Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Mikael Samuelsson leaves Wings for 3-year deal with Canucks

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July 4

Detroit News

"Forward Mikael Samuelsson, the Red Wings' last unsigned unrestricted free agent, signed a three-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Financial details were not announced, though it's likely that the total value of the contract approached $7.5 million. "Obviously, that (the money) was the key, I shouldn't lie," Samuelsson told reporters. Samuelsson earned $1.2 million with the Wings last season, but Detroit was not able to offer much more than that because of the salary cap. Samuelsson, 32, played for the Wings for four seasons. He had 19 goals and 21 assists in 81 games in 2008-09. He previously played for San Jose, the Rangers, Pittsburgh and Florida. In Vancouver, Samuelsson ..."

Sundin saga II? Just as long as it's not like last year

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July 3

Vancouver Province

"Based on how Day 1 of free agency unfolded, it shouldn't be any surprise that Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis is talking seriously about trying to bring 38-year-old Mats Sundin back for another season. The kind of eye-popping deals being signed over the course of the day, with the dollar figures and terms being thrown around, simply didn't fit with Gillis's salary cap management model. With all the blue-chip forwards — both real and imagined — having been signed on Wednesday, it leaves the Canucks to look at other options. And, that's where Sundin comes in. Some in Canucks Nation will be groaning at this prospect, but take a look at it from Gillis's perspective. Sundin is a known quantity ..."

Canucks pick up Mikael Samuelsson from Red Wings

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July 3

Vancouver Province

"The Canucks sure like Mikael Samuelsson's versatility, right-hand shot, and Stanley Cup ring. Because they didn't wait long to make a hefty offer to the former Red Wing, who established himself as a 40-point player in Detroit. Those 40 points, which Samuelsson hit in each of the past two years, got him a three-year, $7.5 million offer from the Canucks on July 1. It took Samuelsson some time, at least a day, but he finally decided that kind of scratch was enough to say goodbye to the land of long, long hockey seasons. Samuelsson indicated he had many offers. It's been reported that the Wings were looking to keep Samuelsson for about $1.5 million a year. If true, that would make the ..."

Canucks sign Red Wings' Mikael Samuelsson

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July 3

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis announced Friday that the Canucks have signed right winger Mikael Samuelsson to a three-year deal, worth $2.5 million per season. Samuelsson, 32, recorded 40 points (19-21-40) in 81 games last season and 10 points (5-5-10) in 23 playoff games with Detroit through to the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals. In 466 career NHL games Samuelsson has 208 points (86-122-208) and 244 penalty minutes. The Mariefred, Sweden native was a member of the 2007-08 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings team and has produced a career total of 35 points (13-22-35) in 69 postseason games."

Newest Canuck Samuelsson aims for more offence, may play with Sedins

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July 3

Vancouver Sun

"If Mats Sundin decides one day he wants to play for the Vancouver Canucks again, the Canucks may no longer have room for him at the dinner table. Mikael Samuelsson's signing Friday — three years at $2.5 million US per season — fills the bill for a right-shot, top-six veteran forward and leaves little salary cap room for another large contract. The Samuelsson deals brings the Canucks' 2009-10 payroll to $49.5 million for 18 players and does not include a backup goalie, restricted free agents Kyle Wellwood and Shane O'Brien, another third-pairing defenceman or prize rookie Cody Hodgson. The salary cap for 2009-10 is $56.8 million. Canucks assistant GM Lorne Henning wouldn't concede Friday ..."

Kesler's less-is-more comes to pass

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July 2

Vancouver Province

""If we're going to win the Cup, we need guys to take pay cuts. The way the salary cap is now, you really can't get what you're worth now if you want to win. Everybody in this locker-room knows that and for us to be a great team going forward, we're going to have to take a pay cut." -- Ryan Kesler, The Province, March 18, 2009 In a passionate plea for a pragmatic approach to free agency last spring, Ryan Kesler was roasted throughout the NHL like a duck for his collective view on constructing a championship team. If everyone took a little less, reasoned the forward-thinking forward, it could add up to a lot of good for the Vancouver Canucks under the constraints of the salary cap. At the ..."

