With the Vancouver Canucks struggling to score more than two goals per game last season, GM Dave Nonis decides to go out and spend big bucks on ... defensemen?Yes, Nonis was busy giving out contracts yesterday to veteran Aaron Miller (1 year/$1.5mil), and Kevin Bieksa (3-year extension for $11.25mil).
With the signings, the Canucks have an extremely strong and deep defensive corps.
Ohlund-Mitchell
Bieksa-Salo
Miller-Krajicek
Edler-Bourdon
Now, with the Canucks left with only about $3-4mil to sign a couple of wingers, many folks have begun speculating that a trade is in the works. The Canucks are either going to go into next season with a team that is based solely on winning 2-1 games, or somebody is going to be dealt.
Sami Salo? He just signed an extension.
Kevin Bieksa? Ditto.
Lukas Krajicek? Extension, and he's cheap.
Willie Mitchell? He's got a no-trade clause.
This leaves, of course, 30-year old Mattias Ohlund, the veteran who makes $3.5mil a season.
Ohlund has seen a slight decline in play since the lockout, and his value will only continue to decrease. His lack of quickness is noticeable some nights, and he seems to be the best trade bait available for the Canucks to relieve salary pressure AND secure a good scoring winger.
Of course, I won't claim any insider knowledge. Nonis might very well be happy to stick Bourdon in the AHL and go into the season with the defense as it stands right now.
As an aside, don't pick Miller in your office pool. He hasn't scored a goal since BEFORE the lockout (138 games!).
