Horse McHindu
They call me Horse.....
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/new...targets/ar-AAljqYW?li=AAadgLE&ocid=spartanntp
Few Thoughts:
1) Botchford has about as much credibility as Monica Lewiniski and so I wouldn't put too much stock into what he says.
2) I wonder which two teams Botchford is talking about? Are there actually 2 teams out there that could absorb the Sedins' contracts in its entirety?
3) In a hypothetical scenario where the twins get traded with zero retention, would you be willing to see Horvat be thrust into the #1 C role? I'm not so sure I'd want to see this.
4) If a team actually took on the Sedins' $14 million dollar contracts in its entirety, what would you do with that cap space? Would Horvat and Gudbranson be immediately signed to long term deals? (likely Horvat, but would Benning do Gudbranson as well?).
At least two teams are reportedly interested in acquiring the Sedins for their full cap hit and Canucks veterans could draw interest at the trade deadline. The Kings are looking to clear cap space by moving out Teddy Purcell.
The ongoing struggles of the Vancouver Canucks this season generated some speculation over possible roster moves.
In early November, it was reported GM Jim Benning was in the market for a 20-goal winger. At one point, the Canucks were linked to Buffalo Sabres left wing Evander Kane, but Benning reportedly ended that inquiry. *
By late-November, The Province's Jason Botchford suggested the Canucks could get an early start on deciding which players to move by the March 1 trade deadline. He felt veterans such as Ryan Miller, Alex Edler, Alexandre Burrows and perhaps even Daniel and Henrik Sedin could be on the move.
Unless those players want out of Vancouver, however, that's not going to happen. All carry some form of a no-trade clause in their respective contracts. Benning tells Botchford he won't move them unless they ask to be dealt.*
Botchford said he knows of two teams that would be willing to acquire the Sedins for their full combined salary-cap hit of $14 million. If the Canucks were to pick up part of that cap hit (which runs through 2017-18), he thinks more clubs would be interested.*
The sticking point, of course, is the Sedins' willingness to be traded. So far, they've given no indication that they want out of Vancouver. As Botchford points out, such a move would likely have to take place in the off-season.*
Even if the Canucks put the Sedins on the block, they're unlikely to fetch a significant return. While they're still putting up solid numbers (17 points in 26*games), the 36-year-old twins are well past their prime. Teams aren't going to give up a lot for a couple of fading stars. Picks and prospects, sure, but nothing that would immediately reverse the Canucks' fortunes.*
As for Miller, he and Canucks management could be willing to work out a contract extension. Botchford's collegue Ben Kuzma doubts the Canucks place the 36-year-old goalie on the block by the trade deadline.*
Kuzma notes Miller's stats aren't great this season. However, he feels he'll still be a good fit with Jacob Markstrom, buying some time until promising goalie prospect Thatcher Demko is ready to move up. He wonders if Miller might be agreeable to a two- or three-year deal worth between $4-$4.5 million per season. That's a significant pay cut from Miller's current $6-million annual salary.*
Considering Miller's no longer an elite goaltender, he probably won't get much better than that on the open market. He could test next summer's free-agent market, but will likely find few decent offers. He could prefer to avoid uncertainty over his future by staying in Vancouver for a reasonable contract.*
Few Thoughts:
1) Botchford has about as much credibility as Monica Lewiniski and so I wouldn't put too much stock into what he says.
2) I wonder which two teams Botchford is talking about? Are there actually 2 teams out there that could absorb the Sedins' contracts in its entirety?
3) In a hypothetical scenario where the twins get traded with zero retention, would you be willing to see Horvat be thrust into the #1 C role? I'm not so sure I'd want to see this.
4) If a team actually took on the Sedins' $14 million dollar contracts in its entirety, what would you do with that cap space? Would Horvat and Gudbranson be immediately signed to long term deals? (likely Horvat, but would Benning do Gudbranson as well?).