Bagging Sedin twins is really the easiest part for GM Gillis

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July 2

Vancouver Province

"You'd never know it from the tortured machinations which preceded Wednesday's announcement but the easy part is now over for Mike Gillis and the Vancouver Canucks. Well, maybe "easy" isn't the right term. The 12-month stare-down wasn't easy. The 11th-hour trans-atlantic drama wasn't easy. And it certainly wasn't easy convincing the Sedin twins to leave untold millions on the table to stay in the fold -- particularly when Brian Burke was sitting on the tarmac in Stockholm ready to make them a better offer. But now that they're signed, the real work begins for Gillis and his organization because, by accepting about a million a year under market value, the twins have allowed the Canucks GM to ..."

Sedin twins sign five-year contracts with Canucks for $30.5 million each

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July 1

Vancouver Sun

"The Vancouver Canucks have their twins. Daniel and Henrik Sedin have agreed to five-year contracts worth $30.5-million-US each, allowing the National Hockey League team to keep its best two forwards. The Canucks will make official the announcement later today, but The Vancouver Sun learned of the settlement this morning an hour before the twins would have been eligible to sign with another team at the opening of unrestricted free agency."

Sedins agree to five-year deal with Canucks

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July 1

Vancouver Province

"The Canucks have reached an agreement with the Sedin twins which will pay them an average of $6.1 million over five years, The Province has learned. The deal marks the end of a long, tiring negotiation process that lasted a year. The final move that got the deal done was a trip to Sweden that Vancouver GM Mike Gillis and assistant GM Laurence Gilman took this week to sweeten their final offer. Improving the deal at the last minute was always the Canucks' plan. And it worked. The Canucks lock up their two leading scorers for a price that is below their market value, which some think is as high as $7.5 million."

Canucks table offer with Sedins in Sweden

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July 1

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis presented the National Hockey League team's latest offer to Daniel and Henrik Sedin in person in Sweden before returning to Vancouver, Sportsnet.ca reported Tuesday. "We met for a few hours this morning," JP Barry, the Sedin twins' agent, told CKNW radio Tuesday. "Mike and (assistant GM) Lawrence Gillman are flying home now. We are considering their position today." The Sedin camp had proposed a 12-year, $64-million US package for each of them, which was rejected by the Canucks. The team's best offer to date has been believed to be five-year deals for slightly more than $5.5 million US per season — since February. "It was great that they flew ..."

Team just trying the cap on for size

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June 30

Vancouver Province

"The Vancouver Canucks are headed into free agency tomorrow with options. But those options may shrink significantly if Canucks GM Mike Gillis is able to sign the Sedin twins to a contract extension today, before they become unrestricted free agents tomorrow morning. It's believed that Gillis is trying to get Daniel and Henrik's names on new multi-year deals that would have twin cap hits (the average annual payout of the contract) in the $5.5- million-US range, although he might be willing to go a bit higher. But even if Gillis is able to accomplish that negotiating miracle, the team's overall cap suddenly begins to get tight. As it sits, the Canucks have 13 players signed with about $33.8 ..."

No progress on trade front

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June 30

Ottawa Citizen

"With one day to go before a $4-million bonus is electronically transferred into his bank account, Dany Heatley remains an Ottawa Senator. General manager Bryan Murray tried again Monday to find a deal for Heatley, who earlier this month requested a trade, but got no closer to finding another National Hockey League trading partner. He talked several times to Heatley's agents, J.P. Barry and Stacey McAlpine, and they're trying to help arrange a match. Whether they can before the Senators must pay the bonus on Wednesday is another question, but it doesn't appear so unless there's a drastic reduction in Murray's asking price, which would be an unwelcome signal of defeat. While there continue ..."

Sedins on Canadiens' free-agent radar

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June 30

Montreal Gazette

"With the Vincent-Lecavalier-to-Montreal rumours laid to rest for at least another week, expect the Canadiens' focus to turn to Swedish twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Talks between the Sedins and the Vancouver Canucks have stalled and it appears they will be on the open market when they become unrestricted free agents tomorrow. The Sedins won't come cheap - they are looking for long-term deals worth at least $6.5 million a season each - but Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey has more than $30 million available to go shopping. The Canadiens are one of several teams interested in the 28-year-olds and the bidding could be another chapter in the long rivalry between the Canadiens and the ..."

