[Ronin]

Taking on Ballard's $4.2m salary would leave us with about $8-9 million left.

We'd have 7 D-men (Salo, Erhoff, Rome, Edler, Bieksa, Alberts, Ballard) and would need to sign at least 3 forwards.

The only way we'd be able to afford Volchenkov or Hamhuis after taking Ballard is if both Hodgson and Scheroder make the lineup next year OR we dump Bieksa's contract for a prospect/pick.

[fobulaus]

Edler is our most valuable defenseman right now next to Ehrhoff...

[LUUUUUUUU]

http://kazikox.blogas.lt/files/2009/05/yet_another_picard_facepalm.jpg

[Ronin]

Jack Campbell is a beast if anyone remembers the WJC.

[Roach]

If you look at the past three years, Edler has put up more points and a better +/- then any of Hamhuis, Volchenkov or Ballard.

Edler is also 4 years younger than all of them.

Kev

[LUUUUUUUU]

there goes Fowler

[mb_]

haha Fowler finally picked

[RiceIntegraRS]

Let me get this straight..... we traded Bernier, Grabner and 1st for Ballard and prospect when we could of resigned Mitchell for nothing?

Mitchell > Ballard

I could careless for Bernier he was paid too much for 3rd-4th Line duties, But Grabner has world class speed, i say faster than Raymond. Id rather him be in the lineup making base salary than another Ritchie/Isbister plug.

[pure.life]

Forbert is still available. He's 6-5!!

[Not really racist!]

Anaheim is so lucky to get Fowler

[Tim Budong]

fukk it's true.....http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/trade/2010/06/25/canucks_ballard/

not quite...
its not "finalized" persay

[mb_]

LOL @ FLAMES HAHAHAHA

[LUUUUUUUU]

lol flames coulda got Gormley!!

[mb_]

HAHAHAHA

[murd0c]

what a look right before what should of been Calgarys pick :rofl:

[Not really racist!]

At least Oreskovich is a fuckin beast

6'3 215, he can play the physical role I guess, maybe a plug on the 3rd or 4th line

[LUUUUUUUU]

lol Burke, Fletcher, and Nonis had a similar look when Seguin walked up

Fletcher: Burkey.. methinks u fucked up again

Burkey then has the face he had after USA's OT Loss in Olympics finals

[murd0c]

I was at work and wanted to see it dammit

[mb_]

So if we still have that 25th pick, who would you guys like to see drafted by the Nucks?

[Ronin]

If the Sabres don't take him to match up with Tyler Myers, I want to see the Canucks take Jarred Tinordi. He's a giant, physical D-man...something we need in the system right now.

[murd0c]

So if we still have that 25th pick, who would you guys like to see drafted by the Nucks?

I dont think it will happen but I would like to see the canucks get Jarred Tinordi

[Not really racist!]

dun dun dun!
LA goes up 4 picks

[pure.life]

Forbort looks like Patrick White

[murd0c]

Forbort looks like Patrick White

who? :p

[mb_]

Forbort looks like Patrick White

:troll:

[Not really racist!]

omg

Forbort, Doughty, Johnson, deadly blueline

[LUUUUUUUU]

LOL

[mb_]

omg

Forbort, Doughty, Johnson, deadly blueline

Add Teubert & Hickey shieeeeeeet

[LUUUUUUUU]

ya Kings and Bruins are gonna be top dawgs this year

[Not really racist!]

What a bunch of bullshit coming outta Burke's mouth

I bet anything he was like FUU when he saw Tyler get drafted

[murd0c]

What a bunch of bullshit coming outta Burke's mouth

I bet anything he was like FUU when he saw Tyler get drafted

how is that a bad thing?

[Ronin]

Who's the forward that we got from Florida? Never heard of him.

[RiceIntegraRS]

^apparently hes not one to shy away from the physical side, willing to run guys over

[Not really racist!]

how is that a bad thing?

Duthie asked Burke if it was hard to have him see Tyler get drafted as a result of the trade for Kessel

Burke played it like he didnt care and shit and was like yea, its just a risk we have to take, we very well knew it was a lottery draft, etc etc

Just thought hes full of BS

[murd0c]

Duthie asked Burke if it was hard to have him see Tyler get drafted as a result of the trade for Kessel

Burke played it like he didnt care and shit and was like yea, its just a risk we have to take, we very well knew it was a lottery draft, etc etc

Just thought hes full of BS

Oh of course he's full of BS you could tell by his short answers. I was just saying it was great to see Burke pissed off about it LOL

I so hope they tank again this up coming year and Boston get's another high first rounder.

[murd0c]

FUCK YOU MONTREAL!!!!

[Ronin]

DAMMIT! Montreal just took Tinordi.

I can almost guarantee that we're trading our pick this year instead of next, then.

[mb_]

MOTHERFUCKING MONTREAL!

[TRD Rs200]

What a terrible trade for Vancouver. To give up Bernier, Grabner AND a 1st rounder for Ballard?! I was looking forward to seeing Grabner in the lineup F/T next year, I thought he'd be great on a line with Hodgson.

[Not really racist!]

Pysyk / Etem / Merill?

[Ronin]

I have no idea who the Canucks would think of picking now. Merrill? Faulk?

[mb_]

Maybe Pysyk?

[Not really racist!]

FUCK

sabres took pysyk

[mb_]

:fuuuuu:
BUFFALO TOOK PYSYK

[Hondaracer]

How is it a terribe trade? What has bernier or grabner ever done for us?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[Ronin]

...who the heck did the Hawks just draft?

[Not really racist!]

lets see what happens now

[DanHibiki]

Done deal

[Ronin]

It was Tinordi...I guarantee it.

So basically our 2nd round pick of THIS draft was Bernier.

Therefore...a 1st round pick (25th) in 2010, a 1st round pick in 2006 (14th), 2nd round pick in 2010...for Keith Ballard.

[Not really racist!]

looks like the trade went through

[wahyinghung]

Quinton Howden ??

[Fafine]

que?

[Mizter]

Ballard...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFotXmcuiRg&feature=player_embedded

[mb_]

Duck with Fowler & Etem

[raygunpk]

lol whoever says we got hosed needs to look at the bigger picture.

ballard instantly comes in to our top 4 and plays against top opposition constantly. he also hasn't missed a game for 3 years, and our depleted D that's a damn good thing.

grabner has never been a ppg player his whole life, dating back to juniors(save for one season). we also have NO room for him. he's a top 6 player, and we have just have too many competing for that top 4 winger position. he'll have better luck in florida.

bernier is $2m bottom 6 player, completely useless as everyone can see. we get a cheap 4th liner that is big and physical, and if it doesn't work out well we don't have to worry about his contract.

so assuming oreskovich and bernier and canceled out, you guys really think we could move a top 4 veteran D for a prospect who's really proved nothing his whole career?

also there's no saying that 25th pick is going to come help us RIGHT away. our window to win is now, which is why we need to pieces to fill in our gaps.

[Ronin]

That's a clean hit...and he won that fight. Crosby didn't even throw a punch.

[raygunpk]

also gillis says we're not done, let's hope he moves bieksa for ANYTHING.

[Ronin]

lol whoever says we got hosed needs to look at the bigger picture.

ballard instantly comes in to our top 4 and plays against top opposition constantly. he also hasn't missed a game for 3 years, and our depleted D that's a damn good thing.

grabner has never been a ppg player his whole life, dating back to juniors(save for one season). we also have NO room for him. he's a top 6 player, and we have just have too many competing for that top 4 winger position. he'll have better luck in florida.

bernier is $2m bottom 6 player, completely useless as everyone can see. we get a cheap 4th liner that is big and physical, and if it doesn't work out well we don't have to worry about his contract.

so assuming oreskovich and bernier and canceled out, you guys really think we could move a top 4 veteran D for a prospect who's really proved nothing his whole career?

also there's no saying that 25th pick is going to come help us RIGHT away. our window to win is now, which is why we need to pieces to fill in our gaps.

No one is complaining about the pieces of the trade. It's that all three were in there when a fairer deal would've been two: Bernier and Grabner or Bernier and the 25th pick.

Bernier, Grabner AND the 25th pick for a $4.2m D-man that will probably be more of a stay-at-home guy on a team with Erhoff, Edler and Salo is a bit much.

His +/- stats look pretty good for a guy that played on horrible Phoenix and Florida teams.

[Ronin]

Bieksa for Hamhuis' rights plz.

[RiceIntegraRS]

lol whoever says we got hosed needs to look at the bigger picture.

ballard instantly comes in to our top 4 and plays against top opposition constantly. he also hasn't missed a game for 3 years, and our depleted D that's a damn good thing.

grabner has never been a ppg player his whole life, dating back to juniors(save for one season). we also have NO room for him. he's a top 6 player, and we have just have too many competing for that top 4 winger position. he'll have better luck in florida.

bernier is $2m bottom 6 player, completely useless as everyone can see. we get a cheap 4th liner that is big and physical, and if it doesn't work out well we don't have to worry about his contract.

so assuming oreskovich and bernier and canceled out, you guys really think we could move a top 4 veteran D for a prospect who's really proved nothing his whole career?

also there's no saying that 25th pick is going to come help us RIGHT away. our window to win is now, which is why we need to pieces to fill in our gaps.

