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Official: Vancouver Canucks W00T
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pyonir
Lifer
cherrytwist
Diamond Member
that is beautiful lol
Canucks have decisions to make
Canadian Press
5/10/2003
VANCOUVER (CP) - His bags were packed but Trent Klatt wasn't ready to go.
The same for Murray Baron. Ditto for Brad May.
The Vancouver Canucks' pending free agents say they want to return next year. But with 14 contracts due, and the team still stinging from having its face slapped by the upstart Minnesota Wild in the second round of the NHL playoffs, there's little doubt some of the players who gathered at G.M. Place Saturday morning were cleaning out their lockers for the last time.
``You know there's always changes, with any team good or bad,'' said captain Markus Naslund.
``That's the sad part of this business that you see friends of yours leave. I think and I hope the majority of this team will stay together because I think we're destined for better things.''
Vancouver set a franchise record with 104 points this season and played before sellout crowds. The Canucks were down 3-1 against the St. Louis Blues in the opening round of the playoffs but rallied to win their first playoff series since 1995.
The loss to the Wild, after taking a 3-1 lead in the series, showed the Canucks need another offensive centre and more depth at defence.
Of the unrestricted free agents Klatt, 32, a grinding right winger who earned $900,000 US this year, might have the best chance of returning. There's some speculation the Wild might try to entice him back to his home state of Minnesota.
Given his choice Klatt wants to stay in Vancouver.
``This city has become a big part of my life,'' said Klatt.
``Hopefully things will work out. If I had it my way I would be here.''
Baron, a 35-year-old defenceman who earned $1.6 million US this season, also wants to stay but is getting long on the tooth.
``It's up to the Canucks to see what their plans are,'' he said.
The Canucks picked up May, 32, at the trading deadline from Phoenix but the left winger didn't have a point in the playoffs and finished -5.
Among the restricted free agents are goaltender Dan Cloutier, Swedish twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin, both 22, defencemen Bryan Allen, 22, Marek Malik, 27, and Sami Salo,28, centre Artem Chubarov, 23, and left winger Jarkko Ruutu, 27.
It's unlikely backup goaltender Peter Skudra, 29, who didn't even dress during the playoffs, will be resigned. Right winger Trevor Letowski, 26, was also a healthy scratch for eight of the 14 playoff games.
Centre Matts Lindgren, 28, missed the entire playoffs with a back injury.
If the Vancouver media and the people who phone radio sports programs had their way, Cloutier has played his last game in a Canuck uniform. After giving up 15 goals on 60 shots over the final three games against the Wild, Cloutier has been savaged in newspapers and on the air waves.
It will be up to management to decide if they want to stick with the 27-year-old or begin the search for another goalie.
``It's going to be a long summer,'' said Cloutier, who played the final year of a contract that paid him $1.125 million US
``I should have played better, there's no doubt in my mind. I could have been better in a lot of areas. You have to go through a few bumps before you make it.''
Cloutier won 33 games in a regular season where he missed 13 games with a knee injury and was named NHL player of the month for November.
He didn't want to speculate on how his playoff performance would affect his contract negotiations.
``It will be another thing on my mind this summer,'' said Cloutier, who will probably be seeking a salary in the $3 million US range.
``It's up to the general manager, coaches and my agents. Hopefully it gets done quick. If not, we'll wait.''
Cloutier's teammates have rallied behind him, arguing it's unfair to single the goaltender out for blame.
``It is absolutely ridiculous that everyone in this whole city is pointing a finger at him,'' snapped forward Todd Bertuzzi.
``People that are doing it have no clue about hockey. He's our MVP the whole year. If you want to point fingers and blame someone, point them at me. He played well and we let him down defensively and on some breakdowns.''
After some prodding Bertuzzi said he played the playoffs with a jammed wrist suffered early in the first round against St. Louis.
``No excuses,'' said Bertuzzi, who had just two goals in 14 playoff games after scoring 46 during the regular season.
``I was disappointed in the offensive production. I probably grabbed the stick a little too tight at times later in the playoffs.''
The Canucks could also see some front office changes.
Dave Nonis, Vancouver's director of hockey operations and general manager Brian Burke's right-hand man, was in San Jose Friday for his second interview to become the Sharks general manager.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
5/10/2003
VANCOUVER (CP) - His bags were packed but Trent Klatt wasn't ready to go.
The same for Murray Baron. Ditto for Brad May.
The Vancouver Canucks' pending free agents say they want to return next year. But with 14 contracts due, and the team still stinging from having its face slapped by the upstart Minnesota Wild in the second round of the NHL playoffs, there's little doubt some of the players who gathered at G.M. Place Saturday morning were cleaning out their lockers for the last time.
``You know there's always changes, with any team good or bad,'' said captain Markus Naslund.
``That's the sad part of this business that you see friends of yours leave. I think and I hope the majority of this team will stay together because I think we're destined for better things.''
Vancouver set a franchise record with 104 points this season and played before sellout crowds. The Canucks were down 3-1 against the St. Louis Blues in the opening round of the playoffs but rallied to win their first playoff series since 1995.
The loss to the Wild, after taking a 3-1 lead in the series, showed the Canucks need another offensive centre and more depth at defence.
Of the unrestricted free agents Klatt, 32, a grinding right winger who earned $900,000 US this year, might have the best chance of returning. There's some speculation the Wild might try to entice him back to his home state of Minnesota.
Given his choice Klatt wants to stay in Vancouver.
``This city has become a big part of my life,'' said Klatt.
``Hopefully things will work out. If I had it my way I would be here.''
Baron, a 35-year-old defenceman who earned $1.6 million US this season, also wants to stay but is getting long on the tooth.
``It's up to the Canucks to see what their plans are,'' he said.
The Canucks picked up May, 32, at the trading deadline from Phoenix but the left winger didn't have a point in the playoffs and finished -5.
Among the restricted free agents are goaltender Dan Cloutier, Swedish twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin, both 22, defencemen Bryan Allen, 22, Marek Malik, 27, and Sami Salo,28, centre Artem Chubarov, 23, and left winger Jarkko Ruutu, 27.
It's unlikely backup goaltender Peter Skudra, 29, who didn't even dress during the playoffs, will be resigned. Right winger Trevor Letowski, 26, was also a healthy scratch for eight of the 14 playoff games.
Centre Matts Lindgren, 28, missed the entire playoffs with a back injury.
If the Vancouver media and the people who phone radio sports programs had their way, Cloutier has played his last game in a Canuck uniform. After giving up 15 goals on 60 shots over the final three games against the Wild, Cloutier has been savaged in newspapers and on the air waves.
