If the resigning of Mason Raymond is a surprise, you must be thick. Gillis prides himself on building a strong culture within the organization, he values loyalty, dedication and hard work, and he will do anything to support people that he believes in. Raymond does all the things that are asked of him, faced a career ending injury and came back and has been a part of this organization his whole pro career.

BUT

As we saw during the late portion of the season and the playoffs, AV was having trouble fitting Raymond in, he just didn't seem to belong on any of the lines. He didn't mesh well with the Sedins, the whole Kesler-Booth-Raymond thing never worked and while he was competent on the third/fourth lines the Canucks (I think) want to get bigger and tougher there.

SO

Raymond will battle for his job in training camp, and we will see what a full off season of training can do. I think there is a very good chance he out performs a guy like Kassian or Jensen and sticks with the team, but if he doesn't I believe Gillis would trade him to a team where he has an opportunity to succeed.
- 1970vintage

Believe me...I'm anything but surprised.

As far as Raymond doing everything asked of him...then the coach should be fired for asking him to stay in the perimeter, try and always cheat by players along the boards blowing the rush and not using his linemates.

Penners a far better player than raymond, no matter which style is played

Have to agree with this assessment, I love the game of hockey but watching Boston and LA goon it up, cheap shot at every opportunity was disappointing.

I would prefer open end to end rushes of skill and passing, watching the goalie make outstanding saves, not a dogpile in the crease while the defending team grabs everyone within scoring position.
- Makita

Watching the World Championships this spring, I couldn't believe how much more enjoyable it was to watch than the NHL playoffs (PHI-PIT, NJ-FLO series aside). I'd love to see the league adopt the larger international ice but that's not happening (too much $). It's hard to chronically plug a player(s) into the boards when you can't catch him and he's threading the puck to skaters flying down the wings.

Believe me...I'm anything but surprised.

As far as Raymond doing everything asked of him...then the coach should be fired for asking him to stay in the perimeter, try and always cheat by players along the boards blowing the rush and not using his linemates.
- boonerbuck

The same could be said of virtually every other forward on the team last year save maybe Higgins and Burrows. I don't love what Raymond brings, and I think we likely have the depth within the organization to replace him, but there are plenty of worse players in the league making more money than Mason "stars on ice" Raymond.

"The league has made is very clear over the years that the NHL playoffs are no place for the game of hockey."

what a joke.

And now, since the Kings have joined "the club", I can do this:
Cups in VAN = 0
- gofivehole16

Congratulations. Your level of simplicity has placed you along side a Maple Leaf fan. Oh, no.... I insist......You deserve it.

And you call yourself a Canadian.
- we_are_all_canucks

I feel much shame

I have to admit, I am torn on this one.

When he was injured in the Boston series, he gained a hell of a boat load of sympathy and patience from me.

I can go one more year .... and I could see a trade too.

For this guy, I want to see hinm suceed.

Its clear what has to be done here. I know the fans of the Canucks love these guys because they are so good and offer os many intangibles, but maybe for the sake of getting further ahead, I propose this completely original deal:

Raymond, Ballard, and a 2nd for Bobby Ryan.

I know, I know, you all are going to get upset that you give up so much awesome but in this case, it might be worth it.

As you were.
- Lohaus

Wow you think we could get Ryan for that!!! I think we would have to add to that. Maybe even as much as a 1st rounder.

Wow you think we could get Ryan for that!!! I think we would have to add to that. Maybe even as much as a 1st rounder.
- SMP8719

I don't like run 'n gun hockey one bit. I just can't. Sorry.

I like physical defense-first hockey.
- Brian Huddle

Really? I disagree, but regardless, proper officiating, and physical defense-first hockey don't have to be mutually exclusive.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...oyotes_vancouver_canucks/

The Latest on Shane Doan from a real source....

also...

http://www.vancouversun.c...e+Doan/6905978/story.html

I have to admit, I am torn on this one.

When he was injured in the Boston series, he gained a hell of a boat load of sympathy and patience from me.

I can go one more year .... and I could see a trade too.

For this guy, I want to see hinm suceed.
- Beatle_john

No sympathy from me due to his play in the playoffs leading up to the injury. Kept waiting for that breakout game, never happened. Playoffs are where you are supposed to step up your game, and he seemed to step back.