This is a typical trade where we trade alil bit of future to win now. And this team is built to win now. Im hoping to god that we resign Mitchell. And i just realised that we still have Alberts under contract.......

[raygunpk]

No one is complaining about the pieces of the trade. It's that all three were in there when a fairer deal would've been two: Bernier and Grabner or Bernier and the 25th pick.

Bernier, Grabner AND the 25th pick for a $4.2m D-man that will probably be more of a stay-at-home guy on a team with Erhoff, Edler and Salo is a bit much.

His +/- stats look pretty good for a guy that played on horrible Phoenix and Florida teams.

yes but we NEED a stay at home D, you saw how we struggled without mitchell. the fact we don't have a #1D unlike a keith/lidstrom makes this even more important. it's not like we need more goal scoring, we need help with goals against.
the contract might be on the high end, but keep in mind brooks orpik was in the same range when the pens won the cup. and please don't say gonchar is a #1D.

[fobulaus]

Why would we re-sign Mitchell? We don't even know if he can play next year.

[raygunpk]

This is a typical trade where we trade alil bit of future to win now. And this team is built to win now. Im hoping to god that we resign Mitchell. And i just realised that we still have Alberts under contract.......

yeah we still have alberts but you can never have too many D. plus after his terrible first few games he wasn't all too bad.

and mitchell is very risky with his injury, i'd rather use that money to get hamhuis/martin/michalek.

[Harvey Specter]

It's interesting looking back at all the drafts and seeing the busts and the players that these teams could have drafted.

Every season since the NHL has held an entry draft, there have been players who have failed to meet the expectations put on them by scouts and general managers – the busts. As the 2010 NHL Entry Draft approaches, Yahoo! Sports takes a look at 10 first-round picks over a 20-year period between 1983-2003 who, despite entering the draft amid major hype, missed the mark on hockey’s biggest stage.

1993: Alexandre Daigle – 1st overall by the Ottawa Senators

Daigle is considered by many to be the poster boy of draft busts. Sure, his NHL numbers were good compared to others on this list – 616 NHL games, 327 points – but when you compare the 1993 draft class, Daigle going first overall is an epic fail. Daigle didn’t help matters either when he told reporters on the draft floor: “I’m glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two,” which is fine, unless you don’t pan out and that No. 2 pick is Chris Pronger.

“In 20-20 hindsight it was probably maturity, he wasn’t a very mature kid,” says McGuire, who was an assistant coach with Ottawa during Daigle’s first NHL season. “He wasn’t disrespectful at all, it was more of a pure naivety immaturity. Back in that era when there was quite a bit of physicality, he didn’t handle the ability to fight through checks or handle the kind of aggressive play in front of the net in order for him to hang in there and get those kinds of points. He was a darting, fast player who got away with darting in junior, but when some of those darts ended up in ties in the NHL there were more players who could tie him in a race and he lost those battles.”


Players taken after Daigle in the first round: Paul Kariya (4), Rob Niedermayer (5), Jason Arnott (7), Saku Koivu (21), Todd Bertuzzi (22).

1994: Jason Bonsignore – 4th overall by the Edmonton Oilers

Ask a scout why a highly touted junior prospect doesn’t make the jump to the NHL after being drafted in the first round and you receive might this answer: “I don’t know,” says director of NHL Central Scouting E.J. McGuire. “One caveat though, is that all of them aren’t going to make it.”


At 6-foot-3 and nudging 200 pounds, Bonsignore had the size and skill requisite to make it to The Show – which leaves many wondering more than 15 years later, what in the name of Sidney Crosby happened? Looking at the centre’s career path from a stellar high school and junior career, it looks like his skills regressed once he made the jump to the NHL as he scored only three goals and 16 points in 79 games with Edmonton and Tampa Bay. This is probably the pick that will keep Edmonton Oilers fans awake at night in the days leading up to the 2010 NHL draft.

Players taken after Bonsignore in the first round: Jeff O’Neill (5), Ryan Smyth (6), Jeff Friesen (11), Ethan Moreau (14).

1999: Patrik Stefan – 1st overall by the Atlanta Thrashers

It’s bad enough having to live with the notoriety of being one of the biggest draft busts of the decade, but falling down after missing an easy empty-netter? That faux pas will be Stefan’s NHL legacy.


Actually, 1999 was a pretty stellar year for first-round NHL busts in general with the likes of Pavel Brendl, Denis Shvidki, Scott Kelman, Barrett Heisten and Ari Ahonen among a lengthy list of also-rans. Many thought Stefan, having played in the now-defunct International Hockey League for two seasons before the draft, would have been more adept to the North American style of game. He wasn’t.


Here’s what Bob Owen, who is currently a scout/consultant for the Atlanta Thrashers, said back in 1998 about the Czech forward: “I have followed Patrik’s progress since December of 1995. The impression he left with me then and throughout the various tournaments I have seen him play, is that he is the brightest young prospect developed in the Czech Republic since Jaromir Jagr.”


In total, Stefan played 455 NHL regular-season games with 64 goals and 188 points with Atlanta and Dallas before returning to Europe.


Players taken after Stefan in the first round: Daniel Sedin (2), Henrik Sedin (3), Tim Connolly (5), Taylor Pyatt (8), Martin Havlat (26).

1990: Scott Scissons – sixth overall by the New York Islanders

To this day, this pick still haunts Islanders fans (Dave Chyzowski was a huge bust, too). Scissons, a centre with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades, was a star in junior averaging more than a point per game and helping the Blades to a Memorial Cup run in 1989. Adding salt to the wound for Isles’ fans is the top-end talent mined in that ’90 draft – with all five picks ahead of Scissons enjoying productive and lengthy NHL careers: Owen Nolan, Petr Nedved, Keith Primeau, Mike Ricci and Jaromir Jagr. Scissons’ call to the NHL would be a mere three games (two regular season, one playoff) between 1990 and 1994, where he failed to register a single point or penalty. The bulk of his career was spent in the IHL before ongoing injuries forced him to retire at age 22 in 1995.


“Without question it’s disappointing,” Scissons told the Saskatoon Star Phoenix back in 2006 of his retirement. “It was as good a chance as anybody at that age. I just spent more time in the hospital than I did on the ice.”


Players taken after Scissons in the first round: Darryl Sydor (7), Derian Hatcher (8), Keith Tkachuk (19), Martin Brodeur (20), Bryan Smolinski (21).

1983: Brian Lawton – 1st overall by the Minnesota North Stars

Compared to most players on this list, Lawton actually had a pretty good NHL career – 483 games, 266 points – but the reason he makes the list is because the North Stars passed over NHL veteran Sylvain Turgeon (second overall) and two future Hall of Famers in Pat Lafontaine (third overall) and Steve Yzerman (fourth overall) by taking him. Billed as yet another “next coming of Wayne Gretzky,” Lawton played high school hockey at Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, R.I., where the left winger put up some incredible numbers over two seasons (85 goals, 171 points in 49 games) en route to becoming the first American to be taken first overall.


“The first pick was really sort of a bust when you compare him with the other three players (who followed), and that was Brian Lawton,” says Detroit senior vice-president Jim Devellano, who was the Wings’ general manager for that draft. “Lafontaine was No. 1 on our list.”


After finishing his middling hockey career in the IHL, Lawton went on to become an NHL agent. He was recently fired as the GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he was once again overshadowed by the incoming Yzerman.


Players taken after Lawton in the first round: Sylvain Turgeon (2), Tom Barrasso (5), John MacLean (6), Russ Courtnall (7), Cam Neely (9)

2003: Hugh Jessiman – 12th overall by the New York Rangers

Jessiman is the only player in the entire 2003 first round not to have played a single game in the NHL. This draft class is considered one of the deepest in history; first-rounders include Marc-Andre Fleury, Eric Staal, Nathan Horton, Jeff Carter, Dion Phaneuf, Mike Richards, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry…the list goes on and on. At the time of the draft, Jessiman was ranked No. 20 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting and was already 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, earning the nickname “Huge Specimen” making him one of the biggest – quite literally – disappointments in first-round history.


Here’s what USA TODAY wrote about Jessiman back on June 20, 2003: “He’s got plenty of size and a hard, accurate shot. Came out of nowhere to draw the attention of scouts after playing high school hockey at the Brunswick School in Connecticut. Scouts consider him a project, but like his raw talent and hockey sense.”


The Jessiman Project still continues as he has played a number of pro seasons in the minors, most recently with the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators.


Players taken after Jessiman in the first round: Dustin Brown (13), Brent Seabrook (14), Zach Parise (17), Ryan Getzlaf (19), Mike Richards (24), Corey Perry (28).

