Put this out there….
May 25th, 2008 by thewordbirdThe Vancouver Canucks have a number of options worth exploring this off-season. I am of the mind that with the cap space they will be afforded by the increase and in weighing ALL available options, a significant and fundamental change is not far away. It is needed - we can all agree with that. But this is where many of you will part judgement with me….
I believe that one of the new management’s key issues will be to see how and where Markus Naslund fits in. I would loathe the organization openly if Markus ended up wearing the Blue’s emblem or reunited with Burke in Anaheim and stuck another 100 goals past netminders to wrap up his career. People forget just how dominant Naslund is. Yes, is. His drop-off is a combination of many factors. Sure, he is not worth the $6M that was handed to him earlier. Most players are not worth that hefty salary. Also, Markus’ quiet demeanor is automatically construed as sulkiness and his noted lack of production is more a lack of confidence and chemistry.
Some think that to keep Brendan Morrison would be the better situation of the two. I personally think that both are very good players and the Canucks are closer to being a GOOD team as opposed to being caught in the doldrums that most teams get caught in. Both of these players are still effective players when surrounded. This is now. Realize the situation that they are in. Bringing in a host of new faces does not necessarily translate into a ‘change of culture’. Be careful of another of the endless set of trendy catch-phrases that some use to dress up their knowledge. The Canucks can keep both players and should. Mason Raymond is a top flight player and in my opinion should be afforded every opportunity to build his worth as a skilled/top six forward. Add in the Sedins, Naslund, Morrison and you make the right bid/trade for a player that has the skill set to both put the puck in the net and create room. I know, they do not grow on trees.
The Canucks possess chips to play. Goaltending and defense of course the strong points. There are teams out there such as Carolina, Atlanta and Buffalo that are looking to add defenders, and Buffalo in particular would love to acquire Schneider to replace Miller in a couple years. Buffalo has been reluctant to pay top dollar for elite talent and the Canucks would do well to use this to their advantage, conducting a trade with their expansion cousin. Sell it as ‘family business’-the Aquilinis do.
Just a thought. Think outside of the regular rumour mills. If you could put together a package to send their way for a guy like Daniel Paille or one of their two first rounders, then you go for the jugular-when the time is right. Catch the desperate teams acting out of fear. This is of course one example. I just hope that the team mends its obvious scouting deficiencies and learns that the T.J. Brennans, Jason Pominvilles and Pailles are the kinds of players that ‘come out of nowhere’ to continually add to the Sabres pipeline. And believe me, I am a big Cory Schneider fan.
Think about some of the RFAs out there - we all know that they are fair game for offer sheets to be matched or signed away from any GM lame enough to let the negotiations run on too long.
Some notables are Steve Bernier and Paille in Buffalo, Andrew Ladd (Chi), Patrick O’Sullivan (LA), Marek Svatos (Avs), Dan Fritsche (Clb), Rostislav Olesz (Fla), Maxim Lapierre (Mtl), Nigel Dawes (NYR), Martin Erat (Nsh), Jeff Carter (Phi), Antoine Vermette (Ott), Daniel Carcillo (Pho), Mike Green (Wsh), Kyle Wellwood (Tor), Ryane Clowe/ Joe Pavelski (SJ). These are just forwards really, just trying to address a need. I know, I threw Green in there, but he is an outstanding talent and would be a bold move. I would lean towards a guy like Dawes or Clowe, although faceoffs are also a concern.
As far as UFAs, why not add a guy like Ryan Johnson? They guy is a meat and potatoes grinding forward that is a supreme shot blocker and comes to play every shift. St. Louis would do well to hold onto him, but if they slip, why not be the first to pounce when everyone is tripping over themelves to add Pavol Demitra. He is most likely not the solution to the Canucks’ woes. Maybe short-term, but in the playoffs? Nope. Ryan Malone is a guy that Vancouver should also acquire. Goals, toughness and will.
Dangle an aging defender in front of the Thrasher’s craw. They bit for Zhitnik only last year. Nearly everyone with their eyes open could see that one was a big time rip-off. Especially on the West Coast; Braydon Coburn played a great junior career for Portland, it was just unheralded. Now Atlanta has a piece of papyrus to pay and Philly has a young, dominant defenseman. They could bite. Or, Vancouver could. The Canucks need to address some situations, but doing it wisely and in a well-timed fashion is the key.
May 25th, 2008
Robin Keith Thompson
3 Responses to “Put this out there….”
By Jason C on May 25, 2008
I’ve been calling for the Canucks to get Ryan Johnson or Mike Johnson for years!
Unfortunately I think their roles have already been taken by the Keslers, Pyatts, and Burrowses.
By Tripel on May 27, 2008
Not sure what aging defender they could dangle, with Mitchell, Ohlund & Salo all holding NTCs.
And the RFA-poach is a tricky path to go down — will most likely have to overpay, and then lose the picks. Only Carter interests me for this option (for him I could part w multiple firsts.)
I agree with the other comment that the bottom 6 is more or less set with Kesler, Burrows, Pyatt, Pettinger, Rypien, Cowan (ugh), etc …although a Peca, Gratton, Holik type would help our sorry 4th line.
Even UFA seems like a longshot route, not just for our poor history in making splashes here, but for the quality of the crop this year (or lack thereof.) Agreed that Demitra doesn’t excite, Malone would be good, but is he really an answer for our top-6 needs? Ryder might be better, in terms of pure goal scoring, but not as tough (need to merge those two guys.) I’d almost like to see them throw big $$ at Jagr for one year, to see what he’d do with the Sedins, and then let Naz-Mo-Raymond flourish as #2 line in a more offensive system. Unlikely that Jagr is anywhere but NYC if he’s in the league next year, though..
Most likely it’s one of their young D that will have to go to bring back a quality young O — Edler, Bieksa or Bourdon. Like Krajicek, I don’t see Bourdon bringing that great of a return (and his value will likely go up) and Bieksa, though expensive, bring rare intangibles (toughness, RHS), so it’s looking like Edler. much as I’d hate to see him go, he could really bring back what we need — maybe packaged with Schneider for Stafford & Kotalik, or Carter & Knuble (or Lupul if we add a good pick)..?
By thewordbird on May 29, 2008
Patrick O’Sullivan is going to be one heck of a player, combining speed, finesse and resolve. The latter he must have learned as a result of the physical and verbal abuse handed out to him in many public instances from his father. He was also part of the deal between Minnesota and LA for Pavol Demitra, which is a little amusing in this case.
I think that Svatos and Carter are guys to warrant the consideration, to be sure. Steep price, but solid, talented players.
Good point on the NTCs, mis-step there on my part.