Canucks Trade Rumors

"As anyone who's seen an Oliver Stone movie can tell you, it's now clear that Wednesday's TSN report was the first act in a sequence of events which will inevitably lead to Brian Burke and Dave Nonis reuniting in Toronto to run the Maple Leafs. I mean, who would argue differently? The crack management team at Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment has long since targeted Burke as the man who would be king of their empire. Nonis, his close confederate and former first lieutenant with the Vancouver Canucks, has recently been made available amid an equally interesting set of circumstances. Put it all together and the inescapable conclusion is Nonis has been approached to serve as a caretaker GM in Toronto while Burke completes the last year of his contract with the Anaheim Ducks."

"Paul Maurice is out as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and now the rumour mill can start churning, both over who's his replacement and who's the new boss. In the latter case, will that search lead back to Vancouver?...As for who might be part of that "new regime," the big rumour Wednesday was that recently fired Canucks GM Dave Nonis could be hooking up with the Leafs. TSN reported Toronto had approached Vancouver for permission to speak with Nonis. And the Canucks' response? "We do not plan on making any statement to confirm or deny the report," a team official told The Vancouver Sun."

" The curious timing of the firing of Paul Maurice leads only to further intrigue around the ever-intriguing and often inept Maple Leafs. Why fire Maurice now, especially after interim boss Cliff Fletcher announced at the end of the regular season that he wasn't going to make a decision on the coach -- and that the determination would be made by the new general manager? Why fire Maurice now, when the timing coincides with the Leafs asking for permission to talk to fired Vancouver GM Dave Nonis but have yet to have any meaningful conversation with him? What if Nonis, in some front-office role with the Leafs, wants Maurice to coach? What then? And what now? "

"As if it wasn't apparent on April 5, Trevor Linden dropped another gigantic hint Thursday that his hockey-playing days are done. The long-time Vancouver Canuck forward, now 38, presented one of his jerseys to MLA Sindi Hawkins at a cancer fund-raising rally, telling the crowd in attendance: "She's taking over the No. 16 now." Linden has yet to announce his retirement and was coy when asked if he planned to do so in the near future."

"It just might be the Vancouver Canucks have their new capologist. A blog by the Globe and Mail's Tim Wharnsby was reporting Wednesday night the Canucks are set to hire former Winnipeg Jets and Phoenix Coyotes assistant general manager Laurence Gillman, who was part of the Michael Barnett regime before it was swept out of power last summer. Canucks GM Mike Gillis, reached late Wednesday at his Vancouver home, would not confirm the hiring but said he expected an announcement shortly, which tends to indicate they have their man."

"Vancouver isn't on Fabian Brunnstrom's travel itinerary, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Canucks are off the list of NHL teams with whom the Swedish free agent may potentially sign. Brunnstrom was reported in Dallas on Tuesday and will also be travelling to Detroit and Montreal and likely Toronto for some mutual tire kicking, as the 23-year-old forward gets down to the nitty gritty of where he will play in the NHL this fall. The Canucks were on the verge of getting Brunnstrom's name on a contract two weeks ago, but the surprise firing of GM Dave Nonis put the move on hold."

"Martin could select an NHL guy with years of experience such as a Pat Burns or, should they become available, San Jose's Ron Wilson or Vancouver's Alain Vigneault. Any of those three would put the team in the hands of a competent leader, letting Martin focus almost completely on his GM duties."

"Markus Naslund is recovering after elbow surgery to remove loose bone chips Thursday. It's unclear how long the problem had been bothering the pending unrestricted free agent. He went to Hawaii following the season before having the surgery. One report has suggested Naslund won't return to Vancouver if coach Alain Vigneault comes back. New GM Mike Gillis, who used to be Naslund's agent, said Thursday he hasn't discussed the issue with Naslund. "He'll make a decision in the next little bit but I haven't heard that coming from him," Gillis said of the report."

"As a veteran of the coaching wars, Rick Bowness has endured a few reviews in his time and this one, he noted Thursday, is not really any different. Bowness, the Vancouver Canucks' associate coach, and head man Alain Vigneault are in limbo while new general manager Mike Gillis assesses their future with the NHL team."

