Vancouver Canucks

[ThighMan]

OK - After a less than steller start, the Canucks have vaulted themselves into a first place tie in the Northwest Division and a third overall tie in the Western Conference. So I figure it is time to start the "Canucks Discussion" that takes place each season here on the board.

My openning comment is that after the slow start, I think they are starting to get on a roll. The twins are starting to fly and Nasland appears to finally be coming out of the slump that he has been in since last year.

Who's next?

 

[Hot Rodney]

Last season was very similar, they sucked the hind tit and fans were close to demoting them to the Surrey Canucks but right around Christmas they found their stride, things seemed to begin to click for them and they had a pretty damn good season.

Lets hope it continues but with the end result being a much better play off run. I need an excuse to drink during the week

 

[Hoops]

... and now they have some cap space, $3mil?, to trade for a forward or two for playoffs.
Plus, they now know that they can go into the playoffs with a deep roster of D-men which they will need cause D always go down in the playoffs.
1 Mitchell
2 Ohlund
3 Salo
4 Bieksa
5 Krajicek
6 Miller
7 Edler
8 Weaver
9 Bourdon
They may even want to trade one D for a forward.

 

[aznboi9]

It was great to see Kesler scoring his second after the cheap shot he got from Pronger, and then see Pronger sent off at the end of the game for being a fucktard.

 

[Hoops]

off-topic, but why the hell didn't the refs call the cheap cross-check that Prongr gave to Kes after his first goal?

Is it open season on any player with his hands in the air celebrating a goal?
I don't mind tough hockey, but that shit is cheap.

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

Im glad Naslund is on the first line and have things figured out for now. I just wonder what nazzy will get as a free agent in the summer. He seems capable of getting 35-40 goals this season.

 

[gigidy gigidy]

I feel Naslund has to get in the 4 million dollar range. Some may say still too much or simply not enough to keep him. Well he can't make 6million again. The Twins will need extensions (not cheap). Will be interesting. I would have to think in the 3.5 to 4.5 million range.

 

[ristretto]

Yeah but do you keep Nazzy around at 4 mil a year? I don't know...he may be on pace for 40 goals this year but that could be more to do with it being a contract year than breaking out. Good for him though...I do like Nazzy and like to see him stay but we also have Cooke and Morrison up at the end of this season too.

Here's a list of UFA's and RFA's for 2008:

http://hockeyworld.wordpress.com/2008-nhl-free-agents/
ah...maybe this one is better:
http://www.nhlscap.com/2008fa_team.htm#Vancouver

I wouldn't mind seeing Rolston and/or Dumont in a Canucks uniform. Hossa would be fun too but not sure he'd fit our style of play.

 

[ThighMan]

I just wonder what nazzy will get as a free agent in the summer. He seems capable of getting 35-40 goals this season.

I feel Naslund has to get in the 4 million dollar range. Some may say still too much or simply not enough to keep him. Well he can't make 6million again.

Yeah but do you keep Nazzy around at 4 mil a year? I don't know...he may be on pace for 40 goals this year but that could be more to do with it being a contract year than breaking out.

I think the real question will be whether or not Nazzy will retire. He has been saying for several years now that he would like to go back to Sweden.

Also, I wonder how many guys who were saying "trade the bum" last year are now Nazzy supporters, considering how many Canuck fans are really bandwagon jumpers.

 

[Jump Jack Flash]

Also, I wonder how many guys who were saying "trade the bum" last year are now Nazzy supporters, considering how many Canuck fans are really bandwagon jumpers.

Anybody can score 30 - 40 goals with the Sedins as long as they are a finisher (like Naslaund, Anson Carter). Regardless of this, I am happy that Naslund is playing good and has his confidence back.

One more thing, we started the year with lots of injuries. Nice to see the team almost healthy.

 

[ThighMan]

One more thing, we started the year with lots of injuries. Nice to see the team almost healthy.

Good point. If they can stay reasonably healthy it could be a fun ride this year. My next game is Pittsburg a week Sunday. Should be fun.

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

I still think we should trade him. Now nazzy has a bit of value and we can get rid of his ass. He's over the hill and next season he'll command 4 mill and we can get a talented younger player.

I think the real question will be whether or not Nazzy will retire. He has been saying for several years now that he would like to go back to Sweden.

Also, I wonder how many guys who were saying "trade the bum" last year are now Nazzy supporters, considering how many Canuck fans are really bandwagon jumpers.

 

[gigidy gigidy]

Well the way the team is made up right now, sorry but they won't be trading Naslund. He is part of the major consistent part of the team. The scoring line. You don't throw that away with a number one goaltender Luongo and a strong defense corps.

You will not get alot for Naslund, at 6mill. a trade would be at the deadline when another team would take a chance on his remaining contract commitments. That being said, would be Nonis telling the fans the season is done. You don't trade away your weakness(offense) when you are trying to make a run at the cup. The tricky part is you can't in this new NHL have strength in defense,offense,goal. The cap!!!. If anything a trade with Naslund would not bring in a better or more offensive player. It would be a prospect and picks or a throw in.

Any trade may be a defencemen as we have great depth at that position and could use that to aqcuire a forward with offensive capabilities. You aren't going to see the Hossa's or Rolston's and even when free agency hits there is 29 other teams to compete with. Nonis won't overpay, others foolishly will.

I could see Naslund returning on a 1 year contract, possibly 2yrs. Always the question of retirement. The Canucks cannot pay him more than 4mill./yr it won't work into the budget. So if he lights it up this year, who knows? should make an interesting summer.

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

I forgot he made 6 mill and not many teams would pay that to get a maybe 40 goal scorer. Not sure id bring him back next yr at 4 mill.

 

[klamkracker]

Still a one line team,won't go far in the playoffs.And that line will be shut down,lou can't do it by himself...I don't care about the 82 games they play now.Just win the big prize.

 

[hunsperger]

same as last year...

if everything goes well they might make it to the second round...

 

[gigidy gigidy]

One line team yes, but most teams even the cup winners have a line that produces above the rest.

Perhaps with the improved play of Kesler and the mix of the lines ie: Morrison/Cooke, Kesler/Pyatt, Twins/Naslund and a fourth with a mix up of say Ritchie/Burrows/Linden/Cowan,etc... i think the team will be harder to play against this year in the playoffs. They are a tougher team this year.

There is cap room to maybe add a top six forward which will only strengthen the bottom six so we will see. Playoff time anything can happen.

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

Christ sake you peop are talkin about the playoffs and there's plenty of hockey left in the reg season

 

[gigidy gigidy]

Yes there is plenty of hockey left for sure. Look at the championship teams of past. ie: Detroit,New Jersey, Colorado,etc..... they build their teams for the playoffs. Simply put throught the season the Canuck's managaement is assessing the team not for regular season but to improve for the playoffs. Here we are simply discussing parts of the team that may or may not need tweeking before the playoffs. Regular season is geared towards building for the playoffs.

 

[JonnyStudd]

My opinion...

If the Canucks are serious about making a playoff run they need to give the "C" back to Linden or give it to Luongo. Surely the "C" must belong to a passionate / determined leader (Linden or Luongo) on any team. Does Naslund define "passion" or "determination" or "leader to you? Naslund is clearly one of those players who makes a contribution (when he feels like it) but certainly does not embody the essence of "Man who wants, needs, and desires the Cup" like say Scott Stevens or Stevie Y or any other great "C".

I would have traded Naslund a couple of years back (at the same time as Bertuzzi) for Rod Brind'Amour or someone of similar quality and desire. I hope he has a great season which would give Nonis an opportunity to make a deadline deal for a prospect or 2. Vancouver will be better off without him come playoff time.