They can go over by 10% (roughly 7 mil) until the start of the season. This number may change with a new CBA, if one gets signed prior to Sept 15, but for now, Gillis can spend another $9.5 mill, no problem signing Doan with that. Then he will need to move some salary in the form of a trade... First things first.
- 1970vintage

I think they will also call up someone like Sauve instead of Alberts which will save .500 k . Pinizotto Weise Volpatti Manny and Ebett will not all be playing for the Cancucks also at the same time . There will be more cap management there saving another mil. Raymond would have no further use if Doan is signed ,he will not beat out Booth or Higgins . There would be another 2.2 gone.

We will be fine.

As gay as this?

http://www.leafs-suck.com/pictures/28_b.jpg


Just joking Tor fans no need for uproar .Ready for the sister pics.
- VANTEL

Yeah, the 'ol Leaf blower joke.

Because there are other things in life than hockey (I know, not many, but there are some), here is a nice tribute to the late Adam Yauch by Coldplay http://youtu.be/q9yq88LY2N0
- 1970vintage

hey man, thanks for that link!!!

Yeah, the 'ol Leaf blower joke.
- 1970vintage

Gillis does not leave any stone unturned. I think it is noble that they are out there supporting fans that most businesses would not get involved with .

IMO the West got easier this year and the East got harder.
NYR WASH CAR TB PITT PHI MTL BUFF all made improvements

NSH PHX CBJ CGY got weaker

CHI SJ have done nothing yet.
- VANTEL

I disagree.

Neither Philadelphia nor Montreal made improvements. While PHI may have added the other Schenn to their D corps, they permanently lost Pronger and Kubina is in Free Agency. Montreal, in fact, has yet to sign Subban, and for the most part, are the exact same team from last year. I have little doubt that they will do better this year, but there was no improvement save to that of their prospect pool. What an amazing draft they had!

One could also argue that Pittsburgh and Buffalo got worse. For Pittsburgh, trading Staal and Michalek while only getting one definite roster player in total return. They buffered their prospect pool, but nothing else. For Buffalo, most of team is the same save for their lack of a guaranteed top line center. Roy, while not being the optimal top line center, could fill the role. He scored at a good pace every year beyond the aberration that was last season and played fairly responsibly in his own end.

As much as I hate to admit it, Calgary improved a good amount this past season. Adding Hudler, Wideman, and Bartschi next season should spark some more offense, and, given that that was one of their deficiencies last season they made a solid move. The contracts will definitely come back to bite them in the ass, but they've improved for now.

Finally, I could make a case that, despite it's loss of Nash, Columbus became a better team. They have good depth at all positions and now merely lack a high scoring star. If their younger players (Johansen and Atkinson) can step up, they could potentially replace the offense of Nash. That being said, that revolves around a lot of 'ifs' so I'll stick with the general consensus.

Currently, you could add Detroit to the "got weaker" list and add Anaheim and LA to the "done nothing yet" list.

That is all.

I disagree.

Neither Philadelphia nor Montreal made improvements. While PHI may have added the other Schenn to their D corps, they permanently lost Pronger and Kubina is in Free Agency. Montreal, in fact, has yet to sign Subban, and for the most part, are the exact same team from last year. I have little doubt that they will do better this year, but there was no improvement save to that of their prospect pool. What an amazing draft they had!

One could also argue that Pittsburgh and Buffalo got worse. For Pittsburgh, trading Staal and Michalek while only getting one definite roster player in total return. They buffered their prospect pool, but nothing else. For Buffalo, most of team is the same save for their lack of a guaranteed top line center. Roy, while not being the optimal top line center, could fill the role. He scored at a good pace every year beyond the aberration that was last season and played fairly responsibly in his own end.

As much as I hate to admit it, Calgary improved a good amount this past season. Adding Hudler, Wideman, and Bartschi next season should spark some more offense, and, given that that was one of their deficiencies last season they made a solid move. The contracts will definitely come back to bite them in the ass, but they've improved for now.

Finally, I could make a case that, despite it's loss of Nash, Columbus became a better team. They have good depth at all positions and now merely lack a high scoring star. If their younger players (Johansen and Atkinson) can step up, they could potentially replace the offense of Nash. That being said, that revolves around a lot of 'ifs' so I'll stick with the general consensus.

Currently, you could add Detroit to the "got weaker" list and add Anaheim and LA to the "done nothing yet" list.

That is all.
- MaximumBone

Montreal went from a team heigth of 5'4 to 6 foot in two years.I consider that improving.

I do consider getting Schenn a bit of an upgrade for Phi . Phi and Pitt are forces even if they only upgraded a little.

I'd actually have the Nucks as the favorite, as there has to be a reason he picked them to interview/visit with, last. Even after meeting with the Yotes again. In spite of their stumbles the past year, they're one of the top teams whose window is right now, and not a few years into the future.

I'm sure he's giving the Phoenix ownership every chance to show him the love, but they're still on shaky ground with the new owner being 20m short.

While I'd love to see my Hawks sign him, not for the reported 5 years @ 7.5m per that some team is rumored to have offered. I'd be ok with a 2 year deal at a bit less.

Wyatt Arndt‏@TheStanchion

Shane Doan and the Canucks had dinner? Let's hope they didn't break the first date rules: http://blogs.theprovince....o-on-first-date-together/

hey man, thanks for that link!!!


- RealityChecker

Yeah, tragic, it was making the rounds this am on FB, can't believe I hadn't seen it before.

