Fan In Van

Summer Priorities

There’s a lengthy list of chores this summer for general manager Mike Gillis, who will be entering his sophomore year as the top boss with the Vancouver Canucks. In the eye of the media and of fans, Gillis’ performance will not only be evaluated on the moves he makes, but the order he makes them in.

Without a doubt the first move that is to be made will be the contractual negotiations with the Sedin twins, who will be two free agents highly sought after on the free agent market and, to a certain extent, are the premium available players come July 1st. Canuck brass will be hard-pressed in the coming weeks to determine whether or not the twins are the players they want to build their offense around or if they want to move into a different direction. This year’s batch of free agents include both Marian’s Gaborik and Hossa, the Niedermayer brothers and Jay Bouwmeester; despite the luxurious amount of talent in the pool, Gillis would be wise to pinch his pennies.

After the Sedins, however, things get tricky. Does Gillis turn his focus on attempting to sign blueliner Mattias Ohlund to a brand new contract, or has he already accepted the fate of the veteran warhorse who has loyally served this club for 11 years? And what of Roberto Luongo, who has suddenly emerged into the spotlight after being ripped apart by critics following their exit from Chicago? Luongo has been subject of both trade talk and contract extensions; are the Canucks absolutely certain their captain should be the face of their franchise?

Is there room for Mats Sundin to return next season, and if so, at what price? After that crisis, there’s a looming one with Ryan Kesler’s contract expiring at the end of next season. Kesler will be a restricted free agent and ripe for another offer sheet signing; the Canucks would do well to sign their alternate captain to an extension long before July 1st of 2010.

And at the beginning of the season, the bulk of the Canuck weakness was placed on their centre group. Previously believed to be weak down the middle, the Canucks currently boast Henrik Sedin, Kesler, Kyle Wellwood and Ryan Johnson but have Cody Hodgson waiting in the wings. After Wellwood’s stellar postseason, you’ve got to believe there’s an argument to bring him back next season but there may not be room for him.

And then there’s the NHL Entry Draft, which is coming up in a month. Mike Gillis will be meeting with scouts to determine the team needs come the draft in addition to perhaps making a move or two to improve his club.

Decisions must be made, and in a specific order. The moves Gillis makes one day can greatly affect the moves he makes the next. If he can re-sign the Sedins it may persuade Luongo to follow suit. But if he cannot, it may set off a much graver chain reaction which will have the club frantically looking to repair the holes they leave.