Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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 ..."

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."

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 ..."

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, ..."

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 ..."

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 ..."

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 ..."

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 ..."

With Jay walking, Panthers desperate to deal defenceman before losing him for nothing

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June 13

Toronto Sun

"Let the wheeling and dealing begin. While there is no official moratorium on trades during the playoffs, teams will get busy working on next season now that the Stanley Cup champion has been decided -- and with the draft just two weeks away, followed by free agency July 1. One of the first players on the move before the June 26-27 draft could be Panthers defenceman Jay Bouwmeester. League sources say the looming unrestricted free agent has already told the Panthers he won't return. Now Florida is pressing hard to trade the blueliner. "The Panthers just want to get something done," a league executive said yesterday. "They don't want to let him walk away for nothing." The price for ..."

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. ..."

Rumours fly following Heatley's alleged trade request

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June 10

Ottawa Citizen

"Ottawa Senators fans are about to enter the rumour mill after Tuesday's news that star winger Dany Heatley wants a trade out of the capital. The list of who, potentially, could replace him in Ottawa is a long one. Defenceman Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr and soon to be unrestricted free agent forward Mike Cammalleri from the Calgary Flames? How about forwards Dustin Penner or Patrick O'Sullivan of the Edmonton Oilers? Centre Mason Raymond and pending unrestricted free agent defenceman Mattias Ohlund of the Vancouver Canucks? Let's discuss the possibilities of Los Angeles Kings left winger Alexander Frolov coming to town, along with the fifth overall selection, at the draft in two weeks. While ..."

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 ..."

No free rides these days

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May 25

Vancouver Province

"The NHL free agent meat market that opens its doors on July 1 is still five weeks away, but it's already clear that Vancouver Canucks duo of Daniel and Henrik Sedin will be amongst the prize offerings should they make it that far. The pending unrestricted free agents (UFA) are finishing up a contract that paid them $3.575 million annually. They've been close to or at a point-a-game producers the last four seasons and, at 28, are in the prime of their careers. The Sedins have stated they want to continue to play together and they would like to remain in Vancouver. Discussions were put on hold in March, but the twins' agent, J.P. Barry of Calgary's CAA Sports, said he expects talks to get ..."

Enough with the crazy talk, Luongo is still the best choice

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May 22

Vancouver Province

"Roberto Luongo had barely taken his pads off for the last time this season before the questions started about his status as the favourite to be Team Canada's No. 1 goalie at the 2010 Olympics. Hockey commentators have seemed just a little too eager to make Luongo's last playoff game one which will define him. Some even called up Steve Yzerman for reaction immediately after Luongo gave up seven goals to the Chicago Blackhawks. It came across like your younger brother running home to gleefully tell dad you failed a math test. Forget all the reasons why Luongo remains the best candidate to be Team Canada's starter: He is in his prime, has been the NHL's most consistent goalie this century and ..."

Next move for Canucks GM Gillis? He wants the Sedins and Luongo to stay

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May 16

Vancouver Sun

"The owner is happy with the general manager. The general manager is happy with the coach. Everyone in the Vancouver Canucks is happy, except for the hockey part, because everyone believes the team should still be playing. Just as general manager Mike Gillis said Thursday he's "decompressing" and it is too early to attack the weightiest off-season issues, it's too soon to say if this was the first year of a bold, new era in Vancouver or a great opportunity squandered. Maybe it was both. Many people picked the Canucks to miss the National Hockey League playoffs, yet the team finished with 100 points and nipped the Calgary Flames for the Northwest Division title. It barged through the St. ..."

So long, Sundin, or see you later?

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May 14

Vancouver Province

"His agent doesn't know, Mats Sundin himself says he doesn't know, even his hairdresser doesn't know for sure since he goes for the self-administered chrome-dome look. But if the eyes that suddenly got a tad glassy and the voice that broke slightly when talking about what he'll miss, if they are any indication, then the almost-always unemotional Sundin has played his last game. "I think I've enjoyed playing hockey the last five years more than I have in my whole career," Sundin said. "You realize at the end of your career ... you kind of know you're at the end. "You know, it's such a great game we're part of. That's going to be the toughest part when you retire. There's such a -- it's tough ..."

