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UFA of the Day: Dennis Wideman

June 26, 2012 Mitch 0 Comments Free Agency

Hey everyone, Mitch here. Rob was crazy enough to give me some admin control so I could publish my own posts. Once you get past the grammatical errors I think we’ll get along just fine. Today I’m going to profile Dennis Wideman.

Name: Dennis Wideman

Size: 6’0″, 200 lbs

Age: 28

Why the Canucks might want him: Wideman might be one of the more underrated UFA defencemen on the market come July 1st. He’s a big body with a good shot and can log big minutes. In Washington the past two seasons he was playing on average 23:16 per night. He’s a right handed shot and would be an upgrade from any forward the Canucks put on the point during the powerplay. He’s reached double digits in goals in four out of the last five seasons.

UFA of the Day: Justin Schultz

June 26, 2012 Rob 2 Comments Free Agency

I’m starting to regret calling this the “UFA of the Day” because some days we don’t have a UFA, and other days (like today), we have two! Well here at RobTheHockeyGuy, we pass the savings onto you. Today I’m focusing on one of the most intriguing and highly sought after UFAs to be: Justin Schultz.

Name: Justin Schultz

Age: 21

Size: 6’1″, 185 lbs

Why the Canucks might want him: Lots of reasons. He’s young, he’s cheap, he’s full of potential, and he’s ready to play right now. Schultz has yet to play an NHL game, but all 30 teams covet him. He was picked in the 2nd round, 43rd overall by the Ducks in 2008 but they have been unable to sign him. Since then, Schultz has blossomed at the University of Wisconsin and is much more valuable than your typical second rounder. His stock has risen considerably, and most experts believe he is ready to play in the NHL immediately. He posted 47 points in 41 games in 2010-11, and 44 points in 37 games this past season.

UFA of the Day: David Moss

June 26, 2012 Rob 0 Comments Free Agency

Mitch is back again with our hit series: “UFA of the Day”! July 1st is only just around the corner. Today he features David Moss of the Calgary Flames.

Name: David Moss

Age: 30

Size: 6’0″, 203lbs

Why the Canucks might want him: Well, other than sticking it to the Flames, the Canucks would be getting a player that can kill penalties, hit and score. David Moss is a big body and can also log some time on the Canucks terrible and ever-revolving second unit power play. It should also be noted that Moss has hit 20 goals before. Not in the type of way that Jan Bulis did. For some reason I think Moss’ was a little harder earned. He also plays a decent amount of minutes for a guy who’s been injured like he has. Also, he doesn’t take many penalties at all. 22 PIM is the most he has ever taken in a season.

UFA of the Day: Jay McClement

June 21, 2012 Rob 1 Comment Free Agency

Mitch the blog machine is back again (because that’s what blog machines do.. they blog). Enjoy! Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_SBMedia

Name: Jay McClement

Age: 29

Size: 6’1″, 205lbs

Why the Canucks might want him: McClement may be one of the most underrated centres going into UFA on July 1st. His ability to win face offs and kill penalties is probably what will be most attractive to Vancouver, also he’s only missed six games since 2006-2007 and has only taken over 30 PIM twice in his NHL career. He isn’t known for his goal scoring or play-making abilities, but can chip in with a timely goal. Most importantly, if the Canucks feel like Malhotra won’t be able to return to his ‘A’ game, McClement would be a great fit for that third line role.

The Curious Case of Mason Raymond

June 20, 2012 Rob 1 Comment Special Feature

Mitch has been blogging faster than I can post lately. ‘Mitch the blog machine’ is what I call him. You can call him @Mitch_SBMedia on Twitter.

Last week the Vancouver Canucks decided to take Mason Raymond to club elected “cut-down” arbitration. What’s cut-down arbitration? You’re asking that like last week was the first time you had ever heard the term. Well, if that’s what you say, then I believe you. In fact, a lot of other people believe you too. Myself included. Cut-down arbitration is a form of arbitration that is used by the team to reduce the qualifying offer to a pending restricted free agent. The arbitrator may not award any less than 85% of last years’ salary, in the case of Mason Raymond that would be exactly $2.21 million. 15% less than the $2.6 he made last season. It should also be noted that Vancouver couldn’t walk away from the ruling because it’s club elected. However, they can still trade him once he has signed the qualifying offer.

