Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Canucks Lose Grabner For Up To Six Weeks

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November 3

TSN.ca

"Add rookie forward Michael Grabner to the long list of injured players on the Vancouver Canucks roster. Grabner suffered a fractured ankle during the pre-game skate on Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche and is expected to be out of the lineup for up to six weeks. Grabner joins netminder Roberto Luongo (broken rib) and forwards Jannik Hansen (broken right hand), Pavol Demitra (shoulder surgery), Daniel Sedin (broken foot) and Ryan Johnson (concussion) on the injured list."

Sedin has cast removed but won't beat his own deadline to return to lineup

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November 2

Vancouver Province

"Daniel Sedin has had a cast removed from his fractured left foot, but the Vancouver Canucks winger won't beat his own time-line to return to the NHL club. Sedin suffered the injury Oct. 7 when struck by a second-period Alex Edler shot against the Montreal Canadiens and had hoped to return in three weeks. Four weeks might be a stretch, too. Five sounds better. "He's still in a walking boot for a week, so he's a little bit away," said Canucks coach Alain Vigneault."

Pavol Demitra has tendinitis in his shoulder. No ETA for a return to Canucks

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October 16

Vancouver Province

"he Canucks revealed Thursday why Pavol Demitra has been slow to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. Despite having had a medical procedure in May to repair tears to the front and back of his rotator cuff, Demitra remains out indefinitely. He hasn't been skating with the team and complained to The Province this week that there's "a lot of pain in the shoulder." Head coach Alain Vigneault revealed Thursday the pain is from shoulder tendinitis, which means there is inflammation of the rotator cuff tendon. "He got another injection a couple of days ago to relieve the tendinitis," Vigneault said. "That's what's slowing this down a little bit.""

It's almost official: Salo out at least a month

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October 14

Vancouver Sun

"While there was no official word out of the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, it seems career injury No. 38 for defenceman Sami Salo will be like many of the 37 that preceded it. He'll be out between four and six weeks. Salo had an MRI done on his injured right knee Tuesday afternoon and while those results won't be made official until sometime Wednesday, the Canucks sent him for the test almost certain he had suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament. The injury occurred during what looked to be an innocent puck battle in the corner with Dallas rookie Jamie Benn in the first period of Sunday night's game. Salo's injury is the second to a core player in the matter of four days. Daniel ..."

Canucks sniper Daniel Sedin out with deep bone bruise on heel

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October 10

Vancouver Province

"Just when the Canucks started looking like they were all right, their top sniper may not be. Daniel Sedin has a deep bone bruise on his right heel and could be out Sunday when Dallas visits Vancouver. It may not be the only game he misses. The Canucks don't yet know if the foot is broken. If it is, it would be a major blow for the Canucks. A bone bruise is a sign the bone has been injured sufficiently to have inflammation within the bone itself. The bruising and swelling mean the Canucks haven't been able to do an MRI, general manager Mike Gillis said. The Canucks must wait for the swelling to go down and that could take from one to three days. Henrik Sedin said he's hoping his brother ..."

Leafs' loose lips sink skip, while Burke is warned

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October 8

Toronto Star

"The Maple Leafs are a .500 team – at least when it comes to battling allegations of tampering levelled by the Vancouver Canucks. The NHL weighed in on the battle between the warring front offices – ordering them both to be quiet – while fining the Leafs for one incident and letting them off the hook for another. Leafs GM Brian Burke escaped with just a warning for his comments broadcast in a Leafs TV documentary that the Canucks were shopping defenceman Kevin Bieksa and forward Alex Burrows at the NHL draft."

Shirokov a favourite to win spot on Canucks roster

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September 26

Vancouver Province

"Here's an advisory for Eastern Canada's sports journalists: There's still time to switch your pick for the Calder Trophy from Cody Hodgson to Sergei Shirokov. Many preseason prognosticators have been picking Hodgson as a rookie-of-the year candidate. But it's Shirokov who has the better chance of making the Canucks. And he's the one who has missed much of training camp because of a knee injury. That should tell you everything. Shirokov is set to play Saturday in Calgary, apparently recovered from a knee sprain which sidelined him for a week. It was thought at the time the injury would hurt his chances of making the team. But he actually made ground in his pursuit of a job, in part because ..."

Sundin not negotiating with any team

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September 11

TSN.ca

"Painfully, the speculation as to where Mats Sundin will play this season and for how much has started. Well, here's a news flash, the odds of Sundin playing at all are very slim. Retirement is a safer bet than Sundin resigning with the Vancouver Canucks, or any other NHL team."

Gillis: New Deal Coming For Canucks Coach Vigneault

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September 8

TSN.ca

"The Vancouver Canucks can expect to see head coach Alain Vigneault behind the bench for a few more years after general manager Mike Gillis expressed his intent to extend the coach's contract. "There are a few things left to do but we expect to have a deal done before the season," Gillis told The Vancouver Sun on Monday. "Not necessarily before training camp starts [Saturday] but before the season." Vigneault would not comment about any talks between Gillis and himself."

