Crazy?
Unbelievable?
Bizarre?

All of the above really. Messier, Sundin, and now Forsberg? Will the Canucks never learn that aging superstars past their prime just wont work in our system anymore. Especially when they make as much as they have in the past?

We could handle dumping Demitra and giving Forsberg the shot as really the injury risk is exactly the same and Forsberg is much more worth that risk than Demitra would be. But what would happen to Demitra? Back to the Wild who desperatley need scoring? or buried in the minors. If he returns (and that is a big IF) his salary may only be pro rated to be a $1.5 cap hit so Demitra may be valuable to some scoring strapped teams.

Interesting Development to be sure.

More to come…

While it is still early and Unless Gillis is waiting for the dominos to fall after a Luo extension to use Corey as a trading chip Im not sure where he is going to get his PP defenseman from. if M.A. Bergeron was the answer why isn’t he signed now?

The crop of UFA Dmen grows thin so Im not sure what hes waiting for as our youth is still not deep enough to pull off a trade that

1) will benefit us now and medium term and

2) will not clean our our half full cupboard of talent…

LOTS to do for this team and Gillis is really doing no better than Nonis past Drafting. My feeling is that he expects big things from Burrows, Bernier, Hodgson, Grabner, Past Hodgson Im not too excited about that either.

Add to that There is NO talk of our #1 Shutdown Dman Willie Mitchell signing his extension or even word of anyone worried that he is UFA next year one must wonder if he even fits our plans for next year. The cap WILL go down next year and most likely we will be one of the teams most affected by that with Luo, Mitchell, Kesler all getting raises with Kesler getting the biggest raise (most likely more than double his current salary).

So What are you up to Gillis? Thinking about raising Ticket prices again?

Discuss on the boards now…..

With the Season coming to a dramatic finish in a series that the Canucks had no business losing. A number of questions come to mind on many players. We will review each player from the season and their stats and speak a little about the upcoming draft and free agency before we can even tackle the upcoming season we must first look at the past.

Daniel Sedin – Daniel had a career year and increased his stats in every category from the season before. The increases were not even small either. Goals were increased by 2, points by 8 and plus/minus by 18. The only stat that fell on Daniel was his PIMS by 14 penalties. Daniel had a record playoffs as well with 10 points in 10 games with his best game coming in game 6 elimination against Chicago. Daniel is up for UFA on July 1st and like his brother has requested a 12 year deal in the neighborhood of $63 to $64 M dollars. A cap hit of $5.25M per season. Considering his ever increasing point production and leadership its a wonder why this deal is not signed yet. They will not play until they are 40. My guess is that its probably front loaded and the Canucks ownership doesnt want to shell out the big money up front and want them to play to the end. I think cap hit is way more important than salary in this new NHL and for a PPG player I dont see why he wouldnt be signed at this…. Not to mention his durability… Season Rating B+. Playoff Rating B.

Stats

YEAR	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	SOG	SPCT	PPG	PPA	SHG	SHA	GWG
2007-2008	VAN	82	29	45	74	6	50	247	11.7	12	20	0	0	7
2008-2009	VAN	82	31	51	82	24	36	285	10.9	9	15	0	0	7

Henrik Sedin - Henrik had a career year and increased his stats in every category from the season before. The increases were not even small either. Goals were increased by 7, points by 6 and plus/minus by 16. The only stat that fell on Daniel was his PIMS by 8 penalties. Henrik had a record playoffs as well with 10 points in 10 games with his best game coming in game 6 elimination against Chicago. Henrik is up for UFA on July 1st and like his brother has requested a 12 year deal in the neighborhood of $63 to $64 M dollars. A cap hit of $5.25M per season. Considering his ever increasing point production and leadership its a wonder why this deal is not signed yet. This sound familiar? Of Course it does because like Daniel, Henriks stats, career, life is a twin image… Season Rating B+. Playoff Rating B.

YEAR	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	SOG	SPCT	PPG	PPA	SHG	SHA	GWG
2007-2008	VAN	82	15	61	76	6	56	141	10.6	4	25	1	0	2
2008-2009	VAN	82	22	60	82	22	48	143	15.4	4	22	0	0	8

Ryan Kesler – Ryan Kesler had a career year and topped it off with a Selke nominated season (he lost to Datysuk). He had career goals, points and was handed a letter on his jersey to show the direction is as important in youth as it is in goaltending. Before being split up from Burrows  everyone thought the success from both season was each other. It turns out both are versatile in their game and can add scoring, aggressive play and still be huge pests. His playoff stats and performance fell way below average after the Blues series. Season Rating B. Playoff Rating C.

Pavol Demitra – Pavol Demitra had the exact year we expected him to have. Produce moderately when playing and be injured for the most important stretches. We knew what we were getting and it was pretty much a slam dunk that he would disappear when needed most. He has talent galore but misses the drive to be an upper echelon player at this stage of his career. His career has been riddled with injuries and although he produced more than the player he replaced (Naslund) his salary was the same and did not provide the needed punch for the whole season. Season Rating C. Playoff Rating D.

Alexandre Burrows - Alex Burrows had the career seasons of career seasons. he became one of the teams most valuable players and scored more goals on the Sedin line than anyone since Anson Carter…… He also signed a very modest 4 year deal at $2M a season showing that his importance to the team as a leader is as solid as his production and pesty nature. Alex scored goals. He scored BIG goals in timely situations. None bigger than what set it off against Carolina to break the slump and give him a finish to the season most only dream of. He was stellar against St Louis but tailed off against Chicago. Season Rating A+. Playoff Rating B.

Kevin Bieksa – Great bounce back year for Kevin in terms of injury recuperation and production. He provided the sparks needed and toughness desired for a defenseman of his nature. While his stats are not comparable to the year before due to the horrific injury he experienced he bounced back with a career year with 9 less games played than his first big year. Kevin is a bright spot on defense and is emerging at the right time with Mattias Ohlund going into free agency, his playoffs were less than stellar but he did provide the toughness needed he just has to get his mental edge down to combine the 2 to be as effective as the best in the NHL. Season Rating B+. Playoff Rating C+.

Alexander Edler – The up and coming swede is just that. Up and Coming. In a season where we see Mattias Ohlund most likely leave the Canucks his replacement has jumped up into the light with an impressive sophomore campaign. While at times he struggled with the NHL speed the young swede proved himself a capable NHL defenseman that can log top minutes and be in your top 4. All this at 23 years of age. Season Rating B. Playoff Rating C+.

Steve Bernier - Another step for young Steve Bernier in his NHL career at becoming a power foward. While he has tenacity in the corners and can fight and hit and be strong in front of the net His lack of finish is concerning but his age is not. If this kid can find his hands we could have a wonderful power forward that wont shy away from any contact in front of the Net. Season Rating C. Playoff Rating C.

Mats Sundin – Brought in to be the difference of a contender and pretender Mats Sundin never did make the grade to being a difference. He was a nice complement but not at the price tag he came at. What was immensely valuable for Sundins time in Vancouver was his impact on Ryan Kesler. This was very valuable and worth the money he was paid to score. Unfortunately in the playoffs that was another matter. in a time where Sundin has played his best hockey he became nothing more than a role player where he would not find his place in the playoffs. Aside from his many bad minor penalties during the season (41 games that it was) it was clear he should have made his decision sooner and played more games in the system. Season Rating D. Playoff Rating C-.

Kyle Wellwood – Wellwood. Wellfed. WellPlayed for a player that was not considered NHL material and was passed by 29 other teams when put on waivers and placed on recall waivers. Wellwood scored some big goals in the first half of the season and barely any in the 2nd half. Most were on the power play where he spent most of his time and was not given a fair chance on the top 6 for most of the season. When he did get his time he produced. He should be re-signed at a one or two year deal. Season Rating C+. Playoff Rating C.

Mattias Ohlund – The old warrior seems to have played his final game with the team that drafted him. He had a great many years in a Canucks uniform and its sad to see him go….. and going he was he was getting slower taking stupid slow penalties and clearly was no longer a threat at all in any offensive role. He still is a very good defenseman but not for the money he will command in his first UFA market. Matty exemplified what it meant being a Canuck and unfortunately his time has come as we need a more mobile puck moving defenseman that can play the point. Season Rating C+. Playoff Rating B-.

Sami Salo - The record of when Sami Salo in the lineup is extraordinary. Our win % is above .700 with him in the line up and it is proven he may have been and is our most valuable offensive defenseman….. but he has not played a full season in his career and every year you can count on him getting injured for a lengthy period of time. That being said his cannon of a shot and what he brings to us is like the polar opposite everything negative he brings in just being injured. He has one year left on his contract and I dont see him being re-signed after it is done. Season Rating B-. Playoff Rating C+.

Willie Mitchell – Our most prominent shut down dman. Willie was stellar all year and had career stats in points and plus/minus. His gaffe in game 4 changed the series against Chicago and most likely really cost us a conference final appearance. He seemed to panic after that in almost every major situation as the Canucks never won another game after that nor were even remotely in the series. Willie has to be the biggest defenseman on the planet in order for this team to shut down the other teams big stars. That was what he was brought to do and has failed to do so when it matters. He also has one year left on his contract and needs to have an even better season to see bigger money. Season Rating B. Playoff Rating C-.

Mason Raymond – While the stats did not really show it this really was the coming out year for Mason Raymond. His playoff play was excellent and if given a more offensive role will find the hands to finish with his blazing speed. Mason is a player that every team needs to succeed and we hope that he is the one we have to push us for more youth movement. Season Rating C+. Playoff Rating B-.