It will be up to management to decide if they want to stick with the 27-year-old or begin the search for another goalie.
``It's going to be a long summer,'' said Cloutier, who played the final year of a contract that paid him $1.125 million US
``I should have played better, there's no doubt in my mind. I could have been better in a lot of areas. You have to go through a few bumps before you make it.''
Cloutier won 33 games in a regular season where he missed 13 games with a knee injury and was named NHL player of the month for November.
He didn't want to speculate on how his playoff performance would affect his contract negotiations.
``It will be another thing on my mind this summer,'' said Cloutier, who will probably be seeking a salary in the $3 million US range.
``It's up to the general manager, coaches and my agents. Hopefully it gets done quick. If not, we'll wait.''
Cloutier's teammates have rallied behind him, arguing it's unfair to single the goaltender out for blame.
``It is absolutely ridiculous that everyone in this whole city is pointing a finger at him,'' snapped forward Todd Bertuzzi.
``People that are doing it have no clue about hockey. He's our MVP the whole year. If you want to point fingers and blame someone, point them at me. He played well and we let him down defensively and on some breakdowns.''
After some prodding Bertuzzi said he played the playoffs with a jammed wrist suffered early in the first round against St. Louis.
``No excuses,'' said Bertuzzi, who had just two goals in 14 playoff games after scoring 46 during the regular season.
``I was disappointed in the offensive production. I probably grabbed the stick a little too tight at times later in the playoffs.''
The Canucks could also see some front office changes.
Dave Nonis, Vancouver's director of hockey operations and general manager Brian Burke's right-hand man, was in San Jose Friday for his second interview to become the Sharks general manager.
Cheers,
Aquaman
sandorski
No Lifer
I agree with Todd, sure Cloutier let in a lot of goals, but how many were due to stupid Defensive Zone turnovers? A hell of a lot. The top line was completely shut down by St Loius and Minnesota, this is something that will need fixed for next year. Either change the line permanently(switch out Morrison for Klatt, or something like that)or change the strategy/positioning of the line. That said, if Todd's wrist was injured, that may have been a large part of his inability to produce.
Burke defends coaches, goaltender
The Canadian Press
5/12/2003
VANCOUVER (CP) - The Vancouver Canucks did a lot of things right this NHL season which made their stunning meltdown in the second round of the playoffs that much harder for general manager Brian Burke to swallow.
"I'm not good at losing," Burke told a news conference Monday. "The last few days have been difficult for this market place, not because of what we achieved as a team but because of what we did not achieve as a team. It's been a very difficult, bitter pill to swallow."
With hockey rabid Vancouver fans and media still sifting through the entrails of the Canucks loss to the Minnesota Wild - after leading the Western Conference semifinal series 3-1 - Burke stepped forward to deflect some criticism.
Burke said he's willing to accept blame for the loss.
"I haven't ruled out that I didn't do enough to help this team," he said.
"If we didn't have the right group of players that's my fault."
Burke denied any rift has developed between him and coach Marc Crawford or his staff.
"I want to rule out today any speculation, which I think is idiotic, that I fault our coaching staff or there is going to be any changes to our staff on the coaching side."
And like any angry mother bear he waded in to swat away the hounds that have been nipping at goaltender Dan Cloutier's heels.
"The notion this crushing disappointment could be placed at the door step of one player is so unfair and so wrong and so mean-spirited that it's shocking me," snapped Burke.
"Was Danny the only player who didn't live up to our expectations in the second round? No. Shame on anyone who wants to say this is Dan Cloutier's fault."
Cloutier, who allowed 15 goals on 60 shots in the final three games against the Wild, has been roasted both in the media and on radio talk programs. An e-mail circulating the Internet shows a picture of Cloutier in goal with a beach ball behind him.
Burke refused to say if Cloutier's playoff performance will be a factor when the two sides begin contract talks this summer. Cloutier was paid $1.125 millions US this season.
He is concerned about how Vancouver fans will react to the goaltender next season.
"Truthfully it does trouble me," said Burke, who hopes the revolving door of goaltenders had stopped.
"It is a goaltender graveyard. Some of the goalies that have been run out of here have enjoyed success somewhere else. Danny's mentally tough enough that it's not going to be a factor."
Instead of dwelling on what went wrong at the end of the season, Burke pointed out all that went right during the year.
Vancouver set a franchise record with 104 points, had a 10-game win streak and a 14-game unbeaten streak.
Cloutier was named played of the month in November and became the first Canucks goaltender to put together consecutive 30-win seasons. Three other Canucks were players of the week.
Captain Markus Naslund scored 48 goals and was nominated for league MVP. The team also played before soldout crowds in 37 of 41 regular season games and eight playoff matches.
"There's no reason to apologize for this season," said Burke.
Crawford said Canucks have taken a huge step from when he took over the team.
"We are continuing to learn," he said.
"We're not a champion yet. We still have to strive to improve."
For the first time since being hired in 1998, Burke said the Canucks turned a profit. But he warned the team will remain careful with its budget.
This year's payroll was around $36 million US. Burke expects that to increase to about $38 million US next season, even though he has 14 contracts to negotiate over the summer.
"We're going to have some hard decisions as far as which guys come back and which guys don't," he said.
"If I can't pay for it I don't get it. We'll pay our players what's fair and not a penny more. I have said goodbye to a lot of players here in five years over money. Good players I would love to have if I wasn't in the Canadian environment."
The often hot-tempered Burke remained amiable through most of the hour-long session but did show hints of irritation when the question of team depth, especially in the playoffs, was raised.
"The only way you go into the playoffs with no visible or apparent holes in the lineup is to spend $60 million US," he said.
"You spend ridiculous amounts of money then you have depth."
Burke said the Dallas Stars pay backup goaltender Ron Tugnutt $2.5 million US, which is twice what Cloutier earns.
"I don't have that luxury," he said.
Cheers,
Aquaman
The Canadian Press
5/12/2003
VANCOUVER (CP) - The Vancouver Canucks did a lot of things right this NHL season which made their stunning meltdown in the second round of the playoffs that much harder for general manager Brian Burke to swallow.
"I'm not good at losing," Burke told a news conference Monday. "The last few days have been difficult for this market place, not because of what we achieved as a team but because of what we did not achieve as a team. It's been a very difficult, bitter pill to swallow."
With hockey rabid Vancouver fans and media still sifting through the entrails of the Canucks loss to the Minnesota Wild - after leading the Western Conference semifinal series 3-1 - Burke stepped forward to deflect some criticism.
Burke said he's willing to accept blame for the loss.
"I haven't ruled out that I didn't do enough to help this team," he said.
"If we didn't have the right group of players that's my fault."
