Steve's Picks for the 2010-11 Canucks

The next few weeks, before free agency quiets down and we're all forced to watch baseball highlights, are always a time to have some fun sculpting our own rosters. Although comparing us to Gillis is like pitting The Godfather against The Wolfman (I'm watching it now..it lives up to the hype and totally sucks balls), we at the HCP will give it a shot. And we'll try to avoid any NHL '10 trades, so unfortunately Malkin, Crosby, and Steve Chamberlain (skill rating: 99) will not be joining the team this year.

Signings:
Resign Mitchell to 1 year, $2 million
Sign Neidermayer to 1 year, $5 million
Sign Madden to 1 year, $3.0 million
Resign SOB to 2 years, $3.6 million
Resign Raymond to 3 years, $9.6 million

Trades:
Trade Bieksa for picks/prospects
Trade Bernier for picks/bags of pucks
Trade Salo for picks/prospects
One of those trades needs to get a 2nd round pick back

Offer sheets:
2nd rounder from Bieksa/Bernier/Salo trade to make a 4 year/$12 million offer to Hjalmersson

Final Roster: (tip of the hat to capgeek.com)

Daniel Sedin ($6.100m) / Henrik Sedin ($6.100m) / Mikael Samuelsson ($2.500m)
Mason Raymond ($3.200m) / Ryan Kesler ($5.000m) / Alexandre Burrows ($2.000m)
Jannik Hansen ($0.850m) / Cody Hodgson ($1.696m) / Jordan Schroeder ($1.025m)
Michael Grabner ($0.843m) /Madden ($3.000m) / Darcy Hordichuk ($0.775m)
Rick Rypien ($0.550m) / Tanner Glass ($0.500m)

Neidermayer ($5.000m) / Alexander Edler ($3.250m)
Christian Ehrhoff ($3.100m) / Hjalmersson ($3.000m)
Willie Mitchell ($2.000m) / Shane O'Brien ($1.800m)
Evan Oberg ($1.562m)

Roberto Luongo ($5.333m) / Cory Schneider ($0.900m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)
ROSTER: 23; CAP: $58.8m; PAYROLL: $60.085m; CAP ROOM: $0.828m BONUSES: $2.112m

I didn't really want get rid of Salo, but needed to in order to get under the cap. Gillis gets his Stanley Cup experience in Hjalmersson, Madden, and Neids and the Canucks get much, much more mobile on defense. However, the plan rests entirely on our young players like Oberg, Hodgson, Schroeder, and Grabner stepping up into big time roles.

Thoughts? Concerns? Think you've got the right package for Ovechkin and Green? Let us know.

If Only This Were Baseball, and We Could Buy Them All

Living in Montreal, getting caught up in the Habs madness, and free new kicks from Foot Locker have somewhat dampened the usual post-Canucks hangover that usually rolls around in early May. However, with a Flyers-Hawks final looming and the thought that Dustin Byfuglien may soon wrap his greasy paws around a Stanley Cup, the offseason blues have started to hit home. With that in mind, we're looking ahead to see what our godly GM can do to fill in our weaknesses; namely, our defense and arranging a quick and efficient ride to the airport for Demitra. Keeping in mind that Gillis is the only mortal who can go in against a Sicilian when death in on the line, let's look at his top defensive targets.

Anton Volchenkov:
Contract Status: UFA, Current Salary: $3.20 million
A shot-blocking machine and a defensive coach's wet dream, Volchenkov is the perfect fit for the Canucks which unfortunately means he's the perfect fit for a lot of teams needing defensive help. Reports over the last few days have suggested that it's all but a done deal that he'll be joining a specific team not named the Canucks. Quick, lets play the guessing game! Which team has firepower up front but needs a defensive defenceman? And which team has a plethora of Russians? Hmm...

Paul Martin
UFA, $4.50 million
Probably the second-most desirable defensive UFA out there, Martin will likely be too pricey for the Canucks unless some trades get made. Also, he may steer clear of Canadian teams in order to avoid the onslaught of "former Prime Minister" jokes.

