Former player-turned-agent Mike Gillis showed a lot of immediate moxie after taking over as GM.  One of his best moves was keeping the faith with Vigneault during trying times, and he was able to lock up the Sedin twins and sign Mikael Samuelsson.  They still have Roberto Luongo, of course, and the Canucks and Calgary Flames will benefit from what is becoming a bottom-heavy division, reminiscent of the Central of a few years ago.

The offense is well taken care of now that the Sedin twins Daniel and Henrik have re-signed with the team with a pair of five-year contacts worth $6.1 million a season with no-movement clauses included.  Playing side by side for the Canucks, the duo has amassed 288 goals, 634 assists, and 922 points in 1,288 games combined.  The 2008-2009 season was arguably their best year yet, with Daniel leading the Canucks in goal scoring with 31 - the second highest output of his career - while Henrik had a career-high 22 goals. Both finished with 82 points on the season.  A late season move onto the wing with the Sedins elevated Alex Burrows from checking winger to prime sniper for a couple of months and, as a result, he ended up as the only NHLer with more than 20 goals, 50 points, a plus-20 rating and 150 penalty minutes. 

Ryan Kesler continued his steady improvement and, not unlike Burrows, discovered an unexpected scoring touch in the second half of the season (scoring 34 points in 34 games after the All-Star break), while often playing with Mats Sundin and Pavol Demitra.  Kesler is one of the better checking centres in the game, but now that he’s added an offensive dimension, he can be an impact player at both ends of the rink.  Samuelsson, 32, recorded 40 points in 81 games last season and 10 points in 23 playoff games with Detroit through to the 2009 Stanley Cup Final.  he’ll make a fine adition to the canucks and will probably end up plaing on the 2nd line.  The Canucks also will likely count on Cody Hodgson, last year’s 10th overall pick, to not only make the jump to the NHL, but to play a prominent role.  No one can argue that Vancouver doesn’t have the depth to go far.

The Vancouver Canucks signed right-winger Sergei Shirokov to an NHL contract to help out the Canucks with another scorer.  Shirokov, 23, had 17 goals and 41 points in 56 games with CSKA Moscow of the KHL in 2008-09.  He has also played in two world junior championships with Russia in 2005 and 2006. In 12 tournament games he had seven goals and six assists.  Shirokov, a five-foot-10, 176-pound native of Moscow, was selected 163rd overall by the Canucks in the 2006 NHL draft.

When it comes to the defense, Alexander Edler has developed beautifully in his first three pro seasons, now quarterbacking the power play in addition to providing crisp first passes and sound defensive play. He can use his size even more as he matures, but Edler is already a terrific building block for this unit.  Oft-injured Sami Salo has played more than 70 games only twice in his ten NHL seasons, which helps to keep his contributions under the radar, but he’s a solid top-four defenseman with one of the league’s hardest shots from the point.  32-year-old shutdown defenseman Willie Mitchell is coming off the best season of his career, tallying a career-high 23 points along with a career-best plus-29 rating.  Mitchell handles the toughest defensive assignments and while his lack of speed can be exposed on occasion, his strength and competitiveness make him a handful for the league’s top forwards.  Kevin Bieksa enjoyed a bounceback season, notching a career-high 43 points and leading Canucks defenceman with more than 23 minutes of ice time per game while regularly playing with a proverbial burr under his saddle.  For Bieksa to take the next step in his development, he needs to do a better job picking his spots because his defensive play can suffer as a result of his over-aggressive nature and, as a result, he tied for worst among Canucks blueliners at minus-4.

Th Canucks selected 5′8″ 175 lb center Jordan Schroeder out of Minnesota of the WCHA with the 22nd overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft.  He’s a dynamic player, a leader and a type of player that has developed into a complete offensive and defensive threat every time he is on the ice.  He has a rocket of a wrist shot and he can beat you by putting the puck in the net, going around a defender, or freezing the goaltender and passing it off to one of his wingers.  The concern is going to be his overall size, like there was with current NHL stars such as Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta and with Patrick Kane, but at the same age he is probably a little thicker and a little bit more compact than they were.  He’s a great hockey player who should have a successful NHL career.

