Gillis Says He Will Sign As Many As 4 Veterans Who Are Trying To Rekindle Their Careers

by Sean Zandberg on Aug 26, 2009 12:22 AM PDT in Free Agency Comment 26 comments

This coming from Matthew Sekeres at the Globe and Mail. Sekeres reports that the Canucks have signed Dave Scatchard and are still in contract talks with Mathieu Schneider. Schneider had shoulder surgery this summer but Gillis believes the 40 year old is ready to go.

"Obviously, everything is always conditional on passing a physical," said Gillis. "I believe he’ll be ready to go."

Let the speculation begin on other vets who MG could invite to training camp. And please don't say Chris Chelios. MG sure has a thing for the "unwanted" players, doesn't he? It's like Vancouver is a haven nowadays. I don't mind at all. He believes that this will push guys like Cody Hodgson and Michael Grabner even harder to make the squad. This is going to be an amazing training camp, make no mistake.

You may be hearing that both Schneider and Roberto Luongo have been signed, but there is no official confirmation of that yet except from twits on Twitter. As I had pointed out in one of the comments sections, rumors have Schneider signed at 1 year and $1.5 million and Luongo at anywhere from 5-6 years at $6.75 million. None of this has been confirmed by any major media outlet who I trust.

EDIT: TSN's Darren Dreger has just told Team 1040 (bottom of article) that the Schneider deal is a 1 year $1.5 million deal. Nice work, Twitter twits! That's a serious bargain for Schneider, but he has not put pen to paper yet.

Edit: It appears Yankee Canuck has got his hands on an open resume that Mike Gillis is handing out to unsigned players. He posted it in the comments section, and I'll paste it here because it's a must-read.

Position: NHL Forward
Department: Hockey Operations
Reports to: Mike Gillis, Organizational Grand Pooba

SUMMARY:
The NHL forward will be the main contact for offensive-minded work and occasional defensive-minded instructions and responsibilities during NHL Vancouver Canucks hockey (HOK-EEE) games.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(other duties may be assigned as required)

    * Scoring
    * Primary assists
    * Secondary assists
    * Some backchecking every once and awhile wouldn’t kill either
    * A positive Corsi to keep statzi’s happy
    * Suffering through multiple line changes silently with a smile on your face
    * A Frenchman pit boss questioning your dedication to the media
    * Air travel. Lots of air travel. Seriously, it’s a ton so no bitching
    * Soccer with the Swedes in the hallway during the pregame hours
    * Talking to Dave Pratt without strangling him
    * Reading Tony Gallagher without strangling him
    * Willingness to sit next to Andrew Raycroft on the team bus and seem interested in casual discussion

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

    * Previous NHL experience. Need not be impressive or wholly legal (see Bertuzzi, Todd)
    * Able to stand up vertically with little outside assistance
    * Can still lace up skates and use illegally long stick (see Mitchell, Willie)
    * Ability to stay calm and focused during stressful situations
    * Available to work evenings and weekends
    * Valid BC Drivers License preferred
    * Swedish cultural appreciation strongly preferred

KEY ATTRIBUTES:

    * Cheerful, high degree of personal and professional integrity. No sense in being old if you can’t be pleasant and honest
    * Works cooperatively, strives to meet team goals (e.g. you hate Calgary and everything it stands for)
    * A passion for success. If not, you had the ability to fake it on camera.
    * Works with enthusiasm, dedication, respect and pride. No sassing the Orca.
    * Strong customer/fan focus. They’ll no doubt be watching your real estate dealings closely.
    * Receptive and adapts well to change. We can’t stress this one enough.
    * Willing to share prescription meds with team mates and traveling media personnel

Interested, qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter, specifying position applied for, no later than Wednesday, September 9, 2009.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those shortlisted for interviews or ones keen enough to send in bribe money with their applications will be contacted.

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Congrats Theo Fleury, the line forms on the left!

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Aug 26, 2009 12:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Haha! Yeah, no kidding!

