Sources tell TSN that for the 2007-08 season, the salary cap will rise to a maximum of $50.3-million. That is a $6-million increase from this past season when the cap was set at $44-million.

Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, teams must spend at least $34.3-million on salaries next season.

Labels: Free Agency

This is a lo-fi episode that you die hard Canucks fan will appreciate. As we dive into summer, there is still a lot of action off the ice to talk about. Sadly, there is just John and J.J. in this episode to cover some of those topics, but the rest of the crew will return to offer up their thoughts about some of the things that are covered in this one.

These two guys chat a little about the draft, but a bulk of this episode covers the State of the Franchise event that happened at GM Place on June 26, 2007. They review the event as well as break down the pieces of information that gives some insight to what’s going on with the Canucks as an organization as well as the team.

Labels: podcast

Jason Jaffray could handle a contract snafu keeping him from playing for the Vancouver Canucks last season.

He could handle toiling for five years in the minors and he could handle the Kootenay Ice trading him in the midst of their 2002 Memorial Cup run, despite him being team captain at the time.

Jaffray, a winger who is in the midst of finalizing a two-year, two-way deal with the Canucks, has been saddled with much worse than anything hockey can dish out at him.

The Vancouver Canucks have to make their intentions known this week on the potential buyout of disappointing centre Marc Chouinard.

Chouinard, who finished last season in the minors, has a year remaining on his contract at $1.1 million and must clear waivers before the buyout process begins (all figures are in U.S. dollars).

Cowan, meanwhile, will become an unfettered free agent Sunday unless his representative, Rollie Thompson, and Canuck assistant GM Steve Tambellini can wrap up a deal.

"Steve and I had a couple of pretty good talks in Columbus over the weekend," Thompson said Monday. "We're going in the right direction. Both parties would like to make it happen."

Cowan, who was a waiver-wire pickup from the L.A. Kings in late December, earned $532,000 US last season. It's believed he's seeking a two-year deal.

Tambellini, who is handling many of the contract negotiations, also opened discussions with Krajicek's agent, Petr Svoboda, at the draft. Svoboda described the talks as "positive" but declined any specifics on term despite reports of a two-year offer.

"It doesn't really matter as long as Lukas has another good year and plays well," said Svoboda, the former NHL blueliner. "He was happy with his first season in Vancouver, but he knows he could do better. He loves the town, the organization and the players, so that's the key."

"Ryan is really thrilled about about this opportunity with Vancouver and he's looking forward to getting into camp. And, probably more importantly, he's looking forward to getting back from Europe in one piece."

Duberman said Canucks management has made no promises, other than the standard one of providing an opportunity. Vancouver already has three established centres under contract in Henrik Sedin, Brendan Morrison and Ryan Kesler. Shannon, presumably, would have to vie for fourth-line playing time with the likes of Rick Rypien and Alex Burrows.

"I know Ryan is a good enough player to be on their roster, especially with his speed, but nothing has been promised and we know that," continued Duberman.

Labels: Chouinard, Cowan, Jaffray, Krajicek, Shannon

A skilled forward with the ability to make a difference. Strong player with a physical presence. Plays tough in the corners and in traffic. Is good on the right wing and gets his wrist shot off with ease. Sometimes lacks urgency in his play.

Named Associated Press Player of the Year for Minnesota boys hockey in 2007. Named to the All-Tournament Team of the Class AA State Championships in 2007 after leading his team to the title game for the second consecutive year. Played 12 games with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL totaling nine points (8-1-9) in 2007. Will attend the University of Minnesota in the fall. Selected to play in the 2007 Under-18 World Championships.

The inspiration for Taylor Ellington of Victoria to pursue his dream came at age 4.

"I played road hockey wearing my Pavel Bure jersey," beamed the Everett Silvertips defensive defenceman, selected 33rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL entry draft Saturday.

"I'm shocked right now. You never expect a team you idolized to select you."

A stay-at-home defenseman that finishes his checks well. Good coverage and gap control. Able to jump into the rush and is good one-on-one. Needs to have more patience with the puck under pressure and needs to improve his conditioning.

Completed his third season with the Silvertips, helping them to their best ever regular-season. Posted 13 points (5-8-13) and a plus-five rating this season. Participated in the 2007 CHL Top Prospects Game. Was a member of Team WHL in the two-game Canada-Russia Challenge in 2006. Named as the Silvertips Most Improved Player in 2004-05.

In assessing what the Canadian teams did, it’s impossible to tell at this point. I can tell you this, however, there wasn't one squad from this nation that didn't take at least two players that left me saying, “Do I ever like that pick!”

