Just like that, we're already getting focused on what the Canucks are going to do to prepare for their next attempted Cup run. It is really a time honored tradition that helps fans get over the heartache of a premature playoff exit. So, let's get down to business!
Still under contract:
G- Roberto Luongo
D- Kevin Bieksa, Sami Salo, Alex Edler, Christian Ehrhoff, and Andrew Alberts.
LW- Daniel Sedin, Michael Grabner, and Darcy Hordichuk.
C- Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler, and Rick Rypien.
RW- Mikael Samuelsson, Alex Burrows, and Steve Bernier.
Restricted free agents (Canucks can match offers from other teams):
G- Cory Schneider
D- Shane O'Brien and Aaron Rome
F- Ma$on Raymond, Tanner Glass, Jannik Hansen
Unrestricted free agents (free to fly away):
G- Andrew Raycroft
D- Willie Mitchell
F- Pavol Demitra, Kyle Wellwood, and Ryan Johnson.
A couple of things stand out when looking at the three categories:
1) We only have one goalie again.
2) We only have 3 lines worth of forwards.
3) We only have 5 defensive players, and really only 4 who deserve to be on the ice this October.
4) Raymond, O'Brien, and Schneider are most likely to be matched and kept around from the restricted category, with Jannik Hansen as a hopeful.
5) Will the Canucks sign any of their unrestricted free agents? Demitra was all injured and has become a scapegoat, Welly has always only had me as a fan due to his size and poor defense, Mitchell may be done with hockey due to his age and concussion history, and Raycroft is likely to be the next in a long line of one year backup goalies. But, can we possibly let the shot blocking heart of Ryan Johnson walk away? I hope not.
My best guess would be that Schneider gets to backup Bobby Lu next year. Partly to save cash and partly because he's shown he's ready. Mason Raymond is in for a big pay day, because the 'Nucks will not let him walk. O'Brien is probably going to be back by default, but his discipline continues to be a concern. And, I hope Jannik "Great Dane" Hansen is brought back, because I believe his upside flies above what we saw this year. Despite really liking Wellwood, I'm sure that he and Po Po will be off to another squad after they botched the power play late in Game 6 that led to the "nail in the coffin" goal against the Hawks. Rayzor is definitely gone because we can grab a backup if we need to pretty easily. I'll go out on a limb and say Gillis will offer Ryan Johnson another spin on the Orca wheel.
'10/'11 should also be an opportunity for some young guns to get a chance. Will it finally be the year when Hodgson gets on the ice. Will Shirokov come back and impress like he did last preseason? So many exciting question to be answered before October. As for now, here is my projected Vannie lineup for next year's opening day, barring any trades/outside the org signings:
G- Luongo & Schneider
D 1- Salo & Ehrhoff
D 2- Bieksa & Edler
D 3- O'Brien & Alberts (ugh)
F 1- Sedin, Sedin, Burrows
F 2- Raymond, Kesler, Samuelsson
F 3- Grabner, Hodgson, Bernier
F 4- Hordichuk, Rypein, Hansen
Sounds like fun. Let's get to it.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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