Canucks' general thread [Archive] - Hockey Station Forums

Iced Tea

11-24-05, 6:09 PM

I thought I'd start a thread for articles and such that aren't worthy of their own thread.

The Vancouver Province online version has an article worth starting this thread with.

The Province (http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=02d6b914-556e-4c74-af07-fd752492c974) says
Nonis shoots down recent trade rumours
Sending Bert, Jovo and Cloutier to Florida news to GM

Ben Kuzma
The Province

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Canucks general manager Dave Nonis has shot down wild trade rumours involving Todd Bertuzzi, Dan Cloutier and Ed Jovanovski.

Speculation that Florida general manager Mike Keenan is in Vancouver to finalize a swap -- especially with the Panthers on a 12-game losing streak -- is news to Nonis.

He's not interested in trading Bertuzzi and said the winger hasn't asked to be moved. And Nonis isn't interested in swapping Cloutier and Jovanovski for goalie Roberto Luongo.

"I've got nothing on the go now and I'm being 100 per cent honest," said Nonis. "I spoke to Mike about a week ago and I haven't talked to him since. I don't even know if he's in town or not."

Jovanovski, 29, is earning $4 million US in the final year of his multi-year deal. With the age of unrestricted free agency lowering from 31 to 29 next summer, he could hit the open market.

"I told his agent [Pat Morris] that we couldn't make Ed an offer until we knew what the cap was going to be next year," said Nonis who can negotiate now with players in multi-year deals that expire next summer. "It's not about not wanting to keep Ed -- I'd sign him tomorrow.

"And Eddie's the same way. He wants to stay here and until we figure out where the cap will be, we'll focus on winning."

CLOUTIER SOUNDS OFF

Dan Cloutier returns to the scene of the crime tonight and hopes referees take notice.

After being run over by crease-crashers Rob Niedermayer and Joffrey Lupul on Sunday in Anaheim -- and landing several punches on Niedermayer -- the Canucks starter isn't sure if more goalie interference calls will stem the tide.

"I don't know if there's an awful lot we can do," said Cloutier. "The defence used to wait for these guys to come in and really battle. Now, it's a penalty so guys are braver and coming in at full tilt. And you can't blame them because it's easier to score when you're going hard to the net."

MCCARTHY STILL SIDELINED

With three games in the next four nights, the Canucks need injured defenceman Steve McCarthy to return and lessen the workload on the back end.

However, a lingering groin pull will keep McCarthy sidelined for a seventh-straight game tonight.

"I skated on my own for 45 minutes today with a lot of stops and starts and it's coming along," said McCarthy. "Hopefully, in the next week or so I'll be back."
1. The trade with the Panthers is a rumour started by one of the sports talk radio stations in Vancouver and has continually surfaced whenever the station's ratings drop. I can't believe the Province picked up this garbage.

If a trade did happen, I'd faint from the excitement of having a great goalie.

2. I'm hoping Cloutier talks to Martin Brodeur, who is now on the competition committee. Backing from other goalies could help Brodeur in his quest to save the goalies from this onslaught of morons running the goalies.

3. Hard to believe that McCarthy is good enough to be missed but when his replacement is Brookbank, I'd rather take McCarthy as the Canucks 6th defenseman.

I've had a groin pull, I could hardly move for a few days, when I went back to work, I could hardly walk. The pain I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, well maybe just one person. It tooks months to stop hurting.

KB in Kelowna

11-24-05, 8:35 PM

Nice idea Tea, post all none game related articles in an ongoing thread, maybe it will catch on in other team forums. ;) :rolleyes: :laughing:

TimmyTabasco

11-24-05, 9:14 PM

Yoata

11-25-05, 12:35 AM

Excellent idea Mr. Tea bag, and Ms. Easter Bunny :D

McCarthy has a lot of work to do on his game. BUT, I do think he has potential to be a player like Hedican. Great wheels, and solid defensively..while adding a wee bit of offense.

McCarthy's been anything but solid defensively this year, I'm not convinced his got the size/strength to be a dman at the NHL level. He's listed at 6'1, 198, which is already fairly small for a dman but he looks and plays more often like 5'10, 180.

Max Power

11-25-05, 12:47 PM

I was just listening to the Team 1200 and they were saying it's known that Florida is shopping and are desperate for change after losing 12 strait and anybody is on the block. They also said it?s been heard that discussions have been made with Vancouver. The guys on the Radio were suggesting Luango? Now this is far fetched but not completely unrealistic considering Florida might have killed any chances of long term with Luango since they took him to arbitration. Vancouver getting Luango would be amazing but they?d most likely have to give up player(s) like Bert, Naslund or Jovo.
Either way I?m sure Florida will try anything before trading Luango but it's an interesting thought

Yoata

11-25-05, 1:59 PM

Anybody but Naslund and perhaps Salo the way he's playing should be available for a guy like Luongo, but it would have to make sense positionally as well so that along with the goalie swap, a wing for a wing, d for d, center for center.

