I like some of the options for bargains you`ve posted. I think these are some other good options:
Goalies Alex Stalock or Al Montoya
(Stalock will be more affordable possible 2 way deal)
D: Carl Sneep, Ty Wishart, Chris Summers
(all three have something to prove, and have size)
F: Ben Maxwell, Jesse Joensuu, Chris VandeVelde, Cody Bass, JT Wyman or Nick Tarnasky (Young, with size and would/could play with a bit of stiffness)

The majority of these guys would come in cheap, and may possibly thrive with Torts driving the bus.

Ian Esplen: Thrift Shippin' II
let's go!
- IanEsplen

My wife and I took a cruise on the Thrift Shippin' II last year.

The buffet was terrible.

Spend a little more money, Mr. Esplen.

It's worth every penny so you don't have to listen to the wife complain.

Two or three years ago I thought Mike Gillis was brilliant. I now have very grave concerns. I'm trying to see the silver-lining through this cluster-f*ck of the past 2 years but am beginning to dread that we are entering another very dark chapter in the Canuck's history. I believe the Cup window has firmly shut.


I'm not quite sure why so many folks here have such a boner for Schroeder?
- Marwood

I have been a huge supporter of Gillis and his decisions still am but I am also having some concerns. The draft makes things palpable. Other indiscretions not so much.

As for Schroeder he has NHL speed can win faceoffs in the NHL he has a NHL caliber shot and the skill to be here. His back checking and play in his own zone has improved 10 fold over the last 2 seasons. He lacks in size and needs to make big adjustments to his game to be a consistent contributor in the league. I like many see more positives in his game than negatives at this point.

Lets have a vote Raymond or Schroeder?

I like some of the options for bargains you`ve posted. I think these are some other good options:
Goalies Alex Stalock or Al Montoya
(Stalock will be more affordable possible 2 way deal)
D: Carl Sneep, Ty Wishart, Chris Summers
(all three have something to prove, and have size)
F: Ben Maxwell, Jesse Joensuu, Chris VandeVelde, Cody Bass, JT Wyman or Nick Tarnasky (Young, with size and would/could play with a bit of stiffness)

The majority of these guys would come in cheap, and may possibly thrive with Torts driving the bus.
- Papaburf

Long shot.

Two or three years ago I thought Mike Gillis was brilliant. I now have very grave concerns. I'm trying to see the silver-lining through this cluster-f*ck of the past 2 years but am beginning to dread that we are entering another very dark chapter in the Canuck's history. I believe the Cup window has firmly shut.


I'm not quite sure why so many folks here have such a boner for Schroeder?
- Marwood

Gillis has made three major mistakes IMO in his time here.

1. The Hamhuis/Ballard situation. He traded for Keith Ballard five days before free agency, gave up a first round pick and a one dimensional player in Grabner. Who was untested at the time. So he now has Ballard (@ 4.2 million) and Edler playing on the left side in the top four, or so I'd have to assume that. Five days later he signs local BC guy Dan Hamhuis, who is also a left side defenseman. He should have waited, rookie GM mistake.

2. Keeping Alain Vigneault way to long.

3. Not trading Schneider last year and fumbling over the goaltending situation for an entire year...which turned into a complete sideshow.

Gillis has made three major mistakes IMO in his time here.

1. The Hamhuis/Ballard situation. He traded for Keith Ballard five days before free agency, gave up a first round pick and a one dimensional player in Grabner. Who was untested at the time. So he now has Ballard (@ 4.2 million) and Edler playing on the left side in the top four, or so I'd have to assume that. Five days later he signs local BC guy Dan Hamhuis, who is also a left side defenseman. He should have waited, rookie GM mistake.

2. Keeping Alain Vigneault way to long.

3. Not trading Schneider last year and fumbling over the goaltending situation for an entire year...which turned into a complete sideshow.
- LeftCoaster

A team wouldn't even get away with that in an crappy hockey market. #2 should be #1

I like some of the options for bargains you`ve posted. I think these are some other good options:
Goalies Alex Stalock or Al Montoya
(Stalock will be more affordable possible 2 way deal)
D: Carl Sneep, Ty Wishart, Chris Summers
(all three have something to prove, and have size)
F: Ben Maxwell, Jesse Joensuu, Chris VandeVelde, Cody Bass, JT Wyman or Nick Tarnasky (Young, with size and would/could play with a bit of stiffness)

The majority of these guys would come in cheap, and may possibly thrive with Torts driving the bus.
- Papaburf

montoya plays quite well in stretches and then other times not so well, but would be a great backup if one of the canucks young goalies isn't ready, he shouldn't cost much in salary. Joensuu was injured and recovering from hernia surgery most of last year but when he did play he was reasonably effective. Big body, will hit, not much in the way of hands. I believe he's headed back to Europe though as the Isles didn't qualify him and he was only going to stay if he was kept up on the NHL club. If you can get him, he may not be too expensive and would upgrade the depth on the fourth line, could possibly play for short times on the third line.

To play on the fourth line? What's the point in that? They both are solid candidates for the WJC team next year, and both play on VERY good teams in the OHL (both will compete for the championship next year). I'd rather them get another year of juniors, but maybe that's just me.
- nucks_94

Gaunce doesn't need another year in juniors. I'm fine with Horvat going back, but Gaunce would be best served developing in the NHL.

Gillis has made three major mistakes IMO in his time here.

1. The Hamhuis/Ballard situation. He traded for Keith Ballard five days before free agency, gave up a first round pick and a one dimensional player in Grabner. Who was untested at the time. So he now has Ballard (@ 4.2 million) and Edler playing on the left side in the top four, or so I'd have to assume that. Five days later he signs local BC guy Dan Hamhuis, who is also a left side defenseman. He should have waited, rookie GM mistake.

2. Keeping Alain Vigneault way to long.

3. Not trading Schneider last year and fumbling over the goaltending situation for an entire year...which turned into a complete sideshow.
- LeftCoaster

I agree. These are the glaring mistakes. If we sat down and reflected.... the list could get a whole lot bigger....

Gaunce doesn't need another year in juniors. I'm fine with Horvat going back, but Gaunce would be best served developing in the NHL.
- Boinker

Every year you jump the gun on who's ready. Last season you claimed Cannauton was NHL ready.

A team wouldn't even get away with that in an crappy hockey market. #2 should be #1
- thundachunk

They're not in a priority order, just random.

One of either Gaunce or Horvat makes this team.
- Boinker

Apparently the Canucks are going to leave the 4th line center position open for someone coming into camp to take. It could be one of these two guys, but only if they have great camps. Otherwise they're better off plugging the 4th line hole with someone else less talented and having these 2 develop further playing big minutes elsewhere.

Two or three years ago I thought Mike Gillis was brilliant. I now have very grave concerns. I'm trying to see the silver-lining through this cluster-f*ck of the past 2 years but am beginning to dread that we are entering another very dark chapter in the Canuck's history. I believe the Cup window has firmly shut.


I'm not quite sure why so many folks here have such a boner for Schroeder?
- Marwood

The jury's still out on Gillis. What he does between now and training camp will be very telling though. I think it really could go either way at this point.

I agree entirely on Schroeder.

I'd like to see the Canucks take a run at Matt Hendricks and Chad LaRose.
- Chest Rockwell

How much do you think Hendricks'll get?

I have been a huge supporter of Gillis and his decisions still am but I am also having some concerns. The draft makes things palpable. Other indiscretions not so much.

As for Schroeder he has NHL speed can win faceoffs in the NHL he has a NHL caliber shot and the skill to be here. His back checking and play in his own zone has improved 10 fold over the last 2 seasons. He lacks in size and needs to make big adjustments to his game to be a consistent contributor in the league. I like many see more positives in his game than negatives at this point.

Lets have a vote Raymond or Schroeder?
- thundachunk

I'm not a big fan of Schroeder, but I'd still take him over Raymond!

I have been a huge supporter of Gillis and his decisions still am but I am also having some concerns. The draft makes things palpable. Other indiscretions not so much.

