What would YOU do as GM in the off-season...

[oscarheyman]

Signed contracts for 2008/09 (cap hits):

Forwards:
H. Sedin.............................$3.575 million
D. Sedin.............................$3.575 million
R. Kesler.............................$1.75 million
T. Pyatt.............................$1.575 million
M. Pettinger........................$1.1 million
J. Cowan (ugh)....................$725,000
M. Raymond........................$883,000 (two-way deal)
A. Burrows..........................$483,000

Defense:
K. Bieksa............................$3.75 million
M. Ohlund...........................$3.5 million (no trade clause)
W. Mitchell..........................$3.5 million (no trade clause)
S. Salo...............................$3.5 million (no trade clause)
L. Krajicek...........................$1.1 million
A. Edler...............................$550,000

Goaltending:
R. Luongo............................$6.75 million

Buyouts:
M. Chouinard.........................$367,000

Totals.................................$36.683 million

Players left to sign: 5 forwards, 1 defenseman, 1 goalie

Cap space to spend (assuming $2 million "wiggle room" & $56 million cap): Around 17.5 million.

Much as I would like Cowan to be waived to Manitoba - it won't happen (at least not until much later in the season). Canuck owner isn't THAT wealthy (and he won't be too happy about paying for another mistake combined with no playoff revenue this season).

[CCF23]

Resign Markus Naslund to a 1 year - $3 million Contract. (+$3 million salary)

Resign Aaron Miller to a 1 year - $1.5 million Contract. (+$1.5 million salary)

Resign Mike Weaver to a 1 year - $600,000 Contract (+$600,000 salary)

Resign Trevor Linden to a 1 year - $750,000 Contract. (+$750,000 salary)

Resign Drew MacIntyre to a 1 year - $550,000 Contract (+$550,000 salary)

Use Jannik Hansen full time (+$520,000 salary)

Trade Kevin Bieksa, Cory Schneider, and a 1st round draft pick in 09 for the rights to Jeff Carter. (-$3.75 million salary)

Sign Jeff Carter 5 years @ $5 million a season (+$5 million salary)

Sign Kristian Huselius to a 2 year contract @ $3 million per season (+$3 million salary)

Forwards:

J. Carter...................$5 million
H. Sedin....................$3.575 million
D. Sedin....................$3.575 million
M. Naslund................$3 million
K. Huselius................$3 million
R. Kesler...................$1.75 million
T. Pyatt....................$1.575 million
M. Pettinger...............$1.1 million
M. Raymond...............$883,000 (two-way deal)
T. Linden...................$750,000
J. Cowan (ugh)...........$725,000
J. Hansen...................$520,000
A. Burrows..................$483,000
Forward Total..............$25.936 million

Defense:

M. Ohlund...................$3.5 million (NTC)
W. Mitchell.................$3.5 million (NTC)
S. Salo.......................$3.5 million (NTC)
A. Miller......................$1.5 million
L. Krajicek...................$1.1 million
M. Weaver...................$600,000
A. Edler.......................$550,000
Defense Total...............$14.25 million

Goalies:

R. Luongo.....................$6.75 million
D. MacIntyre.................$550,000
Goalie Total...................$7.3 million

Team total.....................$47.486 million

With a lineup of:

Sedin - Sedin - Naslund
Huselius - Carter - Raymond
Burrows - Kesler - Hansen
Pettinger - Linden - Pyatt

Edler - Ohlund
Mitchell - Salo
Miller - Krajicek

Luongo
MacIntyre

Hell...I was way under the cap total...You could maybe add a better backup or someone better than Huselius, but what do you guys think? Leaves room for next year should the Sedins want a raise too.

[MrCanuck]

As much as I like Naslund, I don't want him back despite the likely discounted rate. I think this team needs new direction and new leadership. I think Naslund would be much better off on a team like Detroit where he can be a second line guy and just focus on his game rather than being the captain.

I'd also try to throw Cowan and Pyatt into any trade just to get rid of the dead weight. I always thought it was a mistake to pay Pyatt based on his production with the Sedins...just look at what Carter did after he lost them as linemates.

[MrCanuck]

I'd also bring in more offensively gifted players (obviously) and then change the style of this team away from this apparent trap system. I'd rather lose entertaining games then win boring games. I can accept that this style was needed over the past two years given the handcuffing of our contracts, but now that we have space and money to reshape this team, I suggest that we change our style as well. Our time is now.

[Dean87]

CCF I like your suggestions a lot. You got us a young big center that will be here for years to come and can score. You gave us four solid lines that we can roll, all that can score but also be defensively responsible. We will be able to send waves of attack at the opponent. Our defense is still pretty solid, except I'd put Bourdon in there, atleast as a 7th man. Altogether a good team.

However there are two things I would change.

One is that I would not go for Huselius. He is not a heart and soul hard working guy that will help carry a team. I also think he'll get more money then what you suggested and I personally don't think he's worth it. I would rather go for a guy like Stillman to be the second line winger. He can still score but is also feisty and has been to the finals twice in the past few years.

Secondly I don't think Linden is coming back. This is the end of the road for him. His body is wearing down. They had to rest him for several games before the final stretch drive. I love the guy but it's time for him to hang them up. You have tons of extra cap space so I'd re-sign Morrison and put him in that spot, giving us an even more dangerous fourth line. Then we can really roll them. Or if not Mo, then have Shannon there.

[donald baldhead]

it's too bad linden went out this way.. would've like to see him have some success in the playoffs.

[TheDominator]

Brian Rolston would do wonders for our special teams.

[petrishriekandgo]

Rolston and Mitchell are really good friends as well... you never know.

What I want is a system where you PLAY TO WIN and not where you play not to loose as in AV's system. His tentativeness and safe play cost us leads, cost us momentum and cost us games ALL SEASON.

As I said before... I'd keep him around BUT... if we're the players aren't responding early in the season I'd have his replacement ready to go in a heartbeat.

[Woodrov]

Don't forget about Bourdon for the defence. I think he'll be good to go full time next year, and Weaver can be the odd man out. I don't think we really got to see what Aaron Miller had to offer. He was fantastic in the early part of the season and sort of got hit with the injury big, bring him back for sure.

Rolston would be huge. Any player who has the guts to take a slap shot in the shootout is someone you want on your team. Do you think the Wild will let him get to free agency, though?

[donald baldhead]

who knows with the wild.. doogie seems to be only wanting enforcers lately..