For example I wouldn't mind:

Luongo, Hill, Gelinas, Kwiatkowski

for Clutzier, Jovanovski, Cooke, any other d besides Ohlund/Salo/Allen.

If Gary Roberts was 6-8 years younger I might consider Floatuzzi for him+ but other than Horton who is pretty green for contender top-line duties, they don't have much for power forwards, and I doubt they'd part with him anyway.

Hey while they're at it, Martin for Crow?

Max Power

11-25-05, 2:09 PM

If Florida was serious about trading Luango I would think the asking price would be high as in Luango for Bert or Nazzy or Salo and Jovo with Cloutier at the least
I'm sure they'd be happy to through in JN or Roberts for nothing considering both signings have not worked out =]

Yoata

11-25-05, 2:19 PM

You're saying Luongo alone for Clutzier + Naslund/Bertuzzi + Jovo??? :confused:

Pretty sure Luongo is a UFA and can walk away at the end of this season, so his value isn't that high, and even if he wasn't, I wouldn't trade Naslund by himself for Luongo. :no: Even if it was Bertuzzi + Clutzier, Jokinen would have to be coming the other way (as long as he could move to wing, that I think would work).

Max Power

11-25-05, 2:35 PM

Max Power

11-25-05, 2:45 PM

Yoata

11-25-05, 3:07 PM

No I think he has one more year but I could be wrong
and no I meant 1 of those 3 with Cloutier

Again, pretty sure a 1 year arbitration which means he'll be a UFA.

Again, too much for just Luongo, somebody good would have to come the other way.

Yoata

11-25-05, 3:10 PM

Wait Cloutier and Bert for Luango and Jokenin
No way... That's crazy, Luango is arguably the best goalie in the league while Cloutier is Lalime part 2. Hi would most likely be run out of town in Florida. Maybe an exaggeration but you know what I mean

Again, Luongo has only this season left under contract, and has ZERO playoff experience, I could see Bertuzzi + Clutz for Brodeur maybe, but he's won 3 cups, and even then I think a winger would be coming back.

Luongo > Clutz
Bertuzzi > Jokinen

TimmyTabasco

11-25-05, 4:39 PM

I'm not so sure on this one

The Canucks are built to win now. Jay Bouwmeester would be a work in progress. Say what you will about Jovo, but that would leave a gap.

Also, since Luongo will be a UFA..very soon..how do you think the Canucks will be able to resign him?

I'm thinking this trade idea is another pipe dream, and thats it.

Yoata

11-25-05, 4:55 PM

Say what you will about Jovo, but that would leave a gap.

A gap in the offense form the blueline sure, but they have plenty of that already. The other gap it would leave is in the area of defensive liability, and that's just the kind of gap they need. The acquisition of a top-notch goaltender would be well worth his loss and don't forget Jovo's only signed for this season, will they even have the cap room to keep him?

TimmyTabasco

11-25-05, 5:31 PM

The acquisition of a top-notch goaltender would be well worth his loss and don't forget Jovo's only signed for this season, will they even have the cap room to keep him?

True on both counts

Also, remember Jay-Bo..and Jokinen too..are asking for raises. Not sure they could afford Jovo.

Nonis has said he wants to keep Jovo, and Jovo wants to stay..but..

A Morrison for Jokinen deal wouldn't be that bad. Give the team size up the middle. :boogie:

Yoata

11-25-05, 5:50 PM

True on both counts

Also, remember Jay-Bo..and Jokinen too..are asking for raises. Not sure they could afford Jovo.

Nonis has said he wants to keep Jovo, and Jovo wants to stay..but..

A Morrison for Jokinen deal wouldn't be that bad. Give the team size up the middle. :boogie:

Florida has plenty of cap space and Jovo also has roots there. As I said, the fear I have about Jokinen is can he play defense? Naslund's improving in that area a lot, Bertuzzi's useless, Morrison is great defensively, which is why I think I'd prefer Bertuzzi for Jokinen and have Oli move over to the wing, which I think he plays some anyway.

TimmyTabasco

11-25-05, 6:30 PM

Florida has plenty of cap space and Jovo also has roots there. As I said, the fear I have about Jokinen is can he play defense? Naslund's improving in that area a lot, Bertuzzi's useless, Morrison is great defensively, which is why I think I'd prefer Bertuzzi for Jokinen and have Oli move over to the wing, which I think he plays some anyway.

Your right on Jovo and Florida. However, he is a competitive person..and would he want to play for a team..without Luongo..and Jay-Bo? ;)

I don't think Jokinen is as good as Mo defensively. But, he is more of a dominant player..and good on faceoffs.

Trading Bertuzzi is a HUGE risk. He goes to Florida, and returns to form.

I'd rather they keep him, and see what happens

Yoata

11-25-05, 6:55 PM

Your right on Jovo and Florida. However, he is a competitive person..and would he want to play for a team..without Luongo..and Jay-Bo? ;)

I don't think Jokinen is as good as Mo defensively. But, he is more of a dominant player..and good on faceoffs.

Trading Bertuzzi is a HUGE risk. He goes to Florida, and returns to form.

