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Updated 1:17PM Canucks Preview...Top 20 UFAs..Bruins Trade Imminent

September 11, 2007, 10:06 AM ET [ Comments]
Eklund
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Updates are at the bottom of the blog....THANKS!

The Vancouver Canucks

Around Town:
Vancouver is an incredible hockey town. Not only at the pro level, but the Junior Hockey Champion Giants (friends of the site) fill the seats every night...

I have yet to attend a hockey game in this great city, but this year I am considering heading out for the Flyers three game trip that starts the season in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. I have been to the city, and it is almost an oasis of a city. Also any city close to Whistler deserves extra credit.


Who everyone wants to see:

TBA. To date the Canucks have probably done the least in the NHL in terms of additions. I love Aaron Miller and Curtis Sanford, but from all accounts the Canucks are still in the market for some scoring help.

There is an interesting story that could develop in Taylor Ellington at the current prospects camp. Taylor is a Vancouver area kid, and talking to some folks in the organization yesterday they are blown away by his progress...

Swing Players:

Kevin Bieksa. We started to see the emergance of a future star last year and his importance in the playoffs started to really become apparent.

Ryan Kesler. A very tough year that started off about a year ago when the Flyers tried to poach Ryan. Injuries slowed Ryan to only 16 points in 48 games. There is no reason to expect that Ryan won't return to form this year and give the Canucks what they desperately need from him. If he does not he may need a scenery change.


What we know:'

The Canucks are up there with the Ducks when it comes to Defense. I will say, given Niedermayer's uncertain future, that the Canucks are now easily the hardest team to score on in all of hockey. That being said they have added plenty of depth and are actively looking to get scoring. And this is a team that can't have a subpar year by Naslund or Kesler.

Luongo is probably the definition of an MVP.

Who they could add:

Anson Carter. Eric Lindros. Or someone through trade. Look to Boston and NJ for trade partners.

Bold Prediction(s):

The Twins both explode with some new linemate and each approach the 100 point mark.

On the hot seat:

Naslund

THE HOCKEYBUZZ HOCKEYCENTRAL UFA RATINGS


Quite a few changes this week...with all the camps opening soon it could get very interesting today and tomorrow...

1. Peter Forsberg (Nash, Ottawa, Col, Edm, Ana, Phi)
2. Teemu Selanne (Anaheim, Montreal)
3. Danny Markov (Boston, Buffalo, San Jose, Atlanta)
4. David Tanabe (Boston, San Jose, Carolina)
5. Mike Johnson (Nashville, Washington, Phoenix)
6. Brent Sopel (tryout in Detroit)
7. Jason Allison (Vancouver, NYI, Dallas, Ottawa)
8. Robert Esche (NY Rangers, Pittsburgh, San Jose)
9. Jeff Friesen (Anaheim, San Jose, NJ)
10. Sean Burke (Dallas, Pitt)
11. Tony Amonte (Chicago, Boston, San Jose)
12. Ossi Vaananen (Boston, SJ, Colorado, Calgary)
13. Eric lindros (retire or Calgary, Vancouver, Nashville)
14. Anson Carter (Ottawa, Vancouver, Washington, Colorado)
15. Darren McCarty (retire, Detroit, Columbus)
16. Jeff O'Neill (Buffalo, Washington, Carolina)
17. Adam Hall (Nashville, Phoenix, San Jose)
18. Curtis Joseph (Toronto, San Jose, NY Rangers)
19. Jason York (Ottawa)
20. Nolan Pratt (Dallas, Boston, Chicago)

Bruins Trade Imminent

from a source, "Boston about to announce a prospect for prospect swap with both players needing a change of scenery."
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