The Vancouver Canucks' former fringe players are finding new homes.
On the heels of Jordan Schroeder's new deal with the Minnesota Wild over the weekend comes the announcement that Zac Dalpe has inked a one-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres. CapGeek.com is showing that it's a two-way contract that'll pay $700,000 at the NHL level and $275,000 in the minors. That's a step up from his two-way league-minimum deal last season.
I thought Dalpe showed promise at times during his 55 games with the Canucks last season, like when he scored his pretty tip-in goal while riding shotgun with the Sedins back in January:
Of course, here in Vancouver, Dalpe might be best remembered for his singing skills and unadulterated adoration of Sarah McLachlan. All things considered, this clip might make me smile more than almost anything else Canucks-related from last season:
Dalpe went out with class when he learned that the Canucks would not be tendering a qualifying offer. Best of luck to him in Buffalo.
With Schroeder and Dalpe signed, the only Canuck regular from 2013-14 who's still without a hockey home is David Booth. With his buyout money in his pocket, Booth shouldn't need a big contract—he just needs a chance to prove that he can still play. But I wonder if he's even interested in playing more hockey. With his new wife and all his other interests, I wouldn't be surprised to see Booth move in a new direction. Other than that bizarre wedding photo that made the rounds last week, Booth's Twitter feed has become a bit of an endorsement factory. Perhaps he'll just keep playing pitchman for products that he likes.
I wonder if Booth would be willing to accept a Mason Raymond-type deal to try to rebuild his hockey career?
Also, quickly speaking of ex-Canucks, Ryan Kesler is making the PR rounds in Southern California and threw out the first pitch at the Anaheim Angels game last week:
Now that the reality is starting to sink in, I'm thinking about how this new dynamic will play out in the Ducks' locker room. Kesler has butted heads with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry for years, both on the NHL and Olympic stages. In
this interview on NHL.com, Kesler says they've been welcoming. "I think we're all happy that we're on the same team now and not battling in the same division. It's going to be a fun ride."
There's something oddly comforting to me about the fact that this interview looks like it's taking place in the Ducks' team store. Is that where Kesler had to go to find one of his new jerseys?
Edler Addresses Trade Rumours:
Not much to see here, but The Score has quotes from Alex Edler today after he spoke to a Swedish newspaper about the trade rumours that have been swirling around him.
Click here if you missed it.
It can be tricky business to capture the true tone of a foreign-language news story, but here's Edler's key quote surrounding the rumours: "It's not something I think about. As long as Vancouver wants me, rumors mean nothing."
The article points out that Edler is set to become a first-time father this summer, which could play into his desire to stay put in Vancouver. Still, he seems to understand that a no-trade clause only offers so much protection (see Garrison, Jason): "In the end, I get to decide [for myself]," Edler told Expressen, "but if the team wants [a trade] ... well, then you get to decide whether you want to play for a team that does not want you."
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»