Maybe, but I was thinking we could do better then that even though I think Dorsett would be a big addition to the 4th line.(I guess if we got the jackets 2nd or one of their late 1st Rounders)
- Bieksa#3

I doubt it for Niemi. He really hasn't looked too great the past 2 seasons. Dorsett was just an example but I'd do it for strong depth and a decent pick (maybe that 2nd, like you said, which for CLS is almost like a low 1st). Then again, they do have 3 1sts (CLS, NYR, LA) and it is Howson we are talking about...

I think Gillis will get a pick for Raymond. I feel there would be plenty of interest. Although the return would probably still only be a 3/4 rounder. Raymond has a good shot and can skate like the wind. You know there's gms out there thinking they can fix his problems and make him productive.
- Bieksa#3

Calgary likes Raymond.Iggy for Raymond straight up

You dont think the other blogs have Van fans or Flames fans or Leaf fans on their blogs adding their two cents all the time? Saying how bad every other team is and their management is crap and on and on. What makes you think the Nucks are perfect and dont deserve questions asked?
- Iggysbff

You're in here EVERY blog, and in the manner that you phrase your comments, you verge on trolling—if it was only once and a while, it would be much easier to deal with, but it's every blog.

That deal might get Thornton, but not Niemi and Murray, as well.
- Fosco

Niemi is a problem for them. He costs a lot and isn't very good. Taking his contract is helping them. Murray is more salary. Shark fans don't seem to love him anymore. He's slow. He's basically a harder hitting Alberts.

If you take out Niemi and Murray, I think this is even a better deal for Vancouver. Takes away all our cap problems and let's us look for bargain trades from cap heavy teams.

Raymond is far from useless. There are teams out there with different needs and if the approach to aquiring him is not about top 6 production, then he's going to be a usefull player to some of the teams. That being said... I agree. With Raymond's situation here, no GM is going to give up much for him at all. Oh well...business first I hope.

If we accept that, we also have to accept this in the Luongo situation to some degree. The difference being Luongo is an impact player...

Ballard can be approached as a dump but his value to the Canucks can skyrocket given a chance when injuries come around. I think letting Lu and Raymonds 8 mil cap hit go will enable Gillis to keep the top 6 D intact and still add Doan and a bottom 6 C.

I think the Doan ordeal will drag on for a week or two more. That will still give Gillis time to work a hockey trade but come Sept it's time to dump salary one way or the other.
- boonerbuck

I have said over and over again that Gillis should get a nice package of role/depth players and call it a day. Bozak, Gunnersson and Aston for Lu (and possibly Raymond) or say Mathias, Clemmenson and Ellerby. As for Ballard, I think he,s still good. If you can fit him in under the cap, I do think he is nice insurance for the top 4.

I doubt it for Niemi. He really hasn't looked too great the past 2 seasons. Dorsett was just an example but I'd do it for strong depth and a decent pick (maybe that 2nd, like you said, which for CLS is almost like a low 1st). Then again, they do have 3 1sts (CLS, NYR, LA) and it is Howson we are talking about...
- AlexF

Niemi is awful and for his contract ($3.8m with a $4m real dollar salary for 3 more years), he has negative value. The Hawks are about the only team who would want him and even they don't want to pay what he's making.

That deal might get Thornton, but not Niemi and Murray, as well.
- Fosco

Lu, Booth, Raymond, Tanev, 1st

for

Thornton

You really think that is what it would take to get Thornton? That's more than the Nash trade IMO. One thing for sure is, if we pulled the trigger on this, we'd be starting the season 2 top 6 players short. Higgins could probably sub in but we'd really need to get Doan signed in this scenario or have a great camp by Kassian or Jensen to claim a spot.

Niemi is a problem for them. He costs a lot and isn't very good. Taking his contract is helping them. Murray is more salary. Shark fans don't seem to love him anymore. He's slow. He's basically a harder hitting Alberts.

If you take out Niemi and Murray, I think this is even a better deal for Vancouver. Takes away all our cap problems and let's us look for bargain trades from cap heavy teams.
- micah555

Noted, but I think Murray and Niemi both have some value, and I don't think the Sharks are as eager to get rid of Thornton as some believe.

Niemi is a problem for them. He costs a lot and isn't very good. Taking his contract is helping them. Murray is more salary. Shark fans don't seem to love him anymore. He's slow. He's basically a harder hitting Alberts.

If you take out Niemi and Murray, I think this is even a better deal for Vancouver. Takes away all our cap problems and let's us look for bargain trades from cap heavy teams.
- micah555

SJ would be better served to trade Thorton for Luongo Raymond Tanev Booth and trade Niemi Murray to Det for Abdelkader or Chi for Shaw

Lu, Booth, Raymond, Tanev, 1st

for

Thornton

You really think that is what it would take to get Thornton? That's more than the Nash trade IMO. One thing for sure is, if we pulled the trigger on this, we'd be starting the season 2 top 6 players short. Higgins could probably sub in but we'd really need to get Doan signed in this scenario or have a great camp by Kassian or Jensen to claim a spot.
- AlexF

If we got Doan and Thorton

Sedin Sedin Doan
Burrows Thorton Kesler
Higgins Lapierre Hansen
Volpatti Arnott Pinizzotto /Weise

Noted, but I think Murray and Niemi both have some value, and I don't think the Sharks are as eager to get rid of Thornton as some believe.
- Fosco

Spoil sport ..

