On the Vancouver Canucks …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 590 on any potential changes in Vancouver.
The Canucks are a organization that are always worried about selling tickets, and when the seats get empty, change happens. Mike Gillis was fired as GM after five successful seasons when the arena stopped being full.
“Look – Willie Desjardins is in the last year of his contract. I don’t think he’s the problem. I think those players have played very hard for them. But any time you get a guy now who gets into the last year of their contract without an extension, it’s a story and you know it. And I just think that it’s an easy change for them to make, though I don’t necessarily know if it’s the right change.”
Sportsnet’s Luke Fox sat down with Canucks president Trevor Linden, with Linden asking if it’s fair to the Sedin’s to do a rebuild while they are still there?
“So I always think that next year is the last year of the Sedins’ contracts. They wanted to be competitive to that point, and then they would see where they were.
“But I do think there’s lots of potential for change there.”
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Interview with Vancouver Canucks president Trevor Linden. Linden on the idea that Canucks fans don’t have the appetite for an aggressive rebuild.
“We have Daniel and Henrik Sedin here, who are very important to this organization and icons in the city. They’re not going anywhere. I don’t know how I walk into the room and tell these guys, “Strip it down.” I’m not sure it’s fair to these guys. There’s different circumstances, be it in Toronto or Carolina or Vancouver, that require different routes. It’s not perfect, but I’m encouraged by the young players we’ve introduced, and we’ve got some young prospects.”
Linden on if Jacob Markstrom is their No. 1 goalie of the future.
“We definitely feel he has a chance. The succession plan: Ryan may be back next year. We’re not sure. He’s a free agent. Jacob, we feel can be a No. 1 goalie, and we got Demko in Utica. It depends on his development. Goaltenders take a little more time.”
Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks will need to find an affordable backup to work with Jacob Markstrom next year, and until Thatcher Demko is ready. Ryan Miller is a pending UFA at the season. The Canucks aren’t going to trade Miller by the trade deadline. Could the Canucks bring Miller back next year?
“We’re open, but it’s December,” said Canucks president of hockey operations Trevor Linden. “At the end of the year, we’ll reassess and see where we are and what next year looks like. Our goaltending is the least of our worries — both guys have given us a chance to win. And Jacob has played exactly like we thought he would.”
Would Miller be interested in a two deal at $4 or $4.5 million?