A Little Positivity in the Abyss

[DeltaSwede]

After a yet hugely disappointing season for the Canucks, I have been in a bad mood ever since. I even had my finals and I think it had a negative impact on that as well. Anyways, this summer will be absolutely crucial for the future of the Canucks and the time couldn't be any better.

The cap is going down significantly which means that we have to get rid of salary. What better time to have to do this when the draft is insanely deep. Other teams will be looking to reach the cap floor and the free agent pool is very weak this year. Trading will become the key for every NHL team this summer. Ballard would be a great fit in Detroit, Booth in Nashville. Ballard should return a third round pick and Booth might return a second looking at his potential to finally playing to the level he can. I think both of these players could flourish with their new clubs and I could see why both teams would be interested in the players (Detroit needs defense, Ballard would fit in very well in their system. Nashville need to reach the floor and add offense, He would be a fit in Nashvilles top 6) . A fifth rounder is better than asking the ownership to buy out player contracts.

The goalie controversy will finally come to an end. Luongo should at least return a good prospect and a 2nd rounder or a 1st round draft pick. MG messed up and should have traded him last summer when he had a deal in place with Toronto. We have to accept that there will be less return now but there are quite a few teams that should be interested. Lous contract would be very attractive to a team with an owner with a lot of money that could afford to either buy out his contract at the end of his career or keep paying him after he retires. I'm thinking Philly for Lou. Trading Loungo is what makes most sense, Schneider is in his prime and is 1.3 million cheaper, plus I honestly think he is and will be a better goalie than Loungo at this point of his career. Long island would also be a realistic play for Loungo to go as Wang and that ownership group know that they have to spend money as they have a team capable of winning in the playoffs. An elite starting goalie with playoff experience and a history with the team would be a perfect fit for them. We could even take DiPietro back for an even greater return if the Aquilinis feel like it would be worth it to buy him out.

The coaching change that many have been waiting on for years. There are a lot of capable replacements available right now as well, which is very exciting to think about. Names like Dave Tippet, Dallas Eakins, Guy Boucher, and Lindy Ruff are on the market right now. I think a hiring of Tippet, who wont sign a new deal with Phoenix, and convincing Boucher to take on an assistant role for this team would be insane. Tippet is a very good coach and nobody is saying that AV is a bad coach, the team just needs change. Boucher would improve Vancouvers offense significantly. Getting Boucher as an assistant is a long shot but depending on where he finds work this summer he might consider it. I would at least take on the job as an assistant for an NHL team rather than being a head coach for an AHL team. A new voice in the room would light the fire under the players that have looked slow all year.

The injection of youth into the line-up. With the cap going down so much, Vancouver is going to be forced to add some youth into their line-up. I think this is a great opportunity for the team to get some young passionate players into the team to wake up the core group and also a great opportunity for the youngsters to fight for a regular spot with the team. We have the players for it.

So, a coaching change bringing in a new voice and a new way of looking at things, opportunity to re-stock the prospect cabinet from trading for draft picks, injecting youth into a slumbering core, and finally a summer without 92.3% of the team forced to get surgery. I'm really excited for this summer, I think it will be huge and next year we will hopefully see some light at the end of the tunnel.

[Bodee]

If I was a GM I would rate Ballard much higher than Booth, especially if he is used properly which if we are talking Detroit they certainly would. Detroit on the other hand would NEVER take a player like Booth.

I would also repeat that imo a new GM would probably see the greater logic not to mention safety in keeping Lu and trading Schneider. This would be especially important if we are getting younger.

Lu backstopped us in adversity before and he knows how much pressure that puts on a net minder. Schneider has never taken a team through a dark period into the light.

That said I agree with the main gist of your post. We have tradable assets.

[DeltaSwede]

If I was a GM I would rate Ballard much higher than Booth, especially if he is used properly which if we are talking Detroit they certainly would. Detroit on the other hand would NEVER take a player like Booth.

I would also repeat that imo a new GM would probably see the greater logic not to mention safety in keeping Lu and trading Schneider. This would be especially important if we are getting younger.

