Be grateful for whoever we pick on Friday, it could be worse.


- VanHockeyGuy

or we could get this.

I think the time is now to deal Vrbata.... he doesn't strike me as a guy that teams will fight over at the trade deadline.... but I could see a lot of teams being interested in him now since he does score a lot in the regular season to help you get in the playoffs.

I forget who else mentioned it, but I think you can get a lot more for KB at the trade deadline than you can right now. He's still regarded as a solid D-man and as a UFA there's no fear of the long-term affects on your cap.
- Mungo

His play has been deteriorating for a few years and the fear is that it continues it's downward trend and/or he gets an injury the demand will be lessened.

Clearing Bieksa off the books this summer not only opens up 4.6m in cap space but also might net us a 2nd Rd pick. We need cap space now for RFA signings and more room for Benning to manoeuvre on the trade front. And if this draft is as stacked as advertised then the 2nd we might get could be the equivalent of a late 1st in other drafts.

Taken together I think that's more than getting an extra 2nd at the TDL IMO.

His play has been deteriorating for a few years and the fear is that it continues it's downward trend and/or he gets an injury the demand will be lessened.

Clearing Bieksa off the books this summer not only opens up 4.6m in cap space but also might net us a 2nd Rd pick. We need cap space now for RFA signings and more room for Benning to manoeuvre on the trade front. And if this draft is as stacked as advertised then the 2nd we might get could be the equivalent of a late 1st in other drafts.

Taken together I think that's more than getting an extra 2nd at the TDL IMO.
- AlexF

Next year's draft is supposed to be decent as well from what i've heard. But I'm with you. I'd prefer to try to move him now just to free up some cap space to do other moves.... plus I think he'll be more willing to move now since it allows him time to get him and his family setup in their new surroundings.... as a family man I doubt Bieksa wants to move his family at the TDL in mid-march when his kids are in school.

Next year's draft is supposed to be decent as well from what i've heard. But I'm with you. I'd prefer to try to move him now just to free up some cap space to do other moves.... plus I think he'll be more willing to move now since it allows him time to get him and his family setup in their new surroundings.... as a family man I doubt Bieksa wants to move his family at the TDL in mid-march when his kids are in school.
- Mungo

Have to wonder if JB has spoken to Bieksa. All media reports are he hasn't, but if he hasn't, any deal made is going to take some time to negotiate.

It's almost like MG going to talk to Lu and saying how about the Leafs? and the reply is, how about the Panthers?

New blog covers Kenins, Friesen and Eriksson.

With the salary cap set, is the Canucks' roster basically locked as well?

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...-Friesen-Signed/194/69469

Interesting piece on MG vs JB

http://www.vancitybuzz.co...ke-gillis-vs-jim-benning/
- VanHockeyGuy

some interesting perspectives,

"management’s adherence to no-trade-clauses was subject to poor play." (in reference to a Botch piece). Don't think Garrison was the problem on the back end.

For JB's sake, I hope McCann pans out and makes the Kesler trade look better on him.