I lost my woman, my hound dog, my truck, all I have is my banhammer and my whiskey and I'm singing the blue-hoo-hoos. I spend my days wandering this ol' message board, smackin' them trolls where the sun don't shine.

Lord have MERCY, I feel a ban coming on...

My best friend told me he cheated on his wife, so I grabbed my banhammer and smacked up his bike. I ended up outside of this dive of a bar, some drunk moron just upchucked on my shoes so I grabbed my banhammer and made him lick my boots.

Lord have MERCY, I feel a ban coming on..
LORD HAVE MERCY... I feel a ba-aaan-nnnn coming... OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
- DariusKnight

You are my idol thank you for that ha ha.

I lost my woman, my hound dog, my truck, all I have is my banhammer and my whiskey and I'm singing the blue-hoo-hoos. I spend my days wandering this ol' message board, smackin' them trolls where the sun don't shine.

Lord have MERCY, I feel a ban coming on...

My best friend told me he cheated on his wife, so I grabbed my banhammer and smacked up his bike. I ended up outside of this dive of a bar, some drunk moron just upchucked on my shoes so I grabbed my banhammer and made him lick my boots.

Lord have MERCY, I feel a ban coming on..
LORD HAVE MERCY... I feel a ba-aaan-nnnn coming... OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
- DariusKnight

If you picture and can hear Johnny Cash singing this. It becomes even more amazing than it is.
Well done sir, you have won the interwebs.

I'm working in Kelowna until next Tuesday, and then in Hope until the 30th—without herb the entire time. Had to fly here, so I couldn't bring any.

I'm on day 3 right now and I'm jonesing bad...

Doesn't help that the wife told me she picked up a half today...nearly threw the phone against the wall
- Fosco

A) Shampoo bottle

B) It's Kelowna not Malaysia

Apart from 2 guys from the area, who were given $100M each, how many top end UFAs have chosen Minny in the past 15 years? Who are all these top end guys who have chosen Anaheim? Philly gets picked cause their GMs are brain dead and they give out ridiculous contracts. New York has typically been the same. Detroit hasn't really signed a tonne of top end UFAs since the salary cap was implemented, they've preferred to build from within.

Your theory is severely flawed.
- KB3Point0

How about you tell me all of the high end UFA's that signed in Canada in the last 10 years. My theory is, if they lower UFA age to 3 years in the NHL, tteams like Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, and Winnipeg are likely gone. Teams that can't attract top end FA's now won't be able to attract younger FA's. It really is quite simple.

How about you tell me all of the high end UFA's that signed in Canada in the last 10 years. My theory is, if they lower UFA age to 3 years in the NHL, tteams like Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, and Winnipeg are likely gone. Teams that can't attract top end FA's now won't be able to attract younger FA's. It really is quite simple.
- Al Hacker

You just don't understand. The salary cap forces player salaries to be spread pretty evenly across all 30 teams. Top free agents couldn't all just flock to non-Canadian teams unless they all took massive salary cuts. Especially as Canadian teams make more money than most American teams.

Since the implementation of the salary cap teams haven't been able to build through free agency. Most top players get resigned and never even hit UFA anymore cause the pay raise isn't what it was with an open market.

Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg haven't been the most attractive markets recently for UFAs because they were teams rebuilding (they didn't want to add overpriced UFAs) or were just awful (see the Flames).

Your theory ignores the structure of the salary cap and is seriously flawed.

You just don't understand. The salary cap forces player salaries to be spread pretty evenly across all 30 teams. Top free agents couldn't all just flock to non-Canadian teams unless they all took massive salary cuts. Especially as Canadian teams make more money than most American teams.

Since the implementation of the salary cap teams haven't been able to build through free agency. Most top players get resigned and never even hit UFA anymore cause the pay raise isn't what it was with an open market.

Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg haven't been the most attractive markets recently for UFAs because they were teams rebuilding (they didn't want to add overpriced UFAs) or were just awful (see the Flames).

Your theory ignores the structure of the salary cap and is seriously flawed.
- KB3Point0

Actually, you don't understand. The salary cap means there is a finite amount of money to go to players. The top players will have their choice of teams to play with. They will pick the US cities, like they have in recent years. Lowering the UFA age means they will leave the Canadian cities sooner.

Actually, you don't understand. The salary cap means there is a finite amount of money to go to players. The top players will have their choice of teams to play with. They will pick the US cities, like they have in recent years. Lowering the UFA age means they will leave the Canadian cities sooner.
- Al Hacker

Can someone do the research and figure out what the story is here. I do agree with both of you guys a little. The majority of guys dont even make it to UFA status and just resign with their own team or get traded in their contract yr and then resign with that team. The actual stars that make it UFA have signed in the US the last few years. Parise, Suter, Richards etc.

Wouldn't you?

You were ready to throw another $2.25/season at him yesterday...
- Fosco

No, not what I said. I said that if he were to come back I felt it was justified to pay him a reasonable salary for his production and experience, which is in the $2m range. I bet if you compared him to other players making $2 m this season he comes out in the top half. I don't believe in paying people less than they are worth because they are not a good fit for your organization. So even at league minimum I wouldn't want Raymond back. I think he is a good hockey player, likely a good teammate and wish him well but it is time for some change.

I also don't think that any of the players mentioned are actually better than Raymond, otherwise they "would all have contracts by now" ( I realize you didn't list these players)

Somebody explain wasting a contract on Ahlberts for a third straight year?

