love you too buttmunch ..... still hurts that you are out in the first round AGAIN .....

Ottawa had to learn the hard way that thier core of 2007 couldn't do it ... I guess you just havent come to that realization ....yet
- GadesnSens

you mean when your core asked to be traded or walked away.... sure picking Redden over Chara was a great move lol

I'd like to see our 4th line act as that "energy" line, with the 3rd as a scoring line. Lines 1-3 should be scoring lines IMO. In that regard Schroeder should be good enough to center the 3rd but may become expendable if Guance wins that spot and Kesler remains as the #2 C.
- AlexF

This is what I'd like, as well.

Definitely helps that the 3rd line will likely consist of guys who are quite defensively capable, as well—Hansen, Schroeder, Higgins, most likely.

That line is a little small, but would have enough speed and skill to burn a bigger 4th line if they got caught out against one, and would likely be able to contain most skill lines alright.

Fill up the 4th line with a couple bigger guys, and a C that can win faceoffs in the offensive zone.

I don't think much is going to change, this year will definitely be a lean year for UFAs/RFAs, but next year the cap should go up significantly, so you might see some of those bought out players refusing any contract significantly less than what they were making before and holding out a year until the cap is up again and teams have much more money/cap space available.
- DariusKnight

Even with all the buy outs???

Honestly, I believe the team should have most of the say in who the captain is and I highly doubt you'd see anyone in that locker room vote against Hank.

And on that note, Bieksa would be the only guy I think could handle it.

I just can't see Kesler talking to the media every single day. he doesn't seem to like doing it once a week let alone every day.
- IanEsplen

Bieksa has been my choice since Naslund wore the "C". I was shocked when AV awarded it to a (frank)ing goaltender... Then to one of the mild mannered twins. Who's next, Tanev?

Even with all the buy outs???
- SMP8719

Most of those bought out players aren't going to want to take much less than what they were making before. They may decide to take maybe less term with another team (if they're over 30) but with the cap going down, and a lot of teams up against the cap and looking to spend less, I just can't see teams taking flyers on bought out players.

I don't know, 5 years, 5 NW title, 2 Prez and within a game of winning the Cup.

I'm pretty good with that.

Sure there has been some stinkers, but he added some good players and didn't overpay via trade.

Booth for SAmmy and a bag of pucks
Ehrhoff for White
Lappy for a pick
Higgins for a pick
Krijcek for SOB

Just to name a few.
- IanEsplen

Thanks for conveniently not putting the Ballard trade there

Is Schroeder good enough for 2 nd line duties? He is not big enough for third line duties as an energy guy.IMO
- VANTEL

He could be a 2nd line C eventually. Don't think he's ready yet, though.

Schroeder is small, yes, but he's sturdy, and does quite well along the boards considering his size. He'll get outmuscled occasionally, but so will taller players with less core strength. He'll also get better in this regard as he gets more used to the NHL.

Is Schroeder the ideal 3C if the Canucks had their pick of all the UFAs or had the assets to acquire another after addressing more pressing needs? No.

They need to use the assets they have, and fill as many spots as they realistcally can from within.

This is what I'd like, as well.

Definitely helps that the 3rd line will likely consist of guys who are quite defensively capable, as well—Hansen, Schroeder, Higgins, most likely.

That line is a little small, but would have enough speed and skill to burn a bigger 4th line if they got caught out against one, and would likely be able to contain most skill lines alright.

Fill up the 4th line with a couple bigger guys, and a C that can win faceoffs in the offensive zone.
- Fosco

Agree. All of this can change of course with a couple trades but just seeing the contribution that some of the 4th lines can make in the playoffs (BOS, DET) I'd love to see us finally roll out a 4th line the coach wasn't ashamed of.

Most of those bought out players aren't going to want to take much less than what they were making before. They may decide to take maybe less term with another team (if they're over 30) but with the cap going down, and a lot of teams up against the cap and looking to spend less, I just can't see teams taking flyers on bought out players.
- DariusKnight

Gomez and Redden found homes, bought out players will take much less to keep playing.

Henrik is the best choice for the captain on the team.

Captains don't have to be loud or brash.

If the guys in the locker room didn't have confidence in him as captain, it will/would have been taken away, or wouldn't have been awarded to him in the first place.

Also, players don't need letters on their shoulders to lead—many if the other players suggested on here already contribute leadership, and can continue to do so, captain or not.

