Roberto Luongo Injured: Future of the Canucks

Seems like we need to wait another day to find out the diagnostic and extent of Luongo's injury.
Now lets look at the consequences if Luongo is done for an extended period of time.

Negatives:
One of, if not the most important player to a team in the league - Luongo the captain, the leader of the Canucks is the key to the successful 13-6-2 record. Without Luongo, the future of the team looks bleak.
- No Playoffs. No Money: Although the Canucks are sitting comfortably in a playoff position right now, we are only 1/4 through the season and a downward fall in the standings can happen with a bad month in the super tight Western Conference. By making the playoffs a team is guaranteed AT LEAST two games at home. With revenue coming in from attendance and television deals, by missing the playoffs, the team is losing out on millions of dollars. No Luongo, no playoffs.

- Say goodbye to Sundin: A Canucks team without Luongo is exactly like the Dallas Cowboys without Tony Romo - the team is not going anywhere. With the Sundin talks heating up, money, success of the team, and chance of winning is the key to Sundin's considerations when choosing a team. Everyone knows the Canucks aren't going anywhere without Luongo so why would Sundin come to a team that has no chance.

- Time to Rebuild? : Looking at the situation in the most pessimistic angle possible, is the Luongo injury going to force the Canucks to rebuild? If the team starts going in the tank and fall far down in the standings, the Canucks might have to be sellers when the trading deadline comes. With upcoming free agents - Sedins and Ohlund, the team might dump these players for some young players or draft picks - the Canucks rebuilding process begins.

Positives:
I know its not easy to find a silver lining when the franchise player goes down, but lets see if we can find any positives in this situation.

- Cory Schneider: The Canucks have already called up Cory Schneider from the Manitoba Moose to back up Curtis Sanford in case Luongo is unable to play. Schenider the future goalie of the Canucks (or at least a trade bait) can finally have some NHL playing time with Luongo injured. He is posting an impressive 10-1 record and 1.37 GAA in the AHL, and it seems like he is ready for some NHL action. Tony Romo, Tom Brady, and Cam Ward were all beneficiaries of stepping in and showcasing their skills when the no.1 (QB or Goalie) went down or struggled. Maybe this is Cory Schneider's time.

- Tavares or Hedman: Two great picks in the 2009 draft in Tavares and Hedman. If the season really goes sour for the Canucks, maybe there is a chance of picking up Tavares or Hedman in the upcoming entry draft. These two are considered future franchise players and if the Canucks are lucky enough to grab one of the two, losing Luongo this season and finish at the bottom of the league will not hurt as much.

Conclusion:
Now we just have to wait and see on Monday what is going to happen with the Canucks future. I have already discussed the Stars troubles losing Morrow, losing Luongo will devastate the Canucks franchise - maybe I'll be wrong with the Canucks continuing to push for a playoff spot - or maybe Luongo is not hurt at all. We Shall See.

Marion Gaborik on the Move

The question is, Where and what team is Marion Gaborik going to? We are weeks, if not days away from the inevitable trade of Marion Gaborik from the Wild to a team that is risking a lot for an injury prone player who when on top of his game is one of the best in the NHL.
Here are the teams that are rumored in the running as well as my thoughts:

Vancouver Canucks
I know the Canucks would love to grab Gaborik to play alongside his good friend Demitra, but it is highly unlikely for Minnesota to trade their franchise player to a North West Divisional Rival. Demitra/Sundin/Gaborik. WOW! Instant Stanley Cup contending team with that line.

Montreal Canadiens
Montreal has been in all the big talks this season first with Hossa then with Sundin. Gaborik will be joining a heavily stacked Montreal team that is definitely pushing for the Stanley Cup this season.

New York Rangers
I can never rule out the Rangers. They are a star-hungry team that wants to load up on superstars instead of considering about the fit. I have no idea how they are going to make it work with Gaborik, but another superstar that can score will never hurt.
Maybe its a New York thing, with the Yankees doing the exact same thing.

Philadelphia Flyers
A baby Rangers in my opinion with the team always hungry for superstars. Sundin, Forsberg, and now Gaborik. The team was a Stanley Cup contender in many people's mind at the beginning of season, but with the underachievement, changes needs to be made. Although the back end is what I think the team needs, but maybe they will take the route of outscoring the opponents. They took a chance with Forsberg and his injury, we know they will too with Gaborik.

Chicago Blackhawks
I still think Chicago is a year or two away from being a Stanley Cup contender, but they have been in all the major trade talks and signings this season. Rumors about Chicago wanting Nylander just stirs the pot even more. If the trade falls through, I can imagine them dumping Khabibulin or Huet to Minnesota for Gaborik. Sundin, Nylander, and Gaborik - they can only choose one. Who will it be.

