Many National Hockey League teams win games on a regular basis. They
do this because they have a talented group of players who have
jelled together into a cohesive unit. LCS Correspondents who write
about these winning teams enjoy the success of these clubs and
players.
Other National Hockey League teams lose games on a consistent basis.
They do this because they have gathered a bunch of players who lack
the confidence, skill and vision that is necessary for success. LCS
Correspondents who cover such teams enjoy the thrill of seeing these
players shipped off to various cities at the trade deadline, in
return for other players that will continue the tradition of whining,
sucking and losing. But at least they're new losers!
WHAT ARE THE CANUCKS LOOKING FOR?
The Canucks are set on defence and in goal. They have about 17
fourth liners, but no one to put the puck in the net. Offence will
be the big key at the deadline IF the Canucks decide to improve. If
they do this, they will most likely work from the back end, where
McCabe and Aucoin could be had.
They may, however, decide to do a little addition by subtraction.
This would mean either an Islander-like liquidation or a few moves
to get rid of some overpaid, under worked veterans. I would tend to
point to the latter. Brian Burke has too much pride to put on a
fire sale and just dump salaries. Hopefully he can get rid of some
of the dead wood, but more than a couple of these trades would be
surprising.
WHO MIGHT GO:
Murray Baron - Defenceman are all the rage at the deadline.
The Canucks have five guys around right now plus Bryan Allen is on
his way. The Canucks can make up for his experience for him in the
locker room by re-calling Murzyn, and they might just be able to
get a decent prospect from someone looking to shore up their blue
line. POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS: Detroit, Anaheim, San Jose, St.
Louis. Look for a prospect or draft pick in return, much like when
they got rid of Diduck and Dirk.
Bryan McCabe - If the Canucks are going to trade of their
young defenceman for scoring help, Bryan McCabe will may be the
guy. McCabe should one day be a captain again, he is mobile, tough
and will score the occasional goal. He's valuable. Brian Burke says
he would need to be blown away by an offer to trade one of his
young d-men. It always takes more to get a blueliner, so who knows?
POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS: San Jose, if they're willing to part
with Nolan in a bigger deal, Chicago, where the rumours started but
have calmed since the Mironov trade.
Dave Gagner - Sure am glad that Brian Burke "demanded" him in
the Bure trade! Where would we be without him? Probably about where
we are right now, but at least some ice time would have gone to
developing players in the meantime. Terry Murray did know what he was
doing when he scratched Gagner for most of his last month as a
Panther. The Canucks should just get rid of his salary and ice time.
Give his spot on the second line and the power play to Josh Holden
and get a draft pick or futures or a puck for him. POSSIBLE
DESTINATIONS: Anyone needing experience down the middle and is
willing to overpay for it.
Peter Zezel - Much the same case applies to Zezel. He isn't
a bad guy to have around, but the Canucks are rebuilding. Save his
salary and give his spot to a younger guy who might be around for a
while (Stevey Washburn). POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS: Any play-off
bound team looking for depth.
Adrian Aucoin - Has the big shot from the point that many
teams covet and is having a breakthrough season. Burke would
probably trade his power-play trigger man only because he is a free
agent in July and will demand a BIG raise. The same factors apply
from the McCabe rumours, as offensive help would come in return.
POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS: Could he end up in Carolina (where
Paul Coffey has been ineffective on the point) in a deal involving
Jeff O'Neill?
Meanwhile in Reality Land, the Canucks have jumped head-first into
the race for a top three draft pick. As of "press time", Chicago
had leapt over Vancouver, leaving the Canucks with the NHL's third
worst record (in front of only Tampa Bay and the Islanders). The
Lightning are unreachable but the Islanders may just pass by if we
play our cards right! Since Atlanta will likely select second come
June, the Canucks need to continue losing to attain the third or
fourth pick.
THE LONE BRIGHT SPOT: The Wayne Axford Award once again goes
to Adrian Aucoin. Adrian tied Doug Halward's long standing record
for goals by a defenceman against Edmonton last Saturday (19). I
figure that anyone who sets an offensive record on this team
deserves not only an award, but a trade to a contender (the public
agreed, as he garnered 74% of the 8,024 votes cast). Adrian now has
tied Markus Naslund with two awards while Bryan McCabe has a single
victory. Only two more issues (at least for this team) so the
battle is heating up!
I WANT TO VOTE FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD!!! Guess what! You
can, by e-mailing me at Canucks_eh@hotmail.com
