NHL Free Agency

[Cameron]

Interesting day on the NHL free agent front. Defensemen obviously more in demand than forwards.

Hamhuis and Malhotra to the Canucks are both pretty good moves. Overpayment for Malhotra, but Hamhuis is a good deal, imo. Improved faceoffs, penalty killing, and more physical. I like it.

Chicago continues the role player fire sale.......it warms my heart to see Byfuglien, Eager, and Ladd all banished to the East!

[Damien]

Our PK was bad all year. Even worse in the playoffs. Malholtra will help that considerably. He is a 60% face off guy, and like you said adds grit. Despite the slight overpayment (ouch at 3 years as well).

Ballard is near the top in the league in blocked shots. Hamhuis logged full time 1st unit shutdown pair with the Preds. We needed that.

I think the needs are being addressed. The Canucks were 2nd in the league in scoring so tightening up the PK, shot blocking, and being more physical on the back end and on the 3rd and 4th lines is outstanding.

Apparently that Oreskovich can skate and hit. We don't need points from the 4th line, so if he can bring physicality to the 4th, that will be huge.

Hopefully we get playoff experienced (a cup winner would be awesome) second or third line player for Bieksa. The great thing is a bit of depth, and also that Ballard and Hamhuis are very durable.

Defense Looks Solid
Hamhuis - Ballard
Edler - Ehroff
Salo - O'Brien
Extras;
Alberts - Rome - Oberg

Top 6 unchanged(if Raymond resigns)
Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Raymond - Kesler- Sammuelson

Then all bets are off for the 3rd and 4th lines, given the young guys coming up.
Schroeder - Hodgson - Hansen
Glass - Malhotra - Oreskovich
Hordi-Rypien-Bolduc

Luongo
Schneider

I like the full time goalie coach coming in, Rollie Melanson. The promise that Lou will max out at about 65 games played this year should keep him more fresh. And developing Corey Schneider as our next goalie, or trade bait is going to be awesome.

Next up, put the damn C on a skater and move Bieksa.

Burr won't be ready to start the season, so it will give Coho and/or Schoeder every chance to skate on the top two lines for a bit. Will be interesting to watch.

[Jackson]

NHL free agency includes the safe moves with up to date information with the expert's advice. The biggest prize in the free NHL's agency is still at large, four days into the signing period. Dan Hamhuis had his heart set on playing in the Vancouver.

[Cameron]

Our PK was bad all year. Even worse in the playoffs. Malholtra will help that considerably. He is a 60% face off guy, and like you said adds grit. Despite the slight overpayment (ouch at 3 years as well).

Ballard is near the top in the league in blocked shots. Hamhuis logged full time 1st unit shutdown pair with the Preds. We needed that.

I think the needs are being addressed. The Canucks were 2nd in the league in scoring so tightening up the PK, shot blocking, and being more physical on the back end and on the 3rd and 4th lines is outstanding.

Apparently that Oreskovich can skate and hit. We don't need points from the 4th line, so if he can bring physicality to the 4th, that will be huge.

Hopefully we get playoff experienced (a cup winner would be awesome) second or third line player for Bieksa. The great thing is a bit of depth, and also that Ballard and Hamhuis are very durable.

Defense Looks Solid
Hamhuis - Ballard
Edler - Ehroff
Salo - O'Brien
Extras;
Alberts - Rome - Oberg

Top 6 unchanged(if Raymond resigns)
Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Raymond - Kesler- Sammuelson

Then all bets are off for the 3rd and 4th lines, given the young guys coming up.
Schroeder - Hodgson - Hansen
Glass - Malhotra - Oreskovich
Hordi-Rypien-Bolduc

Luongo
Schneider

I like the full time goalie coach coming in, Rollie Melanson. The promise that Lou will max out at about 65 games played this year should keep him more fresh. And developing Corey Schneider as our next goalie, or trade bait is going to be awesome.

Next up, put the damn C on a skater and move Bieksa.

Burr won't be ready to start the season, so it will give Coho and/or Schoeder every chance to skate on the top two lines for a bit. Will be interesting to watch.

That is a pretty damn good analysis Damien......I agree with everything there.

I like the looks of that Oreskovich kid. I think he will be more than a throw in from the Ballard deal. Having a reliable 4th line that can create some havoc will be a big help, especially come playoff time. I mean, what's the use of having a 4th line if you are scared to even dress the guys in the post season?

I also think that Malhotra will make a huge difference in the bottom 6. 3 years might be a little much, 2.5 might be a bit high, and a limited no trade clause too, but you have to hand it to Gillis for going out and getting a guy that really fits what the Canucks were missing. He also weakened a strong division rival (SJ) in doing so.

I also hope we can get an experienced winger for Bieksa who can play steady on the 3rd line but move up to the 2nd or 1st for stints if necessary (if the young guys don't stick).

The competition with Hodgson and Schroeder trying to make the team should be awesome too. I still think Malhotra will line up as the 3rd line center though with Hodgson on the win at first if he makes the team. Malhotra is so damn good in the faceoff circle.....

I agree that a full time goalie coach was necessary. It shows that the days of bowing down to Luongo's wishes might be over. I guess once you have a guy locked up long term, you can afford to do that....lol. And yes, get rid of the C.....it is a HUGE distraction for him, the team, but mostly for the fans.

Hopefully next year we can get together and go to a game together. My wife had a blast....