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

Still wondering where you are reading that Lain has developed to such an extent that he might make the team next season because I've read nothing of the sort. Saying he's a big body doesn't mean that he's a logical fit into an NHL roster if his skills aren't NHL ready, unless we're talking about a Konopka type who's a healthy scratch every other game.

If our new coach converts our top 3 lines into scoring lines then Schroeder can center the 3rd line. If not, I agree he'd have to center the 2nd line with Kesler on the wing or else he becomes surplus to requirements.

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

Did you watch Lain at all this year?

I did—almost every game he played for the Wolves—and while he looked alright at times, he was bad as often as he was good.

Serious work in progress. Not even close to the same chance Schroeder has to make the team.

Very slim chance Lain makes the 4th line. I'd say a couple game call up is his best case scenario, and he'll have to play better than he did this season to even earn that.

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.
- Chest Rockwell

He's injured a lot these days but yeah if the price is right...

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.
- DariusKnight

EXACTLY!!! They'll all take market value. Some will get MUCH less, some will only get a little less. They won't be taking league minimum because they got bought out, but most will be taking a lot less than they made previously.

You think Ballard's getting close to $4.2M??? How about Komisarek at $4.5M? Or Briere at $6.5M?

If any of those guys get bought out, they will get much less on the open market and they'll take it and everyone will be happy. Especially their agents and the PA.

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.
- Chest Rockwell

Perhaps, but he would be a UFA and I can't see him signing for next to nothing if he is indeed that valuable a player.

Also, have had a look at Philly's cap situation next season, they don't actually have to do anything, they have 25 players on the NHL roster and are at 70 million. Take out Pronger and they fit under the cap with players to spare. The following season is more challenging, but I could see them trading Timmonnen at the deadline next year for a younger cheaper d-man freeing up another $6m. Basically, I don't think Briere gets bought out this season, maybe next.

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.
- Chest Rockwell

Agreed.

Still wondering where you are reading that Lain has developed to such an extent that he might make the team next season because I've read nothing of the sort. Saying he's a big body doesn't mean that he's a logical fit into an NHL roster if his skills aren't NHL ready, unless we're talking about a Konopka type who's a healthy scratch every other game.

If our new coach converts our top 3 lines into scoring lines then Schroeder can center the 3rd line. If not, I agree he'd have to center the 2nd line with Kesler on the wing or else he becomes surplus to requirements.
- AlexF

I'm not saying he's ready, I said he needs to improve in the offseason and the Canucks would love it if he could steal a 3rd or 4th line center role. It's more an indictment on Schroeder than a compliment to Lain. Schroeder is not good enough to play on the top 6. Hiring a new coach does not change the fact that Schroeder is not a fit for the bottom 6. Bottom 6 guys need to be strong defensively. Gillis has also stated he wants to get bigger to compete in the "new" NHL.

If Jordan Schroeder is on the Canucks next year the Canucks have some major problems.

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

This is complete nonsense.

Lain will never have the skill to be a 3C.

Maybe a 4C in one to three years, if he learns to pick his spots better defensively.

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

While you're correct in saying that Yzerman/Vinik won't buy out Lecavalier, it's a little bit misguided to call the team cash strapped. Yzerman has the green light to spend to the cap. Realistically, Lecavalier provides enough benefit on the ice that it makes more sense to keep him than to cast him off.

Did you watch Lain at all this year?

I did—almost every game he played for the Wolves—and while he looked alright at times, he was bad as often as he was good.

Serious work in progress. Not even close to the same chance Schroeder has to make the team.

Very slim chance Lain makes the 4th line. I'd say a couple game call up is his best case scenario, and he'll have to play better than he did this season to even earn that.
- Fosco

Yo prospect man, serious question here......

Would you dump Schroeder first chance you get and make a mistake like the Calgary Flames did with Martin St Louis.........OR let him play 3rd line despite his size and slowly work him into a 2nd line center when he finally breaks out......he is gonna break out, we all saw his skills........I really hate all those bipolar Canuck fans who can't see the forest through the trees.....

This is complete nonsense.

Lain will never have the skill to be a 3C.

Maybe a 4C in one to three years, if he learns to pick his spots better defensively.
- Fosco

He's a Brian Boyle-lite would you say?

I'm not saying he's ready, I said he needs to improve in the offseason and the Canucks would love it if he could steal a 3rd or 4th line center role. It's more an indictment on Schroeder than a compliment to Lain. Schroeder is not good enough to play on the top 6. Hiring a new coach does not change the fact that Schroeder is not a fit for the bottom 6. Bottom 6 guys need to be strong defensively. Gillis has also stated he wants to get bigger to compete in the "new" NHL.

If Jordan Schroeder is on the Canucks next year the Canucks have some major problems.
- KB3Point0

You have no basis to say that whatsoever.....just hot air.....

Yo prospect man, serious question here......

Would you dump Schroeder first chance you get and make a mistake like the Calgary Flames did with Martin St Louis.........OR let him play 3rd line despite his size and slowly work him into a 2nd line center when he finally breaks out......he is gonna break out, we all saw his skills........I really hate all those bipolar Canuck fans who can't see the forest through the trees.....
- chompsey

Yo prospect man, serious question here......

