Buffalo's first pick in 2002, 11th overall, Keith Ballard

General Manager Mike Gillis wasted no time supplementing the blueline with the addition of Dan Hamhuis, in a very surprising turn of events at the beginning of Free Agency.  Though the Philadelphia Flyers had obtained exclusive rights to negotiate with the 27 year old Baudette, Minnesota native (at the cost of a 3rd round pick), it was a longer-term deal with Vancouver that enticed him away from the City of Brotherly Love.    With the uncertainty surrounding Willie Mitchell’s status, and Salo’s penchant for untimely injuries, Canucks fans were ecstatic with the signing.

BC boy Dan Hamhuis will most likely be on the second defensive pairing

Then, of course, was the move that no-one really foresaw happening:  The trade sending Steve Bernier, Michael Grabner and 2010 VAN 1st round pick (Quinton Howden) to Florida in exchange for Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskovich.  At this point in time, no matter how Ballard plays, props must be given to Gillis for his aggressive pursuit of free agents and use of assets to give the Canucks what they need: Reliable, healthy, time-tested defense.  Both d-men have a track record of rugged durability, which should help eliminate one of the X-Factors that essentially eliminated the Canucks in the 2010 Playoffs.  More than that, it’s a sign of commitment by Gillis to compete for the now, which in times past perhaps wasn’t as transparent.

As usually occurs in the NHL, when money is transfered to an area of concern, some players become, for lack of a better term, expendable.  The Canucks have several prime examples of this.

Kyle Wellwood: Though he played his heart out in the Playoffs, chances are he'll toil in a different uniform

Willie Mitchell has been practicing with other NHL teams, so it’s almost a foregone conclusion that he won’t be back next season.  Again, as I stated in “Pity For Mitchell” (a few blogs back) it’s a bit of a travesty that things have played out this way for the shutdown defender.  We’ll certainly miss the big Willie-style poke-check.  I’ll never, ever, forget the way he caught Jonathan Toews in the trolley tracks.  But it’s sure an argument for “Those that live by the sword, perish by the sword”.

Mitchell: "Kev, I want to retire in Vancouver." Bieksa: "I dunno, man, might be a tough summer for jobs".

Another victim of the early numbers game is center Ryan Johnson.  The shot-blocker extraordinare was not offered a new contract by the Canucks, and has yet to find employ in the NHL.  Apparently, if you listen to Red Wings upper management, the NHL is trying to force older players to sign for less money, with the constant push from younger players willing to play for much less.  Perhaps I had a different perspective, but I can’t recall a summer when so many legitimate NHL players were without a contract this close to training camp.  But with the option for players to go and play in Europe or in the Kontinental Hockey League, and for a decent salary, the financial landscape truly has changed.  Just imagine how murky the Canucks fiscal situation would be if the League nullified Luongo’s Conditional contract approval?   Rumors still swirl around Kevin Bieksa, but one has to believe that with every day that goes by that he hasn’t been traded, the more likely he won’t be.  The iron has never been hotter, and the Ottawa Sun reported there were no less than six teams interested in him.  I can say this much:  If he doesn’t get traded, the Canucks might have the most expensive checking line defensive pairing in the NHL.  The Canuck Way will certainly be there to break any story that involves the heady defender.

I certainly don’t wish to come off as cliche, but it’s hard to recall a summer that held so much optimism in regards to the Canucks chances for success in the upcoming season.  Mike Gillis thrust out his scythe into the Free Agency field and appears to have reaped bountifully.  The addition of Manny Malholtra is a bit understated as well.  Fans do have to say goodbye to a few familiar faces in order to do so, but there is excitement at the prospect of what some new blood will infuse into the chemistry of the 2010/11 Vancouver Canucks.

