I personally think Lucic is off the list. LA has made it pretty clear they will be aggresive to resign him...it's a longshot.

Stamkos is a dream within a dream. Ain't gonna happen in any way, shape or form that he lands in Van. Albatross contracts are not what this team needs moving forward. Let him go to TO where they can continue the 60 year rebuild.

If we are in the UFA market I hope JB looks at an impact D...if there are any worth targeting.
- LordHumungous

I still hold out hope that we sign Lucic in the offseason.
I think JB clearly signaled that Van is interested and Looch will want to see what options are out there, ala Hamhuis, when Phi traded for his rights, but he wanted to come home and new Vancouver was interested and had a spot for him.

more cowbell

Etem - Vey - Virtanen
Dorsett - McCann - Prust

Considering that Benning has already admitted he went hard after Lucic last off-season, I would say he is at the top of Benning's list.

Stamko's is getting a lot of press but I don't see why he would want to come here, if he wants to be part of a rebuilding effort it will be with the leafs.
Can't see Kopitar going anywhere but Backes, Boedker, Brouwer I could see being targets.
- belcherbd

Would!

Not really a spot for Backes on the team (?3rd line C)
But would be happy to land Boedker.

Would!

Not really a spot for Backes on the team (?3rd line C)
But would be happy to land Boedker.
- dbot

Can't stand Backes....

Boedker is one heck of a player though.

That's because they're both hockey dinosaur's, and I'm not too far behind them to be honest
- LeftCoaster

Is the avatar change just for tonight?

Is the avatar change just for tonight?
- Marwood

Yes….just for the game day with Lu.

we are gonna have a ton of cap space next year and I hope JB doesn't go all in on one or two FA's. Burrows will be around until next years trade deadline at the very least. Nobody will want to pay him 4m to score 15-20 points as he's projected to this year. If things go as planned. The Canucks could be contending for a cup within 3-4 years. And that's if Bo and Jared are the go to guys.

Can't stand Backes....

Boedker is one heck of a player though.
- Codes1087

I'm not a huge fan of Backes but I think he Benning might view him as a poor man's Lucic. In fact I would prefer Backes because the salary and length would likely be a lot more reasonable.

Boedker would be a really nice pickup, especially considering he is still only 26.

Can't stand Backes....

Boedker is one heck of a player though.
- Codes1087

Yeah. There is quite a bit of vitriol for that guy around these parts.
I don't totally get it (although i know he's a bit of a punk).

I'm not a huge fan of Backes but I think he Benning might view him as a poor man's Lucic. In fact I would prefer Backes because the salary and length would likely be a lot more reasonable.

Boedker would be a really nice pickup, especially considering he is still only 26.
- belcherbd

Bullfrog77 "Everyone has been questioning this teams direction on the rebuild all season. Remain competitive...chase a playoff spot? All while getting three rookies up to competancy at the nhl level. Or sell off older assets , open up cap and roster space and let the young guys play the hard minutes while we slowly sink to the bottom. I think JB has decided he can move the contracts , bring along more youth , play them the hard minutes and....potentially remain just as competitive."

I kinda like the position we are all in. We are in contention for both a playoff spot and a lottery pick. I think it's great that the rookies are getting the "pushing for playoff spot in the NHL" experience
- PetrolSexual

I don't agree with the sink to the bottom, unless the team goes on a losing streak just before tdl.

we might miss the playoffs this year, I don't think the org will want to miss 2 years in a row.

JB is going shopping with the cap space, new wares to help sell season tickets. Van will remain a cap team (can see them with 5 mil ish of space next season) with playoffs as a goal.

I'm not a huge fan of Backes but I think he Benning might view him as a poor man's Lucic. In fact I would prefer Backes because the salary and length would likely be a lot more reasonable.

Boedker would be a really nice pickup, especially considering he is still only 26.
- belcherbd

I cannot stand the POS Backes…he's a gutless puke, on the ice, apparently a nice guy off the ice, which is usually the case.

Boedker

Can't stand Backes....

Boedker is one heck of a player though.
- Codes1087

Would love to add him. Kids got speed to burn and if we did manage to sign him we would have him for his prime years.

Looking good...only two more forwards to git gone!!!!
- LordHumungous

Yup tossing suter with the twins and hansen back with Horvat

I cannot stand the POS Backes…he's a gutless puke, on the ice, apparently a nice guy off the ice, which is usually the case.

Boedker
- LeftCoaster

Backes with the twins might look pretty good.

Etem - Vey - Virtanen
Dorsett - McCann - Prust
- Codes1087

I really like the idea of Vey playing with these two. Give Vey time and space and he can hurt you and I think Etem and Virtanen could provide that time and space with their speed and size!

Yeah. There is quite a bit of vitriol for that guy around these parts.
I don't totally get it (although i know he's a bit of a punk).
- dbot

It goes against our policy of getting younger. He will be 32 next year. We are getting rid of Higgins with the main excuse being we are moving for more speed and youth in the line up.

Yes….just for the game day with Lu.
- LeftCoaster

Ok.

I cannot stand the POS Backes…he's a gutless puke, on the ice, apparently a nice guy off the ice, which is usually the case.

Boedker
- LeftCoaster

I agree, but Lucic is a POS both on and off so I would take the cheaper ( in salary) one.

I think Benning will go after more girt in his top 6, other options would be Doan, Brouwer, Okposa, Ladd as UFA's.

Ladd or Okposo wouldl be great but doubt it would happen. Doan would be a mistake and Brouwer would likely be my #1 choice.

we are gonna have a ton of cap space next year and I hope JB doesn't go all in on one or two FA's. Burrows will be around until next years trade deadline at the very least. Nobody will want to pay him 4m to score 15-20 points as he's projected to this year. If things go as planned. The Canucks could be contending for a cup within 3-4 years. And that's if Bo and Jared are the go to guys.
- Itsjustarash

If we retain 50% salary its cheaper than a buy out and he could easily be replaced by gaunce or shink. His salary is 3 million next season so at 1.5 some teams might like a veteran with solid post season stats. For us its just about opening up a roster spot I have no clue what you would get in a trade for him. A 5th or 6th? I think he would be worth more obviously not having another year on his deal....

I really like the idea of Vey playing with these two. Give Vey time and space and he can hurt you and I think Etem and Virtanen could provide that time and space with their speed and size!
- Mungo

When you put it like that i agree, now im excited to see that line play

I really like the idea of Vey playing with these two. Give Vey time and space and he can hurt you and I think Etem and Virtanen could provide that time and space with their speed and size!
- Mungo

I still don't think Vey is suited to the C position in the NHL but he has looked good the past couple of games.

Backes with the twins might look pretty good.
- mauryballstein

Ya….I guess, decent player but his tactics annoy me. I'm on edge a lot lately, maybe I should try some of Marwoods cookies

I agree, but Lucic is a POS both on and off so I would take the cheaper ( in salary) one.

I think Benning will go after more girt in his top 6, other options would be Doan, Brouwer, Okposa, Ladd as UFA's.

Ladd or Okposo wouldl be great but doubt it would happen. Doan would be a mistake and Brouwer would likely be my #1 choice.
- belcherbd

I really like Ladd but question when his big drop off in production will be.. The one positive is that so many teams are so tight up agianst the cap perhaps the salaries wont be as crazy as years past...