As I look in jealous anger at what could have been had we played up to our capabilities and beat LA, I see a common denominator around the League. Everyone is improving their team and the Canucks, who were the best team in the NHL two years ago, have only slightly improved.

Last year we got rid of the injury prone Samuelsson and replaced him with Booth. I did like the acquisition since Samuelsson's ability continues to diminish and he just can't be depended on to play an entire season or post-season for that matter. Had we had him against Boston Hmmmmmm.

Getting rid of Hodgson for an even greener Kassian made no sense! This team is on the verge of winning a Cup. Why get younger, all be it only slightly, and lose offense only to add the possibility of getting a player that could be used in about 2 years to beat a Boston team that we played two years ago? No sense can be made of this trade!

This year we acquired Garrison and lost the rock solid but not super dependable Salo. We can only see what will happen but on paper I like the added size, defensive upside and 6 year younger legs. So far we have come up flat in improving some of our weaknesses. We have 2 GREAT years left with the Sedins and Burrows. After that we have a lot of youth and of course Manny Malhotra (The Rock solid face off specialist). So it's time.

We have 2 years to improve this team and WIN the Cup. Yes, you can make an argument it's hockey and anyone can win and ride a hot goaltender but I don't run my business that way and neither does any NHL team. So this is what we do:

1. Luongo and Ballard go to Tampa for Lecavalier. Yes he does make 8 million but it's a player with a scoring touch and we need that when the Sedins are being punched and cheap shot all playoff long. We lose 9.53 million and gain 7.727 million. That still leaves us with 5.72 million towards (no not total) signing Weber the following year.

2. The following year we sign Weber and do not sign Edler allowing us to give him 7.5 million a year. Considering Edler is a FA and will probably command 4-5 million (based on contracts signed this year) I think 7.5 million for Weber is a good deal. I don't like making it a two year process but it seems NHL offensive players need a full year to adjust to a new system and defenseman need only a few months.

The lines will be as follows (Before Kesler’s return):
Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Booth-Lecavalier-Hansen
Higgins-Malhotra-Raymond
Weise/Volpatti-Lapierre-Kassian

Hamhuis-Bieksa
Garrison-Edler
Tanev-Alberts

Goalie: Schneider
Back up: Whoever is cheap!

The when Kesler returns:
Sedin-Sedin-Booth
Higgins-Kesler-Burrows
Hansen-Lecavalier-Raymond
Weise/Volpatti-Lapierre-Kassian

Hamhuis-Bieksa
Garrison-Edler
Tanev-Alberts

Goalie: Schneider
Back up: Whoever is cheap!

The year after:
Sedin-Sedin-Booth
Higgins-Kesler-Burrows
Hansen-Lecavalier-Raymond
Weise/Volpatti-Lapierre-Kassian

Hamhuis-Weber
Garrison-Bieksa
Tanev-Suave/Alberts?

Goalie: Schneider
Back up: Ladd

Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup Champions!