I wrote my self a country song it's called: Lord have mercy I feel a ban coming on.
- Yeti1181

I like "Don't come around here" by an actual established artist better...

Just kidding, good job

Somebody explain wasting a contract on Ahlberts for a third straight year?
- manvanfan

He is a better option as a 7/8 guy than anyone else on the open market or in the Canucks system for the salary.

He is a better option as a 7/8 guy than anyone else on the open market or in the Canucks system for the salary.
- 1970vintage

Potential wise I think he's the worst. This is the season I would much much rather gives every single player in the AHL a game to see if they can compete in the NHL.

Actually, you don't understand. The salary cap means there is a finite amount of money to go to players. The top players will have their choice of teams to play with. They will pick the US cities, like they have in recent years. Lowering the UFA age means they will leave the Canadian cities sooner.
- Al Hacker

This past year 19 UFAs signed contracts with new teams with an average salary of $3M or more.

BOS
PHX
DET x2
CLB
TOR
TB
NJ x3
PHI
STL
MON
NAS x2
PIT
OTT
EDM x2

As you can see, of the 19, 5 went to Canadian cities. Who has cap space is still the biggest determining factor in where players will play. For aging players like Iginla and Alfredsson, the opportunity to finally win a cup and less travel from the Eastern Conference become major factors as well.

In case you want to look at the most expensive, 6 players signed contracts of $5M or more with new teams. Of those 6, one went to Toronto and one to Columbus. There was also Phoenix (tonnes of cap space) Tampa Bay (hot city, lots of cap space and a giant hole up front after Lecavalier buyout, good young team) Boston (more money than brains, went to finals in 2 of last 3 years, lost plenty of UFAs and had to fill holes) and Detroit (lots of cap space and plenty of Swedes to keep Alfredsson company).

EDIT: With Grabovski 20 have now signed with new teams @ $3M+

He is a better option as a 7/8 guy than anyone else on the open market or in the Canucks system for the salary.
- 1970vintage

Totally agree. He's a good teammate and brings size and meanness to the lineup that nobody else on the roster can offer. He's a great deal at $600k.

A) Shampoo bottle

B) It's Kelowna not Malaysia
- golfingsince

Pretty sure you could inquire around the area and someone would be able to assist you.

Not sure if anyone else posted this...but yikes, what a mess!

@TSNJamesDuthie
Luongo: I had moved on from Vancouver and was ready to start fresh somewhere else...like a divorce...except she wanted me back".

@TSNJamesDuthie
Luongo also talks about breaking down after not being dealt at the deadline and "blacking out" when he learned VAN traded Schneider.

@TSNJamesDuthie
Luongo also reveals that in May he had serious discussions with the NHLPA about the possibility of voiding his deal and walking away from 40M.

Not sure if anyone else posted this...but yikes, what a mess!

@TSNJamesDuthie
Luongo: I had moved on from Vancouver and was ready to start fresh somewhere else...like a divorce...except she wanted me back".

@TSNJamesDuthie
Luongo also talks about breaking down after not being dealt at the deadline and "blacking out" when he learned VAN traded Schneider.

@TSNJamesDuthie
Luongo also reveals that in May he had serious discussions with the NHLPA about the possibility of voiding his deal and walking away from 40M.
- Colin Dambrauskas

holy shyt dude

If lou ends up splitting. Gillis' head is gone after getting rid of schneider for practically nothing.

If lou ends up splitting. Gillis' head is gone after getting rid of schneider for practically nothing.
- vancity787

That would be a terrible, terrible situation for the Nucks....

If lou ends up splitting. Gillis' head is gone after getting rid of schneider for practically nothing.
- vancity787

We all must hope Lack reaches his potential.

Edit. Plus Luongo can go f*ck himself, 29 teams didn't want him and the Canucks are giving him an opportunity to go for a cup, and collect massive pay cheques. F*ckin p*ssy.

Not sure if anyone else posted this...but yikes, what a mess!

@TSNJamesDuthie
Luongo: I had moved on from Vancouver and was ready to start fresh somewhere else...like a divorce...except she wanted me back".

@TSNJamesDuthie
Luongo also talks about breaking down after not being dealt at the deadline and "blacking out" when he learned VAN traded Schneider.

@TSNJamesDuthie
Luongo also reveals that in May he had serious discussions with the NHLPA about the possibility of voiding his deal and walking away from 40M.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Lu wants a new address but will honor his contract this year. His want to be the #1 on team Canada is the driving force. Gillis is still looking for a trade behind the scenes but it won't be a distraction once hockey starts.

The Luongo interview with Duthie is on TSN today at 6 I think . I don't blame him at all for wanting out but he did veto a few offers so what can I say.

That would be a terrible, terrible situation for the Nucks....losing Schneider and Luongo with no one to step in?
- Colin Dambrauskas

Lack, Eddie Lack

That would be a terrible, terrible situation for the Nucks....losing Schneider and Luongo with no one to step in?
- Colin Dambrauskas

You would be amazed at how many insiders expected both goalies to be gone after last year. What was Schneiders mystery injury?

Lack, Eddie Lack
- Boinker

yeah I edited that..dont feel like debating goalies right now ...Lack as your starter could be terrible given he has (0) NHL games under his belt.

You would be amazed at how many insiders expected both goalies to be gone after last year. What was Schneiders mystery injury?
- VANTEL

So with that being said...who was their targetted starter? What was in their opinion the Nucks plan for a starter?