Dan Hamhuis
UFA, $2.50 million
Despite the Nostradamuses over at the Canucks.com forum, the race for Hamhuis is wide open. Like he did at the deadline, Gillis will target him, but only at the right price. He's a good young player, but don't forget he's played the last few years with Weber and Suter, who are apparently pretty good at hockey.

Braydon Coburn
RFA, $1.40 million
This kid is only 24, and will be an anchor on some team's blueline for years. The Flyers paid a heavy price to get him, although heavy in this case refers to the 215-pound Alexei Zhitnik who gave the Thrashers a year and a half of service before leaving for the KHL for reasons related to "not being good at playing competitive hockey." Philly won't give him up easily, but with Pronger, Timonen (making $6.33 million for the next three years) and Carle on the back end and Briere, Carter, Richards et al. up front commanding big salaries, Gillis might be able to swing a deal. Bieksa and Schneider perhaps? Anyone? Anyone?

Scott Neidermayer
UFA, $6.00 million
He's been on the 'Nucks wishlist for years, and for those who say Old Man 'Neids still can't bring it they may have missed that tournament thingy earlier that gave out all them pretty gold medals. Are the Ducks committing to a semi-rebuild? If so, Scott could return back to his home province. If not, the Ducks will surely throw the kitchen sink at keeping him a Duck until retirement.

Niklas Hjalmarsson
RFA, $0.666 million
The current runner-up in the "Blackhawks Whose Name Nobody Can Pronounce" sweepstakes, he may be a victim when the Hawks realize the whole "cap" thing might be an issue. A well-placed offer sheet could force Chicago to take the picks and let him walk.

Pavel Kubina
UFA, $5.00 million
Old, probably too slow, couldn't effectively anchor an albeit much-improved Thrashers blueline, but hey, he's out there. He'll probably re-up with the Thrashers or bolt to the KHL.

James Wisniewski
RFA, $2.75 million
Young defenseman? Check. Lots of potential? Check. Hurts Blackhawks? Check. Where do we sign?

Andreas Lilja
UFA, $1.25 million
While he may best be known for anchoring my buddy Jack's NHL 07 run to the Stanley Cup years ago, he's the kind of big body with championship experience Gillis might look at if the price is right. After all, going out and getting a big defensemen at the deadline worked out soooo well...

Joe Corvo
UFA, $2.75 million
Gillis could target Corvo if he gets desperate, but another offensive blueliner with questionable defense is not needed on this team, thank you very much. Kevin Bieksa is filling that void very nicely.

Marc Staal
RFA, $0.76 million
We can dream, can't we? The Rangers are still mired in a tough cap situation, but unless a Luke Schenn, 10-first-round-draft-pick type situation emerges, even Sather won't let this kid go.

What do you think? Did we miss anything? Think Alberts is ready to take the next big, big step next year and that our defense is sound? Let us know.

Goodbye

With the end of the Canucks season on Tuesday there is now one question on the mind of every true fan: Will Kyle Wellwood ever squeeze himself into an extra-extra-extra-large Canuck sweater again?

No, that's the question on my mind, but for most it's simply this: What just happened?

Losing in 6 games to the best team in the National Hockey League isn't the end of the world. But the way in which our team lost, the way we got blown out, in crucial games and at home, is what resonates from this series.

Our friend Haruki breaks it down over at Agora Sports Forum.

The Hangover 2: Montreal Canadiens Edition

As I and the rest of Montreal recover from our collective night out Wednesday, the hockey world is still reeling from the shock of the Caps falling to the eighth-seeded Habs. That comeback capped off a hell of a first round where every series (minus the one with those awful, awful Devils) was close, entertaining, and a whole lot of fun. I stand by 6/8 predictions correct: bring on Round 2.

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings

While making the young Avs their dinner
San Jose scored all 6 winners
And now these choke kings get their chance
Against the reigning Conference champs
As Mule came back the Wings stood tenth
They're 20-6-and-4 since then
While Howard whines about bad luck
These Wings know how to own the puck
But aging bodies hurt this sleeper
The Sharks are better, faster, deeper
This time the other Joe comes through
And finally gives the Sharks their due

Against my better judgment, Sharks in 7 to make the conference finals.