Teams trading for Gaborik hoping to sign him instead of a Loan:

Atlanta Thrashers
Although they are rebuilding, I can see Atlanta making a trade for Gaborik to play alongside Kovalchuk. The team will be rebuilding around these two players.

Carolina Hurricane
The team has cap space to deal with. A current strong team that wouldn't mind the offensive help Gaborik will give to Staal.

New York Islanders
Also a rebuilding team that would not mind building around Gaborik. With Charles Wang and Garth Snow in charge, anything crazy can happen on Long Island.

Canucks third Jersey

Here is my point of view on the new Canucks third jersey that will be worn against the Leafs on Saturday the 15th. This absolutely looks like a money grab attempt by the Canucks. The jerseys looks in retrospect the same with the same colors and same designs and color layout. The Stick has been moved from the shoulders to the front with a new Johnny Canuck logo on the shoulders. It is so similar to the previous jersey but yet so different that people will flood to the stores and purchase one.


So what is the point of having a third jersey that literally looks like the one they are wearing now. Like I said before, what is the point of having the same color scheme on a alternative jersey. The least they could have done is to swap the blue and the green so the base color would be green. In a way it would look like the Brampton Battalion jersey.

I love the Canucks new colors now. Just I think for a third jersey they could have done something more unique and different than what they have. It is a third jersey that would be worn 15 times only. Remember the skate logo and the red third jersey. Although that wasn't the best looking jersey in Canucks history, it was at least DIFFERENT.
I really am quite disappointed by the Canucks third jersey. Edmonton has the best third jersey so far in my opinion. I wouldn't even mind seeing the Canucks in the old flying V jerseys or maybe even the skate logo like the 93-94 cup run. A 15 year tribute to that team with the Linden jersey retirement this season would have been perfect.

NHL Third Jerseys

Many NHL teams are introducing new 3rd jerseys this season with the Canucks revealing their long awaited one on November 15th against the Leafs. This is another chance for the money hungry NHL to dig into the pockets of die-hard fans and earn that extra revenue for the league.
Are these 3rd jerseys really necessary? No.
Are they going to sell? Yes.
Is the whole point of the jerseys to grab more money? Yes.

Just in time for Christmas, the Canucks organization has been very tight lipped about the yet to release jersey. Speculations has mounted throughout the Vancouver area wondering what they look like and with a few more sleeps we are about to see it.

Canucks third Jersey:
Rumours have been swirling on the looks of this new third jersey with supposedly leaked pictures circulating the world wide web.
This one on the left is the one that was supposedly "leaked." I really doubt this is the Canucks 3rd jersey. For a 3rd jersey, there has got to be a bigger change than this. This looks like a fuse of the current jersey and the third jersey we had few years back. It is also basically the classic stick jersey with Johnny Canuck on the shoulders. My prediction is something in Green. The main color will be Green with blue and white as a compliment. Miss 604 has posted this green one which I think is a lot closer to the actual jersey than the leaked one.


Problems with 3rd Jerseys:
I personally think it is quite ridiculous that the NHL is rolling out new jerseys left and right just to sell their merchandise and create this "brand" behind the teams. I'm sorry, but the closest thing to the legendary NY Yankees logo in the NHL is the Toronto Maple Leafs leaf. These teams have always kept their traditional logo instead of flip flopping around like many teams trying to make that extra buck. The debate now is, should a team stick to a logo with nostalgia and history and build a brand around this history.. OR.. continue to pump out logos that changes every few years and gets the casual fans confused. Look at the Red Wings, Montreal, and Leafs. They never make drastic changes to their jerseys and these jerseys are classic. No one ever complains about it. But now I am a little skeptical purchasing a Canucks jersey knowing far too well that in a few years it will be out of date. What is the Canucks logo now anyways. The hardcore hockey fans would know, but for the fans down south, is it the skate? the stick? the V? the whale?
The NHL should really have their teams stick to one logo and work around this logo. This is not a way to brand their logo by switching it every so often. I am not surprised that the NHL is fifth in licensed product sales in North American Sports Organization. They are behind NFL, MLB, NBA, and NASCAR. WTF? NASCAR?
I don't mind the Oilers 3rd jersey changing the color scheme but always keeping the classic logo. That logo is their symbol, why change it. Canucks should keep the stick, and work with that stick for future logos. Or use the whale! Create an identity behind these logos!
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Tragedy for promising rookies

This has been a catastrophic year for the NHL and their prominent rookies. Luc Bourdon and Alexei Cherepanov, both first round picks had their lives cut short unpredictably from accidents that arguably, could have been prevented.

