When all in the hockey universe is perfect (Team Canada wins GOLD)...the Olympic break causes Canuck fans to go into a frenzy tonight. Our beloved Ryan Kesler supposedly asked for a trade...not recently but earlier in the year.
Say what??? Earlier in the year? Wow. It looks like a real possibility and no better time to tell everyone a week before the trade deadline.
Check out this shocking video...
A brilliant sports mind and Canuck fan @Stuology101 probably summed up the Canucks fans general thinking and worry by posting this tonight...
Dear Canucks,
Can't say I'm surprised one bit in Kesler asking for a trade, however with your recent history of trades I make myself clear:
Don't. Screw. This. Up.
Sincerely,
A unmotivated but optimistic Canucks fan.
The problem is Gillis. Will. Screw. This. Up. His track record is terrible:
Luongo stays and Schneider goes for Horvat. Hodgson goes and Kassian comes. Signing Higgins to a long contract and no Limited No Trade Clause. Signing Booth for $4.2M a year.The best thing we can do as a team is fire Gillis.
So what should Vancouver do? Rebuild, Retool or Change On The Fly.
Let's rebuild?
I hate this idea...rebuilding is so easy to suggest. We have been through one already and if it wasn't for Brian Burke we would have not been able to do this. The Flames are in a rebuild process...who's the man in charge? Burke! But look at the Oilers and the Islanders. How many decades does it take to rebuild? A LONG time. You don't just magically draft well. Conner McDavid doesn't just show up on your roster. Plus with all our No Trade or Movement Clauses it would be very difficult to move our guys.
Let's retool?
Retool reminds me that our window is still open...let's be honest the window has closed. We have some key pieces but we aren't retooling for an incredible Cup run.
Let's change on the fly?
I can't take the credit because this was said by @jeffaroo . This is the best option. We have some key pieces that will keep us competitive but we need to change on the fly to keep fans interested and not become the next 20-30 year rebuild. Detroit and Chicago did it why can't we? Okay that's not fair question but it's a nice dream. haha
I wouldn't mind trading Elder or Higgins but let's keep Bieska and Hamhuis as the core of the D. Luongo and Lack are great goalies to start the change on the fly process. I'm so impressed with Lack, no wonder they wanted to move Schneider or Luongo. Let's get Horvat and Shinkaruk on the roster next year. Let's land a good FA or two. The twins are fine...they are not soft but they are legit. Not as dominate as they once were but fine enough to do a change on the fly.
So where is Kesler going?
@Stuology101 suggests these as real possible landing spots:
I would say Philadelphia (remember the 1 year/1.9M offer sheet they made Kesler 8 years ago too) has interest.
Minnesota (Kesler = Big North Stars fan growing up).
Detroit (Home state).
Columbus (OSU connection).
St. Louis (Midwest contender) would be where Kesler would waive his NTC too.
What are we going to get in return?
No idea but not much considering Gillis' GM history. I say let's talk to Colorado and ask for Duchene or O'Reilly.
I do agree that Philly could be place he lands because he is the style of player they look for.
I can't see him heading to St.Louis. They do not want to mess up their chemistry.
TSN suggested Columbus, NYR, or Chicago. No way with Chicago. NYR I could see, there's lots of Callahan Kesler rumours flying around. Maybe CBJ does make a move for him.
Maybe we could send him to Edmonton for Eberle or Nugent-Hopkins.
Honestly, I don't think Kesler moves any where before the trade deadline. But if he's requested a trade and been telling people at the Olympics he wants out then I think we can get something significant for him at the deadline or draft. The time is now. It will be sad to see him go but that's sports! Thanks Ryan for all your effort and leadership.
Of course I could be wrong but I doubt it.
2 comments:
While GM MG likes to give away no trade clauses like candy Higgins has a good contract and has been one of our more consistant players. Also Booth was already sighned when he was traded here and at the time was only a season removed from 30 and 25 goal seasons. That said Booth has been terrible and will be bought out this summer.
Trade Edler and Kesler for a couple solid top six forwards, solid depth Dman and a decent prospect. Trade Luongo for a back up to Lack and a prospect.
You're right, "Higgins has been one of our more consistent players". That's the problem. Everyone else has been terrible. Higgins should not be a top 6 forward in Vancouver or most teams in the league. The problem is he is at top 6 fwd in Van.
I don't mind trading Elder or Kesler but the Luo deal would be difficult because they want too much.
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