{"id":55827,"date":"2019-09-08T08:30:27","date_gmt":"2019-09-08T12:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=55827"},"modified":"2020-12-21T15:03:19","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T20:03:19","slug":"nhl-rumours-vancouver-canucks-and-montreal-canadiens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/09\/08\/nhl-rumours-vancouver-canucks-and-montreal-canadiens\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’re turning the corner to the end of a hot offseason! There are still plenty of NHL rumours floating around, and Last Word On Hockey is packaging them up right here for your convenience. Pull up a chair and enjoy the latest gossip from around the league. We’re talking Vancouver Canucks<\/a> and Montreal Canadiens.<\/a><\/p>\n

All NHL Rumours are taken from the original source and subject to change.<\/em><\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

Vancouver Canucks<\/h3>\n

Rumour: Our first NHL Rumour comes from Ben Kuzma of the Ottawa Citizen. <\/a>He speculates that Loui Eriksson<\/a><\/strong>‘s future with the Canucks is uncertain at this time.<\/em><\/p>\n

Analysis:<\/em> Eriksson has been the center of trade rumours for the majority of the offseason. The concept of him being traded has been dissected numerous times, and realistically the chances of him being moved are slim.<\/p>\n

Eriksson’s contract is a point of contention<\/a>. It’s a hefty deal, and while he may not be worth the $6 million, he’s not exactly useless. He’s a solid fourth-liner. At the end of last year, he was playing alongside Bo Horvat<\/strong><\/a> and Tanner Pearson<\/strong><\/a>. He had chemistry with them, and the line was successful.<\/p>\n

If he does stay with the team, he could find himself sitting out most of the season. If the club elects to carry 14 players, he would be an extra forward. Keeping Eriksson means significant changes to their roster.<\/p>\n

Options<\/h4>\n

Tim Schaller<\/a> <\/strong>would be looking at being sent down to Utica on waivers. Adam Gaudette<\/a><\/strong> would join him because he is waiver exempt. There’s also the issue of Antoine Roussel<\/a><\/strong> who will be returning in December after recovering from his knee surgery.<\/p>\n

Another option would be shipping Eriksson to the AHL to free up some cap space. However, do the Canucks want to pay another player who would not be physically playing for them? Highly unlikely, and fiscally irresponsible.<\/p>\n

Eriksson had a down year, without a doubt. After 81 games he only accrued 11 goals and 18 assists. Eriksson had some dry spells last season, including one 15-game scoreless streak and a second 12-game stretch.<\/p>\n

However, he’s not exactly useless. He adds value to the team on the fourth line. If he’s surrounded with the right players, Eriksson will produce. Keeping him on the roster isn’t the worst thing the team could do.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours: Vancouver Canucks – Part II<\/h3>\n

Rumour: Rick Dhaliwal tweeted that Jacob Markstrom’<\/a><\/strong>s representative Pat Morris expects that the team will come to terms with him as the starting goalie.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Pat Morris represents #Canucks<\/a> goalie Jacob Markstrom who is entering the final year of his deal : When Vancouver wants to talk we are ready, we will explore a deal with them, they are dealing with Boeser right now anyways. Jacob proved he is a #1 goalie last year.<\/p>\n

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) September 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n