"Alain Vigneault may not be a dead coach walking, after all. New Canucks general manager Mike Gillis heaped considerable praise on Vigneault and seemed to indicate Wednesday there was at least a decent chance he could return for a third season behind the Vancouver bench. At his introductory news conference at General Motors Place, Gillis suggested Vigneault was partially a victim this past season of the players he was given to coach."

"5 THINGS MIKE GILLIS SAID WILL BE HIS TOP PRIORITIES: 1. Deciding on a head coach. Mike Gillis says making a decision on his coach is the most important task he faces in the immediate future. He will sit down soon with current coach Alain Vigneault, who has a year left on his contract. 2. Gauge Roberto Luongo's long-term commitment to the organization. "Roberto is a priority," said Gillis. "If we don't have him as a priority, our shelf life with him is about two years.""

"And he did not completely rule out a return of his former client and team captain, Markus Naslund, who becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. "The decisions that we make about any player on this team are going to be based on his utility and his ability to compete and be a valuable asset in winning," Gillis said. "And that is not going to change for Markus or anybody else. Markus understands that completely.""

"Gillis was vague on whether he would continue to pursue Swedish free-agent forward Fabian Brunnstrom. Former GM Dave Nonis was close to reaching a deal with Brunnstrom and his agent, J.P. Barry, before Nonis was fired early last week. "I am familiar with him [Brunnstrom], but I am not going to answer that question because I don't know what the status is at this particular time," Gillis said. "I don't know what terms have been negotiated. I have not seen offers or responses from J.P., so I won't comment about that process because it's unfair. But I am familiar with him.""

"When the Vancouver Canucks announce their new general manager Mike Gillis, they'll be taking a calculated risk on a man who has never done the job."

"The Vancouver Canucks have opted for a fresh face rather than experience in hiring player agent Mike Gillis as their new general manager. Gillis, a 49-year-old native of Sudbury, Ont., is expected to be announced at a press conference today."

"All signs point to the Vancouver Canucks hiring NHL player agent Mike Gillis as their next general manager, The Globe and Mail has learned."

"J.P. Barry, who represents Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom, said Tuesday night that Gillis must decide quickly if he is interested in pursuing the highly regarded 23-year-old."

"One of the first decisions new Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis will have to make in taking over the NHL team is what to do about the stalled negotiations with highly touted Swedish free agent Fabian Brunnstrom."

"Gino Odjick is a friend of Vancouver Canuck owner Francesco Aquilini, but the former NHL enforcer insisted Monday he is not being consulted in the search for a new general manager. "It's just a bad rumour," said Odjick, whose name was bandied about on national TV as a member of Aquilini's advisory committee. "I'm not involved at all. Yes, we're friends, just friends, but he hasn't called me to ask what he should do.""

"As former GM Dave Nonis said during his farewell press conference, it's no shock what the Canucks need. They need scoring and they need size up front. Who's in and who's out in the pursuit of free-agent forwards? We take a look around some of the NHL's key teams that have more cap room than the Canucks."

"One of the funniest ongoing soap operas surrounding the changes enveloping the Vancouver Canucks is the saga of Fabian Brunnstrom, the allegedly much sought after Swedish Elite League forward looking to jump to the NHL... What's even more amusing is that now we're told by TSN than his now apparent destination is the Toronto Maple Leafs, another team where it is felt he might have a chance to play on the top six. But they have no GM or by extension coach either, right? They have exactly the same situation as Vancouver, unless it's already wired Brian Burke is going there and Nonis is going to be his right-hand man? We can't believe that."

"Does Nonis's firing put coach Alain Vigneault's job in jeopardy? Of course it does. It won't be the first time a coach-of-the-year is fired the next year."

