The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[Psyblast]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Maybe Dr. Jones can provide some insight into what happened to the Canucks in this year's playoffs and where they go from here.

Seems like Kesler was never really healthy this year.

It seemed to me (from the limited amount of times I saw them this year) the Canucks were in a sort of lull most of the time. Maybe similar to the haze the Wings were in after losing Game 7 to the Penguins? They just seemed to lack that extra burst and fire that they had last year.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

We definitely got fleeced in that trade... but I am pretty damn sure Coho requested a trade.

Everything I've heard (from someone I know in the local media and a prominent former Canuck) suggests that Vigneault didn't want to go into the playoffs with Hodgson. Gillis hinting otherwise was spin control. I'm sure Hodgson would've like more playing time, but who demands to be dealt from a Cup contender immediately before the trade deadline as opposed to waiting for the offseason? Nobody.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Well here's hoping we get Nashville/Chicago and not Nashville/Phoenix.

I'm rooting for Nashville/Phoenix!

[Kobalt]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

We definitely got fleeced in that trade... but I am pretty damn sure Coho requested a trade.

Even if he asked for a trade, they couldn't get something better than Kassian? I didn't even think Kassian was this bad.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

It seemed to me (from the limited amount of times I saw them this year) the Canucks were in a sort of lull most of the time. Maybe similar to the haze the Wings were in after losing Game 7 to the Penguins? They just seemed to lack that extra burst and fire that they had last year.

I agree on the visual impression. Guys like Kesler, Burrows, Lapierre, and Higgins didn't seem to have the same fire as last year when it looked like they were playing the game at a quicker pace than the opposition every time out.

It'll be interesting to see what happens this summer. They're still loaded, but could really use a couple pieces and the cap room of Luongo's contract off the books.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Even if he asked for a trade, they couldn't get something better than Kassian? I didn't even think Kassian was this bad.

I don't think many did. Although, Dr. Jones was pretty unimpressed by the deal. I wonder if they could have instead gone after Derek Roy for a slightly higher price.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

It'll be interesting to see what happens this summer. They're still loaded, but could really use a couple pieces and the cap room of Luongo's contract off the books.

Although it may be for the best, trading Luongo will not offer cap relief to Vancouver. While Luongo's contract length is ludicrous, the actual cap hit of 5.3M is not. If Schneider is re-signed as a starter, he's looking at Halak money at a bare minimum: 4-5 years at 3.5-4M.

It's also highly unlikely the Canucks could move Luongo without taking a big contract in return. If it's Tampa, for example, I'm guessing the Canucks take Ryan Malone in return (3 years left at 4.5M) with picks going both ways.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I don't think many did. Although, Dr. Jones was pretty unimpressed by the deal. I wonder if they could have instead gone after Derek Roy for a slightly higher price.

Roy has to be a top-6 forward, doesn't he? Wouldn't work. What surprised me is that they didn't go harder after Steve Ott. Supposedly Gillis offered Mason Raymond for him , so why not offer Hodgson, Raymond, and a pick for Ott and Souray, for example? Kassian might have better long-term value, but Ott was a much-better fit for a win-now team that needed some top-9 grit and scoring pop.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

It seemed to me (from the limited amount of times I saw them this year) the Canucks were in a sort of lull most of the time. Maybe similar to the haze the Wings were in after losing Game 7 to the Penguins? They just seemed to lack that extra burst and fire that they had last year.

Something like that. They usually got fired up for statement games (Sharks, Hawks, Wings, WW3 in Boston), but kinda farted around otherwise.

Better they lose now than in the 2nd or 3rd round, I suppose. Longer offseason, more impetus for change in attitude.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Although it may be for the best, trading Luongo will not offer cap relief to Vancouver. While Luongo's contract length is ludicrous, the actual cap hit of 5.3M is not. If Schneider is re-signed as a starter, he's looking at Halak money at a bare minimum: 4-5 years at 3.5-4M.

It's also highly unlikely the Canucks could move Luongo without taking a big contract in return. If it's Tampa, for example, I'm guessing the Canucks take Ryan Malone in return (3 years left at 4.5M) with picks going both ways.

At least with Malone you might get some on-ice value, and he might even be moveable before then end of his contract. Seems like cap relief in the sense that Malone could be slightly useful for a while and also free up that that 5 million before the window on the Sedins et al closes. Luongo's contract on the books would be dead weight for the next decade.

EDIT: And you're right. Roy wouldn't have been realistic. But heck, if they were looking for someone to deal with Lucic this year they should have just offered up Mason Raymond and a first for Paul Gaustad and a spare part. Would have beaten Nashville's offer I'd guess.

[sharks]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

As I said before, LA was more gritty. I think hard work was the difference, because talent-wise, Vancouver was better.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

At least with Malone you might get some on-ice value, and he might even be moveable before then end of his contract. Seems like cap relief in the sense that Malone could be slightly useful for a while and also free up that that 5 million before the window on the Sedins et al closes.

That 5 million isn't going to be freed up. 4 million of it would go to Schneider, 4.5M to Malone. The only time Malone would be tradeable would be the last year of his contract, so the Canucks would be paying 3.5M more by moving Luongo for the first 2 years, then save 1M after per year after that. Negligible savings. If Luongo is moved, it's to give Schneider the starter's job (and fob the Luongo circus onto someone else), that's it. Won't help cap-wise.

Luongo's contract on the books would be dead weight for the next decade.

Except it's really not. The Luongo contract is front-loaded cash-wise. He makes 6.7M for each of the next 6 seasons, then 7.5M in the last 4 seasons combined. Luongo's not going to hang around at age 39 for less than 2M a season. He'll retire or be bought out after 2017-18. So for all intents and purposes, Luongo has a 6 year deal with a 5.3M cap hit (6.7M per year in real money). Desirable? By no means. But it's not quite the albatross that some make it out to be.

EDIT: And you're right. Roy wouldn't have been realistic. But heck, if they were looking for someone to deal with Lucic this year they should have just offered up Mason Raymond and a first for Paul Gaustad and a spare part. Would have beaten Nashville's offer I'd guess.

They were looking for a tough winger who could score. Neither Roy nor Gaustad apply.

[kai123]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Luongo is staying(bittersweet) and Schneids is leaving....

Anyways, the one thing that pops out at me is that the Canucks had trouble scoring and Cody Hodgson, their scoring center, was traded at the deadline for Zack Kassian. I don't get it, Coho was unreal and could have been a huge help for the Canucks but they go out and get a guy who was a healthy in Game 5. I know Coho was unhappy but it doesn't matter use him up until he wants out. Mike Gillis could almost certainly blame himself for this.

Back to the series, nice goaltending and D throughout. I would have called the final play on Hammer a trip/hook but oh well what can you do with bad officiating in all playoff series.

[sharks]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I would have called that final play holding the stick...

[kai123]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I would have called that final play holding the stick...

Hey offsetting minors, just as long as the Canucks didn't lose.