UFA of the Day: Patrick O’Sullivan

June 20, 2012 Rob 0 Comments Free Agency

I can’t believe I’m letting Mitch write about Patrick O’Sullivan. He seems to be pretty passionate about him though. So lets give him a chance. Mitch, you’ve got some explaining to do!

Disclaimer for those of you who are blinded with rage right now; I’m going to go a little off the board on this one here. I know that as soon as you see that name you think this is some kind of cruel and toothless joke; I can assure you that it’s not. Do I think Patrick O’Sullivan is going to get a shot in the arm from signing here with the hopes of restarting his disappointing career? Not as such. Instead I’m going to tell you why I think O’Sullivan is a good depth signing. Consider him our depth UFA of the day!

UFA of the Day: Scott Hannan

June 20, 2012 Rob 0 Comments Free Agency

Mitch is back with another article. He’s on the UFA trail once again. We’re less than two weeks away from July 1st and free agency madness, so it’s about time we get caught up. Today, we learn a little more about Scott Hannan.

Name: Scott Hannan

Age: 33

Size: 6’2, 220lbs

Let’s all just close our eyes and pretend Keith Ballard isn’t coming back. There, he’s gone right? OK, open your eyes.

Why the Canucks might want him: If Vancouver doesn’t bring back Sami Salo and they feel like Marc-Andre Gragnani isn’t ready for full time minutes then Scott Hannan could be that guy who comes in to play in some key situations. At 33 years old he still has a few serviceable years left in the NHL, so why not take a chance on him? Calgary did last year and they ended up getting him for $1 million for the season. Given that he plays the PK, can log big minutes, doesn’t take many penalties and only missed four games, $1 million for the year was a steal, in my opinion.

UFA of the Day: Jason Arnott

June 14, 2012 Rob 0 Comments Free Agency

Mitch the blog machine (I’ll come up with a better nickname) is back with another UFA of the day feature. Today’s UFA is Jason Arnott. Take it away Mitch!

Name: Jason Arnott

Age: 37

Size: 6’5″, 230lbs

Why the Canucks might want him: Experience. Plain and simple. At age 37 Arnott has been around the block a few times. He has a Stanley Cup ring and knows what it takes to win. His leadership and experience on a young St. Louis team this year proved invaluable. He’s had back to back 17 goal seasons, he’s capable of logging some decent minutes and filling a top six spot if needed. Ideally, I would think he would be a bottom six guy at this point given the Canucks depth right now. However, the Canucks could also put him on the second unit power play which for the past couple of seasons has kind of had a revolving door of players.

Roberto Luongo Trade Rumour Bonanza: Edmonton Oilers Edition

June 13, 2012 Rob 3 Comments Rumours, Trades

This is the second installment of ‘Roberto Luongo Trade Rumour Bonanza’! Our first installment pondered the chances of Luongo being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Today, we look at the chances of the Edmonton Oilers landing Roberto Luongo.

As you may have heard by now, Roberto Luongo is likely on his way out of town. Or at the very least, he is being shopped around by GM Mike Gillis. The most talked about destinations so far have been Toronto, Tampa Bay and Floria, but I would like to talk about a darkhorse team.

UFA of the Day: Josh Harding

June 13, 2012 Rob 0 Comments Free Agency

Mitch (the other hockey guy) is back again with the UFA of the day. Today he ponders life after Luongo, a life that could include Josh Harding of the Minnesota Wild. You can follow Mitch on Twitter at @Mitch_SBMedia.

So over the past few days I’ve brought the likes of Matt Carle and Kristian Huselius. Two players who I think could fit in well with the Canucks. A big-bodied defenseman who can play big minutes and is rarely in the box, and a play-making winger who can also put the puck in the net. Today I’m going to go the other way and suggest a UFA who resides in the blue paint. Time to talk goalies.