Posted on July 1st, 2009 by Brian Wawryshyn
The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed two key pieces of their hockey club, after twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin agreed to identical 5-year, 6.1 million dollar deals.
The deal went down to the wire, but the swaying factor may well have been a last ditch trip to Sweden by general manager Mike Gillis to put his best offer on the table, and try and convince the twins that Vancouver was the best fit for them. The Sedins have been with Vancouver since they were drafted, and after some early struggles with strength and skating, have become consistent and durable point a game players. Both brothers had 82 points last season, and had decent playoff performances as well, the one thing that was missing from their growing resume.
“Daniel and Henrik Sedin are this club’s offensive leaders and players we want to build around,” said general manager Mike Gillis in a statement. “Their level of performance in every area of the game is exceptional; both Daniel and Henrik are committed to winning and we want them to succeed as Vancouver Canucks.”
The deals are much different the the twins proposed 12-year 63 million dollar deals that Gillis wanted no part of, but in the end agent J.P. Barry said the twins looked at their options and chose Vancouver.
“We spent the last 24 hours with Daniel and Henrik going over all the options that they have,” their agent JP Barry told Vancouver’s CKNW on Wednesday. “The more they analyzed things, the more they truly wanted to remain in Vancouver. They’re happy that this deal got to the range that it was fair.”
The club will now turn it’s attention to the free agent market, and have already lost one player with 12-year Canuck Mattias Ohlund getting a 7-year 24.3 million dollar deal to move to Tampa Bay. The loss was not unexpected, as it had been rumoured for months the Canucks would not be re-signing the defenseman.
Other players the Canucks are rumored to be interested in are Calgary’s Mike Cammalleri, Anaheim’s Scott Neidermayer and Minnesota’s Marion Gaborik, although after the signing of the Sedins and the pending announcement of a Roberto Luongo extension, the Canucks cap room is starting to dwindle.
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Posted on June 27th, 2009 by Brian Wawryshyn
The Vancouver Canucks selected forward Jordan Schroeder from the University of Minnesota with the 22nd selection of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, QC on Friday. Bob McKenzie and Pierre McGuire of TSN called the pick a “steal” for the Canucks.
While the consensus was that Schroeder slipped to 22 because teams were unsure about his size (5′8″ 178lbs) the Canucks had him ranked in the top 10, so when he was available at 22 they were happy to take him.
“We had Jordan much higher rated than our selection and we didn’t think he’d be available to get with 22,” Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told TSN. “So when he (Schroeder) was there we were taking him. We’re very excited about it.”
This past season, his freshman year Schroeder racked up an impressive 45 points in 35 games with Minnesota.
A lot of hockey people have compared Schroeder to players like New Jersey’s Brian Gionta and Chicago’s young star Patrick Kane, while NHL head scout EJ McGuire thinks he has a shot to play next year saying: “He’s as capable of contributing as was Gagne last year, and Kane — He’s right in that ballpark.”
Hockey’s Future also had high praise in their profile of Schroeder:
At 5’9/180, Schroeder isnt’ the biggest freshman in stature, but he may be the most complete. Schroeder is a highly intelligent player that thinks and understands the game exceedingly well. He possesses excellent vision, awareness, and knows where plays will end up. He is instinctive and creative. Schroeder has the ability to make players around him better and his infectious enthusiasm and passion for the game is difficult to miss.
Roberto Luongo makes the Canucks selection, while TSN raves about the pick.
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Posted on May 27th, 2009 by Brian Wawryshyn
The Canucks have signed forward Rick Rypien to a contract extension. Rypien, who battled personal issues most of the year, but returned to the team late in the season, fit in well and provided spark and grittiness to the lineup.
Rick plays with intensity and energy every time he steps on the ice.” “He is an important part of our team and a valued teammate.” – Mike Gillis
Nice to see Rypien awarded for his hardwork on and off the ice, it’s a good story. Here is the link to the offical club release.
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Posted on May 12th, 2009 by Brian Wawryshyn
Breaking News: Roberto Luongo is human.
The day after the Canucks were eliminated from the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs by the Chicago Blackhawks, the knives of Canucks fans have come out and most of them are looking to slash the throat of their goaltender, who apparently isn’t allowed to be human. It’s all his fault and it’s inexcusable that in the biggest game of the year he fell short of spectacular. Never mind a goal off a skate and some sick skills displayed by Patrick Kane. Never mind the defense who collapsed in front of him, or the player who took the bad penalty, or that turnover. Oh, and we’ll just forget how he held the Canucks in the game in the first half of the first period.
Nope, it’s all Roberto Luongos’ fault! Where is that tombstone? Cory Schneider, you’re up! Read more »
Filed under: 2009 Playoffs, Opinions | 5 Comments »
Posted on May 4th, 2009 by Brian Wawryshyn
Markus Naslund officially called it quits on his NHL career Monday, and as far as I’m concerned, he deserves nothing but thanks and good wishes from Canucks fans.
“I would like to sincerely thank Glen Sather and the New York Rangers for giving me the opportunity this past season in New York,” said Naslund in a statement. “I would also like to thank the Vancouver Canucks and all of their fans for their support over the 11-plus seasons I was a part of their organization, as well as to the Pittsburgh Penguins where I began my NHL career.”
The debate will now begin amongst Canucks fans whether or not Naslund’s number 19 should be retired by the Canucks. He’s the Canucks all-time leading scorer with 756 points He holds the single season record for goals (48), assists (56) and points (104) by a left-winger. Statistically there is no doubt he has done enough for his number to hang beside Trevor Linden and Stan Smyl in the rafters of GM Place. He played here for over eleven seasons.
Naslund returned home to Sweden each off-season and never really called Vancouver “home”. It was important to him for his children to experience their culture and have some schooling in Sweden. In contrast, Linden and Smyl adopted our city as their home, and became hockey heroes, entrenched on our community. However, Naslund did enough in the community over his eleven seasons here to meet this criteria as well.
Where some will say Naslund falls short is playoff success. Both Smyl and Linden were part of Stanley Cup final teams. Linden saved his best for the post-season, and was always a post season warrior. Naslund’s teams always fell short, and many would argue underachieved under his captaincy.
Whatever the decision ends up being there is no doubt that Markus Naslund is one of the most talented players to ever wear a Canucks jersey. He played here long enough, put up club record numbers, and was the captain of this team for several years, as well as being a contributing member of the community. At the very least Naslund should be honoured in some way by the team, even if that doesn’t include raising the number 19 to the rafters.
The BC Lions have a policy of not retiring numbers, rather they honour their greats on a ring of honour in the stadium. Perhaps Naslund should be among the first inductees in a similar effort at GM Place.
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