Lu backstopped us in adversity before and he knows how much pressure that puts on a net minder. Schneider has never taken a team through a dark period into the light.

That said I agree with the main gist of your post. We have tradable assets.

[WindChaser]

Getting rid of Booth, Ballard and Luongo will definitely give us more room to play with considering that's around 14 million we will be able to shed. Not to mention getting rid of Booth will open up the 2LW spot for Jensen (assuming Raymond doesn't re-sign that is)... But the return won't be too big... And other teams might be wanting the same thing in opening up more spots for young players instead of players with mediocre years 2-3 years in a row and still carries a bad contract

[aqua59]

After a yet hugely disappointing season for the Canucks, I have been in a bad mood ever since. I even had my finals and I think it had a negative impact on that as well. Anyways, this summer will be absolutely crucial for the future of the Canucks and the time couldn't be any better.

The cap is going down significantly which means that we have to get rid of salary. What better time to have to do this when the draft is insanely deep. Other teams will be looking to reach the cap floor and the free agent pool is very weak this year. Trading will become the key for every NHL team this summer. Ballard would be a great fit in Detroit, Booth in Nashville. Ballard should return a third round pick and Booth might return a second looking at his potential to finally playing to the level he can. I think both of these players could flourish with their new clubs and I could see why both teams would be interested in the players (Detroit needs defense, Ballard would fit in very well in their system. Nashville need to reach the floor and add offense, He would be a fit in Nashvilles top 6) . A fifth rounder is better than asking the ownership to buy out player contracts.

The goalie controversy will finally come to an end. Luongo should at least return a good prospect and a 2nd rounder or a 1st round draft pick. MG messed up and should have traded him last summer when he had a deal in place with Toronto. We have to accept that there will be less return now but there are quite a few teams that should be interested. Lous contract would be very attractive to a team with an owner with a lot of money that could afford to either buy out his contract at the end of his career or keep paying him after he retires. I'm thinking Philly for Lou. Trading Loungo is what makes most sense, Schneider is in his prime and is 1.3 million cheaper, plus I honestly think he is and will be a better goalie than Loungo at this point of his career. Long island would also be a realistic play for Loungo to go as Wang and that ownership group know that they have to spend money as they have a team capable of winning in the playoffs. An elite starting goalie with playoff experience and a history with the team would be a perfect fit for them. We could even take DiPietro back for an even greater return if the Aquilinis feel like it would be worth it to buy him out.

The coaching change that many have been waiting on for years. There are a lot of capable replacements available right now as well, which is very exciting to think about. Names like Dave Tippet, Dallas Eakins, Guy Boucher, and Lindy Ruff are on the market right now. I think a hiring of Tippet, who wont sign a new deal with Phoenix, and convincing Boucher to take on an assistant role for this team would be insane. Tippet is a very good coach and nobody is saying that AV is a bad coach, the team just needs change. Boucher would improve Vancouvers offense significantly. Getting Boucher as an assistant is a long shot but depending on where he finds work this summer he might consider it. I would at least take on the job as an assistant for an NHL team rather than being a head coach for an AHL team. A new voice in the room would light the fire under the players that have looked slow all year.

The injection of youth into the line-up. With the cap going down so much, Vancouver is going to be forced to add some youth into their line-up. I think this is a great opportunity for the team to get some young passionate players into the team to wake up the core group and also a great opportunity for the youngsters to fight for a regular spot with the team. We have the players for it.

So, a coaching change bringing in a new voice and a new way of looking at things, opportunity to re-stock the prospect cabinet from trading for draft picks, injecting youth into a slumbering core, and finally a summer without 92.3% of the team forced to get surgery. I'm really excited for this summer, I think it will be huge and next year we will hopefully see some light at the end of the tunnel.

