[rsx]

that seemed like more of an "im saying this to save my ass sorta thing"

I will say this, even if the coho camp wasn't getting along with management, he played through it like a professional. Especially being a young kid, he fought along, won the fans over and all that jazz.

Of course MG could be saying that to defend the trade, but ever since the injury there's been numerous articles about the Cody camp being very difficult to deal with. To be clear, it was never Cody, himself, but his dad being the difficult one to deal with (Apparently Cody's dad is heavily involved with everything).

[SkinnyPupp]

Man the way Luongo has been in interviews lately, I think I'd feel bad if he left.. he seems to have grown so much in the last 5 years :(

But still, I'll take Schneider thanks :fuckyea:

[punkwax]

Enjoying the Lu love fest all of a sudden. Seems like a lot of you have finally woken up! Like I said, you don't know what you've got until its gone.

Secondly, enough about CoHo! His camp was cancer. He was acting like the Canucks owed him something and believe me, he wouldn't have single handedly taken us into the 2nd round with the way the rest of the team was playing in front of their goalies. Good riddance.

Can't wait to see what this offseason brings. :Popcorn

[SkinnyPupp]

Don't get me wrong, I'll be glad to see him gone so the team can move on. If he is mature for 1 week and immature for 5 years, that isn't going to change my perception of him. Plus I won't feel sorry for someone making $6 million a year for very long.

[Blah_Teggie]

I don't get why all of the sudden, it's the fans running Lu outta town. Last time I checked, the fans don't strap on the pads and play goal, the fans don't decide who starts in games, the fans don't decide who stays or who goes, the fans aren't the ones asking questions in interviews, and the fans aren't the ones writing articles in the newspaper. The only thing the fans can do is boo him at games, bitch about him on 1040 or forums like this one and CDC. I doubt Lu listens to 1040 or are on these forums. The only reason we're having this convo is cuz he's simply being outplayed by a younger cheaper goalie.

[RiceIntegraRS]

uhhhh are you sure about that?

this is what you said that day:



this is what i said:



:p

I said the exact same thing on my buddies facebook. And i saw u say the same thing, thats why i thanked ur post instead of typing the exact same thing

:p

[7seven]

Lost in everything with the Canucks' presser was that it seems Pittsburgh is going to be making very significant changes to their core as well, Shero said in his presser that he is no longer committed to the 3 center mold (Crosby, Malkin, Staal). So it would seem either Malkin or Staal would be available this offseason.

[SkinnyPupp]

WTB Staal

[7seven]

WTB Staal

Yup me too, I want him on the Sabres though lol.

Staal is a UFA after next season, so guess it's not too surprising if Pitts moves him.

[mb_]

Staal :ahwow:

Too bad our only bargaining chip for a trade like that to happen is Luongo/Schneider LOL

[Mike Oxbig]

Pens should trade sidney crosby while the value is still high

[Tim Budong]

I don't get why all of the sudden, it's the fans running Lu outta town. Last time I checked, the fans don't strap on the pads and play goal, the fans don't decide who starts in games, the fans don't decide who stays or who goes, the fans aren't the ones asking questions in interviews, and the fans aren't the ones writing articles in the newspaper. The only thing the fans can do is boo him at games, bitch about him on 1040 or forums like this one and CDC. I doubt Lu listens to 1040 or are on these forums. The only reason we're having this convo is cuz he's simply being outplayed by a younger cheaper goalie.

Lu listens to 1040
believe me. A friend of mine does their valet when they fly outta town. the dial is set to 1040 with most of the guys.

[MR_BIGGS]

From Ken Hitchcock:

You look at us, we have an identity,” Hitchcock said. “You look at L.A., they have an identity. You look at the way Detroit was, they had an identity. Dallas, we had an identity that was different from Colorado's. The type of players we had, and the type of players we recruited, was all the same. They all to the style of game we wanted to play.

“If you look at Philadelphia, they play with an offensive flair and everybody plays that way and if you come in there and don't fit, you look out of place. It's the same thing with us. If you don't play above the puck with us, you look bad on the ice. We're kind of a checking mindset, gritty, stay-on-the-right-side-of-the-puck team.

“We knew we weren't going to lead the league in scoring with the [David] Backeses and [T.J.] Oshies, but we could formulate an identity around them. I think that's the way you win now.”



What was the Canucks identity? I think it changed after the Hodgson trade and they didn't adjust.

[SkinnyPupp]

Enough with the Hodgson ball hugging. The guy was a rookie, not the identity of the team. He could chip in once in a while, and that's about it. Maybe he would have turned into something, maybe not. Either way, it seems like he was more trouble than he was worth, so whatever...

[b0unce. [?]]

LUNDQVIST, QUICK, RINNE NOMINATED FOR VEZINA TROPHY

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/2012/4/25/vezina_41984.jpg

my vote is for lundqvist.

[spoon.ek9]

Staal :ahwow:

Too bad our only bargaining chip for a trade like that to happen is Luongo/Schneider LOL

considering how poorly Fleury played, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a better goalie now would it? ;)

[Tapioca]

Unless Hodgson somehow gets NOS on his skates, he'll never be an elite centre in this league like Thornton, Henrik, or Toews. He will probably peak as a 60-70 point guy if he plays 20+ minutes a game.

The Kassian trade looks really bad right now, but I think you guys haven't really watched him play. He's 21 and he's already impossible to knock off the puck. He has more vision than David Booth and he has a reputation as a hothead (which if used in spots can be effective.) My main concern is his development - can the coaching staff give him the opportunities to succeed?

[pastarocket]

Woo hoo! -just received my Alex Burrows autographed picture from Bestbuy as part of their Canucks playoff promotion contest. It's beautiful. A good photo to brighten up a rainy day.

Thanks Burrows & Bestbuy! :fullofwin:

http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r523/raymcheung/AlexBurrows.jpg

[411ken]

WTB Staal

Good thing I'm not the only one... Would LOVE to have this guy here too.

And Jayare604, I'm referring to Jordan Staal :)

[411ken]

Yup me too, I want him on the Sabres though lol.

Staal is a UFA after next season, so guess it's not too surprising if Pitts moves him.

Buffalo has a lot of C don't they?

If that happens..Does this mean Hodgson plays the 3rd line C:troll::joy:

[rsx]

Staal's a nominee for the Band Aid Committee, no thanks.

[7seven]

Buffalo has a lot of C don't they?

If that happens..Does this mean Hodgson plays the 3rd line C:troll::joy:

Derek Roy will be shown the door if the Sabres bring in another top 2 center.

[EmperorIS]

From Ken Hitchcock:



What was the Canucks identity? I think it changed after the Hodgson trade and they didn't adjust.

the hell.. hodgson? did you forget you got the 2 sedins on our team

mind boggling passes.. puck possession finesse

[mickz]

Vancouver just never had solid goaltenders for a long time after Mclean. People consider Vancouver a goalie graveyard because after this:

Dan Cloutier
Félix Potvin
Kevin Weekes
Sean Burke
Alex Auld
Bob Essensa
Johan Hedberg
Corey Hirsch
Arturs Irbe
Mika Noronen
Maxime Ouellet
Garth Snow
Kay Whitmore

People still shit on Luongo. Granted fans can be vocal, but look at that list again.

When Luongo was acquired he was supposed to be the Canucks' Jesus. Still without a championship under their belt, the "fans" are restless and just want someone to point the finger at.

The team plays terrible but people just want to blame one individual. Even in SCF game 7 the only goal in the 4-0 loss that I can blame on him was Bergeron's breakaway where he got tripped up and the puck slid into the net.

I'm calling this now but it's only a matter of time before people start shitting on Kesler and begin saying things like "trade him" or "take away his A."

from a hockey mindset, this is correct given our goalie situation.

This is why this city can't have nice things and this is why we have one of the worst fanbase in all of north american pro sports.

This is why i try my best not to post anything Canucks on Facebook or twitter no more. The fans are disgusting

Hate to say it but Vancouver is such a bandwagoner town. I'm still waiting for the Canucks to start tanking it so I can move up in the Season Ticket waitlist. I remember they kept offering my dad and I to buy ticket packages in the early 2000s but we simply didn't have the time to go to that many games. Wish I jumped on that chance now.

Hodgson wasn't getting along well with management. MG even said he had to spend more time in the 3 years with Cody than any other player in the organization. Clearly there was a difference in opinions.

You have to hear the story from both sides though.



Mike Gillis is quickly making decisions that make players not want to play for him. The bulk of the roster is from pre-Mike Gillis days anyway. What significant moves has he actually done for this organization?

He actively pursued Marco Sturm and offered him a role on this team before quickly getting rid of him 2 weeks into the season.

Now he is throwing former players under the bus in front of the media.

Players enjoy playing for someone who they can respect and can keep their word. I have always been a fan of Brian Burke teams because he is the definition of a player's GM. He is very up front about everything and it is very rare for him to give out No Trade Clauses with the majority of NTCs he deals with from contracts he didn't make. He has said he would never ask a player to waive his NTC because that defeats the purpose of the player earning one.

When he was in Anaheim, Bryzgalov was looking for more playing time he made a verbal agreement to trade him by a certain date otherwise he would waive him and allow another team to pick him up. The deadline passed and a deal couldn't be completed so Burke kept his word and waived him so he would have an opportunity to start elsewhere.

[411ken]

Staal's a nominee for the Band Aid Committee, no thanks.

Ummm ya.. getting an accidental skate slash during and having to go surgery for it plus getting hit in the puck while practicing really does make him a nominee for band aid committee...:facepalm:

[UFO]

but oh wait he said he will get rid of his NTC if MG asks him to do so. i think both goalies know that only one is staying and to say otherwise is a Bold statment.


I think what Lu said about waiving his NTC is him totally understanding the situation. It doesn't mean that he isn't willing to split the net with Cory. I see it to mean that if the Canucks want to move forward longterm with Cory as the guy, Lu would be willing to do what is needed to make that happen and not handcuff the team. Obviously he won't be content with playing 25 games while Cory plays 65 games, but that isn't something that will happen if they both stay. Total class act move IMO

Hey, you never know. Good athletes always want the ball/puck but more importantly, they want to win. Lu even said it was hard to sit while Schneids played but still supported the decision and vice-versa. All season long, they both wanted to play, so they're always hungry to win when they get the chance.

They're both great goalies and if they believe they can split the season and come out with a cup, I think they go for it. If the cap goes up, as expected, I think it's totally feasable to get Schneids in at 3-3.5m. I think all that's needed is management to convince them that they'll get the right skaters in front of them to produce and support the D.

That's the same thought that I've had since earlier this year. 1 more year as a tandem, 1 more kick at the can. If it doesn't work out, then they will make the moves next year.

They are both big ticket players that we can use to negotiate a sweet deal with.

I don't think the return will be as sweet as everybody hopes and expects. There are other good solid goalie options available throughout the league. I would be surprised if Lu returns more than a solid mid-level player and a draft pick because of his contract. Cory, as great as he is, is still unproven as a starter and there have been instances where it takes a while for his potential to materialize, if it does at all (best example Mike Smith basically run out of Tampa. I bet Stevie Y wishes he didn't let Smith walk, at only 2M/yr). Because of that, I think Cory may be return a 3-4 d-man and a draft pick/prospect or 2, but probably not much more than that. With either of these deals, aside from freeing up some cap space, is the return worth what you know you are giving up in net, since Lack is reportedly 'close' to NHL ready but not yet.


Just like Grabner, I believe CoHo has the skillset that you just can't learn and practice through training and conditioning and yes, that does come with some baggage.

Had he obtained a return more favourable to the Canucks, this wouldn't be an issue today.


I totally agree about the skillset. But being a successful player goes well above just having the skills. We like to use Grabner as an example, but what is he really? He scored 34g 2 years ago, had 20g last year and was -18... the Islanders picked him up off waivers from the Panthers, to help put things into perspective. Had Grabner stayed with the Canucks, he'd be likely playing for the Wolves still. I agree that Kassian was brought in for toughness and size for the short term, but I don't think management is overly surprised or disappointed that didn't materialize this year. If he did all of that, I think they would have been pleasantly surprised.

Doug Maclean was on 1040 yesterday and he was well aware of Coho's trade demands. You can bet the GM's who had assets the Canucks were interested in were aware of Coho's availability. The ones who didn't know, probably didn't have anything of interest to offer us in return for Coho

The only reason we're having this convo is cuz he's simply being outplayed by a younger cheaper goalie.

I don't think Cory's sample size of work is big enough to determine that he has outplayed Lu over the course of a full season. I love the way Cory plays and the way he conducts himself. But let's face reality, if Lu was in net for the same 2 goals that Cory gave up on game 5, Lu would have been absolutely crucified.

I am curious to see if anything happens with Kesler this offseason. He obviously had an off year with his hip and shoulder, but I think he has a good bounce back next year. Not 41g good, but definite improvement on this year. The intriguing part is that he is an asset that can bring in some big returns, and his NTC doesn't kick in until July. What sort of player can work well with Kesler, playmaking winger?

[Ch28]

Im surprised novody mentioned a Kesler for Staal trade lol

[Oleophobic]

lol if lu is trolling because he knows where MG stands with regard to asking players to waive their NTC this would be so well played because it wouldn't make him look like the bad guy

Mike Gillis: I will never ask a player to waive his NTC
Luongo: I'll waive it if MG asks me to...I don't want to be selfish......:troll:

[spoon.ek9]

i'm kind of 60/40 on the whole trade kesler thing. i mean.. you don't just trade a selke winning centre after a SINGLE bad season which was preceded by hip surgery and a shoulder injury in February..

on the other hand, his diving, chirping, and apparent unwillingness to pass to his wingers were all detrimental to the team. but is this really enough to trade the guy away? if he can just play like he did last year and last year's playoffs, he'll be fine.

i think gillis/av need to show him that toews video again. in fact, there was a report that kesler (and burrows/lappy, i believe) to just shut up and play.

[highfive]

Interesting article on sheltering Cody.

Can we pinpoint when the Canucks started sheltering Cody Hodgson? | CanucksArmy (http://canucksarmy.com/2012/4/25/can-we-pinpoint-when-the-canucks-started-sheltering-cody-hodgson)

[UFO]

i'm kind of 60/40 on the whole trade kesler thing. i mean.. you don't just trade a selke winning centre after a SINGLE bad season which was preceded by hip surgery and a shoulder injury in February..

on the other hand, his diving, chirping, and apparent unwillingness to pass to his wingers were all detrimental to the team. but is this really enough to trade the guy away? if he can just play like he did last year and last year's playoffs, he'll be fine.

i think gillis/av need to show him that toews video again. in fact, there was a report that kesler (and burrows/lappy, i believe) to just shut up and play.

I love Kesler at times, and can't stand him at other times. There are those who feel Kesler makes a better captain than Hank because he is more emotionally invested, seems to 'show' more heart as a result. I can't help but disagree, Kesler is quite polarized. At his best, he can be a great leader with his on-ice play. At his worst, his antics are on par with Lappiere, not exactly something I want from a leader of the team, goes and sulks in the corner, not great with the media when he isn't bombing interviews, so he needs some work before he can be a good captain. Overall, his inconsistency here is something that needs to be addressed before he can become respected as a great player; he has shown that he possesses the tools to do it though.

I'm not for or against trading him. Like I mentioned I believe this season was an anomaly and he will bounce back and be a great player. But if he doesn't move before July, then he becomes unmoveable for the next 4 seasons. I don't think MG is actively looking to get rid of him, but this does provide an interesting opportunity and I wonder why his NTC didn't kick in from the beginning of his new contract. I think he can bring back an equal or greater return if he does get moved, and can change up the mix in the room for the better.

[Tim Budong]

lightening the mood a bit..this is kinda funny...in a sadistic sorta way..

Somewhere There's a Village - YouTube

[Mike Oxbig]

Im surprised novody mentioned a Kesler for Staal trade lol

luongo + kesler to pitts for staal and MA fleury then acquire malone or clowe for fleury:troll:

[hotshot1]

Unless we get a superstar in return, I'm really against trading Kesler. Although Kesler sucked this year, there are only a handful of guys who can do what he can, which is play gritty, awesome defence and chip in offensively - guys like Toews, Backes, Patrice Bergeron, Jordan Staal, Mike Richards, Mikko Koivu, Pavelski, Zajac, etc.

I have full confidence that if he gets a long summer to recover, he will be a solid 30 goal, 60 - 70 point selke caliber center for the next few years.

[MR_BIGGS]

the hell.. hodgson? did you forget you got the 2 sedins on our team

mind boggling passes.. puck possession finesse

No I didn't forget that. The Canucks went from having three scoring lines to a checking line and two scoring lines, hence changing the identity of the team.

[MR_BIGGS]

Here is Elloit Friedmad's take on the Canucks situation:

It's easy to look at Roberto Luongo's contract, see the 10 years remaining and say, "Good luck, Vancouver. You won't be able to trade him anywhere."

That's not necessarily true.

Jeff Carter's 11-year deal was traded twice in eight months.

The biggest factors in Luongo's case may turn out to be how much the Canucks want for him and/or what other goalies are available this summer, but here's how a market could develop:

Go through the NHL lineup. Forget his contract for a minute and just count how many teams would be better off if he played goal for them. The reason you forget the contract at the beginning is that some NHL general managers prefer to imagine the player on their roster before thinking about the financials.

That way, you decide whether or not it's worth the aggravation of figuring out how to fit him under the cap. If you don't like the guy enough, you won't bother.

Depending on your like or dislike for Luongo, there are between five and nine teams. That list undoubtedly includes what you'd expect are his top two destinations: Tampa Bay and Florida, although the Panthers have uberprospect Jacob Markstrom.

I know all you Toronto Maple Leafs lovers want to jump in here. My guess? He'd prefer someplace quieter, but it should be pointed out that Luongo has a great relationship with goaltending coach Francois Allaire -- assuming Allaire isn't quitting.

Regardless, there are teams who are going to look at Luongo and say, "He could help us."

CONTRACT COULD BE WORTH IT

Yes, Luongo has 10 years left on a 12-year deal. The most expensive season of that contract -- $10 million US in 2010-11 -- is behind him. In 2011-12, he earned $6.716 million. That's, basically, what he'll make in each of the next six seasons. The salary drop off doesn't come until 2018-19, when he'll be 39 (maybe there's a rollback in the new CBA, but who knows?).

So if you want Luongo, you must be prepared to commit $40.3 million over the next six years. Teams like Toronto or Chicago, if interested, can handle the cash payout no problem. For lower-revenue clubs, it's tougher.

Last year, I had a lengthy conversation with an NHL executive about this kind of contract and what would make it appealing for another team to take.

"You're going to be interested if he can add to your revenue," he said. "For example, if you're out of the playoffs, do you think he can get you there?

"If so, how much will more playoff home dates add to your bottom line? An improved team also increases your season-ticket sales, concessions, merchandise sales, everything. If you think he can do that for you, his contract would be worthwhile."

That's why I'm curious to see if Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman is a player in this. Yzerman saw Luongo up close at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and, given the Lightning's goaltending issues of last season, he would definitely be an improvement.

Luongo handled the last couple of weeks extremely well, playing the good soldier, even though he clearly understood what was coming. And the Canucks know dropping Game 1 -- even though he played great -- was a major reason they lost their first-round playoff series to the Los Angeles Kings. I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few teams who think he'll thrive when he isn't the provincial scapegoat.

There are lots of questions here: Will a trade partner want the Canucks to take back a salary? Is Vancouver prepared to accept what doesn't look like a great "hockey deal" simply to open cap room? And, most importantly, how will the potential availability of Jonathan Bernier, Tim Thomas, Miikka Kiprusoff and/or a St. Louis goalie affect the market?

It's going to take a little while. But in the end, teams are going to take a long look at Luongo.

30 THOUGHTS

1. There are very good reasons for Luongo to willingly give up his no-trade. If the Canucks wanted to be absolutely ruthless -- and I don't believe they do -- they could put him on waivers next season. There is also the gamble of a contract amnesty or less-favourable buyout rules for a player in the next CBA. Smart for Luongo to play it this way.

2. The other variable here is restricted free agent Cory Schneider. Vancouver would probably love him at Carey Price's 2011-12 salary of $2.75 million. But Steve Mason's $2.9-million cap hit probably pushes it higher. Schneider's a great team guy who patiently waited for this chance. How easily does it get done?

3. There were some reports the Canucks can block a potential offer sheet for Schneider by offering him arbitration just after the Stanley Cup final (Nashville did this last season with Shea Weber). Don't believe that is true. Because Schneider earned less than $1.5 million, no action can be taken before July 5. If he and the team cannot get something signed beforehand, he will be exposed for a few days.

4. In the March 6 edition of this blog, I mentioned that Vancouver "targeted" a few players in a possible Cody Hodgson deal. Zack Kassian was one, obviously. I also noted Brandon Sutter, who the Carolina Hurricanes love, and made an educated guess at John Carlson (which appears to be true). Canucks GM Mike Gillis said Tuesday there were six players. According to a couple of sources, sounds like the fourth was Erik Gudbranson and the fifth Kyle Clifford. No. 6? Not sure.

5. Gillis, who has one more year on his contract, talked about his own future at his season-ending media conference and a meeting he'll have next week with Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini. Gillis revealed that a friend of his died recently and there was a rumour that he may choose to step down and take a break. In a very brief phone conversation Monday night, he said that is not the case (I know people are going to think he talked about some of the other stuff discussed here, but it isn't the case. He only agreed to speak on that issue).

6. Last word on Canucks: Gillis really stood up for head coach Alain Vigneault and it's clear his preference is to keep him. Still think, though, the coaching situation isn't 100 per cent settled until the two men really sit down talk about the future. What if they have different ideas about personnel or strategy moving forward?

7. Montreal Canadiens fans are drooling about the possibility of a Vigneault return but, if he isn't in Vancouver, I'd be shocked if Edmonton doesn't take a run at him.



Rest of this 30 thoughts can be found here:

Luongo trade talk + 30 Thoughts | Hockey | CBC Sports (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2012/04/luongo-trade-talk-30-thoughts.html)

[civicyvr]

Very surprised and unwise that MG aired out dirty laundry in public. Defensive and taking the low road for sure. People would be leery to trade with him hearing what he said. The timing of the trade was bad as well and he didn't shop him league wide.

[Mike Oxbig]

:heckno: who do we even want from chicago? kane / hossa?