I'd rather they keep him, and see what happens

I actually wouldn't want Bouwmeester at this point for the Canucks, they need more experience/solid D on the blueline, not more youth if they want to contend.

I realize trading Bertuzzi is a risk, but how much longer do you wait for him to return to form? Plus you have to give up something good to get Luongo, not sure Jovo would be enough to get Roberto and a dman in return (which they need).

MadDevil

11-26-05, 1:45 AM

I could see Bertuzzi + Clutz for Brodeur maybe, but he's won 3 cups, and even then I think a winger would be coming back.

Hmmm...I don't think so.:D

I think the asking price for either Brodeur or Luongo would be one of Bertuzzi/Naslund/Ohlund + Cloutier/First Round Pick + Possibly more, depending on which of the three big names would be involved. I seriously don't see Luongo going anywhere this year though, although with the way his team is playing, I'd want out of Florida rather quickly.

Yoata

11-26-05, 2:10 AM

Hmmm...I don't think so.:D

I think the asking price for either Brodeur or Luongo would be one of Bertuzzi/Naslund/Ohlund + Cloutier/First Round Pick + Possibly more, depending on which of the three big names would be involved. I seriously don't see Luongo going anywhere this year though, although with the way his team is playing, I'd want out of Florida rather quickly.

I would give up Ohlund and Clutz in a heartbeat for Brodeur, but to swap Bertuzzi for Ohlund, I would expect a forward coming back, perhaps Mogilny, though I think they'd have to sweeten the pot a bit more to get that much back, maybe they'd have to throw in Cooke, but then there'd be a net gain in salary for NJ. In a cap world, with NJ already over as soon as Elias comes back, they couldn't afford not to send some more salary the other way in a trade for Bertuzzi and Clutz. Regardless, I doubt very much Broduer is going anywhere, that wasn't really my point, just that he's worth a lot more than Luongo who's never even played a playoff game, let alone won a cup. I don't think it makes much sense to trade Naslund for anybody.

Luongo I could definitely see being traded, he wasn't happy with being taken to arbitration or the contract he got, and will be a free agent, so what's keeping him on a bad hockey team in a bad hockey market? If they can't get him signed (which they probably won't if they weren't willing to give him his asking price before, why now?) they'll be smart to get what they can for him, and besides he's their most valuable commodity and this team needs help bigtime.

Amoroq

11-26-05, 5:32 AM

Roberto Loungo still has 1 more year of RFA status after this current NHL season. I doubt very much Keenan will trade him this year and instead wait to see if in the off-season Roberto signs an offer-sheet. Depending what that offer-sheet is (Don't be surpised that he will become the highets paid goalie) the Panthers might be better off taking the picks or just match it, if they feel that number is acceptable to them.

TimmyTabasco

11-26-05, 3:35 PM

I would give up Ohlund and Clutz in a heartbeat for Brodeur, but to swap Bertuzzi for Ohlund, I would expect a forward coming back, perhaps Mogilny, though I think they'd have to sweeten the pot a bit more to get that much back, maybe they'd have to throw in Cooke, but then there'd be a net gain in salary for NJ. In a cap world, with NJ already over as soon as Elias comes back, they couldn't afford not to send some more salary the other way in a trade for Bertuzzi and Clutz. Regardless, I doubt very much Broduer is going anywhere, that wasn't really my point, just that he's worth a lot more than Luongo who's never even played a playoff game, let alone won a cup. I don't think it makes much sense to trade Naslund for anybody.

Luongo I could definitely see being traded, he wasn't happy with being taken to arbitration or the contract he got, and will be a free agent, so what's keeping him on a bad hockey team in a bad hockey market? If they can't get him signed (which they probably won't if they weren't willing to give him his asking price before, why now?) they'll be smart to get what they can for him, and besides he's their most valuable commodity and this team needs help bigtime.

I wouldn't give Ohlund away. He is a rock, perhaps one of the untouchable Canucks. Your right, Brodeur is worth more than Luongo

I'm surprised how many think he is worth the whole team. This is a guy who's record is under 500, never made it to the playoffs..and never had a 30 win season under his belt.

Basically he can be good, and has potential...but not proven records.

Hell, Kolzig is more proven :boogie: :D

Yoata

11-26-05, 5:16 PM

I wouldn't give Ohlund away. He is a rock, perhaps one of the untouchable Canucks. Your right, Brodeur is worth more than Luongo

I'm surprised how many think he is worth the whole team. This is a guy who's record is under 500, never made it to the playoffs..and never had a 30 win season under his belt.

Basically he can be good, and has potential...but not proven records.

Hell, Kolzig is more proven :boogie: :D

Well, nobody's talking about giving him away, we're talking about possibly trading him for a top notch goaltender. I like Ohlund, I think he's been their overall best dman for the last couple of seasons, but not this season, he's really struggled. Would I rather trade Jovanovski? Absolutely, but the suggestion was Ohlund + Cloutier so I agreed. Regardless, he's mainly a defensive guy, and I think the Canucks GAA goes down, and more importantly , their playoff chances go up, with a quality netminder instead of Ohlund. You're not going to acquire a proven top quality goaltender in exchange for fringe players, have to give up quality to get quality.

