Article content continued

I have to believe the plan they had last offseason will be the same plan this offseason.

Sign cheaper free agents on shorter term deals.

But there is part of me that wonders.

They’ve been a cap team every year under Jim and have $30 million in space for next season.

Could it mean chasing James Neal?

Well, if you’re trying to create a team with vets who carry youth, you probably start with them.

But he is 30 and is going to command 4-5 years, maybe more.

How about JVR and sell him as a power forward?

Now there’s a guy who fits the description of what Jim was talking about on the broadcast.

Josh Bailey is another who would be in the mix and, dare I say, the man with the Vancouver skyline tattooed on his arm.

The man who needs only one name:

Evander.

All of these are more likely options than Vanek, imo.

BEST DONT BE SURPRISED

Still think it’s possible the Canucks actually do make a change in their front office.

One name to watch out for is Ryan Johnsons.

He’s being groomed for big things in the future.

BEST REASON

November, 24 2016 isn’t all that long ago. Just three defencemen hit 60 points last year.

We’re about 14 months from when the GM suggested Hutton had a chance to be one of these guys.

You have to wonder about how this team evaluates defencemen.

This city could really use a deep dive examing the blueliners the Canucks have prioritized in the Linden era.

Because it doesn’t seem to me that there’s a good track record here.

There’s certainly no one who thinks this about Hutton anymore.