[TPMarko]

:heckno: who do we even want from chicago? kane / hossa?

keith :troll:

[Mike Oxbig]

bolland said he wouldnt allow any canuck on their team :fuckthatshit:

[Ronin]

It's not going to happen but I'd want Toews. Guy is my favorite non-Canuck player.

[InvisibleSoul]

bolland said he wouldnt allow any canuck on their team :fuckthatshit:

Brendan Morrison is playing for them. :alonehappy:

[Mike Oxbig]

I hope the canucks keep luongo so he can win a cup in vancouver make all the haters stfu. We're not that far from it... Send cory to SJ for one of their top 6 and aquire defencemen with the extra money we have after shipping mayray and ballard out + forcing manny into retirement.

[Tegra_Devil]

http://i46.tinypic.com/2cnb7ly.jpg

[Expresso]

Very surprised and unwise that MG aired out dirty laundry in public. Defensive and taking the low road for sure. People would be leery to trade with him hearing what he said. The timing of the trade was bad as well and he didn't shop him league wide.

He wasn't going to shop Cody to the whole league, as per MG he would only trade Cody for 6 players. One of them being Zack.

[kwy]

I hope the canucks keep luongo so he can win a cup in vancouver make all the haters stfu. We're not that far from it... Send cory to SJ for one of their top 6 and aquire defencemen with the extra money we have after shipping mayray and ballard out + forcing manny into retirement.

Mason isn't going anywhere, as per MG.

[Tegra_Devil]

;7899512']LUNDQVIST, QUICK, RINNE NOMINATED FOR VEZINA TROPHY

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/2012/4/25/vezina_41984.jpg

my vote is for lundqvist.

quick will win....easily

[kwy]

Yup, my money's on Quick as well.

[highfive]

I can't wait till the playoffs are over and it's nearing the draft, we can see what trades or signing or waht's going to happen.

Since we are out early...imagine we luck out and draft a Sean Couturier? :joy:

[HonestTea]

PEKKA RINNE!

[hotshot1]

I think Lundqvist's gonna get it.

[Vale46Rossi]

Anyone remember this?


NHL Sedin Twins promo (Extended Version) - YouTube


:D

[Verdasco]

maybe vancouver can snag marlaeu or thorton from san jose :awwyeah: their team is crumbling and they need to rebuild around logan couture...

[badgerx3]

maybe vancouver can snag marlaeu or thorton from san jose :awwyeah: their team is crumbling and they need to rebuild around logan couture...

:heckno:

[murd0c]

maybe vancouver can snag marlaeu or thorton from san jose :awwyeah: their team is crumbling and they need to rebuild around logan couture...

:suspicious:

[DanHibiki]

maybe vancouver can snag marlaeu or thorton from san jose :awwyeah: their team is crumbling and they need to rebuild around logan couture...

:QQ:

[Verdasco]

:QQ:

:badpokerface:

forget what i said, i didn't mention those two being top forwards, maybe 4th liners. Going back to my closet now :okay:

[HonestTea]

COMEON WASHINGTON!!!

[civicyvr]

He wasn't going to shop Cody to the whole league, as per MG he would only trade Cody for 6 players. One of them being Zack.

Being narrow minded in his options is not wise also.

Let's go Caps!!

[kristianhay]

^

It's not really being narrow minded if he doesn't think anyone outside the players he was looking at would help the team down the road.

[HonestTea]

CAPS SCORES!!

[pastarocket]

Go Caps!! Hendricks with the deflection past Timbits. Go Washington.

[Vansterdam]

WOOO GO CAPS

[civicyvr]

^

It's not really being narrow minded if he doesn't think anyone outside the players he was looking at would help the team down the road.

It is being narrow minded if you don't explore your options and having just the six set in mind.

There could have been trade possibilities that would have help the team that he wasn't aware of if he had shopped him around properly.

Nice! Caps up 1 - 0 after one.

[GrapeDrink]

I can't wait till the playoffs are over and it's nearing the draft, we can see what trades or signing or waht's going to happen.

Since we are out early...imagine we luck out and draft a Sean Couturier? :joy:

lol what ... sean couturier was 8th overall, and since Canucks won the prez they can't draft lower than 26.

[Vansterdam]

fuck boston ties it 1-1

[kristianhay]

The Bruins score the fucking worst goals.

[mb_]

I'm in the skytrain and it just passed Rogers Arena.. :okay: :QQ:

[RiceIntegraRS]

Oooo Boston Penalty. Im calling PP goal by semin via wrist shot

[RiceIntegraRS]

Yeah i thought about it today and Tommorow would of been Game 7

I'm in the skytrain and it just passed Rogers Arena.. :okay: :QQ:

dam wat a shitty prediction, they didnt play him on the PP. Hopefully he goes Samuellson Style and gets mad and scores

[Renthal]

i say green wakes up and gets the GMG!

[TjAlmeida]

what GMG?

[Vansterdam]

gwg?

[kristianhay]

Soft fucking call with 2:26 to go.

[spoon.ek9]

wow... now they call a penalty. boychuk went down like a ragdoll there.

[DanHibiki]

WHERE'S THE DIVING CALL REF

[civicyvr]

i say green wakes up and gets the GMG!

Looks like he got some zip back in his shots after the injury.

I am looking forward to Ovi waking up.

Fwwwwk. Penalty Caps. Weak.

[Vansterdam]

HUGE PK for washington

[spoon.ek9]

game 7 OT coming up :ahwow:

post #9800!

[Not really racist!]

holy fuarkkk

im callin backstrom for the goal again

[Ronin]

Hmmmm...Carlson. That kid knows all about huge OT goals.

[Vansterdam]

FUCK YEA GOOD BYE BOSTON

[fliptuner]

YEEEESSSS!!!!!

[spoon.ek9]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS HAHAHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[ForbiddenX]

NICE GO CAPS!

[civicyvr]

Fwwwkkkkk!!! Yeah!!!!!!!! Caps takes it!!!!!!!!!

[RiceIntegraRS]

yes! i cheered like the Canucks just scored that goal

[Kilinim]

Fuck you Boston

[HonestTea]

FUCK YEAH!!

[Vansterdam]

JOEL WARD?


hahahaha

[k3mps]

BOSTONS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOD JOB CAPS!

[kristianhay]

Fuck yeah! Ward gets the greasiest goal ever, this definitely makes me feel better about the Canucks.

[dlo]

BYE BOSTON BWHAHAHAH

[b0unce. [?]]

so good caps

[RiceIntegraRS]

Now Rangers have to lose

[DanHibiki]

No joke, I cheered SO loud when Boston lost. Just as loud as any Canuck goal lol.

[Bonka]

This is what we live for :fullofwin:

:alone:

[Not really racist!]

AWWW YAHHHH

[k3mps]

anyone else impressed with Holtby thus far?

[Tim Budong]

Still hurts.. oh well
hahha

[sh0n]

Joel Ward's pretty good in Playoff Hockey

[spoon.ek9]

No joke, I cheered SO loud when Boston lost. Just as loud as any Canuck goal lol.

dude, i'm at work and i was jumping up and down out of pure joy :sweetjesus:

:awwyeah:

[kristianhay]

Holtby had to be the most unexcited post-series win interview I have ever seen haha.

[pure.life]

Rooting for the Caps. Great victory

[Mike Oxbig]

Holtby had to be the most unexcited post-series win interview I have ever seen haha.

Then hes gonna go deep in the playoffs

[Tim Budong]

Good job
i can never root for the caps tho, just my opinion
I can see Philly steamrolling through the east

[Vansterdam]

Dam glad it was joel ward who scored that goal! guy was a beast against us last year in the playoffs

[b0unce. [?]]

with boston out in the first round, it makes our first round exit sting a little less :)

[pastarocket]

Go Caps! Clutch goal by Ward. The brother beats the Bad News Bruins! Bye bye bitches!

[Ludepower]

anyone else impressed with Holtby thus far?

He's goooood
a little too wild for me...needs to smother the puck better.

[fliptuner]

Holtby had to be the most unexcited post-series win interview I have ever seen haha.

The interviewer was kind of a dick IMO. Basically said, "You sucked so bad in the AHL 2 months ago, you got pulled. What happened?"

[DanHibiki]

it's weird but...i feel so...at calm and at peace with the universe right now.

[Sentinel]

The interviewer was kind of a dick IMO. Basically said, "You sucked so bad in the AHL 2 months ago, you got pulled. What happened?"

Holtby shoulda said , "I turned on beast mode."

[b0unce. [?]]

holtby pretty much said that he felt that playing in the nhl was an easier step for him because he feels like he's able to rely on his defenceman and guys to help him more. where in the ahl it was the opposing team vs him. i guess in the ahl it's more about personal stats than a team thing? everyone is trying to pad their stats to make it to the nhl.

[DanHibiki]

;7900132']holtby pretty much said that he felt that playing in the nhl was an easier step for him because he feels like he's able to rely on his defenceman and guys to help him more. where in the ahl it was the opposing team vs him. i guess in the ahl it's more about personal stats than a team thing? everyone is trying to pad their stats to make it to the nhl.

However, most players that move on from the AHL to the NHL have okay to moderate stats. Ex. Kesler only had 58 pts in 78 games before being fulltime with the Canucks.

[7seven]

Holtby had to be the most unexcited post-series win interview I have ever seen haha.

Holtby is just unflappable and very composed. Holtby starring down Pevs like a boss :fullofwin:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1083495/pev.gif

also.....

Ovie troll facing Ratboy Marchand :troll: :fullofwin:

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06BBesS4i901m/610x.jpg

[kristianhay]

Hm.

james duthie
Sources say Roberto Luongo will submit a short list of teams he'd waive his no-trade to go to next week. Toronto will be on it.

[Mike Oxbig]

Toronto is a good trading partner, they got a few players who would improve the canucks. Schenn and steckel forcing manny to retire?

[dbaz]

i wouldnt want schenn on this team, id rather take the chance with connaughton. seems like lu wants out if hes submitting the list.

[MR_BIGGS]

Hm.

That is very interesting.

Given Gillis accused Burke and Nonis of tampering before the Sedin's got signed, can't let something like that get in the way of business if it makes your team better.

That being said, Burke is on record and has strongly voiced that he opposes front-end loaded contracts. However, like Elliot Friedman said in his blog, a GM when looking at a player thinks to themselves, would this player help my team. In Toronto's case, a good goalie could have been the difference between the playoffs and not. Does Burke push hard for this in an effort to save his ass.

What would Toronto have that the Canucks would want now?

[b0unce. [?]]

I'd really like to see Clarke MacArthur ^^

[kristianhay]

Toronto is a good trading partner, they got a few players who would improve the canucks. Schenn and steckel forcing manny to retire?

Schenn.. :heckno:

[dbaz]

gardiner or their 1st otherwise fuck the rest of their team lol

[sonick]

Holtby is just unflappable and very composed. Holtby starring down Pevs like a boss :fullofwin:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1083495/pev.gif

Alternate angle. Not slowed down. Holtby, what a boss.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1083487/pev.gif

[Blah_Teggie]

Lost in everything with the Canucks' presser was that it seems Pittsburgh is going to be making very significant changes to their core as well, Shero said in his presser that he is no longer committed to the 3 center mold (Crosby, Malkin, Staal). So it would seem either Malkin or Staal would be available this offseason.

