He didn't out right say it but he hinted at it strongly. Saying that Edler let him win the hardest shot competition because his career was winding down(can't remember his exact words). Take it for what it's worth but I'll put my life savings on this season being his last. My life savings, by the way, is about 50 cents right now.
His career is winding down... he's getting old but that doesn't mean he is hitting that this is his last year. He's having a great year both on the ice with his play and his health, maybe if we win a cup he might consider it but I just don't think he's ready to hang them up and add in that he signed at a huge discount to keep playing and I think he's still playing cause he loves the game.
I think Salo has looked like a bottom-pairing defenseman playing out of his element in the Top 4 for large stretches this year, especially after that Marchand hit.
But when the game slows down a bit in the playoffs (more obstruction), he should provide a calming influence until he breaks.
He started the season really strong and has faded. Hopefully he's just pacing himself.
Pretty much how I see it, but I have to think that Marchand hit really didn't help. He is pretty old though and isn't used to playing this many games without suffering a catastrophic injury
He'll be fine in the playoffs. I'd just rather he was a #5 than a #4 on this team, but it's immaterial if Tanev can play well enough to force himself on to a pairing with Edler, which is certainly possible.
With Steve Mason imploding yet again tonight, you have to wonder if Columbus is the likely destination for Schneider (assuming he gets traded).
Someone on the main boards said that prior to the Johnson/Carter trade, Columbus had scouts watching Bernier and they weren't completely impressed, hence not trading for him. I found that interesting.
The question in that case becomes: Who or what does Columbus give up for Schneider? Ryan Johansen?
With Steve Mason imploding yet again tonight, you have to wonder if Columbus is the likely destination for Schneider (assuming he gets traded).
Someone on the main boards said that prior to the Johnson/Carter trade, Columbus had scouts watching Bernier and they weren't completely impressed, hence not trading for him. I found that interesting.
The question in that case becomes: Who or what does Columbus give up for Schneider? Ryan Johansen?
Would be shocked if they moved Johansen. Nail Yakupov would be nice, and given their history with Russians I could see them moving that 1st overall pick easier than Johansen.
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I told ya so. I was right all along!
With Steve Mason imploding yet again tonight, you have to wonder if Columbus is the likely destination for Schneider (assuming he gets traded).
Someone on the main boards said that prior to the Johnson/Carter trade, Columbus had scouts watching Bernier and they weren't completely impressed, hence not trading for him. I found that interesting.
The question in that case becomes: Who or what does Columbus give up for Schneider? Ryan Johansen?
Schneider in a package for Jack Johnson would be preferable.
It will be interesting to see if it is Schneider that does get traded. If Sweet Lu implodes or is taken over by Cory, it might not be what we think it will be.
Would be shocked if they moved Johansen. Nail Yakupov would be nice, and given their history with Russians I could see them moving that 1st overall pick easier than Johansen.
Depends if there is a bidding war like that Oiler writer alluded to. In which case, a trade of 1sts, Schneider , Raymond and Tanev for Johansen/Yaks
I have no idea what you're talking about... ? What comments?
I seem to remember some speculation that Luongo may be willing to go back to Florida.
And recently an article discussed Yzerman and the Olympics, specifically how he felt about Lu as the goalie.
I seem to remember some speculation that Luongo may be willing to go back to Florida.
And recently an article discussed Yzerman and the Olympics, specifically how he felt about Lu as the goalie.
Luongo played well at the Olympics and backstopped us to a gold medal. What's Yzerman supposed to say? You're reading too much into it.
If the Canucks are bounced in the first or second round, could anyone else see Kesler perhaps dealt? He's had 2 serious hip surgeries (by comparison, Comrie had 3 and was forced into retirement as a result), and with his style of play and reliance on speed you have to wonder how much longer he can be effective. This could be the time to move him as his value is at its peak. Thoughts?
If the Canucks are bounced in the first or second round, could anyone else see Kesler perhaps dealt? He's had 2 serious hip surgeries (by comparison, Comrie had 3 and was forced into retirement as a result), and with his style of play and reliance on speed you have to wonder how much longer he can be effective. This could be the time to move him as his value is at its peak. Thoughts?
For who? we have no centres in the NHL capable of replacing him. we have none on the farm capable of replacing him. we traded our only possible option for Kassian. We'd need a centre of equivalent skill level back.
If the Canucks are bounced in the first or second round, could anyone else see Kesler perhaps dealt? He's had 2 serious hip surgeries (by comparison, Comrie had 3 and was forced into retirement as a result), and with his style of play and reliance on speed you have to wonder how much longer he can be effective. This could be the time to move him as his value is at its peak. Thoughts?
If the Canucks are bounced in the first or second round, could anyone else see Kesler perhaps dealt? He's had 2 serious hip surgeries (by comparison, Comrie had 3 and was forced into retirement as a result), and with his style of play and reliance on speed you have to wonder how much longer he can be effective. This could be the time to move him as his value is at its peak. Thoughts?
No chance. Kesler would be the last person this organization trades.
On the Schneider front: For Schneider I am looking at Hedman out of TB, Alzner out of WSH and Johnson+ out CBJ. I want a stud defence man and no less for Schneids. If they aren't available, then look to move Luongo out to a Florida team. The only way I don't trade Schneider for a stud defence man is if we got Schultz and a solid veteran D-man (say... Jackman.) Then, and only then I would look to move Schneider for a forward.
If the Canucks are bounced in the first or second round, could anyone else see Kesler perhaps dealt? He's had 2 serious hip surgeries (by comparison, Comrie had 3 and was forced into retirement as a result), and with his style of play and reliance on speed you have to wonder how much longer he can be effective. This could be the time to move him as his value is at its peak. Thoughts?
and we would still have a lot of cap space for another big acquisition.
