The Canuck Way Mailbag: Podkolzin, Ryan, trade talk, more
Toffoli, Markstrom and trade talk
https://twitter.com/Macusian12345/status/1309659914550218754?s=20
At this point, it’s looking more and more like Toffoli will be the one re-signed over Markstrom. The latest rumours have him close to signing an extension with the Canucks. If that happens, they could have room to get Markstrom signed too.
However, since there appears to be no movement on talks with the former MVP, it’s extremely likely that Markstrom will enter free agency in less than two weeks’ time. It’s been discussed that the Detroit Red Wings could offer him more than $5 million AAV to be their starting goaltender next season and teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and the Carolina Hurricanes are also kicking tires on him as well.
If Markstrom follows the money, he will definitely get more in free agency than he will with the Canucks. Elliotte Friedman has reported (h/t Chris Faber of Canucks Army) that the negotiations have been challenging, so that’s not a good sign for him returning to the fold. At this point, I am going to say that he will be moving to another team come Oct. 9 and Toffoli will be re-signed very soon.
If that ultimately happens, Thatcher Demko would assume the role as the starting goaltender for the Canucks and as a result, Benning would be in the market for a 1a/1b netminder to split the duties with him. But that’s a discussion for another day.
Gaudette and Virtanen for Phillip Danault, who says no?
— venndiagram (@dougvenn) September 25, 2020
Phillip Danault was floated around as a trade target in the Twitterverse by J.D. Burke in the past when he created his team for the 2020-21 season. He would be a great addition to the bottom-six as a third-line center with his faceoff prowess and offensive potential, but I fear he would be a detriment to the team and its chemistry.
He’s already gone on record as being unhappy with his role in Montreal as a third-line center, so I don’t see what the same role here would do to alleviate that concern.
As for the assets you’re suggesting, I think it’s a slight overpayment on the Canucks’ part. Danault is almost 28-years-old and he’s an unrestricted free agent next offseason. With the high priced Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes up for contract renewals, I’m not sure acquiring him helps their cap problems. What’s more, you’re giving up two under-25 players with potential as well. In the end, I think the negatives outweigh the positives in that deal.