You mind telling or showing me where you found this? Cuz the only article I can find has Shero saying "'Our goal is to re-sign both of them''. Meaning Crosby and Staal.
Penguins sticking with Bylsma, core of Crosby, Malkin, Staal (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=394134)

[Mike Oxbig]

i wouldnt want schenn on this team, id rather take the chance with connaughton. seems like lu wants out if hes submitting the list.

Dont want a hard hitting dman who has 521 combined hits in last 2 seasons who is also a Right hand shot? It doesnt seem like salo is returning next season. Rather have schenn than ryan malone...

[b0unce. [?]]

Alternate angle. Not slowed down. Holtby, what a boss.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1083487/pev.gif

http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/243/561/afc.gif

[dbaz]

You mind telling or showing me where you found this? Cuz the only article I can find has Shero saying "'Our goal is to re-sign both of them''. Meaning Crosby and Staal.
Penguins sticking with Bylsma, core of Crosby, Malkin, Staal (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=394134)

it was his end of the season interview, sounds like staal is gone and they want a cheaper 3rd line center allowing them to spend the money on a better top 6/dmen

Dont want a hard hitting dman who has 521 combined hits in last 2 seasons who is also a Right hand shot? It doesnt seem like salo is returning next season. Rather have schenn than ryan malone...
why would you want a dman that constantly gets walked around on either side he plays. the only thing he can do ok is hit and usually after he goes to hit someone the other team scores because hes out of position. constantly out of position/making bad plays and would make mason raymond look like a superstar on a shift.

[hotshot1]

WTF!?? Playoffs aren't even over and this:

james duthie ‏ @tsnjamesduthie
Sources say Roberto Luongo will submit a short list of teams he'd waive his no-trade to go to next week. Toronto will be on it.

Sooo soon - I thought this would be discussed over months.

[tonyzoomzoom]

Lu for TO's 1st round pick ;)

[Mike Oxbig]

Hes only 22 and defenceman takes time and discipline to find their game. We'll see which teams are on the list for luu then come up with assumptions.

Maybe ballard and Komisarek could swap too :haha:

[dbaz]

Hes only 22 and defenceman takes time and discipline to find their game. We'll see which teams are on the list for luu then come up with assumptions

ive been hearing that excuse since he joined the league 4 years ago. picking up schenn is incredibly stupid even worse is that hes at 3.6mil per season. would rather go for gardiner or the pick. if neither dont trade to TO, overpay for jason garrison in the offseason and trade lu to nj/tb.

[SumAznGuy]

However, most players that move on from the AHL to the NHL have okay to moderate stats. Ex. Kesler only had 58 pts in 78 games before being fulltime with the Canucks.

This stat doesn't really mean anything.
Jason Krog had some pretty good years in the AHL, including a year where he lead the league with 112 pts but did next to nothing in his time with various teams in the NHL.

Pavol Demitra was over a point a game guy in the AHL and he didn't do too badly in the NHL when he was younger.

Looking at some of the top scorers from the AHL from past seasons, I don't recognize too many names in the NHL. :suspicious:

[MR_BIGGS]

It's hard to believe Luongo would list the Leafs.

-Not a cup contender
-Media scrutiny

If a guys won a cup, they might want to go to a team they've cherished or have always wanted to play for (Rangers, Habs etc), but the fucking Leafs?

[b0unce. [?]]

It's hard to believe Luongo would list the Leafs.

-Not a cup contender
-Media scrutiny

If a guys won a cup, they might want to go to a team they've cherished or have always wanted to play for (Rangers, Habs etc), but the fucking Leafs?

he knows he's got starter on lockdown there. maybe he wants to be a part of the rebuilding process? he wants to be a key piece?

just some guesses

[noots]

;7900189']I'd really like to see Clarke MacArthur ^^

Interesting to note that Francois Allaire, the goaltending coach with the Leafs, is really close with Luongo and works with him in the summer. Does this mean October Lu is there all season if he joins the Leafs?

I would be shocked if Burke gave away Gardiner. But it is Burke.

Has anyone been following the Justin Schultz story? Top prospect that looks like he'll become a UFA. He's from Kelowna and his game is exactly what we'll need.

[woob]

Holtby from earlier in the year:

http://i56.tinypic.com/2j439tl.jpg

[7seven]

You mind telling or showing me where you found this? Cuz the only article I can find has Shero saying "'Our goal is to re-sign both of them''. Meaning Crosby and Staal.
Penguins sticking with Bylsma, core of Crosby, Malkin, Staal (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=394134)

Pens fan that was listening to the Shero presser HFBoards - View Single Post - Speculation: I am reading between the lines and want to think Shero said Malkin is available... (http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/showpost.php?p=48781391&postcount=12)

[pure.life]

racist bruins fans hurl derogatory comments towards ward Chirpstory - Bruins Fans Calling Joel Ward The N-Word (http://chirpstory.com/li/6781)

[punkwax]

I feel for Lu if he goes to TO. Guy wants a cup so bad, did so much for the Canucks organization despite all the idiotic fans unjustifiably blaming him for losses (when a lack of offense or poor defense were really to blame in so many cases) that I just want to see him retire with a ring. With the Canucks or not.

To me, Luongo retiring without a ring is like Linden retiring without one. Two guys 100% committed and focused on winning with the Canucks.

If he goes to TO, there is no chance he wins a cup. Even if he does play to the end of his contract :lawl:

[SkinnyPupp]

I feel for Lu if he goes to TO. Guy wants a cup so bad, did so much for the Canucks organization despite all the idiotic fans unjustifiably blaming him for losses (when a lack of offense or poor defense were really to blame in so many cases) that I just want to see him retire with a ring. With the Canucks or not.

To me, Luongo retiring without a ring is like Linden retiring without one. Two guys 100% committed and focused on winning with the Canucks.

If he goes to TO, there is no chance he wins a cup. Even if he does play to the end of his contract :lawl:
If Toronto plays the exact same way with Lu in net instead of the two sieves they had last year, they make the playoffs

[TRDood]

Holtby is just unflappable and very composed. Holtby starring down Pevs like a boss :fullofwin:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1083495/pev.gif

...



:accepted:

[iEatClams]

racist bruins fans hurl derogatory comments towards ward Chirpstory - Bruins Fans Calling Joel Ward The N-Word (http://chirpstory.com/li/6781)

holy fuck soo many racists peeps out there. but then again its america, why am I not surprised?

[kristianhay]

Second team on Lu's list.

Dan Murphy
Toronto is indeed on Roberto Luongo's list of teams he'll submit to #canucks GM Mike Gillis and it should come as no surprise Tampa Bay is 2

[Vansterdam]

hmm florida 3?

[pastarocket]

My guess is that Tampa Bay is on top of Lu's list of teams that he wouldn't mind being a trade destination. His wife's hometown is close to Tampa and that team gives Lu a better chance of winning the Cup than Toronto.

[Bouncing Bettys]

If Toronto plays the exact same way with Lu in net instead of the two sieves they had last year, they make the playoffs

Reimer was actually playing well and had decent stats before the concussion. He wasn't the same after that. Hopefully he will have fully recovered by the start of next season.

On Schenn, has played almost all of his NHL career under Ron Wilson, who has spent his entire coaching career unaware that defence is a part of the game. On paper, the Leafs have a good young core. I will wait to see how he and others do under Carlyle after he has a chance to implement an actual defencive system.

Gardiner was an absolute steal, so was Lupul as it turned out, and I really don't see Burke giving him up or a first for Lu and the type of contract he absolutely despises.

[spoon.ek9]

racist bruins fans hurl derogatory comments towards ward Chirpstory - Bruins Fans Calling Joel Ward The N-Word (http://chirpstory.com/li/6781)

classy boston fans, not surprised.

[punkwax]

If Toronto plays the exact same way with Lu in net instead of the two sieves they had last year, they make the playoffs

Possibly, but hey, Columbus made it once too. Doesn't mean they'll actually do something :troll:

[spoon.ek9]

Makaveli at it again :lol

Capitals vs. Bruins Game 7 2012 Playoffs - YouTube

Enjoy!

[dbaz]

Has anyone been following the Justin Schultz story? Top prospect that looks like he'll become a UFA. He's from Kelowna and his game is exactly what we'll need.

think theres 3 things that play into his situation.
1. he wants more money. if he goes the ufa route i think his elc gets 60k more a year
2. wants to play in canada, western canada from the rumors.
3. hes unhappy with the ducks because they traded away gardiner. his best friend and teammate in school.

many people believe he will end up going to edm as he will get time to shine there. other rumors are van and to a lesser extent toronto

[pastarocket]

holy fuck soo many racists peeps out there. but then again its america, why am I not surprised?


Hmm. I am a bit surprised. A friend of mine, a big Caucasian guy who is from Boston, said that he loves black women. He even told me "once you go black, you don't go back." Perhaps he is an exception to those racist fans. :suspicious:

Anyways, I'll tease him about his Bruins the next time I see him in the gym. If he wears his Marchand T-shirt, I'll tell him to change to his Celtics shirt, haha.

[Gilgamesh]

Hes only 22 and defenceman takes time and discipline to find their game. We'll see which teams are on the list for luu then come up with assumptions.

Maybe ballard and Komisarek could swap too :haha:

Lol! You do not want Komisarek. In fact, Toronto would be willing to give komisarek with a free 4th rounder just to dump komisarek. The only piece vancouver could want from Toronto is honestly, Jake Gardiner. He's a good puck-mover. Schenn is untouchable, and so is Gardiner. It's also very unlikely Luongo is getting moved to Toronto since he's not going to do any better in Toronto.

[jeedee]

I'd love the 5th overall pick from Toronto, swap it up to the 3rd overall and draft Grigorenko

Still a pipedream though :okay:

[kristianhay]

Bieksa injury from the end of the season and into the playoffs.

Kevin Bieksa doesn't like the injury excuse. But he has a good one.

The Vancouver Canucks defenceman admitted he played through an ailment down the stretch of the NHL regular season and into the playoffs but wouldn't identify the injury that had been bugging him for six weeks. It was thought to be a foot problem from a shot block, because he was often seen limping in the dressing room. However, it's in the abdominal region and that's why he became known as Mr. Maintenance before the postseason.

"We're still trying to determine what it is," Kurt Overhardt, the Denver-based agent for Bieksa said of what medical procedure will be followed in the offseason to repair damage in the midsection. "Everybody knows he doesn't like to take time off."

The fact that Bieksa actually played is somewhat comforting because the sports hernia injury that Dan Hamhuis suffered in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final last June resulted in a major offseason procedure. It became obvious that Bieksa wasn't right because his battle level and ability to rotate and transition quickly was hampered in the Western Conference quarterfinal series against the Los Angeles Kings. Although he managed the winning goal in Game 4 — his only shot being a wrister from the point that struck Mike Richards and changed directions — there wasn't the usual torque in the torso or heavy follow-through. To his credit, Bieksa had 10 hits and 17 shots in the five-game series but was never right.

"Obviously, I was taking some practices off, so there were some maintenance issues there for sure," said Bieksa. "I had some problems, had my maintenance week and we did what we could to make it better for the playoffs."

