I would be fine with renting Gill for the playoffs. I know he wants to resign in MTL, maybe he will realize he would be closer to winning here than there.

Sorry, I forgot to say Gill to Vancouver - Book it.

What is with all the Parros talk? We don't need him for the 4th line, we need someone who could play and hit on the 3rd line.
- immature_male

Agreed. Parros to Vancouver is a useless notion and has been flatly debunked as a point of interest by both sides.

I would like to see if we could pry Hamonic out of NYI, put they would be stupid to trade him. I would even see if Ryan Smyth would be available as a cheap rental, knowing he will resign with Oilers in offseason.

After reading yesterday's posts I guess we could offer up Kesler for him.

I would like to see if we could pry Hamonic out of NYI, put they would be stupid to trade him.

After reading yesterday's posts I guess we could offer up Kesler for him.
- immature_male

MG would laugh and hang up if he got a phone call about Kesler. Some of our fans are a joke.

MG would laugh and hang up if he got a phone call about Kesler. Some of our fans are a joke.
- Nucker101

MG knows what he has in Kesler, which is why they signed him for the term they did. If there is an issue (not saying there is) between AV and Kesler I would see AV leaving before Kesler. I don't see AV here for to much longer anyway, just the way the NHL is (unless he can produce a cup). Trotz and Babcock or the exception to the norm for NHL coaches.

1040 says he practiced with Edler today—an interesting pairing. I could see that either being great, or an absolute disaster.
- Fosco

So what you're saying is you don't know how it's going to work out?

MG would laugh and hang up if he got a phone call about Kesler. Some of our fans are a joke.
- Nucker101

What's even worse is that you'd have to change your avatar.

I'd like to see Tanev instead of Burrows on the 1st pp unit as well. Having two left shots on the point doesn't work. There were a bunch of perfect one timer opportunitys last game that we couldn't take because Edler was on the wrong side.

MG knows what he has in Kesler, which is why they signed him for the term they did. If there is an issue (not saying there is) between AV and Kesler I would see AV leaving before Kesler. I don't see AV here for to much longer anyway, just the way the NHL is (unless he can produce a cup). Trotz and Babcock or the exception to the norm for NHL coaches.
- immature_male

Agreed. It would be easier to find another good coach to take over this team than to find another Selke center that can pot 30-40 goals a year.

What's even worse is that you'd have to change your avatar.
- AlexF

I'd like to see Tanev instead of Burrows on the 1st pp unit as well. Having two left shots on the point doesn't work. There were a bunch of perfect one timer opportunitys last game that we couldn't take because Edler was on the wrong side.
- hertzman

Agreed. Or at least put Bieksa out there and Tanev on the second unit. It's amazing how valuable Salo is to our d-core.

Agreed. It would be easier to find another good coach to take over this team than to find another Selke center that can pot 30-40 goals a year.
- Nucker101

Whats Randy Carlye up to?
Not sure who else is out there I would look at. Not sure if this is the right kind of team for MacT. Arniel would have been good before his confidence got shattered in CLB and the local option of Don Hay might not work. Easier to get kids to listen to you who want to make the NHL than men already earning the big bucks.

Agreed. Or at least put Bieksa out there and Tanev on the second unit. It's amazing how valuable Salo is to our d-core.
- Nucker101

WHEN Salo is in our lineup I have zero issues with him. You just know he will never play a full season and will find a new way to get injured. He is the reason I would like to pick up at least 2 dmen before trade deadline, 1 to help right now and 1 to fill in for injuries.

Excellent blog Ian.

Canucks need a Dman that can play on the powerplay. The hole left by Ehrhoff is obvious now with Salo injured and the truth is we havent had a PP goal from a dman since Dec 10th anyhow. This hole was exposed before the dirty hit on Salo. I know Ehrhoff was unpopular but the truth is, nobody was brought in to replace him. Is Ehrhoff missed...no....is what he did...absolutely.

Another obvious hole is how the transition out of the defensive end is executed. Waaay too many dumps or curling back once, twice, even three times....

