july hockey update

I haven’t done a hockey post since attending the draft (podcast) so we’ll give’r a shot today. I’ve been trying to keep on top of all the trades and rumors (usually for that I just go over to VCOE and see what’s up) but here’s my version of a recap so far:

Jovo to Phoenix, Bertuzzi + Auld + Allen to Florida, Baumgartner to Philly, Carney to Minnesota, Mitchell to Vancouver, Luongo to Vancouver, Krajicek to Vancouver, Ruutu to Pittsburgh…

Now a couple of these were free agent deals that the Canucks could do nothing about, really (e.g. Ruutu – twice as much money offered to be a Penguin, sad but hey – go for it).

We’ve re-signed some key players, picked up a couple draft picks but we’re still BARELY holding on to our #1 scorer last season, Anson Carter. According to Nonis we just can’t offer him enough, though he wants to stay in Vancouver. (story). That’s depressing – considering how much the Canucks have given up (granted we did get one of the top 3 goalies in the world in return) you’d think there would be a lil more room to squeeze in a nice salary for Carter. But what do I know I’m bad with numbers.

Things are being shuffled all over the league, Weight has gone back to St. Louis, Stevie Y retires, JR’s now Jovo’s buddy in a Coyotes uniform and Pronger’s a duck. Aside from all the players ‘changing teams’ (no, that’s not a Seinfeld reference) we’ll also have different people behind the benches come September. Viggy (as John likes to call him) in Vancouver, Crow in LA and Quinn – where did he end up again? Is he still floating around?

At any rate, this coming season should be pretty darn interesting. The league’s woken up from it’s lockout nap and it has become a big snow globe of sorts – getting all shuffled around. Will the result be something beautiful (yeah, I’m saying hockey can be beautiful) or will it just be one big jumbled up mess. Either way, CANT WAIT for next season!

Update: Cloutier to the Kings!