We all know what Kesler is capable of when he's healthy, but the issue now appears to be whether or not Kesler can get AND STAY healthy. We both know that it won't get any easier with age and the way injuries often nag.

Are you saying that you wouldn't be interested in trading Kesler for a Ryan Johansen type player or top 5 draft pick knowing that Kesler appears to be looking like a player whose career could be hampered by injuries? We've these types of players around the league all the time!

Anyways, we can agree to disagree.
- As_I_See_It

For a Johansen yes, draft pick no. If he's moved we need a NHL ready center, not a project prospect as we have a window of what, two more years with our current core?

In terms of our window of opportunity I doubt he's worth moving.
It's now or never for this club.

I don't know if anybody listened to the TEAM 1040 this morning but Darren Pang said that chances of Ryan Suter returning to Nashville are slim(he said that two former players said that he is looking at 2 other Central Division teams- I assume Detroit and Chicago).

I've also heard Bob MacKenzie speak that if Nashville doesn't feel they can sign Shae Weber they will trade him before the season to maximize their return. If Poile were to look at trading Weber what do you think the Canucks could/would offer if interest?

Does anyone think Edler + 2012 1st would fly?

I know this is shocking to say about a Canucks fan but, You are a homer. Kesler got caught with his head down.
- rhinobucket

If Kesler goes off in a stretcher we're in a whole different situation.

Ask Hossa.

For a Johansen yes, draft pick no. If he's moved we need a NHL ready center, not a project prospect as we have a window of what, two more years with our current core?

In terms of our window of opportunity I doubt he's worth moving.
It's now or never for this club.
- Whiskey-Tango

I honesetly don't understand the whole "trade Kesler" talk. For as bad as he was this year; he was returning off an injured offseason and apparently playing since February. Trading Kesler should be the last thing on their minds.

I don't know if anybody listened to the TEAM 1040 this morning but Darren Pang said that chances of Ryan Suter returning to Nashville are slim(he said that two former players said that he is looking at 2 other Central Division teams- I assume Detroit and Chicago).

I've also heard Bob MacKenzie speak that if Nashville doesn't feel they can sign Shae Weber they will trade him before the season to maximize their return. If Poile were to look at trading Weber what do you think the Canucks could/would offer if interest?

Does anyone think Edler + 2012 1st would fly?
- bcoop

I HIGHLY doubt the Preds trade Weber this year, especially if Suter leaves as planned.

If Kesler goes off in a stretcher we're in a whole different situation.

Ask Hossa.
- Mattjd123

My God...those two hits have NOTHING in common. You aren't even comparing apples to oranges...you are comparing apples to car batteries.

I don't know if anybody listened to the TEAM 1040 this morning but Darren Pang said that chances of Ryan Suter returning to Nashville are slim(he said that two former players said that he is looking at 2 other Central Division teams- I assume Detroit and Chicago).

I've also heard Bob MacKenzie speak that if Nashville doesn't feel they can sign Shae Weber they will trade him before the season to maximize their return. If Poile were to look at trading Weber what do you think the Canucks could/would offer if interest?

Does anyone think Edler + 2012 1st would fly?
- bcoop

There's at least a dozen Canucks posters proposing a deal like that per thread, so I think most would give up that and more for Weber. I doubt he'd play for the Canucks with the current roster, however, but who knows?

I seem to be one of the only Canuck fans who haven't lost faith in Edler. If the Canucks shipped Edler for Weber, they are still missing a top 4 defenseman. I'd rather keep Edler and use the cap space (even when/if Edler re-signs it'll be much cheaper than Weber) to fill other holes in the roster.

My God...those two hits have NOTHING in common. You aren't even comparing apples to oranges...you are comparing apples to car batteries.
- nikoli1206

Same hit, different hitter. No injury.

Don't have to agree with me.

And I happen to be an expert on car batteries

Here's the person that said Luongo would ask for a trade last December when all of you flamed me. Apparently this person has a source in the canucks organization. High up. Take it for what you want.

On AV:

Wants to come back. Was part of the decision re Luongo/Cory and is fine with how it all went down. Has been silent waiting for MG to get his deal and business attended to. MG wants him back and it is expected that he will get a similar 4 year extension same as MG. MG has assured several players that AV will be back. The players are big AV supporters and want him back. A feeling of unfinished business. WOW.

