So combine a rink of 8000 people along with 5 players, a GM, a president and a hot and cranky Isabella and you get… the Canucks jersey launch.

With pictures!

The Granville St bridge, which is the bridge I cross every time I bus to the skytrain station – then take the skytrain to GM Place. A lot of fond memories. In this instance, my friend was driving and I was fiddling with my shiny new digital camera, bought specifically for the jersey launch.

Yes, I make stupid impulse buys.

When we finally arrived at GM Place, after many gong show moments, we found a line-up that stretched around the garage. And it was 27 degrees. I was in a tank top (Canuck colours) and my friend was wearing his jersey. I couldn’t take off the tank top, but he could take off the jersey.

“Look!” I said, punching his arm and indicating a man walking with his young child. “He’s got a Cloutier jersey.”

“I want a hot dog,” my friend replied.

Welcome back, Captain Canuck!

And, if I may, a brief lesson on writing:

“Trevor resigns” and “Trevor re-signs” are two very different sentences.

1982 was 3 years before my time, but you can believe I read about it every chance I get. And during one particularly fervent week, when I was practically living in Koerner library searching out everything to do with the 82 run, there were 4 names I kept coming across: Smyl, Brodeur, Tiger, and Lupul.

Lupul died on Wednesday, 18 July 2007, at the age of 48. He was a Vancouver Canuck and a Vancouver scout. He was a proud B.C. boy, and a boy B.C. was proud of.

He’s a man who’ll be forever ingrained in Canuck lore for his skating, his grit, and his dedication. He shone during the dark flying V era and was instrumental during 82.

I will never, ever forget you.

Rest in peace, Loops.

Nobody really knows these days what’s going on with this kid.

He’s Vancouver’s top prospect in a pool that’s a little on the shallow end, and I’ve got a hunch that his will-I-or-won’t-I? dance is making Nonis have kittens. The Canucks have (as in, hey Mr Fireman, have to put out this fire right over here) to sign Schneider, otherwise they will lose his rights and he will be released as a free agent, able to sign with any team looking for a goaltending prospect. I don’t even know who at this point because all I can think about is how Bobby Clarke is a jackass.

A recent article from the Globe & Mail just furthers the confusion on exactly where Schneider’s future lies – in college or with the Canucks.

“I’ve really enjoyed my collegiate experience at Boston College, and we should have another strong team next season,” Schneider told The Globe and Mail from the family home in Marblehead, Mass. “Next season would be my senior year, so it’s not out of the question that I would stay in school.”

[…] “My family and I will take our time in deciding the best course of action to take,” Schneider said of this season.

His delay is delaying two organizations, who are wheeling and dealing to fill up roster spots and address issues for the upcoming year. Nonis has already said that he wants Schneider under contract as soon as he can whip out a pen to start in Manitoba. With the constant threat of injuries – and as the LA situation taught us – depth in goaltending is key. The Moose GM Craig Heisinger also probably wants to know exactly who the hell is starting for them, as Flaherty is on his last legs and it’s either going to be a Cory Schneider-Drew McIntyre combination or, the worst case scenario, Drew McIntyre-God Only Knows for the upcoming year.

Like Koltsov, Schneider has been coy every time his future with the Canucks/Moose comes into question, and the acquisition of Luongo hasn’t made things much better. With 3 years left, it’ll be at least 3 years before Schneider even gets a whiff of starting duty.

According to poster Mike27 on CDC, since Schneider was a 1st rounder, 26th over all, should the Canucks lose him, they will be entitled to a 2nd round pick, 52nd overall, as compensation.

Keep an eye on this page as it will be updated as information becomes available.

Last update: 2 September 2007.

Pending UFAs

Rory Fitzpatrick: “My family fell in love with it out here and I’d love to come back. As you know, these things are very much out of my hands but Vancouver would be my first choice.”

9/7: “I was told Rory is definitely on their radar screen and he [Nonis] didn’t want to make a commitment because he wanted to see what a couple of days of free agency brought,” said Fitzpatrick’s agent Stephen Bartlett.

“I’ve had a few other teams call and say he might fit the bill for what they’re looking for. But Vancouver is his first choice.”

Josh Green: Unknown.

Tommi Santala: Unknown, not likely to be returning.

Brent Sopel: “If you’re talking about a million-dollar difference to stay here or play somewhere else, that’s a lot of money. Obviously it’s up to Vancouver. If they want to talk, I’m all for it.”

8/7: The Province reports that Sopel is not likely to be tendered an offer.

Pending RFAs

Tyler Bouck: According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Bouck will not likely be returning to the Moose and may return to Finland.

Have Re-signed

Kevin Bieksa: Has signed a 3-year extension reportedly worth 11.25 million. This makes him the highest-paid defenceman on the Vancouver Canucks at 3.75 million each year. This signing has him foregoing free agency next season, locking him with the club until the 2010-2011 season.

Jeff Cowan: “I hope there is a place for me here, but time will tell. I had a great time here, it was awesome and I’ll be excited if I am back.”

13/6: Ben Kuzma (Province) speculates that Cowan is seeking a 2-year deal. His agent, Roland Thompson, insists that they just want “fair market value.”

Tamby says that the Canucks “had hoped to have something done with Jeff [Cowan] by this point. I don’t really know what they’re thinking. We’ve already had some significant discussions from our point.” Thompson feels otherwise: “They made a proposal and we made a counter to them and I haven’t heard back. They’d like to have him back and Jeff would like to come back, but we’ll see.”

26/6: Sportsnet reports that Cowan is high on their priority list to re-sign.

“Steve (Tambellinin) and I had a couple of pretty good talks in Columbus over the weekend,” Cowan’s agent Rollie Rollie Thompson said Monday. “We’re going in the right direction. Both parties would like to make it happen.”

29/06: Jeff Cowan has officially re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks. His 2-year deal is rumoured to be worth somewhere around 700k/725k per year.

“I mean, there is always the temptation to see what’s out there, but every time that thought crept in, it wasn’t there very long,” Cowan said from his off-season home in Oakville, Ont. “It was a quick decision to go back and say Vancouver is the place I wanted to be.

“I’m very happy right now.”

Ryan Kesler: Signed a 3-year deal on May 24, 2007 worth a reported 5.25 million, or 1.75 per year. This will see him stay with the team until the 2010/2011 season.

“The team is going to be even better next year and I do think I can be a top-six forward and produce – I know I can produce – and now I just have to go out and prove myself,” Kesler said Thursday after agreeing to the deal that will pay the 22-year-old speedster $1.75 million next season.

“This means a lot. I appreciate that management has a lot of faith in me and it’s going to make my summer a lot easier mentally. Last summer wasn’t much fun for me.”

Lukas Krajicek: Unknown, likely to be returning. Nonis asked for him specifically as part of the Luongo deal.

Trevor Linden: He is rumoured to be considering retirement although a “we’d love to have you back, Trev” wouldn’t really hurt now would it, DAVE?

2/9: FINALLY!

26/6: Was tendered a qualifying offer by the Vancouver Canucks. No contract status has been set, though a 2-year deal is rumoured to be part of the negotiations.

“He was happy with his first season in Vancouver, but he knows he could do better. He loves the town, the organization and the players, so that’s the key.” (Svobada, Krajicek’s agent.)

8/7: Signed a two-year, 2.2-million dollar extension. This keeps him with the club until the 08/09 season.

“Lukas is still a very young guy and he was very happy there last year,” added Svoboda. “He believes there’s potential to have a great team.”

Brad Moran: Unknown, but is reportedly investigating options in Europe. According to European Hockey.net, he has already signed in Europe to play for the Hamburg Freezers, though this has yet to be confirmed by the Vancouver Canucks.

9/7: Has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks (sorry, Hamburg). He gave up his free agent status to sign with the club back in June (but was only reported last Tuesday).

“One of the big things in my decision-making process was that when I actually got an opportunity, I played,” Moran said. “I played with the best players on the team. You’re not getting five minutes a game on the fourth line, as it is in a lot of places.”

Taylor Pyatt: Has signed a 2-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks, reportedly worth 3+ million (0r 1.5+ million each year). This will see Pyatt stay with the team until the 2009/2010 season.

Canucks.com has an interview with Pyatt regarding his signing. The finer points:

What made you forego checking out free agency?

At this point in my career it just made more sense for me to stay in Vancouver. I had a strong year last year and I really enjoyed playing there. I think it’s a team that has a chance to win to compete for the Stanley Cup and it’s where I want to be. I’m really happy with the deal and I’m looking forward to next year.

Did you ever compare yourself and think about the situation with Anson Carter last year?

I looked at it a little bit but he was in a little bit of a different situation than I am. He’s a little bit older and for me, I want to be in Vancouver and I’m happy to be back next year and I’m really looking forward to it.

I think someone named Dave is still pissed about Carter.

Have Left The Team

Jan Bulis: Is reportedly “desperate to re-sign” after his father issued a verbal smackdown, resulting in a change of attitude and an improvement in the quality of play.

2/9: Off to Russia!

Mark Chouinard: His contract was bought out by the Canucks.

Lee Goren: Reportedly looking at playing in Europe or testing free agency. “Obviously Vancouver’s not a great fit for me. It’s disappointing to me sometimes. There are other teams that might be interested. There are other avenues, Europe, different things like that that I’m honestly going to take a look at.”

11/6: The Winnipeg Sun has confirmed that Goren has signed a 1-year deal with Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish Elite League.

Brandon Reid: Is heading back to Europe to play for the Dusseldorf EG Metro Stars club in the German Elite League. The Canucks will continue to hold his NHL rights.

Dany Sabourin: Confusing. He initially said that he would be “happy to do it for one more year. It’s a tough job and I think I did a good job. We’ll see what they’re going to offer me and then I’ll take the decision.” Recently, however, Sabby and his agent have declared their intentions to test the FA market. Yves Archambault, Sabby’s agent, was recently quoted in the Province as saying: “We’re probably going to wait [until July 1, when Sabourin becomes an unrestricted free agent] to see what the other teams are going to say. What happened in that overtime is that he proved he’s always ready and he proved to everyone that he’s a good goaltender. Because you cannot have more pressure than what he had that time.”

As for Sabby, he has this to say: “My goal for next year is to play more. I know I proved some things and I know I did well in a difficult job. But if I have to come back, I’ll be happy to for one more year. I know they have plans for a younger guy, but I’ll be happy to play, if I have to, for one more year.”

1/7: Signed with Pittsburgh.

Jesse Schultz: According to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press: “The Canucks won’t likely tender a qualifying offer and Schultz will become an unrestricted free agent. He’ll either try Europe or catch on with another organization.” I’m a little unsure how accurate that is considering how high Vigneault was on Schultz at the start of last year’s training camp and how low the Canucks are on offensive prospects, but time will tell.

26/6: Was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenceman Jim Sharrow.

Nathan Smith: According to Donny Taylor, he signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins. [print source pending]

Bryan Smolinski: Unknown, not likely to be returning as he was acquired as a rental at the deadline.

8/7: Signed with the Habs.