#4 SCORING: Must Spend to Score
Here come the big boys, the big names who mean points, points, points, and more points. They always cost us something, eh? Scoring is going to be the biggest concern for the Canucks heading into free agency, and they will have to spend if they want to properly address the issue.
The obvious names, should I say, with one perhaps forgotten franchise player in decline? Who knows if Eric Staal has still something left in him?
Note before continuing: there is no way that the Canucks are acquiring all these pieces.
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C S. Stamkos (26) 64 pts / 77 GP
C E. Staal (31) 39 pts / 83 GP
RW K. Okposo (28) 64 pots / 79 GP
D K. Russell (29) 19 pts / 62 GP
Steven Stamkos, of course, is the hype in all of this. But if that one-game sample in the Eastern Conference Finals showed anything of the post-recovery Stammer, it showed him a step behind everyone. Of course, the playoff is a different story, but would medical concerns drive teams away from giving Stamkos anything above $9 million per season?
On the other hand, everyone knows about the woes of Eric Staal, the former franchise center for the Carolina Hurricanes. No points as a rental acquisition for the New York Rangers in the playoffs. Staal’s questionable defensive play and lack of consistency may give Jim Benning second thoughts before even calling Staal’s agent.
At this point of the Sedins’ career, however, it may serve them well to overpay a franchise player of Stamkos’s or Staal’s caliber. Commentary on Kyle Okposo will follow after.
Impact on the Line Up
I really do think that playing a non-Sedin first-line player between the wings may be the best way to go. There is no doubt that the grind of the faceoffs is burning Henrik over the course of a full season. Henrik seems a lot more frail than Daniel despite Daniel’s concussion history.
Bringing Hansen down to the off wing is a Burrows-inspired experiment that might lead to the creation of one of the most versatile third lines ever! A sniper with two versatile quicksters, one who can play great defense and the other who can forecheck the life out of the opposition.
Next: HOMECOMING: Where the Heart Leads