Ian Esplen: The most interesting man in Vancouver The most interesting man in Vancouver

What do you think of the Zach Hamill signing?

I'm indifferent.

I am fine with the Hamill signing. Low risk with potential for high reward. At least he will be pushing people for a roster spot.

Player I am most looking forward to seeing in camp is Luongo.

I never understood why Boston took him that high, as I wasn't a big fan of his size or skating. That said, low risk in signing him. No issues with it.

I am fine with the Hamill signing. Low risk with potential for high reward. At least he will be pushing people for a roster spot.

Player I am most looking forward to seeing in camp is Luongo.
- immature_male

Is that not the big question ?

Is that not the big question ?
- blizzzard

Nope he has already stated he is coming.

fraser signs for 1.2mil. not bad. slightly too much I think.

Nope he has already stated he is coming.

fraser signs for 1.2mil. not bad. slightly too much I think.
- Bluechip23

He did finally talk to the public? How many years is the Fraser contract?

Maybe the Sedins can help him, they can't skate either.

He did finally talk to the public? How many years is the Fraser contract?
- blizzzard

I think Fraser is 1 year.

Luongo will be our goalie this season, and we will see what happens after that. So many conflicting reports, it will be nice when he sits down to talk to the media and straighten some things out.

Until he lets in a bad goal and our media and fans jump all over him. I think we are a goalie graveyard because of how fickle our fans and press are.

I remember Hamill, you guys may have found an unpolished gem there. Good luck with his development and also with that other guys who is being mentioned

He did finally talk to the public? How many years is the Fraser contract?
- blizzzard

His agent has already stated that he will be at camp without any issues.

I think Fraser is 1 year.

Luongo will be our goalie this season, and we will see what happens after that. So many conflicting reports, it will be nice when he sits down to talk to the media and straighten some things out.

Until he lets in a bad goal and our media and fans jump all over him. I think we are a goalie graveyard because of how fickle our fans and press are.
- immature_male

The best situation was to keep him thing is it took to long for Gillis to make that decision. He might not of been an appealing contract to other teams but he still would have been great for you guys and should be if and when he comes back. It does suck getting offered more for Corey and having to turn it down for less but it was a decent return \I am a little shocked he didn't trade up to take Nichuskin though.

I think Fraser is 1 year.

Luongo will be our goalie this season, and we will see what happens after that. So many conflicting reports, it will be nice when he sits down to talk to the media and straighten some things out.

Until he lets in a bad goal and our media and fans jump all over him. I think we are a goalie graveyard because of how fickle our fans and press are.
- immature_male

It would be nice, but I doubt there's a full sit down where he answers all the questions the fans want answered. He will play this year, but it still sounds like he wants out.

If you're a Canucks fan that was disappointed by what constitutes a "reset" then you should definitely temper your expectations for a Luongo interview.

The best situation was to keep him thing is it took to long for Gillis to make that decision. He might not of been an appealing contract to other teams but he still would have been great for you guys and should be if and when he comes back. It does suck getting offered more for Corey and having to turn it down for less but it was a decent return \I am a little shocked he didn't trade up to take Nichuskin though.
- blizzzard

Apparently they really liked him and rumours are they would have taken him if Horvat wasn't available. They preferred Bo. I assume cause he has a way more badass name than Valeri.

Utica signing, with a chance for NHL ice time with a string of injuries.

Apparently they really liked him and rumours are they would have taken him if Horvat wasn't available. They preferred Bo. I assume cause he has a way more badass name than Valeri.
- KB3Point0

I think they liked him before he quit at the combine. That must have been a big red flag for a lot of teams.

I think they liked him before he quit at the combine. That must have been a big red flag for a lot of teams.
- Boinker

I like Bo, think he will do well here. I only would have drafted Valerie if we were ready to give up on Kassian and Jensen.

The best situation was to keep him thing is it took to long for Gillis to make that decision. He might not of been an appealing contract to other teams but he still would have been great for you guys and should be if and when he comes back. It does suck getting offered more for Corey and having to turn it down for less but it was a decent return \I am a little shocked he didn't trade up to take Nichuskin though.
- blizzzard

Nishuskin was taken right after Horvat, we could have had either.

I like Bo, think he will do well here. I only would have drafted Valerie if we were ready to give up on Kassian and Jensen.
- immature_male

Gillis is also on the record recently stating that you basically can't get centers unless you draft them. He has put a premium on centers in the draft.

Nishuskin was taken right after Horvat, we could have had either.
- immature_male

Have to worry about the Russian factor with him though, if he becomes any sort of star, the KHL will poach him away for more money than the team could/would offer him. I think you're going to end up seeing teams stay away from drafting Russians in the early rounds because of it. Why take a chance with a high draft pick on a player that might be more inclined to go play back in Russia for more money (tax free) and lose all the time/money developing him here.

Gillis is also on the record recently stating that you basically can't get centers unless you draft them. He has put a premium on centers in the draft.
- KB3Point0

I actually like the Gaunce pick as well, and do realize he would be more of a 3LC, maybe a 2LC. Happy with the pick considering where we were in the draft.

Horvat has potential to be 1LC down the line, and possible captain material (many years down the road). Too bad this is the same thing I was saying about Coho.

Have to worry about the Russian factor with him though, if he becomes any sort of star, the KHL will poach him away for more money than the team could/would offer him. I think you're going to end up seeing teams stay away from drafting Russians in the early rounds because of it. Why take a chance with a high draft pick on a player that might be more inclined to go play back in Russia for more money (tax free) and lose all the time/money developing him here.
- DariusKnight

I agree. I find it interesting with Kovy, how people are saying he will probably come back to the NHL in a few years. I would be pissed if I was NJ and he wanted to play in NHL again and signed with someone else.

I actually like the Gaunce pick as well, and do realize he would be more of a 3LC, maybe a 2LC. Happy with the pick considering where we were in the draft.

Horvat has potential to be 1LC down the line, and possible captain material (many years down the road). Too bad this is the same thing I was saying about Coho.
- immature_male

Horvat doesn't have a father that does the negotiating for him, or make demands of teams so that's a plus!

Apparently they really liked him and rumours are they would have taken him if Horvat wasn't available. They preferred Bo. I assume cause he has a way more badass name than Valeri.
- KB3Point0

ahaha that's how I pick prospects after the 3rd round.

I agree. I find it interesting with Kovy, how people are saying he will probably come back to the NHL in a few years. I would be pissed if I was NJ and he wanted to play in NHL again and signed with someone else.
- immature_male

He's blackballed, he'll never get all 30 teams to agree to let him be back in the league, let alone sign elsewhere. Not to mention that I think you'll see in the next CBA, that removes all loopholes in regards to cap hits, and that the caphit for a contract will be set at the highest paid year instead of the average as it is now. That's the only way I can see teams and GMs make better financial choices than they do now.