Sunday is a day of rest, relatively speaking, between the draft and the start of free agency. I think we could see a flurry of trades on Monday, as teams attempt to clear cap space for the free agents they're looking to sign.
I mentioned on Friday that, with a $69 million salary cap for next season, a few teams are feeling the pressure. Though the Canucks aren't mentioned specifically as potential buyers
in this article by Stephen Whyno of the Canadian Press, the story does a nice job of breaking down the present market conditions.
With this "talking period" for free agents in progress, teams will have a very good idea of just how much space they'll need to sign the players that they want. They'll want to be ready to make their offers as soon as the signing window opens on Tuesday.
Whether it's through trade or free agency, I think the Canucks' biggest needs are a goal-scoring winger and a power-play quarterback. And, from what we've heard, a goalie.
I'd love to see Trader Jim swing a couple of deals tomorrow to fill those holes with players who aren't quite as grizzled as 36-year-old Jarome Iginla or 37-year-old Dan Boyle, though I think either of those vets could do the job. I'm a big fan of Jarome's, but in addition to the fact that I'd rather see the Canucks get somebody younger, I also don't think he'll come here. He's still looking for a spot where he can win right away, and I'm not sure he'd be able to just erase all those years of Canuck-hate built up during his years in Calgary.
Christian Ehrhoff also seems like he'd be worth a look. Twenty-eight of his 50 points came on the power play when he was with the Canucks in 2010-11, and Vancouver has never replaced that production. Now that his contract is being erased, he's tempting, and some players do regain their old form when they return to the city of their greatest triumphs—like Trevor Linden, for one. The president might have some insight into how that situation would play.
The compliance buyout period ends on Monday, so we're getting down to the wire for teams that are looking to shed bad contracts.
One other question for the Sabres: by cutting ties with Ehrhoff, does that leave Buffalo more inclined to hang onto Tyler Myers?
It's Nick Kypreos, so take it with a grain of salt, but here's what he reported on Myers yesterday:
The Sabres are still trying to cut salary, so perhaps a package that includes Chris Tanev would be of interest.
I've been keeping my head firmly buried in the sand on this goalie situation, but caught this Sunday afternoon tweet as I was getting ready to hit "publish." The plot thickens:
More on Vey:
It was great to see the Kings fans and Manchester Monarchs followers weigh in yesterday on our thread with words of praise and congratulations for Linden Vey. He certainly seems like a well-regarded player.
Vey did appear against the Canucks twice last season, so I covered him for STATS twice and saw him play once live, where he left a mildly positive impression. Vey and Tyler Toffoli were the antagonists who punished the Canucks in their first game of the season against the Kings, that embarrassing 5-1 loss in early November.
Click here for a walk down memory lane with the NHL.com recap and also remember—this was when the Canucks were in the "good" part of their season.
All told, Vey had one assist and was plus-one on the night in 14 minutes of icetime, including three minutes on the power play.
Vey made his first-ever appearance at Rogers Arena on November 25, the game where the Kings stormed back to win the game 3-2 in overtime after two late defensive lapses by the Canucks. Vey had the first assist on the Kings' opening goal by Kyle Clifford and finished the night with 12:34 of ice time and a 5-2 record in the faceoff circle.
Jim Benning also had high praise for Vey in
this story from the draft by Jason Botchford:
Head coach Willie Desjardins, who coached him in junior, pushed for the 22-year-old Vey. But Benning knows him well, having seen him play plenty on a line with Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Person for the Manchester Monarchs. On many of those nights, it was Vey driving what many believed to be the best line in the minors.
“I’ve seen him play 20 times in the past three years,” Benning said. “He’s ready to play in the NHL right now.
“We were trying to do this (Friday) but L.A. wanted to wait and see who was there at No. 50. The player they liked (Roland McKeown) was there, so we could do it.
“Maybe it takes a year, maybe a couple, but I think he has the skill to be a second line centre at some point.”
Prospects Stepping Up:
I have a hard time wrapping my brain around the idea that the Canucks might have a logjam of their own at centre this fall but as some of you pointed out, moving Vey or one of the youngsters to the wing could be a way to solve that problem.
As @bfield18 corrected me on Twitter yesterday, Bo Horvat will have to return to the London Knights if he doesn't make the Canucks this fall. The rule is that a player from Canadian major junior can only move to the AHL if he turns 20 by December 31 or has already completed four years of junior hockey.
Horvat turned 19 in April and has three OHL seasons under his belt, so he's on that bubble. If he shows well at training camp, he could get that proverbial nine-game look before being returned for a final season in London.
Brendan Gaunce is now 20, so he'll almost certainly be Utica-bound. Hunter Shinkaruk turns 20 in October, so he'd also qualify for AHL play.
Gino's Rally:
I wasn't sure about the logic behind a bunch of people crowding around a hospital and making a bunch of noise, but these pictures from the Gino Odjick rally at VGH today changed my mind in an instant:
Absolutely magnificent that Gino was able to come out to meet with the fans to offer him their love and support.
Here's another great shot.
I'm happy to see that Gino looks reasonably robust. If anyone has the spirit to fight this thing, it's him.
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