Time to kill and thoughts of lifting Lord Stanley’s oatmeal bowl dance through of heads. Focusing on the present is always a hard thing when the future awaits without uncertainties that excites/scares us all. The salary cap has made the League almost balanced. (Chicago’s dismantling) And Vancouver juggling act this year was amazing. The question that has been in the back of my mind this year is what about next year?

The defensive core will not be the same since Sami, Juice, Alberts and Ehrhoff are all UFA’s. According to Capgeek the Nucks have roughly $13 million to spend on 4 defensemen and 5 forwards. I doubt the Nucks could sign all the d-men and have enough left over for the forwards. Hansen will get a raise. I think Higgins and Lapierre are nice fits depending on the price.

Any thoughts on which d-men to keep? I personally think Bieksa is priority. Salo would have to take a pay cut to stay. I am not sure about Ehrhoff though. Bieksa will command Ballard type numbers and Ehrhoff might as well. I prefer the stay at home over offensive skill. Too many times this year I have yelled "Fucking Ehrhoff!" (Funny thing…last year I was yelling Fucking Bieksa! A lot) Sunday is too far off. Hurry up already.