WQF (3) Vancouver Canucks vs (6) San Jose Sharks (Sharks win 4-0!!!!).

[BloodFetish]

It's amazing how many parallels between this team and the Flames of a few years ago.

Cup run in recent memory? Check.
Early playoff ousters after cup run? Check
Aging core? Check
Not much in the prospect pool? Check.
Poor drafting record? Check
Large number of NTC/NMC players? Check
In "Cap Hell"? Check.

Hopefully they keep trying to pry that window open and crash hard in a couple of years.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by browna

The Stanley Cup Final hangover really kicked this team in the teeth, and they couldn't recover. Those guys on that Cup team knew how many breaks they got, how long and draining mentally/emotionally/physically a playoff run is, and how hard it is to replicate that come playoff time...and how close they were to winning it, but how not winning it meant the long journey and sacrifice wasn't worth it in the end. That sort of mentality is somewhat flawed, but the results the last two years show that it may be the case.

The last two seasons, its almost as if they know how hard its going to be to win 15 games in the playoffs and get to the same position they were in 2 years ago, to change that result.

The Flames didn't quite have that after 2004. There was a season off, and the team was an underdog and then loaded up as a "have" team coming out of the lockout. Vancouver was a "have" team, and good enough to win, but choked it away. Regular seasons since, that talent has shown itself when the pressure is off...but with the pressure on and the long climb ahead of them to get to the finals and get into a Stanley Cup clinching game, that seems like miles and miles away for the roster, which they're not clearly ready for doing all it takes to take on that challenge.

But as a fan, I know I did have that desolate feeling that night in June 2004....getting within 1 goal and 1 period away...or an OT win away from the Cup, given the roller coaster of the playoffs, was going to be hard for any team to automatically duplicate, given injuries, bounces, etc every year. I knew the team was going to be better player wise in the years ahead, but that didn't automatically mean a better result if things went the other way at some point in the playoffs...and its been 9 years since.

This is an excellent analysis. Bang on IMO.

[Captain_Obvious]

Awesome headline on Yahoo:

[Itse]

If I was Gillis, the more Luongo would talk about not returning, the less I'd worry about his contract.

There seems to be a good chance that he simply won't report, and thus the problem would be solved at least for a while.

Luongo would then propably become the first Canadian NHL star to move permanently to the KHL. They might pay him pretty good money for the optics alone, plus he's still a very good goalie and would do great in that league.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Itse

If I was Gillis, the more Luongo would talk about not returning, the less I'd worry about his contract.

There seems to be a good chance that he simply won't report, and thus the problem would be solved at least for a while.

Luongo would then propably become the first Canadian NHL star to move permanently to the KHL. They might pay him pretty good money for the optics alone, plus he's still a very good goalie and would do great in that league.

Huh. there's no bloody way he doesn't report if he's not traded or bought out. He's smart enough and his agent is smart enough that not reporting amounts to about what $45 million bucks?

He might be a Canuck but that doesn't automatically make him stupid.

He's report and be a team distraction forcing Gillis' hand.

If he's not traded by the draft he'll be waived and if he's not claimed he'll be bought out. But he'll report.

[Locke]

Oh yes, he'll report. Not being a starter isnt worth $40M.

But dont forget, as of this moment the Canucks are $100K over next season's salary cap with only 17 players signed.

Cap hell.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Locke

But dont forget, as of this moment the Canucks are $100K over next season's salary cap with only 17 players signed.

Cap hell.

That's awesome. They are not going to be able to take salary back in the Luongo deal. They might have to settle for a 2nd rounder for him. Should be an entertaining summer.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Fire

That's awesome. They are not going to be able to take salary back in the Luongo deal. They might have to settle for a 2nd rounder for him. Should be an entertaining summer.

I don't think they will have to buy him out, but i doubt they can get a 2nd round pick for him. I presume Toronto, who was after him the most, is now out of it. Can Pitt tkae him on without sending cap space back?

Pretty much leaves Florida getting him for a 5-7th round pick or just waiting for him to go on waivers. Would the Av's pick him up on waivers?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I don't think they will have to buy him out, but i doubt they can get a 2nd round pick for him. I presume Toronto, who was after him the most, is now out of it. Can Pitt tkae him on without sending cap space back?

Pretty much leaves Florida getting him for a 5-7th round pick or just waiting for him to go on waivers. Would the Av's pick him up on waivers?

I dont know, they did pay a first round pick for Varlamov. Which was insane.

[old-fart]

The only way the Nucks get a 2nd for him will be if they retain salary. Keep $2M of that contract every year going forward, and he becomes very tradable. If the Nucks want to dump the whole contract though, they will either have to package it with a very good contract or take virtually nothing back and there will be very few suitors.

I agree, Reimer is taking the Nucks out of the conversation with his playoffs, so who is left really... Florida and...? And I doubt the Panthers will be willing to send anything of value back as they know at some point if Luongo isn't traded he will hit the waiver wire, and they get first pick and can have him for nothing if they want.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by old-fart

The only way the Nucks get a 2nd for him will be if they retain salary. Keep $2M of that contract every year going forward, and he becomes very tradable. If the Nucks want to dump the whole contract though, they will either have to package it with a very good contract or take virtually nothing back and there will be very few suitors.

I agree, Reimer is taking the Nucks out of the conversation with his playoffs, so who is left really... Florida and...? And I doubt the Panthers will be willing to send anything of value back as they know at some point if Luongo isn't traded he will hit the waiver wire, and they get first pick and can have him for nothing if they want.

You are correct that Florida gets first crack at him. I thought the Av's would but now realised that they finished 2nd worst and won the draft lottery. I really see no reason why Florida would give up a pick, if they are the only team that wants him. I don't think with Gillis plan of retaing core and still going for it, they can take or eat any salary on Luo. Gillis got greedy and he is going to pay dearly for his mistake.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

You are correct that Florida gets first crack at him. I thought the Av's would but now realised that they finished 2nd worst and won the draft lottery. I really see no reason why Florida would give up a pick, if they are the only team that wants him. I don't think with Gillis plan of retaing core and still going for it, they can take or eat any salary on Luo. Gillis got greedy and he is going to pay dearly for his mistake.

I just don't see the owners there ponying up that kind of cash. They wouldn't re-sign Weiss for that reason IIRC

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I just don't see the owners there ponying up that kind of cash. They wouldn't re-sign Weiss for that reason IIRC

Just because they would not give a 2nd line center $5 million does not mean they would not pay for different player in a different position. They wanted Luo in the summer, but did not want to give up what Gillis wanted ( i heard that he wanted a top prospect and pick lol). If they are walking away from Weiss, then should be able to afford Luo even on their internal budget.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Huh. there's no bloody way he doesn't report if he's not traded or bought out. He's smart enough and his agent is smart enough that not reporting amounts to about what $45 million bucks?

Well, they do pay players in Russia too. I know it's not the NHL over all, but Radulov apparently gets paid $9.2M per year. Tax-free.

While I don't think he'd make that kind of money (Radulov is the all-time scoring leader in the KHL), considering the taxes I think there's a good chance he wouldn't have to take much of a hit.

Also, Luongo has said himself that he'd tear up that contract if he could and that he is not returning to Vancouver. There is a chance he actually means what he says.

Which brings me to an interesting question;

If he chose to play in the KHL for, say, three years, and then reported at the start of the 2016 season, would the Canucks be required to start paying him again?

I think yes. Both the NHL and the NHLPA have an interest in enforcing these contracts.

[puckluck2]

Kerry Fraser has weighed in on that penalty to Sedin with a nice pot shot to the Canucks lol


"The onus is on the player applying the check to ensiure his opponent is not in a defenseless position and if so, he must avoid or minimize the contact." There was a better course of action for Daniel Sedin to take on this play but certainly not the reason the Canucks lost this series.

San Jose was the better team this time around.

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/kerry_fraser/?id=422867

[Galakanokis]

The rumored returns for Luongo were/are greatly exaggerated. The only teams interested in Luo are teams wanting to fire back bad contracts which the canucks cannot do. The rumored return from TO of Kadri and Bozack is not even close to what was discussed or offered forth by TO.

With a saturated goalie market and a lot of backups looking to break out Luongo/Vancouver do not have many options.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

The rumored returns for Luongo were/are greatly exaggerated. The only teams interested in Luo are teams wanting to fire back bad contracts which the canucks cannot do. The rumored return from TO of Kadri and Bozack is not even close to what was discussed or offered forth by TO.

With a saturated goalie market and a lot of backups looking to break out Luongo/Vancouver do not have many options.

I believe the final offer made by the Canucks with just minutes left at the trade deadline was two 2nd rounders and a prospect. Nonnis said no way.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Itse

Well, they do pay players in Russia too. I know it's not the NHL over all, but Radulov apparently gets paid $9.2M per year. Tax-free.

While I don't think he'd make that kind of money (Radulov is the all-time scoring leader in the KHL), considering the taxes I think there's a good chance he wouldn't have to take much of a hit.

Also, Luongo has said himself that he'd tear up that contract if he could and that he is not returning to Vancouver. There is a chance he actually means what he says.

Which brings me to an interesting question;

If he chose to play in the KHL for, say, three years, and then reported at the start of the 2016 season, would the Canucks be required to start paying him again?

I think yes. Both the NHL and the NHLPA have an interest in enforcing these contracts.

There have been reports of Luongo not wanting to go to places in the NHL because it wasn't that close to Florida, hard to imagine he would be that keen on going to the crap hole that is Russia where North American players seem reluctant to go even when they have little other hockey options available.

Teams will take Luongo at his current deal so no need for him to stupidly void his deal and go to Russia where he would make less money, live in much worse conditions and do less for his career than sitting on the bench.

I think there would be zero chance the Canucks would have to pay him if he came back as they could easily say he failed to report and voided his deal.

[dying4acup]

I think the Russia comment was sarcastic.

[CaptainCrunch]

I don't know if Florida is going to be all that interested, isn't Markstrom their next big thing as far as goalies go, he's only 23 and a cheap hit on the cap. Loungo is older and has that stupid contract.