Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Hextall's Out, Portland's Mike Johnston for Coach? Ron Hextall won't be the next general manager of the Vancouver Canucks after the Philadelphia Flyers announced Wednesday that they've promoted him to the position in their organization.

Gilman GM
Gulutzan HC

Who needs new blood

Gilman GM
Gulutzan HC

Who needs new blood
- A_SteamingLombardi

Gulutzan, perhaps.

Gilman, a good capologist and happy he's still on board, but we need a tougher negotiator with a clear vision on how to build this team. #nomorenotradeclauses

Kinda sad about Arthur Griffiths, if it wasn't for him and his dad, we might not be talking about the Canucks today. It's also a shame that through no fault of his own that the Grizzlies failed here, I would love to see another NBA team here (maybe convince Steve Nash to retire and move a troubled team here)

I haven't seen Yeti around, did the Bumble get bounced?

Gulutzan, perhaps.

Gilman, a good capologist and happy he's still on board, but we need a tougher negotiator with a clear vision on how to build this team. #nomorenotradeclauses
- we_are_all_canucks

Easy to say, but likely if you take NTC/NMCs off the table, you're looking at a bigger cap hit/longer term to compensate. NTCs/NMCs should go to your superstars to encourage them to resign below market value to help surround them with pieces to help them win. I do agree that they were handed out like they were nothing.

Kinda sad about Arthur Griffiths, if it wasn't for him and his dad, we might not be talking about the Canucks today. It's also a shame that through no fault of his own that the Grizzlies failed here, I would love to see another NBA team here (maybe convince Steve Nash to retire and move a troubled team here)
- DariusKnight

Another NBA team in Vancouver just as the currency is starting to sag against the US$?

I honestly don't think there is enough of a market for an NBA team in this city. The general interest isn't there and there isn't enough of a population to support a sport that generates tepid interest from that population.

Another NBA team in Vancouver just as the currency is starting to sag against the US$?

I honestly don't think there is enough of a market for an NBA team in this city. The general interest isn't there and there isn't enough of a population to support a sport that generates tepid interest from that population.
- AlexF

If Steve Nash was involved in some way, you'd get the interest.

Another NBA team in Vancouver just as the currency is starting to sag against the US$?

I honestly don't think there is enough of a market for an NBA team in this city. The general interest isn't there and there isn't enough of a population to support a sport that generates tepid interest from that population.
- AlexF

Guess you haven't seen the high school basketball crowd in BC.

Hi Carol, I'd appreciate some insight into the team and what they are doing that isn't being reported in the local papers more than just a play by play of the news. Or at least some additional info into the potential candidates for GM/ coach.

Maybe you can call up guy Carbonneau and find out of he's interested in the Canucks situation and getting back into the nhl as a coach (assistant)...

The suspense is killing me

Another NBA team in Vancouver just as the currency is starting to sag against the US$?

I honestly don't think there is enough of a market for an NBA team in this city. The general interest isn't there and there isn't enough of a population to support a sport that generates tepid interest from that population.
- AlexF

The 'general interest isn't there'? Do you have any understanding of the high school/ college demographic? There is a huge following for the NBA in places like Surrey and Richmond and east & south Vancouver... I think you aren't out in those parts of the greater metro area of the city so you might be a bit sheltered to the 'general interest'...

Try getting out and talking to some, ahem, 'different' people as it were...

Easy to say, but likely if you take NTC/NMCs off the table, you're looking at a bigger cap hit/longer term to compensate. NTCs/NMCs should go to your superstars to encourage them to resign below market value to help surround them with pieces to help them win. I do agree that they were handed out like they were nothing.
- DariusKnight

I doubt the hits would be much higher, at least not enough to cripple the team. I saw great value in Burrows' old contract (2M), however on his second contract he left nothing on the table and still got a NTC. The Sedins left money on the table when signing their previous deal (maybe 1M each), however they still got contract increases (rather than decreases or the same rate) with full NTCs on their new deal. They both clearly love it here and didn't want to leave, yet MG couldn't negotiate a better deal?

There are those who say these players would have gotten more on the open market, but that's a bit of misnomer IMO and would only apply to Garrison and Hamhuis, who were actual UFAs (and even they both explicitly wanted to come home to Vancouver).

Re-signing players on your roster for less than UFA value is a regular feature around the league and shouldn't always require a NTC to get it done, given that it's in both sides' mutual interest. However, here we are...

I doubt the hits would be much higher, at least not enough to cripple the team. I saw great value in Burrows' old contract (2M), however on his second contract he left nothing on the table and still got a NTC. The Sedins left money on the table when signing their previous deal (maybe 1M each), however they still got contract increases (rather than decreases or the same rate) with full NTCs on their new deal. They both clearly love it here and didn't want to leave, yet MG couldn't negotiate a better deal?

There are those who say these players would have gotten more on the open market, but that's a bit of misnomer IMO and would only apply to Garrison and Hamhuis, who were actual UFAs (and even they both explicitly wanted to come home to Vancouver).

Re-signing players on your roster for less than UFA value is a regular feature around the league and shouldn't always require a NTC to get it done, given that it's in both sides' mutual interest. However, here we are...
- AlexF

It's an unfortunate reality today, but I still think these kinds of clauses should be reserved for elite/star players and not 2 and 3rd liners. That's what I mean by a tough negotiator. Create a winning team environment matched with a beautiful place to live and stop handing out NTC's and NMC's like candy.

Hi Carol, I'd appreciate some insight into the team and what they are doing that isn't being reported in the local papers more than just a play by play of the news. Or at least some additional info into the potential candidates for GM/ coach.

Maybe you can call up guy Carbonneau and find out of he's interested in the Canucks situation and getting back into the nhl as a coach (assistant)...
- kaptaan

You are on the wrong website.

The 'general interest isn't there'? Do you have any understanding of the high school/ college demographic? There is a huge following for the NBA in places like Surrey and Richmond and east & south Vancouver... I think you aren't out in those parts of the greater metro area of the city so you might be a bit sheltered to the 'general interest'...

Try getting out and talking to some, ahem, 'different' people as it were...
- kaptaan

Wow, nice disguised commentary in calling me out as some sort of racist for saying that a sport that already tried and failed in a city would have a high risk of doing so again. There's a big difference between being interested in watching on tv and selling out arenas, whether your team stinks or is great.

When the Canucks struggled and the US to CAN exchange rate was low, even Brian Burke said he was one phone call away from relocating the franchise. And that's in a traditional hockey market. We're now seeing the CAN dollar starting to sag against the USD for the first time in a long time, meaning contracts here would be more expensive as they are paid in USD.

Try understanding how the business of sports works to run a financially successful franchise, "Kaptaan."

It's an unfortunate reality today, but I still think these kinds of clauses should be reserved for elite/star players and not 2 and 3rd liners. That's what I mean by a tough negotiator. Create a winning team environment matched with a beautiful place to live and stop handing out NTC's and NMC's like candy.
- we_are_all_canucks

It would be great if the league made a rule that you could only hand out 3-4 per team.

O sure, steal Mike Johnston from the Winterhawks. Figured that sooner or later somebody would be giving him a chance at the NHL level.

O sure, steal Mike Johnston from the Winterhawks. Figured that sooner or later somebody would be giving him a chance at the NHL level.
- Beaver-Warrior

Pretty successful at the Major Junior level, but then again, so was Don Hay; doesn't always equate to success at the NHL level.

If they're going to pick someone outside of the NHL, I'd like it to be an American Hockey League HEAD coach.

The 'general interest isn't there'? Do you have any understanding of the high school/ college demographic? There is a huge following for the NBA in places like Surrey and Richmond and east & south Vancouver... I think you aren't out in those parts of the greater metro area of the city so you might be a bit sheltered to the 'general interest'...

Try getting out and talking to some, ahem, 'different' people as it were...
- kaptaan

Wow, nice disguised commentary in calling me out as some sort of racist for saying that a sport that already tried and failed in a city would have a high risk of doing so again. There's a big difference between being interested in watching on tv and selling out arenas, whether your team stinks or is great.

When the Canucks struggled and the US to CAN exchange rate was low, even Brian Burke said he was one phone call away from relocating the franchise. And that's in a traditional hockey market. We're now seeing the CAN dollar starting to sag against the USD for the first time in a long time, meaning contracts here would be more expensive as they are paid in USD.

Try understanding how the business of sports works to run a financially successful franchise, "Kaptaan."
- AlexF

Kaptaan, you seem to have Butman's reasoning for placing sports franchises. Just because there is interest does not mean the franchise will be successful. High school kids that watch all NBA games and play in the school yard everyday cannot afford season tickets or anything better then nose bleed seats. Unfortunately that does not make a franchise successful. You need corporate sponsorship and healthy season ticket sales.

With the amount of GM and coachin openings out there, I hope Trevor Linden acts quickly or we're gonna miss some opportunities.

Gulutzan, perhaps.

Gilman, a good capologist and happy he's still on board, but we need a tougher negotiator with a clear vision on how to build this team. #nomorenotradeclauses
- we_are_all_canucks

A tougher negotiator? There's always give and take. The Canucks gave out no trade clauses in return for money off the table on UFA years. That was a Gillis directive, not a Gilman one.

Trying to find a home for Edler and Kesler, not as easy as it may first appear!

Gilman GM
Gulutzan HC

Who needs new blood
- A_SteamingLombardi

Linden already said Gulutzan will NOT be retain to become head coach...so no.