Aquilini on the Canucks
Rick Dhaliwal: Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini on the state of the Canucks. (series of tweets)
On the vacant President position: “I don’t think we will replace that role. The Canucks are the interface of who we are as the Aquilinis and Jim will take over with Trevor’s duties.”
On the state of the Canucks: “It isn’t going to be easy but we have to be realistic. There are no shortcuts in this game and right now it is about building a core with this club and wanting to win together.”
On some of their contracts: “The coaches and management make decisions on who to bring in and it is my job to support them. With Gagner going to Toronto I wasn’t happy about it. But, if other players are ahead of him and there are opportunities you have to go with it.”
On if has blocked any trades: “Not true, absolutely not true. I have never blocked a trade ever. People make that up, all crap.”
If the Jets are going to move Trouba, next offseason may be the optimal time
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie on his ‘Bobcast’ was talking about Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba, who will be a restricted free agent again after the season – UFA status after next season. There has been a history of tough negotiations between both sides. If they are going to trade him, the offseason could be the optimal time.
“But, like Erik Karlsson and like a lot of guys, he becomes an extended rental – that is, you get a full year of him. But unless somebody can negotiate a long-term deal with him, the Jets’ price – what it would cost to acquire Trouba, the Jets’ take on that half of it – might not be as much as some people would like, given the fact that he’s a top-pairing defenseman on that team.”
The Jets will also have to deal with pending restricted free agents Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor.
“So yeah, this off-season is the time to fish or cut bait with Trouba and the Winnipeg Jets. Either he’s prepared to do a long-term deal this coming summer, in the summer of 2019, or the best thing for the Jets to do would be to trade him.”