Daniel and Henrik Sedin: 13 Million Dollar Twins

Just when we are finally receiving dividends on our investment for the second and third overall pick in 1999, the prized possessions of the Canucks are up for contract negotiation this summer.

Some say the twins are demanding $6.5-million each, Henrik himself denied this immediately; meanwhile rumor out of the Gillis camp suggests the Canucks placed an offer of $5.5-million each and was rejected.

So how much are the twins worth (bet you wish you get a dollar everytime you hear this eh)?

If you look only at tonight’s game against the Blackhawks in a crucial four-point game, you will probably think they are worth every penny of a $6.5-million deal.

The twins' combined-six-point game in a 4-0 shut-out victory is impressive on the scoresheet, but the third-period no-look spin-around pass by Henrik to Daniel for a tight-angle goal is just spectacular.

Perhaps this is the reason why the twins always have to play on the same line, even during the team’s toughest times, thus handcuffing any coach for top-six line-juggling.

But they lack consistency, critics say. Just look at Daniel’s recent scoring drought which lasted 10 games until his goal during the Dallas game on March 17. However, Daniel does have 17 points in 14 games played in March.

What about Henrik? He’s had at least a point in seven of the last nine games, including 6 goals and nine assists. Not bad for a "setup guy".

Henrik so far has 18 goals and 57 assists on the season, making him a point per game player (75 points in 75 games). Daniel has a team-high 30 goals so far with 46 assists, giving him a point ahead of his brother at 76 points.

Point-wise, Daniel now sits 15th best in the league, fifth best amongst all Left Wingers: behind only Ovechkin, Parise, Kovalchuk and Elias. Henrik sits 18th best in the league, 10th best amongst Centermen.

In terms of goals, Daniel sits 21st in the league, 11th best amongst Left Wingers.

So it’s not fair to say the Twins aren’t productive, but being real honest, I think they do somewhat fall in the category of being “streaky.”

But they are soft players, some say, even to the point of calling them “The Sisters”. That’s not entirely the case if you look at last Tuesday’s game against the Stars. Daniel caught a stick to his mouth and was down on the ice for a few minutes bleeding heavily.

He picked himself up and stayed in the game only to scoring a tying goal. How about tonight’s game? Daniel when challenged by Bolland, stood up for the team and “roughed” it out.

Of course, it wasn’t a real fight, or else Daniel would’ve had his first Gordie Howe Hat-trick, but it does show the twins are playing a much more physical game now.

Maybe it’s their new line-mate Alex Burrows slowly having effects on them. But we do see the Twins playing with more energy and passion.

Ask yourself this, is a point-per-game player who has a plus/minus of +22 (second in the team only to D-man Willie Mitchell), 5th best in point-production of all Left Wingers, a 30+ goal scorer, who’s played only for the Canucks his entire seven-year-career worth $6.5-million??

If yes, then ask yourself this. Is it worth another $6.5-million to find a perfect playmaker for your highest-paid winger, who’s had four consecutive +70 points seasons, 10th amongst all NHL Centermen this season, a plus-19 player who’s never missed a single game for the past four seasons??

When Centerman like Chris Drury is making $7-million for his 51 points and a minus-12 in 76 games, or Left Winger like Thomas Vanek making $8-million for 58 points and a minus-2 in 66 games, are the Twins worth $13-million together??

You tell me.