Canucks make statement about contract talks with Zadorov and Lindholm

According to Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre, the Canucks are making significant traction in negotiations with both free agents after reports seemed to indicate they would leave.

However, moments after MacIntyre's report came out, Zadorov's agent Dan Milstein refuted the validity of the report. Now, Canucks fans are thinking the team leaked the report to MacIntyre to spur along something in the negotiations.

Zadorov is reportedly seeking up to $6M on a six year contract, something the Canucks just simply can not afford. Same goes for Elias Lindholm, who will likely command upwards of $8M in free agency. Now having to pay their stars in Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson, they just can't make the math worth to bring back their deadline acquisitions.

Still, even losing Zadorov, Lindholm, Dakota Joshua, Ian Cole, and likely more, the Canucks will be an interesting team to watch next season. They have a core of talented players who have been with the team for years, but under coach Rick Tocchet finally reached their potential. Without Thatcher Demko, the Canucks still took the Oilers to a one goal Game 7. The Canucks will be back next year, and may even go further in the playoffs.