Let’s begin in Vancouver; Taylor Ellington is a defenceman with the Everett Silvertips who gets better every time I see him.

In Sharrow, the Canucks are getting a 22-year-old blue-liner who shoots right-handed and has two seasons of pro experience under his belt. Sharrow is expected to play in the American Hockey League.

"He's a big guy that has a good shot," said Tambellini. "Our guys see some long-term upside in him."

In Shannon, the Canucks are hoping a change of scenery may spark the speedster. Same goes for the Ducks. Randy Carlyle coached King in Manitoba.

"They [Ducks] were looking for a change for Ryan and we think he has a chance to be an NHL regular, but it's not a lock," said Nonis. "We think he has some upside and he definitely has a second gear -- he's one of the fastest in the league but his size may be a factor."

Assets: Skates extremely well and owns excellent shiftiness. Has defensive polish and offensive upside. Can play either center or wing.
Flaws: Is smallish even for the 'new' NHL. Must continue to work on his play without the puck in order to receive quality ice time at the highest level.
Career potential: Third line forward.

Labels: Ellington, NHL Draft 2007, Shannon, Sharrow, White

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren sparked a small, media firestorm here Thursday when he told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Nonis had called about acquiring the second pick in today's entry draft, which is expected to be New Westminster junior star Kyle Turris.

"Dave asked me: 'Would you consider moving down [in the draft order]?' " Holmgren said. "And we said we would. I had about five or six calls like that."

Nonis said he also talked to the Chicago Blackhawks about acquiring the first pick and the Phoenix Coyotes about the third. He said the Canucks, who hold the 25th pick, are exploring all possibilities of moving up in the order.

"I've had a few conversations, but we're not close to anything at this point," Nonis said Thursday. "We'd like to move up to No. 6, 7 or 8, but the price has to change and a lot of teams don't know what that price is.

"If we're subtracting from our depth, then we're not going to do that. We didn't win the Cup and there's nobody untouchable, but I haven't been presented with an opportunity that makes any sense."

So, if the price isn't right today?

"If not, we're pretty content to pick at 25 and 33," added Nonis. "I don't feel the need to do anything [at the draft]."

• 1st round, 25th overall
• 2nd round, 33rd overall
• 2nd round, 61st overall (from ANA)*
• 5th round, 145th overall (from ATL)
• 5th round, 146th overall
• 6th round, 177th overall
• 7th round, 206th overall

Labels: NHL Draft 2007

Cuthbert Says:The Canucks expected to go after grit, a third or fourth liner to match up against the Ducks. Instead, I will be the first one to say, ?I can't believe this guy is still available!? Mayorov is the choice, though I was also looking at Joakim Andersson of Sweden.

Brett MacLean got to play with John Tavares and the OHL's Oshawa Generals. But he proved that he has touch (47 goals) in addition to size (6-foot-1, 200 pounds).

One of the lacking areas in the Canucks' prospects pool is a skilled center. O'Brien can certainly shore up that deficiency. As an underage playing in the U.S. development program in 2004, there was talk of him becoming the No. 1 overall pick in 2007. While those forecasts won't be correct, he will most certainly become a first-round choice for Vancouver. Having always played up against older competition, O'Brien yearned for the opportunity to go to Minnesota early. His numbers might not reflect it, but he had a pretty solid freshman season. He was sometimes frustrated by his lack of productivity this past season, but his overall game improved.

The Canucks come into the draft looking for offense, and McLean is the best bet at this point. He racked up 47 goals and 100 points playing alongside center John Tavares, so he knows how to finish his opportunities. But everyone you talk to worries about his skating. It's something he can work on, but maybe not to the point that he earns first line/first PP unit opportunities ... and that means he won't be a big scorer in the NHL.

Although his point production does not show it, O'Brien has greater offensive potential and he had to earn his ice time as freshman on a deep Minnesota team. His puck skills are good but not elite and he has enough to stickhandling and passing abilities to play at a high level. He has an accurate wrist shot in close and a slap shot with power and has soft hands to bury chances in close under duress not is not considered a goal scorer. He has excellent speed especially for a big player and has shown to be effective on the forecheck with his quickness to be disruptive. His good hockey sense makes him responsible in all areas of the ice and he is developing into a solid defensive player that logs penalty killing time. He does a good job blocking shots and clogging up passing lanes with his wing span and his stick and he can shadow opponents. Needs to fill out his frame and play with a more consistent edge every game but he could develop into a second line two-way power center.

The Canucks look to swing for the fences with a home run pick who could freshen up a collection of forwards that's starting to get stale.

The Canucks have showed a willingness last year to take players who may be a bit older and they're willing to be risky in order to try to get a big payoff with a good offensive talent.

The Canucks are looking to add some prospect help down the middle and they've had success in Sweden before. Andersson is a big guy who plays well in all three zones.

If he's still available, picking Perron is a no-brainer for the Canucks. He has the potential of being a first-line winger. He's quick and has a great shot.

Labels: NHL Draft 2007

Like fingernails scraping a blackboard, the stereotypical summation of Zach Hamill's size and speed is irritating to the slick Everett Silvertips star and highly rated NHL draft prospect.

"I've always heard the same kind of thing and now I've kind of proved them wrong," said Hamill. "You develop and adapt to the game -- whether it's tight checking or 5-on-5."

He is 6-0 and only 160 pounds, but Blum led the WHL in plus/minus this season at plus-37 and had 51 points on defence without missing any of the Giants' 72 games during his second year in the league. Blum is a solid skater, but it's his ability to pass the puck and the maturity of his game that impressed scouts enough for him to be a projected first-round pick.

Labels: NHL Draft 2007

Because of Nashville's uncertain ownership future and an expected tight budget in the coming year, the Predators arranged with the Flyers to give them exclusive negotiating rights to two coveted free agents - defenceman Kimmo Timonen and forward Scott Hartnell.

Sources tell TSN the Flyers have now signed both Hartnell and Timonen to long-term contracts.

Hartnell, who was scheduled to become a free agent on July 1, signed with Flyers on a 6-year, $25.2 million deal for a cap hit of $4.2 million per year.

The Flyers also agreed to terms with Timonen on a 6-year, $37.8 million contract for an annual cap hit of $6.3 million.

Labels: Flyers, Predators

Vancouver Canuck general manager Dave Nonis shook the hockey world a year ago when he acquired goalie Roberto Luongo on the eve of the National Hockey League draft in Vancouver. Nonis could rock the city again from Columbus later this week.

But he insisted Monday he has no plans to trade elite prospect Cory Schneider, which is too bad because the 21-year-old goaltender would fetch the Canucks far more than any of their picks in the 2007 entry draft.

There appears to be a perfect storm brewing to trade Schneider.

Labels: Schneider

Karl Alzner acknowledges his safe and sound defensive game could use an injection of offence -- a little flash and dash to accelerate his transition from junior standout to future NHL stardom.

If the Burnaby native's passion for fashion is a barometer of his willingness to push the limits, then Alzner will be a hit on the ice and in front of the paparazzi.

Labels: NHL Draft 2007

• Turris could be the top dog.
• Good parents lay the foundation.

Labels: NHL Draft 2007

He took the stage to take the award and in a personal moment thanked his two daughters, Andreane and Janie, who were his dates for the awards show.

The divorced father, whose daughters live in Quebec, made a point to say how difficult it can be to balance a family with life as an NHL coach. It was one of the nicest moments of the evening.

Labels: Vigneault

Dave Nonis won't rule out a trade at the NHL entry draft, but he did rule out a strange scenario where veteran defenceman Mattias Ohlund would leave the Vancouver Canucks this summer and return to his native Sweden.

A Swedish-based rumour has Ohlund retiring from the NHL and moving his family so his children can be schooled back home. The report also suggested Ohlund would play in the Swedish Elite League with Skelleftea.

Ohlund couldn't be reached for comment, but Nonis was stunned at a suggestion that the blueliner would bolt.

Labels: Ohlund

• Luongo gets another crack at victory tonight. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
• Cup roundup: Who's up and who should win. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
• Canucks award drought tipped to continue. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
• No resting on his laurels. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
• Coach Vigneault makes second trip to the trophy celebration a familial affair. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)

Labels: Luongo, Vigneault

Labels: Flames, Keenan

Cory Schneider plans to make a decision in the next week about his hockey future, choosing between staying at the collegiate level and becoming a professional in the Vancouver Canucks' organization.

The prize netminder is torn between the two, having already played three seasons with the Boston College Eagles in Hockey East Association and twice reaching the championship game of the Frozen Four tournament, collegiate hockey's equivalent of playoffs in the United States.

Schneider, 21, is considered one of the top goalkeeping prospects outside the National Hockey League. He has watched intently the progress of Carey Price, who left major junior this spring to become the most valuable player in the American Hockey League playoffs.

Labels: Schneider

Sticking with the tried and true, the popular veterans, despite how the team performs on the ice, has been the Leafs' way for decades, and the franchise has mortgaged its future more than once — most famously, perhaps, in 1996 when the rights to the fourth-overall pick (that was to become Roberto Luongo) were dealt in order to bring back an aged Wendel Clark — in search of former glories. (bold added)

Labels: Luongo