[Bodee]

Getting rid of Booth, Ballard and Luongo will definitely give us more room to play with considering that's around 14 million we will be able to shed. Not to mention getting rid of Booth will open up the 2LW spot for Jensen (assuming Raymond doesn't re-sign that is)... But the return won't be too big... And other teams might be wanting the same thing in opening up more spots for young players instead of players with mediocre years 2-3 years in a row and still carries a bad contract

[aqua59]

If I was a GM I would rate Ballard much higher than Booth, especially if he is used properly which if we are talking Detroit they certainly would. Detroit on the other hand would NEVER take a player like Booth.

I would also repeat that imo a new GM would probably see the greater logic not to mention safety in keeping Lu and trading Schneider. This would be especially important if we are getting younger.

Lu backstopped us in adversity before and he knows how much pressure that puts on a net minder. Schneider has never taken a team through a dark period into the light.

That said I agree with the main gist of your post. We have tradable assets.

[TOMapleLaughs]

The only person that would be happy with a Tippett hiring would be whoever's in net.

Not sure how a Boucher hire would magically improve our offense. Would we be moving to the SE?

Ruff's probably on top of the list unless Babcock becomes available.

Please no Arniel. Unless the plan is to tank.

[TimberWolf]

The only person that would be happy with a Tippett hiring would be whoever's in net.

Not sure how a Boucher hire would magically improve our offense. Would we be moving to the SE?

Ruff's probably on top of the list unless Babcock becomes available.

Please no Arniel. Unless the plan is to tank.

[Guest]

Nice job op. I agree with much of what you say, and share the hope of big changes to come.

[skyfall]

I'm more excited by the upcoming change for next season more than I was about the actual hockey the last two seasons. I think with the new NHL positive change can happen very quickly. Look at the Sens, Blues, Kings, Leafs and Jackets for example. They made front office and personnel changes and are doing a lot better than they were when they started. Sometimes the pieces are there but the right leadership needs to bring it together. Sometimes shedding negative influences and deadweight helps your existing pieces become stronger.

I'm especially looking forward to a coach who works with all 23 guys to make them better, is transparent in decisions and can make quick adjustments. Youth in the lineup would be a great thing and an intuitive approach to maximize players with unteachable talent which in turn trickles down to help other players become stronger would be a great thing to see. Talent with drive and passion is why hockey is great in the first place. Right now the Canucks are missing a bit of both.

[ilduce39]

Since we have and probably will retain a veteran core group of players - maybe we bring in a younger, fresh mind to coach this team. I think a little outside-the-box thinking and enthusiasm from the coach could rejuvenate our core - which we're going to need seeing as how we aren't going to be able to bring in many-or-any proven veteran reinforcements with our cap situation.

[SergioMomesso]

MG is going to have the green light to make big changes. I think Booth will end up playing out his contract here. Both the Ballard and Booth trades were on his clock. He will admit to one but not both mistakes. MG has to take an long hard look at moving Edler before his NTC kicks in. The last two years have been atrocious for Edler. There is

our trade bait for game changer we desperately need.

Here's my lineup of players that i think will be here this October for sure

Sedin Sedin Kassian

Burrows Kesler Higgins

Booth Lappy Hansen

_____ _____ Weisse

Hamhuis Bieksa

Garrison Tanev

Edler Corrado

Schneids

_______

Here's the lineup that I would like

Sedin Sedin Okposo

Burrows Kesler Higgins

Booth Schroeder Hansen

Sestito Lappy Kassian

Weisse

Hamhuis Bieksa

Garrison Tanev

Alberts Corrado

Redden

Schneids

Dan Ellis

Trade Edler for Kyle Okposo straight up. He impressed me in the NYI-Pitt series. He easily move up and down the lineup. Big body and has a scoring touch.

We see how Schroeder does in a full season. Can't be any worse than what Ebbett and Roy did for us. Centres will be too expensive in the UFA market. So we go with Schroeds.

Ballard either gets shipped for a pick or bought out.

Corrado puts on some muscle and makes the team. We sign Wade Redden to a 2 year deal. Andrew Alberts re-signs. Booth starts the year fresh and injury free.

With Ballard, Raymond and Luongos contracts hopefully gone. We should be under the cap. Even with Burrows raise.