Bieksa injury caused trouble for Canucks defenceman (http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Bieksa+injury+caused+trouble+Canucks+defenceman/6518692/story.html)

[LP700-4]

^Hearing all these injury rumors, im kinda glad we got kicked out first round.

We would probably have been way more disappointed if we went deeper into the playoffs.

[UFO]

Lu's team list report is a bit weird. Does this mean that MG has asked him to waive his NTC? It didn't sound like he was asking for a trade, and MG has gone on record to say he doesn't ask players to waive NTC's even though this is a unique situation. So...?

I'm also quite surprised that TML is on Lu's list... maybe working the Nonis/Burke connection there. There was also belief that Allaire would leave the goalie coach position in TO because of the goalies' performances this season. Lu can push them into the playoff mix, but a realistic chance at winning it all? The way this year's first round has gone, hey you never know. Maybe Lu is a betting man at the end of the day.

As for Justin Schultz, if he was going to sign with the Ducks, he would have done it already. Most seem to believe that Edmonton is the front runner due to their defensive needs and young core. He'd be a great fit in Vancouver with Salo looking like he may not return, but he'd also be a great fit on about 28 other teams with guaranteed 3 years entry level wage and likely top level performance.

[Bouncing Bettys]

Komisarek isn't as bad as some make him out to be, its is $4.5 million that makes him seem much worse. Like Schenn, I would like to wait and see how he does under an actual defencive system with Carlyle before I completely write him off.

[Ronin]

My guesses...

Toronto
Tampa Bay
Florida
New Jersey
Washington
San Jose

[jeedee]

Don't think Washington needs Luongo with the emergence of Holtby

Same with San Jose with Niemi

[spoon.ek9]

San Jose is also a direct competitor.. I really don't think MG would trade Luongo to anyone in the West.

[jeedee]

San Jose is also a direct competitor.. I really don't think MG would trade Luongo to anyone in the West.

Agreed. I'd be PISSED if MG trades Luongo to a Western Conference rival like San Jose.

I can just see Lu getting extra motivated to play his former team, dominate and knock the Canucks out of the playoffs if he was to play them.

I'm getting ahead of myself though :lol

[Tim Budong]

DO NOT WANT SCHENN
as I see if, IF in fact either goalie gets moved
I think its about time we see a bonafide no1 Dman...
you know sometimes a whole bunch of no2s isn't gonna cut it

[RiceIntegraRS]

^I think we need a bonafide goal scorer cause scoring 2 or less goals a game in the playoffs isnt gonna cut it

[Tim Budong]

^I think we need a bonafide goal scorer cause scoring 2 or less goals a game in the playoffs isnt gonna cut it

his name is Daniel Sedin..
The difference between a 30g to a 40g guy is astronomical in todays standards

Kesler is probably in the 30g range at best... just an honest opinion here

Even I think Kessel is a long shot for 40g

[FN-2199]

I don't religiously follow this thread, so I don't know if this is a repost, but... Bruins fans are classy. (http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chirpstory.com%2Fli%2F678 1&h=pAQGMz1KgAQGkHlod33bcxz9Y0Gz2JyYMLU1H2tV03XLjyQ)

[Ronin]

Don't think Washington needs Luongo with the emergence of Holtby

Same with San Jose with Niemi

Did you watch the playoffs? Did you watch a Sharks game? Niemi was weak.

What...hot goaltender leads the Caps into the playoffs? Where have I heard this story before? Oh right, Varlamov. Unproven. Yes, he's awesome but if George McPhee bases his goaltending decision on the last month and chooses to go forward with a rookie goalie that wasn't even warming the bench to start the season? He's smarter than that. He's gone through this with Varly, Neuvirth, whatever. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for a proven goalie like Lu.

STILL...yes, Washington is much less likely than Tampa, Jersey or Florida.

[iwantaskyline]

Komisarek isn't as bad as some make him out to be, its is $4.5 million that makes him seem much worse. Like Schenn, I would like to wait and see how he does under an actual defencive system with Carlyle before I completely write him off.

Wow someone actually saying Komisarek is decent? I'd take Rome over that chump any day of the week even if they made the same salary. Komisarek should pay 3/4's of his salary each year to Markov, cause thats who he got his contract.

[jeedee]

Did you watch the playoffs? Did you watch a Sharks game? Niemi was weak.

What...hot goaltender leads the Caps into the playoffs? Where have I heard this story before? Oh right, Varlamov. Unproven. Yes, he's awesome but if George McPhee bases his goaltending decision on the last month and chooses to go forward with a rookie goalie that wasn't even warming the bench to start the season? He's smarter than that. He's gone through this with Varly, Neuvirth, whatever. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for a proven goalie like Lu.

STILL...yes, Washington is much less likely than Tampa, Jersey or Florida.

Well.. in all honesty I only watch Canuck games and am reluctant to watch any other team :lol

But I do know the stories of Niemi's inconsistency. I get what you're saying though. I just don't think San Jose is a realistic destination cause they have to ship off Niemi THEN acquire Luongo. Possible that San Jose ships Niemi to Chicago for anyone besides Crawford, but highly unlikely. In terms of "most likely to get Lu" rankings I could see these teams acquiring him:

1. Tampa Bay
2. Florida
3, New Jersey
4. Toronto
5. Washington

[GrapeDrink]

Agreed. I'd be PISSED if MG trades Luongo to a Western Conference rival like San Jose.

I can just see Lu getting extra motivated to play his former team, dominate and knock the Canucks out of the playoffs if he was to play them.

I'm getting ahead of myself though :lol

lol I highly doubt SJ will go after Luongo, he is better than Niemi but imo not another 10 years tacked on better, with Niemi they can probably buy him out if he sucks for another year and imo people just shit on Niemi cause his style is ugly as fuck but his stats, especially 5v5 are actually quite sturdy, so I don't see the need for Lu. Also, Sharks don't really have much to offer for Luongo they don't have any can't miss prospects, no high picks unless you consider their 15-18 pick this year. If roster player, its probably going to be Clowe, and I don't see how that would outbid the other teams on lu's list

[SkinnyPupp]

Don't think Washington needs Luongo with the emergence of Holtby

Same with San Jose with Niemi
Plus no way are they going to ship him to a western team

[Bouncing Bettys]

Wow someone actually saying Komisarek is decent? I'd take Rome over that chump any day of the week even if they made the same salary. Komisarek should pay 3/4's of his salary each year to Markov, cause thats who he got his contract.

Read again, I never said he was decent. I said he wasn't as bad as some make him out to be. Meaning, as far as NHL defencemen go, he wasn't terrible, but his massive contract factors into much of the criticism. If he was making a 1/3rd of what he makes, then he could be considered a little closer to decent. Some nights he was the best player out there for the Leafs. He is capable of more, and under an actual defencive system, he might get closer to earning that $4.5 million.

[Ronin]

The only reason I bring up SJ is because that's the only realistic Western team where he could go. He won't go to Columbus since he wants to win, all the other Central teams are covered for goaltending except maybe Chicago. Gillis won't want to face Lu 6 times a year so he won't be traded within the division, which leaves the Pacific and Phoenix, LA, Dallas and Anaheim seem more set than SJ.

SJ will be undergoing a change this off-season...they have to. Don't you think there's a possibility they could ship one of their forwards for Lu?

Lu will probably go East but there's always the possibility. In order of likelihood, I'd say Tampa, Florida, NJ, Toronto, Washington, SJ, NYI.

[Tim Budong]

Komisarek?
wtf are you smoking...

[jeedee]

SJ will be undergoing a change this off-season...they have to. Don't you think there's a possibility they could ship one of their forwards for Lu?

Well, it's possible Lu might list San Jose as a destination he'd like to be traded. BUT it still won't happen. Highly unlikely MG trades Lu to a rival within the Western Conference. Unless San Jose offers something he can't refuse like Couture, it just won't happen.

[kristianhay]

Trading within the conference to a competitor would be shooting ourselves in the foot.

In terms of Toronto, all I would want is Gardiner or their 1st - neither are likely to happen.

Although I do love playoff hockey regardless of whether Vancouver is involved or not, I kind of just want them to be over now so we can see what happens with the Canucks hah.

[AzNightmare]

Holtby is a fun goalie to watch. He has all these random "rituals" during warmup and before faceoffs, and other stuff.
He would push players around in his crease, and not take crap from players. Sometimes, I wish we had a goalie that had that kind of attitude.

Luongo and Schneider are both too composed to play that kind of game though.

[LUUUUUUUU]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1083495/pev.gif

http://i.imgur.com/oMbna.gif

http://s16.postimage.org/hpsyj2mub/holt2.gif

http://i46.tinypic.com/1h40th.gif

[cliffhanger33]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTuxLe7pGHg

[GrapeDrink]

The only reason I bring up SJ is because that's the only realistic Western team where he could go. He won't go to Columbus since he wants to win, all the other Central teams are covered for goaltending except maybe Chicago. Gillis won't want to face Lu 6 times a year so he won't be traded within the division, which leaves the Pacific and Phoenix, LA, Dallas and Anaheim seem more set than SJ.

SJ will be undergoing a change this off-season...they have to. Don't you think there's a possibility they could ship one of their forwards for Lu?

Lu will probably go East but there's always the possibility. In order of likelihood, I'd say Tampa, Florida, NJ, Toronto, Washington, SJ, NYI.

but trading for Lu would seem pretty backwards to me, like I've said before I get that lu is better than Niemi. But Niemi's stock is as low as its ever going to be, they won't net anything decent trading him right now and imho niemi's poor statistics was more a reflection of how poor our pk was and even with that said they were quite similar to Luongos, then you trade a pavelski/clowe + pick for luongo? just filling a hole by creating another imo. The cost just would be too much for a sharks team with no prospects with the ability to replicate what a pavelski/clowe/marleau could bring to the table and that would be the MINIMUM for lu. And no please don't give us Mason Raymond for our top 6 replacement :denied:

[Tim Budong]

Jersey is a longshot given their financial situation, and their penalty on the Kovalchuk contract debacle

[kayceeee]

“@RealKyper: #SNPlayoffs #Canucks Luongo asks for trade. Van didn't even need to ask him to waive NTC. He tells them himself in exit meeting he wants out”

[SkinnyPupp]

Well that's that!

[SkinnyPupp]

So now that it's a sure thing, I wonder what they will get back? Usually when a guy REQUESTS a trade, they don't have much leverage. And it's not like they can change their minds now, and ship Schneider for more in return

So from Florida, Tampa, or Toronto, who would you want?

[AzNightmare]

Wow... wtf..
So now Lu is actually asking for a trade??
Couldn't he have kept that within the organization so that other teams don't know about it.

At least then MG would have more leverage if other teams didn't know Canucks can't really keep him.

[punkwax]

I'll believe it when I hear it from someone credible. Kypreos :fuckthatshit:

[7seven]

No team is going to give the Canucks a bonafide #1 D man in return for Lu like some are hoping and I don't really see key pieces that Toronto, Tampa or Florida would be willing to give up. I think what you're looking at in return from those teams are young projects and depth guys like L. Schenn and B. Connolly.

Ideally for the Canucks, Florida I think would make the best trading partner out of those likely teams on Lu's list, I would target guys like Upshall, Versteeg or Fleischmann depth guys who can score & play gritty and help now, not 5 years down the road. If you can get a young D man out of them in a package too like Gudbranson even better.

[Vansterdam]

what a dick move on luongos behalf if the story is true

[411ken]

Any nonplayoff team would definitely want Lu. I mean, all they want is to make the playoffs and good chance of that happening with Lu in net. Once in the playoffs, anything CAN happen just like how the playoffs this year where it's pretty much "upsets"

[7seven]

what a dick move on luongos behalf if the story is true

Why would it be a dick move? It was clear with that AV and Gillis were moving ahead with Schneids and giving him the net. We have no idea if it was Lu or his camp who leaked the trade request to Kypreos, it could easily have been someone within the Canucks administration whos tight with Kypreos

[411ken]

Plus, I think it's a good move for Lu to get the heck out of Vancouver IMO. If we kept him and traded schneider.. the entire city would be on his back every single game... the guy just need a fresh start elsewhere.

I just hope the city doesnt give schneider a hard time either after he lets in a few soft goals here and there..

[RiceIntegraRS]

^Its Vancouver, its gonna happen eventually.

[mako]

We can only hope that Schneids can handle the pressure

[Spoon]

what a dick move on luongos behalf if the story is true

Imo absolutely the right move for someone who wants to win. Why would he want to weaken his new team and give the canucks a fair trade? Especially the way he was treated here ...

[Gh0stRider]

Toronto is on lu's list hah

[cliffhanger33]

Wow ..... Lu actually did that?

Hope schneids can handle being van's starter

It's gna be a major mental fuck for him, but I have full confidence in him. He's proved it.

[RRxtar]

when was the last time nashville played hockey? lol

[bballguy]

According to TSN's James Duthie, sources say that Roberto Luongo will submit a list of teams to the Vancouver Canuncks that he would be willing to accept a trade to.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will reportedly be on that list and the move would make sense, but that doesn't guarantee that it will get done. The Leafs desperately need help between the pipes, they can afford his huge contract and they have personnel on the management end that know him in the form of former Canucks GM Dave Nonis and goaltending coach Francois Allaire.

- Rotoworld

[Blah_Teggie]

what a dick move on luongos behalf if the story is true

No, a dick move would be if Lu refuses to waive his NTC (and he didn't have to) and the Canucks are stuck with a disgruntled goalie for the next 10 years who's not trying his best every night.

[SkinnyPupp]

Why would it be a dick move? It was clear with that AV and Gillis were moving ahead with Schneids and giving him the net. We have no idea if it was Lu or his camp who leaked the trade request to Kypreos, it could easily have been someone within the Canucks administration whos tight with Kypreos
I don't think it's a dick move so much as not as 'classy' as he has been since game 3. Instead of "not standing in their way" he is "asking to be moved" which might mean 2 different types of offers coming back for him.

It was 99% guaranteed that he is no longer the #1 goalie after not getting the call for game 4. But it's better to leave it ambiguous than to put it right out there like that, coming from HIS side instead of the team's side.

[411ken]

^ Well, this also helps Gillis' reputation as well.. Now the players know that MG didnt ask lu to waive his NTC after stating that he would never ask any player to do so... cuz at this point, if gillis asks him to waive the ntc, teams would still lowball him anyway as they know they wouldn't want to keep both goalies

I don't expect to get a top6 Fwd or D for Lu... I'd be happy with a prospect/picks if that's the best they could get for him and just spend on freeagency :D

[SkinnyPupp]

One thing they could do is dump him for prospects and go for Parise, but that seems pretty risky. Suter is out there too, but IMO they need offense more than D

[411ken]

IF for example Burke trades Gardiner + pick or whatever for Luongo.. We could then try and sign Schultz who's a close friend by gardiner.. We can then trade Edler for Jordan Staal. To start off the off season moves :D

Sedins/Burr
Booth/Staal/Kes
Higgins/Lappy/Kassian
Pahlsson/Malhotra/Raymond

Hamhuis/Bieksa
Tanev/Salo (if he signs) or Ballard
Gardiner/Schultz

Schneider
Lack

Maybe Weber would want to join after :D

[SkinnyPupp]

The more I think (and read) about it, the more it seems like they won't get anything for him anyway. Prospects or an early 2nd rounder maybe?

The free agent market looks decent this year, who knows

[twixxer]

So now Lu is asking for a trade.

Luongo willing to waive NTC for Leafs - sportsnet.ca (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/04/26/roberto_luongo_trade_rumours_maple_leafs_canucks/)

[sonick]

Willing to waive NTC, submitting a list of possible teams of interest, and requesting/demanding a trade are different things. Too many attention-grabbing headlines floating around right now it's not clear exactly what's going on short of Luongo submitting a list of teams he may be interested in being traded to.

[SkinnyPupp]

Willing to waive NTC, submitting a list of possible teams of interest, and requesting/demanding a trade are different things. Too many attention-grabbing headlines floating around right now it's not clear exactly what's going on short of Luongo submitting a list of teams he may be interested in being traded to.
The thing is, was he asked officially "will you waive your clause" or did he go to them and tell them to move him? Maybe it's semantics, someone had better clear things up though!

[sonick]

The thing is, was he asked officially "will you waive your clause" or did he go to them and tell them to move him? Maybe it's semantics, someone had better clear things up though!

Gillis has said he will never request anybody to waive their NTC, so would be pretty bad (especially to future potential free agents) if management did officially ask him to waive it.

It could very well have been just a mutual understanding where Gillis never outright asked him to waive and Luongo never demanded to be moved... Something like, "I am open to the possibility of being traded and would waive the NTC should it come to that; here's a list of teams I'd be interested in being traded to."

[SkinnyPupp]

MG on 1040 right now

"*sigh* I'm not quite sure why something like that would be out there"

Says they are going to take a couple days to collect thoughts, and meet next week

No decision on whether he's keeping Lu or Cory

Someone's lying (my bet would be Big Mike)

[highfive]

Gillis on Team 1040 right now.

Asked about Luongo's meeting. He only said there was a meeting. Going to have a phone call conversation with him in a few days.

So take it whatever ways. I'm surprised that Luongo asked for a trade even though it's from Krypreos...

If the Leafs truly wants a good goaltender such as Luongo.

I wouldn't be surprised if we get players like David Steckel, Gardiner / Franson, and a pick / prospect (Colborne).

Imagine our line of Jensen Colborne Kassian....Damn... lol

[Noir]

^ Well, this also helps Gillis' reputation as well.. Now the players know that MG didnt ask lu to waive his NTC after stating that he would never ask any player to do so... cuz at this point, if gillis asks him to waive the ntc, teams would still lowball him anyway as they know they wouldn't want to keep both goalies

I don't expect to get a top6 Fwd or D for Lu... I'd be happy with a prospect/picks if that's the best they could get for him and just spend on freeagency :D

Good luck.

The fact that he takes parting shots at ex-players he just dealt in an effort to save his own skin isn't really reverberating well around the league right now; or in the public opinion outside of the Canuck fanbase.

God I hope this copycat GM wannabe gets sacked too.

[UFO]

Luongo willing to waive NTC for Leafs - sportsnet.ca (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/04/26/roberto_luongo_trade_rumours_maple_leafs_canucks/)

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo confirmed with Sportsnet's Dan Murphy Wednesday night that the Maple Leafs are on the short list of teams he will waive his no-trade clause for. The Tampa Bay Lightning are also said to be on the list that Luongo will reportedly file to Canucks general manager Mike Gillis early next week.

According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, Luongo told the Canucks in his exit meeting that he would welcome a trade.

To me, that's not a lot different than what he said in his interview a couple of days ago of not standing in the way if the team has a move to make. Saying he 'would welcome a trade' is not the same as demanding a trade. Saying that TML are on his short list of teams he would accept moving to is not the same as asking to be traded to that team.

Or maybe I'm just being naive here, haha. MG did imply Kesler isn't going anywhere, and Manny appears to have a spot next season.

regarding Kesler's shoulder injury, I wonder if that was from when he got Kronwall'd in February.

[jeedee]

IF for example Burke trades Gardiner + pick or whatever for Luongo.. We could then try and sign Schultz who's a close friend by gardiner.. We can then trade Edler for Jordan Staal. To start off the off season moves :D

Sedins/Burr
Booth/Staal/Kes
Higgins/Lappy/Kassian
Pahlsson/Malhotra/Raymond

Hamhuis/Bieksa
Tanev/Salo (if he signs) or Ballard
Gardiner/Schultz

Schneider
Lack

Maybe Weber would want to join after :D

Sorry but that defense is absolutely horrible lol

I wouldn't give up on Edler just yet

[MR_BIGGS]

After hearing Luongo's presser, I don't think he asked for a trade nor do I think that was made public. Kyprios is speculating based on what he heard from Luongo the other day. He was on a Toronto radio station, and said "Luongo essentially asked for a trade," the key word being essentially. It is pure speculation at this point, although the writing is on the wall.

Gillis will get more from Schnieder. If a GM gets desperate and offers a lot of Cory, you have to think Gillis goes with that. Gillis said he wants to get younger, so maybe he'll use Luongo to get some picks and prospects, freeing up cap space. Who knows. It's going to be an interesting off-season though.

[UFO]

Sorry but that defense is absolutely horrible lol

I wouldn't give up on Edler just yet

Its not so much giving up on Edler, but taking a look at what he can return in exchange. I don't think we bring in a second line center and bump Kesler to the wing though, we could have kept Coho if that was the case

Gardiner has been solid, no reason he can't play or handle top 4 minutes and responsibilities. The same has been said of Schultz

[Tim Budong]

Lou is a Canuck until the deal is done
thats what I will say

As of now, there really isn't a "right deal" until every single player is given a good look on our roster. Same goes what assessing what went wrong, injuries and going forward with each and every individual on the team.

We all know that the exit interview was private, and the media spins words to sell. Lou confirming with Murph in regards of the Leafs being on a list is just that. Theres a list. Lu is a professional, and if he stays, he's going to be the same player we all love(or to some assholes, love to hate)

Other concerns are there as well. The relationship between Aquilini and Luongo. Will that get in the way? It would be ideal that ownership doesn't get in the way of hockey decisions, but there will always be that possibility.

[RiceIntegraRS]

Why are we debating if luongo asked go be traded or did he waive his ntc or MG asked him to waive it. Anybody with a pea brain knows its pretty irrelevant. Its only the media trying to blowup a story over nothing.

[Eastwood]

I won't be surprised if we keep both goalies actually. What happens in the event that no other GM offers Schneider a ridiculous salary knowing that Vancouver probably will resign him? We will be able to resign Schneids at a low salary cost. Won't we keep both Schneids and Luongo?

[highfive]

Why are we debating if luongo asked go be traded or did he waive his ntc or MG asked him to waive it. Anybody with a pea brain knows its pretty irrelevant. Its only the media trying to blowup a story over nothing.

I agree. Media is always there to fuck things up.

The AV comment on Kesler earlier in the year.

The question asked from the reporter was, coach, what do you think Kesler can do to be better? AV said Kesler should use his wingers more etc...

Then some reporter goes to Kesler and say AV said you should use your wingers more.... :fulloffuck:

It's almost like I go ask you guys what clothes should girls wear to look hot? You say in lingerie. Then I go tell your wife/gf that you like girls in lingerie?

Fucking media.

[411ken]

I won't be surprised if we keep both goalies actually. What happens in the event that no other GM offers Schneider a ridiculous salary knowing that Vancouver probably will resign him? We will be able to resign Schneids at a low salary cost. Won't we keep both Schneids and Luongo?

How much do you think Schneids would sign for? I'd rather just keep 1 and use the Lu salary for some more offense and what not... just me though. .but who knows.. maybe MG is willing to give this core 1 more shot at it and he just adds another piece or 2 via trades

[SumAznGuy]

Since Schneider is an RFA, if another team gives him an offer sheet and the Nucks choose not to match, would that other team have to give the Nucks anything back?

I remember there was such a thing but I can't remember exactly what the rule was.

[Tim Budong]

Since Schneider is an RFA, if another team gives him an offer sheet and the Nucks choose not to match, would that other team have to give the Nucks anything back?

I remember there was such a thing but I can't remember exactly what the rule was.

depends on the salary

$1,034,249 annual cap hit or less: No compensation

$1,034,249 — $1,567,043: Third-round pick

$1,567,043 — $3,134,088: Second-round pick

$3,134,088 — $4,701,131: First and third-round pick

$4,701,131 — $6,268,175: First, second and third-round pick

$6,268,175 — $7,835,219: Two first-round picks, a second and third

$7,835,219 and higher: Four first-round picks

and yes. The decision needs to be made at the draft going forward... Im posting the entire fucking article here.. its long... but worth your time in understanding Cory's RFA status... Time isn't really on OUR TIME... especially with the looming CBA expiry. Teams do that have that cushion before a certain date to fix up the cap...


The Complete Guide to Cory Schneider's Upcoming Restricted Free Agency | CanucksArmy (http://canucksarmy.com/2012/3/13/a-complete-guide-to-cory-schneiders-impending-restricted-free-agency)

Stud goaltender Cory Schneider is having another standout campaign backing up Roberto Luongo in Vancouver. This season, Schneider has appeared in 26 games, he's sporting the third best save percentage of any NHL goalie with more than 20 starts, and in terms of his quality-start percentage: he's been more reliable between the pipes than Luongo. Schneider is young, he's smart, he's articulate, and his goaltending mechanics are impeccable. At this point, it's not a stretch to list Cory Schneider among the league's best young goaltenders, and with his contract expiring this summer the notion of adding Schneider to the roster has opposing teams and fan-bases salivating.

Take Tyler Dellow and Jonathan Willis, two of the smartest Oilers fans out there, who have actively fantasized about the Oilers signing Cory Schneider to an Offer Sheet. If you're a team that needs to address your starting goaltending, you're not going to do better than Cory Schneider this offseason. Yes, there's a chance that Cory Schneider could take up the starters mantle in the postseason for the Canucks; but with Roberto Luongo's immovable contract on the books through the return of Christ, it remains very likely that Schneider will begin next season wearing colours other than Canucks blue.

But how will that process unfold? Will any teams sign Cory Schneider to an offer-sheet? Will he be taken to arbitration? Will he be dealt at the draft? Read past the jump for your complete guide on Cory Schneider's impending restricted free agency.

Before we begin, I need to mention that in writing this blog-post I am deeply indebted to the guidance of BeantownCanuck. I'm reluctant to list him as a co-author (in case he hates the blog post) but that's how important his contributions were. Needless to say: I couldn't have navigated the CBA legalese without him.

THE DRAFT AND THE MARKET

Most observers expect that Cory Schneider will be dealt at this year's NHL entry draft which takes place on June 22nd and 23rd in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Generally speaking, teams are flush with cap-space at the draft and are looking to build their roster long-term. For teams looking to address a need in net, Cory Schneider will be the most coveted asset.

Mike Gillis isn't a stranger to making draft day deals. In 2010 he completed probably his worst trade as General Manager of the Canucks, when he acquired Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskovich from Florida while sending a conditional first round pick (Quinton Howdon), Michael Grabner and Steve Bernier to the Panthers. That deal is among the few blemishes on Gillis' record as Canucks GM (I'd also include the Luongo contract, and the Mathieu Schneider experiment), so he'll look to do better this time around.

Realistically, there are five major teams that meet the criteria of being a) desperately in need of addressing their goaltending situation long-term and b) a team that the Canucks would likely trade with. Those five teams are the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the New York Islanders, the Columbus Bluejackets and the New Jersey Devils. The Bluejackets are in the West but will need more than a goaltender to seriously trouble the Canucks, and they'll likely be in a different conference soon enough as a result of realignment. I'd put three other teams (Winnipeg, Washington and Phoenix) as possible long-shots who could conceivably make a bid.

The Canucks will likely be looking for some combination of a high first round pick, and a young roster player (preferably a right-side Defenseman). Gillis will hold an auction of sorts, and almost assuredly, he'll deal Cory Schneider (or in a less likely but still feasible scenario: Roberto Luongo) on the 22nd of June to the highest bidder.

QUALIFYING OFFER

If the Canucks don't move Cory Schneider at the draft, they'll need to send him a qualifying offer by 5:00 PM EST on June 25th, per section 10.2 (a)(ii)(B) of the CBA. Assuming Gillis doesn't "pull a Tallon," the Canucks will absolutely do this. Because Cory Schneider's base salary (900,000 this season) is between 600,000 and 1 million dollars, his qualifying offer must include a 5% bump to his current salary, which means the value of the qualifying offer will be at least $945,000. Schneider will, of course, not accept the team's qualifying offer meaning he'll become a Restricted Free Agent at 12:00 AM EST, on July 1st.

THE WINDOW

This is the most interesting part of Schneider's RFA status. The Canucks will have a 24 hour window between 5:00 PM EST on July 5th and 5:00 PM EST on July 6th in which they can elect to take Cory Schneider to binding salary arbitration (see: Secs 12.1(b) and 12.4(b) of the 2005 CBA). If the Canucks exercise their right to take Schneider to arbitration, he is then forbidden from negotiating with any other teams according to section 10.2 (a)(i)(B) of the CBA, and he cannot be signed to an offer-sheet.

Here's the rub though, in the intervening five days between July 1st and July 5th - Cory Schneider will be a standard group two restricted free-agent and opposing General Managers will be free to negotiate with him and ink him to an offer-sheet, which, the Canucks would then have a week to match.

WORST CASE SCENARIO: THE OFFER SHEET

Now, Cory Schneider being signed to an offer-sheet is the worst possible outcome for the Canucks for several reasons. First of all, matching any offer-sheet extended to Cory Schneider would be unappealing from a spending efficiency perspective. The Canucks already have Luongo's 5.33 million dollar cap-hit on the books and, frankly, spending 8-9 million dollars, (or well over 10% of next season's expected cap) on the club's goaltending tandem is totally unjustifiable.

Also, persuant to sections 10.3 (a) and 10.3 (b) of the CBA, once the Offer Sheet is signed, the Canucks would be unable to move Cory Schneider for one year from the day they matched the deal. In other words, they couldn't match a Cory Schneider Offer Sheet and then turn around and trade him for a dream package from Tampa Bay: they'd have to swallow the bitter pill for at least the entirety of the 2012-13 season. In too many ways, the Canucks would be handcuffed if Schneider was signed to an offer-sheet, and would be very unlikely to exercise their right to first refusal.

To make matters worse, any draft pick compensation coming back the Canucks way from a Cory Schneider Offer Sheet would be only moderately attractive. Here's how draft pick compensation for restricted free-agents worked last summer (these parameters are set by average salary, so we won't know what this summer's draft pick compensation numbers will look like yet):

$1,034,249 annual cap hit or less: No compensation

$1,034,249 — $1,567,043: Third-round pick

$1,567,043 — $3,134,088: Second-round pick

$3,134,088 — $4,701,131: First and third-round pick

$4,701,131 — $6,268,175: First, second and third-round pick

$6,268,175 — $7,835,219: Two first-round picks, a second and third

$7,835,219 and higher: Four first-round picks

Cory Schneider is a valuable trade chip, but with only fifty career starts under his belt and one career playoff start - how much is he worth as a restricted free-agent? Bearing in mind that an opposing general manager would need to make the offer "toxic" to discourage the Canucks from matching the deal, and we can expect that Schneider would garner an offer-sheet worth more than 3.13 million dollars. This means the Canucks would probably receive a first and a third round pick in 2013 if Schneider were to be poached by an offer-sheet. That's hardly the game-changing return the Canucks brain-trust has in mind for a blue-chip asset like Cory Schneider.

If a team signs Cory Schneider to an Offer Sheet, the Canucks would find their options severely limited. If Vancouver chooses not to match the deal, the return is pretty meagre. If the team does match the Offer Sheet, then they'll find themselves restricted in terms of their available cap-space, and in terms of what assets they're permitted to trade next season. While the team's resident capologist, Laurence Gilman, can probably navigate around these seemingly insurmountable restraints, a Cory Schneider offer-sheet remains a functional disaster scenario for the team.

ARBITRATION

Much of the material you'll find below is paraphrased from Dirk Hoag's handy-take on the arbitration process. Dirk Hoag's "On the Forecheck" blog covers the Nashville Predators, and is perhaps the gold-standard for team blogs. Follow Dirk on Twitter.

If, by some act of the god, Cory Schneider made it to July 5th without being signed to an Offer Sheet then the Canucks would surely exercise their right to take him to binding arbitration. Because it would be team elected arbitration, Schneider would have the right to decide between a one or two year award, and the young goaltender would surely choose a one year award since he's eager to be a full-time starter in the NHL (section 12.9 c). The Canucks would not have the right to "walk away" from the award (like the Blackhawks did with Antii Niemi) since they would have been the ones who requested the hearing (12.10 e).

In arbitration, both sides present evidence in support of their preferred salary figure. Admissible evidence includes statistics, history of durability, length of service to the team, the players "contributions" to the "success or failure" of the club in question, public appeal and the salary and success of comparable players (who also signed their deals as group 2 free-agents). Niemi's arbitration award, James Reimer and Corey Crawford are the most obvious comps.

Cory Schneider has a lot going for him: he's posted great numbers, he's had success at every level and he has oodles of charisma and public appeal. His durability would probably come under some fire during an arbitration hearing (remember when he left game six against Chicago because of cramps?), but I doubt that drawback would carry too much water. If Schneider ends up going to arbitration, his award will likely hinge on whether or not he gets a few starts (and performs well) in the postseason. If he does, then Schneider's side will easily win the "contributions" to the "success or failure" of the club argument. I'd expect Schneider to receive an award in excess of 2.5 million, and probably in the range of 2.8-3.25 million dollars in arbitration, but if took over the starters mantle and led the team on a deep playoff run, I could see him being awarded as much as $4 million.

FULL CIRCLE

Having gone through these scenarios, it becomes plain that the only appealing option for the Canucks is to trade a goaltender at the draft. In all likelihood, it will be Cory Schneider who gets dealt - he's younger, he doesn't have a contract to weigh down his value and he'll the net the team a considerably more valuable return than Roberto Luongo.

Is there a chance that Cory Schneider ends up taking Luongo's job in the postseason, and distinguishes himself to the extent that Gillis scrambles at the draft and spruces up a Roberto Luongo package with extra assets to incentivize the likes of Steve Yzerman to swallow Luu's contract? Sure, it's possible, but needless to say: it's a long-shot.