Kesler could be next to sign contract

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September 5

Vancouver Province

"Next up: Ryan Kesler. With five core players now signed through the 2012-13 season, the next item on the Vancouver Canucks' agenda is re-signing Kesler, who is coming off a career year -- one that ended with him being a finalist for the Selke award. "Our intention was to begin speaking with [Kesler's agent Kurt Overhardt] once we got some other business taken care of," Canucks GM Mike Gillis said. "And now we have that business taken care of." Since Kesler was drafted, he's carried the tag of being a defensive forward. His speed, edge and tenacity combined with his lack of playmaking finesse were thought to be best suited for a checking-line role. But he evolved. And that evolution is one ..."

No glory for Cory? Canucks top prospect Schneider not worried by Luongo deal

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September 3

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canucks goaltending prospect Cory Schneider will be 36 when Roberto Luongo's contract expires but, as Schneider noted Wednesday, his circumstances haven't really been altered. He is coming to training camp next week to try and win the backup spot from veteran Andrew Raycroft. His long-term future? Well, that can wait for another day. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm still a member of the Canucks right now and I plan on making the team and helping them win right now," said Schneider, 23. "What happens going forward is going to happen. For now, I'm completely focused on making this team." Schneider wasn't surprised by the Luongo extension — "everyone knew it was in the works" — and ..."

Canucks poised to announce Luongo deal

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September 1

Vancouver Province

"Maybe the Vancouver Canucks are waiting for GM Mike Gillis to return from a fishing trip before announcing anything, or for goalie Roberto Luongo to actually arrive in town, but reports Monday claimed the two sides have agreed on salary and term for a contract extension. Nothing new, really, that hasn't been reported in The Province before, but the story got new legs when sportsnet.ca posted it. Luongo, 30, is entering the last season of a four-year, $27-million US deal that in 2009-10 pays him $7.5 million (a cap hit of $6.75 million). Luongo had a 33-13 record with a 2.34 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and nine shutouts in 54 appearances last season."

Canucks GM Gillis won't confirm speculation about Luongo deal

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September 1

Vancouver Sun

"Internet speculation on a Roberto Luongo contract signing — fuelled by a Twitter missive attributed to the man himself — surged Monday night, but Vancouver Canuck general manager Mike Gillis wasn't taking the bait. Gillis was fishing in the Queen Charlotte Islands Monday, perhaps secure in the knowledge he has already landed the whopper — his goaltending captain. Gillis wouldn't comment on a report that the Canucks and their star netminder have reached agreement on a contract extension and that it will be announced before training camp opens Sept. 12. "I'm not confirming and I'm not commenting on that but I remain confident we'll have an agreement in place before training camp," Gillis ..."

Luongo puts deadline on contract talks

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August 27

The Globe and Mail

"The Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Roberto Luongo are under a Sept. 13 deadline to agree to new contract terms. Luongo, who is attending Hockey Canada's summer orientation camp for 2010 Olympic hopefuls, said he will not negotiate once the NHL team's training camp begins at the University of British Columbia next month. He said he is unwilling to let his expiring contract become a daily distraction. "We're trying to get it done before camp," Luongo said in Calgary yesterday. "If it doesn't happen before camp, I will not be negotiating during the season. I don't want to have that distraction." Yesterday, Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said a contract extension is not finished, but he ..."

Sundin finally makes a decision ... he's getting married! No decision date yet on return to the NHL

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August 22

Vancouver Province

"As most hockey reporters now know, putting Mats Sundin and the word "deadline" in the same sentence is a risky proposition. But the big Swede's agent, J.P. Barry, said Thursday he hopes to get some clarity on whether Sundin will play this NHL season when he heads to Scandinavia to attend his client's wedding next week. The Sundin camp said earlier in the summer that a decision was hoped for by the end of July. Last season, Sundin dithered until mid-December before signing with Vancouver. Barry said he will travel to Sweden on Monday to get some sense as to whether the 38-year-old Sundin will continue his NHL career or retire. "I'm going to talk to him about his future when I get there," ..."

Canucks not commenting on reports CEO Chris Zimmerman set to resign

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August 4

Vancouver Sun

"The Vancouver Canucks refuse to confirm or deny reports that Canucks President and CEO Chris Zimmerman will resign from the club this week. "There is nothing to announce from the club at this point," Canucks representative TC Carling said Monday. "If there is, we'll let you know and you can speak to the appropriate people." Media reports Monday speculated Zimmerman could resign as early as Tuesday. Zimmerman, 49, replaced former Canucks president Stan McCammon in October 2006 and has overseen an organization that has enjoyed more than 250 straight sellouts at GM Place — the second-longest sellout streak in the National Hockey League. Forbes magazine estimates the Canucks franchise is ..."

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."

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