#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #3 Vancouver Canucks

A hard fought series, that's for sure
By which we mean catfights from Burr
Sammy's point streak grows and grows
Like "20 Cent" Kane's greasy flows
With hate aplenty and some ass kicked
This has the makings of a classic
But Lou could be a goat again
If he can't see past Byfuglien
And Alberts' speed and discipline (read: none of the above)
Will hurt the 'Nucks on the back end
But homerism and revenge
Will let me pick the boys again

God, I hate the Blackhawks. Canucks in 7

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

So..awkward...*shifts eyes to the floor*
We picked the Caps would roll in 4
We all thought they showed Stanley promise
Except for R.J. Nostradamus
For Ovie, what a year its been
Two beat-downs from Canadi(a/e)ns
So now the Habs will face the Pens
And try and shock the world again
With Halak doing his best Roy
They'll battle for a third-round draw
But while I'd love a second riot
Sid and Co. will keep them quiet.

Watching Halak feels like the Habs could do something special, but just can't pick them over the Pens..can I? Pens in 6

#6 Boston Bruins vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers

With Devils, Caps, and Sabres gone
The least of the East will battle on

Savard's back..Rask is good...no Carter/Gagne/Laperriere for the Flyers..the series should be entertaining and have a couple good scraps. I don't have too much else to say. How does a 6th seed get home ice in the second round? Only in the sad, sad East. Bruins in 6.

HANK FOR MVP. You may find this surprising but the Half Court Press somehow does not get a Hart vote.

The Half Court Press Blows Up, Gets Rich and Famous, Throws It All Away on Hookers and Coke Parties

This news is a little overdue, but exam time has hit me pretty hard. As our most religious followers out there may already know, the Half Court Press' Playoff Previews were featured on Yahoo! Sports Puck Daddy Blog last week. And by featured, I mean buried amid the daily Puck Headlines. Baby steps..baby steps. Many thanks to Wysh over at Puck Daddy for the shoutout. Here's a link and the screenshot:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Headlines-Inside-Souray-s-trade-demand-Ha?urn=nhl,233633

Also: how amazing has the first round been so far? Even Bill Simmons over at ESPN - who never misses an opportunity to bash his once-beloved Bruins - has been talking up playoff hockey (I now expect an excited blog post from Bill about how he was featured on the HCP). I'll be back for round 2 predictions after the craziness is over.

First Round Picks, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Whichever Team Had the Chance to Push Detroit out of the 6th Seed

Coming up: First round predictions: in rhyme! Because all the kids today go crazy for poems.

The art of scoreboard watching in the new NHL is a roller coaster of emotion and loyalties. As Canuck fans desperate to keep the Wings out of sixth, we found ourselves switching sides by the day: we cheered as Nashville fell to the Coyotes, and then days later celebrated as they toughed it out in shootout against the Blues. I gave a hearty fist-pump after Los Angeles came from three down against the Ducks, and then were forced to cheer for the sad-excuse-for-a-hockey-team Oilers to beat the Kings. Detroit was even worse: I cheered for victories, then defeats against Columbus, and by the time the clock was winding down in their final game against Chicago, I was cheering for a goal. Any goal. But while the last few days have left me feeling like a compulsive gambler chasing obscure prop bets, the Canucks avoided the Wings and will take on the Kings. So now that the cream of the crop are headed to the playoffs (notwithstanding seeds 4-8 in the East) it's time for Steve's first round predictions.