PDO

11-26-05, 6:07 PM

A Morrison for Jokinen deal wouldn't be that bad. Give the team size up the middle. :boogie:

Of course it wouldn't be bad, you're getting a better player :conspire:

TimmyTabasco

11-26-05, 9:49 PM

Of course it wouldn't be bad, you're getting a better player :conspire:

Is Jokinen really much better than Morrison?

On second thought, yes..he is :D

Yoata

11-26-05, 10:55 PM

Of course it wouldn't be bad, you're getting a better goalscorer :conspire:

Fixed. Jokinen is bigger and more of a natural scorer, but not near the playmaker or defensive player that Morrison is. As a center he's no more a bona-fide 1st liner than Morrison is.

PDO

11-26-05, 11:54 PM

Fixed. Jokinen is bigger and more of a natural scorer, but not near the playmaker or defensive player that Morrison is. As a center he's no more a bona-fide 1st liner than Morrison is.

Morrison had 6 more assists than Jokinen last season. Morrison played with Naslund.

... yeah.

Morrison is better defensively than Jokinen, but not by a whole lot; not to mention defense can be taught.

Calling Morison equal to Jokinen is laughable.

Yoata

11-27-05, 12:02 AM

Morrison had 6 more assists than Jokinen last season. Morrison played with Naslund.

... yeah.

Morrison is better defensively than Jokinen, but not by a whole lot; not to mention defense can be taught.

Calling Morison equal to Jokinen is laughable.

What's laughable is using Jokinen's best season and Morrison's worst in the last 4 to compare the two. :laughing:

And Morrison IS a "whole lot" better defensively that Jokinen to say the least, Morrison is very near the top on his team in +/- every year, Jokinen is very near the bottom of his team in +/- every year. No wonder he gets so many goals, he obviously only plays 1 way.

Perhaps you'd care to explain what makes Jokinen SO much better than Morrison that the comparison is "laughable".:rolleyes:

charlio lemieux

11-27-05, 11:31 AM

2003-2004
BRENDAN MORRISON VAN C 82 22 38 60 16
OLLI JOKINEN FLA -------C 82 26 32 58 -16

2002-2003
BRENDAN MORRISON VAN C 82 25 46 71 +18
OLLI JOKINEN FLA -------C 81 36 29 65 -17

2001-2002
C BRENDAN MORRISON VAN 82 23 44 67 +18
C OLLI JOKINEN FLA------- 80 9 20 29 -16

Iced Tea

12-04-05, 1:31 PM

Frustration mounting for Cloutier

Knee still swollen: In what was supposed his big year, goalie is injured too often

Jason Botchford, The Province
Published: Sunday, December 04, 2005

Dan Cloutier was sure this would be his year.

So far it hasn't worked out that way.

Before the season started Cloutier had never felt better.

He was convinced he was peaking physically, his techniques sharpened from years of experience and a tough-as-pipe offseason training regimen.

Mentally he had matured. He said he felt composed and comfortable in net, ready to withstand the mind games that come with being an NHL netminder.

But two months into the season, all Cloutier has to show for it is mounting frustration.

Still with a swollen knee from a sprain he suffered Nov. 20 in Anaheim, Cloutier will miss tonight's game against Boston.

It's the 12th game he's missed this year due to injury, one fewer than he's played.

"It's been frustrating because there's been nothing I could do about these injuries," Cloutier said. "My first one was a blind check by my own player and this one was a guy coming hard to the net.

"Two freaky injuries. I guess it's better they happen early in the season than late."

What's even more frustrating for Cloutier is that he hasn't been able to showcase what he believes is a much-improved game.

He started the season with some inconsistency and is still saddled with a too-high 3.18 GAA. But, in this case, he's sure the numbers are lying.

"I really feel good about my game this year and I'm convinced this is the best I've played despite those numbers," Cloutier said. "I honestly feel the most confident I've felt in five years. My composure and my patience have improved. If you look at my games this year I'm more square to the puck.

"I feel so good about my game and it's just too bad I keep having to take breaks like this."

Cloutier doesn't know when he'll be ready to return. His knee will be re-evaluated tonight.

He's hoping that the swelling will go down enough so that he can get back on the ice early this week.

In his place backup Alex Auld has struggled recently, giving up 13 goals in the past three games.

Cloutier said overall he's been impressed with Auld but he also sees that the young goalie is experiencing what it's like to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL.

"Everyone will tell you it's not easy to be the guy who's counted on every night," Cloutier said. "People often say it's easy to play once or twice a week. It's so much harder when you have to go out every night to give your team a chance to win."

The Canucks picked up another goalie Friday in a trade to give their organization some needed depth.