Alexei Cherepanov:
The death of Alexei Cherepanov is an incredibly tragic one. This promising rookie for the New York Rangers was only 19yrs old with a full life ahead of him. He was suffering from chronic ischemia which was not detected and eventually led to his heart attack during a game in the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League) playing for the Avangard Omsk.

Earlier this year in May, Luc Bourdon was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. A first round pick by the Vancouver Canucks, Bourdon was a fan favourite here in Vancouver. Having won the gold medal in the World Junior Hockey Championship hosted in Vancouver, everyone was anticipating great things from this player in his career. Unfortunately, his motorcycle riding hobby cost him his life.


What can be done:
In the case of Luc Bourdon, I think NHL and the organizations need to spend time educating their young players. Teaching them that they have too much to lose to venture in these dangerous activities. I know in NHL contracts, the players are prohibited from doing certain recreational events and if caught they will be suspended or fined. I am not too sure how contracts work and if all players are under the same clause, but there should be something to prevent them from partaking in certain activities. They have too much invested in these players and they should do anything they can to make sure they are safe. Ben Roethlisberger almost lost his life to a motorcycle accident as well. This has happened too often to be ignored.

Alexei Cherepanov had an existing heart condition that was never detected during any physicals in Russia and North America. It is really amazing with the amount of tests the players go through, they missed his heart condition. David Carle had to quit hockey due to his medical condition which was detected early enough to prevent a tragedy unlike Cherepanov. If Cherepanov's condition was detected then the misfortune could have been prevented. Maybe more detailed testing? I am not an expert on the tests players go through, but obviously it was not detailed enough for them to miss Cherepanov's heart problem.

Controversies:
Now the New York Rangers are seeking compensation from the NHL to reselect their no.17 pick in the 2nd round of the 2009 NHL Draft. I haven't heard anything about the Canucks and if they want to or will proceed in asking for a compensation for Luc Bourdon. These situations are separate, but I know hockey is a business, but I can't believe the Rangers is asking for another pick. How can you ask for "compensation" for a person's death. Its not like insurance where the family receives money for a person's injury, but they are treating him as an object commodity that they wish to replace. Not cool NYRangers.
This blogger piece agrees with my thoughts on the Rangers:Cherepanov situation as he/she explains it in a different manner.

Where is Sundin Going Part Deux.

Another week with more speculations on the Mats Sundin return front. Everybody in the hockey world is still asking, "where is Mats Sundin going" and all the fans are wondering about the constant rumors on Mats Sundin. This week he met up with Mike Gilles while the Canucks had a roadtrip through California and I don't think anything interesting came from the meeting. But Gilles is a man of little words not giving an inch to the media and rumours, so I am wondering what was said and if Sundin showed any interest in the Canucks. He also met with Brian Burke of the Ducks since he is working out in L.A. Here is an update on the Sundin front from individual teams worth mentioning.

Vancouver Canucks:
I really am skeptical on Sundin going to the Canucks. Besides the money, which I don't think he needs, does he want to move to the West with all that travelling? Out of all the teams in the running however, I think he would help the Canucks the most. Think of this line. Wellwood, Sundin, Demitra. Or even better, Sundin, Demitra, Gaborik. That will give Heatley, Spezza, and Alfredsson as the best line in hockey. I hope it happens, but I really doubt it will. We can dream can't we.

Anaheim Ducks:
I swear if Sundin goes to the Ducks, Brian Burke has officially driven the team down to the ground. Why I say that is because they would need to trade away players to make cap room for Sundin. Remember the Andy MacDonald trade? That sure blew up in their face. Looking at their salary cap issue, I don't see anyone who they can trade away without devastating the team. Beauchemin, R. Niedermeyer, Ryan, Kunitz? Teams will line up for players like these. Morrison, Marchant, O'Donnell? No one would want these players for that price. I don't think Sundin will go to the Ducks. Maybe that is a blessing in disguise for them.

Ottawa Senators:
Even with Sundin in the lineup, its not going to fix the goaltending problem they are and will be facing. Why Ottawa, Sundin. Do you really want to ruin your Toronto reputation by joining Ottawa? They are farther away from the Stanley than New York Rangers. So why would he choose to go to Ottawa.


New York Rangers:
I still think NYR is high on the list of teams Sundin will likely end up with. Yes Salary cap issue is still a problem, but a team one step away from the Stanley Cup and the chance of playing in New York City are all great selling points. Who wouldn't want to play for the New York Rangers.

