So now what ?

[Linden Is God]

Not that there is any shred of reality in any of this, but if you're up for a good laugh check out hockeybuzz.com, where Eklund isn't wasting any time, and has the Canucks "interested" in, among others: Sundin, Antropov, Carter (yes, Anson), Robert Esche (!?!), Kariya, Lecavalier, and Gomez. Good times!

Someone has told Ek there's a salary cap, right?

While I laugh at this stuff too, I always said Antro would look good with the Sedins, if healthy.

[Meerschaum]

Here's a link to a realistic Spector discussion of why the cap and Naslund's contract combine to hobble any big moves by the 'Nucks for the upcoming season.

http://www.spectorshockey.net/soapbox.html

[Fred]

Sorry part about that is they're discussing manny Fernades going to Florida, sorry Auld, looks like you may move yet again

[Badfish]

I saw this on sportsnet today

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/hockey_h ... b_timonen/

Timonen? at around 5 mil? Who do they have writting this stuff? The only way would be to trade another dman, and Ohlund is suggested by some, but come on. Timonen is not the answer to our offensive struggles. how about some freaking FORWARDS who can score?!? paying 5 million for an upgrade we don't need all too badly seems crazy.

Anyone else heard anything out there? This has no basis to it, but I've read some suggestions to go after Ryan Smyth... damn that sounds like a nice idea. Big guy to attract attention on either the Naslund line, as he's a LW, or even an occasional shift with the twins perhaps? You can't go wrong with a guy like Smyth in my mind. Who knows how much he'll command on the market, as well as where he'd choose to play, but man...

any other ideas? Perhaps some UFA/FA's that are in our range? Lets get the trade talks going in May! wooo!

Answering my own question, I see Eklund has Kariya comming to Vancouver....

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=7647 I don't put any faith in that yet, but it's also an interesting idea!! Would he play with the twins or Nazzy? Neither seems a natural fit exactly...

Here's a list of potential FA/UFA's, anyone look good?

[levelheaded]

I saw this on sportsnet today

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/hockey_h ... b_timonen/

Timonen? at around 5 mil? Who do they have writting this stuff?

Gallagher

[Farhan Lalji]

Now that's it's over and done with it's time to dispassionately review the mess and decide what must DN do to rectify the failure.

That's a tad bit harsh don't you think (just my opinion). Given the Canucks' overall talent level and expectations heading into this season, I think the Canucks did rather well. But still - I do have a feeling of disappointment as well.

Nonetheless, the only thing I'd focus on if I was Nonis, would be to STACK our blue-line with quality defensemen. Period. Bring in a quality defenseman that not only gives us more defensive depth, but can also help our Power Play as well (i.e. kill two birds with one stone).

As we saw in this year's playoffs, you can NEVER have too many defensemen. Injuries can happen at anytime. We saw this with Vancouver this post season and we saw this with Buffalo last season.

We already have arguably the best goalie in the NHL. Lets focus on building the best blueline in the NHL with PROVEN defensemen. Lets GAMBLE with kids and discounted veterans up front. Best case scenario --> The sky is the limit. Worst case scenario --> we can't score worth a lick, but teams can't score on us either. We then win games with superior special teams (i.e. keeping our current PK, adding a guy like Anson Carter to play with the twins).

[whistler]

Since this is the time of year for open ended proposals...

I wouldn't be surprised to see Ohlund traded this summer. I used to be a big fan of his but, though his numbers are still good, I didn't like his style this season and don't think he gels with the new work ethic.

Perhaps he is still suffering in some way from last year's injury but he had very little jump.
Instead of rushing to pick up the puck with time and space, he habitually timed it to arrive just before the fore-checker...often with less than desirable results.
He's usually smart and very skilled, and has good value in a trade, but we're not a finesse, run-&-gun team anymore and I think we're still a little Euro-heavy for the new style. We need more passion, grit and desperation in the playoffs.
In previous years I used to think Ohlund was the rock that saved us from Sopel's gaffes, but this year Ohlund made Salo look physical.

I'd love to see Ohlund go to Florida (our new favorite victim) in return for Allen and use some of the extra cap space for a gritty, goal-scoring, forward.
Ohlund is in decline despite his decent numbers but Allen is on the rise and has already proven that he can step up when it's on the line. I think he'd do well under AV.

I was originally horrified to learn Sopel was coming back but his obvious eagerness to be here earns him a lot of points with me.
I can cheer for a guy like that and forgive the odd gaffe so long as he doesn't hurt us repeatedly. I have to admit though that he could be the weak link. But we have Eidler and a couple more good defensive prospects in the pipes so Sopel would have to keep the form he had the first couple of games back here.

I'd love to see a line of Burrows, Kessler and Reid just to find out what a young, hungry speed line could do. I liked what Reid showed this year and love what Burrows and Kessler bring every night. I think, if AV can fine-tune that speed into a co-ordinated offensive role of some kind, Reid would add a missing touch of explosiveness to the Canucks' counterattack. But he needs to have linemates who can keep up with him or he'll keep on trying to go it alone.

I hated Bulis in the first half of the season but he became a solid, go-to player through the second half. He's almost impossible to knock off the puck and now he's looking for the pass as much as a shot. I'd keep him if the price is right and team him with Linden and Cowan. His candor about the turnaround was refreshing and, if you judge him only on his 'post epiphany' play in the second half, he is an excellent forward.
But you definitely have to forget about the first half of the season or he's toast in anyone's book. I'd rather see him as a young hothead who, realizing the error of his ways, could bloom into a star.

Smoke was a good pickup considering the cost but I can't see him staying with the team.
We already have Linden as our aging veteran. We don't need a second aging veteran as much as we need some more good young legs.

AV's coaching style seems better suited to young, adaptable players anyway.

I think Cowan has good upside.
His shots almost always require a save by the goalie...he rarely misses the net though he tends to aim for high stick side...but he's accurate and gets it off fast. If he didn't fall down so often he'd be a solid offensive threat.
I think he generally responds well to increased responsibility though there were, admittedly, a couple of nights he didn't show up that surprised me. I wish he'd spend the summer taking power skating or figure skating courses. That falling down all the time could get to be a real concern.

Is there any way we could sign a homeless Ryan Smyth? I'd take him over a Forsberg in a heartbeat.
He'd be like Anson Carter on steroids...but expensive.
With Luongo planning to win the Cup, it might be enough to entice him here.
He's a warrior and brings Linden calibre intangibles along with his goal scoring ability though I assume he would charge top dollar for anywhere but Edmonton.

If Smyth is out of the picture I wouldn't be adverse to bringing Carter back and see if his magic with the twins is still there, freeing up Pyatt to assume a more Bertuzzi style of role on Naslund's line with Cowan pushing him for the spot.

Sedin-Sedin-Smyth or Carter
Naslund-Morrison-Pyatt or Cowan
Burrows-Kesler-Reid
Bulis-Linden-Cowan or Pyatt
Hanson or Green or ...?

BXA-Mitchel
Salo-Allen
Sopel-Krychek
Eidler or...?

I'd prefer to keep this team's core mostly intact. They have all bought in to AV's game and I tend to cheer for those I know more than pickups.

But our existing team lacks enough offensive power to carry us all the way.

This season has made it clear that a team that relies on one-goal leads is at the mercy of the officials.

If we want our destiny to be in our own hands, we're going to have to find a way of outscoring the opponents by a wide enough margin that biased calls can not take games away from us.

Luongo, and our league leading PK, were almost enough but the last game, where the ducks were awarded two goals, instead of two penalties, proved the necessity of a stonger offence.

We need to go into the next season knowing we often face two opponents on the ice...the other team as well as, at least occasionally, biased officiating.

We need to be strong enough to overcome both if we want to challenge for the cup.

It's a shame that the NHL is that way...but it is.

We know we have most of the puzzle already in place.
A great goalie, a great work ethic, a strong defence, a superb penalty kill and a bunch of good forwards that are just not quite there.
All we need to add over last year is two goals per game without giving up what we've already built.
That should require only one, two, or three new faces and, of course, a much better power play.

AV & company will have to work on power play strategies over the summer while Nonis looks for the new faces.

But, since I'm sure they both read this site religeously, we should give them a couple of insights.

[Badfish]

Farhan - I agree we can never have too much depth on D, and would like to add to our depth at that position, but I don't think that should be DN's main concern. Yes Defense can costs you in the playoffs, but you know what else can cost you? Not scoring more then 6 goals in a series. It wasn't our D that caused us to lose to the Ducks, or give Turco 3 shut-outs. I would like to add a Dman or two for sure if the scenario is right, but that isn't all DN should do.

Also I keep reading on here that people have Jeff Cowan penciled in as fighting for 2nd line time with Naslund... Ok I love the Brabarian as much as the next guy, but... seriously? We're looking at a waiver pick up to play with Nazzy to take some heat of the Sedin line? ummm....

I think it's glaringly obvious that we need a scoring threat added to this team, either to play with the twins, or better yet to play with Nazzy and make us a true 2 line offensive threat. Imagine these playoffs if teams couldn't key in on the Sedin line, switching lines the second they get on the ice. It can't be fun to play 5 games+ against Pronger and Neidermyer...

It wouldn't take much either. Pyatt or another less expensive player could play with the twins and have success, and put a bonafied scorer (preferably with some size) to play with BMo and Nazzy... there's two great lines. Then on 3rd and 4th we have a combination of Kesler, Cooke, Burroughs, Linden, maybe even Hansen, or Bulis and Cowan if they do stay, although I could easily see Cowan being offered more than what he's worth somewhere else ala Jarko Ruttu.

Of that UFA list I posted above, here are some names that jump out at me that could help our top two lines perhaps?:

RW Scott Walker,
RW Petr Sykora
RW Scott Hartnell,
LW Ryan Smyth,
LW Richard Zednik,

Maybe even Guerin? Not so sure on that one... Also I see Mogilny's back out of the AHL! Think he's got anything left in the tankt? I assume not. Also the Kariya rumours are interesting, although I don't see the fit.

[Linden Is God]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! NO ZEDNIK!

[Badfish]

haha, ok I'll take back Zednik if it upsets you that much

Also, with the departure of JOS, perhaps it would be time to change the slanderous messier sig? although I personally have no problem with it still, it just seems to have no purpose now, thank god

[Farhan Lalji]

Farhan - I agree we can never have too much depth on D, and would like to add to our depth at that position, but I don't think that should be DN's main concern. Yes Defense can costs you in the playoffs, but you know what else can cost you? Not scoring more then 6 goals in a series. It wasn't our D that caused us to lose to the Ducks, or give Turco 3 shut-outs. I would like to add a Dman or two for sure if the scenario is right, but that isn't all DN should do.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say that getting a D-man is ALL Nonis should do.

HOWEVER - there is only so much money to go around in the cap era. If Nonis is investing money to give us more scoring up front, then it MIGHT come at the expense of our current strengths (i.e. penalty killing, defensive depth, etc.).

Again - I use the Calgary Flames as an example. Calgary SACRIFICED some team toughness and defensive prowess for offensive prowess. Result? More goals for, more goals against, same 1st round exit. Same pile, different shit.

Lets compare the Canucks of 07' to the Canucks of 03'. Great goaltending vs. Shaky Goaltending. Limited offense vs. Great Offense. Great work ethic vs. Inconsistent Work ethic. Great PK vs. Below average PK. Below average PP vs. Great PP. Defensive style vs. Free Flowing Offensive style. Result? Disappointing 2nd round loss. Same pile, different shit.

The point I'm trying to make, is that there is NO point in DEPLETING one asset, in order to BUILD another. It becomes the equivalent of a dog chasing his tail, while ending up nowhere.

If you acquire a guy like Patrick Marleau....or Ryan Smyth.....or whoever......just so that you have a superstar calibre guy that can provide secondary scoring and help get Naslund going. At what expense? Do you trade Ohlund? Salo? Do you let a whole bunch of our "plummers" (i.e. Josh Green) go?......"plummers" of which helped our PK be #1 in the league?

What's the point of having a higher GF when your GA increases by the same percentage?

What's the difference of beating Dallas 5-4 instead of 2-1?

PRESERVE your strengths. BUILD an identity. Take your current STRENGTHS...and EXPLODE it.

Even if the Canucks get "help" up front.

1) Their offense will still be average/above average at best
2) If it's anything more than that, other areas will most likely suffer. In a cap area, you can't "fill" all holes. If you add something to one area, there is a great chance that another area will suffer.

It's like a Rubix cube.


So - what does a nigga do? Here's my solution:


Kill three birds with one stone. Help keep our defensive depth AND add to our secondary scoring AND help our Power Play.

How do we do this?!?!?!

1) Focus on bringing in another quality (top 4) defenseman that has offensive ability (a guy like Ed Jovanovski for instance, would be great IMO).

2) Focus on bringing in 1 or 2 forwards who are "power play specialists." These players, while lacking in other facets of the game, can HELP on the power play.
Anson Carter, Peter Bondra, and Jason Allison are a few names that come to mind....players of which that will NOT cost a lot.