No sympathy from me due to his play in the playoffs leading up to the injury. Kept waiting for that breakout game, never happened. Playoffs are where you are supposed to step up your game, and he seemed to step back.
- immature_male

That was so close to paralysis, I got to give him "Heart of a Canuck" credit. Get out of Jail Free card, value 1 full season....

Have to agree with this assessment, I love the game of hockey but watching Boston and LA goon it up, cheap shot at every opportunity was disappointing.

I would prefer open end to end rushes of skill and passing, watching the goalie make outstanding saves, not a dogpile in the crease while the defending team grabs everyone within scoring position.
- Makita

How did LA "goon" it up during their Stanley Cup Winnibg postseason? They played the game hard, clean, and physical.

That was so close to paralysis, I got to give him "Heart of a Canuck" credit. Get out of Jail Free card, value 1 full season....
- Beatle_john

I think it is great he has been able to recover from his injury, and am glad he did not have any paralysis. I think he has heart, not sure if he has heart of a Canuck. If he had the heart of a Canuck I would have seen him win more battles before his injury (Kesler NSH series). Raymond did nothing during those playoffs. Hopefully he can have a better season this year being fully healed, I just feel he could be easily upgraded in our top 6, and not the type of player we need in our bottom 6.

How did LA "goon" it up during their Stanley Cup Winnibg postseason? They played the game hard, clean, and physical.
- yaknow88

LA was the best team in the postseason, all of their players did what needed to be done, they deserved to win the cup. Brown played the way your captain should, showed everyone the effort level needed and led by example. I wish when there was talk of him being available VAN would have went after him, he is the kind of player that puts you over the top.
I don't know if I agree they played clean the whole playoffs, but no team does. They did not back down from any battles, and were rarely outworked.

If we can't get Doan, do you try for Morrow?
If we do get Doan, do you still try for Morrow?

That was so close to paralysis, I got to give him "Heart of a Canuck" credit. Get out of Jail Free card, value 1 full season....
- Beatle_john

Trophy pictured below:












Swish!

Trophy pictured below:




Swish!
- Double_A

Nice.
Could have done one of the Lion as well.

Heck, could have done one of Dorothy.

Can't everyone just get along? It's clear that these were the most exciting playoffs ever. The ratings are proof of that. I think I speak for everyone when I say I was glued to the TV. I mean, game 7 of the Finals! And WHAT a game it was!

How did LA "goon" it up during their Stanley Cup Winnibg postseason? They played the game hard, clean, and physical.
- yaknow88

You will get all kinds of responses in a few days. When Luongo and Raymond go to the Panther for Versteeg, and Up Shaw/Kopecky.
- Bieksa#3

Up Shaw?

How did LA "goon" it up during their Stanley Cup Winnibg postseason? They played the game hard, clean, and physical.
- yaknow88

I agree with the statement that they didn't back down from any battles and that they were never outworked. In todays NHL that what you have to do, if you don't hack, whack, clutch, grab, obstruct, hit after the whistle (Browns a master at this) you win an early exit and a reputation of being soft, a la canucks.

But to insinuate that they played clean is a gross overstatement. In my humble opinion Brown is the 2nd dirtest player in the NHL (Marchment and Chara share #1, 1a), but I would still welcome him on the canucks. Yes I know it's being hypocritical.

Up Shaw?
- vancity787

Camp Bell's team mate.

I agree with the statement that they didn't back down from any battles and that they were never outworked. In todays NHL that what you have to do, if you don't hack, whack, clutch, grab, obstruct, hit after the whistle (Browns a master at this) you win an early exit and a reputation of being soft, a la canucks.

But to insinuate that they played clean is a gross overstatement. In my humble opinion Brown is the 2nd dirtest player in the NHL (Marchment and Chara share #1, 1a), but I would still welcome him on the canucks. Yes I know it's being hypocritical.
- Makita

In today's NHL if you play clean you won't win the cup. Would love to see them call the game the same in tha playoffs and regular season. This will happen as soon as the Canucks build a team to win that is based more on grit than skill.