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With all the talk by Mike Gillis about hitting the reset button and changing the dynamics of the Vancouver Canucks, today I'd like to look at who the guys that are "safe" on my team.

Dan Hamhuis- He has been a rock on D ever since he has come to Vancouver. At a cap hit of 4.5 million he is one of the best values in the NHL and the Canucks No. 1 guy. He led Vancouver's defence in scoring last year and was only 14 points shy of his career high in 34 less games. His injury in the '11 finals doesn't get talked about enough as a major reason Vancouver lost in the Final.

Jason Garrison- If Hamhuis is the No. 1, Garrison is the No. 1A guy in Vancouver. He took a lot of criticism last year from the "outside" media for being a disappointment, but at the end of the day his stats and play looked pretty good to me. Eight goals and a +18 in a shortened season, where at times he didn't look like he fit in is a pretty good year in my books.

Frank Corrado- In the playoffs, he looked like a 10-year vet at times. Still learning the game, but he is part of my core going forward. He is a good cap hit next year and I fully expect him to be logging 18-20 minutes a night with a new coach. Give this guy two years and he may be Vancouver's best defenceman.

Peter Andersson- I don't know if Andersson is going to be ready this season, but he is a guy that Vancouver needs to hold on to. All reports are that the big Swede was one of the better defenceman in Chicago and if we let him develop a bit more than maybe he's a solid top-4 guy down the road.

The Sedins- This is a non-starter. The only way the Twins aren't part of this team is if they ask to be moved. I'm hoping Gillis is able to get an extension done this offseason, but with all that is on Gillis' plate it may have to wait.

Brendan Gaunce- I thought he played really well this year in Belleville and is close. I'm not really sure if he'll be ready to play top-6 minutes next season, but I have him as a bubble player for making the team out of camp. My biggest complaint with him is he has a tendency to play too safe at times, which leads to him being invisible. If he starts trying to push the play offensively a little more he will be a much better player because the talent is there.

Chris Higgins- a 2.5 million hit for a guy who's a pretty darn 6/7 forward. He can get you 20 and he's reliable at both ends of the rink. Because of that, he's got a spot on my team anytime.

Zack Kassian- Now I'd never hire a coach based on one player, but I really hope that whoever the next coach is will be able to get a lot more out of Kassian. It seemed like coming into the season that he was ready to take that next step to be a top-6 guy, but with every little mistake he made, rather than be pushed in a positive direction, he was instead hit with a hammer. You don't train pit-bulls by whacking them with a newspaper. No, you train them by rewarding them when they get it right.

Ryan Kesler- for me, it's a toss-up between Burrows and Kesler as to who the "lock" is on this team. I take Kes because finding Selke winning centres is a bit harder to replace than two-way wingers with heart. That's not to say that it wouldn't take a ton to pry Burrows away, he just isn't a "lock" for me.

Dale Weise- maybe the shocker of this list, but 6'2 guys, who can skate well, fight a bit (and yes, I'll call it that) and kill penalties a bit can be tough to find. While I too get frustrated with Weise, the truth is we're not going to find a player that is a versatile as him for 700K.

Nickolas Jensen- While there is still a lot of work for Jensen to do on his play in his own end, he does have the size and skill to be a very good NHLer down the road. Because of that potential, I'm holding on to him until at least the trade deadline.

Jordan Schroeder- I love the way this little guy plays. He is one you are going to want to snap up in next year's hockey pools. I don't care if Gillis has made it his mandate to get bigger, SCHROEDER STAYS!

A Goalie- Truth be told, I'd prefer Schneider, but at the end of the day I truly don't give a damn who is stopping pucks in Vancouver. Both guys are excellent goalies. And both guys can win. Whoever brings the biggest return move them and get on with the show.

Well those are the 14 guys I keep.

Who do you keep?

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Well that's a wrap.

Ian


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