Canucks need depth; Av's third line impresses

    Going into Thursday`s matchup between Vancouver & Colorado, one would have assumed you`d see two teams heading in the opposite direction. For the most part this is the case; but being at the game live and in person last night; don`t let the 4-1 Canuck win deceive you. For two thirds of the game, it was the Avalanche`s game to win. Two players were mainly responsible for the score, and they were each teams goaltenders. Vancouver`s Cory Schnieder was the games best player bare none. He didn't`t steal the game; but had to make 5-8 grade a chances; Sergei Varlamov (Av`s goalie) was below average; the game winning goal by Henrik Sedin was a shot on the ice; an ECHL goalie should have stopped this shot.

Canucks unimpressive

    Aside from the Sedin line which were jaw dropping at times; the Canucks had no other forward that looked interested. I was somewhat impressed with Canuck tough guy Tom Sesitito; good speed, confident with the puck unlike most enforcers; but physically he was not existent compared to Avalanche enforcer Patrick Bordeleau who threw 3-4 thunderous hits. One thing was painfully obvious is you`re a Canuck fan, Andrew Gordon and Steve Pinizotto are in no way NHLers. Same thing can be said for Andrew Ebbett; I know they are AHL callups; but and this is a BIG but.... this tells me the Canucks do NOT have the depth in their system like other teams do. Granted the Avalanche had just as many players if not more than Vancouver has that should be buried the AHL; but the Av`s are the 29th ranked NHL team & Vancouver wants to think of themselves as a contender.

Buyers and Sellers

    Because of their places in the standings, one would assume the Canucks are buyers and the Av`s are sellers. Vancouver will likely be shopping for a top six forward rental; but minimum they need one if not two forwards (for depth purposes); the kind of guy that would cost you a 3rd to 6th rounder. I told by buddy last night; the Canucks need to get another Max Lapierre (who was picked up for a 5th rounder) or a Jarko Ruttu (4th rounder) in years past. Players that are available that would not cost an arm or a leg; Jerrod Smithson, Jochen Hecht, Ruslan Fedotenko. I`d suggest the Canucks could easily acquire Buffalo`s Nathan Gerbe for a 4th rounder (might require a 3rd). Easily a third liner, could play a week or two on the 2nd line).

    Colorado one would obviously assume would be a seller. If I were a pro scout watching the game live last night; I`d be placing a call on the third line. Chuck Kobasew (UFA at seasons end); the former Flame, Bruin & Wild forward is not a second liner anymore (not a chance); but have become more grittier later in his career. Cody Mcleod (2 years left at 1.15 million) very surprised by his hockey smarts. I always thought of his as a fourth liner; but watching him live; he does the little things very well; he reminds me of a Chris Neil. I`d suggest he`d cost a team a third rounder; or a B level prospect + a 4th or 5th rounder. The third member of the third line was John Mitchell; again like Kobasew or Mcleod; he`s not flashy but gets the job done.  Anyone that acquires these three would be doing themselves a favour; on most contending teams; these three would to take a fourth line role.

    Other Av`s who could be moved; veteran Milan Hedjuk was not overly noticeable; I could see him being acquired for a third liner (if he waives his no trade clause). Ryan O`Byrne was not impressive at all; looks out of shape and out of place. For Shane O`Brien to be sitting out instead of O`Byrne tells you the state of their defense. The one Blueliner I`d love from the Avalanche is Greg Zanon; (one more year at 2.25 million). I`d humbly suggest the asking price being minimum a 2nd rounder. If I were Colorado I`d need a Douglas Murray (two 2nd rounders) package back; if he were to be moved.

Penguins top Bruins again; what next for Boston?

    How nuts is this week going to be? Pittsburgh gets Douglas Murray, Brendan Morrow and Jarome Iginla all is separate transactions, all within 1 week? They must be done now? What more could they do? They must make a roster move or two to accommodate the moves made this week. That would include them having to waive or trade Dustin Jeffrey, I also suspect they might move Tyler Kennedy and get back some draft picks they’ve lost.

    Then we get to the Boston Bruins. What might they do? Two facts remain and are the reason why they didn’t get Iginla like it had been widely reported. First things first; they were not willing to throw in the first rounder (they were going to include a conditional pick if he had re-signed.) Second thing, the Flames were not obviously thrilled with the upside of Matt Bartkowski (projected 5-6 de-man) & highly touted prospect Alexander Khokhlachev (projected 2nd line center). But again the guaranteed first rounder by the Penguins sealed the deal without question.

What can the Bruins do to go head to head with the Pens?

    Despite not being there biggest fans, the Penguins are clearly a step above anyone else in the East if not the NHL. If you think the Bruins are going to sit back and do nothing you’re 100% fooling yourself. The reports earlier in the evening of Milan Lucic to Edmonton was laughable at best. Ryan Whitney, Magnus Paarjarvi and a 2013 first rounder for Lucic was brewing according to some online want a bee's... The only chance in living hell this deal would ever get done, is if the Bruins were to turn around and trade the Oilers first rounder for something like Marion Gaborik or David Clarkson & Patrick Elias. The Bruins have to know realize to get a big game changer like Iginla they need to be willing with part with more than just Khokhlachev and a conditional first rounder.

    But what realistically is could the Bruins do? I say they turn there attention back to Calgary and more so on defenseman Jay Boumeester. But with one year left on his contract, Boumeester would be a hot commodity, the Bruins would need to part with top prospect Malcom Subban. I’d suggest they’d focus in on Clarkson who’s a UFA at seasons end; or Ryan Clowe from San Jose. When it’s all said and done with; they have enough of those rougher tougher 2nd-3rd line forwards. But just like Pittsburgh the Bruins would need to waive or trade 2 or 3 players to make any room on the roster (they have 16 forwards & 8 defenseman.