They shipped a fifth round 2006 draft pick to Washington to get minor-leaguer Maxime Ouellet, 24, who will report directly to the Manitoba Moose.Link (http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=f1a9f226-d2cc-4831-acbf-43a03b29153e&k=59768)

Considering his knee problems in the past, I can't be surprised that he's having difficulties now. What ticks me off is both knee injuries this year were caused by players, including a teammate, running into him. If the NHL wants to limit the goalie's movements, at least protect them when they are in the crease. Running over opposing goalies should be worth a suspension when it is blatantly clear that players intended to crash the goalie.

Yoata

12-04-05, 2:17 PM

"Two freaky injuries. I guess it's better they happen early in the season than late."

Can't say I agree.

TimmyTabasco

12-04-05, 5:39 PM

Considering his knee problems in the past, I can't be surprised that he's having difficulties now. What ticks me off is both knee injuries this year were caused by players, including a teammate, running into him. If the NHL wants to limit the goalie's movements, at least protect them when they are in the crease. Running over opposing goalies should be worth a suspension when it is blatantly clear that players intended to crash the goalie.

Yeah, he has had previous injuries. So, this is not really a surprise.

The NHL really has to control the goalie interference, or we will be seeing many more of these sort of injuries

Iced Tea

12-08-05, 10:41 AM

'Express' line looks in envy
Senators' top guns showing entire league how

Jason Botchford, with files from Gordon McIntyre, The Province
Published: Thursday, December 08, 2005

Despite some struggles this season, the Canucks' top line still believes it can be as magical as the one Ottawa is bringing to town.

Compared with that line, which features three players all ranking in the top five among points leaders, the West Coast Express looks as if it can't make it out of the station.

Ottawa's seemingly unstoppable top line of centre Jason Spezza and wings Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson is the envy of the entire league, including the Canucks.

"Those guys are tearing up the league. They've been dominant; that's all there is to it," Brendan Morrison said.

But once upon a time, it was the Vancouver line of Morrison, Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi that took the league by storm.

First put together on Jan. 9, 2002, by Marc Crawford, after a lacklustre 3-2 loss in Buffalo, the line clicked immediately.

They combined for six points in their first game, a 5-4 overtime loss to Detroit.

Instantly, they were a top NHL line that carried the Canucks on a post-Christmas surge that vaulted the team into the final Western Conference playoff spot.

But things haven't gone as smoothly this year.

Only Naslund has provided a consistent scoring threat and during several games the line has been broken up, a ploy Crawford often uses to try to give his team a kick start when it's struggling.

"Our line isn't there," Morrison said. "We're not a dominant line night in and night out. There are games when we have been, but again it's the same theme as our team: we have to be a little bit more consistent."

Even though Naslund is the only player ranking in the top 50 in terms of points scored on the line, and the team, Morrison is still confident the group can find a way to rekindle the magic.

"We're capable of doing it,"Morrison said. "There's no question about it. "We can do it. We've done it in the past but you can't keep looking at the past. It's, 'What have you done for me lately?'"

Ottawa's top line took off after Alfredsson joined on Nov. 2.

Sens coach Bryan Murray isn't too far off when he compares the combination to a line of Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Glenn Anderson in 1980s Edmonton.

Bertuzzi sees the Sens' top line as in the zone, something his linemates once had, but lost.

"I think they complement each other right now," Bertuzzi said. "I can tell you because when you get in a zone you can ride it for a while. It makes hockey that much more enjoyable."

Cloutier still waiting

No news is no news as far as Dan Cloutier's ailing knee. The No. 1 goalie didn't take part, again, in practice Wednesday and no one knows when he'll be game-ready.

"He saw the doctor today and we're hopeful we'll get some encouraging words as we move forward," Crawford said.

TWINS DOUBLE UP

With the emphasis on special teams under the new rules, Crawford has used more pairs as penalty-killing units, including the Sedin twins.

"They read so well and their positioning is great," the coach said. "They're not categorized as really quick players, but they're quick to position. Having that really good active stick oftentimes takes away passing lines and does some very good things in the penalty-kill unit.

"It's been a good adjustment for us as a team using them in that unit. They get more minutes and I think they're more into the game because they play both special teams."

Henrik Sedin, nursing a sore groin, didn't skate, but Crawford expected him back on the ice today.

Enforcer Wade Brookbank took Henrik's place in drills.

"I'm hoping Henrik will skate today," Crawford joked. "Brooker didn't look very good at centre."Link (http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=f65bb1e2-2d74-4b3a-8d22-cacdc50c7358&k=17116)

At least Morrison recognizes that the Canucks top line needs to step up and challenge the Sens top line for dominant line of the 2005 - 2006 season. On a more important note, Morrison needs to spend less time getting quoted and more time practicing his faceoffs. :talkhand:

TimmyTabasco

12-09-05, 5:10 PM

Here are some names that would help the Canucks faceoff issues, and depth at center. They could be good trade deadline pickups

-Steve Rucchin
Source (http://tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=1273&hubname=nhl-ducks)
He is a UFA after this season.

-Curtis Brown
Source (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl_network/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=76&hubName=CHI)
He makes 1.2 million. I think he is signed for one more year.

-Mike Sillinger
Source (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=1278&hubname=nhl-blues)
He makes 1 million. Pretty sure he is a UFA after this season.

