CALGARY HERALD: Guess the Flames’ hometown discount isn’t impressing Dion Phaneuf. While stalwarts Jarome Iginla, Robyn Regehr and Miikka Kiprusoff took haircuts to stay in Calgary, the third-year defenceman is apparently looking for market value when he becomes a restricted free agent next summer. Sources in the hockey biz have told IDLM that Phaneuf turned down a deal in the neighbourhood of $30 million over five years.
In the wake of the lengthy, no-trade deals to some of Phaneuf’s peers, a summertime offer sheet for Phaneuf might be worth 10 years at $7 million per from a desperate club with cap space. It’s imperative GM Darryl Sutter, who loves the young blueliner like life itself, avoid that financial meltdown by satisfying Phaneuf before July 1.
Getting Phaneuf signed is crucial to determining if Sutter has enough cash to also sign UFA Kristian Huselius next summer. The 28-year-old Juice could command Scott Gomez dollars ($51.5 M/seven years) from a team anxious for scoring. The 27-year-old Gomez averaged 16.8 goals a year in the five seasons before UFA land; given 35 goals this season, Huselius will have averaged almost 27 goals in each of his last five seasons. He may not get $50 million, but $35 million to $40 million is doable.
Ask yourselves the question of “Is Dion Phaneuf worth $70M over 10 years?”. Consider the offer sheet situation in the NHL and you can tell that unless Calgary forks over enough money to persuade the Alberta boy to stay in Cowtown, he’s going elsewhere next offseason.
Don’t you just hate offer sheets?
Plain and simple:
Roberto Luongo - A- - Would’ve earned an A+ had it not been for a moderately slow start out of the gate this season. Definitely Hart Trophy material.
Curtis Sanford - B+ - Filled in without many flaws for Luongo when he was injured and has done everything asked this year. Great team guy.
Kevin Bieksa - C+ - A little pointless to grade a player who has played in only twelve contests, but in them Bieksa showed minor errors defensively.
Alexander Edler - B+ - Proving to be a wonderful draft pick with every game he plays. Makes a great first pass and can play in all situations. His progress is similar to Bieksa’s meteoric rise.
Lukas Krajicek - B - Was easily the Canucks best defenseman during their struggles. Krajicek has been solid in the fact that you don’t notice him on the ice.
Aaron Miller - C+ - Aging veteran is a little slow in his game and is prone to the occasional error, but his veteran leadership has been a comfort to the younger blueliners.
Willie Mitchell - A- - Also struggled out of the gate but has been magnificent since. Seemingly flawless defensively and has been great against teams’ top players.
Mattias Ohlund - B+ - Has shown more poise this year in getting to loose pucks while not making many defensive errors. He still is prone to a few bad penalties sometimes.
Sami Salo - C+ - When he’s actually on the ice, Salo has been good in his own zone but cannot hit the net. I remember a powerplay where Salo’s slapshot only hit the net once out of six tries.
Mike Weaver - C - He’s done everything coaches expected out of a waiver pickup and is capable of playing 11 to 14 minutes a night in relief of an injured blueliner. Nothing fancy.
Daniel Sedin - B+ - Has struggled with consistency at times but seems to be finding his stride with seven goals in seven games.
Henrik Sedin - B+ - Been able to hit the net a little more than last season. If Henrik can match the second half this year with the second half he had last year, records could be broken again.
Markus Naslund - B- - I don’t enjoy knocking on the guy, but when people say “he’s back”, it takes me ten to twelve games to believe it. And Naslund hasn’t been lighting the lamp lately but has proven to be better than last year by far.
Ryan Kesler - A- - Easily the most improved player on the Canuck lineup. Sun writer Iain MacIntyre said it best: “While Luongo is the heart, Kesler is the identity of the Vancouver Canucks”.
Brendan Morrison - B- - Had a moderately good start to the year but slowed down, most likely by his wrist injury. Still, a veteran presence and leader on this team.
Brad Isbister - C+ - Hasn’t been fancy, but is part of the shutdown unit and his big body makes it tough for opponents to knock him down.
Taylor Pyatt - B- - Struggled with consistency but seems to have found his place alongside Ryan Kesler. The line has been able to chip in with goals.
Alex Burrows - B - One of the most effective penalty killers on the Canucks and he takes pride in it. Burr has been able to kill penalties by himself on occasion.
Matt Cooke - B - Hey, he’s been able to stay healthy so far! Cooke is back in form with the agitator role while able to chip in a goal or two every once in awhile.
Jeff Cowan - C - The Brabarian has disappointed so far, whether it be in an injury, a fight or lack of bras on the ice.
Mike Brown - C+ - Is taking Cowan’s seat, and quickly. Here’s a middleweight who can really throw ‘em.
Jason Jaffray - C+ - Has filled in magnificently for Morrison and is making a case to be a roster player next season.
Mason Raymond - B- - The kid with wheels is the real deal. Look at the goals by Raymond and you know he’ll be a future NHLer.
Canuck Coaching Staff - A- - Kudos to these guys for getting the Canucks back on track after the first dozen games. This team could’ve easily faltered and faded into the sunset but now are a contending team in the West.
Dave Nonis - C+ - Has yet to address major issues concerning the team but picking up Mike Weaver was the only move made. His real test will come in February at the trade deadline.
Matt Cooke and Sean Avery collide tonight for the first time in about three years.
Something tells me fireworks are going to go off tonight between the two, whether it’s to spark their teams or to settle personal vendettas.
The first time the two met was in an OHL All-Star game back when the two played juniors. Cooke hit Avery into the boards and Avery suffered a concussion on the play. There was no penalty on the play.
Avery and Cooke met again in Vancouver during Avery’s tenure with the Los Angeles Kings. Avery hit Cooke from behind in the boards, a similar play Cooke made on Avery back in juniors. Avery’s response during the play:
“How do you like that, fuckin’ Cookie?!”
Oh yeah. Something is definitely going down tonight.