And our first. I"d also look for a way to move Ballard which would get us a ton of cap room. Sure it's a Pipe dream but "dare to dream".
Like Monster Bertuzzi said, that package may not be enough but stranger things have happened in a bidding war. Especially if they can recoup the pick and players when they eventually trade Rick Nash for a bushel of players.
If the Canucks are bounced in the first or second round, could anyone else see Kesler perhaps dealt? He's had 2 serious hip surgeries (by comparison, Comrie had 3 and was forced into retirement as a result), and with his style of play and reliance on speed you have to wonder how much longer he can be effective. This could be the time to move him as his value is at its peak. Thoughts?
I've been saying it for a while now... I think they should move him.
I think, at the end of the day, that they probably traded the wrong center when they moved Hodgson. I know that maybe there was no way in terms of attitude that they could have kept him but:
- Kelser is a 3rd line center (akin to Jordan Staal) masquerading as a 2nd line center because of one great season. He is a speed demon who can check anyone into the ground and finish at times. Needs to work on his playmaking skills.
- Hodgson is a 2nd/1st line center who ways (unhappy) paying his dues on the 3rd line. He is a creative offensive playmaker with a deadly shot and huge offensive upside. Needs to work on his defensive game.
In 3 years IF Hodgson was still with the team he'd be the Canucks 2nd line center and Kelser would have been moved to 3rd line... simple as that.
But again... all of this is moot if the kid wanted out... too bad really. If they could have moved Kesler we'd still have him and Lappy/Pahlsson could have played the 3rd line center role.
Hodgson was too slow though and not big enough. You're talking about getting rid of a Selke caliber player and as one poster mentioned, you'd have to get something similar back in order to justify that kind of trade. So in that case, who's available out there that could come back to help the Canucks as much as Kesler? The answer is likely no one. That's why you don't trade him.
In an ideal world, yes, the second line center is someone with true playmaking skill. That might end up being Jordan Schroeder, you never know. Hodgson was a good player and I liked him but his biggest downfall was his lack of athleticism. It was a major achilles heel and the amount of times he was beaten to a puck or knocked off of it was frustrating to watch.
What the Canucks need is either:
A) Puck moving defensemen to make life easier for the forwards. Wideman is available this offseason and so is Schultz. Both will be hard to acquire but Gillis should target one of the two aggressively.
B) A forward with puck handling skills that can deke out the defense occasionally. This team doesn't have enough of them. I honestly think this player will be harder to get than a puck moving D-man.
If the Canucks are bounced in the first or second round, could anyone else see Kesler perhaps dealt? He's had 2 serious hip surgeries (by comparison, Comrie had 3 and was forced into retirement as a result), and with his style of play and reliance on speed you have to wonder how much longer he can be effective. This could be the time to move him as his value is at its peak. Thoughts?
I think that you have misread Kesler's value. He's essentially the engine on this team. He's an absolute warrior in the playoffs. Finding a player like Kesler is damn near impossible. No way MG would trade a guy like him.
I do agree with the poster above me though that mentioned that we need a guy who can actually deke. The Sedins use their puck possession and passing but generally we don't see them deke anyone out of their jockstraps, which is why we don't see them in the shootout.
The Sedins are here for another few years. I'd like to see the Canucks acquire a star winger that can actually play with them and make THEM better for once, instead of vice-versa. How bout Nash... (that's partial sarcasm btw)
I'd also like a tough as nails d man who can still play hockey, but again, they don't grow on trees. Weber is obviously the guy, but that may be a pipe dream. It does seem necessary though when you consider the only guy back there willing to mix it up is Bieksa.
I've been saying it for a while now... I think they should move him.
I think, at the end of the day, that they probably traded the wrong center when they moved Hodgson. I know that maybe there was no way in terms of attitude that they could have kept him but:
- Kelser is a 3rd line center (akin to Jordan Staal) masquerading as a 2nd line center because of one great season. He is a speed demon who can check anyone into the ground and finish at times. Needs to work on his playmaking skills.
- Hodgson is a 2nd/1st line center who ways (unhappy) paying his dues on the 3rd line. He is a creative offensive playmaker with a deadly shot and huge offensive upside. Needs to work on his defensive game.
In 3 years IF Hodgson was still with the team he'd be the Canucks 2nd line center and Kelser would have been moved to 3rd line... simple as that.
But again... all of this is moot if the kid wanted out... too bad really. If they could have moved Kesler we'd still have him and Lappy/Pahlsson could have played the 3rd line center role.
This is so far off.. WOW.
Hodgson is a 2nd line center aside from the fact that he was defensively inept and can't skate worth a damn. He needs to work on his defensive game, skating and compete level in his own zone.
Kesler had "one great season". He had a 75pt season and a 73 pt season. Yup, he's definately sliding there. This season he's coming off a serious hip surgery. Compare it to a guy like Parise who had a bad season last year coming off a knee injury and has bounced back this season.
I'm not sure how you are so quick to write off Kesler but apparently see something special in Hodgson. I havent seen anything more than what I saw with Kyle Wellwood so far. Which is, good offensively but a liability and easy to play against. It remains to be seen how he develops in the future but all this talk like he's a superstar in the making is getting out of hand.
I'm not for trading Kesler or against it. If he gets moved, there better be a truckload coming the other way because he's the engine of this team. When he goes, the team goes.
If the Canucks bow out early, the guy that clearly should get moved is Luongo. There is a goalie waiting in the wings that can take over and the cap relief and player(s) we get in return could be of decent value.
You dont trade a guy like Kesler unless there's someone ready to step up and take that role.
(that's partial sarcasm btw)