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Aug 26, 2009 12:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Position: NHL Forward
Department: Hockey Operations
Reports to: Mike Gillis, Organizational Grand Pooba

SUMMARY:
The NHL forward will be the main contact for offensive-minded work and occasional defensive-minded instructions and responsibilities during NHL Vancouver Canucks hockey (HOK-EEE) games.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(other duties may be assigned as required)

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

KEY ATTRIBUTES:

Interested, qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter, specifying position applied for, no later than Wednesday, September 9, 2009.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those shortlisted for interviews or ones keen enough to send in bribe money with their applications will be contacted.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Aug 26, 2009 1:03 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Your sense of humor is gold even at 4 AM EST! Holy crap I laughed at that, and then pasted it into the post.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Aug 26, 2009 1:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t sleep…insomnia makes for more delusional postings.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Aug 26, 2009 1:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too…loved it Yank’.

I agree with Sean too…am OK with him trying out these reclamation projects…they have to make the team, do they not? Its not like they all get paid…and the competition in camp should be fantastic.

Could we assume more creatively than Theo or Chelios? Besides, Theo is a Flamer…he can go be McGratten’s sponsor for his 12 step program…tell him his horror story..

(.and from 3rd hand info mind you, I have heard that Dion is a fan of the Columbian Marching Powder…sounds like their room will be a party place this year!)

He said 2-4…could one of those not be Mats if he makes his mind up to play?

Maybe Bret Hedican, or Curtis Joseph…or Patrice Brisebois…any one but that arrogant Chelios and walking time bomb Fleury…I don’t think their past job performance will get past Yankee and his stringent interview process.

Espcially if Theo has to pee in a cup.

vancitydan

by vancitydan on Aug 26, 2009 1:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Top class!…..Winked blog Yankee!
Any prospective candadates wont need a driving licence…Im sure they will their own OAP bus passes.
Seriuosly though, Gillis has to be carefull that older players dont see the Canucks as a soft touch for a free year in the NHL.

by steve-uk on Aug 26, 2009 3:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dave Scatchard? Really? Why, with Blair Betts, Manny Malholtra, Dan Fritsche, Dan Hinote (etc) all available would Gillis sign a dude that hasn’t played NHL hockey in 2 seasons?

Not that I’m complaining as a Flames fan, of course…

Matchsticks and Gasoline
Fivehole fanatics

by Kent Wilson on Aug 26, 2009 5:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Scatchard is indeed an odd choice, but it’ll take a hell of a camp for him to crack the roster. Malholtra is rumored to be at camp too and I’d much rather have him. Good points about Fritsche or Betts too, maybe Gillis wants guys who are more broken then that.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Aug 26, 2009 5:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The perception is that Gillis can’t get what he really wants (probably financial constraints) and is settling for a lower tier type player. This doesn’t really turn me on or inspire me, and points out how far away from a championship they are at this time.

by Bobby Canuck on Aug 26, 2009 7:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Or, if you’re a glass half full type of person, you think he’s targeting a set of players most other GM’s ignore for younger guys or attainable talent on another team. If he let’s five vets in camp and one pans out, was it worth it?

I’m not saying I like this either, just trying to understand it from management’s perspective.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Aug 26, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do find it HILARIOUS

Some of the same posters that would make “funny” comments about MG getting guys like Funk and Micheal Ward and ridiculing the fact that they were too young…

Are now doing the same at the other end of the spectrum. As I said above they have to make the team.

Period.

If nothing else, camp competition is ramped up considerably. Maholtra is just skating with the guys, according to the TV report on Sportsnet last night. Not signed or anything.

Bobby, they are closer to the big prize than any other Canadian team. Who has a better shot in the Great White North? Montreal?Hah.

Toronto or Ottawa? Both horror shows. Edmonton just sniffing the memories of past glory.

So, it comes down to the Flamers and ’Nucks.

And I would take our GMs approach to trading 1st round picks, signing JBo and letting your best scorer go.

The Flamers have done addition by subtraction this offseason.

