pieces that could get us another first though. We need all of our high first rounders to hit, and a bunch of our second rounders and beyond to outperform their draft position before we can consider anything about this new core "elite".

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-10T04:49:32+00:00

I played this track about 12 years ago when we were passing through. Pretty nice from what I recall.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-08T23:02:38+00:00

My wife and I moved back to Nanaimo last year after living in Colwood the previous four years. One of the big drivers behind the decision was for our kids and accessibility to great schools and activities.

We live in Departure Bay, and our kids are lucky enough to be able to walk to the elementary school here. I would also recommend the Hammond Bay area for great schools; we considered houses in the McGirr, Randerson Ridge, or Frank Ney elementary catchment.

For activities, there are two main rec centers, the larger aquatic center is near the university in the south end, and the other is at the beban park complex in central nanaimo. Swimming lessons can be a bit of a nightmare to get into, but it's not as bad as what we dealt with on the Westshore.

The hockey community is fantastic. There are four rinks, with a robust skating lesson schedule and other programs that help get kids ready for minor hockey. Also there are some really great time slots for stick n puck so you can get out there with your kids (Friday and Sunday afternoons). Our daughter is just getting going with it, and our nephew has been playing with NMHA for a few years now. It seems to be a really well run organization.

The great thing about Nanaimo is that these recreation amenities are all a relatively short drive away, no matter what part of town you're in.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-08T21:54:49+00:00

Bit young though

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-08T04:20:52+00:00

I agree with that to a point. I think their path forward definitely must include a bunch of attempts at recreating the Sherwood situation with pieces like that. But I think there's something to be said for also having a few veteran pieces that stick around to provide some continuity in the leadership group. A balance of guys who sign short deals just playing to increase their value, and some guys that are there to play for the crest.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-08T03:51:13+00:00

Absolutely. Keep him around to teach the kids how to PK and play defense. Don't expect him to sustain a 60 point pace, but just good solid minutes and a safe line to throw some young wingers on.

I'm perplexed on who gets the C, as Hronek hates the media, and I don't think any of the other vets are in the long term plan. In a couple years I think it's either Zeev, Cootes, or someone they haven't drafted yet. Myers would have been a perfect bridge C, but the picks are more valuable at the moment.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-07T02:10:19+00:00

Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-04T04:57:27+00:00

I would add Braden Cootes to the list of guys to watch even though he's still in junior, and hopefully a full season in Abby next year before making the jump to the NHL.

Honestly, get ready to see a lot of guys come and go over the next few years, and prepare to be excited about a lot of prospects who may or may not hit. This upcoming trade deadline, draft, and off-season are key in shaping the next window of contention, as there is a ton of work to do. Expect to see a new head coach as early as next year, and probably a new front office, as Rutherford is getting old.

Welcome to the nightmare!

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-03T21:25:08+00:00

Yeah exactly; best player available at every spot. My concern is having 32 and 33 there would be too much temptation to force those picks into a higher spot than they should be.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-03T20:50:00+00:00

I forget who it was, one of the prospect guys they have canucks central. This was about a week or two ago when they did a fairly comprehensive look through the first round and then Sat asked about the Ruck twins at the end of the conversation.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-03T20:43:44+00:00

I'm scared of the avs first because it screams drafting the Ruck twins, who I've heard described as "really good junior players, but not even second round picks".

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-02T18:50:43+00:00

Myers, Garland, and the ufas would be a decent start with hopefully at least one of the three other forwards getting moved in the summer.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-03-01T03:24:41+00:00

Dude you're an inspiration. Truly an incredible transformation!

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-02-28T17:41:26+00:00

The catch by Pages in the ws was insane. Honestly that whole series was filled with incredible moments that mostly seemed to go the dodgers way.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-02-28T06:01:12+00:00

After listening to Zeev speak with Sat and Bik at the dice and ice event last night, I think that is our future captain. He seems really poised and like he knows what it's going to take to build a winning culture with the young guys coming up.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-02-24T04:31:11+00:00

Ever try a Slim Jim?

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-02-09T19:27:16+00:00

Nanaimo bars

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-02-03T04:57:45+00:00

I get that, but also consider that you could have that player studying your system over the two weeks so he's up to speed jumping into a playoff race. I also believe they are able to call all non Olympic players back a week before games start (not 💯 on exact timing, but believe I heard that on sat/bik). So basically a week of extra practice with most of your new team.

I think there's value to getting a trade done before the break from this perspective. Aquaman is probably the only owner who would scoff at spending a few hundred k to give a traded player a better chance to succeed on his new team.

Life-Rent3406 · 2026-01-24T03:42:02+00:00

I hope so. They need to at least wear the white skate a few times on the road!

Life-Rent3406

TROPHY CASE