He's a centre but I remmeber him playing RW at one time too. But hey, Kesler is just as effective at RW as he is at centre. Remember how Demitra-Sundin-Kesler clicked? I dont think they would miss a step if you substitute Sundin for Horton. I wouldn't wanna see Raymond go but the guys up for a huge raise, and if it means getting Horton to hell with it.
I think it'd be a bad move to break up Kes and Raymond they play so well together if we have to trade Raymond I'd do it at the draft. I think the top 6 is set and should be left alone.
Demitra to NYR for Girardi
C. Schnieder + Bieksa? to STL for Boyes +?
Unfortunately I can't see a player like Girardi being a great help to the Canucks.
The Canucks will only go as far as Luongo will take them. The only way to get Lou off his game is when opposing forwards crash him and make his life miserable - which often gets him calling out to the ref and generally getting unfocused.
We saw this clearly in Game 5 vs Anaheim and throughout the Chicago series.
What we need is a crease clearing stay at home d-man who will protect our best player.
And our remaining d-men will have to figure that out as well.
I'm confident Luongo can take us very far if we take care of him.
Demitra to NYR for Girardi
C. Schnieder + Bieksa? to STL for Boyes +?
I doubt the Canucks could afford Boyes' $4M cap hit going forward with Raymond and Kesler in line for sizable raises and the Canucks in need of adding some depth to their defense.
And of course a competent #3 center. Schneider for McClement has been making waves for a number of weeks and I would not be disappointed with it.
Plus our centre depth next year would be among the leagues best.
That trade helps us this year but that really makes Hodgson expandable cause there'll be no room for him, unless we put him on the 2nd line center and put Kesler to the wing and trade Raymond in the offseason.
That trade helps us this year but that really makes Hodgson expandable cause there'll be no room for him, unless we put him on the 2nd line center and put Kesler to the wing and trade Raymond in the offseason.
Or you put McClement on the 4th line with loads of PK time and Hodgson centers the 3rd line. McClement would be a bit pricey as a 4th line center, but he'd only be a couple $100K more than Johnson, but twice the player.
Or you put McClement on the 4th line with loads of PK time and Hodgson centers the 3rd line. McClement would be a bit pricey as a 4th line center, but he'd only be a couple $100K more than Johnson, but twice the player.
My thoughts exactly. McClement would be our lead on the PK, allowing slightly fewer PK mins for Kesler, and eat a lot of mins centering a vastly improved 4th line.
Hodgson could play 10-12 mins per game which might help him ease into the NHL, or allow him to play 20 mins per game in the AHL with McClement as our #3.
Unfortunately I can't see a player like Girardi being a great help to the Canucks.
The Canucks will only go as far as Luongo will take them. The only way to get Lou off his game is when opposing forwards crash him and make his life miserable - which often gets him calling out to the ref and generally getting unfocused.
We saw this clearly in Game 5 vs Anaheim and throughout the Chicago series.
What we need is a crease clearing stay at home d-man who will protect our best player.
And our remaining d-men will have to figure that out as well.
I'm confident Luongo can take us very far if we take care of him.
Got me. Sutton is gone.... Volchenkov will cost far too much.
Bryan Allen is a guy I'd love to see back in Vancouver but I doubt Florida trades him. I'd gladly give up O'Brien, Bernier or Hansen, picks etc to do that (assuming he is healthy and still playing like how he did when he was traded).
I have a feeling we'll 'settle' for a decent all-round guy like Seidenberg who may actually be a great addition and could possibly be enticed to sign here long-term for reasonable value considering his countryman plays here.
He'll come a lot cheaper than a Hamhuis, who will garner overpayment IMHO because he's one of the "sexier" trade targets.
EDIT: A couple of targets for "hockey trades" I'd forgotten to mention - Polak and Jackman. Either acquisiton would make Lou's day. Polak was a beast in the playoffs last year, and Jackman has always been tough to play against.
Its not clear to me that with Demitra's return to form, Canucks are as desperate for a 3rd line center - there is good talent at forward, esp. if you include Hansen (who unfortunately AV won't play) and Grabner in the equation.
A left side top 4 dman is the top priority by far. Its the absolute bare minimum if Mitchell doesn't return, and still a priority if he does.
The lack of team toughness and size in our top 9 and on D is a longer term problem that probably won't be solved in 24 hours.