Burke denied any rift has developed between him and coach Marc Crawford or his staff.
"I want to rule out today any speculation, which I think is idiotic, that I fault our coaching staff or there is going to be any changes to our staff on the coaching side."
And like any angry mother bear he waded in to swat away the hounds that have been nipping at goaltender Dan Cloutier's heels.
"The notion this crushing disappointment could be placed at the door step of one player is so unfair and so wrong and so mean-spirited that it's shocking me," snapped Burke.
"Was Danny the only player who didn't live up to our expectations in the second round? No. Shame on anyone who wants to say this is Dan Cloutier's fault."
Cloutier, who allowed 15 goals on 60 shots in the final three games against the Wild, has been roasted both in the media and on radio talk programs. An e-mail circulating the Internet shows a picture of Cloutier in goal with a beach ball behind him.
Burke refused to say if Cloutier's playoff performance will be a factor when the two sides begin contract talks this summer. Cloutier was paid $1.125 millions US this season.
He is concerned about how Vancouver fans will react to the goaltender next season.
"Truthfully it does trouble me," said Burke, who hopes the revolving door of goaltenders had stopped.
"It is a goaltender graveyard. Some of the goalies that have been run out of here have enjoyed success somewhere else. Danny's mentally tough enough that it's not going to be a factor."
Instead of dwelling on what went wrong at the end of the season, Burke pointed out all that went right during the year.
Vancouver set a franchise record with 104 points, had a 10-game win streak and a 14-game unbeaten streak.
Cloutier was named played of the month in November and became the first Canucks goaltender to put together consecutive 30-win seasons. Three other Canucks were players of the week.
Captain Markus Naslund scored 48 goals and was nominated for league MVP. The team also played before soldout crowds in 37 of 41 regular season games and eight playoff matches.
"There's no reason to apologize for this season," said Burke.
Crawford said Canucks have taken a huge step from when he took over the team.
"We are continuing to learn," he said.
"We're not a champion yet. We still have to strive to improve."
For the first time since being hired in 1998, Burke said the Canucks turned a profit. But he warned the team will remain careful with its budget.
This year's payroll was around $36 million US. Burke expects that to increase to about $38 million US next season, even though he has 14 contracts to negotiate over the summer.
"We're going to have some hard decisions as far as which guys come back and which guys don't," he said.
"If I can't pay for it I don't get it. We'll pay our players what's fair and not a penny more. I have said goodbye to a lot of players here in five years over money. Good players I would love to have if I wasn't in the Canadian environment."
The often hot-tempered Burke remained amiable through most of the hour-long session but did show hints of irritation when the question of team depth, especially in the playoffs, was raised.
"The only way you go into the playoffs with no visible or apparent holes in the lineup is to spend $60 million US," he said.
"You spend ridiculous amounts of money then you have depth."
Burke said the Dallas Stars pay backup goaltender Ron Tugnutt $2.5 million US, which is twice what Cloutier earns.
"I don't have that luxury," he said.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Well found some internet access here in Gold River 😎
As far as the last (final) game.Come on a couple flokie goal and they were of to the races.What choked me (preferribly him) was Todd the big dumb WOP ,taking the penalty with just three min. to go.So much for pulling the goalie and going to overtime.Well I'll have to see if there is any room on the Ducks Bandwagon I guess.
.
.
Catch-all later
As far as the last (final) game.Come on a couple flokie goal and they were of to the races.What choked me (preferribly him) was Todd the big dumb WOP ,taking the penalty with just three min. to go.So much for pulling the goalie and going to overtime.Well I'll have to see if there is any room on the Ducks Bandwagon I guess.
.
.
Catch-all later
Naslund wins Lester B. Pearson Award
Canadian Press
6/12/2003
TORONTO (CP) - For Markus Naslund, the Lester B. Pearson Award is anything but an afterthought among NHL awards.
``I can honestly say this one is special, even though it doesn't get the publicity the Hart Trophy gets,'' the Vancouver Canucks captain said after receiving the award Thursday at a lunchtime ceremony prior to the NHL's evening awards gala.
``It's still a neat thing when your peers vote for you,'' he added.
NHL players chose Naslund as the league's most outstanding player, earning him the award named after Canada's former prime minister.
Boston captain Joe Thornton and Colorado forward Peter Forsberg were the other finalists.
Forsberg and Naslund, along with New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur, were also finalists for the Hart Trophy as league MVP. The Hart is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The Pearson winner receives $20,000 US to donate to a hockey program of his choice as part of the NHLPA's Goals & Dreams fund. Runners-up get to contribute $10,000 to the grassroots hockey program of his choice.
Naslund, 29, was second in league scoring this season with 48 goals and 56 assists in 82 games.
The first Swede to win the Pearson Award, Naslund paid tribute to those who went before him.
``I give credit to a guy like (former Toronto defenceman) Borje Salming, who came over and opened the door for all of us. I've just heard what he had to go through to get to this point, so my hat is off to him. Guys tried to intimidate him when he came over. He just battled through and showed up game in and game out.''
Canucks general manager Brian Burke said Naslund's contribution is far greater than what fans see on the ice.
``Class guy, great leader,'' said Burke. ``We've only got five players left in Vancouver that I inherited (when the GM joined the club in 1998), but thank God he was one of them.''
Both Burke and Naslund credit ex-Canucks captain Mark Messier with moulding the player Markus would become.
``Playing with Mark Messier did help develop Markus' own leadership skills, said Burke. ``He would be the first to admit that.''
Naslund agreed.
``Anytime you're around greatness, which I look at him (Messier) being, I think you try to pick up things. Just trying to see how he tried to keep the team tight, not only on the ice but off the ice, that's stuff that you try to remember.''
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
6/12/2003
TORONTO (CP) - For Markus Naslund, the Lester B. Pearson Award is anything but an afterthought among NHL awards.
``I can honestly say this one is special, even though it doesn't get the publicity the Hart Trophy gets,'' the Vancouver Canucks captain said after receiving the award Thursday at a lunchtime ceremony prior to the NHL's evening awards gala.
``It's still a neat thing when your peers vote for you,'' he added.
NHL players chose Naslund as the league's most outstanding player, earning him the award named after Canada's former prime minister.
Boston captain Joe Thornton and Colorado forward Peter Forsberg were the other finalists.
Forsberg and Naslund, along with New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur, were also finalists for the Hart Trophy as league MVP. The Hart is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The Pearson winner receives $20,000 US to donate to a hockey program of his choice as part of the NHLPA's Goals & Dreams fund. Runners-up get to contribute $10,000 to the grassroots hockey program of his choice.
