Even though the title of this post is "Canucks Don't Need Shane Doan", I will confess that I like the guy. Solid player, physical, good leader, but the 'Nucks simply don't need him. The best teams are not necessarily those that have the best individual players. Instead, they are the teams that put the best collection of the right type of players together. Phoenix has had a pretty middling collection of overall talent the last few years but has been successful by playing in a system that keeps games close and lets their muckers, grinders, and few talented pieces shine. With this in mind, paying a good, but not great, 35 year old player $6 mill a year is not the move that will put all the pieces together for the Canucks.

First, the Canucks have some young physical players. Zack Kassian is the primary one. He of the Cody Hodgson trade, what is the point of bringing in Shane Doan to take minutes that Kassian could be playing on the 2nd or 3rd line if you thought Kassian was so good that you traded CoHo for him? Kassian is not a 4th line player and he has more talent than a pure goon - the guy needs to play consistently and with skill players. He is 21/22 years old and cheap, let him shine.

Second, the Nucks need a physical D-Man way more than a forward, unless they Nucks decide that they are going to let Keith Ballard play and not sit the guy every time he makes a mistake. Ballard is physical, fast, and was a top 4 D-Man for Fla., that is making $4mill per/yr. If you don't trade him then play him and give him a chance. Edler may walk after next year, and being left empty-handed is not an option, they need a steady presence that can eat big minutes and take pressure off of Hamhuis/Bieksa.

Lastly, there are too many guys on the Nucks who don't have an edge - the Nucks need some edge and have young guys who might bring that ala Kassian, Pinizzotto, but bringing in a big guy who can fight and skate (at least) is a good idea. Bieksa and Kassian should not be fighting and Volpatti, though game, is not intimidating. I am not a fan of fighting, don't like it and think it should be banned, but it is a game changer in Hockey and can lift teams and give players confidence to see that they have teammates who will step up and handle fights well. The Nucks miss that and could use it, with at least a modicum of skill.

Anyway, I think Doan is not what the doctor ordered. Trade Luongo, get something in return, let Kassian, Pinizzotto and Ballard play with long leashes and get a D-Man or Forward that can handle the rough stuff.