No contract talks until agent talks with Sedin twins

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May 14

Vancouver Sun

"Daniel and Henrik Sedin's agent, J.P. Barry, is waiting to hear from his clients before he resumes any sort of contract discussions with the Vancouver Canucks and GM Mike Gillis. The twin redheads stand to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Barry said Tuesday he usually waits for players to have exit meetings with their teams before they proceed. "We sit down, find out what was said and then go from there," Barry explained. "So I have to wait to hear from Daniel and Henrik. "They're just absorbing everything right now. We haven't had one discussion about their contracts since prior to the trade deadline." The twins were point-a-game performers in 2008-09, finishing with an ..."

It's starting to sink in for Ohlund that Canuck days may be over

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May 14

Vancouver Sun

"As Mattias Ohlund peeled off his jersey Monday night in Chicago, he was a jumble of emotions. The Canucks had lost. They were out of the playoffs. The season was over. Ohlund never thought for a moment he might be taking off his Canuck uniform for the last time. But it is sinking in now. Ohlund, 32, stands to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and there have been no talks about a contract extension. He fully expects to go to the open market in seven weeks. The Canucks are Ohlund's only NHL team. He started with them in 1997, played 11 seasons, set club records for most goals (93) and points (325) by a defenceman. Drafted 13th overall in 1994, he was a first-round pick who did pan ..."

Sundin to mull his future (again) over the summer

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May 14

Vancouver Sun

"Stop us if this sounds familiar. Mats Sundin says he will take some time over the summer to decide if he will continue his NHL playing career. Hopefully, he'll make up his mind before Christmas this time, although that probably doesn't really matter to the Vancouver Canucks, who are unlikely to attempt to re-sign the 38-year-old Swede. Sundin joined the rest of the Canucks on Wednesday to meet with coaches and pack up their gear for the summer. "That's a good question, my future in the NHL, I don't even know myself," Sundin said. "Last summer, obviously, I didn't know whether I was going to play or not and I definitely am going to take my time to make a good decision this summer. Right ..."

Sedin contract talks to move from back to front burner

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May 14

Vancouver Sun

""I think they are front-line players. I don't know if they are players the team will be built around moving forward. That evaluation process will go on." -- Mike Gillis on the Sedin twins on April 23, 2008, the day he was introduced as Canuck general manager. Some time between now and July 1, we should finally find out just how Mike Gillis really feels about Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Just how much he values their 80-plus points, their skill, their durability and their good citizenry. This much we do know. The 28-year-old twins, who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, want to stay in Vancouver. "We always said what we want and it's never changed from day one, but we ..."

Why would they trade me? Canucks Roberto Luongo asks

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May 14

Vancouver Sun

"Bad news travels slowly. Vancouver Canuck captain Roberto Luongo was unaware his future with the National Hockey League team was being debated round-the-clock until the goalie arrived Wednesday at work and was tipped off by the parking attendant. Luongo had been so distraught over his performance in Monday's 7-5 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks that ended the Canucks' season, he said he hadn't turned on his TV or left his condo in two days. He gave up reading newspapers last year. The media wasn't exactly there to ease his suffering as Canuck players cleaned out their lockers at GM Place on Wednesday. "It's funny you said that because I hadn't heard anything about that," Luongo said. "The ..."

Sami Salo's return could give Canucks defense a boost

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May 7

Chicago Sun-Times

"The defensive padlock the Vancouver Canucks applied to the Blackhawks' acclaimed offense Tuesday night might be even tighter tonight. That's because Sami Salo, Vancouver's ace defenseman who hasn't played since leaving Game 2 early with a lower-body injury, rejoined the team Wednesday and skated after practice, reportedly gingerly. ''I felt pretty good out there,'' Salo said. ''So we'll go day-by-day. I was just skating to get a good sweat after a long flight [Tuesday night] and trying to get blood flow in the whole body.'' Could he play as soon as Game 4 tonight, when the Canucks will try to go up 3-1 after regaining home-ice advantage without him? ''I hope so,'' he said. ''There's always ..."

