The back end is now shored up, and DEEP with the addition of Aaron Miller yesterday.But what to do about the goal-scoring issue, which became painfully clear in the playoffs. The depth chart up front reads as follows (using Mike's chart as a reference):
Dank Sedin - Hank Sedin - Taylor Pyatt
Markus Naslund - Brendan Morrison - Matt Cooke
Burrows - Kesler - Isbister
Cowan - Ritchie - ???? Jason Jaffray?? (Ryan Shannon, say, if they sign him.)
There are several angles here.
1. Nonis has faith that Morrison is a bonafide 2nd-line center and the Canucks go with the 4 centers they currently have.
2. Matt Cooke can improve upon his 10 goals and 30 points from last season and remain on line 2. If not, a top 6 winger needs to be acquired.
UFA wingers left who could fit in the $4 million price range:
-Martin Gelinas. (C'mon Marty, get over here!)
-Mike Johnson (no no, too injury-prone)
-Jeff O'Neil (no thanks, but a possibility)
-Teemu Selanne (big price tag, and would need to make some room)
Top UFA center available:
-Peter Forsberg (one last chance to reunite Pete and Markus)
-Mike Peca
-Eric Lindros (yeah right)
If certain RFA's become UFA's (or Nonis takes astab at an RFA):
-Dustin Penner
-Derek Roy (center)
-Jussi Jokinen
-Mike Cammalleri (damned straight)
-Pierre-Marc Bouchard
-Trent Hunter
-Colby Armstrong
-Lee Stempniak
3. The Canucks are content with their top lines, expect more of them, and sign a cheaper forward who could crack the top 6 if he plays well.
4. Jason Jaffray turns into the next Tony Tanti and sticks with the club.
5. Trade trade trade for a top 6 scorer.
What is going to happen? What would you like to see happen here?
T Tags: Canucks Trade Signing What's+next?