Do the Canucks have a plan B?

From Jim Jamieson of the Vancouver Province:

- The Issue: If Mats Sundin opts to retire or play elsewhere.

- The Question: What is Plan B?

- The Quote: "We have secondary layers of planning that we went through before July 1 and we're comfortable that those secondary layers of planning will be sufficient one way or the other. We'll see where it (pursuit of Sundin) goes. We're going to look at every possibility. Part of our secondary planning is that a couple of guys are ready to play or close to being ready to play on this team and making a contribution."

Read the entire article here.

You would have to think the team's plan B would be to just keep on given'er.

Canucks jack ticket prices

From Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun:

The Canucks, who have 4,000 people representing 8,000 seats on their season-ticket wait list, are increasing season-ticket rates by an average of about 7.5 per cent this season. "Our costs are rising," de Bonis said.

"We are forecasting player salaries to go up 15 per cent from where they were last year. Our price increase is about half the increase in the player salaries, so it's about seven and a half percent. We went out the year before with a 12-per-cent increase. We are trying to be sensitive to not having these prices go up and up and up while recognizing we want the resources to put the best team we can on the ice."

Read the entire article here.

Who the hell can afford to attend NHL games anymore? Seriously. There are 41 home games per season and the Canucks justify 7.5%-10% hikes in ticket costs? Whatever happened to the lockout is going to benefit the fan and keep ticket prices reasonable? I'd love to know.

Should the Canucks give Sundin a deadline?

From Brad Zeimer of the Vancouver Sun:

All this puts Canuck GM Mike Gillis in a tough spot. How long does he give Sundin to make up his mind? At some point Gillis may have to turn to Plan B, which would likely involve trading away one of his defencemen -- maybe Kevin Bieksa -- for some offence from a team that is up against the salary cap. If he hasn't already, Gillis needs to tell Sundin and his agent J.P. Barry that the Canucks' very generous offer of $20 million over two years has a deadline. Give him until the end of the month. If Sundin still hasn't decided by then, the Canucks need to turn the page and move on.

Read the entire post from One-Timers here.

If the Canucks give Sundin a deadline, I'm not so sure how well that would go over. He has already stated his intention to decide which team he wants to play for within the next two weeks. Imposing a team deadline on Sundin would probably eliminate any chance the team has of bringing Sundin to British Columbia.

Sundin will make decision in two weeks

From the Toronto Sun:

Mats Sundin expects to announce within the next two weeks where he will play next year. And the Maple Leafs remain an option - should he return to the NHL.

"I will make a decision in the end of July or beginning of August," Sundin told Stockholm's Aftonbladet newspaper yesterday.

"If I am going to play it's for the full season and I want to be there from the beginning of August."

Sundin went on to suggest that he'll either play for the Leafs or Vancouver Canucks in 2008-09. "The Maple leafs are not out of the picture if I decide to play," he said.

Read more about Sundin's timeline here.

So there you have it. Start the countdown clocks now.

False report: Sundin has not signed with Canucks

From TSN:

A Swedish newspaper nearly started an international incident on Sunday as they reported that Mats Sundin has agreed to play for the Vancouver Canucks, a claim that Sundin's Swedish representative denies.

Sundin's Swedish based representative Claes Elefalk claims the story in the Daily News is completely false, claiming that reporter Dusan Umicevic contacted him seeking a quote. Despite Elefalk telling the reporter that his information was incorrect, Umicevic published the story anyway.

Read the entire report here.

This report must have gotten Canucks fans pretty darn excited.

Looks like Canucks will retain Ron Delorme

From the Vancouver Province:

While it was widely speculated that chief amateur scout Ron Delorme's future was in jeopardy, it has been reported that his 26-year run with the organization as player, scout and department head will be extended in some form under Gillis and that scouts Barry Dean and Mario Marois have not been retained.

The Canucks haven't confirmed the developments and Delorme couldn't be reached for comment, but Gillis has surrounded himself with a staff that could work with the 52-year-old Delorme.

Read the entire article here.

With the Canucks' spotty draft record, Delorme looks to be getting a second chance with Gillis. For someone who thought he was losing his job, I'm sure Delorme is quite happy to return to the fold.

Rangers don't appear to have any room for Shanahan

From Larry Brooks of the NY Post:

And what with people like Pat Rissmiller and Aaron Voros in at $1M per and Fred Sjostrom sitting with a qualifier of over $800,000 - management is trying to sign him to a two-year contract in the neighborhood of $650,000 per - the Rangers seem to have no room for Brendan Shanahan, regardless of what Glen Sather repeatedly has said about the winger remaining in the equation.