If Gillis fills this void by bringing a skilled defenseman, we wont need any depth D. We already have a couple playing outside their limits. They will do just fine in their proper roles.

in response to Eklunds notion that Vancouver talking to Tampa about Lecavalier:
To Tampa : Schnider, Raymond
To Nashville : Lecavalier
To Van: Weber/Sutter
?

in response to Eklunds notion that Vancouver talking to Tampa about Lecavalier:
To Tampa : Schnider, Raymond
To Nashville : Lecavalier
To Van: Weber/Sutter
?
- JohnDwyer

Poile would get assisinated if he made that deal.

in response to Eklunds notion that Vancouver talking to Tampa about Lecavalier:
To Tampa : Schnider, Raymond
To Nashville : Lecavalier
To Van: Weber/Sutter
?
- JohnDwyer

I really hope you aren't viewing that as a serious trade proposal

Excellent blog Ian.

Canucks need a Dman that can play on the powerplay. The hole left by Ehrhoff is obvious now with Salo injured and the truth is we havent had a PP goal from a dman since Dec 10th anyhow. This hole was exposed before the dirty hit on Salo. I know Ehrhoff was unpopular but the truth is, nobody was brought in to replace him. Is Ehrhoff missed...no....is what he did...absolutely.

Another obvious hole is how the transition out of the defensive end is executed. Waaay too many dumps or curling back once, twice, even three times....

If Gillis fills this void by bringing a skilled defenseman, we wont need any depth D. We already have a couple playing outside their limits. They will do just fine in their proper roles.
- boonerbuck

If they give Tanev the opportunity, I guarantee he fills the void. Just let him get acclimated and he'll be magic. I still think he's a RH Yandle clone.

Nice job Ian. I agree 100% with your Tanev assessment.

Lots of good thought and unbiased valuation in your available D list.

Excellent blog Ian.

Canucks need a Dman that can play on the powerplay. The hole left by Ehrhoff is obvious now with Salo injured and the truth is we havent had a PP goal from a dman since Dec 10th anyhow. This hole was exposed before the dirty hit on Salo. I know Ehrhoff was unpopular but the truth is, nobody was brought in to replace him. Is Ehrhoff missed...no....is what he did...absolutely.

Another obvious hole is how the transition out of the defensive end is executed. Waaay too many dumps or curling back once, twice, even three times....

If Gillis fills this void by bringing a skilled defenseman, we wont need any depth D. We already have a couple playing outside their limits. They will do just fine in their proper roles.
- boonerbuck

I think that's why Gillis had enough and brought Tanev up. He moves the puck up ice as quick as anyone on the team.

As for Ehrhoff, we realize just how much we miss him when Salo is injured. Last year if Salo got hurt we still had a top 4 of Bieksa, Hamhuis, Edler and Ehrhoff. This year we have Rome up there....

I think that's why Gillis had enough and brought Tanev up. He moves the puck up ice as quick as anyone on the team.

As for Ehrhoff, we realize just how much we miss him when Salo is injured. Last year if Salo got hurt we still had a top 4 of Bieksa, Hamhuis, Edler and Ehrhoff. This year we have Rome up there....
- hertzman

I also think his passes are crisper than anyone on our D as well.

Management and coaches made comments about them being worried Tanev may get hurt a while back. He's ahead of his experience in so many areas but gets crushed trying to make plays. I hope this changes with his recent stint of playing big healthy minutes.

Poile would get assassinated if he made that deal.
- Nucker101

Agreed. TB wins (in more ways than one), VAN wins cuz they get a franchise defenseman, NSH is basically trading Weber/Suter for Lecav (with his overbloated contract until 2020). Assassination might be a bit lite. I'm thinking Poile gets strung up upside down in a NSH square, Mussolini style.

I also think his passes are crisper than anyone on our D as well.

Management and coaches made comments about them being worried Tanev may get hurt a while back. He's ahead of his experience in so many areas but gets crushed trying to make plays. I hope this changes with his recent stint of playing big healthy minutes.
- boonerbuck

I think he put on about 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason. Hopefully that helps.

I think Voynov for Raymond is Canucks wishful thinking. The Kings aren't inclinded to part with their best D prospect unless it's part of a bigger deal (IE Parise)

Now Martinez, another puck moving, mobile defensemen is certainly available and very similar and almost as young as Voynov is an option..

I think he put on about 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason. Hopefully that helps.
- hertzman

It didnt seem to earlier in the season.