Rich Evans on Dakota Joshua's season and future with the Canucks

NHL Agent Rich Evans joined the guys to chat about his client, Dakota Joshua, and his future in Vancouver.

[@christhornycroft3686]

Joshua has been fantastic, but one of the things Rutherford and Co corrected from the Benning era was overpaying for bottom 6 forwards. One of the reasons the season went so well was because the Canucks were able to pick up guys like Joshua, Blueger and others for good deals. Nobody could have imagined they'd be this good, but in the cap era, the top guys are going to get their money. You have to find players who can play and make an impact in your bottom 6 or bottom 9 even who aren't making really what they're worth. Obviously, having a coach like Tocchet who can bring the most out of them really helps, but if you start paying 3rd line players like they're top 6 forwards, even if it makes sense from certain perspectives, you get yourself into cap trouble, and if those guys have a down year or don't perform up to their new contract, suddenly you're dealing with a Mikheyev situation. If Ilya was making say half of what he is or even $2 million, he'd be serviceable as a 3rd line player. Great speed, hard worker, but zero finish around the net. If Joshua is dead set on a long term, 3+ million contract he might be worth it, but you can't pay 3rd line players that much money. Economically, it just doesn't work, even as the cap goes up, because every player is eyeing the cap and seeing an opportunity to make more money and there's only so many players you can give big raises to. I think the Pettersson deal will work out just fine once his knee is 100%. My only concern with that is that if they knew his knee was bad, why didn't they give him time off? Then again, maybe they saw how the Oilers were surging and they were struggling after the ASB and thought they needed him in the lineup and hoped he could make some impact and keep them ahead in the division. Hopefully there's some learning that occurred from that situation.

[@grantcampbell3264]

As a Canucks fan I want Dakota back, but it has to be sensible for a third liner. He was able to have a great year because he wasn't challenged by the best defensive pairings.

[@donmackie6086]

Not to mention having an excellent linemate in Garland.

[@virtualrealitychannel2276]

I think another team will offer Joshua more than the Canucks will simply because the Canucks have to prioritize cap to center and defense over wing. And Allvin already said his coaching staff will find and develop another Joshua... kind of a signal Zadorov might be higher on the priority list. Considering he only has one 20 goal pace season under his belt hopefully Joshua won't price himself out of Van because you gotta love that body with those hands.

[@donmackie6086]

I fear you are probably right about this scenario unfolding.

[@lannon4prez]

Love Dak. But If it’s gonna be more than a 2 million bridge deal, let someone else take the contract.

[@donmackie6086]

In a perfect world, Vancouver resigns Joshua, Lindholm, Myers, and Big Z. Hronek is a question mark given what he might want. I wish the NHL would get rid of the salary cap. Many other professional sports don't have a cap, but there is the argument about parity. Funny how the NHL looks the other way though re US states that have no state tax and the implications of that variable. But obviously, it's common knowledge by now that a Canadian franchise will win the Stanley Cup over Bettman's dead body. I wish that old vampire would retire already. In a perfect world I guess....

[@sibbyeskie]

If Joshua can maintain this form he is a no-brainer to get under contract. These kinds of players rarely become available. I love his game, but there's a long history of guys like him popping off in a contract year and regressing once they exhale and finally get their paycheck. I'm not sure how driven he is. He mentioned he started playing hockey late and didn't really like it. That kind of lends credibility to a careerist athlete. I don't know, maybe that's irrelevant but management should have a pulse for his drive and commitment so if it's there I'm sure they will make a play to keep him.

[@kasandrapurplekitten]

8 points 13 playoff games 6 points of the 8 CAME in 2 games. 28 years of age be very very carefull here. I didn't think he was great in the post season I am in the minority

[@righton6935]

Petterson is useless

[@user-bs8hq6bc6e]

Canucks should be trying to trade the rights to Lindholm for a draft pick before July 1, try and recoup something after throwing so much away on a rental. Joshua should be signed to a 3 year deal 1.75/2.75/3.5 =AAV 2.67. Don't give over 4 million per year to Zadorov, don't give over 6.5 million per year to Hronek, and don't give over 3 million to myers. bring in 2 defense, bye cole. maybe keep blueger at 2 million or lower.

[@mrquirky3626]

What GM in their right mind would give up a draft pick just to be the first to get to negotiate with Lindholm, when he and his agent are going to wait until July 1st anyway to see what other offers they can get?

[@GarrettStalker]

This whole paragraph is straight nonsense

[@benjaminaxselholm]

your not going to sign any of those players for those numbers.