Despite the Sedins' insistence at the beginning of the season that this wasn't going to be a story, word comes down from their agent today that there may be some discussions about their futures before the trade deadline.
This seems like a huge development to me!
The main issue is probably getting a sense of whether or not they'd like to return next season and, if so, what kind of money they might be after. Those details should inform Vancouver's trade-deadline strategies, particularly with regard to whether the team might want to keep Thomas Vanek around.
The idea of 'discussions' will trigger two conversations:
• Is there any chance that they'll be open to a trade for a chance to chase the Stanley Cup?
• Would it be good for the Canucks to have them come back next season?
I'd guess that a trade is still a very long longshot. It's unlikely that one twin would accept a deal without the other, which would make it very difficult for a contender to find roster and cap space for them. And while they've shown that they can still be effective on the power play, their playing style runs counter to today's speed game.
At the beginning of the year, my best guess was that Daniel and Henrik would play out the season, then hang up their skates. My position has shifted somewhat over the last month, based on their production. I feel like the transition to the next generation is well in play and that their ice time is at a level where they're not standing in the way of player development. If they're comfortable coming back in a role that's going to probably be reduced even more next season—at a salary that's commensurate—that's OK by me.
Hopefully, more kids are coming but right now, nobody but Thatcher Demko is beating down the door for an NHL job.
Demko got another vote of confidence today from Utica comets GM Ryan Johnson:
There's room—and time—for the youngsters who are getting ready to take the next step to start their journeys with the Canucks organization in Utica.
And yes—all signs indicate that Jim Benning will be navigating the trade deadline without a new contract in hand. He spoke with Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet about his situation in a new interview:
Here's Benning's mindset:
“I’m going to keep doing the work,” Benning told Sportsnet as the Canucks prepared to end their winter break with a road game against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. “We’re on the right path with the drafting and the development of our young players. We’re going in the right direction. We’re partway through where we want to be.
“My hope is I get to continue on and keep drafting and developing these players. I think the future’s real exciting. When we talk about the young players we have in our system, and the way we started the year when we were competitive in all our games, I just see that continuing.
“We’re going to keep doing things the right way, and I’d love to come back. But that’s not my decision.”
We often talk about how players can set themselves up for bright futures with a great season before signing a new contract. It looks like Benning's in a similar boat—if he hits a home run at the trade deadline like he did last year, that'll go a long way toward earning him a chance to stay in Vancouver.
The Canucks' play over the next two months will also be a factor. With Bo Horvat nearly ready to return to game action, the team is close to being completely healthy.
If the Canucks return to their early-season form, it'll add credence to the belief that the team is making strides toward respectability with its current lineup. If the losses continue to pile up, it probably increases the likelihood that 'change is coming,' as they say.
The team will hit the ice in Edmonton on Friday afternoon ahead of Saturday night's Hockey Day in Canada game against the Oilers.
To wrap up today, Rick Dhaliwal of News 1130 pointed out a new Russian interview with Nikolay Goldobin. Google Translate is always entertaining:
click here to check it out on SovSport.ru.
Even after his recent reassignment to the AHL, Goldy seems to be continuing to take his situation in stride. He's talking about taking Team Russia out on the town in Vancouver at next year's World Juniors!
"I hope the team will shoot next season - in my city of Vancouver. I'm ready to support the guys and bring them to a good restaurant. Suddenly this will help them?"
As for his experience with the Canucks? "In general, in Vancouver, the most difficult training. I've never practiced so much before. But the system is a bit different. Always run forward, push."
And advice from his agent, former Canuck Igor Larionov? "Do whatever they ask. And do not forget about your technique. Otherwise, you will not play, and you will be sent back to the AHL."
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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