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In the past, for the right price, Mike Gillis believes he can re-build almost any player. We've seen him give shots to O'brien Raycroft, Lapierre, and Wellwood when no one wanted them. He gave shots to old vets, hoping there was something left in the tank (Sundin, M. Schneider, Nolan, and Sturm). And lastly he's taken chance one a pair of D that needed new starts (Ehrhoff, Ballard). Sometimes it works, most of the time it doesn't, but Vancouver takes their shots on guys and you have to like that at least a little.
Today I'd like to look at who is out there to re-build
Angelo Esposito
When I look at Angelo, I see a player that reminds me a lot of another NHL player. That player is Danny Cleary. Cleary was a big time scorer from the Q, who bounced around before finding a home in Detroit. I see Esposito as being that same type of player. He may not have the upside to play in a lot of teams top six, but he is a good skater, with talent, and that is better than what Vancouver has centring the third line.
At the World Jr.'s he showed he can play a somewhat physical role and finish checks. He has ok size, and now that he is at rock bottom maybe he is ready to find his way as a third line centre in the NHL. I'd be willing to offer him a two-way, 700,000/110,000 deal to see if he can fill the third line role.
Cam Barker
While there are a ton of questions surrounding Barker, and the fact the Oiler don't even want him worries me, I would still be willing to gamble on him. Barker would bring size and skill to the Canucks D. He's won a Cup before and has scored 40 points (in 68 games) at the NHL level. I believe that if you could get him for 1-1.5 million that he is worth the risk. Put him on the Vancouver PP and I think he can get 50+ points.
Eric Fehr
The Sami Salo of forwards, Fehr has never really been able to get his career going because of injuries. I've always like Fehr since his days in Jr. and he would add some size and scoring to the third line. While I would like him to play a bit more physical, just having a 6"4 220 player on the third line would make Vancouver a little tougher to defend. Offer him a 1-1.5 million and see what he can do.
Alex Semin
Likely to be the most controversial player on the list, Semin needs a new start and I think he would be dynamite in Vancouver's top 6. I think he could get 40 goals and hopefully not dry up in the playoffs. He is one of the most skilled players in the world and if you could land him for 6.5 million I think you take that chance.
Kristian Huselius
Huselius has had a string of injuries over the past few years, but I believe he still has elite skill. He is one of the better passers in the game and would complement Kesler and Booth well. While he isn't the rugged top 6 that ever Canucks fan wants, Vancouver also needs scoring and Hus would help with that. If you can get him for around 3 million I think he is worth the risk.
Tomas Holmstrom
While I can't picture Holmstrom in any other jersey other than a Red Wings jersey, he is what Vancouver needs. He would add a ton of leadership to the core and he would bring a gritty presence to the bottom 6. While I don't see him getting any more than 30 points, the intangibles, character, and leadership he would bring make him worth a 2-2.5 million dollar a year gamble.
David Moss
Sidelined with injuries, off and on, for the past three years, I like the versatility that Moss brings. He can play all three forward positions, the PP and the PK. He is gritty enough to play bottom 6 minutes and skilled enough to play top 6. He's a player that could be the steal on free agent day, and the number one guy I go after because of the value he brings. Adding a 6"4 210 player, who can play anywhere in your line-up for under 2 million is a steal in my books.
Jordin Tootoo
Tootoo seems to have fallen out of favour in Nashville, but, in my opinion, would be the perfect little player for the fourth line. He is the search and destroy hitter that the Canucks need. He is maybe the toughest player in the league and he is not a defensive liability. I've always loved how he plays and if you can get him for under 1.5 million I think you do it.
Garnet Exelby
He once was a rugged, physical, nasty D, but somehow the Leafs sucked that out of him. Vancouver needs a tough guy on D and perhaps he could be the guy as a 6/7 option. He can fight and deliver some bone-crushing hits. After all, for the league minimum he can't be worse than Alberts. And if he is, he will help the Wolves.
Corey Locke
He was once one of junior hockey's most dynamic players. He has racked up good numbers in the AHL. Now it is time for someone to give Locke a real shot at the NHL. I've always been a fan of Locke and find it saddening that no one has given him a shot in the NHL. I believe, he can at least bring some scoring to the second PP unit and maybe in Kesler's absence, play in the top six. At the very least he will provide competition and be a good player to have in Chicago to help them win and call up for injuries. Hopefully he gets his shot this year.
DJ King
I have a bit of a soft spot for DJ King because we share the same Birthday (which happens to be today). King is a big, physical player, who would provide some competition on the fourth line. While I know he would be a long shot to make the team, he would provide a tough guy, and he can play a bit. I see a bit of Jordan Nolan in King, and while he doesn't have the same scoring potential as Nolan, he is an outstanding fighter and offers the same big body presence to the fourth line. He's worth a shot at 600,000 and year, and at worst he can provide a bodyguard service to the players in Chicago.
That's a wrap.
Ian
P.S. Thanks to immature_male for the Blog idea
Five Hole For Food
Five Hole For Food is coming to a town near you this summer. For those of you that don't know, the concept was brought forward by some friends in Vancouver, who decided they would travel the country setting up street hockey games. The price to play in the game is a can of food or donation to the local food bank.
To date Five Hole for Food has raised over 70,000 pounds of food for food banks and is continuing the fight against hunger all over North America!
2012 Tour Dates
St. John’s – July 3rd
Halifax – July 5th
Charlottetown – July 6th
Saint John – July 7th
Montreal – July 9th
Ottawa – July 10th
Toronto – July 12th
Winnipeg – July 14th
Regina – July 15th
Calgary – July 17th
Edmonton – July 18th
Victoria – July 20th
Vancouver – July 21st
So get out and support this great cause this summer. For more information on Five Hole For Food
CLICK HERE
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