-Shawn Bates
Source (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2&hubname=nhl-islanders)
He makes $877,000. Pretty sure he's a UFA after this season

-Jeff Halpern
Source (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2017&hubname=nhl-capitals)
He makes 1.2 Million. Not sure of his contract status

I also like the idea of Chris Drury and Numminen(or Lydman) in some sort of a deal

Thoughts on these players, or anyone else who could help the team at the deadline/before?

Iced Tea

12-11-05, 12:23 PM

What's with Bertuzzi?
FORM: Struggles seem to go beyond on-ice play

Ed Willes, The Province
Published: Sunday, December 11, 2005

There was an interesting moment during Saturday's media scrum when Marc Crawford launched into a dissertation on Jaromir Jagr and his role in the New York Rangers' resurgence.

Jagr, the Crow posited, is happy and motivated this season and that's made all the difference with his team. He's inspired the Rangers through his very presence. He's lifted an unremarkable collection of players into first place in their division and second place overall in the Eastern Conference.

The lesson, it seems, is one great player can have that kind of an impact. But what's the flip side of that situation? What happens when a great player is unhappy and unmotivated? What does that do to a team?

Uh, if you've guessed this has something to do with Todd Bertuzzi, congratulate yourself on your grasp of the obvious.

The Canucks are now 29 games into their season and, clearly, something is wrong with Bertuzzi. It could be the ghosts of March 8. It could be the accumulated baggage from his years in Vancouver. It could be his naturally sunny disposition. Or it could be his relationship with Crawford.

But whatever it is, it's as obvious as an elephant in a wading pool and it raises the question, can the Canucks move forward with Bertuzzi in his current state?

"We communicate well enough," Crawford said Saturday. "There isn't an issue at all."

"They don't talk," said a Canucks' source. "But it doesn't bother anybody in the room."

And that's fine. This would hardly be the first time in the game's history a star player and a coach didn't get along.

But there's also something about this which has a different look and feel than your average player-coach beef. Maybe, Friday's night's 3-2 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators was a sign things are improving. Maybe it simply delayed the inevitable.

Bertuzzi, in that game, offered up an effort typical of his season. There were flashes, especially in the first period. But as the affair wore on, he was increasingly harder to find. In the third period, with the score 2-2, the Canucks had three power-play chances, including an 85-second five-on-three and didn't produce a thing. Bertuzzi didn't record a shot on goal in the final frame.

All told, it wasn't bad. But, to paraphrase Gertrude Stein, there was no there, there and that's been the case for all but a handful of games this season.

Now, on some level, Bertuzzi should be cut some slack. He was away from the game for more than a year. You might be aware he's been under some stress. He still has 25 points in 29 games.

How much patience that buys him is the next question. But it's hardly the only question around Bertuzzi these days.

For starters, there's the matter of his commitment to this market. Before this season, Bertuzzi was telling friends he couldn't and wouldn't return to the Canucks. He had a change of heart after talking with Markus Naslund and his relationship with Naslund remains vitally important to Bertuzzi.

But, through body language, through his night-in, night-out effort, through so many things, he gives the distinct impression he isn't exactly married to Vancouver. Friday night, he sat on the same end of the players' bench, conversed with Naslund the odd time but, mostly, just stared straight ahead. This, we remind you, is supposed to be one of the team's leaders.

Sorry, it can't be healthy.

Then there's Crawford. Before this season, Bertuzzi was telling those same friends he couldn't play for the Canucks' coach any longer. It could be he was simply blowing off steam. It could also be the relationship is damaged beyond repair.

Whatever the case, you just have a hard time envisioning the Canucks going anywhere as things currently stand. Anyone who's seen him play over the last five years knows what a happy, motivated Bertuzzi can do. But that's no longer the issue.

Now, it's can he be happy and motivated in Vancouver?Link (http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=fa6105fa-bed7-45b2-ae78-7dc6fe4841ea)

I heard that Bertuzzi had the flu or a cold all last week, that can't help his performance.

If it comes down to Crawford or Bertuzzi, fire Crawford.

Iced Tea

12-12-05, 2:24 PM

Bert denies trade rumours

Todd Bertuzzi said in no uncertain terms Monday that he does not wish out of Vancouver.

VANCOUVER (CP) -- Todd Bertuzzi has denied rumours he wants out of Vancouver.

"I wanted to put the fire out," the Canucks forward said Sunday in an interview with Vancouver radio CKNW, the team's broadcaster.

Bertuzzi spoke out after reading newspaper columns suggesting he has demanded a trade and doesn't get along with fellow Canucks and coach Marc Crawford.

"It's not true," said Bertuzzi. "I have never once asked for a trade."

He also said Vancouver "is a place that I hold close to my heart, I love living in this city, I love playing with this team and I love all my teammates and I'm enjoying myself here.

"I understand the business of our game and understand that trades do happen but it's not coming from me. I want to stay here and accomplish something that I started here in Vancouver."

Bertuzzi also pledged his allegiance to Crawford, despite the pair's conflicts over the years.