NHL salary cap traps teams in free agency market

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June 30

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Over the last three summers, the salary cap in the NHL has jumped $17.7 million. The individual increases from year to year were $5 million, $6.3 million and $6.4 million. Teams looking to add help through free agency had a little extra allowance, and many clubs bettered themselves over cash-strapped franchises by spending that allowance. In 2007, Daniel Briere signed an eight-year, $52 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. In 2008, the Chicago Blackhawks inked Brian Campbell to an eight-year, $56.8 million deal. But with the NHL's announcement last week that the salary cap in 2009-10 will increase only $100,000, to $56.8 million, some upper-echelon clubs are expecting a ..."

Canucks GM, agent flying to Sweden to meet with Sedins

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June 30

Vancouver Sun

"It was like the ending of Sleepless in Seattle — if Sam and Annie were lawyers in suits and worked opposite sides of labour relations in the National Hockey League. Just when any hope of a lasting, meaningful relationship seemed lost, Vancouver Canuck general manager Mike Gillis and player agent J.P. Barry, not knowing if the other would be there, met late Sunday by chance in the business-class cabin of a flight from Montreal to Europe. Cue the music and pass the Kleenex. Okay, so maybe it wasn't quite like the movie. There was no rendezvous atop the Empire State Building. But it was as touchy-feely as things have been between Gillis and Barry, who have disagreed for a year over what ..."

Canucks swept up in Swedemania

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June 29

Vancouver Province

"Mild-mannered Thomas Gradin scouts his homeland without much bravado. The former Vancouver Canucks playmaker even suggested Saturday that a weaker than expected crop of North American talent is why a record seven Swedes were snapped up in the first round of the NHL entry draft. But the Canucks were also swept up in Swedemania. They selected high-scoring winger Anton Rodin in the second round (53rd) and opted for big defenceman Peter Andersson in the fifth round (143rd). Rodin is the highest-ranked Canucks pick since the club manoeuvred to land Daniel and Henrik Sedin second and third overall in 1999. "We know as much about hockey and how to play the game as you Canadians know," said ..."

Red Wings, Rangers at opposite ends of spectrum

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June 29

Vancouver Province

"The free-agency signing window has just opened and you're an NHL GM poised to retool your team. First, you go out and get some goals. You sign Marian Gaborik and Marian Hossa to twin $7-million multi-year contracts to give yourself one of the most explosive top lines in the NHL. Then you focus on fixing that plodding back end. You give Jay Bouwmeester $8 million per on a deal that will see him spend his entire career in your city. For good measure, you pay Francois Beauchemin $5 million on another long-term deal to further strengthen your blueline. What a power play you're going to have. Now, it's time for a goaltender. You're happy with your No. 1 guy, but he played too much last season ..."

Pair of picks from later rounds has Gillis & Company excited

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June 29

Vancouver Sun

"One day after feeling they stole a diamond with the 22nd pick of the National Hockey League entry draft, the Vancouver Canucks figure they unearthed some gems in later rounds Saturday in Montreal. The Canucks addressed an organizational need by drafting three defencemen on Saturday, but general manager Mike Gillis and associate head scout Thomas Gradin were excited about two picks in particular. With their third-round pick, the Canucks chose Edmonton defenceman Kevin Connauton, a late-bloomer from Western Michigan University who was passed over in last year's draft. And in the seventh round, Gillis traded minor-leaguer Shaun Heshka to the Phoenix Coyotes for the draft pick that allowed the ..."

Canucks free-agent frenzy: No keys to Garage for Gaborik

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June 29

Vancouver Sun

"Is the Marian Gaborik watch still on? Because I've been watching for a week and would like to know if I should stop. A week after the "story" broke on Twitter, I've been watching for any newspaper photographs of the house in West Vancouver Gaborik is supposed to have purchased. You know, so he can play for the Vancouver Canucks. Smart people at The Vancouver Sun have been watching real estate records for evidence of a Gaborik purchase and can't find any. (And, yes, most players own real estate in their names). Mostly, I've been watching to see if anyone outside the Canucks realizes how nonsensical is the idea that the National Hockey League team is going to sign Gaborik to a big, ..."

