MAY 10, 2003.

CLOUTIER'S CONTRACT STATUS IN DOUBT?

VANCOUVER SUN/VANCOUVER PROVINCE: all reported the Canucks upset loss at the hands of the Minnesota Wild could have implications for goalie Dan Cloutier's upcoming contract negotiations this summer. Cloutier is a restricted free agent who'll be seeking a raise from the $1.1 million US he was earning, but several columnists from both papers suggested Cloutier's "meltdown" against the Wild (coupled with the one he suffered against the Detroit Red Wings in last year's post-season) could have adverse effect on those contract talks.

Spector's Note: For the record, the Canucks are publicly supporting Cloutier. That won't stop speculation GM Brian Burke could seek an upgrade. As it stands, it'll be interesting to see how Cloutier's contract talks go this summer.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

KHABIBULIN TO VANCOUVER?

HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA ON CBC: during a recent second intermission "Sattelite Hotstove", Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun and Al Strachan of the Toronto Sun both claimed there was "talk" out of Vancouver of several Canucks players unhappy over the goaltending of Dan Cloutier in this year's playoffs. Garrioch suggested the Canucks "need to change direction" and trade for another goaltending. He claimed Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Nikolai Khabibulin was unhappy over being benched in a critical playoff game against New Jersey and was butting heads with head coach John Tortorella. Garrioch believed Khabibulin would be "a good fit" in Vancouver.

Spector's Note: Guess Bruce and Al didn't bother to read Saturday's St. Petersburg Times (see below), where Lightning GM Jay Feaster stated he wasn't trading Khabibulin. See folks, I told you Vancouver management's public support of Cloutier wouldn't stop trade speculation in the press!

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

KLATT HOPES TO REMAIN A CANUCK.

VANCOUVER PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reported last week forward Trent Klatt, an unrestricted free agent on July 1, hopes to remain with the Canucks. He could've signed an contract extension last November, but held off on the advice of his agent. Having had what could be considered a career year, Klatt's worth has now increased. Kuzma believes Klatt's energy and work ethic make him indespensible, however, if he does opt for free agency, it's possible Klatt, a Minnesota native, could be courted by the Wild, although GM Doug Risebrough denied this.

Spector's Note: Klatt made $900 K last season, so any raise he gets will still make him affordable. Naturally, Risebrough denied interest in Klatt, as he'd be violating the NHL's free agent tampering laws. Doesn't mean he wouldn't consider making Klatt an offer.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

In Antwort auf:

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KHABIBULIN TO VANCOUVER?

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Der arme Cloutier, muß im Moment Hohn und Spott über sich ergehen lassen. Diese Fotos gehen im Moment als Anhang zu einer Mail mit dem Titel " WE NEED A NEW GOALIE ! " in Canada um. Habe sie heute von meinem Cousin in Vancouver bekommen. Der arme war live dabei

Ganz schön fies ! Aber gut !
Grobi

CANUCKS TO SHOP FOR A BACKUP GOALIE?

VANCOUVER PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reported last week Canucks GM Brian Burke needed to find a backup goaltender who could "push his starter", Dan Cloutier. It's believed the Canucks won't re-sign current backup Peter Skudra and would prefer if Alex Auld played a full season in the AHL. Burke denied shopping for a backup goalie during the trade deadline, when it was rumoured he was interested in Florida Panthers backup Jani Hurme.

Spector's Note: Burke claims his hands are tied financially when it comes to shopping for a capable backup for Cloutier, but he could find an affordable one this summer. Given his present situation, he really has no choice. Those he could pursue include San Jose's Miikka Kiprusoff, Anaheim's Martin Gerber, Buffalo's Mika Noronen, or Phoenix's Zak Bierk.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

One of the concerns of the Vancouver Canucks was lack of depth at centre, where Trevor Linden was better suited on the wing and Henrik Sedin isn't ready to step into the role of second-line centre. Matheson suggested signing potential UFA Vaclav Prospal or even seeking out the services of 42-year-old Igor Larionov.

Spector's Note: The Lightning hope to re-sign Prospal, but if they can't, the Canucks could expect to be bidding against several other clubs who'd love to grab him as an affordable free agent signing. As for Larionov, he's suggested he'd like to return for one more season, but only as a Red Wing.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

KLATT HOPES TO STAY WITH CANUCKS.