Naslund, 29, was second in league scoring this season with 48 goals and 56 assists in 82 games.
The first Swede to win the Pearson Award, Naslund paid tribute to those who went before him.
``I give credit to a guy like (former Toronto defenceman) Borje Salming, who came over and opened the door for all of us. I've just heard what he had to go through to get to this point, so my hat is off to him. Guys tried to intimidate him when he came over. He just battled through and showed up game in and game out.''
Canucks general manager Brian Burke said Naslund's contribution is far greater than what fans see on the ice.
``Class guy, great leader,'' said Burke. ``We've only got five players left in Vancouver that I inherited (when the GM joined the club in 1998), but thank God he was one of them.''
Both Burke and Naslund credit ex-Canucks captain Mark Messier with moulding the player Markus would become.
``Playing with Mark Messier did help develop Markus' own leadership skills, said Burke. ``He would be the first to admit that.''
Naslund agreed.
``Anytime you're around greatness, which I look at him (Messier) being, I think you try to pick up things. Just trying to see how he tried to keep the team tight, not only on the ice but off the ice, that's stuff that you try to remember.''
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canucks select Kesler with 23rd pick
Canadian Press
6/21/2003
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CP) - Steve Tambellini knew the moment would probably come and he handled it with the kind of professionalism that demonstrated the very reason the Toronto Maple Leafs would like to hire him.
Vancouver's vice-president of player personnel sat by and watched as the Canucks passed over his son Jeff in the first round of the NHL entry draft Saturday and instead selected American centre Ryan Kesler.
``We're really consistent on our draft process. We cross names off our list and pick the best guy available,'' explained Tambellini. ``Jeff was a couple of players away on our list.''
The Canucks took Kesler 23rd overall while Jeff Tambellini went 27th to Los Angeles.
Vancouver GM Brian Burke made no apologies.
``I think it's important for people to understand that we had Jeff rated high,'' Burke said. ``But we couldn't draft him just because his dad was Steve Tambellini. That wasn't the right thing to do.
``Besides, we don't know how long Steve is going to be with us.''
The Canucks made two picks on Saturday, also selecting winger Marc-Andre Bernier of the Quebec League's Halifax Mooseheads with their second-round pick, 60th overall.
Kesler, a Michigan native, had 11 goals and 20 assists in 40 games with Ohio State last season and played for the U.S. at the world junior championship. The six-foot-one centre must now decide when he'll leave U.S. college and sign with the Canucks.
``We like his size, he's a good forechecker and an above-average skater,'' Burke said of Kesler.
The six-three Bernier, meanwhile, had 29 goals and 29 assists in 69 games with the Mooseheads this year.
``He's got some maturing to do but from a physical standpoint he's as strong as anyone in this draft,'' said Burke.
The Canucks didn't complete a trade Saturday but remain interested in acquiring a backup goalie and possibly upgrading their second forward line.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
6/21/2003
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CP) - Steve Tambellini knew the moment would probably come and he handled it with the kind of professionalism that demonstrated the very reason the Toronto Maple Leafs would like to hire him.
Vancouver's vice-president of player personnel sat by and watched as the Canucks passed over his son Jeff in the first round of the NHL entry draft Saturday and instead selected American centre Ryan Kesler.
``We're really consistent on our draft process. We cross names off our list and pick the best guy available,'' explained Tambellini. ``Jeff was a couple of players away on our list.''
The Canucks took Kesler 23rd overall while Jeff Tambellini went 27th to Los Angeles.
Vancouver GM Brian Burke made no apologies.
``I think it's important for people to understand that we had Jeff rated high,'' Burke said. ``But we couldn't draft him just because his dad was Steve Tambellini. That wasn't the right thing to do.
``Besides, we don't know how long Steve is going to be with us.''
The Canucks made two picks on Saturday, also selecting winger Marc-Andre Bernier of the Quebec League's Halifax Mooseheads with their second-round pick, 60th overall.
Kesler, a Michigan native, had 11 goals and 20 assists in 40 games with Ohio State last season and played for the U.S. at the world junior championship. The six-foot-one centre must now decide when he'll leave U.S. college and sign with the Canucks.
``We like his size, he's a good forechecker and an above-average skater,'' Burke said of Kesler.
The six-three Bernier, meanwhile, had 29 goals and 29 assists in 69 games with the Mooseheads this year.
``He's got some maturing to do but from a physical standpoint he's as strong as anyone in this draft,'' said Burke.
The Canucks didn't complete a trade Saturday but remain interested in acquiring a backup goalie and possibly upgrading their second forward line.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Roger Neilson: 1934-2003
Canadian Press
6/21/2003
(CP) - Roger Neilson will be remembered by those who knew him as, first, a friend and, second, as a hockey innovator and coach.
He was such a likable character that, even though he never married and had no living relatives, more than 1,300 people showed up when a tribute dinner was held for him last June in Toronto.
"I've always felt that the measure of a man is in how many friends he has and tonight's turnout tells you all you need to know about Roger Neilson," said emcee Harry Neale, who grew up with Neilson in Toronto.
The evening was a highlight of Neilson's life, as was his induction last November into the Hockey Hall of Fame and his investiture in May into the Order of Canada. The honours came just in time.
Neilson, who turned 69 last Monday, succumbed to cancer on Saturday.
The NHL entry draft in Nashville, Tenn., was in progress when commissioner Gary Bettman interrupted the selection of players to convey the sad news. A moment of silence was observed.
"There is no way to measure accurately the number of lives Roger Neilson touched inside and outside the hockey world during his lifetime of devotion to our game, and there is no way to measure our sorrow at news of his passing," Bettman said in a statement. "Hockey has lost a great mind, a great spirit, a great friend.
"The NHL family mourns his loss but celebrates his legacy _ the generations of players he counselled, the coaches he moulded, the changes his imagination inspired and the millions of fans he entertained."
Neilson was diagnosed in January 2001 with malignant melanoma, which is the worst form of skin cancer. In December 1999, he had been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and had a successful stem cell transplant in March 2000.
The double whammy of cancers slowed the active and popular Neilson in his last years.
Toward the end, the support of his many friends and his strong Christian faith enabled him to accept the inevitable with a positive attitude.
"I'm a lucky guy to have such loyal friends," he said in his after-dinner speech at the tribute dinner.
Neilson, who coached hockey teams for 50 years, was at one time or another head coach of 10 NHL clubs.
He was known for his quirky strategies against opponents, as the pioneer of video as a hockey teaching aid, and for his colourful and diverse collection of neckties.