Let us dream

SJ would be better served to trade Thorton for Luongo Raymond Tanev Booth and trade Niemi Murray to Det for Abdelkader or Chi for Shaw
- VANTEL

...or if we took those players, flip them for Shaw(or some other hypothetical trade package). Flipping players can work...word is the Hawks want Niemi. The hawks would probably get Niemi for cheaper from us. Works out better for everyone.

Lu, Booth, Raymond, Tanev, 1st

for

Thornton

You really think that is what it would take to get Thornton? That's more than the Nash trade IMO. One thing for sure is, if we pulled the trigger on this, we'd be starting the season 2 top 6 players short. Higgins could probably sub in but we'd really need to get Doan signed in this scenario or have a great camp by Kassian or Jensen to claim a spot.
- AlexF

Raymond has very little trade value—mid to late round pick—and neither does Booth, unless he has a bounce back year. I'm a big fan of Dubinsky, so I might over rate him a bit, but he has more trade value is still better than Booth or Raymond, and so does Anisimov. I like Tanev, but Ericsson (sp.?) is a former 1st rd pick, and would hold more value in a trade.

Lou is the centrepiece, but his salary becomes a problem when coupled with two (basically) salary dumps in Raymond and Booth.

Also, Thornton is much better than Nash (albeit older).

Like I said, it might get Thornton, but not Niemi and Murray, as well.

Calgary likes Raymond.Iggy for Raymond straight up
- VANTEL

did like raymond. they have too many non physical wingers now. he doesn't fit any more (yes I know it was sarcasm )

If we got Doan and Thorton

Sedin Sedin Doan
Burrows Thorton Kesler
Higgins Lapierre Hansen
Volpatti Arnott Pinizzotto /Weise
- VANTEL

Swap Burrows and Doan, and I like it. No neet to move Burrows off the Sedin line—it works.

Swap Burrows and Doan, and I like it. No neet to move Burrows off the Sedin line—it works.
- Fosco

Burrows is a natural Left and Doan is a natural right.

Spoil sport ..

Let us dream
- VANTEL

Hey, the deal still got Thornton after I said my piece.

If we got Doan and Thorton

Sedin Sedin Doan
Burrows Thorton Kesler
Higgins Lapierre Hansen
Volpatti Arnott Pinizzotto /Weise
- VANTEL

Don't tease me like this. That is a SC winning team right there.

EDIT: Agree with Fosco though, keep Burrows with the twins. If ain't broke...

Lu, Booth, Raymond, Tanev, 1st

for

Thornton

You really think that is what it would take to get Thornton? That's more than the Nash trade IMO. One thing for sure is, if we pulled the trigger on this, we'd be starting the season 2 top 6 players short. Higgins could probably sub in but we'd really need to get Doan signed in this scenario or have a great camp by Kassian or Jensen to claim a spot.
- AlexF

Like I said, that's an even better deal. Some team won't be able to fit everything under the cap and will have a bargain for the taking. How much better would our 2nd line be with Thornton-Kesler-Scarecrow than Kesler-Booth-Raymond? Even Higgins-Thornton-Hansen is a better 2nd line than the Booth Raymond Schroeder one that we're looking at.

Don't tease me like this. That is a SC winning team right there.

EDIT: Agree with Fosco though, keep Burrows with the twins. If ain't broke...
- AlexF

...only the coach could (frank) that one up...

SJ would be better served to trade Thorton for Luongo Raymond Tanev Booth and trade Niemi Murray to Det for Abdelkader or Chi for Shaw
- VANTEL

Honestly, I don't think anyone wants Niemi or would pay for him, but that's me. If (according to some) we can't give Lu away, I fail to see any interest in Niemi developing.

You don't think a 1st is better than Abdelkader or Shaw? I like those guys and all, but I don't think either is worth a 1st. I also don't think Murray or Niemi fetch either player.

Like I said, that's an even better deal. Some team won't be able to fit everything under the cap and will have a bargain for the taking. How much better would our 2nd line be with Thornton-Kesler-Scarecrow than Kesler-Booth-Raymond? Even Higgins-Thornton-Hansen is a better 2nd line than the Booth Raymond Schroeder one that we're looking at.
- micah555

Thornton would make Kesler a 50 goal scorer. Kesler would be on the wing in a heartbeat.

Kassian Jensen Schroeder > scarecrow

Noted, but I think Murray and Niemi both have some value, and I don't think the Sharks are as eager to get rid of Thornton as some believe.
- Fosco

I don't think the Sharks are eager to get rid of Thornton at all. Many Sharks fans have said that he is the face of the franchise and his distribution is one of the very best in the league. In all honesty, if I had to bet, I'd bet that Gillis and AV are not even willing to consider moving Kesler either out to wing or into a 3rd line center role at this point. If I'm right, then a trade for Thornton would not even be a consideration.

Have you ever visited Hungary or Romania?
- VANTEL

Or Montreal

I don't think the Sharks are eager to get rid of Thornton at all. Many Sharks fans have said that he is the face of the franchise and his distribution is one of the very best in the league. In all honesty, if I had to bet, I'd bet that Gillis and AV are not even willing to consider moving Kesler either out to wing or into a 3rd line center role at this point. If I'm right, then a trade for Thornton would not even be a consideration.
- AlexF

The daily random pipe dream.