Around the league (signings, RFAs injuries)

[Lancer]

Malkin re-ups... 8 years/$76 mill.

9.5 cap hit.

But the cap's going down right???

[the Dogsalmon]

SMH - two years $5M per?

Seen that they said Gonchar can help with the young kids, me thinks they are just going to flip him at the deadline for a 1st or 2nd rounder.

Good signing by Dallas.

Newsy Lalonde calls him the best passing defenseman he's ever played against

his defensive partner was Jack Marshall...

[Aaronp18]

But the cap's going down right???

Malkin's raise doesn't kick in until the 2014-15 season.

Evidently the Pens are counting on the cap going back up substantially. Though I don't believe they are the only ones thinking this.

[dbr]

But the cap's going down right???

Malkin's raise doesn't kick in until the 2014-15 season.

Evidently the Pens are counting on the cap going back up substantially. Though I don't believe they are the only ones thinking this.

The players have never declined to use their option to bump the cap 5% each season, as far as I know they still have that option so barring a huge drop in HRR I'd expect that line of thought to bear out.

[Rumsfeld]

Damn it all to hell, just when that swap for Kesler was looking like such a possibility.

[tantalum]

The players have never declined to use their option to bump the cap 5% each season, as far as I know they still have that option so barring a huge drop in HRR I'd expect that line of thought to bear out.

Yep...and then whine about the amount being held back in escrow because the cap is too high compared league revenues.

[Hockey Widow]

Remind me again why we had a lockout?

[dbr]

So Gary could get his cap recapture rule.

[Hockey Widow]

So Gary could get his cap recapture rule.

I thought that was a BB brainstorm along with keeping cap in a trade?

For the life of me to have a cap-recapture retro active sucks big time. I could see them making it going forward but all they do is punish teams that receive a player in a trade, well in addition to the team signing the contracts. I doubt BB wanted teams receiving the player to ever have to suffer.

How about a rule prohibiting cap floor teams from circumventing the floor with Thomas like moves?

[rats19]

If I'm Mike Gillis rebuilding the Canucks in the off-season, this is what I'd do: (This is my last Canucks status of the season....I promise. ).

Ps - I've been working on this for a week........but I do have a life. Please don't judge me, lol.

The Vision: Since the league appears to be devolving back to the "clutch and grab" era, I wouldn't mind seeing the Canucks model themselves after the New Jersey Devils from 1995-2003. Deep in goal, deep on defense, 4 two-way centers that could all shut down and win face-offs. If the team had talented offensive forwards.....take more offensive risks. If team lacked scorers.....play 1-3-1 or trap.

The Plan: Make defense the best in the league.....to support what should already be one of the top goalies in the league. Acquire shut down centers to add to that strength. If you look at the Canucks' current line-up, they are pretty much 1 good defenseman away from having the deepest defense in the league.

Free Agents to Target: Personally, I would target two-way forwards that can play exceptional defensively if need be.

Power Forwards will not come cheap: Given the success of the Bruins and Kings the last few years, combined with the massive promise that teams like the Blues and Rangers have shown, Big and Skilled Power Forwards will be huge in demand.......but they won't come cheap. Guys like Nathan Horton and Ryan Clowe will be given small fortunes in this off-season.

Action Steps:

1) Luongo and either the Sedins' OR Kesler (I'd prefer to keep Kesler) for Bjugstad and Gudbranson.
2) Sign Tyler Bozak
3) Schroeder + draft pick for Steve Ott
4) Buy out Booth and Ballard
5) Let Lapierre, Raymond, and Roy walk.

What is achieved: More Cap space, Possible future stars at Center and Defense, Very deep defense, Very deep depth at Center stacked with two-way centermen that have the ability to shut down....or be integral to scoring if supported with strong wingers.

Forwards:

###-Kesler-###
###-Bozak-###
###-Ott-###
###-Bjugstad-
Burrows, Hansen, and Higgins play anywhere on the top 9......adding to the Canucks strength of having superb two way forwards that have the ability to shut down and play well defensively).

(As Kassian, Bjugstad, and Jensen develop down the road, their lines can play more offensively).

Defense and Goal:

Hamhuis-Garrison
Edler-Bieksa
Gudbranson-Tanev

Schneider
Lack

For the First Few Years:

Assuming the above is implemented, I'd have this team play very similarity to how they played from 2006 to 2008 (I.e. weak side lock or even 1-3-1......focusing on defense first).

After a few years:

After a few years, I'm assuming that guys like Gudbranson, Bjugstad, Kassian, Jensen, and Gaunce will be on another level. In Bjugstad and Gudbranson's case, they may even be ready to lead this team. Once Gaunce develops, you can move Bozak to the wing.

Kassian-Bjugstad-Jensen
Burrows-Kesler-Bozak
Higgins-Ott-Hansen
###-Gaunce-###

Gudbranson-Garrison
Hamhuis-Bieksa
Edler-Tanev

Schneider or Lack
###

Anyway - that is how I would personally try and rebuild this team moving forward. As this was my last season as an obsessed die-hard fan, I do wish the organization that has been my heart and soul these past 26 years the very best of luck.

For RD Doc, HW.. & island knuckehead..from a friend

[Strangelove]

Guys like Nathan Horton and Ryan Clowe will be given small fortunes in this off-season.

Rumour was Clowe wanted an 8-year $34mil contract from the Sharks.

I say give it to him.

Rumour was Clowe came to hate Joe Thornton (why they traded him).

Nice fantasy btw Ratski.

[rats19]

Guys like Nathan Horton and Ryan Clowe will be given small fortunes in this off-season.

Rumour was Clowe wanted an 8-year $34mil contract from the Sharks.

I say give it to him.

Rumour was Clowe came to hate Joe Thornton (why they traded him).

Nice fantasy btw Ratski.

Obvious that I have nothing to do with the above.. Its from a friend of ours

[Rumsfeld]

Interesting post, ratster! Nice to see our mentally ill pal is still watching from the shadows.

And it looks like he really took some care cobbling that together.

Wonder what Clarkson is looking for on the open market...

[Arachnid]

Guys like Nathan Horton and Ryan Clowe will be given small fortunes in this off-season.

Rumour was Clowe wanted an 8-year $34mil contract from the Sharks.

I say give it to him.

Rumour was Clowe came to hate Joe Thornton (why they traded him).

Nice fantasy btw Ratski.

Obvious that I have nothing to do with the above.. Its from a friend of ours

that still doesn't have a girlfriend

[Topper]

Jesus Rats, add Ruff and we've got the Sabres.

I hope you didn't loose any sleep.