Afternoon Hockey Concerns

Well, it's a pretty slow day at the office... all I'm waiting for is something to do and/or some uplifting news on the hockey front.

With the Canucks opening the stretch drive here in Calgary tonight, I can't help but practically crap myself overlooking the situation on the blueline. It doesn't help that today, the Flames acquired defenseman Cale Hulse from the Blue Jackets for next to nothing... an on-the-market defenseman snatched up by our number one rival. I don't know what's goin' on there in Vancouver, but if the math is adding up there at the moment, the cap room is looking at roughly $3 million.

I was also looking at some trade rumours on the net as well and even those don't look overly promising. I saw a deal with Phoenix sending Ryan Kesler, Kiril Koltsov and a pick to the Coyotes for Mike Ricci, Denis Gauthier & Sean O'Donnell. I mean, c'mon... the Coyotes are pretty well not making the playoffs because of these guys... why do we want 'em? Yes, beggars can be choosers... especially in this case.

I really wish I knew what Dave Nonis has been doing over the Olympic break, espeically since the big 3 guys have now gone down. All I need to know is that he's inquiring about some of the top-level talent available through the rumour mill and/or picking some other names that he fancies and inquiring about them as well. Maybe he has a blockbuster in mind...

The rumours out of Florida have been great, since they have a lot to offer and generally speaking, Panthers management are not overly picky in what they get in return. The Panthers have a lot of young talent that would fit in nicely as have some of their previous gifts in the way of acquisitions... i.e. Ed Jovanovski in the Pavel Bure deal.

The prospect of picking up Brendan Witt from the Washington Capitals also intrigues me... especially when the big 3 are back. Witt would definitely provide some great size and defensive responsibility the Canucks desperately need. I can think of quite a few games this season where a little bit more responsiblity in our own end would have easily changed the result in the Canucks favour.

With a lack of glowing talent from the previous few drafts, I think the Canucks can afford to get rid of future talent for talent right now. Building through the draft doesn't seem to be working at the moment, besides the picks of Luc Bourdon and Ryan Kesler in the past 3 drafts. Cory Schneider will have to surprise to make an impact in the NHL. Let's trade these "important" picks for established talent... it just seems to make a little bit of sense... OR make some moves in the scouting department.

C'mon Dave... I'm counting on you, man.