On Luongo:

Toronto is the front runner, for now. Allaire is the draw that has Luongo putting them on his list that does not exist. The cost will be high as MG does have 3 other teams that are also very high on Luongo but MG wants to try and deal Luongo to one of his top two choices, not at the risk of a bad deal, however.

Kassian:

Players love him and feel he is the real deal. Described as a good kid and real team player. Was just a little lost at the end of the year and hasn't found a role. He is described as very reserved and shy. Team has him on a strict off season training plan and the players are very high on what he can bring to the team down the road. Next year may be a little too early to see what it is felt he can bring so time will tell.

Hodgson:

Not missed

Salo:

Wants to come back one more year. Canucks have said the same thing to him as last year, we want you back but we have to wait to see what we can afford over the summer.

Burrows:

Took a home team discount last time with no regrets but won't this time around. Wants to re-sign but at full market value or he will go to UFA.

Manny:

Canucks are unsure whether he can regain his form and he may be bought out if he can't. They are very non comital about him but will not go into the season with him if he has not improved his all round game.

MayRay:

Still up in the air if they qualify him. Don't feel he is worth the money he would make but don't want to lose an asset for nothing. Will try to move his rights before July 1.

Edler:

Undisclosed injuries but I can't get any more than that but I'm thinking the back is just not right.

Pahlsson:

Are very high on him and would like him back as their third line centre, which could mean another nail for Manny.

Down on the Farm:

They are expecting 2-4 players to make an impact at camp. Hopeful Eddie can be back up but they aren't sure if he is ready. Camp will tell but they are also looking for a veteran back up if Luongo is moved. High on Connaughton and he may get a hard look this year. Our diminutive centre will get a long look especially with Kesler's rehab. Would like at least 2 players to break through and make the team for obvious cap reasons and for future development reasons.
- Boinker

This is great stuff Boinker. Obviously I can't vouch for its accuracy but I believe it because all these viewpoints make logical sense.

I also had a feeling when we were discussing centers yesterday that they might try to get Pahlsson back. He's not what he was earlier in his career but as a 3rd/4th line center he's still a solid play at the right price.

Not surprised in the slightest re Burrows. Everyone and their mom is making more than him on this squad. I agree with Fosco, $4M per is fair, although he can probably get more than that via UFA.

If there is an amnesty buyout I can see the Canucks buying out Ballard rather than Manny, who only has one year left at less money. All depends on how tight they are for cap space.

My God...those two hits have NOTHING in common. You aren't even comparing apples to oranges...you are comparing apples to car batteries.
- nikoli1206

Kronwall left his feet. It's still a dirty hit. Not as bad as the Torres hit, though.

Same hit, different hitter. No injury.

Don't have to agree with me.

And I happen to be an expert on car batteries
- Mattjd123

You are right, I don't have to agree with you.

The point of contact was not the head. There was no elbow or shoulder involved (Kronwall hit Kesler with his ass/back). Even if Kronwall left his feet even a little, the hits are no where near the same.

I bet you use Die Hard in your car...

You are right, I don't have to agree with you.

The point of contact was not the head. There was no elbow or shoulder involved (Kronwall hit Kesler with his ass/back). Even if Kronwall left his feet even a little, the hits are no where near the same.

I bet you use Die Hard in your car...
- nikoli1206

Just similar in the launching/vulnerable.

Honestly my main point is that if Kes went off in a stretcher, Kronwall would have quite possibly got suspended.

Hossa gets up, nothing happens.

But I'm digressing.

There's at least a dozen Canucks posters proposing a deal like that per thread, so I think most would give up that and more for Weber. I doubt he'd play for the Canucks with the current roster, however, but who knows?

I seem to be one of the only Canuck fans who haven't lost faith in Edler. If the Canucks shipped Edler for Weber, they are still missing a top 4 defenseman. I'd rather keep Edler and use the cap space (even when/if Edler re-signs it'll be much cheaper than Weber) to fill other holes in the roster.
- Fosco

Ok, I didn't realize it was such a popular topic. I still want to focus on the Canucks line up for next year. I do not think they will go into next year with the following defensive pairings.

