Grading Every Move by Alvin/Rutherford
Arshdeep Bains Signing:
Grade: A
The first move of the Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford era was to sign the WHL’s leading scorer and Vancouver native, Arshdeep Bains. Bains currently has an ungodly 107 points (G: 40, A: 67) in 68 games and is a +33 playing for the Red Dear Rebels. While he is an over-ager this explosion in production simply cannot be ignored.
The Canucks signed Bains to an entry-level deal that will make him an RFA at the end of the 24-25 season. Overall, this is a low-risk high reward signing that will at the minimum help the AHL team compete.
Hamonic Trade:
Grade: A
The second move and first trade by the new management group was to ship out Travis Hamonic to the Ottawa Senators for a 2022 3rd round pick (VAN). This was great value for a defenseman that had only put up 17 points in 64 games, but more importantly, made 3 million dollars this season and next. The Canucks re-acquire their 3rd round pick and save 3 million on the cap for next season… nice!
Dermott trade:
Grade: B-
The Canucks sent a 2022 3rd round pick (WPG) to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Travis Dermott. Dermott is a 25-year-old left-handed defenseman who can play both sides. He is signed through next year with a 1.5 million cap hit and is an RFA at the end of the season. So far through 6 games, Dermott has looked mundane. He shows flashes of his skating ability and breakout passes, but time will tell if Dermott becomes a long-term solution.
He will most likely end up being a 6-7 defenseman for this team
Motte trade:
Grade: C
Trading away a fan favourite is always going to be critiqued a little harsher than other players but getting just a 2023 4th round pick (NYR) from the Rangers was wildly disappointing for many Canucks fans including me. The only reason this move isn’t graded lower is that at least they didn’t lose him for nothing.
Increasingly I wonder, where would this team be with Motte still playing? I would think 2-3 points better… playoff chances are still in sight. Ugh
Richardson Waiver:
Grade: B
A minor yet effective move. The Canucks claimed Brad Richardson off waivers from the Calgary Flames on what was their first move of deadline day. The best price is free and that is what this transaction was.
Richardson is 37 years old and is a UFA at the end of the season. He fills a bottom-six / PK role that was open with the Motte trade.
Grade: B
Overall, Patrik Alvin and Jim Rutherford did what they aimed to do. They got younger, faster, and most importantly cheaper whilstalso adding a couple of mid-round picks.
Expect the Canucks to make some major moves this offseason, but as it standsright now the Canucks new front office is meeting expectations.
-Kyle Welsford - Nucks Talk/Olde City Sports Network
photo by Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports & Sportsnet
