Jeff Marek raised eyebrows this week when Discussion of the decision of the Vancouver Canucks to continue with gritty Voorwart Dakota Joshua, which suggests that the trade has not been “not done yet”. The trade was both a surprise or not a shock to many. The canucks that were needed to move the cap space, but some analysts were stunned when it was Joshua who was moved for very little return.
Admittedly, Vancouver had just picked Evander Kane in a deal with the Edmonton Oilers, but Joshua still has a lot to offer and it was/is that he will bounce back from a difficult season due to health problems.
The Canucks had extremely high expectations of Joshua two seasons ago. He became a favorite with fan in Vancouver thanks to his willingness to play a physical brand of hockey, his bustle and his dedication to two -way game. He was a valuable piece, which understandably meant that his departure would hit some fans hard.
The Canucks think of the larger whole
But as Marek notes, the larger whole can explain the movement: “How else will they make cap -space?” He asked rhetorically, referring to the aim of the Canucks to a second -line center. With the salary limit from 2025-26 at $ 95.5 million, the Canucks clearly work with a specific target in mind and discharging Joshua’s contract can only be step one.
So what does Marek mean when he says that the trade is not ready? It probably suggests that Vancouver has a follow -up movement, possibly with a more significant acquisition in the middle. The shedding of the Joshua deal could be the necessary precursor to bring in a greater name, especially if the club is preparing for a deeper play -off run and has to tackle a secondary score and depth in the middle.
Where they are going now is unclear and when they do, their move can depend on how the season starts.
Until that next shoe drops, the judgment about the Joshua deal will have to wait.
Next: Should Oilers trade the writer’s mid -season list to land a $ 66 million goalkeeper?
#Insider #Dakota #Joshua #Trade #Canucks #Target #2ndLine #Center