Last but certainly not least Vancouver’s goaltending situation.  Though his season came to an inglorious halt in the second round of the playoffs, surrendering seven goals in the deciding game against Chicago, Roberto Luongo had another strong season between the pipes for the Canucks, ranking second in the league in shutouts with 9 while finishing fifth in both goals against average and save percentage.  Luongo, 30 is entering the final year of a four-year, $27 million contract and is coming off a 2008-09 campaign where he posted a 33-13-7 record.  However as of this post GM Gillis and Luongo are philosophically very close to a contract extension.  Luongo, 30 is entering the final year of a four-year, $27 million contract.  He is coming off a 2008-09 campaign where he posted a 33-13-7 record.  After two impressive seasons in the American Hockey League, Cory Schneider could be ready to make the jump to the NHL and be a competent and reliable backup.  This would also make financial sense for the Canucks as they are very close to their cap limit.

With what we saw last year from this talented team is that they have all the tools to make a run at the Stanley cup Trophy.  Having all the right tools helps and the Canucks definitely have them.   The season can’t get here fast enough for me to see how this team performs.  I’ve always said that the NHL would be more successful if a Canadian team goes deep into the playoffs and even wins it all but that is a story and discussion for another time.

From what I’m hearing the Sedin Twins Daniel and Henrik, who have asked for matching 12 year $63 million contracts have been met with resistance from the Vancouver front office.  Talks may have stalled and the Sedins’ agent is exploring other options with teams such as the Montreal Canadiens, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings all showing interest in the twins.  However, earlier today the Canucks countered the twins demands with matching contracts for 5 years at $5.5 million a year.  We’ll have to wait this one out and see if the comfort and familiarity is enough to keep the brothers in the Pacific Northwest.  Personally, I think they’re going to hold out for more money, but are they worth it?  I’m not so sure because no GM in their right mind would give away two contracts to people who will be 40 when they expire.  Also no GM would be willing to pay $6M against the Cap to two different players when they are 37, 38, 39, or 40.

The Carolina Hurricanes made a big move yesterday by re-signing clutch scoring forward Jussi Jokinen.  He agreed to a new two year deal which will pay him $1.5 million this upcoming season and $1.9 million in the 2010-2011 season.  He could have become a free agent but chose to stay with a team that has a lot of promise.  If the Hurricanes can add the right player or two then they will be a serious threat to win the Stanley Cup next season.

The Philadelphia Flyers have made it no secret that they covet Florida Panther defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, this years top free agent.  The Flyers want to trade for his rights and sign him before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.  If this deal goes down then it will probably be prior to or during the NHL Draft on Friday.

Marian Gaborik is sending subtle hints that he wants to play for the Vancouver Canucks.  the Minnesota Wild forward bought a house in Vancouver, as he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.  If the Canucks lose out on re-signing the Sedin twins then Gaborik makes perfect sense.  Plus with Wild GM focusing on Ottawa Senators Dany Heatley it seems like Gaborik’s days in Minnesota are numbered.

Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey isn’t talking with any free agents yet because he said there could be a blockbuster trade over the weekend.  The potential deal to get Vincent LeCavalier from the Tampa Bay Lightning is still very much in play.  We’ll see if Gainey can acquire the right players to put the Habs back on top.

Lightning owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie have been drifting apart for months now (according to whispers within the organization), and finally, it blew up — so NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is being called in to mediate.  According to anonymous sources, the owners can’t agree on anything.  So it’s possible that Bettman could go in there and decide which owner will have control of the franchise.  In short, this could turn out to be a custody battle, and one owner may lose out.

To make matters worse for the Canucks, their two stars, twin brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin who both are free agents as of July 1st dropped a bomb on the team today and are demanding matching 12 year 63 million dollar contracts.  That’s what it will take to keep the twins in the Pacific Northwest.  If the Canucks decide to keep the twins then there is no way that they will be able to acquire Heatley.  The numbers just don’t work.

Another rumor has the New York Islanders taking a pass on forward John Tavares and Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman in favor of two way center Matt Duchene.  Duchene has been climbing draft boards while teams have been picking apart Tavares’s game.  Duchene now is portrayed as the “most complete” player in the NHL amateur draft.  He has the speed to excel in head coach Scott Gordon’s system, as well as the playmaking ability.  He figures to be a top penalty killer, and he’s a leader in the locker room.

There is talk that the NHL will expand its winter classic games from one to two games.  Canadian teams are upset that the last 2 years classics did not feature any Canadian teams so this next year in a quest to pacify the canadian market there will be a second game played which will include two Canadian teams.  I for one think that this is a great idea, the NHL needs the Canadian teams to be a profitable to ensure success.  Give them an outdoor game and their fans will continue to support their squads, if you don’t you run the risk of losing part of your fanbase, something the NHL is unwilling to do right now considering the economy and how fickle sports fans can be.

