Canucks Offseason Outlook

2010-2011 Vancouver Canucks Roster Contract Situation

FORWARDS

Ryan Kesler (5 years, 5.0M cap hit)

Daniel Sedin (3 years, 6.1M cap hit)

Henrik Sedin (3 years, 6.1M cap hit)

Manny Malhotra (2 years, 2.5M cap hit)

Alex Burrows (2 years, 2.0M cap hit)

Mason Raymond (1 year, 2.55M cap hit)

Mikael Samuelsson (1 year, 2.5M cap hit)

Jannik Hansen (RFA)

Maxim Lapierre (RFA)

Victor Oreskovich (RFA)

Chris Higgins (UFA)

Raffi Torres (UFA)

Tanner Glass (UFA)

Jeff Tambellini (UFA)

DEFENCEMEN

Dan Hamhuis (5 years, 4.5M cap hit)

Keith Ballard (4 years, 4.2M cap hit)

Alex Edler (2 years, 3.25M cap hit)

Aaron Rome (1 year, 750k cap hit)

Lee Sweat (RFA)

Kevin Bieksa (UFA)

Christian Ehrhoff (UFA)

Sami Salo (UFA)

Andrew Alberts (UFA)

GOALTENDERS

Roberto Luongo (11 years, 5.3M cap hit)

Cory Schneider (1 year, 900k cap hit)

The Canucks made it all the way to game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, a mere sixty minutes away from hockey’s holy grail, but four goals against later and the Canucks enter the offseason of Cup-less season number 41 with their share of decisions to make. The immediate (and completely irrational) reaction is to want to make significant changes to the roster. I can assure you that will not be the case. If Mike Gillis has proven anything during his tenure as general manager, it has been the ability not to overreact to the fan base’s impulsive demands. Vancouver’s cap space is near fourteen million, but that number is due to rise to close to nineteen million if the reports of a substantial increase in the salary cap (from 59 million to 64 million according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie) are valid.

The common Canucks fan will point to Roberto Luongo as the sole reason for the team’s inability to win the Stanley Cup. Clearly Bobby Lou was not at his best in games six and seven but neither was the rest of the squad, generating a meager 8 goals over the seven game series. The Bruins did what any good opponent should strive to do. They successfully stifled the Canucks game plan and Vancouver’s inability to respond handed the series – and the Cup – to Boston. Articles, like this one written by the Toronto Star's Damien Cox, suggests the Canucks key offseason decision is to trade Luongo, but Cox conveniently forgets Luongo’s full no trade clause. The Canucks pressing free agency issue pertains to the defensive corps. Sami Salo, Christian Ehrhoff, and Kevin Bieksa are all unrestricted free agents. The rise in the salary cap would be a major benefit for Vancouver. It would allow them to keep Hoff and Juice (both have said they would take less to stay in Vancouver). Salo has also indicated he would like to return to Vancouver, but he will be thirty-seven by the time the 2011-2011 season arrives, and if re-signed, would likely be considered a depth player. Restricted free agent Shea Weber has been a name Canucks fans have wanted for a number of years, but it is unlikely the Predators captain will leave Nashville any time soon. Dan Hamhuis, whose absence was undoubtedly felt during the Stanley Cup Finals, is signed through 2015-2016 at 4.5 million dollars per year. The much maligned defenceman Keith Ballard is under contract for four more years and a 4.2 million dollar cap hit. For the first time in his career, Ballard failed to record over 20 points and his average ice time dropped from twenty-two minutes played to sixteen. He never completely gained the trust of coach Alain Vigneault and is a suitable candidate for a trade if the organization doesn’t believe he is the right fit. Alex Edler is a legitimate top four defenceman. Chris Tanev could figure in a larger role next season.

Vancouver’s free agency decisions regarding their forwards are limited to the third and fourth lines. The Sedin twins and Ryan Kesler are entrenched in their positions on the first and second lines for the foreseeable future. Alex Burrows is also signed through 2012-2013 at a team friendly two million dollar cap hit. Second liners Mikael Samuelsson and Mason Raymond (who suffered a broken vertebrae in game six of the Stanley Cup and is headed for a lengthy recovery period,) are signed for next season. The organization could resign Chris Higgins as insurance for the top six but their priority should be retaining RFA’s Jannik Hansen and Victor Oreskovich. Hansen and Oreskovich impressed during the Canucks playoff run and would fit amicably on the third line next season with Manny Malhotra. I would also like the Canucks to keep Tanner Glass in a fourth line role and would not be opposed to welcoming back Maxim Lapierre, but in the role that he was intended to fill when he was acquired at the trade deadline, as the fourth line center.

Contrary to the mindset expressed by Cox in his column, I don’t predict an immense drop-off for the Canucks. It is my belief that the Canucks will return next season as a stronger post-season threat and contend for the Stanley Cup.