Follow me @IanEsplen for fun and hockey talk, 24/7. Also, check out the new mini documentary I helped produce, titled Breaking Beer - VIDEO
Welcome to my first blog on the new site. Please feel free to take a look around and tell me what you think of my new home. Right now it’s a pretty bare bones blog, but I’m hoping it turns into a cool place for hockey fans to chill out and debate the game that we all know and love – hockey.
Going forward, the goal is to provide hockey fans of all levels – Rec, Minor and NHL – a relaxing place where they can talk hockey or BS about whatever is on their mind.
Enjoy. And please check out the forums section and provide me with some feedback.
, recently talked about the Vancouver Canucks being in the market, sooner rather then later, for a top-6 forward that was not a rental player. Here is my list of names that might just fit with what Jim Benning is looking for to give the Canucks that shot in the arm up front. TSN
Ryan O'Reilly
His name has been out there since the he had a fallout with the Avalanche a few years back and it’s sounding more and more like a deal will happen this season. O’Reilly is having another decent season so far this year, sitting seventh on his team in scoring, but should be playing better – especially given his 6 million dollar cap hit. With the return of Dan Hamhuis and the strong play of Frank Corrado, the Canucks could certainly build a deal around sending Alex Edler or Kevin Bieksa (plus) for O’Reilly.
Brad Marchand
Another name that has been batted around out there in the rumour mill because of his hot ‘n cold play this season might be just the fix for Vancouver’s top-6. Benning is very familiar with Marchand and his antics, so I don’t see that being much of a deterrent to brining him on board. His 12 goals would rank second on the team behind Radim Vrbata and give the Canucks a little more punch. A trade built around Chris Higgins or Jannik Hansen would free up some money for the Bruins going forward and help the Canucks.
Mike Richards
I’ve heard people say he’s untradeable because of his contract, but if Roberto Luongo can be dealt, then there are suitors out there for a character player that has won just about everything imaginable. Although he is declining, he can still chip in with the odd point here and there and fit right into Vancouver’s top-9. As well, the Kings are in the market for a defenceman and Vancouver might have a spare one with the return of Hamhuis and the emergence of Corrado. Given the Kings take some salary and toss something else in, Bieksa of Richards might be something for the Canucks to think over.
Carl Hagelin
The New York Rangers will have their hands full with getting under the cap again next season with Martin St. Louis, Marc Staal and Mats Zuccarello all UFA’s at season end. Add in Derek Stepan J.T. Miller and Hagelin becoming RFA’s and you can see a problem brewing – especially given Hagelin’s qualifying offer is around 2.6 million. Head Coach, Alian Vigneault knows the Canucks roster pretty well, so I could see something getting done.
Of the list, who do you think fits the best in Vancouver?
Thanks for reading
Ian
Welcome to my first blog on the new site. Please feel free to take a look around and tell me what you think of my new home. Right now it’s a pretty bare bones blog, but I’m hoping it turns into a cool place for hockey fans to chill out and debate the game that we all know and love – hockey.
Going forward, the goal is to provide hockey fans of all levels – Rec, Minor and NHL – a relaxing place where they can talk hockey or BS about whatever is on their mind.
Enjoy. And please check out the forums section and provide me with some feedback.
, recently talked about the Vancouver Canucks being in the market, sooner rather then later, for a top-6 forward that was not a rental player. Here is my list of names that might just fit with what Jim Benning is looking for to give the Canucks that shot in the arm up front. TSN
Ryan O'Reilly
His name has been out there since the he had a fallout with the Avalanche a few years back and it’s sounding more and more like a deal will happen this season. O’Reilly is having another decent season so far this year, sitting seventh on his team in scoring, but should be playing better – especially given his 6 million dollar cap hit. With the return of Dan Hamhuis and the strong play of Frank Corrado, the Canucks could certainly build a deal around sending Alex Edler or Kevin Bieksa (plus) for O’Reilly.
Brad Marchand
Another name that has been batted around out there in the rumour mill because of his hot ‘n cold play this season might be just the fix for Vancouver’s top-6. Benning is very familiar with Marchand and his antics, so I don’t see that being much of a deterrent to brining him on board. His 12 goals would rank second on the team behind Radim Vrbata and give the Canucks a little more punch. A trade built around Chris Higgins or Jannik Hansen would free up some money for the Bruins going forward and help the Canucks.
Mike Richards
I’ve heard people say he’s untradeable because of his contract, but if Roberto Luongo can be dealt, then there are suitors out there for a character player that has won just about everything imaginable. Although he is declining, he can still chip in with the odd point here and there and fit right into Vancouver’s top-9. As well, the Kings are in the market for a defenceman and Vancouver might have a spare one with the return of Hamhuis and the emergence of Corrado. Given the Kings take some salary and toss something else in, Bieksa of Richards might be something for the Canucks to think over.
Carl Hagelin
The New York Rangers will have their hands full with getting under the cap again next season with Martin St. Louis, Marc Staal and Mats Zuccarello all UFA’s at season end. Add in Derek Stepan J.T. Miller and Hagelin becoming RFA’s and you can see a problem brewing – especially given Hagelin’s qualifying offer is around 2.6 million. Head Coach, Alian Vigneault knows the Canucks roster pretty well, so I could see something getting done.
Of the list, who do you think fits the best in Vancouver?
Thanks for reading
Ian