Conclusion:
I still think he will end up with Toronto. I know his house is up for sale, but I just have this feeling he is returning to TO. Especially the way the team is playing, they are not bottom dwellers like everyone thought they were going to be, so its not a total waste of him to return and strengthen his legacy of the wealthiest hockey team in the world.
Who knows. I can also see him landing with some weird team out of nowhere. New Jersey? Philadelphia? Calgary? San Jose? Detroit? A more detailed look on all the teams in the Sundin Sweepstakes.

Where is Mats Sundin Going?

As of now, it seems like Mats Sundin is returning to the NHL as he is currently on a heavy workout schedule in Los Angeles hoping to get in shape asap. The question on EVERYBODYS mind is, what team? Here are my top six teams that are interested in his service as well as having the appeal for Sundin to join. I am sure most NHL clubs wouldn't mind having Sundin but trust me, hes not going to LA or Columbus.


Montreal Canadiens:
Montreal made a hard push for him during the trade deadline last season and also the offseason by acquring his rights from the Maple Leafs. Having signed Robert Lang has basically pushed them up to the cap limit. I think in a perfect no-cap world they will and can sign Mats Sundin but with this current CBA, it is now unlikely for them to get Sundin.

Sundin Montreal bound: 4/10 - because of the possibility of winning of a Stanley Cup


Chicago BlackHawks:
This is a new team that has recently sparked some Mats Sundin rumours. They are also very close to the cap, but their advantage is that by dumping the heavy contract of Nikolai khabibulin they have cap space left to sign Mats. There are also teams interested in Khabibulin so this could very well work. The question is, would Sundin really want to play for Chicago? They are not a Stanley Cup contender yet in my opinion and I don't think Sundin can push them over the top. So would he want to go there just to help develop some future superstars? My answer is... NO

Sundin Chicago bound: 3/10 - I don't see why he wants to go Chicago, the money he can get from Vancouver, and the chance at a Stanley Cup he can get with NYR or MTL.


New York Rangers:
Another team very close to the cap, but I NYR will actually trade away players to make room for his services if he is willing to join the team. The team most likely to win the Stanley Cup on this list with the off-season addition of Markus Naslund and Wade Redden has solidified the team as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Sundin New York bound: 6/10 - if he wants to come back to win a Stanley Cup, NYR is his best bet. The problem is still the cap space and the issue of unloading players to make room. But if Sundin joins, think of the firepower they would have on the team.


Vancouver Canucks:
The team most likely to offer the most dough for his services. With a sub-par start to the season, Sundin would be taking a gamble on a team that is neither going up nor down. I think the Canucks are one or two forwards away from making a deep run in the playoffs especially with a solid D core and Captain Luongo in net.

Sundin Vancouver bound: 6.5/10 - If he is coming back for money as well as a chance for a Stanley Cup, Vancouver might be in the mix. The problem I see is, even with Sundin in the lineup, Vancouver still needs help with scoring. One more offensive forward would do... Gaborik anyone?


Tampa Bay Lightning:
A team that loaded up in the off-season only to not live up to the hype/expectation so far this season. I blame it on the coach. With that much firepower and a decent back-end, they should be competing near the top of the division.

Sundin Tampy Bay bound: 3/10 - Don't understand why he would want to go Tampa Bay. If they could offer him the money, then why not choose Vancouver? Doesn't seem like they are going to win the cup this year, so why not choose Rangers or Montreal? Living in the hotbed of hockey for majority of his career, does he really want to go to an area where they don't care about hockey? Tampa Bay imho is the most unlikely team for him to land with. But who knows, crazy things happen in this game.


Toronto Maple Leafs:
Now Toronto... the team raising eyebrows with their modest success so far this season. Looking to rebuild but playing a solid team game at the same time under Wilson, Toronto is proving to everyone that they're not throwing in the towel this season just to enter the Tavares sweepstakes. Nonetheless, they're still a team that is rebuilding with no true superstars on the team that plays a tough grind-it-out game everynight.

Sundin Toronto bound: 8/10 - The leader of Toronto for the past decade, I don't know if he wants to throw that all away by joining another team just to win a Stanley Cup. If so, he would've waived his no-trade clause last season. Maybe he thinks with him in the lineup, they can surprise everybody and make it in the playoffs which would definitely solidify him as one of the greatest Leaf of all time.


The possibilities are endless with every team wanting the superstar, but only one will get him. My pick is Toronto or Vancouver considering the cap issues and chance of success. The problem is I don't think he wants to throw away his legacy in Toronto for the money. My prediction is... he'll be back with the blue and white this season and the next. But who knows, maybe he'll end up in Philly or some team that is completely off the radar now. We'll have to wait and see.