Former Calder trophy winner Andrew Raycroft will mind the Dallas Stars net for 2 years

As predicted by the Canuck Way near season's end, Pavol Demitra will be playing hockey overseas next year

Actor AJ Buckley cheers during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Canucks and Blackhawks

The poll was a crossover from a recent English poll that suggested that 12 per cent of soccer fans would give up sex for a year if the Three Lions won the World Cup.  Neither of the polls indicated the percentages as broken down by gender, but I assume it’s safe to say that the majority would be male.  Regardless, the number is quite impressive when you think about what’s at stake.  Personally, having followed the Canucks faithfully for 28 years, and hoped, laughed and cried along with them every step of the way, I still don’t know that I would wager a year without sex.  I don’t think my fiance would appreciate me placing that kind of bet either.  It kind of makes me wonder if they’re engaging in the same activity…

Canucks fans at GM Place show their support during Game 3 of the semifinals (All photos courtesy of Yardbarker)

The beauty of polls like this is that no one will be held responsible to carry out the parameters of the wager.  With that in mind, let’s follow through on my promise to take a look at the personnel that will (or will not) help Vancouver reach the Holy Grail.

Fans jested (coach) Vigneault should have let Demitra wear his Slovakian uniform during games to improve his performance

Pavol Demitra:

Age: 35

Cap Hit: $4,000,000

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Stats (Games, Goals, Assists, Total points)

28 games      3-13-16    +3 rating

Playoffs:  11 games,  2-4-6    +2 rating

Pavol Demitra turned out to be another Canuck Free Agent experiment  gone awry.  Based on The Province (newspaper) reader response, it’s easy to see that fans are quite unhappy with the return on investment for the streaky Slovak.  Paul from Vancouver wrote: “Don’t answer the $4 -million call from the dreadful Demitra Experiment”.  At least with Mats Sundin, there was a certain level of commitment and grit that was displayed for the monumental amount of cash he received.  But Demitra never really hit his stride in Vancouver, save for the two week period of the Olympics in which he led the tournament for points.  Elvis sightings will be more frequent than Demitra sightings in Vancouver after July 1st, I can assure you of that.

Kyle Wellwood is congratulated by teammates after a second period goal in Game 1

Some Canucks fans have given Kyle the nickname "Charlie Brown" for his interesting facial expressions

Kyle Wellwood:

Age:  27

Cap Hit:  $1,200,000

Status:  Unrestricted Free Agent

Reg. Season:  75 games, 14-11-25   +6 rating

Playoffs:  12 games,  2-5-7   -1 rating

Wellwood showed he knows when to turn up the compete level.  CBC Analyst Jim Hughson commented a couple of times about Wellwood’s speed in the playoffs.  For two years running, the diminutive center has saved his best hockey for the playoffs, and gave the Canucks an additional dimension on their checking line.  With excellent stick-handling abilities, and good vision on the ice, the Canucks will probably make an offer in the same ballpark as the previous one.  The only question is whether he’ll accept or not; may get a longer look from other clubs, which could push his value up somewhat.

Ryan Johnson is stopped by Antti Niemi in Game 5 at the United Center in Chicago

Foot injuries caught up to one of the NHL's bravest shot-blockers, right into the playoffs

Ryan Johnson:

Age: 33

Cap Hit:  $1,150,000

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Reg. Season: 58 games,  1-4-5    -4 rating

Playoffs: 4 games,  0-0-0    -2 rating

Having played playoff hockey myself while suffering from a serious injury, my heart really went out to Johnson this post-season.  He was listed as a late May return from his broken foot, but managed 4 games with the Canucks in Round 2.  Probably motivated by the Canucks lack of success on the penalty kill, it was obvious Johnson returned too early.  The Thunder Bay, Ont. product had a tough time being reinserted smack in the middle of the playoffs.  But nobody questions his heart, and though he’s not a shoe-in, one would think the Canucks will try to get him back in the fold for similar money.

Alexandre Bolduc, Class VI Unrestricted Free Agent

Tanner Glass, 25, Restricted Free Agent

In the next Canuck Way installment, we’ll continue our investigation into what the team may look like for the 2010/11 season.  Of particular note, I’ll take stock of the Willie Mitchell situation and potential complications in re-signing Mason Raymond, who is coming off his breakout season.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin celebrate Sweden's 4th goal versus Belarus in preliminary round action Feb. 19, 2010 (REUTERS/Molly Riley)

In an Olympic tournament that has had surprisingly few degrees of seperation, “underdog” nations are making headlines.  Earlier today, the strong Slovakian team learned this the hard way, with one of the narrowest escapes for a favored country, slipping past Norway, 4-3.  The Czech Republic also survived a scare with Latvia to squeak out a 3-2 overtime win.

