Keys of the Vancouver Canucks offseason
Greg Wyshynski and Chris Peters: Looking at the keys to the Vancouver Canucks offseason.
Invest in skill – Last offseason Canucks GM Jim Benning signed depth players. This year they need to add more speed and skill, especially for their second line.
Figure out their right side of their blue line – The Canucks are deep on the left side but a little thin on the right side. There has already been talk of them trying to trade for a young, right-handed defenseman.
Is Jim Benning “The Guy?” – Benning has been the GM for five seasons and they’ve missed the playoff in four of them.
Canucks and Schenn talking
Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman said the Canucks and defenseman Luke Schenn are talking about a contract extension.
“He’s had an impact since he was traded for from Anaheim earlier this year,” Friedman said. “Sounds like there’s discussion on a one-year extension for him.”
Luongo’s playing career in doubt?
Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos said that injuries could end Roberto Luongo‘s NHL career.
“Growing speculation that Roberto Luongo’s health may cost him playing in the National Hockey League in the future,” Kypreos said. “Now, the good news, I guess, when it comes to the contract is, if that’s the case, he’ll go to training camp, fail his physical and that will force him to go to the long-term injured reserve. He would get the remainder of his three-year contract and there’s no recapture penalties to the Florida Panthers and, more importantly, to the Vancouver Canucks.”
Luongo is owed $16 million in salary over the next three seasons. If Luongo goes to the LTIR, the Florida Panthers could turn to pending free agent Sergei Bobrovsky.
“What coincides, I think, with the Luongo news is Sergei Bobrovsky,” said Kypreos. “There’s talk that they (Panthers) may take a real healthy run at him, and certainly they’re gonna need him if Luongo does shut it down.”