Read the short article here.

Shanahan obviously wants to play in NY, seeing as he hasn't negotiated with any other teams. But if the Rangers just don't have any room in their payroll, Shanny may have to look elsewhere for a contract. Vancouver is said to have interest and he would be a nice addition for that team.

More on the Jason Krog signing

From Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province:

Then again, Krog can play the wing, kill penalties and win faceoffs. He won 60.4 per cent of them with the Anaheim Ducks in the 2002-03 season.

"I can't worry about those things," Krog said of roster uncertainty. "It's out of my control. All I can worry about is coming in good shape and trying to prove myself. I'll focus on making Vancouver and see what happens."

What's happening with the Krog signing is twofold. General manager Mike Gillis is giving another player a chance to rekindle his NHL game in a new locale. And it helps from a depth perspective with Manitoba Moose centres Brad Moran and Colby Genoway opting for contracts in Europe next season and Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund lost to free agency.

Read the entire story here.

You know you are in Canada when the Jason Krog signing garners this much attention...

Shanahan has only spoken with Rangers

From Canwest News Service:

A U.S. report that unrestricted free agent Brendan Shanahan was offered and rejected a one-year, $2 million US deal from the Vancouver Canucks is inaccurate, according to his agent."

I can tell you that I've never been approached or had any discussions with Vancouver regarding Brendan," said Rick Curran, who added that San Jose and Montreal are not in the mix either. "We've only been having discussions with one team and that's the New York Rangers.

Read the entire report here.

The Rangers sure haven't been in a rush to re-sign Shanahan, but all along he has stated his desire to return to Broadway and finish his career there. Whether he would consider a substantial offer from another team is the big question.

Demitra Not the Answer in Vancouver?

Vancouver Province write Ed Willes is not impressed with the recent signing of Demitra, labeling him a "complimentary offensive player" and likening him to an also declining Markus Naslund.

Demitra, at best, is a complementary offensive player. He turns 34 in November. Over his last four NHL seasons he's recorded 58, 62, 64 and 54 points and he's six years removed from his most productive campaign with the Blues.

This doesn't mean he isn't a useful player. But, as of this writing, the Canucks' offseason rebuilding plan is based on Demitra and Steve Bernier. And the notion that Mats Sundin would spurn offers from Montreal, Toronto and New York to play with this revamped powerhouse is absurd.

Though Demitra does have some fine offensive skills, he likely can't carry a team, especially one like the Vancouver Canucks, who may struggle to score. He should be a valuable addition to the power-play, where he should mesh well with the Sedins.

Demitra excited to be with Canucks

From Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province:

"I just have to play with the right guys and I just like to have freedom on the ice. I played my best hockey in St. Louis with guys like [Keith] Tkachuk and [Scott] Mellanby -- guys who always want to be the best. Guys who drive to net and work hard and guys who give me the puck as soon as possible.

"Put the right guys together and everything else will work."

Read the entire article here.

Good signing by Vancouver. Demitra may be 33, but he still has something left in the tank. Plus, he only signed a 2 year pact so the risk isn't very high. If the Canucks can add one more scorer to their top-six forwards, then they could be a very, very dangerous team next season.

Are the Canucks any better?

From Iain McIntyre of the Vancouver Sun:

Demitra and Steve Bernier, last week's key acquisition, replace Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund on the Canucks' roster. That makes Vancouver different -- bigger, younger, slightly more physical -- but not necessarily any more offensive. Or does a potential second-line of Demitra-Kyle Wellwood-Mason Raymond really get your heart pumping?

Read more from One-Timers here.

McIntyre's point is well taken. The Canucks need to make another move or two before heading into the season. Obviously their number one need is scoring up-front.

Mike Gillis takes the high road

From Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province:

"We have a great deal of respect for the St. Louis Blues, John Davidson, Larry Pleau and their management team," added Gillis. "The offer sheet to Bernier is a clear indication of how highly Steve is thought of in our league."

Read the entire story here.

I'm pretty sure the NHL did its best on both sides to not make this Burke/Lowe II.

Canucks match Bernier offer sheet

From TSN:

One week after the Vancouver Canucks signed restricted free agent forward David Backes to an offer sheet, the St. Louis Blues struck back.

The Blues signed Group II free agent forward Steve Bernier to an offer sheet worth $2.5 million for next season, which the Canucks were quick to match. If they didn't, Vancouver would have received St. Louis' second round draft choice in 2009.

