Ahem



You were saying...
- 1970vintage

oh yeah

- 1970vintage

Better than him not an average 2 nd line NHL forward.

I think they have more than $2m but still need a 13th forward. CapGeek says:

Cap Space $2,847,222

Which doesn't account for Alberts $600k but does assume that Corrado makes the team and that Weber is the #7/8 dman.
- 1970vintage

I accounted for Gaunce making the team (cap hit should be close to same for Horvat, Jensen, Shink). If he doesn't then there's even more space.

Better than him not an average 2 nd line NHL forward.
- VANTEL

Currently, the Canucks only have 2 wingers who are "better" than Raymond, maybe 3 if we give Hansen the benefit of the doubt. Could be Booth turns out to be better, and could be Kassian turns out to be better and could be Higgins turns out to be better, but based on what they have done, not yet...

Currently, the Canucks only have 2 wingers who are "better" than Raymond, maybe 3 if we give Hansen the benefit of the doubt. Could be Booth turns out to be better, and could be Kassian turns out to be better and could be Higgins turns out to be better, but based on what they have done, not yet...
- 1970vintage

Understood. He needs to be a top 9 guy . I put Burrows Sedin Higgins Hansen Booth and Kassian ahead of him. I also want to develop a young kid like Jensen and give him his chance. That puts Raymond 8th on the pecking order for 6 spots. That is why 13 th forward.

Currently, the Canucks only have 2 wingers who are "better" than Raymond, maybe 3 if we give Hansen the benefit of the doubt. Could be Booth turns out to be better, and could be Kassian turns out to be better and could be Higgins turns out to be better, but based on what they have done, not yet...
- 1970vintage

If we are talking better then Raymond there are still a few UFA's that would be considered better. Mueller, Boyes, Cleary and Morrow come to mind.

Currently, the Canucks only have 2 wingers who are "better" than Raymond, maybe 3 if we give Hansen the benefit of the doubt. Could be Booth turns out to be better, and could be Kassian turns out to be better and could be Higgins turns out to be better, but based on what they have done, not yet...
- 1970vintage

Booth is better. Kassian will be better. Higgins just fills a different type of role.

Booth is better. Kassian will be better. Higgins just fills a different type of role.
- KB3Point0

Hansen is better.

Canadian teams have a hard time attracting top UFA's now. Lower the UFA age and Canadian teams will have almost no chance of competing for the cup because the top UFA's will sign in warmer places. I doubt many Canadian teams would want to continue to play in a leage where they have almost no chance of competing.
- Al Hacker

I don't think that's accurate across the board. Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal would all be draws in their own right and for varying reasons. Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg I agree with you on. But even then, didn't Justin Schultz sign for Edmonton over Anaheim or virtually every other warmer destination?

If we are talking better then Raymond there are still a few UFA's that would be considered better. Mueller, Boyes, Cleary and Morrow come to mind.
- fiveandagame

Damien Brunner is better than all of those IMO.

Getting closer!!

Damien Brunner is better than all of those IMO.
- AlexF

Exactly, that was just off the top of my head. If Gillis is looking at signing another winger, there are still better options out there then Raymond.

Exactly, that was just off the top of my head. If Gillis is looking at signing another winger, there are still better options out there then Raymond.
- fiveandagame

Absolutely. Although I like the 2 signings made today it still doesn't address our scoring woes. Hopefully that remaining cap space (coupled with maybe a trade) could help boost the front lines.

Absolutely. Although I like the 2 signings made today it still doesn't address our scoring woes. Hopefully that remaining cap space (coupled with maybe a trade) could help boost the front lines.
- AlexF

Gillis made a comment a little while ago that he is not bringing in any more forwards at this time. I think the extra cap space will give him some options at the trade deadline.

If we are talking better then Raymond there are still a few UFA's that would be considered better. Mueller, Boyes, Cleary and Morrow come to mind.
- fiveandagame

Boyes is an awful player without the puck.

Hansen is better.
- VANTEL

Yep

I don't think that's accurate across the board. Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal would all be draws in their own right and for varying reasons. Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg I agree with you on. But even then, didn't Justin Schultz sign for Edmonton over Anaheim or virtually every other warmer destination?
- AlexF

Look at the top UFA signings in the past 10 years and New York, Philly, CA are the top destinations. There are basically a few things that attract top free agents. Winning (see Detroit), City (see NYR), Climate (see LA/Anaheim/TB/Florida), home town (some like home town, some hate it). Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa don't exactly fit into too many of those categories. I don't blame the players, if I could live anywhere in the world and make millions, I wouldn't pick any major city in Canada.

I watched the Oilers develop talent through the 90's and trade it off for prospects because they couldn't afford to.

Look at the top UFA signings in the past 10 years and New York, Philly, CA are the top destinations. There are basically a few things that attract top free agents. Winning (see Detroit), City (see NYR), Climate (see LA/Anaheim/TB/Florida), home town (some like home town, some hate it). Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa don't exactly fit into too many of those categories. I don't blame the players, if I could live anywhere in the world and make millions, I wouldn't pick any major city in Canada.

I watched the Oilers develop talent through the 90's and trade it off for prospects because they couldn't afford to.
- Al Hacker

2 yrs ago the NHLPA did a pole. Asking just short of 700 players. 1-30 in desired places to play. #1 Detroit. #2 Vancouver. I believe Ducks, Kings and both Florida teams ranked in the bottom 10. This isn't baseball or football or even African round ball. Its hockey.
FYI-doesn't Vancouver make top 3 in best places to live in the world yr in yr out? Just because u would like to live in a dump, doesn't mean u speak for NHL players skippy

2 yrs ago the NHLPA did a pole. Asking just short of 700 players. 1-30 in desired places to play. #1 Detroit. #2 Vancouver. I believe Ducks, Kings and both Florida teams ranked in the bottom 10. This isn't baseball or football or even African round ball. Its hockey.
- Bieksa#3

And yet, most of the top end chose NY, Philly, Detroit, Mini, Ana, etc...

And yet, most of the top end chose NY, Philly, Detroit, Mini, Ana, etc...
- Al Hacker

What r u basing this on? Who picked any? The 2 guys who have played their entire careers there and are both in the top 5 for highest paid players? Zach P went home. New York was #3 on that list. What premier free agent has signed with Philly? Bryz? The declining Striet and Vinny?

Look at the top UFA signings in the past 10 years and New York, Philly, CA are the top destinations. There are basically a few things that attract top free agents. Winning (see Detroit), City (see NYR), Climate (see LA/Anaheim/TB/Florida), home town (some like home town, some hate it). Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa don't exactly fit into too many of those categories. I don't blame the players, if I could live anywhere in the world and make millions, I wouldn't pick any major city in Canada.

I watched the Oilers develop talent through the 90's and trade it off for prospects because they couldn't afford to.
- Al Hacker

Some good points but there's also a major attraction point you overlooked: money. Someone like David Clarkson signed on to TO because they could or were willing to pay him more than arguably any other team. Lecavalier signed on to PHI (average team, mediocre city, sh!tty climate, not his hometown) because they probably offered to pay more and probably offered him a cush 2nd line role. Which brings up another point of attraction: ice time and role. There are a number of UFAs that do factor their ability to immediately play in an advantageous position. It's my understanding that was a deciding factor for Justin Schultz.

Although I do agree that cities like Winnipeg, Edmonton, or Ottawa will always struggle to attract top talent, and that teams in NY will always have a distinct advantage because of the city, I don't believe that a team like Anaheim or Phoenix or Dallas has an inherent advantage over Montreal or Toronto or Vancouver because of their warmer locations.

Look at the top UFA signings in the past 10 years and New York, Philly, CA are the top destinations. There are basically a few things that attract top free agents. Winning (see Detroit), City (see NYR), Climate (see LA/Anaheim/TB/Florida), home town (some like home town, some hate it). Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa don't exactly fit into too many of those categories. I don't blame the players, if I could live anywhere in the world and make millions, I wouldn't pick any major city in Canada.

I watched the Oilers develop talent through the 90's and trade it off for prospects because they couldn't afford to.
- Al Hacker

The US $ in the 90's was about $1.30+ Can.

I looked at the UFAs and don't think there is anyone there that would make significantly better. Keep the money ,Aquillini will need it next year to buy out another player.

The US $ in the 90's was about $1.30+ Can.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Exactly.

Exactly.
- Bieksa#3

Most UFAs chose the East becasue of the travel. smoked meat and thin crust pizza . Maybe better hookers too. Cheaper gas? No, I think it's the hookers.