In the West:

#1 Sharks vs. # 8 Avs

We picked the Avs to get their ass kicked
But Sacco found his inner Sakic
And made the playoffs in the West
A veiled “fuck you” to the Half Court Press
So bring the Sharks, bring the Joe
Bring the Heater, Pat Marleau
But while a choke could take them down
They'll save it for the second round

Sharks in 5

#2 Blackhawks vs. # 7 Predators

Hopes are up on the South Side
With pig-nosed murals flying high
“We'll beat 'em bad” boasts Patrick Kane
“Like cabbies lacking proper change.”
In Nashville, (surprisingly) many
Pin their hopes on Pekka Rinne
While Music City's got some push
A miracle is just too much

'Hawks in 5

#3 Canucks vs. # 6 Kings

Sedins vs Anze? Lou vs Quick?
But you expect analysis?
A homer choice, you know the pick
The King(s) is dead, Canucks in six

#4 Coyotes vs. # 5 Wings

Balsille's dream of relocation
Must have spurred some motivation
So come to golfing's hottest spot
It's where the Flames are teeing off (bazam!)
But home advantage's MIA
With announced crowds of 58
No tin foil hat conspiracies
Can stop the Red Wing's dynasty
Tippet's system will try and try
But Motor City rolls in five.

And in the sad, sad East:

#1 Capitals vs. # 8 Canadiens

Le blanc, le blue, and the red
Took on the Leafs and shat the bed
“So t'anks to dose anglo assholes
We 'ave to play da Capitals?”
Good luck competing with Ovechkin
Even with his Laichs for Semin
So while policemen hide their cars
And Habs fans boast of “notre histoire”
The ghosts of hockey's past can't keep
The Caps from wining in a sweep.

#2 Devils vs. # 7 Flyers

Remember when we said that Philly
Had a shot at winning? Really?
They thought they'd solved their goalie woes
With one who's powdering his nose?
Even Pronger's flying elbows
Can't save Boucher from the Devils
Parise's hands are smooth like butter
And they ditched dead weight named Sutter
And Kovy's made his getaway
To a place where hockey's played in May.
But Philly's bound to keep us guessing
Until their inevitable first round exit

Devils in 7

#3 Sabres vs. # 6 Bruins

Kessel-less, the B's lack scoring
They say “D-first,” but we say boring
Miller's sick, and tough to beat
Unless you wear the Maple Leaf (ba-boom!)
In Myers, Ruff has found a rock
Until he's UFA and walks
B's goals: over under...9?
Some way, somehow they'll win this time.

Bruins in 7

# 4 Penguins vs. #5 Senators

At HCP, I've had my rants
About Murray's glaring incompetence
Kovy? Bust. Milan for Danny?
But Clouston's got them playing for Stanley
So do I owe apologies?
...Please.
They made the playoff in the East.
And struggled with consistency
And won't compete with Sid Crosby
And though we back Canadian teams*
For ABC**, its just a dream

*Calgary not included
**ABC, of course, is Anyone But the Canucks

Pens in 6

Finally, let's give some big ups for Sam. After taking a prolonged hiatus doing more important work (namely, the Family Feud game on Facebook. Which is awesome.), he really broke through with his predictions, found right below these ones.

First Round Predictions For Playoff Contenders

Western Conference

1) Sharks

8) Avalanche

The Sharks will choke... in the 2nd round. But they're too good to lose to a slumping Colorado team even with Anderson doing his best "Kipper in '04" imitation. Sharks in 5.

2) Blackhawks

7) Predators

Despite the Hawks shaky goaltending, they are simply too talented at every other position for the Preds to have a chance. I predict Rinne and Hornqvist will play as well as they always do, and that they will be discussed by someone outside of Nashville for the first time this season. Preds always hang tough so this'll go 6.

3) Canucks

6) Kings

Despite the 8-3 shellacking that the Canucks received a week and a half ago, they are strong favourites here. Better offense, better goaltending and more experience should lead to a 4-1 series win. Since it's the Canucks, it'll go 7.

4) Coyotes

5) Red Wings

If I hadn't spent the past week sacrificing neighbourhood cats so that the Canucks wouldn't have to face Detroit (you're welcome Vancouver fans) then this would have been a tough match-up to predict. The Wings at full-strength, in the "real season" and with solid goaltending are just too much for Tippett, Bryzgalov, Doaner and the rest of this rangy bunch to handle. Wings in 6.

Eastern Conference

1) The Capitals

The East just sucks.