"When Francesco Aquilini dropped the starter's flag on the pursuit of the Vancouver Canucks new GM, it's clear he came out of the blocks quickly. Having spoken to Doug Armstrong, Neil Smith or his representative and Minny agent Brian Lawton -- as well as being approached by Rich Winter, who is pushing John Muckler as a senior advisor to ownership -- you can add the name of Mike Gillis to the list of those sought out, he perhaps the best candidate in hockey never to have been a general manager."

"Proposals for the Canucks' vacant general manager post are coming fast and furious. It's dizzying. Some are fairy tales. Some are punchlines. Others are legitimate and being seriously considered for the job. Brian Lawton has piqued the Aquilinis' interest, and then some. He may not be at the top of the Canucks' shortlist, but he is on it. The former player agent surprised many a year ago when he gave up his career, and all its riches, to pursue his long-held dream of becoming an NHL executive."

"Among the many rumours making the rounds yesterday was the possibility of a blockbuster deal sending centre Jason Spezza to the Vancouver Canucks for goaltender Roberto Luongo. Anything is possible, of course, but veteran defenceman Chris Phillips was throwing up a caution sign yesterday. As upset as he was with the team's shocking second-half dive and playoff no-show, he says a total overhaul of the roster is unnecessary. "Big changes, no," Phillips said, when asked whether general manager Bryan Murray needs to rip apart the roster to start anew."

"Less than a day after the Senators were swept from the NHL playoffs by the Penguins, Spezza reiterated he signed a seven-year, $49-million US contract with the Senators because he wants to remain in Ottawa. While Spezza agrees he needs to contribute more than the one assist he had in four playoff games against the Penguins, he scoffed at the notion of being dealt this summer, although a rumour has surfaced that has him headed to Vancouver for goaltender Roberto Luongo. "

"Tossed bouquets by many for his body of work as general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, it was only fitting that the deposed Dave Nonis tossed a few of his own Wednesday. Nonis recommended Canucks assistant GM Steve Tambellini as his successor. And had he remained at the helm of the NHL club, Nonis suggested that there was a place in the organization for Trevor Linden, should the veteran forward retire."

"Not only has Aquilini no chance to get Ken Holland or Brian Burke, it might be impossible to lure Bob Murray or Jim Nill to Vancouver. Chances are Aquilini will reach for a candidate, a player agent like Mike Gillis or Brian Lawton or whoever else is being foisted on the neophyte owner by his unnamed counsel. Lawton was the hot rumour Wednesday, Gillis the day before. Maybe Mike Barnett will be the rumour today."

"That's an apt word for the rapidly growing list of candidates spewed out by the rumour mill and media speculators. Everybody already includes ex-Canuck GMs Burke and Quinn, Bob Murray, who is Burke's No. 2 in Anaheim, ex-Detroit boss Scotty Bowman or any of the current Red Wing front-office types -- Ken Holland, Steve Yzerman, Jim Nill -- former Dallas GM Doug Armstrong ... And on it goes."

"Before expressing our deepest fears about the recent events surrounding the Vancouver Canucks, we will acknowledge this might work. It's conceivable, after all, that two weeks from now Francesco Aquilini will call a press conference where he introduces Ken Holland as the Canucks' new GM. At that point, few will be mourning the demise of Dave Nonis."

"The worst feeling in the work world is to be out of the loop and feel out of touch in your chosen profession. Doug Armstrong had those feelings, but the former Dallas Stars general manager believes his NHL track record -- and his current involvement as assistant GM with Canada's world championship entry -- makes him a strong candidate to succeed Dave Nonis."

"The possibility that Brian Burke might – just might – become the next general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs is slowly moving into place. What was once a long shot is now possible thanks to a few happy coincidences."

"With Dave Nonis out as Vancouver's general manager, the rumours have already started that Brian Burke (photo) will return to Lotusland to head up the Canucks. Hey, wait a minute, isn't he supposed to be coming to Toronto to resuscitate the Maple Leafs? Something is surely afoul for the Ducks executive."

"The first casualty of the Dave Nonis beheading -- make that the second casualty -- is the talented Swedish free agent Brunnstrom, whose agent confirmed Tuesday that the 23-year-old will be taking his National Hockey League-ready skills and entry-level salary somewhere else."

"The firing of general manager Dave Nonis may cost the Vancouver Canucks their chance to sign highly touted Swedish free agent Fabian Brunnstrom."

"The Vancouver Canucks responded to missing the NHL playoff for the second time in three seasons by firing general manager Dave Nonis yesterday... Speculation on Nonis's successor will immediately turn to former Canucks general manager Brian Burke, whose wife works in the Vancouver media."

"Aquilini's decision to change management regimes so quickly is shocking, considering the Canucks are as few as two or three skilled forwards away from being able to compete with any NHL team. His firing of Nonis changes everything and will almost certainly lead to other major changes. The job of Alain Vigneault, the reigning NHL coach-of-the-year, is also now in jeopardy as Nonis's successor will presumably want to hire his own coach."

"It could very well be that a member of the Anaheim Ducks front office succeeds Dave Nonis as the Vancouver Canucks' general manager. It's just not who everyone expects. According to sources, one of the frontrunners for the GM's chair in Vancouver is Ducks' senior vice-president of hockey operations Bob Murray."

"Fabian Brunnstrom, an uber-hyped Swedish forward, had narrowed his NHL choices to Detroit and Vancouver from a list of six offers."

"The Canucks' search for a new general manager begins today. Here is a list of the elite eight candidates who could get lots of consideration."

"Again, it seems the Aquilinis have since had a change of heart about the future of the organization, but the fun doesn't stop there. Speculation became rampant Monday night that the move would clear the way for, ta-da, Burke's return to Vancouver and, all things considered, that story is just goofy enough to have some merit. If you're laying odds, however, Burke has about a 20-per-cent chance of returning to Vancouver. Yes, he still has a great deal of affection for this city and yes, his wife, CBC's Jennifer Mathers, still has a career here."

"The assumption in hockey circles is that Brian Burke is all but certain to be the next GM of the Maple Leafs. That's nice. It's just not quite so certain at this time. The truth is, the Leafs have not yet spoken to Burke, period. And now more Burke rumours circulate, about him having interest in returning to Vancouver."

"As for whether he intends to extend Nonis's contract so that he won't be a lame-duck GM managing in the last year of his deal (as was the case with Brian Burke after the latter turned down a three-year extension from then-owner John McCaw), Aquilini simply reiterated his earlier statements."

"Nonis, who will enter the final year of his contract barring an extension, did not specify how much money he will have to spend this off-season, but expiring contracts and an expected increase in the salary cap could make more than $15-million (U.S.) available. Whether captain Markus Naslund or hometown hero Morrison, both unrestricted free agents July 1, eat up some of that money was something Nonis would not address, especially not before meeting with ownership this week."

"The day after Trevor Linden Night, there was a decidedly different mood at General Motors Place. No longer could a lopsided loss, a stretch-run collapse and an underachieving season be swept aside by the mutual affection of Linden and Vancouver hockey fans, who stole the show Saturday with a love-in worthy of goose bumps and tears."

"Like his teammates, Markus Naslund went too quietly into the night, but that won't stop loud and long speculation about the captain's future."

"There's no denying this city's affection for Trevor Linden, a city he embraced from the day he arrived at age 18, a gangly 18-year-old from Medicine Hat, Alta. That's why, once more with feeling, the fans at GM Place gave their hero several rousing ovations, enveloping him in the type of adoration fans generally save for a final goodbye to their true loves."

"Going in, it was believed to be Trevor Linden's last game ever, and Markus Naslund's last game as a Vancouver Canuck."

"Daymond Langkow, Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic, Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Yashin, Josef Vasicek, Sean Avery, Martin Straka, Chris Kelly, Vaclav Prospal, Mats Sundin and Brendan Morrison are the prominent names in the middle and a thorough team with solid pro scouting will have a few names to add to all these lists."

"The game could represent a final curtain call for three players who have come to symbolize Canucks hockey over the past two decades. Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison, Trevor Linden. Respectively, the captain, the local hero, and the face of the franchise."