Salo could be back in lineup for Game 4

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May 6

Vancouver Sun

"Sami Salo was literally a flyin' Finn Tuesday, which is good news for the Vancouver Canucks, who could have their key defenceman back in their lineup for Game 4. Salo, injured while scoring a first-period goal during Saturday's 6-3 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks, flew to Chicago on Tuesday after a MRI exam in Vancouver was favourable. And Salo didn't travel for the air miles. "We left him back to have a MRI," Canuck assistant general manager Laurence Gilman said as the Canucks beat the Blackhawks 3-1 in Game 3. "The results of the MRI are such, in combinations with how he's feeling, that there's a possibility he could play Thursday." There was a report Tuesday that Salo has a sore ..."

Naslund retiring? Let the Great Debate begin

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May 4

Vancouver Province

"Let the Great Debate begin. If a New York Post report is accurate that Markus Naslund will retire from the NHL at age 35, following a poor 46-point season with the Rangers, then the battle lines will be drawn in Vancouver as to whether the former Canucks captain should have his No. 19 jersey retired. Some will shout "Yes!" Others will scream "No!" As the franchise leader in career points (756) and single-season leader in goals (48), assists (56) and points (104) by a left-winger — established in the 2002-03 season on the famed West Coast Express line with Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi — you could argue that Naslund did more than enough to have his jersey join Stan Smyl and Trevor ..."

Ex-Canuck captain Naslund to retire, according to report

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May 4

Vancouver Sun

"Former Vancouver Canuck captain Markus Naslund plans to retire after a disappointing season with the New York Rangers, according to a report in the New York Post, and will walk away from the final year on his contract. Naslund had 24 goals and 46 points but was a minus-10 in 82 regular-season games. He had three points in the Rangers' first-round playoff loss to the Washington Capitals. Naslund, 35, signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Rangers last July after he did not receive an offer from new Canuck general manager Mike Gillis, who previously served as Naslund's agent."

Canucks' playoff prognosis drops to doubtful

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May 4

Vancouver Sun

"Alain Vigneault's post-game news conference Saturday night was a masterpiece of half-truths. The Vancouver Canucks' head coach volunteered two clear turning points in his squad's 6-3, Game 2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks at GM Place. • A needless icing by Pavol Demitra, which led to Patrick Sharp's first goal. "Not exactly sure why he iced that puck, he had plenty of time to gain the red line and get that puck in deep," said the coach, offering a rare glimpse of his irritation at a specific player — in this case, the 34-year-old Slovak who is softer than a baby's bum. • The comedy of errors that led to Sharp's second goal, erasing the Canucks' early 2-0 lead. It began with a cheesy ..."

Cowan re-joins Canucks at practice but not expected to play against Blackhawks

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May 2

Vancouver Sun

"The Vancouver Canucks welcomed an old face back at practice today as they prepared for Saturday's Game 2 of their Stanley Cup playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks. Winger Jeff Cowan, who earned the endearing nickname The Bra-Barian two seasons ago, was recalled from the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League after that team's demise in the AHL playoffs. Cowan is not expected to play tonight, or at anytime in the Chicago series, unless the Canucks suffer a rash of injuries. "I'm just happy to be here and be part of it," said Cowan, 32. "I know what my role is here — to come in and be positive and if the opportunity to play does come up, that's great. I know what playoffs are ..."

Up to Pyatt to say when he's ready to play again

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May 1

Vancouver Province

"Alain Vigneault said Taylor Pyatt is ready to play. Maybe. Maybe not. As much as the Vancouver Canucks coach would savour the option of inserting the big-bodied Pyatt into his lineup, the heartbroken winger must first make that call to ensure that mind and body are up for the rigours of the Western Conference semifinal series. In grieving the loss of his fiancee Carly Bragnalo, who was killed April 2 in a car accident in Jamaica, only Pyatt will know when he can match the frenetic pace of the playoffs. He hasn't played for 28 days and only returned to the practice ice last Friday. "Obviously, there's a process you have to go through and he's going through it, and we just want to be there ..."

Sundin not certain of return

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April 25

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canucks centre Mats Sundin remains an international man of mystery. After missing the final two games of the St. Louis sweep — "lower-body injury", the team solemnly announced — the big Swede was flying around the ice during Friday's practice at GM Place. At one point, he potted two sublime goals on consecutive line rushes, so whatever was ailing him in St. Louis appeared better. Not so fast, though. Asked whether he would be ready for Round 2, which is likely another week away, Sundin replied: "I don't know at this point. I mean, we're going day-by-day here and hopefully I can keep skating and working the way we did today and we'll make a decision as we go on here." The injury ..."

