[Signing] Canucks sign Vrbata (2yrs, $5mil AAV, limited NTC)

[Hackey]

Another reasonable deal. Good signing for the Nucks.

[_Q_]

Good term and contract for Vancouver. I hate to say this, but this makes them better.

Still not good enough to make a splash in the playoffs though.

[The Original FFIV]

Good news. Now we can move Hudler to one of the runner ups for a player that fits what Treliving wants to accomplish moving forward and if necessary dip into the secondary market (Setoguchi, Heatley) to fill Hudler's spot

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Don't kid yourself you are close. A lot of the bottom feeders improved over the past week and the Canucks will sport a roster worse than they started last season with. This contract is fine though but Vrbata doesn't play center.

close to a cup no

but the Pacific is not a very good division, LA is the only elite team

Anaheim got a lot of puck luck last year, and all they added is Kesler (who everyone on this forum basically agreed is declining)

Calgary I think will be worse than last year, which is planned

Edmonton isn't a threat yet, I don't think Arizona is a great team, and SJ want to blow up their team and trade away their two best players after already losing their best PMD

it's going to be difficult not to make the playoffs in the pacific next year

[FlamesAddiction]

It looks like he gave up term for money. I'm surprised he did given his age.

Can't complain about the contract.

[jayswin]

Very good term. Great signing.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

close to a cup no

but the Pacific is not a very good division, LA is the only elite team

Anaheim got a lot of puck luck last year, and all they added is Kesler (who everyone on this forum basically agreed is declining)

Calgary I think will be worse than last year, which is planned

Edmonton isn't a threat yet, I don't think Arizona is a great team, and SJ want to blow up their team and trade away their two best players after already losing their best PMD

it's going to be difficult not to make the playoffs in the pacific next year

Anaheim and San Jose are still miles ahead of the Canucks. Even IF the Sharks trade Marleau and/or Thornton - they'd get a good return for them and they still have some nice pieces to build around (Couture, Hertl, Nieto etc). All the Canucks can hope for is a wildcard spot, and that's going to be difficult because the Central is the best division of the NHL right now and even teams like Dallas and Nashville clearly improved over the last few days.

[d_phaneuf]

we will see

I think both take huge steps back next year, SJ if they move Thornton, Anaheim no matter what

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

It looks like he gave up term for money. I'm surprised he did given his age.

Can't complain about the contract.

At that end of this contract he will be 35 and has made about $30M in the NHL. He's probably packing it up to go home as he partially owns BK Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic so I'm sure he has a spot on that team once he's done in the NHL.

[Jbo]

I think your kidding yourself if you think the Pacific will be a cake walk

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Don't kid yourself you are close. A lot of the bottom feeders improved over the past week and the Canucks will sport a roster worse than they started last season with.

You see this is just foolish.
I think I hate the Canucks as much as anyone, but this team is no where near the bottom. Not even close.
But it's no where near a contender either. Not even close.
If the Sedins rebound, and they might, they will be a 9th place club. They could sneak into last playoff spot in Pacific .
I love that they are following the same path that we know is futile. They will wallow in mediocrity while trying G to compete for the next few years, then have no assets left to use in a rebuild.

But this Canucks team will finish way ahead of the Flames this year.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Meers

Agreed. And that's even with Ryan Stanton and Shawn Mattias.

I knew I was forgetting a couple players.

The Canucks certainly have shuffled the deck around a lot this year. They have gotten younger and have a few decent prospects now but would be much better served to continue to blow it up and move another Dman like Bieksa, Edler or Hamhuis. All they are doing right now is fight for 9th

[bubbsy]

nice.

this gets the canucks back in the top 8-10 in the west ranking, which is perfect.

[Bezer]

Fair value and great term.. I would not have minded him as a Flame.

[Husky]

Csnucks centre depth is horrible.

[Winsor_Pilates]

This is good.
The Canucks won't be winning the cup anytime soon, so the longer they remain in the middle ground of competitiveness the better.
Adding older guys who won't make them elite, or let them rebuild is exactly what we want to see.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

close to a cup no

but the Pacific is not a very good division, LA is the only elite team

Anaheim got a lot of puck luck last year, and all they added is Kesler (who everyone on this forum basically agreed is declining)

Calgary I think will be worse than last year, which is planned

Edmonton isn't a threat yet, I don't think Arizona is a great team, and SJ want to blow up their team and trade away their two best players after already losing their best PMD

it's going to be difficult not to make the playoffs in the pacific next year

Anaheim might have the best prospects base in the league. And their puck luck had them around 35 points ahead of Van. You're dreaming if you think the Canucks will finish above them. If the Sharks fall off the table, you might give them a run, but I really doubt it. Wildcard a possibility too, but unlikely.

Congrats on your mediocrity

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

close to a cup no

but the Pacific is not a very good division, LA is the only elite team

Anaheim got a lot of puck luck last year, and all they added is Kesler (who everyone on this forum basically agreed is declining)

Calgary I think will be worse than last year, which is planned

Edmonton isn't a threat yet, I don't think Arizona is a great team, and SJ want to blow up their team and trade away their two best players after already losing their best PMD

it's going to be difficult not to make the playoffs in the pacific next year

You are kidding yourself.

They were 6 places from last spot last season, and have gotten worse. Try and spin it any way you want. They're going to be closer to rock bottom than a playoff spot.

[Bourque's Twin]

This is great for the Flames. I was worried that Vancouver was going to be in full tanking mode and steal a top 3 pick.

[TriCitiesHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

This is great for the Flames. I was worried that Vancouver was going to be in full tanking mode and steal a top 3 pick.

?
the team is worse than last year- take a look at the projected lineup. it's among the worst in the league