Pavol Demitra has his wrist shot stopped by Latvian goaltender, Edgars Masalskis in another preliminary round, Feb. 20, 2010 (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Demitra’s Slovaks had some adversity to overcome to advance to the quarter-finals.  The Norwegians tied the game 3-3 in the final second of the 2nd period.  Fellow Slovaks Michal Handzus and Marian Gaborik scored powerplay markers and Miroslav Satan netted the game winner in the third.  With their prolific, high scoring forwards, Slovakia could present some real problems for reigning Olympic champions, Sweden.   Lubos Bartecko could be lost for the rest of the tournament with a concussion, following a scary hit to the head from Norway’s Ole Kristian Tollefsen.  Bartecko’s helmet came off before his head hit the ice, which opened a gash that bled profusely.  He would lie motionless for several minutes before a silenced sell-out crowd at GM Place.  He was treated by trainers in the arena before being moved to a clinic in the olympic village.

Sami Salo controls the puck for Finland in their Day 8 match versus Germany (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Considering that a record number of viewers (most ever for a hockey event in Canada) took in the Canada/ USA game on Sunday, I won’t drag readers into a full recap of the Americans first victory over Canada in 50 years.  But interestingly, Ryan Kesler foreshadowed the match with sentiments that the Americans would win this game.  Though Canada played it’s best hockey of the tournament in the last 4 minutes of the third period, Team USA would add an empty net goal to win 5-3.  That win forced Canada to play yesterday against Germany in a qualifying match for the right to face Russia, which Canada won handily, 8-2.

Ryan Kesler checks Rick Nash during Team USA's startling 5-3 victory in the preliminary round (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Following Canada’s loss to the Americans, head coach Mike Babcock approached Roberto Luongo Sunday night to inform him he would be starting the must-win game against Germany.  Though Luongo didn’t have to make a save until halfway through the first period, he was sharp, and saw the puck well.  Many of Germany’s shots were perimeter shots, with the Canadian defense playing aggressively.  On the second goal, Luongo stopped the first shot of a two-on-none, but was helpless to stop the rebound.  He finished the game with 21 stops, and looks to get the start in goal as the Canadians try for their first win over the former Soviet Union since 1960.  “I had a lot of fun out there tonight, and I’m sure I’ll have a lot more fun tomorrow” said Luongo.  The Canadians have been outscored by almost a 2-1 margin, and have a 1-9-0 record against the Soviets/Unified Team/Russians.

Roberto Luongo makes one of 21 saves against Germany during a playoff game, Feb. 23, 2010 (CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images)

Perhaps in different colors, but Roberto Luongo has acknowledged the crowd of GM Place in victory like this before (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The reigning Olympic champions, Sweden, are off to another fantastic start in this tournament.  They are undefeated in their first three games, with only USA boasting a similar record.  The Sedin twins have factored largely into the winning equation, working very well with Daniel Alfredsson.  As has been witnessed so often in GM Place, their uncanny passing and ESP-esque playmaking continues during their olympic run.   Many hockey pundits are predicting that, despite Slovakia’s hardworking style and potent offense, that Sweden will overtake them in the quarter-finals.  The general prediction is a 4-2 final.

Excitement continues to build as the push for Olympic gold intensifies after the playoff rounds.   Several teams seem poised for glory, but the quarter finals will force a couple of contenders into a battle for silver and bronze medals.

While it won’t necessarily breed malcontent in the Vancouver Canucks dressing room, it should be interesting to see what national bragging rights will do for any Canucks that have gold medals hanging from their necks come tourneys end.   No matter the result, Vancouver Canuck fans can hold their heads high, knowing their team is comprised of Olympic heroes.

Henrik Sedin (Sweden) and Sami Lepisto (Finland) battle along the boards during preliminary action Feb. 21, 2010 (CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images)