Six Signings That Would Improve the Vancouver Canucks

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This should be fun, since accounting is my profession. Obviously any of this can go out the window by another team signing any of the below that I have suggested.

GM Mike Gillis has already gone on record that he will not approach any of the Nucks players to waive their no-trade contracts. Three of those exist that I know of and one of those includes Roberto Luongo’s at $7.5M.

So what to do if Louie balks at an extension come July 1? Surely you can’t let him walk after next season for nothing. If Luongo does not feel that the Canucks can take him to the promise land, might he suggest that he would like to play for another team.

Seems highly unlikely, being the captain and all, but he is driven to win and his wife’s family is from Florida. So we pencil his $7.5 in for now.

The Canucks last season had $53.8M up against the cap which left them $2.85 wiggle room.

This year they have 13 UFA’s (Unrestricted Free Agents). Henrik and Daniel Sedin seem to be at the top of the Canucks signing list for Gillis, but wait, is that the way to go?

Let’s work on the assumption that the Canucks will spend up to the $53.8M if needed.

With the apparent $12-13M tag the twins may command, might there be another course to steer. If Gillis does not re-sign them by July 1, then he could get caught in a bidding war. If the Canucks have budgeted for that amount, why not take a run at Marian Gaborik ($7.5M) and Marian Hossa ($7.45)?

Yes I know a $10M offer was floated out to Hossa in the news, but was that not what Mats Sundin was signed to. Hossa is much quicker and could post up as many points as Daniel Sedin, thus replacing him.

Gaborik we know played with Pavol Demitra as his centre, so that might be a good fit, if Gaborik thinks the Nucks are close to being Stanley Cup contenders and he could help, Vancouver could be his next stop.

Remember that Gaborik scored 42 goals a couple of years ago. Gaborik, faster, tougher replaces Daniel.

If Hossa wants more, than Mike Cammalleri, a centre, could be had for $5.5-6 and maybe the tie that he had with former agent Gillis might persuade him. So we add that amount in at $5.5 He replaces Henrik Sedin. Once again, faster, tougher and could rack up the same point production, including score 10 – 15 more goals.

Yes I know I have three players now replacing two, but I’m still adding.

The Canucks need some speed and mobility back on defense. Rob Davison, Mattias Ohlund, and Ossi Vaananen, all UFA’s walk, freeing up $5M.

Francois Beauchemin ($2M) and Marc-Andre Bergeron ($2M) added and Nathan McIver or Zack FitzGerald from the Manitoba Moose, can replace Rob Davison for league minimum. Shane O’Brien an RFA gets the 10% raise to $1.13M

At the forward UFA spots, Taylor Pyatt, Mats Sundin, and Michael Ouellet (Manitoba) are not resigned, freeing up $11.5. Now you can go after some affordable, tough, fast skaters.

You re-sign Magic (Kyle Wellwood), an RFA with the 10 percent qualifier ($1.10M).

Enter Manny Malhotra ($2M) and Nik Antropov ($2.75M). Since Samuel Pahlsson is so good at shutting down the twins, grab him for $1.9M. Travis Moen is another guy to look at depending on any of the above not working out, for $1.5M.

In goal, Nucks have to let Cory Schneider get his shot and he would replace Joseph LaBarbera’s (UFA) $.85M salary. Curtis Sanford’s (UFA) $.65M gets freed up by not re-signing him.

Quite a number of UFA goalie’s on the market, so finding someone for a number three or 2A is due able. Guys like Mikael Tellqvist, Fredrik Norrena, Peter Budaj. Ty Conklin and Dany Sabourin just to name a few could be had for under $1M.

So because of Hossa’s large price tag at $10M, I had to drop him and Gaborik and Cammalleri were the Sedins replacements, plus the others above I mentioned..

What would the lines look like then? I have not added in Moen or Pahlsson’s salaries because it would depend of whether Antropov or Malhorta could be signed. Their total salaries would be equivalent.

I have not included Cody Hodgson, but did include a salary for him to play a year in Manitoba replacing Jason Krogs figures.

Forwards:

Gaborik Demitra Kesler

Burrows Cammalleri Antopov

Wellwood Malhotra Bernier

Hordichuk Johnson Rypien

Defense:

Mitchell Beauchemin

Edler Salo

Bieksa Bergeron, O’Brien, McIver or Zack FitzGerald

Salo is bound to get injured.

Goalies:

Luongo Schneider Conklin

Cap total $51.5

Cap space 4.5 but with the apparent decrease coming in the following year of 10 percent, that $51.5 would be up against the cap.

We will see how this all plays out.

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