Taylor Pyatt – Pyatts tragedy over the season was immense and his loss felt across the league. We wish him the best and hope he can recover his career in the NHL. His stats fell apart from the year before and his play was a shadow of what he could have been. Going into his contact year after this last year will most certainly not see him back for more than $1M per season. Season Rating D+. Playoff Rating D-.

Shane O’Brien – SOB was one tough um SOB. But his minor league penalties were in abundance and cost us early in the season. Without any regular season goals he cant be counted on for any offense and should slot in well in the 5th and 6th spot playing a tougher role with some more grit in front of the net. Season Rating C+. Playoff Rating C.

Ryan Johnson – Warrior total warrior in the playoffs. his shot blocking made up for all his season struggles. He provided no offense and he really didnt give in the regular season what he did in the playoffs where he was spectacular for his role. Season Rating D+. Playoff Rating B-.

Darcy Hordichuk – Darcy can fight. Darcy can cause crap in all areas and he can hit.. Unfortunately he cant do anything else. A very one dimensional player that plays his role well. Career year in goals at 4. Was very physical and tough. Much needed for others players to answer the bell when called upon. Season Rating C+. Playoff Rating D+.

Roberto Luongo – Roberto Luongo had another tremendous regular season with the Canucks. He had a career year in shutouts. Smashed the Canucks shutout record with 9 and is coming into the final year of his contract. He made highlight reel save after save this year and was stellar in the first round of the playoffs for his second playoff stint. Then it all fell apart against Chicago. Eliminated in 6 games the goalie who became our captain who was to be our saviour went right back to square one in his playoff career. He is back to having to prove himself as a big game goalie and a playoff performer. Should the Canucks not get the Sedins signed and some important pieces of the puzzle we may lose Luongo to free agency next summer. Season Rating A+. Playoff Rating C-.

Coaching – Should have been nominated for coach of the year when you lose your goalie for 2 months its an amazing thing to keep them in the hunt for a playoff spot let alone win a Division Title. not sure if he is the one to lead us to the next level but we could be worse off with alot of the younger player coaches coming in to the NHL. One more year for AV to prove himself before Coach of the year and Championship finalist Scott Arniel gets his shot at the NHL. Season Rating B+. Playoff Rating D.

The Season ended when it shouldnt have. The Season was another dissapointment in a series of dissapintments in this franchises sorry History. Anything less than a Conference final appearance is a failure and needs action each time. Its coming on 40 years of losing and its time to stop celebrating 1994… 1994 was loss and that is what should be remembered. We need new history we need winning.

NHL Player Needs before Sedins decide

- 3 Top 6 Forwards (1 if the Sedins decide to sign with the Canucks)

- 2 Top 4 defesemen (at least one puck moving dman and PP specialist)

- 1 Backup Goalie (Schneider is the man)

Draft Needs

- Potential  Top 6 Defenseman

- Diamond in the rough (a forward of Zetterberg material in his level of drafting)

What is your Plan?

]]> http://canucksrepublic.com/canucks/season-end-review-and-upcoming-season-preview-spectacular/feed/ 2 http://canucksrepublic.com/canucks/report-sedins-seeking-identical-12-year-63m-contracts/ http://canucksrepublic.com/canucks/report-sedins-seeking-identical-12-year-63m-contracts/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:40:24 +0000 mattola http://canucksrepublic.com/?p=426

Take this for what it is worth. TSN is only reporting from another source that neither the players nor the agent has commented on. But Really is average $5.25 out of control for those 2? they will opt out in retirement in 5 years most likely. This is not a terrible deal.

It appears as thought the Vancouver Canucks will have to break the bank if they want to hold on to the Sedin brothers.

According to a report on Swedish website expressen.se, Daniel andHenrik Sedin are looking for identical 12-year contracts worth $63 million each, similar to the one signed by fellow countryman Henrik Zetterbergwith the Detroit Red Wings.

While the twins enjoyed solid seasons with the Canucks last year, co-leading the team in scoring with 82 points each while each adding 10 points during the Canucks’ playoff run, they have yet to reach the same level as Zetterberg who captured the Conn Smythe trophy last season while leading his Red Wings to the Stanley Cup.

The brother’s have expressed an interest in remaining in Vancouver, while the Canucks’ have stated that it is a priority to re-sign the twins, however it is believed that a $63 million price tag is much more than general manager Mike Gillis would be willing to spend.

According to the article on expressen.se, neither the Sedin’s, nor their agent J.P. Barry would comment on the report.

The brother’s each earned $3.75 million this past season and are scheduled to become unrestricted free-agents July 1st.

Discuss in the thread going on now!