He organized an annual coaching conference in Windsor, Ont., and operated hockey schools that included 1990s sessions in Israel. He was an avid Middle East history buff. On one of his trips there, he travelled through Africa with a band of friends and bungy-jumped into a river gorge from a bridge.
"He's managed to stay 16 forever," TV commentator Jim Hughson said at the tribute dinner.
As a boy, he and his friends used to hide in Maple Leaf Gardens following afternoon junior games and emerge to watch NHL games for free. They got away with it once in a while.
Neilson coached baseball and hockey teams in Toronto, and he graduated from McMaster University in Hamilton with a degree in physical education.
He got his first NHL job, a part-time scouting gig, from Scotty Bowman in 1962.
Bowman was Montreal's eastern Canada scout at the time, and he needed another pair of eyes around Toronto. Bowman remembers having difficult at certain times of the day reaching Neilson because of his newspaper routes that included hundreds of subscribers.
Neilson was named head coach of the OHL's Peterborough Petes in 1966.
The league had to change some rules during the 10 years Neilson coached the Petes. He thought up any edge he could get.
When he pulled a goalie in the last minute of a game, he'd have him lay his stick across the goalline and leave it there. Once, after an opposing team was awarded a penalty shot, he replaced his goalie with a defenceman and told him to rush the shooter.
When he had two players in the penalty box late in a game, he'd sneak on a fourth skater because it didn't matter how many penalties his team took at that stage since the rules said it couldn't have fewer than three skaters on the ice. The loopholes were all closed eventually, but Neilson never stop trying to find others.
"From the time I was 17 until now, I was just trying to win games," Neilson said at his Hockey Hall of Fame induction when the anecdotes were mentioned.
He spent hours analysing game videos to pick apart opponents' weaknesses, and to see where his own players might improve. He was a pioneer in the field, earning him the nickname Captain Video.
He also was among the first North American coaches to have his players do stretching before games and practices and to stress off-season fitness programs.
He once used his dog at the time, Jock, in an on-ice forechecking drill.
While he coached the Petes, he also worked as a high school phys-ed teacher. He always stressed to his players the importance of acquiring a university education, and he saw to it that the Petes contributed towards tuition at Trent University in Peterborough for any of his players interested in getting a degree.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without Roger," says Colin Campbell, the NHL's director of operations and a defenceman with Neilson's Petes. "He demanded quality and discipline in such a refreshing way that when you came away from a Roger experience you knew you were going to be at your best."
Neilson made his professional coaching debut in 1976 with the Dallas Blackhawks of the Central Hockey League, who were affiliated with the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.
He got his start behind NHL benches with the Leafs in 1977. In his first season, he took a team that included Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Borje Salming, Tiger Williams and Mike Palmateer through a 41-win season, and a first-round playoff upset of the emerging New York Islanders.
"He was the best coach I had in my professional career," said former Leaf Darryl Sittler.
In one of the more memorable antics in NHL history, owner Harold Ballard tried to get Neilson to wear a paper bag over his head for a Leafs home game. Ballard had told a reporter he was going to fire Neilson but, after the players spoke against the move, Ballard retained him but wanted to milk the episode for all it was worth. To his everlasting credit, Neilson refused to wear the bag and returned to the bench in his normal attire of the time _ flashy tie below a bushy head of hair with long sideburns.
He went on to work as an NHL head coach with Buffalo, Vancouver, Los Angeles, the New York Rangers, Florida, Philadelphia and Ottawa _ the Senators giving him a game on April 13, 2002, so he could reach 1,000.
"I've been fired pretty well every way there is," he said.
He also was an assistant coach in Buffalo, Chicago, St. Louis and Ottawa, where he was working until the ravages of cancer finally kept him from making it to the Corel Centre.
During the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs coaching the Canucks, Neilson waved a white towel at the on-ice officials in mock surrender. Ever since, fans wave white towels in a show of support for the home team.
His favourite stop was Florida, where he took a collection of castoffs to a 33-34-17 expansion-season record on John Vanbiesbrouck's goaltending and stifling defensive play.
"Of all the places I've coached, it was probably my most enjoyable two years," he said. "There was a special bond there between us all and they all felt it and I did, too.
"It was a great experience."
He often lived close to his team's practice facility so he could cycle to work. He loved dogs, and boats. He maintained a cottage near Peterborough all of his adult life, and returned to it every summer. As a way of giving back to hockey, he owned a Jr. B team in Lindsay, Ont., where he operated hockey schools for many years.
At every level he coached, he stressed strong defensive play and in-your-face hockey. He could get worked up during the course of a game and more than once was called to task by the NHL for hurling sticks or whatever else was handy onto the ice to protest referees' calls.
If he had one regret, it was that he never coached a team that won the Stanley Cup. The closest he got was with the 1980 Canucks, who were swept in the final by the New York Islanders. In 1991-92, he coached the Rangers to first overall during the regular season. He considered that one to be the best NHL team he coached.
His closest tie to an NHL championship was his work as videotape analyst during the playoffs for the Edmonton Oilers in their first Cup conquest in 1984.
While coaching the Flyers in 1999, the bone cancer was discovered, and he had to be replaced by assistant Craig Ramsey for the end of the 1999-2000 season.
He hoped to return for the playoffs but was kept out by general manager Bob Clarke, who then let Neilson go after the season, prompting the then-65-year-old coach to say: "I don't think they want a cancer patient who is a friend of Eric Lindros right now."
Still, he didn't hold a grudge.
"It's too bad it ended that way," he said. "Bobby and I are still great friends today.
"One disagreement in three or four years of a relationship _ it's bound to happen."
He landed in Ottawa, and he was afflicted with skin cancer, requiring a new round of chemotherapy treatments.
Despite the health problems, he kept an upbeat personna when in public.
"You've never met a more humble person," longtime friend and current Petes GM Jeff Twohey told the Sporting News. "You sometimes forget when you're around him that this guy is one of the foremost innovators on hockey in the world."
When reports last December said cancer had spread to his brain, Neilson tried to downplay them.
"You just don't want people to worry about you and the team to worry about you," he said. "I just want to go about my business.
"We all know it's better for everybody if we just keep things to ourselves."
He began receiving outpatient treatments at an Ottawa hospital last November, and he said he was satisfied with the reports he was receiving from his doctors.
"You have to be positive about things," he said. "It's nice to have your Christian faith to help you through these things."
A section of Peterborough's main street was renamed Neilson Drive early in 2003.
Hockey was his life.
"This is the best game and, not only that, we've got the best people in the game," he said during his speech on the night of his Hall induction. "I experienced this personally in the past few years with my health problems. The hockey community gave unbelievable support."
He was always grateful to get the chance to work for the Senators. He was able to work only a few hours' drive from his summer home.
