Vancouver Canucks 2013-2014 Offseason and Draft Reviews
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:49 pm
Vancouver Canucks 2013-2014 Offseason Review
The 2013-2014 season was one for remodeling and rebuilding the Vancouver Canucks. If last season's philosophy was "out with the old", then the mantra for this season was definitely "in with the new".
After finishing with the 2nd worst record in the league, the Canucks fan base was beginning to wonder what direction GM Jason Glubiak had their team headed. Hopefully they were answered with the moves made this offseason. Starting with the luck of the draw, and winning of the 2014 Draft Lottery, moving up from the second to the top spot in the draft.
Vancouver once again started their offseason with a plethora of draft picks, including seven in the top 60. This time, hoping to use them to help with the now, more than just the future.
Starting with a trifecta of minor deals, to help give the Canucks help, and financial, as well as roster space. The first transaction, saw Vancouver send one of their starting goalie tandem, Jacob Markstrom (38gp, 13-18-0-0, 3.10gaa, 87.6sa%), to Detroit, for a 2nd round pick in the 2015 draft. The second, had defenseman Vladimir Mihalik (64gp, 1g-10a=11pts -9, +92 GA/TA) being sent to the Dallas Stars, also for a 2nd rounder in 2015. The two picks will help keep the prospect pool filled for the future, or perhaps be used as trade chips. The last of the three, saw another exchange between the Canucks and Stars. Vancouver acquired offensive minded C/LW Andrei Loktionov, while sending Dallas' their own 3rd round pick in the upcoming draft (previously acquired).
Following the house cleaning, the Canucks thought over how best to use their 4 first round picks. Though they had listened to offers for the first overall, there was little chance of it being traded. The others, were up for grabs.
Continuing to shore up their offense, Vancouver packaged Phoenix's 1st (25th ov), Pittsburgh's 2nd (60th ov), and their own 3rd in 2015 and sent them to the Calgary Flames. In return, the Canucks received forward Alexander Burnistrov (67 points in 85 games, including 24 powerplay points, and 245 PIM's), as well as defenseman Josh Godfrey (20 points in 56 games, with 10 on the powerplay). Both these players should help what was an otherwise anemic Canucks offense, especially Godfrey, who will provide a shot from the point, something severely lacking on Vancouver's 2013-14 team.
With a glaring hole in the crease and the lack of a bonafied starter since the trade of Luongo, Vancouver wanted to solidify their crease with a starter that would here for the long term. There were a couple of goalies that fit the bill, and though some might have been less expensive, the Canucks went after the goalie their GM had his eye on since taking over last year. San Jose's Andrei Vasilevskiy. Rebuffed by the Sharks on numerous occasion's, Glubiak looked to take advantage of San Jose's sudden and unexpected downfall in the playoffs. Vancouver sent two of their 1st round picks (DET 10th ov & BOS 18th ov) to the Sharks for the 19 year old Vasilevskiy, and San Jose's 3rd in 2014. the deal was completed when San Jose included defenseman Niklas Kronwall, for Pittsburgh's 3rd round pick in 2015. Vasilevskiy, coming off a 38 win rookie season, will be the starter for Vancouver for the near and foreseeable future. Hopefully this will put Canucks fans at ease a bit, heading into the 2014 season.
Glubiak continued his offseason dealing, by sending the 34ov pick to the Winnipeg Jets, for the 38th overall pick and the Jets 2nd round pick next season. Vancouver then welcomed Buffalo's new GM, by sending him the 91st and 113th picks in this years draft, as well as Boston's 3rd round pick in 2015 for the 69th overall pick. Later, looking to get back into the 4th round, fringe forward, Jordan Martinook was sent east to the New York Rangers, in return the Canucks received the 108th and 111th picks in the current draft. The most recent deal, sent Vancouver's 5th rounder in 2015 to the Florida Panthers, for their 5th round pick in the current draft, 126th overall.
The 2013-2014 season was one for remodeling and rebuilding the Vancouver Canucks. If last season's philosophy was "out with the old", then the mantra for this season was definitely "in with the new".
After finishing with the 2nd worst record in the league, the Canucks fan base was beginning to wonder what direction GM Jason Glubiak had their team headed. Hopefully they were answered with the moves made this offseason. Starting with the luck of the draw, and winning of the 2014 Draft Lottery, moving up from the second to the top spot in the draft.
Vancouver once again started their offseason with a plethora of draft picks, including seven in the top 60. This time, hoping to use them to help with the now, more than just the future.
Starting with a trifecta of minor deals, to help give the Canucks help, and financial, as well as roster space. The first transaction, saw Vancouver send one of their starting goalie tandem, Jacob Markstrom (38gp, 13-18-0-0, 3.10gaa, 87.6sa%), to Detroit, for a 2nd round pick in the 2015 draft. The second, had defenseman Vladimir Mihalik (64gp, 1g-10a=11pts -9, +92 GA/TA) being sent to the Dallas Stars, also for a 2nd rounder in 2015. The two picks will help keep the prospect pool filled for the future, or perhaps be used as trade chips. The last of the three, saw another exchange between the Canucks and Stars. Vancouver acquired offensive minded C/LW Andrei Loktionov, while sending Dallas' their own 3rd round pick in the upcoming draft (previously acquired).
Following the house cleaning, the Canucks thought over how best to use their 4 first round picks. Though they had listened to offers for the first overall, there was little chance of it being traded. The others, were up for grabs.
Continuing to shore up their offense, Vancouver packaged Phoenix's 1st (25th ov), Pittsburgh's 2nd (60th ov), and their own 3rd in 2015 and sent them to the Calgary Flames. In return, the Canucks received forward Alexander Burnistrov (67 points in 85 games, including 24 powerplay points, and 245 PIM's), as well as defenseman Josh Godfrey (20 points in 56 games, with 10 on the powerplay). Both these players should help what was an otherwise anemic Canucks offense, especially Godfrey, who will provide a shot from the point, something severely lacking on Vancouver's 2013-14 team.
With a glaring hole in the crease and the lack of a bonafied starter since the trade of Luongo, Vancouver wanted to solidify their crease with a starter that would here for the long term. There were a couple of goalies that fit the bill, and though some might have been less expensive, the Canucks went after the goalie their GM had his eye on since taking over last year. San Jose's Andrei Vasilevskiy. Rebuffed by the Sharks on numerous occasion's, Glubiak looked to take advantage of San Jose's sudden and unexpected downfall in the playoffs. Vancouver sent two of their 1st round picks (DET 10th ov & BOS 18th ov) to the Sharks for the 19 year old Vasilevskiy, and San Jose's 3rd in 2014. the deal was completed when San Jose included defenseman Niklas Kronwall, for Pittsburgh's 3rd round pick in 2015. Vasilevskiy, coming off a 38 win rookie season, will be the starter for Vancouver for the near and foreseeable future. Hopefully this will put Canucks fans at ease a bit, heading into the 2014 season.
Glubiak continued his offseason dealing, by sending the 34ov pick to the Winnipeg Jets, for the 38th overall pick and the Jets 2nd round pick next season. Vancouver then welcomed Buffalo's new GM, by sending him the 91st and 113th picks in this years draft, as well as Boston's 3rd round pick in 2015 for the 69th overall pick. Later, looking to get back into the 4th round, fringe forward, Jordan Martinook was sent east to the New York Rangers, in return the Canucks received the 108th and 111th picks in the current draft. The most recent deal, sent Vancouver's 5th rounder in 2015 to the Florida Panthers, for their 5th round pick in the current draft, 126th overall.