Vancouver picks Gophers' Jordan Schroeder

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June 27

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"It wasn't a fun experience sitting and waiting more than two hours Friday night to be drafted, but top-ranked Minnesotan Jordan Schroeder's fall finally stopped at 22nd when the Vancouver Canucks took the Gophers forward. "My parents were very positive," said Schroeder, ranked 11th or 12th by most publications. "They kept saying, 'You're going to go. We have faith in you. We love you very much, so don't worry about it.' The draft is just a number. It's what you do after the draft that counts. But I'm more than excited right now. Once I was finally called, I was very relieved." The Wild not only passed on Schroeder twice because it traded its 12th pick to move to 16, it then took Eden ..."

Luongo's seat at draft table suggests deal may be in the bag

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June 27

Vancouver Province

"Canucks GM Mike Gillis has been holding an ace up his sleeve and he played it at Vancouver's draft table in Montreal. The Canucks have been closing in on a Roberto Luongo extension and there have been many indications they have already reached a deal in principal. The story was furthered when Luongo showed up in Montreal Friday to sit in with Gillis at the Canucks draft table. Gillis wouldn't confirm the deal but said the sides have been "talking the same language" and have been seeking the same goals since they started negotiating. By NHL rule, nothing can be made official until July 1. An ESPN reporter said Thursday on TEAM 1040 the deal will be announced on July 1. Most of the doubt of ..."

Canucks take Jordan Schroeder with first-round pick

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June 27

Vancouver Province

"He's small, but Jordan Schroeder was considered a big steal by the Vancouver Canucks with the 22nd overall pick in the NHL entry draft on Friday night in Montreal. While general manager Mike Gillis admitted the franchise has a need for a depth puck-moving defenceman, he passed on North Vancouver native Stefan Elliott of the Saskatoon Blades because he had Schroeder ranked much higher. When the 5-foot-9 University of Minnesota centre slipped from 15th in TSN's respected ranking, the Canucks felt the need to snap up a strong two-way performer who had 40 points (13-27) in 32 college games last season as a freshman and had 11 points (3-8) in six world junior championship games for the U.S. "We ..."

Canucks pick Schroeder at NHL draft

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June 27

Vancouver Sun

"The Vancouver Canucks loved the scouting report. So did Jordan Schroeder. Two years before the Canucks chose the 18-year-old scoring whiz from Prior Lake, Minn., with their first pick of the National Hockey League entry draft Friday in Montreal, John Schroeder told his son that Vancouver would be a great city in which to play. "I was there in January and it was just gorgeous," the elder Schroeder said by phone from Montreal after the Canucks chose Jordan 22nd. "Two years ago, I remember telling him that Vancouver would be a pretty good place to go, that he'd be pretty happy. It's amazing how things work out." The Canucks were almost amazed, too, that one of the most prolific scorers in ..."

Gaborik or not, get ready for ride

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June 26

Vancouver Province

columnist Tony Gallagher

"The spectre of Marian Gaborik playing with the Vancouver Canucks certainly puts the cat among the pigeons when it comes to speculation. Nobody buys a house in a city, as Gaborik has done in West Vancouver, unless there is a pretty fair chance he intends to come to Vancouver and given there is no way Canucks GM Mike Gillis could have spoken with him, it's fair to assume that his old Slovak buddy and former Minnesota linemate Pavol Demitra has sold him on the team and the area with respect to life here on and off the ice. If he's "Plan B," that's one thing and, at this point, that's the most likely scenario if he comes. But is it possible that the Canucks could fit the Sedins in under the ..."