As for Schroeder he has NHL speed can win faceoffs in the NHL he has a NHL caliber shot and the skill to be here. His back checking and play in his own zone has improved 10 fold over the last 2 seasons. He lacks in size and needs to make big adjustments to his game to be a consistent contributor in the league. I like many see more positives in his game than negatives at this point.

Lets have a vote Raymond or Schroeder?
- thundachunk

as not a fan of the canucks, that's a tough one. You know what you have in Raymond which could probably use an upgrade. Schroeder has shown flashes but isn't consistent, is quite small but still very young. I'd be tempted to go with Schroeder simply for the potential, and he'll cost less money. I don't know if going with Raymond would be considered the safer approach because I don't think he's terribly effective anyway.

I have been a huge supporter of Gillis and his decisions still am but I am also having some concerns. The draft makes things palpable. Other indiscretions not so much.

As for Schroeder he has NHL speed can win faceoffs in the NHL he has a NHL caliber shot and the skill to be here. His back checking and play in his own zone has improved 10 fold over the last 2 seasons. He lacks in size and needs to make big adjustments to his game to be a consistent contributor in the league. I like many see more positives in his game than negatives at this point.

Lets have a vote Raymond or Schroeder?
- thundachunk

My biggest problem with Schroeder is that I think to make him successful at the NHL level he needs to play on the top 2 lines. I don't see him being a successful 3rd or 4th line center.

Leafs are gonna buy out Grabovski

Gillis has made three major mistakes IMO in his time here.

1. The Hamhuis/Ballard situation. He traded for Keith Ballard five days before free agency, gave up a first round pick and a one dimensional player in Grabner. Who was untested at the time. So he now has Ballard (@ 4.2 million) and Edler playing on the left side in the top four, or so I'd have to assume that. Five days later he signs local BC guy Dan Hamhuis, who is also a left side defenseman. He should have waited, rookie GM mistake.

2. Keeping Alain Vigneault way to long.

3. Not trading Schneider last year and fumbling over the goaltending situation for an entire year...which turned into a complete sideshow.
- LeftCoaster

With hindsight it's easy to blame Gillis for Ballard and Schneider. He should have fired AV years ago though.

When we picked up Ballard it looked like a good move, even after adding Hamhuis. The depth at D was great and it looked like an even better move after Grabner got waived. He should have traded Ballard the second he hit AV's doghouse though. Keeping him and AV at that point was stubborn and stupid.

It's also easy to blame him now for the Schneider situation, but the right move at the time was to keep him. Without the recapture penalty that Bettman rammed into the CBA they would have been able to trade Luongo. After that was added Gillis was hooped, but he couldn't trade Schneider assuming that the recapture penalty would be added.

I agree. These are the glaring mistakes. If we sat down and reflected.... the list could get a whole lot bigger....
- boonerbuck

There are definitely a few other mistakes that he's made, but you can say that about most GMs.

I'm not a big fan of Schroeder, but I'd still take him over Raymond!
- KB3Point0

Thats all I am saying

Thats all I am saying
- thundachunk

Apparently the Flames are interested in Raymond. I think that's all anyone needs to know!

My biggest problem with Schroeder is that I think to make him successful at the NHL level he needs to play on the top 2 lines. I don't see him being a successful 3rd or 4th line center.
- KB3Point0

I agree he needs to play with more skilled teammates as well as progress against other teams top players. When you are a skill player you learn better when the mistakes are made against top players and having top players to help you along the way.

I agree he needs to play with more skilled teammates as well as progress against other teams top players. When you are a skill player you learn better when the mistakes are made against top players and having top players to help you along the way.
- thundachunk

What is "3rd line"? Where is it written that the forwards playing the "third most minutes" have to be a "checking" line? Saying that Schroeder can't play on the "3rd line" is redonkulous. A good coach who understood his skills and abilities should be able to play him with compatible players in situations that he would be likely to succeed in.

Way rather have Schroeder at almost $2million less than Raymond.

Apparently the Flames are interested in Raymond. I think that's all anyone needs to know!
- KB3Point0

that flames team looks like the Isles in 2008. Just awful.