Carol Schram: The Dragon-Slayer goal, Demko's new deal, Hansen retires and Canucks RFAs On the eighth anniversary of Alex Burrows' monumental overtime goal that advanced the Canucks in the 2011 playoffs, we learn that Jannik Hansen is retiring, Nikolay Goldobin might be thinking about going back to Russia, Thatcher Demko signs a two-year bridge deal and the NHL playoffs remain tough to predict as we head into a strange second round.

Thank you Carol!

3/8 here as well for 1st rd picks.

BOS
DAL
SJS

Lots of stuff in there Carol , great job.

Glad for Hansen , glad he went out a champion. He gave it all every shift.

I have a feeling there may be a few players like Goldobin Hutton Granlund that very few here care about other than Don and Granlund

There was lots of speculation this morning about Gretzky may be on the Pres watch for Canucks if he does not get the job in Edmonton.

Also they talked that Gillis could come back here as an adviser to the GM. The entertainment value alone will be worth the money.
5/8
Bos
CBJ
STL
AVs
Dal

Thanks Carol

That's going to be a stacked Russian team, they'll still lose.

Lots of stuff in there Carol , great job.

Glad for Hansen , glad he went out a champion. He gave it all every shift.

I have a feeling there may be a few players like Goldobin Hutton Granlund that very few here care about other than Don and Granlund

There was lots of speculation this morning about Gretzky may be on the Pres watch for Canucks if he does not get the job in Edmonton.

Also they talked that Gillis could come back here as an adviser to the GM. The entertainment value alone will be worth the money.
- VANTEL

Thanks, yeah. I meant to touch on the chatter about a possible new president. Next blog!

@vantel - yeah, I have a feeling there will be quite a few bodies coming in / going out. Honestly don't think any will be major pieces but more in lines of the ones you mentioned.

Thanks Carol,

I went 2/8 in the first round, only SJ and Boston Pretty disappointing after going 8-0 in the 1st round last year

I also have the Isles coming out of the East after watching how well they played as a team against PIT. Reminds me a lot of Vegas last year, everyone buying in with a bit of a chip on the shoulder. I do think the cup will go to the west this year though.

@vantel - yeah, I have a feeling there will be quite a few bodies coming in / going out. Honestly don't think any will be major pieces but more in lines of the ones you mentioned.
- anavar

I am optimistic about some significant changes this summer. I think they will push to take another step up. I think one or two trades will be made and they will push for a decent top 6 winger.

I will be disappointed and shocked if we take a run at another season with guys like Hutton Goldobin et al.

....... The only other player still in the NHL is Dan Hamhuis, 36....

Don't forget, goalies are players too.

Thanks, yeah. I meant to touch on the chatter about a possible new president. Next blog!
- Carol Schram

Gonna be mayhem in here Carol if Gillis is hired back...make sure you join the fun!

I am optimistic about some significant changes this summer. I think they will push to take another step up. I think one or two trades will be made and they will push for a decent top 6 winger.

I will be disappointed and shocked if we take a run at another season with guys like Hutton Goldobin et al.
- VANTEL

I've seen a lot of people saying stand pat and don't take a hard run at playoffs next year but I can't see how they could condone bringing the same roster back again. No big FA signings and no trades would mean more of the same

I've seen a lot of people saying stand pat and don't take a hard run at playoffs next year but I can't see how they could condone bringing the same roster back again. No big FA signings and no trades would mean more of the same
- NorthNuck

Maybe by throwing out the garbage and bringing in two significant pieces( not talking free agents) would be a good thing.

Like it or not I think this ownership wants to get back in the playoffs and be competitive.

Maybe by throwing out the garbage and bringing in two significant pieces( not talking free agents) would be a good thing.

Like it or not I think this ownership wants to get back in the playoffs and be competitive.
- VANTEL

I'd be happy with that

Thanks Carol,

I went 2/8 in the first round, only SJ and Boston Pretty disappointing after going 8-0 in the 1st round last year

I also have the Isles coming out of the East after watching how well they played as a team against PIT. Reminds me a lot of Vegas last year, everyone buying in with a bit of a chip on the shoulder. I do think the cup will go to the west this year though.
- NorthNuck

ask this guy...

Maybe by throwing out the garbage and bringing in two significant pieces( not talking free agents) would be a good thing.

Like it or not I think this ownership wants to get back in the playoffs and be competitive.
- VANTEL

yep and yep. Two pieces are needed for next year a scoring winger for Bo and a RHD. How it happens remains to be seen.

50th anniversary next season. You know damn well ownership wants playoffs.

Don't forget, goalies are players too.
- Nelson19777

Fair point. I'll fix that!

Funnily enough, I did remember to add Crawford in on the Chicago side...

If Gillis is brought back i am going to poop my pants.

Fair point. I'll fix that!

Funnily enough, I did remember to add Crawford in on the Chicago side...
- Carol Schram

Did Kesler retire?

If Gillis is brought back i am going to poop my pants.
- neem55

Conversation should be something like this:

FA - You were the guy that built our 2011 playoff team correct?

Gillis - Yes, that was me.

FA - Can you get us in playoffs next year with the same philosophy?

Gillis - Yes, I can.

FA - See you Monday.

yep and yep. Two pieces are needed for next year a scoring winger for Bo and a RHD. How it happens remains to be seen.

50th anniversary next season. You know damn well ownership wants playoffs.
- LordHumungous

I hope people are smart enough to know that putting a scoring winger on Bo’s wing doesn’t mean that player will remain scoring winger... You optimize lines by playing compatible players together. Bo needs north/south wingers who are going to get after it in all 3 zones. They’ll need to create offense by driving the net & getting greasy.

Madden is a future winger for Bo. Rees would be a great winger for Bo. Don’t ruin a finesse guy by expecting him to add an element to Bo’s line when it won’t mesh.

I hope people are smart enough to know that putting a scoring winger on Bo’s wing doesn’t mean that player will remain scoring winger... You optimize lines by playing compatible players together. Bo needs north/south wingers who are going to get after it in all 3 zones. They’ll need to create offense by driving the net & getting greasy.

Madden is a future winger for Bo. Rees would be a great winger for Bo. Don’t ruin a finesse guy by expecting him to add an element to Bo’s line when it won’t mesh.
- DrChristianTroy

I'm sure he won't make it to FA but Anders Lee would be ideal

Fair point. I'll fix that!

Funnily enough, I did remember to add Crawford in on the Chicago side...
- Carol Schram


Did Kesler retire?

It was reported that after his hip surgery and subsequent comeback + achievement of 1000 games in the NHL, that he would not being playing anymore. Going on to LTIR is what will happen, rather than retirement, and I'd expect that would be announced in the fall

What the fuk is all this Gillis BS?

Thanks Carol!