"They've proved to be a terrific organization," he said. "They really take care of their people.
"It couldn't have been a better fit."
Before Game 5 of the 2003 Eastern Conference final, with Ottawa down 3-1 to New Jersey, he gave a brief talk to the players to tell them not to waste their chance at glory.
"From a guy who only made it to the Stanley Cup finals once, he told us that you have to know that it's not a given that if you lose you'll be back the next year," said forward Shaun Van Allen. "It doesn't work that way. This might be your chance, so take it."
The Senators won that night, and again two nights later to even the series.
Condolenses,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
6/21/2003
(CP) - Roger Neilson will be remembered by those who knew him as, first, a friend and, second, as a hockey innovator and coach.
He was such a likable character that, even though he never married and had no living relatives, more than 1,300 people showed up when a tribute dinner was held for him last June in Toronto.
"I've always felt that the measure of a man is in how many friends he has and tonight's turnout tells you all you need to know about Roger Neilson," said emcee Harry Neale, who grew up with Neilson in Toronto.
The evening was a highlight of Neilson's life, as was his induction last November into the Hockey Hall of Fame and his investiture in May into the Order of Canada. The honours came just in time.
Neilson, who turned 69 last Monday, succumbed to cancer on Saturday.
The NHL entry draft in Nashville, Tenn., was in progress when commissioner Gary Bettman interrupted the selection of players to convey the sad news. A moment of silence was observed.
"There is no way to measure accurately the number of lives Roger Neilson touched inside and outside the hockey world during his lifetime of devotion to our game, and there is no way to measure our sorrow at news of his passing," Bettman said in a statement. "Hockey has lost a great mind, a great spirit, a great friend.
"The NHL family mourns his loss but celebrates his legacy _ the generations of players he counselled, the coaches he moulded, the changes his imagination inspired and the millions of fans he entertained."
Neilson was diagnosed in January 2001 with malignant melanoma, which is the worst form of skin cancer. In December 1999, he had been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and had a successful stem cell transplant in March 2000.
The double whammy of cancers slowed the active and popular Neilson in his last years.
Toward the end, the support of his many friends and his strong Christian faith enabled him to accept the inevitable with a positive attitude.
"I'm a lucky guy to have such loyal friends," he said in his after-dinner speech at the tribute dinner.
Neilson, who coached hockey teams for 50 years, was at one time or another head coach of 10 NHL clubs.
He was known for his quirky strategies against opponents, as the pioneer of video as a hockey teaching aid, and for his colourful and diverse collection of neckties.
He organized an annual coaching conference in Windsor, Ont., and operated hockey schools that included 1990s sessions in Israel. He was an avid Middle East history buff. On one of his trips there, he travelled through Africa with a band of friends and bungy-jumped into a river gorge from a bridge.
"He's managed to stay 16 forever," TV commentator Jim Hughson said at the tribute dinner.
As a boy, he and his friends used to hide in Maple Leaf Gardens following afternoon junior games and emerge to watch NHL games for free. They got away with it once in a while.
Neilson coached baseball and hockey teams in Toronto, and he graduated from McMaster University in Hamilton with a degree in physical education.
He got his first NHL job, a part-time scouting gig, from Scotty Bowman in 1962.
Bowman was Montreal's eastern Canada scout at the time, and he needed another pair of eyes around Toronto. Bowman remembers having difficult at certain times of the day reaching Neilson because of his newspaper routes that included hundreds of subscribers.
Neilson was named head coach of the OHL's Peterborough Petes in 1966.
The league had to change some rules during the 10 years Neilson coached the Petes. He thought up any edge he could get.
When he pulled a goalie in the last minute of a game, he'd have him lay his stick across the goalline and leave it there. Once, after an opposing team was awarded a penalty shot, he replaced his goalie with a defenceman and told him to rush the shooter.
When he had two players in the penalty box late in a game, he'd sneak on a fourth skater because it didn't matter how many penalties his team took at that stage since the rules said it couldn't have fewer than three skaters on the ice. The loopholes were all closed eventually, but Neilson never stop trying to find others.
"From the time I was 17 until now, I was just trying to win games," Neilson said at his Hockey Hall of Fame induction when the anecdotes were mentioned.
He spent hours analysing game videos to pick apart opponents' weaknesses, and to see where his own players might improve. He was a pioneer in the field, earning him the nickname Captain Video.
He also was among the first North American coaches to have his players do stretching before games and practices and to stress off-season fitness programs.
He once used his dog at the time, Jock, in an on-ice forechecking drill.
While he coached the Petes, he also worked as a high school phys-ed teacher. He always stressed to his players the importance of acquiring a university education, and he saw to it that the Petes contributed towards tuition at Trent University in Peterborough for any of his players interested in getting a degree.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without Roger," says Colin Campbell, the NHL's director of operations and a defenceman with Neilson's Petes. "He demanded quality and discipline in such a refreshing way that when you came away from a Roger experience you knew you were going to be at your best."
Neilson made his professional coaching debut in 1976 with the Dallas Blackhawks of the Central Hockey League, who were affiliated with the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.
He got his start behind NHL benches with the Leafs in 1977. In his first season, he took a team that included Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Borje Salming, Tiger Williams and Mike Palmateer through a 41-win season, and a first-round playoff upset of the emerging New York Islanders.
"He was the best coach I had in my professional career," said former Leaf Darryl Sittler.
In one of the more memorable antics in NHL history, owner Harold Ballard tried to get Neilson to wear a paper bag over his head for a Leafs home game. Ballard had told a reporter he was going to fire Neilson but, after the players spoke against the move, Ballard retained him but wanted to milk the episode for all it was worth. To his everlasting credit, Neilson refused to wear the bag and returned to the bench in his normal attire of the time _ flashy tie below a bushy head of hair with long sideburns.
He went on to work as an NHL head coach with Buffalo, Vancouver, Los Angeles, the New York Rangers, Florida, Philadelphia and Ottawa _ the Senators giving him a game on April 13, 2002, so he could reach 1,000.
"I've been fired pretty well every way there is," he said.
He also was an assistant coach in Buffalo, Chicago, St. Louis and Ottawa, where he was working until the ravages of cancer finally kept him from making it to the Corel Centre.
During the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs coaching the Canucks, Neilson waved a white towel at the on-ice officials in mock surrender. Ever since, fans wave white towels in a show of support for the home team.
His favourite stop was Florida, where he took a collection of castoffs to a 33-34-17 expansion-season record on John Vanbiesbrouck's goaltending and stifling defensive play.
"Of all the places I've coached, it was probably my most enjoyable two years," he said. "There was a special bond there between us all and they all felt it and I did, too.
"It was a great experience."
He often lived close to his team's practice facility so he could cycle to work. He loved dogs, and boats. He maintained a cottage near Peterborough all of his adult life, and returned to it every summer. As a way of giving back to hockey, he owned a Jr. B team in Lindsay, Ont., where he operated hockey schools for many years.
At every level he coached, he stressed strong defensive play and in-your-face hockey. He could get worked up during the course of a game and more than once was called to task by the NHL for hurling sticks or whatever else was handy onto the ice to protest referees' calls.
If he had one regret, it was that he never coached a team that won the Stanley Cup. The closest he got was with the 1980 Canucks, who were swept in the final by the New York Islanders. In 1991-92, he coached the Rangers to first overall during the regular season. He considered that one to be the best NHL team he coached.
His closest tie to an NHL championship was his work as videotape analyst during the playoffs for the Edmonton Oilers in their first Cup conquest in 1984.
While coaching the Flyers in 1999, the bone cancer was discovered, and he had to be replaced by assistant Craig Ramsey for the end of the 1999-2000 season.
He hoped to return for the playoffs but was kept out by general manager Bob Clarke, who then let Neilson go after the season, prompting the then-65-year-old coach to say: "I don't think they want a cancer patient who is a friend of Eric Lindros right now."
Still, he didn't hold a grudge.
"It's too bad it ended that way," he said. "Bobby and I are still great friends today.
"One disagreement in three or four years of a relationship _ it's bound to happen."
He landed in Ottawa, and he was afflicted with skin cancer, requiring a new round of chemotherapy treatments.
Despite the health problems, he kept an upbeat personna when in public.
"You've never met a more humble person," longtime friend and current Petes GM Jeff Twohey told the Sporting News. "You sometimes forget when you're around him that this guy is one of the foremost innovators on hockey in the world."
When reports last December said cancer had spread to his brain, Neilson tried to downplay them.
"You just don't want people to worry about you and the team to worry about you," he said. "I just want to go about my business.
"We all know it's better for everybody if we just keep things to ourselves."
He began receiving outpatient treatments at an Ottawa hospital last November, and he said he was satisfied with the reports he was receiving from his doctors.
"You have to be positive about things," he said. "It's nice to have your Christian faith to help you through these things."
A section of Peterborough's main street was renamed Neilson Drive early in 2003.
Hockey was his life.
"This is the best game and, not only that, we've got the best people in the game," he said during his speech on the night of his Hall induction. "I experienced this personally in the past few years with my health problems. The hockey community gave unbelievable support."
He was always grateful to get the chance to work for the Senators. He was able to work only a few hours' drive from his summer home.
"They've proved to be a terrific organization," he said. "They really take care of their people.
"It couldn't have been a better fit."
Before Game 5 of the 2003 Eastern Conference final, with Ottawa down 3-1 to New Jersey, he gave a brief talk to the players to tell them not to waste their chance at glory.
"From a guy who only made it to the Stanley Cup finals once, he told us that you have to know that it's not a given that if you lose you'll be back the next year," said forward Shaun Van Allen. "It doesn't work that way. This might be your chance, so take it."
The Senators won that night, and again two nights later to even the series.
Condolenses,
Aquaman
Canucks' ticket hike to fuel bigger payroll: Burke
Kevin Woodley
VANCOUVER ? Brian Burke has been called a lot of things during his tenure with the Vancouver Canucks, but unprepared is not one of them. Tuesday night's "State of the Franchise" address at GM Place was a perfect example why.
Faced with 1,500 season ticket holders, all of whom recently received a letter asking them to shell out an extra eight per cent for next year's seats, the Canucks president and general manager diffused any animosity by promising the cash will go back into the on-ice product.
"Trust me," said Burke, who also drew applause by promising to continue playing offence-first hockey and not to give the Sedin twins a raise. "It's our intention to make sure every penny of additional ticket revenue based on the increase will go back into player payroll or some form of hockey operations."
Burke said shortly after the playoffs ended that the player budget, which finished last year at $36 million (all figures in US dollars) and reportedly generated profits of $10 million for owner John McCaw, would be set at $38 million next season. On Tuesday, he said it will now be increased "closer to $41 million."
Burke wasn't eager to talk specifics about where the money will go. He didn't hesitate, however, to tell the fans where it wouldn't be spent, a list he warned could included soon-to-be unrestricted free agents (UFAs) Trent Klatt, Brad May and Murray Baron, as well as restricted free agent Trevor Letowski.
Vancouver's hard-line stance with impending UFAs has already been well documented, but the possibility Letowski might walk away for nothing comes as a bit of a surprise. The small but speedy forward had 11 goals and 25 points in 78 regular season games, but was a healthy scratch for eight playoff games, and requires a qualifying offer of $880,000 by June 30 to retain his rights.
"I'm not sure we're going to pick that up," said Burke, following a new trend among NHL GMs indicating they may have to let overpriced assets leave for nothing in the face of a new collective bargaining agreement in 2004.
With a "love-in" environment to work with, Burke was equally candid about contract talks with his three UFAs.
The Canucks didn't offer May a contract before the draft because the third-round pick they sent to Phoenix to acquire him would have automatically become a second-round pick.
That said, Burke pointed pessimistically to the fact May turned down a two-year, $1.5 million extension offered by the Coyotes before the draft.
"I'm not optimistic he's going to be back here," Burke said.
Vancouver offered Baron a one-year contract, but reportedly for $1 million, a considerable reduction from the $1.6 million he made last season. Burke said that was too much for someone in the "five hole" on defence, but neglected to mention the 36-year-old Baron's shot-blocking and penalty-killing prowess.
He was no more flattering when it came to Klatt, who already turned down one- and two-year offers from the Canucks. According to Burke, who labelled the popular locker-room leader a "third-line winger" who averaged 10 goals and 62 games over the last five years, the first offer was for one year at $1 million. A second year was added later for half that amount, and when Klatt balked again, Burke boosted the first year (reports indicate it was $1.2 million) before taking all deals off the table.
"If another team thinks he's worth more than that, good for Trent. I'll drive him to the airport and wish him well," Burke said, repeating a line heard shortly before Andrew Cassels and Scott Lachance did exactly that last summer.
As for replacing future departures, Burke openly admitted he didn't think the players could come from within the farm system. Instead he'll watch closely as other teams tender qualifying offers, and look for hidden gems among players left off those lists, which could include the Canucks' next backup goaltender.
"We are in active trade talks to try and get a backup goaltender, but I am also convinced if we wait until July 1 there will be a very interesting list of names available," he said.
