Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Vancouver Canucks players Alexandre Burrows, Chris Higgins, and Alexander Edler all have new contracts kicking in on July 5 and their no-trade clauses will be coming into effect at the same time.

Canucks general manager Mike Gillis pledged a “reset” at his year-end press conference and a decision will need to be made whether one, two, three, or none of these players will be part of the “reset.” The Canucks could have up to nine players with no-trade/no-movement clauses next season (assuming goaltender Roberto Luongo is traded). They could hand out a few more too when unrestricted free agency opens.

“In order to get players to play for less than market value, you have to give  them something they can rely upon,” Gillis told the Vancouver Sun when queried about the high number of no-trade clauses on the team.

In other words, these players took a pay cut for a no-trade clause to be part of this core group in Vancouver and would be none too pleased if they were traded just before their new contracts kick in. Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun writes:

But if Gillis were to trade Edler or ask another Canuck to waive his no-trade clause, the spirit of co-operation — the shared sacrifice between club and player — would vanish in Vancouver.

The money the player left on the table to stay here won’t be repaid by his new team. It wouldn’t be long before Canuck free agents demanded every dollar they could squeeze from the team, which is what happens in most NHL markets. This would seriously undermine the environment Gillis has worked hard to achieve and make it more difficult for the Canucks to succeed under the salary cap.

Do you break this “spirit of co-operation” for the better of the team? Will moving Burrows, Higgins, and/or Edler better this team?

Gillis says the game has changed since 2011 and there is no longer the same emphasis on speed and skill as there was after the 2004 NHL lockout ended. Both Burrows and Higgins bring what the Canucks need more of: a willingness to get their nose dirty. Edler brings size to the lineup, but his physical play is inconsistent (along with the rest of his game) and could stand to be more assertive physically in front of the net.

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Vancouver Canucks winger Chris Higgins and defenceman Chris Tanev are both injured and out indefinitely with lower-body injuries. Neither player will accompany the team on its five-game road trip.

We do know Tanev has a leg injury, but it is unknown what type of injury Higgins sustained.

The Team 1040′s Jeff Paterson said Higgins was in “good spirits” after the game and showed no sign of injury. Perhaps a broken foot from a blocked shot? These don’t usually reveal themselves until a day or two later.

Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault says he is hopeful both players will be ready for the playoffs.

(Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

Vancouver Canucks continue to surge up the Western Conference standings with another solid performance in front of the home crowd at the Roger’s Arena against the Calgary Flames.

The game started with fast paced action from both clubs. Mason Raymond caught an errand puck in the face and had to go to the dressing room for repairs, but returned later in the period.

Flames forward Lee Stempniak opened scoring at 18:18 of the first period. He beat Corey Schneider with a wrist shot, assisted by Matt Stajan and Blake Comeau. Flames goalie Leland Irving played excellent in the first to give the Flames a 1-0 lead at the end of the period.

The first part of the second period was dominated by the Flames even while on he penalty kill. That was until Alexandre Burrows scored with a wrist shot set up by both Henrik and Daniel Sedin at 8:34 of the second. Only seconds later at 9:01 Jordan Schroeder posted his first NHL goal set up by Alexander Edler and Burrows. Schroeder tipped a shot from the point neatly between the legs of Irving to give the Canucks their first lead of the game. Kevin Bieksa‘s slapshot from the point gave the Canucks a 3-1 lead and Bieksa his second goal of the year, assisted by the Sedin twins.

The third started with an early tally by Chris Higgins assisted by Maxim Lapierre and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks looked in mid-season form outplaying the Flames for the rest of the game. To make the night even more memorable for the rookie Schroeder, he added a second goal at 15:41 of the third to seal the deal at 5-1.

Both goalies did play well—33 stops for Schneider and 26 for Irving. The Canucks were just a much better team on this night. The two goalies for Vancouver are making their coach and his coin tossing ability look good. The Canucks have now won 5 straight games they now await the Minnesota Wild coming to town on Tuesday night. Will the Wild avenge their loss to these same Canucks who beat them 4-1 last Thursday night? Which mask will Alain Vigneault’s coin land on this time with the trouble Roberto Luongo has had with the Wild in the past?