"Marc's a great coach. Look at his resume, he's won a Stanley Cup, he's coached for Team Canada and I think he's an outstanding coach," he said.

"You're not always going to see eye to eye with people, and sometimes it crosses. I have respect for Marc, he's done a wonderful job here."

Bertuzzi has eight goals and 17 assists in 29 games this season. The Canucks visit the New York Rangers on Tuesday.Link (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20051212_131816_5584)

Tony Gallagher, the Vancouver sports talk stations and all the other rumour starting pinheads can go take a flying leap at a rolling doughnut.

I can take a flying leap to for believing some of the garbage being said.

Let's hope Bertuzzi's lovefest smooths things over with Crawford and Bertuzzi improves his play.

Iced Tea

12-12-05, 2:42 PM

Sedins clicking on the penalty kill
Twins instinctively know where the other is and where he's going next

Gordon McIntyre, The Province
Published: Monday, December 12, 2005

It's one of those ideas that, once implemented, seems so logical you wonder why it wasn't tried long ago.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin, probably the slowest of the Canucks forwards outside of Lee Goren, have been a hit on the penalty kill for the Canucks and are a significant reason why the PK has improved so much lately.

Because they haven't got the fleet feet of Ryan Kesler or Brendan Morrison you might figure the twins wouldn't be effective in the role. But it turns out that what makes them so effective at cycling the puck works to their advantage on the PK, as well -- they know where the other one is and, usually, what the other is going to do next.

Marc Crawford began using the Sedins, and other forwards not normally thrust into the role, to get them more ice time and keep their heads in the game in this new, penalty-filled version of the NHL.

"They're smart guys," said Trevor Linden, who knows something about killing penalties. "I'm not surprised they do well on the PK.

"They have fast sticks, they anticipate well, they play well off one another.

"I think it's great because, you know, I've always said I think they deserve to play more."

The Canucks left Sunday for a two-game road trip that begins Tuesday night in New York and wraps up Thursday in Philadelphia.

It will be a test of the team's new-found penalty-killing skills because at the moment the Canucks rank 22nd on the PK away from GM Place with a 78.5-per-cent success rate.

Overall, however, the Canucks have moved up to ninth (84.2 per cent) from 22nd just a couple of weeks ago, thanks to efforts like Friday's 8-for-8 effort against Ottawa.

In that game, Daniel had 2:42 on the PK, Henrik 3:13.

It's not that they've never killed penalties before -- they did it all the time with MoDo in Sweden.

But they knew that wasn't why they were drafted second and third overall by the Canucks in 1999.

"It's a role we wanted, for sure, but we understood maybe it wasn't going to be the case here," Henrik said. "But when they told us in the meetings we were going to play a couple of shifts, it was great. We always wanted that.

"It's a different kind of pressure. It's a way to help the team and not feel the pressure to score. It's great."

The other advantage the Sedins give the Canucks is, with opposing teams often using a forward on the point for their power play, the twins have generated some chances on 2-on-2s, chances they probably wouldn't take if there were two defenceman on the ice.

"If you don't play PK, you can sit for 10 minutes," Daniel said. "The most important thing is to be at the right place at the right time.

"That's probably our strength."

Added Henrik: "We read off each other really well. If it goes to one place on the PK, I read off him and try to know where they're going to pass it."Link (http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=d8e70794-a2d7-4c71-a7f9-9aa5e879dc9b&k=32983)

An example of the cycling on the PK happened during the Senators vs Canucks game. It was funny watching the Sedins control the puck in the Senators end with 5 Senators unable to get the puck from them. Then they passed it to Jovanovski, who skated back down to the Canucks end, wasted some more time and shot the puck back in the Senators end. :D

Iced Tea

12-15-05, 1:45 PM

From an AHL bench to the hot seat
Auld takes nothing for granted, pledges to keep on working hard in goal.

Jason Botchford, The Province
Published: Thursday, December 15, 2005

PHILADELPHIA -- Not that long ago, Alex Auld couldn't even win an American Hockey League job.

In April, Auld was pinned to the Manitoba bench 12 straight playoff games, watching helplessly as a 37-year-old goalie who embodies the term "journeyman" took his job.

The calendar tells us it was eight months ago. But to Auld, who will make his tenth straight start tonight for the Canucks, it seems a lifetime away.

"In some ways it does seem like a long time [has passed]," he said. "I seem to have experienced a lot in a short period of time."

From the Manitoba doghouse Auld has moved on to Vancouver royalty, becoming a huge factor for the Canucks with Dan Cloutier shelved because of a knee injury.

You've come a long way, Auldy.

He maintains he never had a confidence crisis when asked to put the team first as veteran Wade Flaherty took centre stage in goal for the Moose in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Auld said his spirit wasn't broken even though he was benched after coach Randy Carlyle kept saying publicly he'd use a 1A-1B goalie rotation.

Carlyle had used that system for most of the season. There wasn't much difference between the pair's performances heading into the playoffs before the mysterious benching.

Auld had a 2.56 GAA in 50 games and Flaherty had a 2.33 GAA in 36.

"They made the decision to go with the veteran guy and that was fine," Auld said. "I just wanted to learn from that, I took a really positive approach. I wanted to make sure I was helping the team however I could and I found the way to do that was to be the vocal guy and work hard in practice."

Let's face it, there are plenty of ways a 24-year-old could have handled the situation and about 94 per cent of them are as ugly as an Eagles fan at the mere mention of T.O.

But Auld, the man many refer to as the Big Lebowski for his dude-under-fire cool, approached the situation with the poise of a mature veteran.

In other words, he took it like a man.

"I wasn't going to hang my head about it," he said.

The level-headed lessons he absorbed during this past spring are the same ones he's employing now, the same ones that have helped him to a 6-3 record in his nine-game streak and the same ones which helped him overcome the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

Auld's best attribute just may be his confident demeanour which, no matter the situation, rarely changes.

"You can only control so many things," he said. "You have to control what you can, then when you get on the ice everything else seems to happen. There are going to be nights where things don't go your way. But if you keep everything the same in your preparation then, for the most part, it's going to work out."

His teammates are quickly being won over, especially after that third- period performance in New York when he made 15 saves.

"You look at his composure and his attitude in each game and it's like he's a veteran," Ed Jovanovski said. "He's already won big games but then he comes into New York and faces 30-plus pucks for the win. That was something."

The Manitoba benching remains in the back of Auld's mind and not forgotten. It's probably a good thing, important in keeping him from becoming a fat cat with a newly- secured job.

"As soon as I start taking days off in practice then that's when I'll be in trouble," Auld said. "I have to keep working really hard."Link (http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=032c0eb2-fb0c-458c-90cb-afe9dccf76c2&k=65473)

This is Auld's big chance to shine, I'm rooting for him, 110%.

Iced Tea

12-19-05, 6:44 PM

Appalling, ridiculous, Swiss cheese
Canucks have harsh words for their penalty-killing efforts

Ben Kuzma, The Province
Published: Monday, December 19, 2005

Brendan Morrison was appalled.

"Amateur hour," said the centre.

Sami Salo went one better.

"Like cheese with holes in it -- Swiss cheese," said the Finnish defenceman.

Call it whatever you want, but that jailbreak masquerading as the Canucks penalty kill Saturday still had the club feeling ill Sunday.

Not only did the Canucks surrender three easy power-play goals in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday at GM Place, they also coughed up a shorthanded goal and went 0-for-6 on their power play.

The last time the Canucks surrendered three power-play goals was in a 5-4 loss at Los Angeles on Nov. 17. With the Kings here tonight -- and referees still clamping down on obstruction -- the Canucks had a refresher course Sunday.

After all, their home-ice penalty kill has been good all season. In five games prior to the Oiler fiasco, the Canucks allowed just two power-play goals in going 24-for-26.

So, why the no-show Saturday?

"There were so many passes through the [defensive] box and we weren't' sharp -- you could see that from the first penalty kill," said Salo, who was on for all three power-play goals. "Everything has to be perfect because if it isn't, it's tic-tac-toe and they score.

"We made some crucial mistakes that shouldn't happen. A lot of guys were just walking in the slot, and that's tough for a goalie."

On the first Oiler power-play goal, Mattias Ohlund picked up Ales Hemsky just as he slid the puck over to a wide-open Ryan Smyth, who easily beat Maxime Ouellet because Salo and a backchecking Jarkko Ruutu were late to arrive.

On the second power-play goal, Hemsky was allowed to easily wire a wrister home from the slot. And on the third, Marty Reasoner was left unattended at the side of the net to hit a wide-open net.

"They [Oilers] definitely made some good plays, but we've got to have better sticks and make sure we don't allow those back-door plays where the goalie basically has no chance," said Ed Jovanovski.

Taking four straight minors to start the third period didn't help. Especially with the Canucks up 4-2 and dominating at even strength.

"That was ridiculous," added Morrison. "They're not even in the game 5-on-5 and then we hand it to them. We didn't deal with it [penalties] and got abused on the penalty kill.

"There are times to be passive and times to be aggressive. If you're out of synch, that's what allows gaping holes to become open."

It wasn't just the penalty kill. The Canucks have been sluggish on the power play in their last four outings -- 3-for-28 -- and missed a 5-on-3 chance Saturday.

"I don't think we've scored a 5-on-3 goal all year," said Morrison. "With the guys we have and their offensive capabilities, we should be scoring 5-on-3 about 80 per cent of the time."

It was one of the poorest special-teams showings of the season. There was the 6-0 loss in Minnesota on Oct. 12 when the Canucks went

0-for-8 on the power play and 2-for-5 on the penalty kill.

And there was the 6-2 loss in Colorado on Oct. 27 when the Canucks went 0-for-8 on the power play and 5-for-8 on the penalty kill.Link (http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=0548a10a-234a-4b7c-9f82-9d5a2b701b32&k=41296)

Saturday night better have been a wakeup call for incredibly poor efforts on the PP and PK. It this team is to make it to the playoffs and win at least a round, they need to smarten up. :mad: