Who will replace Morrison?

[TimmyTabasco]

Morrison has underperformed this season. He has been brutal on faceoffs, and can't seem to score on the chances he receives.

The chemisty he had with the big guys, is all but gone

Of all Canucks, he is the most likely to be traded..before Bertuzzi.

So, the question is who becomes the No.1 center?

-sign a UFA
-trade for a quality replacement
-keep Morrison as a highly paid 3rd line center

Then again, there are not many better options out there...

Thoughts

[KB in Kelowna]

I think regardless of what happens there should be a shake up in Vancouver. The chemistry that was the West Coast Express has pretty much evaporated, and this happened before March 8 2004. Morrison makes way too much to be a third line or second line center on any team. As a fishy freind mentioned somewhere else Bert is going to be in the last year of a contract next year so where ever he goes they will get "90 point Bert" so he can be re upped. If Naslund had a creative center and an energetic winger he could still be a top point producer (I am not predicting Art Ross or Rocket Richard trophy - I don't wear goggles). I think Jovo is gone for greener pastures. Cloutier should go for whatever they can get for him, maybe his #1 fan Brian Burke will take him (doubt it) The twins and Carter should be resigned. I would love to see Keith Carney back, perhaps Daryl Sydor from TBay might be available. To answer the question. If the Sedin line is around, set up Cooke-Kessler-Naslund as the second line. The balance of the forward lines would be made up of who ever is left, traded for, brought in from the Moose, or is lured in via free agency. If they totally gut the team get rid of Crow as well and bring in Andy Murray, if they tinker as is most likely then Crow stays for another chance to mold what is left.

[TimmyTabasco]

How about Getzlaf..in some sort of a deal for Bertuzzi?

Danny-Hank-Carter
Naslund-Getzlaf-???

This deal would free up alot of money, and then the Canucks could acquire a solid winger..via trade or free agency

Getzlaf would be an ideal player..and we all know how much Burke likes Bertuzzi.

Just another name to throw into the mix

[KB in Kelowna]

How about Getzlaf..in some sort of a deal for Bertuzzi?

Danny-Hank-Carter
Naslund-Getzlaf-???

This deal would free up alot of money, and then the Canucks could acquire a solid winger..via trade or free agency

Getzlaf would be an ideal player..and we all know how much Burke likes Bertuzzi.

Just another name to throw into the mix

does Burkie have the cap room for Bert and his $5 million?

[MadDevil]

Morrison, Bertuzzi, and Jovanovski for Friesen and the Niedermayers?:D

[TimmyTabasco]

Sounds like a deal, devil

BTW...Morrison was injured since January. This led to his poor play

[KB in Kelowna]

BTW...Morrison was injured since January. This led to his poor playok so how do you expalin a largerly indifferent Bert?

[TimmyTabasco]

ok so how do you expalin a largerly indifferent Bert?

Oh, I'm not making excuses

But, it does make sense..why Morrison wasn't as speedy..and took far more penalties

Bertuzzi is just coming off a subpar season. He is an enigma

[KB in Kelowna]

Looking back at my earlier post, Kieth Carney suddenly became an old 36. If he is back next season he cannot be a 20 minute plus defenceman. I still think Jovo will be asking more money than he is worth, and while Luc Bourdon had people drooling at last years camp, I am not convinced he will make the jump up to big time NHL level this season. If Sydor is available I would like him.

[TimmyTabasco]

Looking back at my earlier post, Kieth Carney suddenly became an old 36. If he is back next season he cannot be a 20 minute plus defenceman. I still think Jovo will be asking more money than he is worth, and while Luc Bourdon had people drooling at last years camp, I am not convinced he will make the jump up to big time NHL level this season. If Sydor is available I would like him.

I also had higher expectations for Carney. He was overplayed.

Bourdon has been signed to a contract..so chances are he will be either with the Canucks..or the Moose. I'm not sure if he's ready..but we will see in October.

Some other names to look at(other than Sydor)

-Lydman
-Mitchell
-McKee

The Canucks need to get faster, and a player like Lydman would be a solid addition

[PDO]

If Bourdon is ever going to be a top-pairing NHL defenseman, he'll be in the NHL by the time he's 20. If not.. he won't be anything more than #3.

Obviously generalizing a bit, but I'd be shocked to not see Bourdon in the NHL next season. Any elite defenseman in the NHL today was in the NHL by age 20.. the learning curve for defenseman is a long one and if Bourdon is babied along too slowly he'll (likely) miss a lot of precious development time.

[TimmyTabasco]

True

I'd like the Canucks to acquire someone..who could mentor Bourdon

[KB in Kelowna]

I'd like the Canucks to acquire someone..who could mentor Bourdon

They could keep Carney for that role, as long as they don't play him 23 minutes a game. With the surgey Morrison has undergone, I doubt he will fetch much on the trade market meaning our second line #1 center is back. I hope he recouvers his speed a commodity that was sorely (no pun intended) lacking from the West Coast Express for most of this past season.

[TimmyTabasco]

They could keep Carney for that role, as long as they don't play him 23 minutes a game. With the surgey Morrison has undergone, I doubt he will fetch much on the trade market meaning our second line #1 center is back. I hope he recouvers his speed a commodity that was sorely (no pun intended) lacking from the West Coast Express for most of this past season.

I'm not sold on Carney. He was awfully slow..but if he signed for much less..why not

If the Canucks keep Morrison, they will have to upgrade at center depth(ie:faceoffs). Bring back Chubarov, sign Halpern..and move Kesler to the wing

Morrison
Hank
Halpern
Chubarov

Deeper at that position

[KB in Kelowna]

I said Carney only because he has played a solid defence game for years now. For Bourdon he could be a tutor/mentor and not a team leader. If he signs for a cheap price ( a big if) spend the money likw you said Sauce boy. Bring back Chubarov a solid #3 center who can actually win some face off draws in his own end in the third period or in the offensive zone when you are truing to create late game scoring chances, which is what the Canucks lacked this year as well.

[TimmyTabasco]

I said Carney only because he has played a solid defence game for years now. For Bourdon he could be a tutor/mentor and not a team leader. If he signs for a cheap price ( a big if) spend the money like you said Sauce boy. Bring back Chubarov a solid #3 center who can actually win some face off draws in his own end in the third period or in the offensive zone when you are truing to create late game scoring chances, which is what the Canucks lacked this year as well.

True there on Carney

And don't get me wrong..I really like the guy. But, as mentioned..he wasn't impressive with the Canucks. Plus, I took heat for telling my brothers it was a great deal :laughing:

Anyway, he would be alright..if he signed for much less..and was used as depth. But, not to play 25 minutes a game..insane

Chubarov most likely will be back. Nonis has mentioned that he wants to play in the NHL. Plus, with the new rules..he could do wonders.

Check this out
Source (http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/atl060519.html)

Perhaps Atlanta would like a Morrison for DeVries deal? Thats another guy who could be a solid mentor for Bourdon

[TimmyTabasco]

BTW, Canucks depth has hit another wall

Chubarov will likely stay in Russia..

With a new transfer agreement between the NHL and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation nearly completed -- and the rumour of an $11-million-US salary cap in the Russian Super League -- there was a chance that Artem Chubarov would return to the Canucks.

Not quite yet. Chubarov, 26, who turned down a $742,000 US qualifying offer last summer to play for Omsk Avangard, has agreed to another deal there.

"The chances of him coming back are good but it won't be next year," Canucks general manager Dave Nonis said Thursday. "He signed a contract that pays him pretty good money."

Chubarov has 58 points in 228 regular-season games here.

This really hurts the Canucks. Last season the loss of Chubarov on the PK, and faceoffs..was clearly evident. I guess this is why Nonis acquired Santala :confused:

Anyway, goodluck to Chubarov..he's a good player..and should have been on the team

[KB in Kelowna]

Too bad about Chubarov, but if he can make more money and have a higher profile in Russia than as a 3rd line grinder in the NHL, more power too him I guess. As things stans right now I am not liking this off season in Canuck-land. No coach named, big players not signed and the window closing. Unless Nonis is planning some big splash announcement draft weekend in Vancouver it could get uglier:(

[MadDevil]

Too bad about Chubarov, but if he can make more money and have a higher profile in Russia than as a 3rd line grinder in the NHL, more power too him I guess. As things stans right now I am not liking this off season in Canuck-land. No coach named, big players not signed and the window closing. Unless Nonis is planning some big splash announcement draft weekend in Vancouver it could get uglier:(

It could be worse KB, you could have over $7 million on the cap committed to a retired player and a minor leaguer.:mad:

[TimmyTabasco]

Too bad about Chubarov, but if he can make more money and have a higher profile in Russia than as a 3rd line grinder in the NHL, more power too him I guess. As things stans right now I am not liking this off season in Canuck-land. No coach named, big players not signed and the window closing. Unless Nonis is planning some big splash announcement draft weekend in Vancouver it could get uglier:(

Well, rumours are floating that Nonis will make a move at the draft

Also, the Canucks should have a new coach soon..

Jovo is as good as done in Vancouver..he wants too much money..and just won't get it