2001: Alexander Svitov – 3rd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning 2001: Stanislav Chistov – 5th overall by the Anaheim Ducks

The big talk at the 2001 draft was which great Russian prospect – the growing 6-foot-3 Svitov or the slick 5-foot-10 Chistov – would finally become the next big NHL star. In hindsight, the answer is neither.


Svitov scored four goals and four assists in his first NHL season (68 regular season games) with Tampa Bay and finished his career with a total of 37 points in 179 regular-season NHL games. Svitov was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2003-04 (for veteran Darryl Sydor, no less) and after a couple years went back to Russia, where he’s playing in the KHL for Avangard Omsk.


Chistov was more productive with decent NHL numbers – 19 goals and 61 points in 196 NHL games with both Anaheim and Boston. Chistov left North America for good in 2007 and, like Svitov, is now playing in the KHL. The player taken No. 4 overall, between Svitov and Chistov? Florida Panthers center Stephen Weiss, who has more NHL points and games played than the two Russians combined.


Players taken after Chistov in the first round: Mikko Koivu (6), Dan Hamhuis (12), Alex Hemsky (13), Chuck Kobasew (14).

1996: Alexandre Volchkov – 4th overall by the Washington Capitals

Very few Russian prospects arrived with the kind of hype Volchkov did after starring as a junior player with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. The alleged next Russian superstar had scouts salivating when he finished his rookie campaign by leading the team in scoring with 36 goals and 63 points in only 47 games. His sophomore season was even better, with 29 goals and 82 points in 56 games. But with the points also came problems as there was talk, at the junior level, about Volchkov’s diva-like attitude and petulant nature. That attitude became all too apparent during a playoff game in March 1998 when Volchkov, then with the AHL’s Portland Pirates, played one shift in the first period, changed and walked out on the team during the intermission.


In total, Volchkov played three NHL games recording zeros across the stats sheet. His foray into minor pro was no better, with his best season coming in 1999-00 with Portland where he scored 11 goals and 26 points in 35 games. Volchkov moved back to play hockey in his native Russia in 2000.


Players taken after Volchkov in the first round: Ruslan Salei (9), Derek Morris (13), Marco Sturm (21), Daniel Briere (24).

1986: Dan Woodley – 7th overall by the Vancouver Canucks

Woodley is considered by some to be the biggest NHL disappointment of the 1980s. The big winger showed so much promise during his junior career with the Portland Winterhawks, which included a trip to the Memorial Cup final, that scouts are still scratching their heads over how Woodley could have only lasted five games in the NHL (during the 1987-88 season with Vancouver). He finished his final year in the WHL with 30 goals and 80 points in only 47 games. After the draft the Oklahoma City, Oakla., native spent a successful season in the IHL where he won the Ken McKenzie Trophy as the top first-year player in the league. The following season he got his first and only shot at the NHL. He was eventually traded to the Montreal Canadiens and after playing out the rest of his pro career in the minors, he retired from hockey in 1995.


Players taken after Woodley in the first round: Pat Elynuik (8), Brian Leetch (9), Scott Young (11), Craig Janney (13).


Join Buzzing The Net for a NHL draft day live chat on Friday, beginning at 12 p.m. EDT/9 a.m. PDT. For more NHL draft coverage, visit ca.sports.yahoo.com/juniorhockey.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/juniorhockey/news?slug=yhoo-nhlsbiggestdraftduds

Sunaya Sapurji is the Jr. Hockey Editor at Yahoo! Sports. You can reach her at: sunaya@yahoo-inc.com

[raygunpk]

https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun

Flyers trade rights to Dan Hamhuis to Pittsburgh for third round pick next year

[RiceIntegraRS]

He said hes symptom free, and really wants to play next season. If he passes all his physicals ect. why not?

Im hoping that already playing for the Canucks, wanting to play here, being a BC Boy, the Canucks being a contender that he signs for some type of discount

[DanHibiki]

Ballard - 4.2m
Bieksa - 3.75m
Salo - 3.5m
Edler - 3.25m
Ehrhoff - 3.1m

D-men making over 3mil. No way can it stay like this by the time the season starts. We still have forwards to sign and not to mention the raise Raymond will get.

I can't see Mitchell coming back if it's gonna be like this.

[raygunpk]

^guarantee bieksa is gone

[murd0c]

dammit I want Hamhuis, I think hes still going to hold off but then again the pens are one of the best teams

[DanHibiki]

^guarantee bieksa is gone

Lets hope so

[Derek_N84]

Bieksa and Raymond (unfortunately) out and Hamhuis in ..Go Gillis Go !!! Please ...

[d1]

Ballard - 4.2m
Bieksa - 3.75m
Salo - 3.5m
Edler - 3.25m
Ehrhoff - 3.1m

D-men making over 3mil. No way can it stay like this by the time the season starts. We still have forwards to sign and not to mention the raise Raymond will get.

I can't see Mitchell coming back if it's gonna be like this.

The D can easily stay like that. $10 million to sign 4-5 third liners is plenty.

[SkinnyPupp]

Hamhuis to the Penguins for a 3rd round pick in 2011.

[mb_]

Bieksa and Raymond (unfortunately) out and Hamhuis in ..Go Gillis Go !!! Please ...

Raymond's not going anywhere

[Harvey Specter]

Lol, Bieksa is the next version of Pyatt...everyone wants him out.

[spoon.ek9]

Lol, Bieksa is the next version of Pyatt...everyone wants him out.

think of how many happy faces there would be if it actually happens :D

[stuff99]

Gillis on Ballard trade: Bernier and Grabner were redundant

By Botchford Fri, Jun 25 2010 COMMENTS(0) The White Towel

Filed under: gillis ballard

Canucks GM Mike Gillis comments after Ballard deal:



On trading the first round pick (after Tinordi and Bennett were gone):

"We didn't feel there were players there who would be able to help us for a number of years.
"We waited a long time to see if a couple players were going to be there, when they weren't there and we got to that point, we made the decision this was something we really had to do. There wasn't a player who could step in and help our team. We know Keith Ballard can step in to our team and play big minutes and make a real contribution."

If Tinordi or Bennett were there?

"We would have traded our first pick next year."

On his defence:

"It's still a need we feel we have to continue to address to add more depth. Last year in the playoffs our Achilles heel seemed to be the fact we had defencemen get hurt and we didn't have enough depth to continue to compete at the level we wanted to. If we're going to get past the second round and into the conference finals, we're going to have to have more defencemen."

On July 1

"We're going to be active. There are still areas we want to address.
"We have lots of cap space and lots of opportunity."

Letting go of Michael Grabner

"It was really difficult. But you have to include quality if you want quality in return, that's the nature of the NHL right now. We have a defenceman who is signed long term and signed through his key period and that was vital for us.
"This was a unique opportunity to improve our team and not be at risk.
"With Mason Raymond's emergence, with our lineup, it would have been very difficult for Michael to get in. If Mason continues to advance and gets into the 30-goal category, our third line can't be constituted with guys who are goal scoring players. We were fortunate to have that kind of redundancy so we could look at trade like this.
"Grabner is a really good player with big upside. But you're not going to get an NHL defenceman without giving up a player like that."

On the third line

"Look at the playoffs. Chicago beat us. We have to change the dynamic of our third line. We have to have bigger players and we have to have a different look."


On Ballard

"He brings a real edge. He's a puck-moving, skilled defenceman. He plays real hard. He can play on the power play. When we brought in Christian Ehrhoff, he really exploded offensively. If that happens it will be terrific. But another 30-40 point season would be really good.


Could you have found someone like Ballard after July 1?

"Last year we couldn't. We had to make a trade late in the summer to get someone we considered a top-four defenceman. It was a much deeper free agency group last year then it's going to be this year. I was uneasy about going into that with that real need without some form of guarantee."

Are you looking to get into the second round?

"We're trying right now. If I wasn't sitting here, I'd be on the phone."

Are you disappointed in Bernier?

"No, we had to fill holes when I got here and we filled a hole. We filled a need and he played well.
"We thought initially he might be able to play with the twins then Alex Burrows emerged as the perfect guy to play with them. So again, you have that redundancy and we were able to take advantage of it."

Have you been waiting a while to acquire enough assets to make a deal like this?

"Yes, absolutely. We had situations where we could have given up assets before. We chose not to. We stuck with out plan and this is another part of the plan. We wanted to get stronger defensively and we wanted to get players who are under 30 years old to add to our team."

[Harvey Specter]

Best of luck to Bernier and Grabner and I still think Garbner will turn out to be a very good pick up for Florida in the long term.

[js]

^me too... i think grabner's gonna be better htan raymond. Grabner's got way better vison than raymond

very excited to get ballard though.

[invader]

doesnt anyone else think the nux overpaid for ballard?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[mb_]

^just a bit but i'm not upset. people bitch and bitch about gillis not doing something and when he finally does people cry

[LUUUUUUUU]

Hockey Insider NHLSourcesSay

Canucks looking to move Bieksa, hearing teams are interested, source says deal could get done tomorrow, Gillis is taking offers 3 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

[Ronin]

The Pens are thin on D with only 3 players signed. They have 11 forwards under contract and have roughly 12 million to play with.

That's 12 million to split between 4 defensemen and another forward or three. They'll need someone to step up from junior and make the team if they hope to get Hamhuis under contract and still be within the cap.

If Hamhuis wanted $4.5-5m from Philly, he'll probably want the same from Pittsburgh.

That being said, it's even more unlikely Hamhuis will be signed here if we can't rid ourselves of Bieksa as we need to sign Raymond (and hope he plays top 6) because right now, our lineup looks like this

Sedin Sedin Burrows
LW Kesler Samuelsson
LW C RW
Hordi Rypien New Guy

Salo Edler
Erhoff Ballard
Alberts Bieksa
Rome

Louie
Schnieder

That means we gotta hope that Hodgson makes the team and can play some 3rd line minutes if we're even going to have a shot. Assuming Raymond gets $2.75m, we're left with roughly $6m.

[411ken]

^just a bit but i'm not upset. people bitch and bitch about gillis not doing something and when he finally does people cry

Agreed.. With Ballard, he helps our D which we need and yet ppl still complain? Bernier is replaceable while Grabner is still up in the air..

As long as we win a cup soon I'll be happy and it seems like Gillis is very determined to make more moves now..... next up.... Hamhuis?


I believe Hodgson makes the team next year, this kid is itching to play already! and they gotta keep him happy as well. Can't wait for some trades now :D

[Ronin]

Damn, the UFA pool is pretty bleak for wingers. The best options (apart from Kovalchuk...who isn't coming here...) are guys like Kariya, Frolov, Tanguay and Ray Whitney. Past that you're going to Colby Armstrong, Lee Stepniak, Alex Ponikorovsky, Maxim Afineganov...

I wouldn't mind Tanguay if he'll take something like $2 for second line duty. Whitney is too damn old, as is Kariya. Frolov is too expensive at the expected $5m and the rest are pretty shitty for the money. We need a guy that's gritty and quick to play with Hodgson and Raymond on the third line and a LW to play with Kesler + Samuelsson on the 2nd.

[Tim Budong]

As much as im very mixed with bieksa, him moving, isnt such a great thing. If the ultimate goal is to beef up the D, why move this man? beefing up and building a winner..i cannot see the likes of ellington or that giants Dman..kevin C.... cmin up anytime soon...

another depth filler isnt gonna cut it. It seems to me the end result on the back end is having 5guys night in and out on a consistent basis with the 6th being the role player

[BLUETIGER]

can't wait to see Tyler Seguin tear it up in Toronto (playing for Boston)

:troll:

[keitaro]

As much as im very mixed with bieksa, him moving, isnt such a great thing. If the ultimate goal is to beef up the D, why move this man? beefing up and building a winner..i cannot see the likes of ellington or that giants Dman..kevin C.... cmin up anytime soon...

another depth filler isnt gonna cut it. It seems to me the end result on the back end is having 5guys night in and out on a consistent basis with the 6th being the role player

I see moving Bieksa, is a way to dump cap space to pick up a better d-man, just as Hamhuis. That is if he holds out until July 1st.



There is possibility that Jordan Schroeder could fill a spot in this years team along with Cody Hodgson.

[Harvey Specter]

I think Bieksa needs a change of scenery. He's only had one good season which was before he signed his contract but I guess to be fair to him, he's never been the same player after his injury so one could argue that the injury sidetracked his career.

For me, Bieksa has been to inconsistent, makes too many mistakes and can't control his temper which ends up costing the team when he's sitting in the box. It'll be interesting to see what Gillis gets for him.

[trip]

considering that salo wont be coming back after his contract is over next year, gillis in the end is doing the right thing. we need D men. we've lost bourdon who wouldve replaced ohlund or salo when the time came

[Tim Budong]

I think Bieksa needs a change of scenery. He's only had one good season which was before he signed his contract but I guess to be fair to him, he's never been the same player after his injury so one could argue that the injury sidetracked his career.

For me, Bieksa has been to inconsistent, makes too many mistakes and can't control his temper which ends up costing the team when he's sitting in the box. It'll be interesting to see what Gillis gets for him.

this is very true about juice, but I'm being sold by Gillis himself on a steady backend, it wouldnt surprise me that Bieksa is PART OF THE SOLUTION. inconsistency is one thing, you can also limit the guy's ice time as well.

All this Biekshit needing a change, I dont disagree, but some place in everyone's gut will ask the big

WHAT IF... or MAYBE.. or HE WOULD sorta thing about Bieksa..

His breakout season was based on offensive numbers rather than being a shutdown guy, even though he came through when needed. The Canucks now have a decent top 4-5 guys ready to play. If everyone is sold and accepts their role, the back end will be fine

I personally do not like this trade, not becuz we have traded stonehands and Grabner, but because Keith Ballard hasn't done dick all the past few years. Yes, he mainly played on mediocre teams. Of course, he does bring the agility of a offensive minded Dman, but he doesnt make the team better defensively. He doesrather put the canucks as a top team on the PP from ur Dman deph

[b0unce. [?]]

doesnt anyone else think the nux overpaid for ballard?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

yes, i feel like throwing in that 1st rounder was over doing it.
and i personally dont like grabner or think he's gonna turn out as good as everyone expects him to be.

as for bieksa, i could care less if we move him, the only thing im not a huge fan of is his pay otherwise meh
regarding defense - as long as we keep ehrhoff, edler, and mitchell i'll be happy. ehrhoff is an amazing dman and edler has a ton of potential to be great.

[Harvey Specter]

Well put it this way, Gillis will and has to make a few moves during the summer if he wants this team to be a possible western conference/cup contender and in some ways the moves he makes in the coming weeks will test his GM position. Either he'll come out a winner next summer or we'll all be calling for his head and begging the owners to fire him.

[Jackwimmer]

If u guys didnt notice about Bieksa, prior to his FIRST bad injury, he was already started to play like crap. I think the injury made it even worse so yea
but i dunno if u give him up at this point, hes a pretty decent defenseman despite what people say
also im not entirely sure if mitchells coming back

[choda]

I'm going to be soooo choked if Mitchell doesn't come back! Who wouldn't want this man back in the blue?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMIAWYiQUpM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9E3B2Cnu4E

[411ken]

Either he'll come out a winner next summer or we'll all be calling for his head and begging the owners to fire him.

It's true haha.. it's vancouver.. he'll get ripped for signing Lu to 10 years and trading Grabner lols..

But I honestly think that the trade for Ballard is a very good start for him this off season...althought it would have been better if we got a 2nd or 3rd pick as well.. iit's all good

As for Mitchell, no way he comes back unless he takes a HUGE pay cut....

[punkwax]

We gave up a lot for an overpaid D-man IMO. I'm kind of of the fence on this one. If Ballard was making around 3 I'd be happier. As with most deals, time will tell. I have faith in Gillis' decision making so, for now, I'll have to trust this was a good move for the Canucks.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[punkwax]

Kabanov to Islanders.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[RRxtar]

i liked our team better at the start of last year than what this year is looking like

[Ronin]

Gillis is a smart guy...he hasn't made a terrible move yet. He's stocked the farm with top level talent, which was a big problem before with Nonis and Burke and ditched aging vets for young, skilled forwards. More importantly, he's locked up a core group of players for the Canucks in the Sedins, Kesler and Louie that are easy to build around.

If he gets Erhoff under an affordable contract and gets us another top six forward, I'd be happy enough.

[RiceIntegraRS]

^i totally agree. MG has been doing all the right things, and its not even July 1st yet. Cant wait for it to happen.

[raygunpk]

can't believe wings got pulkkinen 4th round.

[Gh0stRider]

can't believe wings got pulkkinen 4th round.

:troll:

[orange7]

http://www.revscene.net/forums/customavatars/avatar25139_49.gif

[AWDTurboLuvr]

Aside from Hamhuis, who is getting lots of attention, there is also Martin and Michalek available and both are great defensemen that fly under the radar. I expect the Canucks to also try for those two.

[Hondaracer]

if nucks get another good Dman our defense is going to be looking great

[Harvey Specter]

What about offensively? Do you think Gillis needs to look for a possible 2nd/3rd line player?

[Jackwimmer]

we need a gritty 3rd liner that can shut down as well
a player like that COWARD ANDREW LADD as described by R.Kesler is a perfect example of what we need to put us over the top

[chargedpower]

whatever happend to that rumored Lu trade to montreal?

[orange7]

^
doesn't lu have a no-trade clause?

[Ronin]

whatever happend to that rumored Lu trade to montreal?

Montreal would have to give us five or six first rounders for that to happen as there is NO ONE IN MONTREAL that we would want on our team apart from MAYBE Mike Cammeleri but there's no way we'd want his $6m contract.

That's just a dumbass rumor just like all the Lecavalier to Montreal rumors.

[Harvey Specter]

whatever happend to that rumored Lu trade to montreal?

I think that rumor is a few years ago when people were talking smack about Lu's wife and how she hated it here.

[Hondaracer]

What about offensively? Do you think Gillis needs to look for a possible 2nd/3rd line player?

Well free agency will most likely bring us a 2nd liner

then fill the rest of the 3rd/4th lines

So u have

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Samuelson - Kesler - Raymond
------- - Hodgson - ------
------- - -------- - -------

fill in the blanks i guess, doesnt look all that bad considering spots that need to be filled, and obviously there are players still under contract that are slotted in there but anything could happen

[fobulaus]

I'm really not confident that Hodgson will make the team.

Is he a better player than the last training camp? Remember, he only played less than 20 games last season... Is his back really at 100%? Last year people thought he should make the team because he would be wasting his time in the OHL due to his age eligibility, but this year he can actually play in the AHL...

Knowing how cautious Gillis is, we will probably re-sign Wellwood or pickup another 3rd line center.

[Hondaracer]

I think at least one of the young kids will make the team

[Greenstoner]

is Shorokov gonna be in the team this year? I hope he is

[b0unce. [?]]

I think at least one of the young kids will make the team

didnt team1040 mention something about hodgson coming up to play full time this year?

[woob]

i liked our team better at the start of last year than what this year is looking like

it's still early in the offseason. Gillis has a very good head on his shoulders. I trust him more than Burke or Nonis.

[JesseBlue]

i can't believe how noisy burke was during the draft....

[chargedpower]

Montreal would have to give us five or six first rounders for that to happen as there is NO ONE IN MONTREAL that we would want on our team apart from MAYBE Mike Cammeleri but there's no way we'd want his $6m contract.

That's just a dumbass rumor just like all the Lecavalier to Montreal rumors.



i dont think a lot of teams will want lu's contract at the way hes being performing.

[Hondaracer]

uhg..

yea because a 5.2 million dollar cap hit for a goalie that gets you 35+ wins a season, who the hell wants that?

better off paying Horcoff 6.3, he's a game changer.

[raygunpk]

http://www.csnphilly.com/06/26/10/Sources-Flyers-Complete-Verbal-Deal-for-/landing.html?blockID=261499&feedID=704

[Hondaracer]

philly/boston should continue to be good teams

[chargedpower]

:thumbsup:uhg..

yea because a 5.2 million dollar cap hit for a goalie that gets you 35+ wins a season, who the hell wants that?

better off paying Horcoff 6.3, he's a game changer.



35+ win a season and choking in key win games. what a great deal at 5.2 mil:thumbsup:

[Ronin]

:thumbsup:



35+ win a season and choking in key win games. what a great deal at 5.2 mil:thumbsup:

Just because entry level goalies (Niemi, Halak, Rask) are getting it done doesn't mean that they always will. That's a crapshoot at best.

Find me another goalie with 35+ wins a season in Luongo's cap hit? Nabakov? 6m. Miller? 6m. Kipper? 6m. Only MA Fluery and Brodeur are near Louie's salary.

So you know nothing about hockey so I suggest shutting the fuck up.

[chargedpower]

Just because entry level goalies (Niemi, Halak, Rask) are getting it done doesn't mean that they always will. That's a crapshoot at best.

Find me another goalie with 35+ wins a season in Luongo's cap hit? Nabakov? 6m. Miller? 6m. Kipper? 6m. Only MA Fluery and Brodeur are near Louie's salary.

So you know nothing about hockey so I suggest shutting the fuck up.

relax man, 35+ win in a season doesnt mean the guy can get it done in the post season. 2 straight years he failed to shut the door in the 2nd round. A star goalie will steal u these games, and he has failed to do so under pressure

[RiceIntegraRS]

relax man, 35+ win in a season doesnt mean the guy can get it done in the post season. 2 straight years he failed to shut the door in the 2nd round. A star goalie will steal u these games, and he has failed to do so under pressure

Or have a goalie that can barely put us into the playoffs we may aswell flip a coin there and then roll the dice to see if he becomes the next cinderella story


edit* i guess u guys couldnt tell i was being sarcastic

[Jackwimmer]

bobby lu let us down the 1st time with chicago
but this year, u cant expect to win with the clowns we had on defense lol
judging by how this offseason is going, the canucks could very well go deep next year if they keep adding good Defenseman and a good solid/big checker

[Tim Budong]

relax man, 35+ win in a season doesnt mean the guy can get it done in the post season. 2 straight years he failed to shut the door in the 2nd round. A star goalie will steal u these games, and he has failed to do so under pressure

bobby lu let us down the 1st time with chicago
but this year, u cant expect to win with the clowns we had on defense lol
judging by how this offseason is going, the canucks could very well go deep next year if they keep adding good Defenseman and a good solid/big checker

some people can't slow it down and really take a look around the league. Yes the Flyers and Hawks made it to the cup final with rookie or inexperienced goalies, but did people sit down and look at the teams goalie out? Both teams can score, both teams can shut down on D and both teams have offensive production from the D.

lets compare the nucks last season to the two team structures

forwards who can score, 6 players with 25+g, check
Production from D, CHECK
actual defence, NOT THERE
depth, somewhat, but the team we have were too injury prone. the hawks had some pretty good depth on the back end
consistent goaltender, the nucks have this, experience and everything

It's all about finding the perfect solution. If infact MG is gonna beef up the back end, then once again, we find the nucks in a pretty good position to compete for even 2nd or 1st in the west. I mean for the coming season, we have a pretty good duo in net, the D should be better, and forwards upfront, pretty damn good

[winson604]

Not sure if this was posted yet but The Sedins will be on the cover of the new NHL this year in Sweden only though.

Side note Mark Streit will be on the cover of NHL in Switzerland.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/9/2010/06/500x_nhloverseas.jpg

Source: Heard on Sportsnet the other day and read on http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/06/the-swiss-and-the-swedes-get-their-own-nhl-11/

[Not really racist!]

relax man, 35+ win in a season doesnt mean the guy can get it done in the post season. 2 straight years he failed to shut the door in the 2nd round. A star goalie will steal u these games, and he has failed to do so under pressure

What do you expect the poor guy to do?
The defense was crippled, our PK was fail, our top 6 players were injured, and Buttfuck was in his face.

He had his good moments and made saves most of the time. He was great but not amazing. He'd probably do way better with Mitchell in the lineup. Without help from the D, goalies are pretty vulnerable, remember, defense wins championships.

5.2m is a damn bargain for Luongo, any team in the league would die for his contract. If you can propose a better solution I'd like to hear it. Whining about it ain't gonna help. Luongo is an emotional player. HE WANTED TO PLAY WELL but when you have no help, you can't

Just my 2 cents. Take it as you please

[Tim Budong]

Andrew Ladd is off the market
CHI gave him an extension

[orange7]

Not sure if this was posted yet but The Sedins will be on the cover of the new NHL this year in Sweden only though.

Side note Mark Streit will be on the cover of NHL in Switzerland.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/9/2010/06/500x_nhloverseas.jpg

Source: Heard on Sportsnet the other day and read on http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/06/the-swiss-and-the-swedes-get-their-own-nhl-11/

Where is the A on hank?

without the A, I can't tell them apart.

[clowe]

Andrew Ladd is off the market
CHI gave him an extension

They've only extended him a qualifying offer to retain his rights. Ladd still has to accept that qualifying offer or negotiate a new contract with them.

[b0unce. [?]]

What do you expect the poor guy to do?
The defense was crippled, our PK was fail, our top 6 players were injured, and Buttfuck was in his face.

He had his good moments and made saves most of the time. He was great but not amazing. He'd probably do way better with Mitchell in the lineup. Without help from the D, goalies are pretty vulnerable, remember, defense wins championships.

5.2m is a damn bargain for Luongo, any team in the league would die for his contract. If you can propose a better solution I'd like to hear it. Whining about it ain't gonna help. Luongo is an emotional player. HE WANTED TO PLAY WELL but when you have no help, you can't

Just my 2 cents. Take it as you please


ny rangers is a good example of a GOOD goalie trying his best but his defense isnt there to help him
confirm/deny i think lundqvist makes something like 4.5m but rangers defense is garbage

[shawn79]

get Colby Armstrong a leader and a hitter with some what skill :D
INFO:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2526&hubname=nhl-thrashers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9RuldyPcIA

hossa gets drilled
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqbcKvo31c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U6-d8frhko&feature=related

[Tim Budong]

Where is the A on hank?

without the A, I can't tell them apart.

I believe he didnt wear the A full time

[winson604]

;7007293']ny rangers is a good example of a GOOD goalie trying his best but his defense isnt there to help him
confirm/deny i think lundqvist makes something like 4.5m but rangers defense is garbage

He was on a 1 year deal worth 4.275 prior to his 6 year 41+ extension and now is cap hit is 6.875/year

[b0unce. [?]]

oh damn didnt realize sharks re-signed pavelski haha damn i was hoping we would have a chance at stealing him somehow

[Harvey Specter]

^
No way Sharks were going to give up on Pavelski after the playoffs he had.

[Tim Budong]

^
No way Sharks were going to give up on Pavelski after the playoffs he had.

Little Joe is part if the American 2way centermen movement haha look at kesler and parise and u will see. I would love to have this guy on my team
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[mickz]

I believe he didnt wear the A full time

Pretty sure he had the A full time after Ohlund left. There were a few games this year where both Sedins had A's.

[orange7]

On Hamhuis....

The Flyers are most frustrated by the reasons negotiations feel apart over Hamhuis. It wasn't about dollars. It wasn't about term. It was about role, at least if Hamhuis' words are to be taken at face value. In speaking to the Flyers, he wanted assurance that the 4+ million would also land him on the power play and in the top two pairings..


I know hamhuis is really good defensively, and obviously if we land on him we will give him a big role; however his attitude reminds my of Mathieu Schneider.

I don't think we should bring him over in my opinion. Plus we need to cap space to sign other 3rd and 4th line forwards.

[chargedpower]

bobby lu let us down the 1st time with chicago
but this year, u cant expect to win with the clowns we had on defense lol
judging by how this offseason is going, the canucks could very well go deep next year if they keep adding good Defenseman and a good solid/big checker

2 straight years say we should go deep....hope it wont be the same shit the coming year.

[woob]

Would you rather we set our sights on 9th place at the end of the regular season?

[604778]

http://i40.tinypic.com/xdw1np.jpg

[shawn79]

http://i40.tinypic.com/xdw1np.jpg

[b0unce. [?]]

creepy lol

[Greenstoner]

lets wait and see....


always next year ;) Canucks' fan fav quote

anyways, Ballad gonna be on team1040 this morning at 8:11 for interview

[Greenstoner]

Canucks Recruitment

Come and be part of a dedicated and passionate team that contributes to the delivery of memorable experiences to thousands of fans and guests. As we gear up for a new season of hockey and events, we are seeking enthusiastic team players for the following positions:

Event Security (working during an event, must hold valid Security Guard license)
Guest Services Supervisor, Housekeeping (working during an event)
Daytime Sales Associates (weekday and weekend day shifts)
Retail Sales Associates (evening and weekend shifts)
Post Event Housekeepers (graveyard shifts)
Event Housekeepers (working during an event)
Dispatch Operators (working during an event)
Conversions (graveyard shifts)
Concierge (working during an event)

LOOKING FOR A FANTASTIC AND EXCITING PLACE TO WORK?

For full job descriptions and application instructions, please visit www.canucks.com. Application deadline is June 30, 2010

[SkinnyPupp]

Never knew Brent Sopel was gay.. Then again, I have no idea who in the NHL is gay, besides Jarkko Ruutu :lol Not that it matters...

He brought the cup to the gay pride parade in Chicago.. is that a first?

EDIT nevermind, he's not gay, he was with his wife. So why the fuck was he in the gay pride parade?

EDIT 2: Oh, it was in honour of Brian Burke's gay dead son. What?

[Hondaracer]

It was because Chicago has some gay hockey league or somthing and they publically invited thr hawks to attend the parade so it would have looked bad if someone didn't I guess lol
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[SkinnyPupp]

Thing is, Sopel wasn't even a Blackhawk anymore :lol

[Gh0stRider]

Canucks Recruitment

Come and be part of a dedicated and passionate team that contributes to the delivery of memorable experiences to thousands of fans and guests. As we gear up for a new season of hockey and events, we are seeking enthusiastic team players for the following positions:

Event Security (working during an event, must hold valid Security Guard license)
Guest Services Supervisor, Housekeeping (working during an event)
Daytime Sales Associates (weekday and weekend day shifts)
Retail Sales Associates (evening and weekend shifts)
Post Event Housekeepers (graveyard shifts)
Event Housekeepers (working during an event)
Dispatch Operators (working during an event)
Conversions (graveyard shifts)
Concierge (working during an event)

LOOKING FOR A FANTASTIC AND EXCITING PLACE TO WORK?

For full job descriptions and application instructions, please visit www.canucks.com. Application deadline is June 30, 2010


ya, was thinking of applying, but pay is kinda on the low side










@sportsnetmurph (http://twitter.com/sportsnetmurph): Canuck have given Shane OBrien a qualifying offer of 1.6 million for one year.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=325975

[murd0c]

Nice about sob, we need to get him signed!!!!
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[Bouncing Bettys]

Never knew Brent Sopel was gay.. Then again, I have no idea who in the NHL is gay, besides Jarkko Ruutu :lol Not that it matters...

He brought the cup to the gay pride parade in Chicago.. is that a first?

EDIT nevermind, he's not gay, he was with his wife. So why the fuck was he in the gay pride parade?

EDIT 2: Oh, it was in honour of Brian Burke's gay dead son. What?

Yes it was a nice guesture by Sopel given their history together in Vancouver. I believe the Chicago Cubs or Whitesox also attended the pride parade.

As for the NHL being exposed to the gay community, as a straight man I think getting them interested in the sport, especially where it struggles for fans in the US, is a great move. This group often has high levels of disposible income so they are more likely to afford to go to games, purchase merchandise, etc. They also have shown they can exercise their buying power in solidarity, supporting companies and products friendly to their people while promoting mass boycotts of those who aren't.

Another factor to consider is the incredible influx of the gay lifestyle into mainstream media. Despite being a minority group in the world its to the point where I see another new tv show or movie and say "oh what a surprise, another family with a gay son":rolleyes: What I am suggesting is that if they nhl can somehow latch onto their mainstream success the NHL could go hand in hand with it - maybe seeing gay characters wearing nhl jerseys or going to nhl games more or even shows depicting gay hockey players.

Now the negative is that some potential fans of the sport might say "Hockey is gay" but considering most ignorant sports fans in the US believe hockey to be too violent and full of fighting as well as bettman's efforts to turn it into soccer, I don't believe that it would have too much of an image issue in that reguard. There a number of gay men who are fans of the UFC, and there is much more opportunity to enjoy that sport in that way with the half naked men, the rolling around, etc and yet the UFC still has a reputation as being too violent to allow matches to be held in some states and provinces.

[Noir]

^ dude. I think you're reading wayyyyy too much into that.

I doubt it was anything related to a marketing ploy than it is just an indication of progressing times of acceptance and tolerance.

[Greenstoner]

lets wait and see....


always next year ;) Canucks' fan fav quote

anyways, Ballad gonna be on team1040 this morning at 8:11 for interview

http://www.team1040.ca/shared/podcast_rss.php?play=bmac_rintoul

Go here and click Hour3 if you missed the interview and want to hear what he said

fast foward to 7:50

[Ronin]

Sopel is in the gay pride parade because he had a poster in his locker or something that said "Chris Pronger is gay!" during the series, which set off the gay rights brigade. It's damage control.

[Bouncing Bettys]

^ dude. I think you're reading wayyyyy too much into that.

I doubt it was anything related to a marketing ploy than it is just an indication of progressing times of acceptance and tolerance.
I wasn't suggesting that this one act would transform the gay community into hockey fans or that this was any sort of marketing ploy. What I am suggesting is that it would be a good move image wise and business wise to make similar efforts and calculated moves to welcome that community to the sport. I was also trying to explain to SkinnyPup why Sopel and why the NHL would not object to attending a pride parade and that having a connection to that community can be beneficial.

[Gh0stRider]

@TSNBobMcKenzie (http://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie) Coyotes officially announce Wolski deal. As reported last week, two years, $3.8M per year.

[Bouncing Bettys]

Sopel is in the gay pride parade because he had a poster in his locker or something that said "Chris Pronger is gay!" during the series, which set off the gay rights brigade. It's damage control.
ha really? the media I had read on the subject painted that much rosier picture about Sople and Burke. I still applaud the effort, its a huge step for a major sport to make an appearance in something like this and would like to see more of it for the reasons I've explained and not just as a measure of damage control. But if true, it does show the power of the gay community and supports my arguments.

[illicitstylz]

anyone got background information on the concierge valet positions?

[SilverBlitz]

@sportsnetmurph (http://twitter.com/sportsnetmurph): Canuck have given Shane OBrien a qualifying offer of 1.6 million for one year.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=325975

The Vancouver Canucks won't be letting Shane O'Brien hit the free market.

The club made the veteran defenceman a $1.6 million qualifying offer on Monday, keeping him as a restricted free agent for July 1.

Mason Raymond, Tanner Glass and Jannik Hansen are also expected to get qualifying offers by the end of the day.

O'Brien, 26, tallied eight points and 79 penalty minutes with a plus-15 in Vancouver last season

Sweet raymond is getting signed hopefully :D
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[punkwax]

^ Raymond has to get signed after we moved Grabner.

[shawn79]

oh shit the leafs could be deadly if they aquire savard and sign kovalchuk

savard kovy - atl 05/06?
savard kessel - bos 08/09

[d1]

Isn't today the last day to qualify RFAs? Why do they do it last minute.. I don't want some dale tallon shit to happen

[shawn79]

For those who thought Dale Tallon got ripped off building the hawks, he will get his name on the stanley cup and a ring


Did ladd accept chicagos offer?

[clowe]

For those who thought Dale Tallon got ripped off building the hawks, he will get his name on the stanley cup and a ring


Did ladd accept chicagos offer?

Haven't heard anything about it but I'm pretty sure he's not going to accept the 1.65m qualifying offer though. I would think he's probably looking for something in the 3-4 year range worth about 2-2.5 per year.

[shawn79]

andrew ladd LW and colby armstrong RW would be perfect fit for our empty 3rd line right now

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/players/Andrew_Ladd

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/players/Colby_Armstrong

[shawn79]

Does this mean leafs trade their 1st 2010 + 2011 + 2nd 2010 for kessel and savard?


http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/04/25/savard_marc_big_381.jpg
Here are some thoughts on the upcoming free agent deadline.

Beware of National Hockey League GMs bearing gifts.

Boston’s Peter Chiarelli wants to do Marc Savard a favour and deal him to Toronto, and he wants to do the Leafs a favour by giving them an 80- or 90-point centreman for a bunch of nothing -- just to get Savard off of Boston’s books.

So, in the end, the Leafs get a first-line centreman with a $4-million cap hit for nearly free? Why does that sound too good to be true?

Coming off a concussion as serious as the one Matt Cooke inflicted on Savard, both teams will obviously have access to all of Savard’s neurological data. We don’t care what Boston’s cap situation is, when a Stanley Cup contender looks to move a $4-million point producer, who is coming off a devastating concussion, we grow suspicious.

Just saying...

[Ronin]

Guessing that SOB and Bieksa are in play. We can't afford to keep them with Ballard here, especially with an empty 3rd line.

Sign Ryan Johnson for $1.3m please.

[Bouncing Bettys]

oh shit the leafs could be deadly if they aquire savard and sign kovalchuk

savard kovy - atl 05/06?
savard kessel - bos 08/09
they have the cap room to get kovy without moving kaberle. At first I was against the idea of savard as a leaf because of his age, recent injuries, and long contract but it seems his contract is front loaded so his cap hit won't be so bad in the later years and the asking price for him is way down and wouldn't require kaberle. boston needs to reduce their cap so they might not get much in return for savard especially since savard has only named 2 teams he would want to go to - the sens and the leafs. after july 1st it grows to 5 teams - the leafs, sens, flyers, hawks, and sabres. The sens can't get him unless they move spezza, the flyers and hawks can't take on his salary with the cap, and the bruins would be less inclined to help out a stronger division rival in the sabres. This means the leafs have best chance to get him. Like the sabres, the bruins wouldn't want to help the leafs considering they hold their 1st round pick in next years draft but they are likely content they got the 2nd overall pick this year and are willing to let this other 1st round selection slide a bit.

[Ch28]

they have the cap room to get kovy without moving kaberle. At first I was against the idea of savard as a leaf because of his age, recent injuries, and long contract but it seems his contract is front loaded so his cap hit won't be so bad in the later years and the asking price for him is way down and wouldn't require kaberle. boston needs to reduce their cap so they might not get much in return for savard especially since savard has only named 2 teams he would want to go to - the sens and the leafs. after july 1st it grows to 5 teams - the leafs, sens, flyers, hawks, and sabres. The sens can't get him unless they move spezza, the flyers and hawks can't take on his salary with the cap, and the bruins would be less inclined to help out a stronger division rival in the sabres. This means the leafs have best chance to get him. Like the sabres, the bruins wouldn't want to help the leafs considering they hold their 1st round pick in next years draft but they are likely content they got the 2nd overall pick this year and are willing to let this other 1st round selection slide a bit.

Cap hit remains the same.

It just means the team pays the player more during his early years as opposed to the later years.

[Bouncing Bettys]

Does this mean leafs trade their 1st 2010 + 2011 + 2nd 2010 for kessel and savard?
savard seemed to have recovered nicely with his performance in the playoffs but who knows over an 82 game season. If the deal was simply for next to nothing BB and Chiarelli would have pulled the trigger by now

[quasi]

Did ladd accept chicagos offer?

He would be dumb to, go to arbitration and he'll get more. I don't know what he'll get but the Canucks could make him an offer for less then 2.6 and if he accepted and the Hawks didn't match they'd only have to give up a 2nd round pick next year. If they did match they just added $$$$$ to Chicago's cap, win win.

Edit: One other advantage of making an offer is that if it's excepted is if the team matches they cannot trade that player for a year. It's not like they can sign him and then move the asset there stuck paying that money.

[shawn79]

chiarelli not gambling on savard after concussion

[Expresso]

chiarelli not gambling on savard after concussion
Kinda unfortunate when you sign long-term and get traded the year after.

[shawn79]

no point for ladd to stay in chicago since the core is already broken. Its much better for ladd to go western canada close to home for another chance at the cup :D

[raygunpk]

no point for ladd to stay in chicago since the core is already broken. Its much better for ladd to go western canada close to home for another chance at the cup :D

how is the core broken

[Tegra_Devil]

man.....toronto could be a total power house if they make the right moves over the next little while

[shawn79]

how is the core broken

secondary units

[DanHibiki]

no point for ladd to stay in chicago since the core is already broken. Its much better for ladd to go western canada close to home for another chance at the cup :D

Chicago said they won't trade Ladd to Vancouver. No way in hell

[shawn79]

^ he will hit UFA if hes unsigned by july 1 lulz

[quasi]

^ he will hit UFA if hes unsigned by july 1 lulz


No he won't, he's a RFA, the R stands for restricted. That only happens if they didn't make him qualifying offer but they already did. He doesn't have to accept it he can choose to negotiate or go to arbitration. If he doesn't accept the arbitration amount he won't play but Chicago will still own him like I own my dog. If Chicago chooses to not accept it then he would become a UFA but they would not do that.

[raygunpk]

secondary units
lol k :troll:

[shawn79]

lol k :troll:

:fuuuuu:

[shawn79]

As per Kypreos & Millard tweets (http://twitter.com/RealKyper & http://twitter.com/darenmillard) both Armstrong & Afiniganov will test free agency.

[411ken]

As per Kypreos & Millard tweets (http://twitter.com/RealKyper & http://twitter.com/darenmillard) both Armstrong & Afiniganov will test free agency.

It says Afinogenov is leaning towards KHL.... I think he should go where Kovalchuk goes...

But I'll take Armstrong please...

[Mike Oxbig]

yes to armstrong

[MR_BIGGS]

Anyone know where I can find the NHL awards in their entirety. Missed them, and most of the draft news...been trying to catch up.

[TRD Rs200]

OH SHIT, I JUST REALIZED BYFUGLYLUN WENT TO ATLANTA! hawks core group VANISHED! sooooooooooooo made my day!

[shawn79]

raygunpk says byfuglyien ladd versteeg are not part of the chicago blackhawks core :troll:

[JKam]

might as well call the whole team the core.

[AzNightmare]

OH SHIT, I JUST REALIZED BYFUGLYLUN WENT TO ATLANTA! hawks core group VANISHED! sooooooooooooo made my day!

lol, doesn't really matter anymore. They already got the cup.

[411ken]

^Exactly my thoughts.. Ppl laugh at the hawks dismantling their team but damn, their names are on the freaking cup! lol

[MR_BIGGS]

OILERS PLACE MOREAU, NILSSON, O'SULLIVAN ON WAIVERS

The Edmonton Oilers housecleaning is well underway as forwards Ethan Moreau, Robert Nilsson and Patrick O'Sullivan were all placed on waivers on Tuesday setting in motion the buyout process.

Other players placed on waivers include the Ducks' Nathan Oystric, the Lightning's Todd Fedoruk and New York Rangers' Donald Brashear, Aaron Voros and Patrick Rissmiller.

O'Sullivan is scheduled to make $2.95 million next season, while both Moreau and Nilsson are slated to earn $2 million each.

Jonathan Cheechoo, Petteri Nokelainen, Ales Kotalik, Jim Vandermeer and Ville Koistenen all cleared waivers today and are now eligible to be bought out by their former clubs.

[MR_BIGGS]

Damn.....Modano will not be offered a contract for next season by the Stars..and he hadn't said he was going to retire...

Salary Cap era...

[Hondaracer]

Pickup Moreau for our 4th line
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[Liquid_o2]

Pickup Moreau for our 4th line
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

NO

We don't need a 35 year old in the twilight of his career who will warrant over $1 million a year to take a 4th line spot.

[LUUUUUUUU]

lol big buff, steegy, and ladd are far from being chicago's "core"
anyone who thinks they are, may as well call Sopel a core guy too lol

[raygunpk]

raygunpk says byfuglyien ladd versteeg are not part of the chicago blackhawks core :troll:

problem? :troll:

[LUUUUUUUU]

:troll:

[shawn79]

problem? :troll:

:gtfo:

[raygunpk]

NO

We don't need a 35 year old in the twilight of his career who will warrant over $1 million a year to take a 4th line spot.

comin out tomorrow!