Bieksa-Hamhuis
Ballard-Edler
Alberts-Tanev
Connaughton?
Salo?

Available UFA that might fit would be Wideman.

What needs to be done to fix the back end? I would say first bury or trade Ballard.

There's at least a dozen Canucks posters proposing a deal like that per thread, so I think most would give up that and more for Weber. I doubt he'd play for the Canucks with the current roster, however, but who knows?

I seem to be one of the only Canuck fans who haven't lost faith in Edler. If the Canucks shipped Edler for Weber, they are still missing a top 4 defenseman. I'd rather keep Edler and use the cap space (even when/if Edler re-signs it'll be much cheaper than Weber) to fill other holes in the roster.
- Fosco

Weber would have to take a home-towner (say 6M). There's no way we have cap space for a 7.5M defensemen unless it's Pronger in his prime. That said, for that deal to go down VAN would have to be given permission to speak with Weber and agree to a contract before hand. Same would go the other way with Edler.

Ok, I didn't realize it was such a popular topic. I still want to focus on the Canucks line up for next year. I do not think they will go into next year with the following defensive pairings.

Bieksa-Hamhuis
Ballard-Edler
Alberts-Tanev
Connaughton?
Salo?

Available UFA that might fit would be Wideman.

What needs to be done to fix the back end? I would say first bury or trade Ballard.
- bcoop

Ballard isn't that bad of a defensman he just isn't a 4m/yr dman. Same as Bouwmeester/Phaneuf neither is that bad but neither is worth the 6+mil they get paid.

If Ballard was paid 2.75 and Phaneuf/Bouwmeester 4.0/yr nobody would be complaining about them.

I'm not a big Burrows fan, but that trade basically lands you Kevin Bieksa. Tinordi while big doesn't bring much more than what the Canucks already have in #3.
- Ben37

Bryan Allen is available UFA .Cost around 3 mil can play tough and be used for a 4 /5 D. He is a big body.

I don't know if anybody listened to the TEAM 1040 this morning but Darren Pang said that chances of Ryan Suter returning to Nashville are slim(he said that two former players said that he is looking at 2 other Central Division teams- I assume Detroit and Chicago).

I've also heard Bob MacKenzie speak that if Nashville doesn't feel they can sign Shae Weber they will trade him before the season to maximize their return. If Poile were to look at trading Weber what do you think the Canucks could/would offer if interest?

Does anyone think Edler + 2012 1st would fly?
- bcoop

No need for the 2012 1 st . It is a one year deal. Edler is easier to re-sign in Nashville than Weber would be in Vancouver. I think if Weber did come and Burrows and Kesler were traded or other key pieces ,Weber might stay long term here ,but if he hates the team it is for one year of his services. Then again he may like Burrows and Kes if he is teammates.

Some thoughts to share with disappointed Nuckers...

@CoHo...
Go right ahead and slander the kid. You guys are going to spend the next 15 years regretting that trade. MG threw the kid under the bus to try to save his job... I should know better than this, but I had still hoped the majority of Canucks fans would have the wit to see this. Whose word are you going to take about character, Mike Gillis, or every other hockey person who has dealt with Hodgson?

@Luongo...
Teams know you have to deal him, and they know you only have a few options as to where to deal him. He knows the fans don't want him back, and honestly, why the hell would he keep wanting to take the slings and arrows of idiotic "fans" who are so spoiled by having exceptional goaltending that they totally take it for granted? You guys are going to lose talent on this trade, unless another GM is an idiot, and Jay Feaster already has a starting goalie.

@Kessler/Burrows
These guys have a knack of ensuring that the other team is going to hate your team and hold you in contempt. They often do great things for your team, but they always serve as an excellent motivation for the opposite team. If I was your GM, I'd swap them while their value is high for men who respond to adversity by trying harder instead of whining and diving.

The good news is you still have lots of organizational depth so you can still hope to compete for Cups for the next couple seasons. The bad news is that your window of opportunity is closing, and the Hodgson trade made you a worse team right now, which is, of course, when you have the window of opportunity. Awful trade at the worst possible time.

