Playoffs?

The western conference isn't easy anymore, and that's a real problem for the Vancouver Canucks.  Teams like L.A., Anaheim, St. Louis, Chicago, Colorado, and San Jose have all taken a massive leap since Vancouvers cup-run in 2011.  The Canucks have two 1st round playoff exits in the last two seasons, and based of this years performance, they could make it three seasons in a row (if they even make the playoffs).  Canucks GM, Mike Gillis, and his neck beard are under scrutiny after they did not trade forward Ryan Kesler during the trade deadline.  Kesler was supposed to depart the team before the deadline, but wasn't dealt because Gillis still believes that the Canucks will make the playoffs.

Lack Nation

After goaltender Roberto Luongo was traded to the Florida Panthers, the starting job was handed over to Rookie Eddie Lack.  Lack is having an amazing year in his first full season with the Canucks.  And as of right now, fellow Swede Jacob Markstrom (who was one if the Pieces in the Luongo deal) will be Lack's backup.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm as big if a Lack fan as there is (I have his jersey) but I don't believe any goaltender should be a starter in their first full NHL season.  Lack is 1-2-1 since the Olympic break, but don't let the record fool you, he was lights out, and goal scoring was the problem.

Markstrom

Jacob Markstrom was acquired in the deal that saw franchise goaltender Roberto Luongo, head for Florida.  Markstrom is another Swedish goaltender, and yes, if you were counting that's three Swedish goaltenders in Vancouver's depth chart.  Markstrom is a towering 6 ft. 6 inches tall, and takes up a lot of the net.

An uneventful trade deadline

Mike Gillis was probably playing golf during the trade deadline.  He probably realized that the deadline was an hour again when he traded recently acquired defenseman Raphael Diaz to New York Rangers, in exchange for a whole 5th round pick.  Of course, Luongo was traded to the Florida Panthers, but this was on Tuesday, so it's already old news.

Ryan Kesler On the Move?

Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler has been surrounded by many trade rumours, lately.  Earlier this week, an analyst reported that Kesler had requested a trade earlier on in the season.  Kesler is a high intensity player, and is a fan favourite in the city of Vancouver.  Kesler isn't old, but is just leaving the prime of his career, so trading him would probably spark a rebuild.  Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis didn't confirm, or deny of these rumours are true, but Kesler and his agent both say the rumours 'Are complete Bull S**t'. Kesler has a no-trade-clause, and two years left on his contract with a $5 million dollar cap-hit.  Kesler has a very cap-friendly contract, but few teams with cap need a player like Ryan Kesler.  

The rumoured asking price for Kesler is a roster player, a first round pick, and a prospect, and the teams rumored to be in the running to acquire Kesler are Detroit, Columbus, Philadelphia, and most likely to swing Kesler, the Pittsburgh "we can never have enough talent" Penguins. With Malkin, and Crosby down the middle, and a weakness at the wing, it would like like they would try to play Kesler alongside Sid, or Geno, unless they can get Malkin to play on the wing.  The rumour was, Pittsburgh offered Sutter, a first round pick in 2014, and Vancouvers choice of Depres/Dumoulin.  I think Mike Gillis could do better, and Pittsburgh could offer more. 

In other news, Alex Edler is on the block. And Philadelphia is the front-runner to get him.  Mike Gillis really messed up during the NHL draft next year, with trading Schneider for only the 9th overall pick in the draft.  And Detroit offered Tatar, Riley Sheahan, and a draft pick in exchange for Alex Edler, but Mike Gillis declined the offer, because the plan was to win a cup in the next two years.  Well, now Gillis looks stupid, because the Canucks are about to rebuild just halfway through the first season.  Obviously Canucks head coach was NOT hired for a rebuild, his fiery

temper could scare the s**t out of most rookies, and there is another 4 1/2 years on his coaching contract.  So are we going into the dark days in Canuck-Town?  Only a Kesler, and Edler trade will tell.