:troll:

[raygunpk]

:gtfo:

lol yea you must think captain toedrag-turnover versteeg is part of their core too.

[raygunpk]

MTL ACQUIRES DUSTIN BOYD, DAN ELLIS AND FC FROM NASIN RETURN FOR SERGEI KOSTITSYN AND FUTURE CONSIDERATONS

http://twitter.com/tsnbobmckenzie

[Expresso]

So much trade talk involving Bieksa, but is there a market for this guy?

[Tegra_Devil]

dustin boyd is a quality player!

[Tim Budong]

So much trade talk involving Bieksa, but is there a market for this guy?

talk is cheap
get er done
haha
i unno
i sorta dont feel the need to rid of him
what if the FAs dont mend together..then its not cool

[Tegra_Devil]

i just hope the canucks keep ballard away from the crease :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A9z0v8TEYI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUlT4JQVhCs

[Harvey Specter]

I don't think Gillis has Bieksa on top of his list of players he must deal before the season starts.

[Expresso]

I don't think Gillis has Bieksa on top of his list of players he must deal before the season starts.

I wonder if he will still make a play for Hamhuis.

[FerrariEnzo]

i just hope the canucks keep ballard away from the crease :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A9z0v8TEYI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUlT4JQVhCs

wow.. the canucks traded some good players for this guy!?!?!?

does gillis not like Bobby Lu!

[Gh0stRider]

@Team1040 (http://twitter.com/TEAM1040) Mike Gillis: Willing to bring back Willie Mitchell, but needs proof that Mitchell has fully recovered from his mid-January concussion.

[murd0c]

i just hope the canucks keep ballard away from the crease :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A9z0v8TEYI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUlT4JQVhCs

He got 1 less point and 5 more goals then Jay bouwmeester last year and he makes 2 mill less ;)

Gotta take the good with the bad

[raygunpk]

he also has samurai skills, which is necessary for playoff runs.

[raygunpk]

rofl

http://i48.tinypic.com/2eurjnr.jpg

[trip]

ROFL

[Hondaracer]

if your gonna bring back willie it's gotta be under 1.5 mill if that

i wouldnt be oposed to it

[choda]

@Team1040 (http://twitter.com/TEAM1040) Mike Gillis: Willing to bring back Willie Mitchell, but needs proof that Mitchell has fully recovered from his mid-January concussion.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS :drool

[quasi]

if your gonna bring back willie it's gotta be under 1.5 mill if that

i wouldnt be oposed to it

I'd like that to but I cannot see it happening. Willie could get 3+ on the open market and he isn't getting any younger. He would really have to want to play here and not care about the money to sign for that. Even Alberts is getting 1 million and he isn't even on the same planet as far as skill goes.

[Gh0stRider]

Damn.....Modano will not be offered a contract for next season by the Stars..and he hadn't said he was going to retire...

Salary Cap era...

@TSNBobMcKenzie (http://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie) For the right price, DET is a team that may have some interest in Mike Modano. Wouldn't that be interesting? Hometown boy and all.

[shawn79]

we can screw st.louis blues by offer erik johnson a offer sheet lol

[raygunpk]

or marc staal

:troll:

[6thGear.]

I think Ballard just needs a change of scenery..but before we hate on the guy, lets see how his first season with us is gonna be like. And as for Grabner, hate to say it, but he had his chance to crack the lineup. Yes, there's potential, and he might be better than Raymond, but that's a lot of "what if's". Truth is, he may never develop here trying to crack the lineup, but in FLA, he has a realistic chance to make the team and play on opening night.

[E-40six]

If gillis offered Mitchell a 2.5-3 mil contract for 2 years i can see him resigning

[Hondaracer]

imo mitchell would want to stay in Vancouver enough to take under 2.5

[murd0c]

Mitchell loves Vancouver I think he would stay for 1.5 over 1 year.

[RiceIntegraRS]

Hopefully he comes back. If he does we have pretty solid D. Im just alil worried about our bottom 6 forwards


oh BTW LG335I im actually waiting for u to fail this post. Pretty childish to search up all my posts just to fail them.

[SkinnyPupp]

Is he even recovered from his concussions?

[411ken]

I just read on the paper that Zbynek Michalek from the Coyotes is UFA. He made 1.2m hit last year.. I think he would be a great fit here. IMO he is like a Brent Seabrook type player. (His +/- isn't that good though but then again he is from the Coyotes).

Hell, I'd take James Neal too! (RFA)

Thursday can't come any sooner.

[orange7]

I think mitchell sold his place already. Unlikely that he is going to stay in Vancouver.

[Ch28]

You guys that think Willie should re-sign for 1.5 - 2 mill are insane.

You're offering a top 4 shutdown D man bottom feeder money?

Has he not done enough to save our asses for you guys to really think he's that shitty of a player?

Seriously?

[orange7]

I don't think any of us thinks he's shitty. It's just that we don't really know if he can still play like how he did last year.

paying him 2mills for 1 year isn't a bad deal for both sides. He can use this 1 year to prove us all wrong.

[Harvey Specter]

$1.5 mill is beyond a steal for Willie.

[shawn79]

can we sign him for 2mill + bonus?

[Not really racist!]

i'd sign him for 2.5 - 3 if he shows hes ready to play and symptom free

[Harvey Specter]

He might agree to say $1.5 with a bonus based on performance. I don't know if Gillis would be willing to pay over $2+.

[MR_BIGGS]

Teams like Toronto and Washington may want someone like Mitchell. I really hope the Canucks can secure a top 4 dman come Thursday, which gives them some leeway to move Beikshit. Do not want.

[b0unce. [?]]

sopel's hair is very greasy looking

[FerrariEnzo]

it really depends on how many concussions mitchell has.. if its lots ( i dont know how many) then it may not be wise to sign him even if it really is a good player. tought tought call.. once you get a concussion, its easier to get more..

[Hondaracer]

Mitchel is desperate to show he's over basically a year long concussion, MG isn't stupid enough to risk giving him 2.75+ to only have his head knocked around again and our D stretched to the brink, Willie obviously loves Vancouver and if he truely is over the concussion I wouldn't see why he wouldn't sign a cheap one year deal to show he has the ability to grab another multi year contract after that

It's way too risky to give him 2.75+
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[SumAznGuy]

it really depends on how many concussions mitchell has.. if its lots ( i dont know how many) then it may not be wise to sign him even if it really is a good player. tought tought call.. once you get a concussion, its easier to get more..

The latest one is his third concussion I believe.

[411ken]

You guys that think Willie should re-sign for 1.5 - 2 mill are insane.

You're offering a top 4 shutdown D man bottom feeder money?

Has he not done enough to save our asses for you guys to really think he's that shitty of a player?

Seriously?

What would you offer someone who's had a pretty serious concussion? I'm just curious...

[Noir]

What would you offer someone who's had a pretty serious concussion? I'm just curious...

+1.

Especially when what MG is trying to work a defensive end that can last the full stretch of 82 games + Post Season.

If there are serious doubts he can last that long and with good effectiveness, we're just right back to 2009-2010 post season.

[Ch28]

What would you offer someone who's had a pretty serious concussion? I'm just curious...

I know I wouldn't cut a guy's salary from 3.5 mill to 1.5-2 mill that some of you morons are saying that they should.

All you have to do is look at guys like Savard and Bergeron and know that one injury isn't going to make a player + agent all of a sudden feel they're going to need to take a paycut. If he doesn't re-sign here then there are 29 other teams out there that will gladly take him off our hands.

[shawn79]

wtf david clarkson gets 2.66 3 yr, imagine what raymond could get :o

[Hondaracer]

I know I wouldn't cut a guy's salary from 3.5 mill to 1.5-2 mill that some of you morons are saying that they should.

All you have to do is look at guys like Savard and Bergeron and know that one injury isn't going to make a player + agent all of a sudden feel they're going to need to take a paycut. If he doesn't re-sign here then there are 29 other teams out there that will gladly take him off our hands.

Sign him for 3 then, he gets hit in the head and is out for another 4 months? Cap space is there but at that point in the season you have no options but waivers or the moose so we get some shut replacement and our d is stretched once again
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[411ken]

I know I wouldn't cut a guy's salary from 3.5 mill to 1.5-2 mill that some of you morons are saying that they should.

All you have to do is look at guys like Savard and Bergeron and know that one injury isn't going to make a player + agent all of a sudden feel they're going to need to take a paycut. If he doesn't re-sign here then there are 29 other teams out there that will gladly take him off our hands.

I haven't read any reports but did Mitchell pass any physicals yet?

I'd rather spend the $ on either Michalek/Martin/Foster/Hamhuis

Let's say we get Hamhuis or Volchenkov and Foster/Michalek.. Then trade Bieksa for a FWD

Hamhuis/Volchenkov - Ballard
Edler - Ehrhoff
Foster/Michalek - Salo

scratches
O'Brien/Rome

That's a Solid D right there that can log HUGE minutes