More Canucks news
Burke's hour-plus address included a question-and-answer session, and both segments touched on several interesting topics, ranging from season ticket sales to Dan Cloutier's next backup goaltender. Heres an abbreviated list:
- After playing in front of a staggeringly low 2,200 empty seats throughout the entire 2002-03 season, the Canucks continue to attract new customers. Last year they sold 11,900 season tickets, and after adding 3,400 new subscribers since the end of the season, Burke said "our goal is 15,500 season tickets and we have an excellent shot at getting there."
- Burke wouldn't commit to the type of goaltender he wanted to play with Cloutier, but insisted he was close to landing one last weekend in Nashville: "Frankly, I thought I had something done at the draft and then the team came back and added some conditions, and my skills at cursing were tested."
- Burke on the club's immediate needs: "The media says we need a second-line centre. I don't know if we need a second-line centre. We might need another top-six forward, but we'll have to see who's available and what the price tag is."
- Burke said the Canucks are trying to sign their first-round picks from both this year's draft and the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, forwards Ryan Kesler and R.J. Umberger, respectively, of Ohio State University. He also said they would try to sign Russian defenceman Kirill Koltsov, the team's first pick, 49th overall, in last year's draft, and defenceman Tomas Mojzis, who was recently named a CHL All-Star after playing for Seattle in the WHL.
"If we can put all these guys in, I don't think we've ever, in the history of the franchise, had that many top prospects and that much skill in our farm system," Burke said.
- Burke also said right-hand man Dave Nonis was close to re-signing feisty Finnish forward Jarkko Ruutu to a new contract, and expects Cloutier and defencemen Sami Salo and Marek Malik will exercise arbitration rights.
Kevin Woodley
VANCOUVER ? Brian Burke has been called a lot of things during his tenure with the Vancouver Canucks, but unprepared is not one of them. Tuesday night's "State of the Franchise" address at GM Place was a perfect example why.
Faced with 1,500 season ticket holders, all of whom recently received a letter asking them to shell out an extra eight per cent for next year's seats, the Canucks president and general manager diffused any animosity by promising the cash will go back into the on-ice product.
"Trust me," said Burke, who also drew applause by promising to continue playing offence-first hockey and not to give the Sedin twins a raise. "It's our intention to make sure every penny of additional ticket revenue based on the increase will go back into player payroll or some form of hockey operations."
Burke said shortly after the playoffs ended that the player budget, which finished last year at $36 million (all figures in US dollars) and reportedly generated profits of $10 million for owner John McCaw, would be set at $38 million next season. On Tuesday, he said it will now be increased "closer to $41 million."
Burke wasn't eager to talk specifics about where the money will go. He didn't hesitate, however, to tell the fans where it wouldn't be spent, a list he warned could included soon-to-be unrestricted free agents (UFAs) Trent Klatt, Brad May and Murray Baron, as well as restricted free agent Trevor Letowski.
Vancouver's hard-line stance with impending UFAs has already been well documented, but the possibility Letowski might walk away for nothing comes as a bit of a surprise. The small but speedy forward had 11 goals and 25 points in 78 regular season games, but was a healthy scratch for eight playoff games, and requires a qualifying offer of $880,000 by June 30 to retain his rights.
"I'm not sure we're going to pick that up," said Burke, following a new trend among NHL GMs indicating they may have to let overpriced assets leave for nothing in the face of a new collective bargaining agreement in 2004.
With a "love-in" environment to work with, Burke was equally candid about contract talks with his three UFAs.
The Canucks didn't offer May a contract before the draft because the third-round pick they sent to Phoenix to acquire him would have automatically become a second-round pick.
That said, Burke pointed pessimistically to the fact May turned down a two-year, $1.5 million extension offered by the Coyotes before the draft.
"I'm not optimistic he's going to be back here," Burke said.
Vancouver offered Baron a one-year contract, but reportedly for $1 million, a considerable reduction from the $1.6 million he made last season. Burke said that was too much for someone in the "five hole" on defence, but neglected to mention the 36-year-old Baron's shot-blocking and penalty-killing prowess.
He was no more flattering when it came to Klatt, who already turned down one- and two-year offers from the Canucks. According to Burke, who labelled the popular locker-room leader a "third-line winger" who averaged 10 goals and 62 games over the last five years, the first offer was for one year at $1 million. A second year was added later for half that amount, and when Klatt balked again, Burke boosted the first year (reports indicate it was $1.2 million) before taking all deals off the table.
"If another team thinks he's worth more than that, good for Trent. I'll drive him to the airport and wish him well," Burke said, repeating a line heard shortly before Andrew Cassels and Scott Lachance did exactly that last summer.
As for replacing future departures, Burke openly admitted he didn't think the players could come from within the farm system. Instead he'll watch closely as other teams tender qualifying offers, and look for hidden gems among players left off those lists, which could include the Canucks' next backup goaltender.
"We are in active trade talks to try and get a backup goaltender, but I am also convinced if we wait until July 1 there will be a very interesting list of names available," he said.
More Canucks news
Burke's hour-plus address included a question-and-answer session, and both segments touched on several interesting topics, ranging from season ticket sales to Dan Cloutier's next backup goaltender. Heres an abbreviated list:
- After playing in front of a staggeringly low 2,200 empty seats throughout the entire 2002-03 season, the Canucks continue to attract new customers. Last year they sold 11,900 season tickets, and after adding 3,400 new subscribers since the end of the season, Burke said "our goal is 15,500 season tickets and we have an excellent shot at getting there."
- Burke wouldn't commit to the type of goaltender he wanted to play with Cloutier, but insisted he was close to landing one last weekend in Nashville: "Frankly, I thought I had something done at the draft and then the team came back and added some conditions, and my skills at cursing were tested."
- Burke on the club's immediate needs: "The media says we need a second-line centre. I don't know if we need a second-line centre. We might need another top-six forward, but we'll have to see who's available and what the price tag is."
- Burke said the Canucks are trying to sign their first-round picks from both this year's draft and the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, forwards Ryan Kesler and R.J. Umberger, respectively, of Ohio State University. He also said they would try to sign Russian defenceman Kirill Koltsov, the team's first pick, 49th overall, in last year's draft, and defenceman Tomas Mojzis, who was recently named a CHL All-Star after playing for Seattle in the WHL.
"If we can put all these guys in, I don't think we've ever, in the history of the franchise, had that many top prospects and that much skill in our farm system," Burke said.
- Burke also said right-hand man Dave Nonis was close to re-signing feisty Finnish forward Jarkko Ruutu to a new contract, and expects Cloutier and defencemen Sami Salo and Marek Malik will exercise arbitration rights.
- Status
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