Read the entire story here.

Wow. I step out for dinner, and this happens. Clearly a counter-punch by the Blues after having the Canucks tender David Backes an offer sheet last week. Obviously the Blues were not happy with the Canucks' move and figured they'd make the Canucks overpay just the way they had to. Regardless, it sure makes for interesting news.

Demitra Labels the Canucks His #1 Choice

TSN is reporting that UFA Centre Pavol Demitra is expected to sign with the Vancouver Canucks.

In an interview with Vancouver radio station CKNW, free agent forward Pavol Demitra confirmed that the Canucks are his preferred destination and expects to sign with the team.

"I think there is a good chance," Demitra said.

"[Current Canucks GM Mike Gillis] used to be my agent for a long time. We are very good friends. I am very interested in playing for [the Canucks]."

Given the current climate, in which many NHL GM's seem reluctant to deal with Vancouver, signing Demitra might be the one shot the Canucks get at a proven scorer. He is still a talented player, and should help provide some offense.

Morrison heads to Anaheim

From TSN:

Free agent centre Brendan Morrison is off the free agent list, as the B.C. native is set to join the Anaheim Ducks. Terms of the impending contract are not known, but it is expected to be a one- or two-year deal.

Read the entire report here.

Good signing by the Ducks. Since they dealt Andy MacDonald last season, the team has been looking for a center to line-up behind Ryan Getzlaf. Morrison is the perfect fit for that spot and would be a nice center for Teemu Selanne should he decide to return. If the contract is two years, then it is probably around $6.5 million.

Could Brendan Morrison land in Minnesota?

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

Hey, hey, thought I’d jump on here real quick. Hope you had a terrific Fourth of July. I had a great one. Pretty mentally refreshing to be on a boat in the middle of a lake rather than sitting in front of my laptop with my cell burning up my brain.

As I’ve been reporting since July 1, the Wild has an offer in on the Vancouver Canucks unrestricted free agent. The two sides have talked a lot.

Morrison is expected to make a decision early next week, and I can tell you, the Wild has no clue which way he’s leaning. The offer is there. It’s up to him. I’ve been talking to my Vancouver colleagues for five days now about this, and the Vancouver Province has reported that Morrison will not be returning to the Canucks.

Read more from Russo's Rants here.

Morrison would be a nice fit in Minny considering the fact that the team is extremely, extremely weak up the middle right now.

Is Sundin still in Canucks' plans?

From Elliot Pap of the Vancouver Sun:

Another interesting day in Canuck-ville with rookie GM Mike Gillis maintaining he still has a shot at landing Mats Sundin, the 37-year-old reluctant superstar who is mulling a $10-million-a-season offer. Gillis has given Sundin two choices: a one-year deal or two-year deal. Gillis has also been talking directly with Sundin and not just leaving it up to agent J.P. Barry.

Read more from One-Timers here.

I don't think that Sundin will end up on the West Coast but it doesn't hurt for Gillis to keep trying.

Gillis wasn't comfortable courting Naslund

From Matthew Sekeras of the Globe & Mail:

They say friends know when to say "when," and besides being the general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, Mike Gillis is also Markus Naslund's former agent and his friend.

That Naslund's 12-year relationship with the NHL team had to end this week was evident to all, a divorce where even the kids agree it's for the best. Gillis knew it, Naslund knew it, and the fans knew it. And so, the Canucks' captain, career leading scorer, and arguably the franchise's best player, leaves for the bright lights of Manhattan with an air of inevitability.

"I don't feel comfortable with it because I like Markus so much and I wish it was different," Gillis said yesterday. "It's unfortunate. Markus is a really good friend of mine."

Read the entire article here.

This had to be an awkward situation for both sides. However, it seems both sides were content with the outcome and will maintain a close friendship.

Canucks acquire Bernier from Sabres

From TSN:

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that the team has acquired forward Steve Bernier from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2010 and a third round pick in 2009.

"Steve Bernier is a highly regarded young player who's enjoyed success early in his
career," said Canucks GM Mike Gillis in a statement. "With his right-handed shot he will be a great addition to our top six forward group and an asset to our power play."

Read the entire story here.

Bernier is certainly an upgrade over what the Canucks had in his place, however, I'm not quite sold on him as a top-six forward. If he was of that quality, then why would the Sabres be dealing him for second and third round picks? The Sabres are still expected to trade a forward for a defenseman, so I guess they didn't like Bernier very much. The Quebec native needs to improve on his consistency, as well as utilize his size a lot more than he currently does.