Gomez and Redden found homes, bought out players will take much less to keep playing.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Remember that Gomez and Redden were in the minors for a long time, none of the bought out players now will be (save for DiPietro). I just don't see them wanting to earn less than what they were because teams were stupid enough to give out bad contracts. If I was their agent (or the PA for that matter) I'd be hopping mad if they took a lot less than what they were making just to play. I could see them maybe accepting 1 or 2 year deals, but not for much less than their current salaries/cap hits.

Not saying he's going to make the team or not, but Kellan Lain will have a shot at the number 3 or 4 center position. Much more likely that he'll be on the team than Schroeder.

Henrik is the best choice for the captain on the team.

Captains don't have to be loud or brash.

If the guys in the locker room didn't have confidence in him as captain, it will/would have been taken away, or wouldn't have been awarded to him in the first place.

Also, players don't need letters on their shoulders to lead—many if the other players suggested on here already contribute leadership, and can continue to do so, captain or not.
- Fosco

I wouldn't even put him in my top 5.

I'm not saying they have to be loud or brash, but they need to set the tone. I've never seen either Sedin set the tone in any way.

Of course there are other guys in the dressing room providing leadership, but it's human nature to not step on your Captain's toes or make him look bad by doing what he should be doing or saying what he should be saying.

Point being, the Captain creates the atmosphere... Everyone else contributes WITHIN that atmosphere. The other voices in the room can't fully contribute what they have to offer as leaders when they're living in someone else's world.

Not saying he's going to make the team or not, but Kellan Lain will have a shot at the number 3 or 4 center position. Much more likely that he'll be on the team than Schroeder.
- KB3Point0

Everything I've read on the subject would indicate the opposite. Where are you getting that info from?

Remember that Gomez and Redden were in the minors for a long time, none of the bought out players now will be (save for DiPietro). I just don't see them wanting to earn less than what they were because teams were stupid enough to give out bad contracts. If I was their agent (or the PA for that matter) I'd be hopping mad if they took a lot less than what they were making just to play. I could see them maybe accepting 1 or 2 year deals, but not for much less than their current salaries/cap hits.
- DariusKnight

This makes no sense. Taking much less than their current bad contracts, just to play? That's the whole idea of the buyouts! To enable those players the option of taking less money than they were previously making in order to play. It won't be their option whether they're bought out or not, so if they are, they'll take whatever they can get, regardless of whether it's less than their previous contracts. And their agents will be happy to continue to collect their percentage and the PA doesn't care because in a salary cap system the players' share is set. This is not Bob Goodenow's NHL where every player had to do his duty to raise salaries. Players will take what the market dictates. Some will take only a little less, but on shorter term deals, most will take much less.

Gomez and Redden found homes, bought out players will take much less to keep playing.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Lecavelier (if bought out) wouldn't sign a $700k contract to keep playing, he's still going to get $4+ million on the open market. Why would Briere come back for less than $1m? Redden and Gomez were going to be sent home with pay before the NHL amended the compliance buyout rules to allow teams one before the 2012/13 season. If the Canucks buyout Luongo do you honestly think he'll sign for less than market value of a starting goalie? Someone would certainly give him $15m over three years.

They might take a little less because they are already getting paid, but they still need to tow the line for their fellow PA members, which means keeping salaries as high as possible and not setting any precedents for any future player to receive less during a contract negotiation (RFA arbitration etc.).

Remember that Gomez and Redden were in the minors for a long time, none of the bought out players now will be (save for DiPietro). I just don't see them wanting to earn less than what they were because teams were stupid enough to give out bad contracts. If I was their agent (or the PA for that matter) I'd be hopping mad if they took a lot less than what they were making just to play. I could see them maybe accepting 1 or 2 year deals, but not for much less than their current salaries/cap hits.
- DariusKnight

They were only in the minors to keep their salary off the cap. No one wants to earn less than what they have been paid in the past, Ballard knows that no one is going to offer him 4.2 mil to play if he gets bought out, I see him signing for 1.5-2 mil, if he and his agent demand 4 mil again he will be sitting out and might as well retire. I can see Lu signing in florida for 2.5.

