NHL Offseason Thread -- Vancouver Edition (NHL Offseason / NHL Golf Tourney)

[Ben Kenobi]

Maybe Burke will come back. Not totally out of the realm of possibility.

Why would we want him again?

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
However, I think the Nonis and Vigneault era is done. They were never more then 'transitional' coach and a GM. The Canucks needed a rebuilding period, and this coming year will be the last one. We will get rid of Naslund and the last of the Burke era, and will have the cap space to renew the forwards entirely.

What this means is that the Canucks squad needs a new system, rather then Nonis. A new GM and a new coach. We need to shift from stocking up prospects and building up depth to making the bold and decisive moves needed to get the team over the hump.

Only problem with this as the blueprint for a franchise is that there are very few bold moves to be made.

The window for major trades involving committed salary is the end of the SCF to the middle of July. After that, most teams have the major parts of their budgets or the cap committed.

You can try to land the big UFAs, but there is a lot of bidding for any decent ones that come available so they are going to be the most expensive solution and then there is a history of Canadian teams having difficulty in attracting the top ones. On top of that, you get years like this one upcoming where the selection isn't that great.

I wouldn't hold out hope for this next season being the breakthrough, Ben. To begin with the Canucks likely won't have a GM before the closing of the trade window and while the limited number of UFAs are unsigned.

And then there is the frightening prospect (for Canucks fans) that the new owners consider themselves to be capable GMs/ very involved owners.

I could be wrong about all of the above, but it has the makings of the beginnings of some very bad moves for the Canucks.

[Ben Kenobi]

Only problem with this as the blueprint for a franchise is that there are very few bold moves to be made.

Fair enough, it's not a great crop for the UFA's, that's for sure. But the Canucks are in good shape, and better then Edmonton. It's not like the situation in Toronto.

The window for major trades involving committed salary is the end of the SCF to the middle of July. After that, most teams have the major parts of their budgets or the cap committed.

You honestly believe it will be after July when we get a new GM?

There is still another month, maybe two of hockey.

I wouldn't hold out hope for this next season being the breakthrough, Ben. To begin with the Canucks likely won't have a GM before the closing of the trade window and while the limited number of UFAs are unsigned.

Doubt that. I expect there to be a new GM in at most a couple of weeks. I can't believe Aquilini wouldn't have had someone already lined up before firing Nonis. It would go against everything I know about him. You don't fire a subordinate, especially not one that has performed well without having his replacement ready.

I could be wrong about all of the above, but it has the makings of the beginnings of some very bad moves for the Canucks.

What if the Canucks made Tambellini the new GM? They could make a show of interviewing other ones, and hire him right away.

He was recommended as being a good GM back before Burke left, and it was somewhat a surprise when it was Nonis hired instead of Tambellini.

Anyways, I'd put even money on Tambellini being hired quickly as the GM in place of Nonis. I don't expect there to be a long delay.

[Asher]

Vancouver to appoint...Mike Gillis...as new GM...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=235503&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl

CANUCKS SET TO MAKE AGENT MIKE GILLIS NEW GM

The Vancouver Canucks are poised to make Mike Gillis their new general manager.

According to a Global Television report, the club is expected to make the official announcement on Wednesday.

Gillis is a player agent and he played 246 games in the NHL with the Colorado Rockies and Boston Bruins.

The Canucks fired former general manager Dave Nonis on April 14th after the team failed to make the playoffs.

This tool is Naslund's agent. How much do you want to bet the Canucks re-sign Naslund?

[Ben Kenobi]

Edit-

TSN is jumping the gun.

They haven't decided yet.

[Asher]

They haven't announced it yet but both Global and CTV have independently confirmed it'll be announced tomorrow.

[Ben Kenobi]

Gillis was also Pavel's agent.

He has a long history with the team.

Not the choice I would have made or predicted, but it's the end of two things.

1. Orca Bay
2. Burke Era.

The next to go will be Vigneault.

[Asher]

It's ****ing nepotism, and you guys are ****ed long-term.

[Ben Kenobi]

Fine. I'll bet my avatar again that the Canucks will finish ahead of Calgary this time next year.

Game?

[Asher]

Why the **** would I bet on next season before we even know the rosters?

Get lost.

[Ben Kenobi]

Mr. Confident.

Oh well.

All talk.

[Asher]

You're such...an...interesting...individual.

I'm confident that giving the agent of your most heartless, invisible player full reign on the team isn't going to be the best thing to do.

I'm not confident to wager how Vancouver and Calgary will both do next season without even the ****ing rosters announced.

That's not being "all talk", it's called having a ****ing clue. I'd suggest you try it some time, but I know you resist the idea.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm honoured you started a thread just for me.

Really.

[Asher]

It's not just for you, it's for the NHL Off-season. Vancouver is just in the title since I don't like you. And also cause they're the only team to actually make a move in the off-season so far.

[-Jrabbit]

You're such...an...interesting...individual.

Excellent show of restraint, Asher. And on the night the Flames go down, too.
Impressive.