On rereading this I think it comes across as troll-ish, and I apologize for that. I'm not looking to bust balls or bait you guys or anything... I'm just sad on behalf of my many family members who are Canucks fans, because it's actually starting to look like you might somehow manage to not win a Cup with this team. 3 years ago, I thought you guys were sure to take 2 of the next 5. Now, I think in ten years we'll be looking at this season, and the CoHo and Luongo trades in particular, as the "point where everything started going south".

Ok, I didn't realize it was such a popular topic. I still want to focus on the Canucks line up for next year. I do not think they will go into next year with the following defensive pairings.

Bieksa-Hamhuis
Ballard-Edler
Alberts-Tanev
Connaughton?
Salo?

Available UFA that might fit would be Wideman.

What needs to be done to fix the back end? I would say first bury or trade Ballard.
- bcoop

Depends what's out there on the UFA market and for what price, else they'd have to go trade. Focusing on UFA defensemen for now that will likely be leaving their current teams (abbreviated list):

Suter, Ryan
Wideman, Dennis
Kuba, Filip
Carle, Matt
Stuart, Brad
Jackman, Barret
Oduya, Johnny
Souray, Sheldon
Hannan, Scott
Aucoin, Adrian
Salvador, Bryce
Kubina, Pavel
O'Brien, Shane
Allen, Bryan
Colaiacovo, Carlo
Corvo, Joe
Clark, Brett
Zanon, Greg
Campoli, Chris
Carkner, Matt

Apart from Suter and Wideman I'm not sure who fits in a top 4 role. Aucoin and Salvador are having good playoffs but are old. Allen could be a decent top 6. I'd like Brad Stuart but it sounds like he's off to California. Carle will get more than he's worth on the silly market.

I honesetly don't understand the whole "trade Kesler" talk. For as bad as he was this year; he was returning off an injured offseason and apparently playing since February. Trading Kesler should be the last thing on their minds.
- bcoop

Hip surgery last year ,Shoulder surgery the year before ,missed the playoffs a few years back with a broken finger. He plays balls out all the time .He ends up doing more harm than good to his body. Also with the talk of others not playing nice with him makes me wonder if it is better to part ways before his 5 year contract kicks in.

it was a dirty hit to, kronwall left his feet. when is the nhl going to stop ovy and kronwall from leaving their feet
- btzturbo

Kronwall hit Kesler with his back, not his shoulder/head/elbow. Has anyone ever been suspended for hitting someone with their back before?

I don't think he got hurt on that hit anyways. He jumped up and acted like wanted to fight with that shoulder and he didn't even go to the dressing room afterwards.

My guess is he hurt with one of those patented Vancouver dives. Lord knows he took his fair share of them this year.

This is great stuff Boinker. Obviously I can't vouch for its accuracy but I believe it because all these viewpoints make logical sense.

I also had a feeling when we were discussing centers yesterday that they might try to get Pahlsson back. He's not what he was earlier in his career but as a 3rd/4th line center he's still a solid play at the right price.

Not surprised in the slightest re Burrows. Everyone and their mom is making more than him on this squad. I agree with Fosco, $4M per is fair, although he can probably get more than that via UFA.

If there is an amnesty buyout I can see the Canucks buying out Ballard rather than Manny, who only has one year left at less money. All depends on how tight they are for cap space.
- AlexF

1.5 m per 2 yearr deal.

1.5 m per 2 yearr deal.
- VANTEL

I like it.

Ok, I didn't realize it was such a popular topic. I still want to focus on the Canucks line up for next year. I do not think they will go into next year with the following defensive pairings.

Bieksa-Hamhuis
Ballard-Edler
Alberts-Tanev
Connaughton?
Salo?
Available UFA that might fit would be Wideman.

What needs to be done to fix the back end? I would say first bury or trade Ballard.
- bcoop

This is horribl

Hip surgery last year ,Shoulder surgery the year before ,missed the playoffs a few years back with a broken finger. He plays balls out all the time .He ends up doing more harm than good to his body. Also with the talk of others not playing nice with him makes me wonder if it is better to part ways before his 5 year contract kicks in.
- VANTEL

Yeah I get all that and I hear Botchford every morning coming up with a new angle on it. I just feel that if you trade a guy that is one of the best 2nd line centers in the game you better be getting that back. Especially since MG traded the only heir apparent in the club.

And trust me as a Leaf fan I know I frustrating it is to lack in the centre position.