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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:58 pm
by Sid Dithers
I don't think Demitra will have much of an affect here. He'll go from playing with Gaborik to playing with Taylor Pyatt, hardly a step up. In terms of numbers, I think he's in for 20 goals and 50 points, tops. If you think that's worth 4 mill, then so be it. I don't believe it is. Two years I can somewhat live with, 3 would have been a huge mistake.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:07 pm
by Farhan Lalji
Personally, here is how I see our line-up right now...

???-???-Demitra
Sedin-Sedin-Bernier
Burrows-Kesler-Horidchuk
Wellworth-Johnson-Pyatt

Ohlund-Edler
Mitchell-Salo
Bieksa-Kraijeck (or whoever)

Luongo
Sanford

Perhaps this is just my (biased) opinion, but I believe that the Canucks would have....

A) A Top 7 defensive core in the league (when healthy)
B) Arguably the best goaltending duo in the league
C) One of the best 4th lines in the league
D) One of the best 3rd lines in the league
E) One of the best 2nd lines in the league.

Having said that - I would like to see the Canucks still make a MAJOR pitch for at least one more superstar player (i.e. like they've done with Sundin), and one more extremely talented forward (i.e. if someone like Brendan Shanahan is available).

IF the Canucks are serious about wanting to advance beyond the 2nd round, then I truly believe that none of...

-Pavol Demitra, Henrik Sedin, or Daniel Sedin, should be the SECOND best player on this team (behind Luongo). Getting 2 of the following players Mats Sundin, Brendan Shanahan, Teemu Selanne, etc. would remedy that situation. (and with enough cap space, even if the Canucks overpay for 2 of these 3 players, it would be well worth it in my opinion).

In my opinion, if the Canucks are to be a legit contender, then the Sedin twins need to be anchoring the SECOND line. Pavol Demitra needs to be a SUPPLEMENT on the 1st line.

If the Canucks are unable to sign a suitable left winger, then you can plug Mason Raymond on that first line.

Personally however, I wouldn't mind the Canucks packaging Raymond and a draft pick (and other stuff?) for a legitimate top 1st line player.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:16 pm
by levelheaded
The problem with your plan Farhan is that we can't afford two more free agents. We have $10M cap space, and should Sundin sign we can't do anything else. Shannahan and Selanne are getting up in years, and aren't the dynamic players we need to anchor a scoring line.

I'd be happy with a top six of

Sedin-Sedin-Bernier
Demitra-Sundin-Pyatt/Raymond/Wellwood

I'm not a big fan of having any clear cut 'top line.' The Sedins aren't superstars, but they're not second-line players either. I'd much prefer to see our top 2 lines (if we get Sundin) share about equal ice-time and have AV run with whichever is hot. All the conference finalists this year were able to do that, and I think that is in part why they were so successful. With 2 interchangeable top lines, our already formidable checking line, a toughened 4th line as well with our top-tier defence and world class goaltender I'd say we'd be an instant cup contender.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:30 pm
by Farhan Lalji
levelheaded wrote:The problem with your plan Farhan is that we can't afford two more free agents. We have $10M cap space, and should Sundin sign we can't do anything else. .
OK. For some reason I figured we had a bit more than that, but what you say makes sense.

As long as Sundin signs here, I think the Canucks are in excellent shape. Someone like Wellworth, Pyatt, or Raymond can be plugged alongside Sundin and Demitra.

As far as the Sedin twins go - while I don't think they are "out of place" on the 1st line, I also don't think that they are upper-echelon 1st line players. In other words, I think they are GOOD 1st line players but not GREAT ones.

