Canucks GM Mike Gillis is about to settle into a dinner meeting this evening with player agent J.P. Barry. Now surely the name Mats Sundin will come up in the conversation but the main focus of the discussion will be that of the future of Daniel and Henrik Sedin as well as Mattias Ohlund, all of whom have contracts expiring at the end of this season.
Mattias Ohlund has been a stellar force on the Canucks defence and the previous regim seemed to be able to get the hulky swede to sign under market value. My prediction is that these negotiations will go rather smoothly and Ohlund will be resigned at a slightly increase over his previous $3.5 million. Unless of course Mike Gillis pulls the wool over his eyes and refuses to admit the Canucks need this horse on D.As for Dan and Hank, there are differing opinions...
Both players have out performed several comparables that have recently signed multi-year/multi-million dollar deals. Shawn Horcoff and Scott Gomez have been mentioned in the same breath and looking at statistics Daniel and Henrik should recieve raises that would pay them $6 - $7 million dollars (or more) per season.
For those of you who may argue that they disappear during the playoffs, check the history of contract negotiations. You will note that playoff statistics don't seem to matter in this day and age.
The two-some has suggested that they would consider taking less money to stay in Vancouver, however, GM Mike Gillis would have to offer a no-movement clause in return.
Personally, I would like to see this put off until later in the season. Holding that carrot in front of two hungry swedes could be a way to get this club into the post season. And I do not see too many teams making the room next season to add both Daniel and Henrik at a combined $13-plus million dollars.
10 comments:
I do NOT like the idea of putting this off until the middle of the season. Gillis and the Sedins started out on a very bad note (remember Gillis' comments during his press confernece?) Putting off signing them would just be another sign of disresepect to two great players who already get more than their share of disrespect. I think/hope Gillis is starting to realise it isn't that easy to sign great players. Throwing money around doesn't work at all. He should count his blessings and sign his two best players to the fair no movement deal they deserve. And do it fast.
Trade them and Schnieder to LA for Kopitar and Brown
isnt schneider projected to be a pretty damn good NHL'er one day? please correct me if im wrong
He is, and it would hurt the team long term to do so, but in my mind this trade would do wonders for both teams. This gives LA that much needed goal tender as well as the team retains the top 2 forwards it sends to Vancouver while picking up the added cap money it needs. Vancouver gains the size and grit it needs on a top line. A top line of Kopitar, Demitra, Brown instantly becomes one of the most feared in the west and makes the cannucks a contender.
6.5 million each?
NO. Where do you come up with this? As separate players, yes... maybe. But as a combined package with NMC's its foolish to suggest a number of at least 13 million to get the "sisters" extended. Unless they want to end up playing for the Islanders or Thrashers (the only two teams who would be desperate enough to offer 6.5+ long term with NMC's), I'm going to call that the Sedins sign at a maximum of 5.25 each.
haha that LA proposed deal is childish... It makes no sense. Much needed goaltender? What? Lets just forget the fact that LA already has their franchise goalie in Bernier, but how is an extremely inexperienced goaltender the "answer" to LA's goalie problems?
And why would Dean Lombardi stray from the youth movement he created and stuck to over the past couple of years/seasons? Makes no sense since the team is still smack-dab in the middle of a rebuild, and already have a handful of veterans to rely on.
Oh and by the way: either Kopitar OR Brown by themselves are worth more than the Sedins straight up because of their younger age, comparative talent, leadership qualities (both being considered for captain this season in LA), cheaper current + next contracts, lack of movement clauses, and the fact that the Sedins simply aren't a versatile package when placed on a hockey roster.
Okay guys, A couple things I want to add. First off, you have to wonder if Gillis even wants the Sedin's considering he talked to pretty much everyother important player since getting the job. Also you have to take into account how many teams will take 12-13 million in cap. Their numbers = 1st liners, but they lack the ability to take over Huge games. Sometimes it looks like they do because they play so much, but they dont have the spark like Marian Gaborik or something.
If he trades them he won't get value in return for them and he gets ridiculed in the press and by the fans. If he signs them for 11-13 million he gets ridiculed in the press and by the fans.
The only solution I can see is he has to convince them to take 8-10 with a NTC for a period no longer than 4 years.
Damned if you do damned if you don't.
Simon, I don't think Gillis cares to be honest with you, about the press that is. I don't think the Sedin's have ever been in Gillis's plan, period. They are not first line players until they can show they can score BIG goals IMO. An Example of that team would be Gaborik. He scores huge goals, and the Sedin's just cant do that, not to mention they are soft, and not very fast, and getting kinda predictable. Should be interesting to see what Gillis does.
sedins are good with the cunucks togother there nothing without one an other and that whole them for brown and kopitar is a jk kopitar is way better then then not to memtion younger
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