We just aren't in the right place to be spending big money and term on UFAs. We need more short term deals like Vrbata. That one was amazing year one and now that he helped tank this season, he's gone.

I also like taking on potentially useful player to flip at the TDL. Toronto had some success stockpiling with that. Now, we're not the centre of the universe, so our fringe players don't get the free advertizing theirs do, but it's still a reasonable approach.
- micah555

Yup, watching them move Matthias, Santorelli, Polak, Winnik (twice ), Reimer, Grabner for picks the past two season has made me jealous. I imagine that we will see Laich, Michalek, Lupul etc moved as well.

Canucks average height is 6.1 and weight is 194.2lbs, Oilers is 6.1 and 203.3 lbs. Maybe it's the Nucks who have to add some size.
- HawkfaninBC

That's before Tree and Gundbranson !

That's before Tree and Gundbranson !
- CanuckDon

This is "tree" ,I mean true!

Yup, watching them move Matthias, Santorelli, Polak, Winnik (twice ), Reimer, Grabner for picks the past two season has made me jealous. I imagine that we will see Laich, Michalek, Lupul etc moved as well.
- belcherbd

We could trade the Sedins and Edler and get 3 first round picks and finish last for a top 4 pick . Then we could be just like the Leafs

Possibly I guess but why would Eriksson, who is 30 and fresh off a very good season burn 2-3 years of opportunity to win for an extra mil or so short term?

I think he will be able to secure a 5 or 6 year deal at 30-35 million which is better than even a short term deal at 18 or 21.
- belcherbd

Those longer contracts are risky, i guess Eriksson and Brouwer are both turning 31 this summer... I think I 'd go longer term for Eriksson over Brouwer, but would prefer neither be here when they hit 35 ...

We could trade the Sedins and Edler and get 3 first round picks and finish last for a top 4 pick . Then we could be just like the Leafs
- VANTEL

Could we though? You yourself has brought up the futility of trying to trade those players with their NTC/NMC's.

And the closer comparison would been moving Kessel and Phaneuf. I don't see how you can say how they moved those average players for picks a bad thing?

We could trade the Sedins and Edler and get 3 first round picks and finish last for a top 4 pick . Then we could be just like the Leafs
- VANTEL

Actually if that was possible it wouldn't be all bad. Get some value for the Sedin's while still possible.

Those longer contracts are risky, i guess Eriksson and Brouwer are both turning 31 this summer... I think I 'd go longer term for Eriksson over Brouwer, but would prefer neither be here when they hit 35 ...
- hillbillydeluxe

Sure but I would bet a team will be willing to take the risk for Eriksson, Brouwer maybe not.

Actually if that was possible it wouldn't be all bad. Get some value for the Sedin's while still possible.
- HawkfaninBC

They aren't leaving. Ever. A) they want to retire here B) they have NMC's C) no playoff teams can absorb their twin salaries

They aren't leaving. Ever. A) they want to retire here B) they have NMC's C) no playoff teams can absorb their twin salaries
- CanuckDon

I was being facetious

They aren't leaving. Ever. A) they want to retire here B) they have NMC's C) no playoff teams can absorb their twin salaries
- CanuckDon

For sure, but too bad for the Canucks, their 2 best assets in their declining years can't be moved to eventually improve the team.

I was being facetious
- VANTEL

I know you were

For sure, but too bad for the Canucks, their 2 best assets in their declining years can't be moved to eventually improve the team.
- HawkfaninBC

Indeed, it sucks. It's such a unique situation and sadly they aren't tradeable.

Indeed, it sucks. It's such a unique situation and sadly they aren't tradeable.
- CanuckDon

Oh well, enjoy them while they are here, very few teams get to watch that level of talent for as long as we have.

Oh well, enjoy them while they are here, very few teams get to watch that level of talent for as long as we have.
- belcherbd

Oh well, enjoy them while they are here, very few teams get to watch that level of talent for as long as we have.
- belcherbd

Yes, they have been good teammates and great citizens. They deserve to call the shots until they retire

I don't know about him being a total bust man, and that is really the point that Ron, whether he is a troll or not, is making.

Bonino didn't work out here and I agree the consensus here is that Sutter is a player better suited to what we need, his contract withstanding, but that doesn't mean Bonino wasn't a good complementary player here or with the Pens.

Van relied very heavily on Bonino and while he was streaky scorer he did hold down the 2C spot on a 100 point team and was asked to take on a lot of responsibility. Calling him a bust is false and does make it sound like you are trying to prove that the Canucks didn't lose the trade, which I agree they didn't.
- belcherbd

My original gripe was people perceiving a player in an unfairly negative light just to convince themselves they won a trade. Could still end up being a win-win (although I doubt it and think that's more wishful thinking than anything with all things considered) but my original comment was just that it was a BIG win for the Pens and I don't think that is very debatable anymore.

We could trade the Sedins and Edler and get 3 first round picks and finish last for a top 4 pick . Then we could be just like the Leafs
- VANTEL

Not even a bad idea

He's a little distressed because he really wants to play with Connor McDavid but now that his buddy David Backes will be testing the market he might get the Oilers attention instead. This is a very stressful time for free agents because Edmonton only wants 1 or 2 veteran forwards this year.
- Jeropotato

They aren't leaving. Ever. A) they want to retire here B) they have NMC's C) no playoff teams can absorb their twin salaries
- CanuckDon

Would be ideal to send em over as rentals to a contender at the TDL on the final year of their contract and have them re-sign for cheap to retire after. How old are they at the end of their deals again?

My original gripe was people perceiving a player in an unfairly negative light just to convince themselves they won a trade. Could still end up being a win-win (although I doubt it and think that's more wishful thinking than anything with all things considered) but my original comment was just that it was a BIG win for the Pens and I don't think that is very debatable anymore.
- RonPielep

- A_SteamingLombardi

He capitalized BIG so it must be true

He capitalized BIG so it must be true
- CanuckDon

It's not debatable anymore so maybe he'll leave.

Indeed, it sucks. It's such a unique situation and sadly they aren't tradeable.
- CanuckDon

It will be interesting to see how it plays out towards the end of their contract with the extra media attention on the twins 'decline' of production and the consideration that they should have the teams best interest at heart. Kinda of like the Calagry situation with Iginla and Kiprusoff and the dilemma to keep them for another year (after year)

Travis Green getting second interview with Cgy