Canucks' Sundin feels 'definitely better'

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April 21

Vancouver Sun

"Paul Kariya won't play tonight but Mats Sundin might. Sundin skated with Vancouver Canuck teammates this morning after missing Sunday's 3-2 win against the St. Louis Blues due to a mysterious lower-body injury. But the 38-year-old, signed to a one-year, $8.6-million US contract in December to give the Canucks scoring depth and experience at playoff time, told reporters after the skate it will be a game-time decision whether he plays tonight against the Blues. Paul Kariya, the offensive dynamo from North Vancouver who has recovered from two hip surgeries, skated with the Blues but said he won't play tonight when St. Louis tries to keep alive its National Hockey League season. The Canucks ..."

Sundin, Kariya both likely out

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April 21

Vancouver Province

"Mats Sundin played a little coy and Paul Kariya played a little defence Monday. Sundin and Kariya have combined for 131 career NHL playoff games, but the injured stars aren't expected to add to that total tonight in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinal series. After all, why rush either player back with the Vancouver Canucks holding a commanding 3-0 series lead on the St. Louis Blues? Sundin could rest until next week. Kariya could rest until next season. Sundin is sidelined day-to-day with a hip/groin injury. The Canucks centre suffered the ailment during the third period Friday when he got tangled up and fell awkwardly into the back of the net during a 3-0 win at GM Place. He ..."

Living in the present, Ohlund insists

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April 13

Vancouver Province

"Following what may have been his final regular-season home game in a Vancouver uniform, Mattias Ohlund was not in a reflective mood last week. He was agitated. Asked how the second-longest-serving Canucks defenceman should savour that GM Place moment -- suggesting the unrestricted free agent will be playing elsewhere next season because of little progress on a contract extension -- he uncharacteristically spat back. "So, you're assuming I'm not back here next year," snapped Ohlund, 32, whose hockey odometer now reads 770 regular-season games, just 11 shy of the franchise mark held by Harold Snepsts. "I'm living in the present and to be honest, I haven't even thought about it. I'm looking ..."

NHLPA not pleased with Kesler's pay-cut talk

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March 25

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canuck forward Ryan Kesler has been admonished by the NHL Players Association and asked to keep his lip buttoned on the matter of players — other than himself, that is — taking below-market value contracts to be part of a winning team. The Canucks' rising star suggested last week that he and his mates should emulate the Detroit Red Wings and maybe take a little less to keep their lineup intact. NHLPA director of player affairs Glenn Healy apparently set Kesler straight in a recent phone call. "I am told by Glenn it was a very good conversation, and a fairly brief conversation," said NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly, who was in Vancouver Tuesday for Sport B.C.'s athlete of the ..."

'I think we have a great chance'

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March 24

Vancouver Province

columnist Ben Kuzma

"A four-game road losing streak concerns Roberto Luongo more than pundits foreshadowing his playing future following cryptic postgame comments on Saturday. On the After Hours segment of Hockey Night in Canada, the Vancouver Canucks goalie stressed he wants to play for a team that has the best chance to win the Stanley Cup, and that the remainder of this year and the final year of his contract will decide his hockey home for 2010-11. You can read a lot into that summation. Or you can read very little. On one hand, it sounds like Luongo isn't interested in talking contract extension July 1, and wants to first see how competitive a club GM Mike Gillis ices next season. On the other hand, ..."

Luongo's not packing any bags

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March 24

Vancouver Sun

columnist Iain MacIntyre

"Short of getting tattoos of fir trees and Vancouver's Olympic rings — although the latter would surely get him sued by Vanoc for copyright infringement — Roberto Luongo couldn't have been any more passionate Monday about his fondness for our city. Loves Vancouver, he said. Loves his Vancouver Canuck teammates, loves the National Hockey League organization and loves its fans. Never did the star goalie sound like George Bailey pledging to "shake the dust of this crummy little town off my feet" and go elsewhere. Even the RCMP's taser cowboys couldn't misunderstand him. But Luongo won't pledge ever-lasting devotion to the Canucks beyond his contract's expiration 15 months from now. From the ..."

