Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Summer Shakeup: Does Ryan Kesler = Mike Richards? As the Los Angeles Kings struggle to stay alive in their first-round playoff series, an interesting comparison arises between their slumping stars Mike Richards and Dustin Brown and the Canucks' Ryan Kesler.

Ryan Kesler = Ryan Kesler.

A streaky power forward who cant stay healthy.

Maybe they all just need a change of scenery. For sure though the two Kings have fallen off the map. Richards did that in Philly too.

As much as I like Kes, with the state this team is in now, a move makes sense. Re-stock re-tool whatever it takes. You start at a 1st or two if there was any truth to the Anaheim rumor at the DL.

Ryan Kesler = Ryan Kesler.

A streaky power forward who cant stay healthy.
- vancity787

This. If Vantel has been the harbinger of the "trade Sedin" front, I was on here 1 year ago advocating to trade Kesler for reasons of health, rejuvenating the core, and maximizing his trade value.

It's silly to trade him for Brandon Sutter + 2 sh!tty draft picks but if he's more flexible in his desired locations the offers will certainly be more attractive at the draft.

brown's production also stems from his time on the top line with kopitar. during the '12 playoffs, it was brown, kopitar and williams on the top line. with gaborik, they dont' need brown on the left side of kopi. but even with that change, his play has fallen off. he's gone from being an on the edge player to over the edge, making plenty of questionable hits and taking bad penalties. usually that happens when you're a step behind the play.

richards is more of a headscratcher. he's fallen off mightily from his philly days, and you can argue part of it is that he's not getting 20 min a night as 1c. but carter is doing just fine as 2c with good production, and sutter wants to spread the depth to have him and stoll as 3c and 4c, but 15 min a night isn't working for him, with a smidge of pp2 time.

at 5mm each, its not unfathomable to think one gets dealt. dont forget, brown was nearly gone at the deadline in '12 before heating up. i'd be more than glad to roll the dice with a richards for kesler trade.

Mike Babcock on Tuukka Rask in 1st round series: "He looks great in warm-up because that's when he's getting the most shots." #BruinsTalk

Mike Richards hasn't been the same since he had that concussion a couple years ago.

Dustin Brown's point totals were largely due to playing with such great offensive players.

+I wonder how all the players past relationships with Linden will effect their future on the team.

brown's production also stems from his time on the top line with kopitar. during the '12 playoffs, it was brown, kopitar and williams on the top line. with gaborik, they dont' need brown on the left side of kopi. but even with that change, his play has fallen off. he's gone from being an on the edge player to over the edge, making plenty of questionable hits and taking bad penalties. usually that happens when you're a step behind the play.

richards is more of a headscratcher. he's fallen off mightily from his philly days, and you can argue part of it is that he's not getting 20 min a night as 1c. but carter is doing just fine as 2c with good production, and sutter wants to spread the depth to have him and stoll as 3c and 4c, but 15 min a night isn't working for him, with a smidge of pp2 time.

at 5mm each, its not unfathomable to think one gets dealt. dont forget, brown was nearly gone at the deadline in '12 before heating up. i'd be more than glad to roll the dice with a richards for kesler trade.
- hiway39

That is a step backwards for the Canucks IMO.

+I wonder how all the players past relationships with Linden will effect their future on the team.
- thundachunk

I'm concerned about that myself. At least the new GM will be brought in from outside of the organization/city though.

Mike Richards hasn't been the same since he had that concussion a couple years ago.

Dustin Brown's point totals were largely due to playing with such great offensive players.
- KB3Point0

The Bergenheim hit changed MR for good. He has not been the same, bu then again, he hasn't been the Philly MR since he's been here. On one of the Kings show, they did a piece on him and his adjustment to life in SoCal (pre-Carter reunion) and he made references to somethings that seemed to be exactly what ailed him: taking surfing lessons, enjoying the beach, etc... My point is that his focus was not on hockey the way it was in Philly. IMO he's lost his passion for the game. Not wearing a letter really affected him, he talked about being just one of the guys in the room, as if it was a positive, but to a natural leader, it isn't a positive, it's a deflation. When, in 2012, the kids were brought up and he centered them, it rekindled his fire, he took ownership over their mentorship, and was a mini-captain, to them at least and their line. He played better and harder. And I also feel, and I don't know him personally, but I truly believe that he can't stand Brown and the fact that he's his captain. BROWN SUCKS. If he's not playing with great offensive players, he sucks. He has a terrible hockey IQ, hands of granite, cannot make a tape to tape, will not wait for a play to develop but would rather send a weak shot towards the net instead of looking for the open man (check out the 4-3 last night, came down the right side had a trailer coming into the slot and took a terrible weak shot with a dman right in front of him) and he kills absolutely all momemtum established by his linemates with stupid shot/passes. IMO MR cannot stand playing with Brown and I'm sure even Kopi feels the same but neither would ever say so to anyone. Brown is a black hole where possession and pucks go to die.

I would gladly give up Brown for Kesler if VAN was in the east, but on really thinking about it, if Brown would be moved (even to a team in the west), I think MR's game might find its pulse again, which would have a higher ceiling than Browns.

That is a step backwards for the Canucks IMO.
- fiveandagame

it absolutely would be.

I'm concerned about that myself. At least the new GM will be brought in from outside of the organization/city though.
- Nucker101

I don't think it'll be an issue for the simple reason, as you note, that the GM is the one making the deals and won't have any attachments to anyone within the organization.

The Bergenheim hit changed MR for good. He has not been the same, bu then again, he hasn't been the Philly MR since he's been here. On one of the Kings show, they did a piece on him and his adjustment to life in SoCal (pre-Carter reunion) and he made references to somethings that seemed to be exactly what ailed him: taking surfing lessons, enjoying the beach, etc... My point is that his focus was not on hockey the way it was in Philly. IMO he's lost his passion for the game. Not wearing a letter really affected him, he talked about being just one of the guys in the room, as if it was a positive, but to a natural leader, it isn't a positive, it's a deflation. When, in 2012, the kids were brought up and he centered them, it rekindled his fire, he took ownership over their mentorship, and was a mini-captain, to them at least and their line. He played better and harder. And I also feel, and I don't know him personally, but I truly believe that he can't stand Brown and the fact that he's his captain. BROWN SUCKS. If he's not playing with great offensive players, he sucks. He has a terrible hockey IQ, hands of granite, cannot make a tape to tape, will not wait for a play to develop but would rather send a weak shot towards the net instead of looking for the open man (check out the 4-3 last night, came down the right side had a trailer coming into the slot and took a terrible weak shot with a dman right in front of him) and he kills absolutely all momemtum established by his linemates with stupid shot/passes. IMO MR cannot stand playing with Brown and I'm sure even Kopi feels the same but neither would ever say so to anyone. Brown is a black hole where possession and pucks go to die.

I would gladly give up Brown for Kesler if VAN was in the east, but on really thinking about it, if Brown would be moved (even to a team in the west), I think MR's game might find its pulse again, which would have a higher ceiling than Browns.
- Stu17

No way. My opinion of Brown is actually way less then yours.

Fans need to stop being so attached to their favorite players a la kesler Luongo etc. They all have shelf life. Stop being butt hurt when they get traded. Kesler time is over. Luongos was past due. Let's move on !

Move Kesler, but not for anyone older than 25 - 26. Need to get younger at that position.

As much as I like Kes, with the state this team is in now, a move makes sense. Re-stock re-tool whatever it takes. You start at a 1st or two if there was any truth to the Anaheim rumor at the DL.
- VanHockeyGuy

If that Anaheim rumour was true why wasn't he traded ? Were they not on his list or did gillis ask for more ?

Kesler for Teravainen would be a start.

But, I'm not sure if Chi does that deal. I can only hope that Kane demands it gets done, or he throws another hissy fit, cabbie beating session.

Kesler for Teravainen would be a start.

But, I'm not sure if Chi does that deal. I can only hope that Kane demands it gets done, or he throws another hissy fit, cabbie beating session.
- moondawg

It might be dependent on what CHI does in this post-season.

Fans need to stop being so attached to their favorite players a la kesler Luongo etc. They all have shelf life. Stop being butt hurt when they get traded. Kesler time is over. Luongos was past due. Let's move on !
- anavar

I have no problem trading Kesler. I jsut want to make sure that the Canucks get a decent return for him. Sutter and 2 picks would not improve this team. It would make it worse.

Fans need to stop being so attached to their favorite players a la kesler Luongo etc. They all have shelf life. Stop being butt hurt when they get traded. Kesler time is over. Luongos was past due. Let's move on !
- anavar

I haven't seen anyone on here completely against trading Kesler for a decent return (at least not since he asked to be traded) nor Luongo (at least not for a few years).

Who are you talking to?

If that Anaheim rumour was true why wasn't he traded ? Were they not on his list or did gillis ask for more ?
- Redmile247

I think you're asking the wrong people.

If that Anaheim rumour was true why wasn't he traded ? Were they not on his list or did gillis ask for more ?
- Redmile247

Rumour = Truth?

I think you're asking the wrong people.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Was just curious if anyone had heard any reasoning that's all ... Usually the story behind deadline rumours finds it's way out