Would you dump Schroeder first chance you get and make a mistake like the Calgary Flames did with Martin St Louis.........OR let him play 3rd line despite his size and slowly work him into a 2nd line center when he finally breaks out......he is gonna break out, we all saw his skills........ I really hate all those bipolar Canuck fans who can't see the forest through the trees.....
- chompsey

While you're correct in saying that Yzerman/Vinik won't buy out Lecavalier, it's a little bit misguided to call the team cash strapped. Yzerman has the green light to spend to the cap. Realistically, Lecavalier provides enough benefit on the ice that it makes more sense to keep him than to cast him off.
- Michael_Stuart

Having the green light to spend doesn't mean you aren't cash strapped. The Lightning post annual 8 digit losses.

I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't consider moving a guy who makes $10 million per for future pieces & look to replace him in the short term with a guy like Briere whose cap hit is similarly inflated ($6.5 vs $7.727), but he only makes $3 million this year and $2 million next year, then comes off the books. TB holding onto LeCavalier with that contract to play that role makes no business sense IMO.

Yo prospect man, serious question here......

Would you dump Schroeder first chance you get and make a mistake like the Calgary Flames did with Martin St Louis.........OR let him play 3rd line despite his size and slowly work him into a 2nd line center when he finally breaks out......he is gonna break out, we all saw his skills........I really hate all those bipolar Canuck fans who can't see the forest through the trees.....
- chompsey

Don't know if he'll blossom into another St Louis but Schroeder definitely has some skill and seemed to get demoted or sent down at all the wrong times last year. Hopefully our next coach will simply let him play so we can actually gauge what we have with him.

Having the green light to spend doesn't mean you aren't cash strapped. The Lightning post annual 8 digit losses.

I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't consider moving a guy who makes $10 million per for future pieces & look to replace him in the short term with a guy like Briere whose cap hit is similarly inflated ($6.5 vs $7.727), but he only makes $3 million this year and $2 million next year, then comes off the books. TB holding onto LeCavalier with that contract to play that role makes no business sense IMO.
- DrChristianTroy

Unless there is a serious cap issue those sorts of buyouts - as in buying out players who still possess value to the team - will happen next summer I would think.

He's a Brian Boyle-lite would you say?
- chompsey

I'd say that's a reasonable ceiling.

His faceoffs in the AHL were pretty impressive, and you could see the defensive ability, but he was overly aggressive and got burned numerous times.

Didn't see a heck of a lot of offensive ability, but he was used mostly in a defensive role. Decent skater for a big kid.

Having the green light to spend doesn't mean you aren't cash strapped. The Lightning post annual 8 digit losses.

I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't consider moving a guy who makes $10 million per for future pieces & look to replace him in the short term with a guy like Briere whose cap hit is similarly inflated ($6.5 vs $7.727), but he only makes $3 million this year and $2 million next year, then comes off the books. TB holding onto LeCavalier with that contract to play that role makes no business sense IMO.
- DrChristianTroy

If you're truly cash strapped, you don't have the ability to spend. Vinik has put a ton of money into the team, the building, and the city itself. I understand the skepticism from big market fans, but Tampa's ownership is stable, I assure you. If anyone wanted to make a trade, it might make sense. I just don't see a buyout being part of the equation given that the Bolts really don't have anyone primed to step in as a second line center. It's not as though Lecavalier is a drag on the team; he's still a very productive player.

Don't know if he'll blossom into another St Louis but Schroeder definitely has some skill and seemed to get demoted or sent down at all the wrong times last year. Hopefully our next coach will simply let him play so we can actually gauge what we have with him.
- AlexF

Oh I doubt he'll be a Martin St. Louis either. My point was, why the hell are we trying to ship this kid out of town already. St. Louis didn't hit his stride until he was 27. There are many other examples out there too.

I think the kid deserves a year or 2 before we start booting him to the curb.....

I'd say that's a reasonable ceiling.

His faceoffs in the AHL were pretty impressive, and you could see the defensive ability, but he was overly aggressive and got burned numerous times.

Didn't see a heck of a lot of offensive ability, but he was used mostly in a defensive role. Decent skater for a big kid.
- Fosco

How were his instincts? Was he chasing the puck or was it finding him?

How were his instincts? Was he chasing the puck or was it finding him?
- DrChristianTroy

DCT................Schroeder - yay or nay?

Unless there is a serious cap issue those sorts of buyouts - as in buying out players who still possess value to the team - will happen next summer I would think.
- AlexF

Agreed.

While you're correct in saying that Yzerman/Vinik won't buy out Lecavalier, it's a little bit misguided to call the team cash strapped. Yzerman has the green light to spend to the cap. Realistically, Lecavalier provides enough benefit on the ice that it makes more sense to keep him than to cast him off.
- Michael_Stuart

The owner might have money, but the team does not make money. Cash strapped in that they lose money annually. No owner in the NHL is "cash strapped" (Coyotes don't count!).

The point is they don't have the money to buy out Lecavalier's contract and not receive the benefit of him playing for them.

DCT................Schroeder - yay or nay?
- chompsey

If he's put in a position to use his skillset to its highest potential (wingers to build chemistry with who can finish & a role that fits his game), then "yay" all the way.