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stuff99 · 07-02-2009, 09:27 AM

Bagging Sedin twins is really the easiest part for GM Gillis

By Ed Willes, The Province
July 2, 2009 7:46 AM

GM Mike Gillis might well find himself working up a sweat as he builds team.

GM Mike Gillis might well find himself working up a sweat as he builds team.
Photograph by: Bruce Bennett file, Getty Images

You'd never know it from the tortured machinations which preceded Wednesday's announcement but the easy part is now over for Mike Gillis and the Vancouver Canucks.

Well, maybe "easy" isn't the right term. The 12-month stare-down wasn't easy. The 11th-hour trans-atlantic drama wasn't easy. And it certainly wasn't easy convincing the Sedin twins to leave untold millions on the table to stay in the fold -- particularly when Brian Burke was sitting on the tarmac in Stockholm ready to make them a better offer.

But now that they're signed, the real work begins for Gillis and his organization because, by accepting about a million a year under market value, the twins have allowed the Canucks GM to build a team capable of competing for the Stanley Cup.

How they go about that, of course, is a matter of some debate. But Gillis has a vision for this team and he now has the core in place, give or take a top-end blueliner and the impending signing of Roberto Luongo.

The next step is moulding the supporting cast, and that's where things get very interesting.

Since taking over for Dave Nonis, Gillis's mission statement has revolved around player development. We know this because he brings it up every five minutes, leaving the distinct impression he can take raw materials and produce a better finished product than virtually anyone in the NHL.

This, in the end, is the most efficient way to build a team and there's no argument here on that point.

Now we're about to find out if Gillis can deliver the goods.

Heading into next season, the Canucks will have six players who are 26 and under, and seemingly possessed of some level of potential. Shane O'Brien and Kyle Wellwood are the oldest at 26. Ryan Kesler is 25. Steve Bernier and Mason Raymond are 24. Alex Edler is 23.

Behind them is another layer of developing players led by prize prospect Cody Hodgson, AHL goalie-of-the-year Cory Schneider, Michael Grabner and first-rounder Jordan Schroeder.

Now, relative to the rest of the NHL, those players probably represent an average to above-average group. But let's say Gillis and his organization can create an environment in which they all take another step. Let's say Kesler improves. And Edler. And Bernier. That would give the Canucks a legitimate all-star-level forward, a top-two defenceman and a 25- to 30-goal scorer.

Now apply that to the group as a whole. Ask yourself what that would mean to the Canucks. If this all comes together, or if enough of it comes together, you can see the makings of a very good team here; a team with depth, a team that's still relatively young, a team with a manageable payroll.

That's a team which can challenge the NHL's powers. But it's all contingent on the organization's ability to improve its young players, and that brings us back to the Sedins.

While no one need feel sorry for someone who had to settle for just over $6 million a season, fans should step back and consider the events of the last 12 months to fully appreciate what has transpired.

It started with Gillis's first press conference, when he publicly questioned their ability.

He then grinded them throughout the season and only upped the Canucks' offer to an acceptable level when it was apparent he would lose them.

Through it all, the Sedins had their best season; carrying the Canucks‚ offence, helping transform Alex Burrows into a frontliner and leading the team into the playoffs. Now they've signed for about a million less annually than they could have gotten -- Mike Cammalleri money, for pity's sake -- largely because they're committed to Gillis's vision and they love playing here.

Think about that. Think about the character and integrity -- those two words Gillis loves throwing around -- they've displayed. Think of the loyalty they've demonstrated. And think of what it means for the Canucks as they plot their course.

In the end, this signing represents a major coup for Gillis but it reveals so much about the twins. Now it's the responsibility of the organization to pay them back by building a team around them that's good enough to win.
© Copyright (c) The Province

07-02-2009, 09:27 AM	#763
stuff99 I subscribe to the Fight Club ONLY Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver Posts: 7,316 Thanked 212 Times in 79 Posts Failed 35 Times in 23 Posts	Bagging Sedin twins is really the easiest part for GM Gillis By Ed Willes, The Province July 2, 2009 7:46 AM GM Mike Gillis might well find himself working up a sweat as he builds team. GM Mike Gillis might well find himself working up a sweat as he builds team. Photograph by: Bruce Bennett file, Getty Images You'd never know it from the tortured machinations which preceded Wednesday's announcement but the easy part is now over for Mike Gillis and the Vancouver Canucks. Well, maybe "easy" isn't the right term. The 12-month stare-down wasn't easy. The 11th-hour trans-atlantic drama wasn't easy. And it certainly wasn't easy convincing the Sedin twins to leave untold millions on the table to stay in the fold -- particularly when Brian Burke was sitting on the tarmac in Stockholm ready to make them a better offer. But now that they're signed, the real work begins for Gillis and his organization because, by accepting about a million a year under market value, the twins have allowed the Canucks GM to build a team capable of competing for the Stanley Cup. How they go about that, of course, is a matter of some debate. But Gillis has a vision for this team and he now has the core in place, give or take a top-end blueliner and the impending signing of Roberto Luongo. The next step is moulding the supporting cast, and that's where things get very interesting. Since taking over for Dave Nonis, Gillis's mission statement has revolved around player development. We know this because he brings it up every five minutes, leaving the distinct impression he can take raw materials and produce a better finished product than virtually anyone in the NHL. This, in the end, is the most efficient way to build a team and there's no argument here on that point. Now we're about to find out if Gillis can deliver the goods. Heading into next season, the Canucks will have six players who are 26 and under, and seemingly possessed of some level of potential. Shane O'Brien and Kyle Wellwood are the oldest at 26. Ryan Kesler is 25. Steve Bernier and Mason Raymond are 24. Alex Edler is 23. Behind them is another layer of developing players led by prize prospect Cody Hodgson, AHL goalie-of-the-year Cory Schneider, Michael Grabner and first-rounder Jordan Schroeder. Now, relative to the rest of the NHL, those players probably represent an average to above-average group. But let's say Gillis and his organization can create an environment in which they all take another step. Let's say Kesler improves. And Edler. And Bernier. That would give the Canucks a legitimate all-star-level forward, a top-two defenceman and a 25- to 30-goal scorer. Now apply that to the group as a whole. Ask yourself what that would mean to the Canucks. If this all comes together, or if enough of it comes together, you can see the makings of a very good team here; a team with depth, a team that's still relatively young, a team with a manageable payroll. That's a team which can challenge the NHL's powers. But it's all contingent on the organization's ability to improve its young players, and that brings us back to the Sedins. While no one need feel sorry for someone who had to settle for just over $6 million a season, fans should step back and consider the events of the last 12 months to fully appreciate what has transpired. It started with Gillis's first press conference, when he publicly questioned their ability. He then grinded them throughout the season and only upped the Canucks' offer to an acceptable level when it was apparent he would lose them. Through it all, the Sedins had their best season; carrying the Canucks‚ offence, helping transform Alex Burrows into a frontliner and leading the team into the playoffs. Now they've signed for about a million less annually than they could have gotten -- Mike Cammalleri money, for pity's sake -- largely because they're committed to Gillis's vision and they love playing here. Think about that. Think about the character and integrity -- those two words Gillis loves throwing around -- they've displayed. Think of the loyalty they've demonstrated. And think of what it means for the Canucks as they plot their course. In the end, this signing represents a major coup for Gillis but it reveals so much about the twins. Now it's the responsibility of the organization to pay them back by building a team around them that's good enough to win. © Copyright (c) The Province __________________ ....