Luongo is unsure about a future in Vancouver

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March 23

Vancouver Province

"Alex Burrows and Ryan Kesler have made it clear recently, with both words and actions, they plan to be a big part of building what they believe to be a bright Vancouver Canucks future. But if Roberto Luongo's comments Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada's After Hours are any indication, the team's star goalie is not on board, yet. Sometimes Luongo's honesty with the media gets him into PR jams. That could be the case again this week after he went off the "We are all Cancuks" script when asked whether being captain will influence his decision to sign an extension. "I don't think so. That's not something that's going to weigh on my decision," Luongo said. He probably should have stopped ..."

Sedins on Leafs? Burke must be tempted

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March 21

Toronto Star

columnist Damien Cox

"The temptation will be strong. In this case, doubly so. It could not have escaped the attention of Brian Burke's administration this week that contract negotiations between the Vancouver Canucks and the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, broke off. The Ornskoldsvik brothers, in case you've forgotten, became Canucks 10 years ago largely through the manipulations of Burke in one of the greatest manoeuvres in entry draft history. Not only did he get Daniel Sedin with the second pick and his brother with the third by swinging deals with Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Chicago, he avoided getting stuck with either Patrik Stefan (first overall) or Pavel Brendl (fourth overall)."

Will Kesler settle for less money?

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March 19

Vancouver Province

"The team concept works in theory, but is lost in translation when it comes to the bottom line. Players will preach about being on the same page and sacrificing personal glory for betterment of team goals. However, when it comes to contracts, it's often every man for himself and pocket as much as you can for as long as you can. Then there's Alex Burrows. And now Ryan Kesler. Burrows left money on the table when he signed a four-year, $8-million-US contract extension on March 3 instead of becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1. The feisty Vancouver Canucks winger reasoned taking less offers more financial flexibility to sign others and ensure the franchise remains competitive. How noble. ..."

Bouwmeester was Canucks' prime target

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March 15

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

columnist Steve Gorten

"Along with the Flyers, the Canucks made the most serious push to get Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester before Wednesday's trade deadline. Vancouver General Manager Mike Gillis was willing to give up winger Mason Raymond and a first-round pick, the Vancouver Province reported, but when Panthers GM Jacques Martin made it clear he wanted either defensemen Kevin Bieksa or Alex Elder, a potential deal was dead. "I asked him what he needed in return, and he told me and it was undoable," Gillis told the Province. So unlike their Northwest Division rival Flames, the Canucks didn't make a big splash before the deadline, despite nearly $3 million in salary-cap space. Their big move was signing ..."

Sedin contract talks end to avoid playoff run distraction

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March 13

Vancouver Province

"The Canucks have pulled the plug on contract talks with the Sedins, but plan to resume negotiations when the season ends. Both sides said they have "surrounded" all the issues and remain hopeful a deal will get done before the Sedins become unrestricted free agents on July 1. "We're in complete agreement on some issues, and on others there is some disagreement," said assistant general manager Laurence Gilman. "We're not going to have a deal until we are in agreement on all the issues. At this point, we're focusing on the playoff run and so are they. These are not time sensitive issues." Both sides concluded it's in the best interest of everyone to put things aside until after the season. ..."

Talks with Sedin twins reach standstill

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March 11

Vancouver Sun

"Six months after a dinner summit meeting when each side pledged its devotion to the other, Daniel and Henrik Sedin and the Vancouver Canucks seem no closer to agreeing on contract extensions as negotiations are about to be adjourned. The National Hockey League franchise and its top scorers — or at least their representatives — appear to be inhabiting different worlds economically, and player agent J.P. Barry said Tuesday he'll soon shut down talks so neither the players nor their team are distracted during the stretch drive and playoffs. If this happens,the Canucks will have only weeks after the end of the season to re-sign the Sedins or risk losing their best forwards to unrestricted free ..."

Canucks, Florida in talks on Bouwmeester

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March 4

Toronto Sun

"Vancouver and Florida are close to a deal. According to rumours, the two have agreed on Mason Raymond and a first rounder going to Florida for Jay Bouwmeester, but Florida wants more. And that "more" is apparently Kevin Bieksa."

Canucks Trade Rumors