Either way, this much is crystal, sparkling clear: Mike Gillis is going to hold an auction and trade one of his goaltenders at the draft. We know this for sure because in the history of the current CBA, only one restricted free-agent has been signed to an offer-sheet in the five day window before that free agent's team could exercise their arbitration rights. That free-agent was David Backes, and the offer-sheet he signed (and that St. Louis matched) was offered to him by Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis. If there's an existing loop-hole in the CBA, you can bet that Mike Gillis has already exploited it, and the "little known five day window before arbitration" loop-hole is no exception.

Mike Gillis knows what the stakes are headed into this June's draft. He knows that he can make a good hockey trade and acquire valuable assets in exchange for Cory Schneider, and he also understands the risk that he assumes if he fails to move a goaltender in Pittsburgh. For the next three months, the Canucks boast the best goaltending tandem in the NHL, but we know that on June 22nd one of those goaltenders - probably the one named Cory Schneider - is going to be moved.

[Gumby]

Since Schneider is an RFA, if another team gives him an offer sheet and the Nucks choose not to match, would that other team have to give the Nucks anything back?

I remember there was such a thing but I can't remember exactly what the rule was.
The other team has to provide draft picks to the Canucks as compensation, and the number/type of picks depends on how much the new contract is worth.

[Mike Oxbig]

schneider has to be resigned before luongo is shipped out, IF we decide to keep schneider. Our D look weak! Only team thats stacked with tradeable defence is toronto

everyone says schenn sucks:badpokerface:

[mb_]

^draft picks depending on how much they offer

Edit: too slow lol

[MR_BIGGS]

How much do you think Schneids would sign for? I'd rather just keep 1 and use the Lu salary for some more offense and what not... just me though. .but who knows.. maybe MG is willing to give this core 1 more shot at it and he just adds another piece or 2 via trades

Darren Dreger tweeted a day or so ago that Schnieder can easily command 4 years at 4 million each.

[spoon.ek9]

Resign and Re-sign are two totally different words.

[Tim Budong]

Darren Dreger tweeted a day or so ago that Schnieder can easily command 4 years at 4 million each.

i wouldnt be surprised. Cory is easier to move. Will Cory sign more than one year if he were to stay? he is UFA next year and given the "window", he might need to look else where if he wants to win...

[kristianhay]

Roberto Luongo stated earlier this week he was open to a trade and a source told ESPN.com Thursday that he is mulling over a shortlist of teams he’ll hand the Vancouver Canucks as early as next week.

James Duthie of TSN in Canada reported via Twitter late Wednesday night that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be part of that short list.

The Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils are other possibilities, another source told ESPN.com Thursday, while stressing that Luongo hasn’t yet made up his mind on the list.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are in dire need of goaltending but it’s not clear at this point whether Luongo would want to include them on his list or not.

The Canucks would not say much when asked about Luongo on Thursday: "This is an important decision for our organization and the players involved," Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman told ESPN.com. "It is not going to be something we discuss publicly throughout the process."

Canucks GM Mike Gillis was on Vancouver’s Team 1040 radio station Thursday and said the team hasn’t even decided yet what they’re going to do in goal.

"No, we haven’t," Gillis said on the station. "We all need to take a deep breath here."

Luongo began in career with the Panthers and has retained South Florida as his offseason home.

The veteran goalie was benched after two games in favor of young goalie Cory Schneider in Vancouver’s first-round loss to Los Angeles. Luongo, who has a no-trade clause, then told the assembled Vancouver media on Tuesday that he’d be open to a trade.

Luongo, 33, signed a 12-year deal with the Canucks in 2009, worth $64 million. It runs through the 2021-22 season, although it’s front-loaded. It paid him $10 million last season, $6.716 million this season, $6.714 million per season for the next six years, then drops to $3.382 million in 2018-19, $1.618 million in 2019-20 and $1 million in each of the last two seasons. The salary-cap hit for the entirety of the contract is $5.33 million per season.

Schneider, 26, is a restricted free agent July 1 who needs a new contract that will pay him much more than the $900,000 he earned this season. For salary-cap reasons alone, the Canucks were always going to be forced to decide between goalies this summer.

I don’t believe for a second that the Leafs would top Luongo’s list, given the similar, hockey-crazed and sometimes over-the-top culture that he’d be leaving from in Vancouver. But Luongo also knows he can’t be too picky given his monster contract if he really wants to leave the Canucks. Plus, in Toronto there’s goalie coach Francois Allaire, whom Luongo holds in high regard, and Leafs’ executive Dave Nonis, who traded for him in Vancouver when Nonis was Canucks GM.

Still, my bet would be on the two Florida NHL teams to be his favored destinations.

Where's Roberto Luongo going now? - Cross Checks Blog - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/16666/wheres-roberto-luongo-going-now)

[Hondaracer]

Schneider will only get 4+ from a non-contender

Also regarding Lu to TO, A) nothing Toronto has gets us closer to a cup

B) if luongo went to TO he's basically saying he has no interest in winning a cup, he just wants to ride out his career because now that he has dealt with a big market he knows how to play it and will give them enough wins to be satisfied.

[bballguy]

Schneider will only get 4+ from a non-contender

Also regarding Lu to TO, A) nothing Toronto has gets us closer to a cup

B) if luongo went to TO he's basically saying he has no interest in winning a cup, he just wants to ride out his career because now that he has dealt with a big market he knows how to play it and will give them enough wins to be satisfied.

If he can get 4+ from a non-contender, he can get 4+ from us, given that we can ship out Boberto Loolongo.

[411ken]

B) if luongo went to TO he's basically saying he has no interest in winning a cup, he just wants to ride out his career because now that he has dealt with a big market he knows how to play it and will give them enough wins to be satisfied.

I kinda disagree with this. I think Toronto with Luongo can make some noise in regular season/playoffs. They could easily take Ottawa or Florida's spot in the playoffs with him in net.

I actually like the D core of the Leafs (believe it or not) and they have some good forwards as well.

Every team's goal is to WIN the stanley cup (I hope so anyway) and luongo CAN help a team get close to it./. So not sure how you figure out that Toronto has no goal in winning a cup or making the playoffs.

[PornMaster]

A trade to tampa for either goalies could get us a ton of talent back.

Pros
1) Traded to eastern conference team
2) Lots of trade opportunities
3) Can trade either luongo or schneider

[SumAznGuy]

Karlsson, Weber, Chara the finalists for Norris Trophy (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=394311)

As everyone has guessed, Erik Karlsson, Zdeno Chara, and Shea Weber are the finalist for the Norris trophy.

I'm gonna guess Karlsson.

[411ken]

Karlsson, Weber, Chara the finalists for Norris Trophy (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=394311)

As everyone has guessed, Erik Karlsson, Zdeno Chara, and Shea Weber are the finalist for the Norris trophy.

I'm gonna guess Karlsson.

Karlsson for sureeee.. or he should anyway

78points this year..25 more than the other 2 finalist

and his +/- improved drastically!! last year -30.. this year +16

[bballguy]

My vote still goes to Weber, and I still think he'll end up getting it; Weber will end up on top, and Chara and Karlsson will end up splitting the rest of the votes. The award goes to the most well-rounded defenseman....Karlsson's offensive numbers are far greater than anyone else's, but his defense is very mediocre...Weber is the most well-rounded.

[Not really racist!]

Karlsson for sureeee.. or he should anyway

78points this year..25 more than the other 2 finalist

and his +/- improved drastically!! last year -30.. this year +16

thats based on points alone

have you watched any Ottawa games to observe him on the defensive end compared to the other two candidates?

[411ken]

thats based on points alone

have you watched any Ottawa games to observe him on the defensive end compared to the other two candidates?

You raise a good point. I guess he wins in the points category then lol... Out of the 3 though, i'm a big fan of Weber's game

Karlsson would win most improved player award if the NHL gave those out lol.. he was also the one of the main reason for Ottawa's turnaround and even a playoff birth this year.. that's the reason I chose him lol

[TjAlmeida]

I was a fan of weber too.. Until he smashed zeterberg's face into the glass.

[highfive]

I kinda disagree with this. I think Toronto with Luongo can make some noise in regular season/playoffs. They could easily take Ottawa or Florida's spot in the playoffs with him in net.

I actually like the D core of the Leafs (believe it or not) and they have some good forwards as well.

Every team's goal is to WIN the stanley cup (I hope so anyway) and luongo CAN help a team get close to it./. So not sure how you figure out that Toronto has no goal in winning a cup or making the playoffs.

Leafs D is solid but it really depends on how Dion is playing that night. If he plays like shit, so goes the entire defence.

They have some good wingers. They are still lacking a lot down the middle. If you look at good teams in the playoffs you need to ride a good centreman or have the centreman play well during that time.

Washington - Backstrom, Laich
Phoenix - Vermette, Brule
St. Louis - McDonald, Berglund, Oshie
Nashville - Legwand, Fisher
Philly - Giroux, Briere
LA - Kopitar, Richards, Stoll

Don't know how to take this tweet about Luongo's trade.

From @Strombone1 Twitter

You're the boss!!! "@NotBobbyLu: Let's just screw with everybody and put the Rangers, Predators, and the Canadiens on the list. Nobody else"

I always thought Strombone1 is Luongo..but I don't know. kinda lost at the moment.

[411ken]

^ Leafs has Lupul,Grabovski, Steckel, Connolly( too bad he's never healthy), Lombardi, Bozak.. Sure, they could use another top big name centreman but these guys could do the job as long as they stay healthy.. and with a solid D then Lu as the goalie.. damnnnn..

I'm not a leafs fan whatsover but I do see the potential with the team.

[Gh0stRider]

http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnhlexperts/louleafs.jpg

[Tim Budong]

Leafs D is solid but it really depends on how Dion is playing that night. If he plays like shit, so goes the entire defence.

They have some good wingers. They are still lacking a lot down the middle. If you look at good teams in the playoffs you need to ride a good centreman or have the centreman play well during that time.

Washington - Backstrom, Laich
Phoenix - Vermette, Brule
St. Louis - McDonald, Berglund, Oshie
Nashville - Legwand, Fisher
Philly - Giroux, Briere
LA - Kopitar, Richards, Stoll

Don't know how to take this tweet about Luongo's trade.

From @Strombone1 Twitter



I always thought Strombone1 is Luongo..but I don't know. kinda lost at the moment.

Somehow... i feel that Strombone1 is Bieksa screwing with our heads as Luongo LOL

[PornMaster]

Ottawa better win!!! Canadas last hope!

[sonick]

lol just noticed @NotBobbyLu's background image. HIlarious:

https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_background_images/441590807/Al_SX8ZCIAAikMv_1_.jpg

[DanHibiki]

I had a new RS name I wanted to use but I can't if Luongo gets traded :(

[bballguy]

I had a new RS name I wanted to use but I can't if Luongo gets traded :(

That's really neat man.

[MR_BIGGS]

Bothford RT this from someone. At this point it is speculation.
They'd have to change the goal song RT @Shaester34 just read Hawks r on lu's list. Bolland coming back?

Luongo is going to troll Canucks fans.

[punkwax]

It will be a cold day in hell before MG trades Luongo to Chicago.

[spideyv2]

I had a new RS name I wanted to use but I can't if Luongo gets traded :(

http://i.qkme.me/3omlm3.jpg