Meanwhile the Anaheim Ducks playing at the Honda Center in front of their home fans beat Detroit in an all out defensive effort winning by a margin of 2-1.  These are two high scoring teams but playoff hockey is different, goals are much harder to come by.  The name of the playoff game is goaltending and right now Anaheim’s Jonas Hiller is dialed in and frustrating the Red Wings.  He stopped 45 of the 46 shots he faced with18 of those saves coming in the 3rd period to seal the Ducks win.  Marian Hossa who was expected to contribute heavily in this series has pretty much been non-existent.  Hossa did have a chance to tie the game late in the 3rd period but the referee lost sight of the puck and blew the play dead just as Hossa seemed to push the puck across the line, Detroit argued to no avail.  Teemu Selanne and Rob Niedermayer who scored Anaheim’s two goals have been instrumental in the Ducks success. Anaheim is two wins away from reaching the Western Conference finals for the third time in four seasons.  The Ducks’ recent run of success coincided with the 2006 arrival of Niedermayer and Selanne.  Both players nearly retired after Anaheim’s 2007 Stanley Cup victory but they are now again key postseason contributors.  Ducks C Ryan Getzlaf assisted on Niedermayer’s goal, extending his point streak to seven games with2 goals and 12 assists.  Game 4 will be in Anaheim on Thursday before the series returns to Detroit for Game 5 on Sunday.

The night cap saw the Western Conference’s Chicago Black Hawks whip the Vancouver Canucks 6-3 to even up their series at one game a piece.  Chicago fell behind early after giving up two 1st period goals.  Halfway through the 2nd period the light turned on for the young Black Hawks.  Patrick Sharp scored twice in just over 3 minutes to ignite a furious comeback, Chicago  scored 5 straight times until Herik Sedin scored for Vancouver.  In Game 1 the Blackhawks rallied from three goals behind in the third period only to lose in the final minutes.  This time they kept going.

The series is starting to get very physical.  The Canucks lost Sami Salo, their top all-around defenseman, after he opened the scoring with a power-play blast 5:35 in.  After wincing noticeably at the bench, Salo, who also missed Game 4 of a first-round sweep of St. Louis, was followed into the locker room by the team doctor and did not return.  The Canucks lost 11 of 15 through early January while Salo was out with injured ribs, but only 11 of 38 since he returned.  Chicago netminder Nikolai Khabibulin got his first victory over the Canucks since 1998, when he was with Phoenix, ending an 0-11-1 skid against Vancouver.  Game 3 is on Tuesday back in the windy city, where the Blackhawks won all three of their games during a first-round victory over Calgary.

Just a few more tidbits:

The Canucks have won 11 straight playoff games when both Sedin twins (Daniel and Henrik) record a point, Daniel had an assist on Henrik’s 2nd period goal.

Also did you know that Black Hawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has not beaten the Canucks since Jan. 26, 1998.  He is 0-10-2 since then.

When it comes to Chicago they will need goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to be at the top of his game, they will need to rely on his experience and confidence.  When players see their netminder playing his heart out and making unbelievable saves it makes them want to play that much harder so they don’t disrespect his effort by wasting it in a loss.  But lets not forget that Chicago is just young enough overall to not realize the position that they’re in resulting in them NOT being scared or nervous of their opponent.  It’s going to be a great hard nosed series with some great goaltending. I’m really looking forward to it.

My prediction is that while Chicago will put up a decent fight, in the end Vancouver will prove to be to strong for the Hawks to overcome.  Canucks win in six.

The New Jersey Devils beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime to take a 2-1 lead in their series.  Carolina was hoping that being on their home ice would provide a spark for them but an overtime loss was not what they had in mind.  The Hurricanes will regroup and try to take game 4, if they don’t it could be lights out for them and their chances for continuing their quest to win the Stanley Cup Trophy.

The Anaheim Ducks are showing the San Jose Sharks just how tough a duck can be.  The Ducks dropped San Jose for the second straight time on their oppositions home ice.  Going back to the Honda center with a 2-0 series lead one would assume that Anaheim has things wrapped up, not true, at any given moment the sharks could and probably will break free and make things interesting.  But right now the number 8 seed is taking it to the NHL’s top team.  This is one of the elements of this game that makes playoff hockey so exciting, it’s that it’s so unpredictable.

In Sunday’s other game the Philadelphia Flyers finally broke through and beat the Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 6-3.  The Flyers offense finally showed what it was capable of.  Philly really needed this game to stay in the series to avoid going down by three.  They next play on Tuesday and I’m sure the Flyers will come out all fired up looking to tie things up in the series.

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