Nonetheless - whether it's the Sedin line that is #1, or it's the Sundin/Demitra line, ONE of those lines will be an excellent 2nd line for us.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:17 pm
by magnum44
Good signing. At this point Demitra is better than Naslund in every respect and 4 mill is very reasonable. Gillis said that the offer to Sundin would remain on the table for however long it took Mats todecide, so I think we are done tinkering until Sundin makes a decision. If he comes to Van we are favourites to win the division, if not we look to be roughly equal to last year.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:55 pm
by Grizzly
I'm not a big fan of having any clear cut 'top line.' The Sedins aren't superstars, but they're not second-line players either. I'd much prefer to see our top 2 lines (if we get Sundin) share about equal ice-time and have AV run with whichever is hot. All the conference finalists this year were able to do that, and I think that is in part why they were so successful. With 2 interchangeable top lines, our already formidable checking line, a toughened 4th line as well with our top-tier defence and world class goaltender I'd say we'd be an instant cup contender
I will agree with you on that as well Level ... a further comment ... I think when all the pressure is put on the top line all year to produce and the game is dependant on whether or not they have a good game it is too much to ask ... two solid 1-B lines is better than one 1-A line and then a bunch of 3rd line players. IMO anyways...

Grizz

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:07 pm
by Farhan Lalji
I also agree that the Canucks are better off having two solid lines (as opposed to overplaying the hypothetical ???-Sedin-Demitra line). The point I was trying to make, was that the Sedin twins would be EXCELLENT (2nd line players...or 1b), while I think they would only be "adequate" 1st line players ("good", but not "great").

Having said that, I think atleast one of those lines will really excel, due to the presence of the other line (if that makes sense). Best case scenario - obviously, both lines light the world on fire. ;)

God I hope Sundin signs.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:22 pm
by antro
This is great. I'm glad that Gillis is just getting it done. Plus he's adding incentives for Sundin to come here. Let's hope the guy stays healthy.

Btw, according to this article, the reason it took so long may have been that Gillis wanted a 2-year deal and Demitra 3-years:

"The only problem might be term, and it wouldn't be surprising if Gillis is trying to get Demitra to commit to two years instead of three."

I think that Gillis is smart to keep the terms for older players shorter. In fact, as much as I'm hoping that Sundin signs, I kinda hope he'll sign for 1 year. There are a lot of core UFA's to sign after next season.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:22 pm
by Farhan Lalji
antro wrote:
I think that Gillis is smart to keep the terms for older players shorter. In fact, as much as I'm hoping that Sundin signs, I kinda hope he'll sign for 1 year. There are a lot of core UFA's to sign after next season.
Actually - I wouldn't mind if Sundin signed for 2 years.

If I understand correctly, Naslund is only with NYR for 1 year. Naslund still has his home in Vancouver. With Sundin and Demitra locked-up, Naslund might be willing to re-sign here.

Speaking of Naslund, I think it will be interesting to see how he plays this year for NYR. I'm still not sold on the fact that he's "washed up." Given the right system and right linemates, I think Naslund might still be able to perform at a high level.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:07 pm
by stevethiessen
Farhan Lalji wrote:
antro wrote:
If I understand correctly, Naslund is only with NYR for 1 year.
Nope. 2 years, 8 million.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:52 pm
by levelheaded
http://media.putfile.com/Demitra-contorts-Luongo

I figure Louie's breathing a sigh of relief after this signing.

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:05 pm
by dangler
Farhan Lalji wrote:I'm still not sold on the fact that he's "washed up." .
Glad you could clear that up for us Farhan. We would have never guessed it. :roll:

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:21 am
by OCWilson
I know this has been mentioned before, but thinking of Sundin or another top flight center added to our roster will definitely flush out the full abilities of the twins. I am really looking forward to them not having the other teams best checking line on them each game. :mad:

Moreover, I am also looking forward to them having a strong, solid right handed shot with them. There will also be less pressure for them on the power play. I like to call the position they will be in next season "a relaxed state of intensity". I believe that is the position you want all your players to be in, hungry but not desperate. I like many others, believed the twins had much too much pressure to produce every night last season without the supporting cast they truly needed. I like their upside this season.

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:24 am
by the Cunning Linguist
Farhan Lalji wrote:Naslund still has his home in Vancouver. With Sundin and Demitra locked-up, Naslund might be willing to re-sign here.
It was reported weeks ago that Naslund already sold his home in West Van.

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:49 am
by Icebreaka
Ya he will never wear the whale again, I think we can all agree on that.