| Matthew Falvai. 8th February, 2009 - 9:42 pm
 The Canucks have their swagger back, but is that what they really want?
Soon-to-be unrestricted free-agents Daniel and Henrik Sedin are reportedly looking for long-term contracts worth around $7 million per season. Now, considering that reigning Conn Smythe champion Henrik Zetterberg recently signed for only $6 million, you'd have to think Canucks' general manager Mike Gillis will be using Marc Savard's $5 million deal as a more appropriate comparable.
All three players produce at a point-a-game rate, and have all faced criticism for being 'soft.'
The problem in the NHL however, is that there are twenty-nine other teams, and you'd have to think at least one of them will offer the big money.
And this is Vancouver's biggest problem.
It doesn't make sense to lose the Sedin brothers for nothing. But how do you explain trading away your two top offensive players in the midst of a very intense playoff hunt?
Here is where Roberto Luongo causes a problem for Vancouver. Because the Canucks, should never have been in this hunt in the first place.
When former executive Dave Nonis took over three years ago, and began dismantling the former core of the team, he was met with a big surprise when off-loading troubled star Todd Bertuzzi.
Instead of receiving prospects and picks, he was handed an amazing gift in the world's best goaltender.
Luongo gave the Canucks a chance to win every night, and they managed to squeak into the playoffs, which is the absolute worst thing that can happen to rebuilding team.
Does anyone really believe this team, led by the Sedins, Mats Sundin, Pavol Demitra and a fragile, penalty-taking defense has any chance with Detroit or San Jose if they make the playoffs?
Of course not.
If logic dictated life, the Sedins, Luongo and Mattias Ohlund would be converted into as much future as you can get.
Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows, and Alex Edler would be kept long-term as the core of the team, and they would play the waiting game as blue chip prospects Cody Hodgson, Michael Grabner, and goaltending phenom Cory Schneider develop.
But we all know how this story will unfold.
Vancouver is a hockey-mad city. Their owners have publicly announced they want to win now, and as long as Luongo is around, it will be exciting, but inescapably pointless. |
