Rumours | Page 2 | Rob The Hockey Guy

Sami Salo set to return, who gets traded?

January 17, 2011 Rob 0 Comments Rumours, Trades

Sami Salo is back, well, almost. He’s been skating for a long time now, and has been practicing and traveling with the team for a couple of weeks also. So when is he set to return? The Canucks are keeping this somewhat secretive, but it looks to be soon. The reason is of course the salary cap. The Canucks are very close to the cap right now and will be over it when Salo returns. According to CapGeek, the Canucks would need to get rid of $1.8 million of annual salary if Salo returned today.

Time to load up? Would you trade Raymond, Ballard and Schneider for Iginla?

December 30, 2010 Rob 0 Comments Rumours, Trades, Twitter Tracker

Let me immediately state that this is not a trade rumour. Nobody has suggested that the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames are talking trade or that Mike Gillis is shopping Mason Raymond, Keith Ballard or Cory Schneider. Even new Flames general manager Jay Feaster has said that he is not interested in trading the face of the franchise, Jarome Iginla. While we can choose to believe or not believe Jay Feaster, it’s still unlikely that he would trade Iginla to Vancouver given that they are a division rival. The point of asking this question centres around a bigger question. When (if ever) is the time to load up, trade for a player to put your team over the hump, while sacrificing some of your future? I think this year might be the year and a Raymond/Ballard/Schneider for Iginla deal is at least worth a thought.

Canucks Sellout Streak Over?

December 15, 2010 Rob 0 Comments Rumours, Special Feature

I don’t know it for sure, but I believe the Canucks sellout streak is over at Rogers Arena. Now, the Canucks aren’t admitting this, and the game notes on Canucks.com for tonight’s game claim that they have 322 consecutive sellouts. But over the last little while I’ve noticed a few things that make me doubt the current sellout streak.

Trades, Waivers and Cap Consideration Oh My! O'Brien Dealt to Nashville

October 5, 2010 Rob 0 Comments Rumours, Signing, Trades

With the regular season mere days away, the NHL is conducting it’s annual fourth line/seventh defenceman/AHLer shuffle. The Canucks, who are tight against the cap are doing about as much shuffling as anyone at the moment, trying to finalize their roster. The Canucks traded Shane O’Brien and his $1.6 million cap hit along with prospect Dan Gendur (he’s more suspect than prospect) to the Nashville Predators for Ryan Parent ($925,000 cap hit) and Jonas Andersson. The Canucks immediately placed Parent on waivers with the intent to put him in the minors.

O'Brien and Hordichuk put on Waivers

October 2, 2010 Rob 0 Comments Rumours

The Vancouver Canucks placed Shane O’Brien and Darcy Hordichuk on waivers today. I found the news surprising but I guess when you think about it, the writing was on the wall for both of them. Both players were healthy scratches a number of times last season and both players have big contracts given their place on the team.

Numbers game: do Hodgson, Morrison, Tambellini make this team?

September 28, 2010 Rob 2 Comments Rumours

Believe it or not, the Canucks are now 75% complete their preseason schedule. That means some tough decisions need to be made by Alain Vigneault and the Canucks coaching staff, and they need to be made soon. There are only two games left before a long list of players on the bubble will find out where they will start the 2010-11 season. That list includes most notably Cody Hodgson, Brendan Morrison and Jeff Tambellini.

Brendan Morrison to Tryout for Canucks

September 17, 2010 Rob 0 Comments Rumours, Signing

The Canucks announced yesterday that former Canuck Brendan Morrison will be trying out for the team in training camp (related: Peter Schaefer is also on a tryout). This is interesting on a number of fronts. To start, Morrison will play in the preseason in a Canucks jersey and could make the team, be cut or sign with any other team before the start of the regular season. So quite clearly, nothing is guaranteed.

Luongo Gives up C, H. Sedin or Kesler to Become New Captain?

September 13, 2010 Rob 1 Comment Rumours, Special Feature

Roberto Luongo did what a lot of people anticipated on Monday and relinquished captaincy for the Vancouver Canucks. I think this is a positive move and it was done in such a way that everyone saves face. Gillis hinted that he wouldn’t mind Luongo giving up the C, but ultimately allowed Luongo to make the decision. Getting rid of the C should help Luongo focus on stopping the puck, although pressure on him will still be high. But by giving the C to someone else, that will deflect some of the pressure.

Willie Mitchell Decision Expected Soon

August 18, 2010 Rob 2 Comments Rumours

All signs are pointing to the Willie Mitchell making a decision on where to play this week. Mitchell has worked out for the Canucks, Sharks, Kings and Capitals this week. One would assume that he is undergoing physicals to prove his health to these teams before they tender him an offer. He has reportedly already been offered a two-year deal by the Los Angeles Kings, but the price is not yet known. Cap-wise, the Kings are by far in the best position. The Sharks could also fit-in Mitchell with relative ease, that is if they stick with Niittymaki and Greiss in net. The Capitals and Canucks are both in tight against the cap as it is, and would probably need to get creative.

Mitchell Talks with Team, a New Assistant Coach, more Larscheid Rumours and more!

August 5, 2010 Rob 14 Comments Rumours

The rumour mill is heating up with regards to Willie Mitchell and shockingly it appears the Canucks may still be in the race. It looks like the free agent d-man is now symptom free and will be ready to start the season. He has also reportedly narrowed his search to four teams: Washington, Detroit, San Jose and Vancouver. Mike Gillis didn’t do anything to curtail rumours, admitting to talking to Mitchell.

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