This makes no sense. Taking much less than their current bad contracts, just to play? That's the whole idea of the buyouts! To enable those players the option of taking less money than they were previously making in order to play. It won't be their option whether they're bought out or not, so if they are, they'll take whatever they can get, regardless of whether it's less than their previous contracts. And their agents will be happy to continue to collect their percentage and the PA doesn't care because in a salary cap system the players' share is set. This is not Bob Goodenow's NHL where every player had to do his duty to raise salaries. Players will take what the market dictates. Some will take only a little less, but on shorter term deals, most will take much less.
- KB3Point0

Again, these are not players dumped into the minors to hide their contracts, for the most part, they were (mostly) productive NHL players on bad contracts. It doesn't make sense for them to accept a lot less just to play. Their skills and stats will dictate their market value, you aren't going to see a Vince Lecalvalier playing for 2 mil for 2 years, it's just not going to happen.

Everything I've read on the subject would indicate the opposite. Where are you getting that info from?
- AlexF

Schroeder is not a fit unless he's in the top 6. He's useless on the bottom 6. He's just not big enough, not strong enough, and not good enough as a defensive player to play there.

Kellan Lain is potentially a fit on the bottom 6, which is where the Canucks need him. He's a big body. It's just logic. It will depend on his off season workouts and how well he performs at training camp, but the Canucks would love it if he could steal a 3rd or 4th line center role.

Schroeder is not a fit unless he's in the top 6. He's useless on the bottom 6. He's just not big enough, not strong enough, and not good enough as a defensive player to play there.

Kellan Lain is potentially a fit on the bottom 6, which is where the Canucks need him. He's a big body. It's just logic. It will depend on his off season workouts and how well he performs at training camp, but the Canucks would love it if he could steal a 3rd or 4th line center role.
- KB3Point0

I could deal with Lappy on the 3rd line C if Lain makes the team as a 4th line C

Again, these are not players dumped into the minors to hide their contracts, for the most part, they were (mostly) productive NHL players on bad contracts. It doesn't make sense for them to accept a lot less just to play. Their skills and stats will dictate their market value, you aren't going to see a Vince Lecalvalier playing for 2 mil for 2 years, it's just not going to happen.
- DariusKnight

No, because his MARKET VALUE is more than $2M. You're not going to see him sign for $7.7M either. All players who are bought out will sign for their market value. Their previous contract's value will play no part in what that number will be.

Example, it would not be unrealistic to see Lecavalier sign somewhere for $4M per year. That is drastically below his current salary, still a very good salary, but closer to his current market value.

Also, there's no way cash strapped Tampa buys out Lecavalier.

I could deal with Lappy on the 3rd line C if Lain makes the team as a 4th line C
- SMP8719

I'd still rather have an upgrade on Lappy on the 3rd line if possible. We just know how hard that is to come by! Coutourier would be a great 3rd line center if the Canucks do in fact consider moving Edler.

No, because his MARKET VALUE is more than $2M. You're not going to see him sign for $7.7M either. All players who are bought out will sign for their market value. Their previous contract's value will play no part in what that number will be.

Example, it would not be unrealistic to see Lecavalier sign somewhere for $4M per year. That is drastically below his current salary, still a very good salary, but closer to his current market value.

Also, there's no way cash strapped Tampa buys out Lecavalier.
- KB3Point0[/quote]
It will cost them a lot more to keep him.

No, because his MARKET VALUE is more than $2M. You're not going to see him sign for $7.7M either. All players who are bought out will sign for their market value. Their previous contract's value will play no part in what that number will be.

Example, it would not be unrealistic to see Lecavalier sign somewhere for $4M per year. That is drastically below his current salary, still a very good salary, but closer to his current market value.

Also, there's no way cash strapped Tampa buys out Lecavalier.
- KB3Point0

Yes, but it's not going to be THAT much less than what their previous contract was. I was using Lecavalier as an example, and you're right, he won't get 7.7 mil a year, more likely between 5-6 million which is what his skill/stats would dictate at this point.

Lecavelier (if bought out) wouldn't sign a $700k contract to keep playing, he's still going to get $4+ million on the open market. Why would Briere come back for less than $1m? Redden and Gomez were going to be sent home with pay before the NHL amended the compliance buyout rules to allow teams one before the 2012/13 season. If the Canucks buyout Luongo do you honestly think he'll sign for less than market value of a starting goalie? Someone would certainly give him $15m over three years.

They might take a little less because they are already getting paid, but they still need to tow the line for their fellow PA members, which means keeping salaries as high as possible and not setting any precedents for any future player to receive less during a contract negotiation (RFA arbitration etc.).
- 1970vintage

If Briere gets bought out, he's exactly the kind of player the Canucks should target. The guy is a playoff warrior, and would be fantastic with Kesler.