Well, I don’t know what DeanOfNucks has been smoking, but there is no way it’s time to trade Luongo. Also not signing the Sedin Twins would be one of the biggest mistakes to add to all the other bone head mistakes the Canucks have done in the past 39 years.
As is, is this Vancouver Canucks team a Stanley Cup contender? That is the magic question of the hour. I believe we are a contender, I don’t believe we’re going to WIN the cup persay; but I think we have a good chance at making a real run at the cup.
This team has shown all the major pieces of the puzzle that is neccessary to make a deep run in to the post season. We’ve now got our scoring on a roll, and the current line combinations seem to be firing as they should be. 
We’ve got enough grit, and toughness to take care of any of the heavy weights that we might encounter. Between Bieksa, O’brien, Horidchuk, and even the rookies Hansen, and softmore Elder have shown us they won’t hesitate to defend their teammates.
The biggest difference between the 2007 playoff run, and now is the fact that we’ve got a much more dynamic scoring setup. We were a very one dimensional team in 2007 and now we’re seeing scoring from the top 3 lines. Occationally even the 4th line will chip in.
We’re very injury free right now, just some minor bumps and bruises that should be cleared up in the next couple of weeks. This could not have been said during the 2007 playoffs. We had injuries right left and centre, and we were hanging on by a very thin thread at the time.
So time will tell, but I believe with a lot of confidence that we can continue this roll, and bring it when it all counts. The cup is on the line, and we need to take every oppourtunity to soak it up, and enjoy what could be one of the best post seasons in recent memory!
Jase
March 20, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Well Jase … I suppose I left some room for consternation… The concept of trading Luongo and scuttling the boat – which is (or I should say might be) “A Contender” was not meant as something that would occur before the mid point of next year. At best – the trades will not be discussed until the armature draft this year in Montreal. Given that Vancouver has a nasty history of making bad trades and drafting so poorly [with the exception of 'no-brainers' like Hodgson] – trading Louie is pragmatic … not desired… he is unlikely to resign. Disagree with that deduction.. but don’t misunderstand the original post.
March 20, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Well be more clear on your original posts than.
March 21, 2009 at 11:38 PM
I take it you wrote this article before you watched tonights game??? Way to jinx it Jase
March 23, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Today’s paper quotes Loungo “…I want to win the Cup, and whichever team is going to give me the best chance to do that is the team I want to be with.”
Now …does this sound like a player to hope will resign after he enters his final year under contract before hitting the market as a UFA in 2011? I think not…
This is not only the final year that Vancouver has to change his mind about resigning… it is the last shot for Vancouver to gamble on a cup run WITH Louie… a trade is sensible if they don’t make a dent in the playoffs beyond two rounds this year.
deanofnucks
March 23, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Trade him and the twins!
Jase is too much like a vancouver fan – relying on big name goals that don’t deliver.
March 26, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Mark,
As if buddy, don’t deliver? 70+ points per season, per sedin? That’s what I call delivering. I’m happy with the Burrows and Kesler’s of the world. But who the fuck are you going to replace 140+ points with for less money than the Sedin’s want. Use your noodle.