Luongo's seat at draft table suggests deal may be in the bag

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June 26

Vancouver Province

"Canucks GM Mike Gillis has been holding an ace up his sleeve and he played it at Vancouver's draft table in Montreal. The Canucks have been closing in on a Roberto Luongo extension and there have been many indications they have already reached a deal in principal. The story was furthered when Luongo showed up in Montreal Friday to sit in with Gillis at the Canucks draft table. Gillis wouldn't confirm the deal but said the sides have been "talking the same language" and have been seeking the same goals since they started negotiating. By NHL rule, nothing can be made official until July 1. An ESPN reporter said Thursday on TEAM 1040 the deal will be announced on July 1. Most of the doubt of ..."

Canucks close to locking up Luongo

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June 26

Vancouver Sun

columnist Ian Macintyre

"Of all the names been propelled through the jet-engine of the National Hockey League's pre-draft rumour mill, none was bigger Thursday than Vancouver Canuck goalie Roberto Luongo. And he isn't going anywhere, except likely back to the Canucks for several more seasons. An ESPN.com reporter said Luongo and the Canucks had agreed on a contract extension that will be announced July 1. The goaltender's agent, Gilles Lupien, offered an unequivocal denial. "No, it's not true," Lupien told The Vancouver Sun. "I don't know where that started. It's amusing slightly. One guy says to someone: 'I think, I think, I think.' Next phone call it's a 10-year contract, then a 15-year contract. I've had no ..."

Vancouver on Iggy's horizon

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June 24

Calgary Herald

"The summer golf season will come to an early end for Jarome Iginla who's next on-ice assignment will be to make the Olympic team in August. On Tuesday, the Flames announced the team's new coach Brent Sutter, but it was also International Olympic Day, and conjured visions of gold for the Flames captain hoping to compete at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. "The day today brings back a lot of memories from past Olympics," said Iginla. "Salt Lake (2002), which I was very blessed to be a part of, and Torino (2006).The players who get an opportunity here in Canada to play for Canada, with the passion that Canadians have, it's going to be a truly unforgettable experience." Iginla is considered ..."

Heatley gives Sens wishlist

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June 24

Ottawa Sun

"Dany Heatley has told the Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million (all terms US) bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators GM Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wishlist of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents J.P. Barry and Stacey ..."

Heatley gives Senators wish list of destinations

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June 23

Toronto Sun

"Dany Heatley has told the Ottawa Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million US bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators general manager Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wish list of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents, J.P. Barry ..."

Is Mats Sundin sending mixed signals?

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June 22

Vancouver Province

"Is Mats Sundin sending mixed signals? The unrestricted free agent centre was quoted in Sunday's web edition of the Swedish newspaper Expressen saying that he wouldn't rule out returning to the Canucks next season. He also said that he won't compete in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, so you have to wonder if he really wants to call GM Place home again. "Absolutely," he said. "I will think about my future the next couple of weeks. I will make a decision in the summer. I can't say more right now." At the end of last season, Sundin hinted that his playing days might be over. "I think I've enjoyed playing hockey the last five years more than I have in my whole career," he said at the time. "You ..."

North Vancouver blueliner could be kind of player Canucks are after

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June 22

Vancouver Province

"Stefan Elliott knew the annual NHL combine would be sprinkled with surprises, including unexpected questions when the North Vancouver native was interviewed by 22 teams last month in Toronto. However, the projected first-round selection when the entry draft commences Friday in Montreal was shocked when examined by one of the event's doctors. After suffering a shoulder injury with two months remaining last season, the Saskatoon Blades blueliner passed on upper-body testing at the combine because he was still rehabbing the ailment. No big deal. Elliott didn't miss a beat on the ice and was expected to build on an impressive 55-point campaign -- sixth among WHL defencemen -- and strengthen ..."

Sundin: Sorry, Sweden

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June 22

Toronto Sun

"Mats Sundin reportedly will not play for defending-champion Sweden in the Olympic hockey tournament next year. "There will be no Olympics in Vancouver for me next year," Sundin was quoted as saying Sunday on the Swedish newspaper Expressen's website. "I will not change my mind. I think it's time that the next generation takes over. We have many good players." The 38-year-old Sundin, who played for the Vancouver Canucks last season after spending most of his NHL career as captain of the Maple Leafs, was one of Sweden's key players in the 2006 Turin Olympics. Sweden beat Finland in the final for its second gold since 1994."

Two sides of the Sedin coin: How to tell them apart?

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June 20

Vancouver Province

"I have a confession to make. One of the most difficult challenges I encountered on returning to the Canucks beat two years ago after several seasons away wasn't getting up to speed with 750 NHL players. It was learning to tell the Sedin twins apart. In fact — and I'm a little sheepish to admit this — it took me over a year to really get the hang of it. Sure, I interviewed both Daniel and Henrik many times during that period, but it was in circumstances where — how should I put this? — I had some identification assistance. I probably shouldn't feel too badly about this. After all, head coach Alain Vigneault admitted this year that he still has trouble telling which is Danny and which is ..."

Sedins asking for $63 million each in 12-year deal

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June 19

Vancouver Province

"Hopes that the Canucks and the Sedin twins were close to a deal have been obliterated with a sledgehammer. The twins tabled a deal this week which asks for identical 12-year, $63-million contracts. The contract proposal was first reported on the Swedish website expressen.se. The contract proposal was meant to initiate progress in a negotiation that has been stalled basically since last summer. You could look at it a couple of ways. Either the twins just want to be Canucks for life, or they are doing everything they can to get a ticket out of town. The contracts are not unlike the so-called "Detroit Decade Deals" signed by Henrik Zetterberg (12 years, $73 million) and Johan Franzen (11 ..."

$63 million for each Sedin a mind-boggling number that makes perfect sense

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June 19

Vancouver Sun

columnist Iain MacIntyre

"Are Daniel and Henrik Sedin really asking for 12-year contracts worth $63 million US? Let's hope so because, at the very least, it indicates the Canucks' best forwards are getting creative to try and solve the contractual impasse that threatens to doom them in Vancouver. The $63-million demand — as first reported Thursday in Sweden — makes sense mathematically. Neither player agent J.P. Barry nor Canuck general manager Mike Gillis will discuss figures publicly, but the deal's 12-year average of $5.25 million is about what Vancouver is believed to have had on the negotiating table for months. Backed by a tonne of irrefutable statistical data placing the Sedins among the National Hockey ..."

Kesler wins, award or not

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June 18

Vancouver Province

"The odds will be stacked against Ryan Kesler tonight at the NHL awards gala in Las Vegas, but the versatile Vancouver Canucks forward is already a winner. Not only is Kesler a new nominee for the Selke Trophy -- he's up against the favoured Pavel Datsyuk and Mike Richards in quest of the top defensive forward honour -- the centre/winger is expected to cash in when his contract can be extended after July 1 following a career-high 26 goals and 59 points. Should Kesler surprise and claim the Vezina, the $1.75 million US remaining on his deal will rank as one of the league's best bargains. Regardless of the awards outcome, this his coming-out party. "This is pretty special," Kesler, 24, said ..."

Sedins will make all the dominoes fall

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June 18

Vancouver Province

"It's a little bit terrifying for a Vancouver Canuck fan when you look at the list of free agents who are slated to come available to the rest of the NHL on July 1. Granted there's still a couple of weeks to go before the free-for-all begins but the list of available Vancouver players right now looks pretty significant, particularly if they should all happen to find other places to play right off the hop. Granted, this is a new era and good players are going to be more available than ever if you have cap space, but when your departing list includes Mattias Ohlund, Taylor Pyatt, the Sedin twins, Jason LaBarbera, Curtis Sanford, Mats Sundin, Ossi Vaananen, Rob Davison, Jeff Cowan, Nolan ..."

Trophy bet's off for Canuck Kesler

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June 18

Vancouver Sun

"Ryan Kesler admits he isn't a betting man, which means two things: the Vancouver Canuck is keeping one hand on his wallet when he's around teammate Roberto Luongo in Las Vegas, and he won't be laying money on himself to win the Selke Trophy Thursday night. Probably wise on both counts. Luongo is a poker fanatic who spent Wednesday trying to win other people's money in a gambling tournament sanctioned by the National Hockey League, and Kesler is a longshot against co-finalists Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyer Mike Richards in Thursday's NHL awards ceremony in Nevada. "If I was a betting man, I probably wouldn't bet on myself," Kesler conceded in a telephone ..."

Kesler's nomination for Selke Trophy a surprise to no one

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June 18

Detroit News

"Many young players enter the NHL and think only about scoring goals. They feel that's the way to get noticed. Livonia native Ryan Kesler, of the Vancouver Canucks, has been a little different. Maybe it's because he's the son of a coach -- Mike Kesler is a longtime successful junior coach in Metro Detroit -- but Ryan has always taken his defensive duties seriously. Which could be a reason Kesler is a finalist tonight for the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward. "It's exciting," said Kesler, who graduated from Livonia Churchill. "It's an individual award that you win because you are a defensive player and I always pride myself on that. It's definitely something to be proud ..."

Under-the-radar signing a real gem

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June 15

Vancouver Province

"The Canucks didn't wait this year for the NHL draft before they started replenishing what is widely viewed as a shallow prospect pool. In what may be his most significant and underplayed organizational change this year, Mike Gillis turned Vancouver into a player in the hot college free-agent market. The Canucks may have been bridesmaids in 2009 in their pursuit of two of the most highly sought after NCAA free agents -- Tyler Bozak and Hobey Bake winner Matt Gilroy -- but they believe they uncovered a gem in Minnesota-Duluth defenceman Evan Oberg. There wasn't much fanfare when the Canucks quietly signed the undrafted, 21-year-old Oberg in April. But don't discount the importance of this ..."

GM Gillis could lose cool over Sedins

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June 12

Vancouver Province

"A little more than a year into his life as Vancouver Canucks general manager, it has become obvious Mike Gillis isn't prone to wild swings of emotion. His cold, reasoned, calculating, patient style can make Zen Buddhists seem jumpy. Panicky, he is not. For now, Gillis is feeling comfortable and looking forward to the upcoming NHL draft even while many Canucks fans have developed nausea, headaches and heart palpitations fretting about the future of the Sedin twins. But, if they don't soon agree to a deal, J.P. Barry and the Sedins are poised to put Gillis's cool demeanour to the test. Gillis is loathe to discuss the ongoing "negotiation" and, realistically, what's to talk about? Not much. ..."

Sedins? What about Moose?

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June 11

Vancouver Province

"If nobody's talking, you know that means discussions are underway to get the Sedins, Daniel and Henrik, signed to a contract by the Vancouver Canucks before the July 1 free-agency deadline. Not that contract talks necessarily begin like the Indy 500, with somebody waving a green flag. But you can bet that, with three weeks to go before the Sedins can sign with any other NHL team as unrestricted free agents, the discussions are getting to the serious stage. Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman reiterated the company line on Wednesday, that the team doesn't comment on contract negotiations. "We currently have discussions ongoing with multiple players and their representatives," ..."

Size matters greatly for Canucks

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June 8

Vancouver Province

"Looking ahead to next year's edition of the Vancouver Canucks, many questions arise, particularly up front with all the big decisions to be made. Unease creeps into the mix as you look at how the forwards are shaping up, whether the Sedins stay or whether the club shops for replacements. You have to wonder whether the Canucks will be locked into re-signing Taylor Pyatt, because anyone's plan based on the way he played most of the season is to let him go. Let's look beyond the players we know will be here -- Alex Burrows, Ryan Kesler and Steve Bernier -- and leaving the Sedins on the back burner: Rick Rypien has been signed, has good upside potential, but can he stay healthy? The Canucks ..."

Nothing but sound of silence between Sedins and Canucks

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June 4

Vancouver Province

"With less than a month until they can become unrestricted free agents, no contract talks are yet scheduled between the Sedin twins and the Vancouver Canucks, their agent said on Tuesday. "There's nothing yet," J.P. Barry of CAA Sports said from his Calgary office. The contract discussions loom as some of the biggest in the club's history. If Daniel and Henrik walk, the Canucks will lose a tandem that's scored at nearly a point a game each over the last four seasons, and get nothing in return. However, reports that their Swedish agent says they want to double their $3.575-million- US salaries will make it a difficult fit from the Canucks' perspective. Asked if he was concerned about the ..."