VANCOUVER PROVINCE: Terry Bell reported last weekend Canucks forward Trent Klatt remains hopeful of staying with the club, despite rejecting an offer from the team last week. Klatt, an unrestricted free agent on July 1, seeks a three-year deal, but the Canucks "balked" at that. Klatt states money isn't the issue, just the term of the deal, but remains optimistic one can be in place before the end of June. He also suggested he'd wait past the July 1 deadline to get a new contract from the Canucks.

Spector's Note: Klatt is a popular player both with his teammates and the fans for his hardworking style. If he really wants to stay in Vancouver, however, he may have to accept a two-year deal

nix neues von "meinen" canucks

gruß, mick (bekennender alteuropäer)

CHANGES COMING FOR THE CANUCKS.

BOSTON GLOBE: Nancy Marrapese-Burrell reports Vancouver Canucks GM Brian Burke has been trying to move forward Trevor Letowski, and likely won't tender Letowski, a Group II free agent, a qualifying offer. Burke also withdrew a two-year contract offer to impending UFA forward Trent Klatt, which was believed to have bumped him over the $900K per season he was previously making. Burke cited budget constraints, Klatt's injury history and his average of "62 games and something like 10 goals, 12 assists, and 17 minutes."

Spector's Note: The Canucks won't miss Letowski, but Klatt is another matter. He was a popular veteran leader on the team, although Burke's point is well-taken. Expect the Canucks to sniff around the UFA market for an inexpensive replacement, although that won't be easy to find.

Canucks re-sign gritty Brad May

Canadian Press

VANCOUVER (CP) - The Vancouver Canucks re-signed unrestricted free agent Brad May to a two-year contract Friday.
The physical winger was unable to reach agreement with the Canucks after the season ended and hit the free-agent market July 1. But the Canucks were able to real him in.
May, 31, had three goals, four assists and 42 penalty minutes in 23 games with Phoenix and Vancouver last season. He played in all 14 playoff games with the Canucks, recording 15 penalty minutes.
May was originally acquired by the Canucks in February 1998 and played in 152 games in a Vancouver uniform before being traded to the Coyotes in June 2000 in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2001 NHL entry draft. He came back to the Canucks at the trade deadline last March.
In 734 career NHL games, May has 115 goals, 140 assists and 1,800 penalty minutes. The 6-1, 215-pound native of Toronto was chosen 14th overall in the first round of the 1990 entry draft by Buffalo.

http://www.tsn.ca

Atenio

Bapho!

Canucks re-sign G Cloutier, D Malik

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) - The Vancouver Canucks re-signed restricted free agent goaltender Dan Cloutier to a one-year contract on Tuesday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Cloutier, 27, is coming off his best season, going 33-16-7 with a 2.42 goals-against average in 57 games with the Canucks. He was named Player of the Month for November, when he posted an 11-1-0 record and 2.15 GAA.

"We are pleased to have Dan under contract for another year," said Canucks president Brian Burke. "Dan has been a very important part of our team's growth over the last few seasons and we believe he will continue to take strides and have another strong season again this year."

Acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in February 2001, Cloutier has a 9-12 record with a 3.43 goals-against average in 22 playoff games over the last three seasons.

A first-round pick of the New York Rangers in 1994, Cloutier played in 34 games with the Rangers before being traded to Tampa Bay in 1999-2000.

The Canucks on Tuesday also re-signed defenseman Marek Malik to a two-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Malik, 28, had seven goals and 11 assists in 69 games with Vancouver last season after being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes. He played in all 14 of Vancouver's playoff games last season and had one goal and one assist.

The 6-5, 235-pound Malik has 24 goals and 71 assists in 386 NHL games with Carolina and Vancouver.

Q:nhl.com

John LeClair breaks down the left wing all alone, moves into the circle and cranks a wicked slap shot with zero hesitation. The baffled goaltender is left with no answers, just questions as the First Union Center's horn blazes and the crowd booms.

Canucks re-sign C Lindgren, D Sami Salo

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) - The Vancouver Canucks on Thursday signed center Mats Lindgren and defenseman Sami Salo, a pair of restricted free agents.
Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
The 28-year-old Lindgren played 54 games for the Canucks last season and had five goals and nine assists. The native of Sweden also has played for the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders and has 54 goals and 74 assists in 387 NHL games.
Salo, also 28, played in 79 games in 2002-03 and established career highs with nine goals, 21 assists, 30 points and 10 penalty minutes.
A native of Finland, Salo was acquired from the Ottawa Senators prior to last season. In 274 NHL games, Salo has 28 goals and 71 assists.

http://www.nhl.com

Atenio

Bapho!