Gillis does not leave any stone unturned. I think it is noble that they are out there supporting fans that most businesses would not get involved with .
- VANTEL

Just one more reason why Thomas hates Vancouver...

Montreal went from a team heigth of 5'4 to 6 foot in two years.I consider that improving.

I do consider getting Schenn a bit of an upgrade for Phi . Phi and Pitt are forces even if they only upgraded a little.
- VANTEL

Nah they're all still only 5'6" But I still can't see why Michalek was had for scraps! Any team, especially Edmonton, could've offered WAY better scraps if it meant getting a player who plays top 4 D minutes with a right handed shot! (frank) that! Did he have a NTC or NMC or something?

Just one more reason why Thomas hates Vancouver...
- 1970vintage

Ian Esplen: U, Me, & Desbiens, Potter, Doan
U, Me, & Desbiens, Potter, Doan
- IanEsplen

I would hate to see Potter on the Nucks. I thought he was fitting in on the PP with the Oil very well last year and was making improvements. He definitely was not fully recovered from his injury at the end of last season. I think it is just a matter of numbers for the Oil as to why he hasn't resigned.

Brad Ziemer‏@BradZiemer

Shane Doan is the guy the #Canucks really want, but they are also talking with Jason Arnott. See him as fit for 3rd line centre position.

Brad Ziemer‏@BradZiemer

Arnott's agent, his brother Wade: "There seems to be some mutual interest." #Canucks


Brad Ziemer‏@BradZiemer

To be clear, Arnott only gets signed if Doan doesn't. #Canucks looking to get younger and can't do that with 2 guys north of 35.

Brad Ziemer‏@BradZiemer

Shane Doan is the guy the #Canucks really want, but they are also talking with Jason Arnott. See him as fit for 3rd line centre position.

Brad Ziemer‏@BradZiemer

Arnott's agent, his brother Wade: "There seems to be some mutual interest." #Canucks


Brad Ziemer‏@BradZiemer

To be clear, Arnott only gets signed if Doan doesn't. #Canucks looking to get younger and can't do that with 2 guys north of 35.
- VANTEL

Arnott wouldn't be along deal IMO...2 years maybe? no big deal

Arnott wouldn't be along deal IMO...2 years maybe? no big deal
- MindFr3eak

Only a stopover until Gaunce develops.

Arnott wouldn't be along deal IMO...2 years maybe? no big deal
- MindFr3eak

1yr max. No way I'd give him 2. If he can get more elsewhere, go elsewhere.

1yr max. No way I'd give him 2. If he can get more elsewhere, go elsewhere.
- GhostOfDCT

This

1yr max. No way I'd give him 2. If he can get more elsewhere, go elsewhere.
- GhostOfDCT

I'd be ok with Arnott as 3rd line C, but that still doesn't address our second PP unit if Kesler remains on the first unit. What, Arnott stands in front, no one passes the puck and if Booth or Raymond happen to get it they either fall down or shoot from corner?

Arnott had a pretty good year in St. Louis, I wonder why they aren't bringing him back? Speaking of St. Louis, they have 30 FA's next year, most are RFA's but that's 2/3 of their entire player roster (under contract).

They can go over by 10% (roughly 7 mil) until the start of the season. This number may change with a new CBA, if one gets signed prior to Sept 15, but for now, Gillis can spend another $9.5 mill, no problem signing Doan with that. Then he will need to move some salary in the form of a trade... First things first.
- 1970vintage

Thank you for posting this. I wonder how many more times it has to be posted before clueless fans stop saying that the Canucks don't have the cap space for Doan.

Montreal went from a team heigth of 5'4 to 6 foot in two years.I consider that improving.

I do consider getting Schenn a bit of an upgrade for Phi . Phi and Pitt are forces even if they only upgraded a little.
- VANTEL

Philly also lost Matt Carle.

I don't know about Pittsburgh getting worse, but NYR has gotten better which could affect the Pens.

New Jersey for me could fall off a cliff with the loss of Parise

Thank you for posting this. I wonder how many more times it has to be posted before clueless fans stop saying that the Canucks don't have the cap space for Doan.
- Fosco

There is currently no team that cannot sign Doan to a $7.5 million contract, except the Bruins, who only have $200k available. I'm not sure if any team already has 50 contracts, but I doubt it.

Back to the Blues, I just noticed that Cheechoo was an UFA, made $600k/$105 on a two way deal last year, scored 25 in the AHL, could be a good PTO or two way contract for playing in Chicago next year with the Wolves. The guy scored 50+ playing with Thornton, could be a good emergency call up to play with the twins if there is an injury...

EDIT - even Boston could make it work, they have a few guys on EL listed on their roster that could be sent to the AHL to make it fit short term.

I'd like to see Doan here but this summer has simply over-hyped his value IMO. I honestly don't believe this guy (at 36 no less) is the difference between Vancouver winning the SC or not. He'll be a solid upgrade to the 2nd line over Raymond, but too much is being made over his good playoff showing a few months back. I would put his monetary value at about 4.5-5m but would imagine if he signs, he signs for closer to 6m.

http://www.leafs-suck.com/pictures/28_b.jpg


Just joking Tor fans no need for uproar .Ready for the sister pics.
- VANTEL

Your delivery; kind sir...

Agreed. Put Doan with Kesler so he can be the first one to b!tch-slap him everytime he starts whining or flopping.
- Marwood

exactly.

This would also help out dealing with Kelser MIA for the beginning. Doan working with whom ever is filling the spot will make it less painful.