Canucks expect to start contract talks with Sedins 'shortly'

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June 4

Vancouver Sun

"The Vancouver Canucks plan to start contract talks with twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin in the next week or two, assistant GM Laurence Gilman said Wednesday. The twins, who led the Canucks in scoring last season with an identical 82 points, stand to become unrestricted free agents July 1. "We have a few weeks remaining between now and July 1 and we anticipate that we'll be speaking with them shortly," Gilman said from Winnipeg after he scouted the Manitoba Moose playoff game Tuesday night. "I would say we're going to begin negotiations with them in the next week to two weeks." Asked if the team intended to wrap things up prior to the June 26-27 entry draft, Gilman could not offer any ..."

Rick Rypien signs new two-year deal with Vancouver Canucks

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May 31

Vancouver Sun

"Despite another injury plagued season, Vancouver Canuck forward Rick Rypien has signed a two-year contract extension with the NHL club through the 2010-11 season. Rypien, 25, stood to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. "This is the place I've always wanted to play," Rypien said. "Considering what's happened in the last few years, I still have a lot to prove, I think." Rypien has suffered a number of major injuries since originally signing with the Canucks on Nov. 9, 2005. This past season, he underwent sports hernia surgery in October, had a relapse and then was granted a leave of absence to deal with an undisclosed personal issue. He missed 70 games before returning March 31. He ..."

Junior star Hodgson hits his stride after call-up from OHL

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May 29

Vancouver Province

"Just as it's likely to be next fall when Cody Hodgson gets his shot at playing for the Vancouver Canucks, the 19-year-old junior phenom is experiencing a learning curve with the Manitoba Moose. Hodgson finished his junior season, falling short in the OHL final to eventual Memorial Cup champ Windsor, but he'll get a chance to make up for that as the Canucks' AHL affiliate contests the Calder Cup final. Hodgson joined the Moose for the beginning of the conference final against Houston, which Manitoba won in six games. Hodgson started on the fourth line and picked up an assist in his first game and a goal in his second. A game after being promoted to the second line, he assisted on the ..."

Schneider looks to live trophy dream

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May 29

Vancouver Province

"When he was a star goaltender in U.S. college hockey, Cory Schneider twice made it to the NCAA's national championship game. His Boston College team lost both times by 2-1 scores, so the Vancouver Canucks prospect is looking at the American Hockey League's Calder Cup final as a way to finally realize that trophy dream. Schneider's AHL club, the Manitoba Moose, play Game 1 of the Calder Cup on Saturday when they host the Hershey Bears. "We won the Hockey East championship twice when I was at Boston, and in my sophomore and junior years we made it to the national championship game," said Schneider, who was the AHL's goaltender of the year and showing he's clearly a future NHL netminder. ..."

Piecing a shattered world back together

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May 29

Vancouver Province

"For most of us here in Vancouver, May 29 is all about flowers being in full bloom, a good stretch of sunny weather finally setting in and looking forward to the start of the Stanley Cup final. For Charlene Ward, today marks a year since she lost her true love Luc Bourdon in a tragic motorcycle accident that shook their small fishing town of Shippagan, N.B., to the core. On that day, Bourdon, the Vancouver Canucks promising 21-year-old defenceman, was killed instantly when his high-powered motorbike slammed head-on into a transport truck. Ward witnessed the horrifying accident, which also sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world. In an interview with The Province from her home in ..."

Canucks fourth line intact with Rypien signing

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May 28

Vancouver Province

"Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis clearly believes Rick Rypien's problems — injuries and otherwise — are behind him. Rypien, who would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, was signed to a two-year extension on Wednesday. The new contract, which is a one-way deal, goes through the 2010-11 season. Rypien wouldn't say how much the deal is worth, but it's believed to be a slight increase on the $522,000 annual salary he was making, likely in the $600,000 range. Rypien, 25, has suffered numerous injuries since signing with the Canucks the fall of 2005. He played just five games at the start of the past season before suffering a sports hernia. That required surgery and he had a ..."

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