The Canucks lost…what? Olie (God luv em!) and Sundin? Who may still come back?

I have no problem with Gillis loading up on guys with something to play for.

Young or old.

The only financial consideration is how to spend to the max. With some of these guys, I may be wrong, but I would think MG signed Scatchard to a tryout contract.

He has to make the team to get paid.

So, its a good thing either way. He doesn’t count against the Cap if he is a burnout flop, or you have a large centre that goes to the wall every shift for his teammates playing his ass off to keep ON the team.

But thats just me, I am a glass full type of guy…like Yankee.

Peace

vancitydan

by vancitydan on Aug 26, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t it time for MG to send out the Batsignal for Harry Snepsts, Dana Muryzn
and Dave Babych?

Babych did put up 74 points for the Jets one season, we can build on that!

by Sneps-ish on Aug 26, 2009 9:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I know where Babych sits during Canucks games. I met him there last season when the Wings were in town. I’ll go ask him personally :)
Remember, he has to pass a physical though..

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Aug 26, 2009 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everybody here seems to want Gillis to hit home runs. If singles and doubles get us to the ultimate goal, it’s all good.

I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.

by Smoboy41 on Aug 26, 2009 11:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

very funny, yankee.

GO CANUCKS GO!

by missy on Aug 26, 2009 11:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

“A big part of the reason the Canucks won the Cup was Mike Gillis’ unorthodox move of signing several reclamation projects and turning them into solid performers.”

by sfont on Aug 26, 2009 1:34 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

For years, Detroit rode high because their player development was second to none. Gillis seems to understand that and has done a good job so far of overseeing the development of Vanc’s youngsters: both Burrows and Kesler had breakout seasons last year, Wellwood saved his career, and we’ll soon see about Bernier and Raymond this year. Bernier’s fitness coming into camp bodes well for him, at least.

[Sidebar: am I the only one who thinks Mason Raymond would benefit from putting on a few more pounds? … enough to let him complete more drives to the net, anyway, instead of being forced around it?]

Anyway, competition is a good thing for player development, it’s what the game’s all about. Scatchard will push for a 4th line spot … is Hordichuk the pushee? Schneider will make the team and we want him to (at the right price). Gillis allowed for “up to” 4 vets in camp so there may or may not be more to come.

It’s shaping up as the most interesting Canucks’ training camp and preseason ever.

by casual on Aug 26, 2009 2:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

[Sidebar: am I the only one who thinks Mason Raymond would benefit from putting on a few more pounds? … enough to let him complete more drives to the net, anyway, instead of being forced around it?]

Oh no, I’m right there with you on that one.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Aug 26, 2009 2:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Put him on the Wellwood diet for a day. He’ll shape right up.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Aug 26, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here’s the thing: I hear that Gillis is big on conditioning and diet etc, and the players – Bernier’s a good example, Wellwood before him – seem to be taking it to heart. And if I, a lowly ankle-skater, can see that Raymond would improve by beefing up, then surely Gillis saw it long before I did.

So .. has Raymond showed up for camp yet? Is he stronger?

by casual on Aug 26, 2009 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One day there will be a new restaurant in Vancouver: Wellwood’s. It will serve deliciously unhealthy food and will become a local fixture.

by casual on Aug 26, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just have to make it to the SCF and have Chub score an overtime winner somewhere first…

by rsm on Aug 26, 2009 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hello, Moose!

Keeping vets on the farm isn’t such a bad idea – I’m quite happy to have Baumgartner ready to fill in at a moment’s notice – and as a reminder to the younger players that there’s a vet itching to take their jobs…

by Thursday on Aug 26, 2009 4:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thursday...it depends...

on what kind of vets. I don’t know the agreement chapter and verse, but I am pretty sure they can’t just get sent down until they clear waivers. There is some other language in there about age and games played for recallable waivers…

OK…my head hurts…let me go see if I can find some herbal sustenance and I’ll be right back!

Lets get the damn puck dropped!

vancitydan

by vancitydan on Aug 26, 2009 6:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs