Mike Gillis does not plan on making many or any moves at the Trade Deadline

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 23, 2009 3:58 PM PST Comment 13 comments

From NHL.com (and of course a hat tip to the CDC forum guys):

Mike Gillis said he has freedom from ownership to spend to the salary cap to make the Vancouver Canucks a better team before 3 p.m. ET on March 4, but the first-year general manager doesn't sound like he's yearning to throw around money before the trade deadline.

Gillis is happy with the Canucks as currently constructed and believes the risk of upsetting the apple cart on a team that has won eight of nine games this month may not be worth the reward.

With Burrows clicking with the Twins and the RPM line looking pretty dangerous on most nights, there really isn't a point in making a big move. However, I just wonder about Line 3 with Wellwood-Bernier-Pyatt. It shows a lot of potential but isn't getting the results. They may come.

The Canucks have 4 games left before the deadline. The only thing that will force Gillis hand to pull the trigger on something serious is if a major injury occurs to one of the top 6 or a defenceman. (Cue the Salo Glass comments).

Other than that, I think I agree with Gillis' stance. Don't fix it if it isn't broken.

I see Mike posted a link to a Mike Gillis press conference transcript today. That's worth a read if you want to know what his confidence level is of signing the Twins, his ride as a player agent and now a GM, his thoughts on Mats Sundin, and even the Trade Deadline.

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He has precious few picks to still move, but if he can find value in Salo, Pyatt or something grand for Ohlund I’d swing at it. The playoffs is a long grueling trip; best to have all the weapons possible.

And just say no to Antropov

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Feb 23, 2009 5:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Say no to Antropov?

You’re nuts.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Feb 24, 2009 7:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I prefer Antro over Pyatt and Bernier.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 24, 2009 8:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No no, Ohlund will not get moved unless he waives his NTC. Gillis said in that transcript that he will not ask any players to waive their NTC’s.
Gad, I wish he’d trade Salo sometimes. Other times his canon from the point is so wicked. Something tells me Salo can’t handle a long playoff grind without getting injured though.
Pyatt needs to get moved, but what would be the return for him? A 3rd rounder? What’s the point.
I still think Jason Jaffray should be playing for this team. Put him in there instead of Pyatt.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 23, 2009 5:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I missed that about NTCs. Well that’s a shame…not that I want him gone, just that he’d bring a great deal back.

Pyatt needs to be moved, but I have no clue who would take him. Lots of better guys out there.

I’d like to see Ouellet get another crack too but I understand that’ll probably not happen again this season.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Feb 23, 2009 5:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What did Ouellet play, 1 game here? OK, make that 3 games, and look at his icetime in the 3rd game. No love.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 23, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Look at previous season stats. He has an upside.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Feb 23, 2009 7:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree completely. AV just didn’t give him a long enough chance. I think you misunderstood what I meant. I think he was stuck on the 4th line in that last game.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 23, 2009 8:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

MIKE GILLIS: They really don’t differ at all. I think that players ?? we haven’t given out, with my group here, a no?trade clause. If we were to do that, obviously we would have a meeting of the minds as to what that clause would relate to in terms of compensation.

For me, that’s a negotiation that you stand by, and that’s what I intended to have here. My philosophy really hasn’t changed at all. We’re not going to ask players to waive the no-trade. I think once they’re handed out, you know, the player has given up something significant to get that.

To then turnaround and say, Notwithstanding what you gave up something significant, we want you to waive it with the benefit of us. I think it’s somewhat unrealistic, and sometimes unfair.

I thought this was, in part, a rather amusing snark at the Leafs.

by rsm on Feb 23, 2009 5:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I thought the same thing. Burn!

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 23, 2009 7:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

My wish list includes:

depth on D (paging Dan Hamhuis… Dan Hamhuis to the Great White North, please). We don’t need a #1 or #2, but 4-5-6 guys in case of injury. Like you said, Salo is an accident waiting to happen, and we’re not exactly swimming in options (Nycholat turns into a playoff god???)

a third/fourth liner with some speed or some goddamned hands. Again, we don’t need to shake anything up, but someone to fill Hordichuk’s position, as he probably won’t be seeing much time in the playoffs (assuming we get there).

by Temujin on Feb 23, 2009 8:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on Hamhuis, except the Preds will ask for a lot in return. He was a first round pick once. Hmm.

I like Nycholat. He could become a monster. Well, he’s reliable.

I don’t know what the plans are for Hordichuk are. He’ll probably play the low minutes and not go anywhere. You never know.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 23, 2009 8:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Canucks can't even get the puck out of their own zone

Gillis better be playing a joke. The Canucks have no chance of winning a 1st round nevermind a Cup. They have been pathetic getting the puck out of their own zone all year. They have been on a tear more by luck than good play.

They need a guy like Schneider (hey Mike you listening) on the back end. Go get Neidermayer if the Ducks are out. You’re 1 or 2 players away, get it done or go back to being an agent.

by igorsmaster on Feb 24, 2009 6:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs