Canucks Lines

Sedin – Sedin – Burrows
Shirokov – Kesler – Samuelsson
Raymond – Wellwood – Bernier
Hordichuk – Johnson – Rypien

Mitchell – Salo
Edler – Ehrhoff
O’Brien – Bieksa

Luongo
Raycroft

Flames Lines

Moss – Jokinen – Iginla
Dawes – Langkow – Bourque
Glencross – Conroy – Boyd
Sjostrom – Nystrom – Prust

Regehr – Phaneuf
Giordano – Bouwmeester
Kronwall – Pardy

Kiprusoff
McElhinney

Who am I looking out for the most in the first few games?

Sergei Shirokov Why? Because he really impressed me in the 2 games that he played and shows that he can put the puck in the net and I would really like to see him put up some really solid numbers and show what kind of talent he has and he will be on the second line with Kesler and Samuelson along with the Sedins on the Power play in tonights game.

Christian Ehrhoff Why? I want to see how he plays his defensive position and see how his QB skills are on the power play and how he plays with Edler.

Mason Raymond Why? I want to see him score in more than just shootouts and see him not get knocked off the puck so easily as he has in the past.

Luongo Get's Extension

Today the Vancouver Canucks signed Roberto Luongo to a 12 year deal that kicks in next season. ESPN is reporting it as a 64 million dollar contract. If that number is correct  the contract would average out to 5.33 million a season. Normally I would hate on long term deals handed out on players. Call me a homer, but I think this is a fantatisc deal for the Canucks and I hope it works out.

The reason for this title is because I’ve done nothing but make fun of Raycroft for the last 3 years and at the Leafs for when they traded Tuukka Rask for him instead of Justin Pogge. And now he’s on my favourite team.

I don’t know which was worse last night. The O-line and backs not blocking or Buck Pierce not getting the ball out of his hands fast enough. It seemed like he was standing in the pocket for almost the entire game without getting the ball out of his hands. I’m not sure that I agreed with Wally Buono’s decision to bring in Jarious Jackson for the last play of the game. Sure Jarious is known for his long bombs, but coming into the game cold without any playing time to get loose. He was less effective and the ball wobbled all the way into the Riders hands.

Last night was a night to forget that’s for sure.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed Mikael Samuelsson to a 3 year deal at a rumored 2.5 million a year. Samuelsson, last season in Detroit put up 19 goals and 21 assists playing on the 3rd and 4th lines and manning the point on the Power-play.  He play’s on the right wing and has previously played with the Sedin’s in international play at the World Championships and at the Olympics. Could that be were Alain Vigneault put’s him and at the same time re-unites Alex Burrows with Ryan Kesler or does Samuelsson play on the 3rd or 4th line? Hard to say right now I guess.

Yesterday’s Minor League Signings

Nolan Baumgartner – terms no disclosed

Lawrence Nycholat 1 year one-way

Matt Pope – terms not disclosed

Tanner Glass 1 year two-way contract

The Canucks have also signed Aaron Rome to a 1 year deal for 525k 1 way contract. Rome played most of last year in the AHL playing for Columbus’ Farm team, the Syracuse Crunch.

I will update this with all the signings the Canucks do today.

With today being the last day for the Canucks GM Mike Gillis to negotiate a new contract for the Sedin twins exlusively, what will happen? Will they re-sign for that 12 year deal or will they take less years or test the free agent market? Personally I like the Sedin’s and all but a 12 year contract seems way too long for them to be here. I would rather see them sign a 6-7 year deal instead, it’s still long deal and not a lifetime. I’ve never liked the idea of 10-15 year contracts handed out to players. Sure you keep your superstars around for a long time at a lower cap hit, but it just looks weird too me. Then there’s the high possibilty of testing the free agent market where there’s talk of them going to Toronto because of the Brian Burke factor. I have no idea what will happen with their contracts and where they will sign, we can only guess and speculate.

The Lions lost both their pre-season games by small margins(30-37 to Calgary and 19-31 to Edmonton). Rookie QB Travis Lulay was impressive in both his outings, but failed to bring the Leos back when he entered late in the games. Let’s hope the regular season goes better than the pre-season.

The B.C. Lions take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium in Regina at 6:00 PM PST on TSN and Team 1040.

Around the league

The regular season kicks off this Wednesday July 1st with two games, both are on TSN:

• The Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Toronto Argonauts at 4:00 PM PST
• The Calgary Stampeeders host the Montreal Alouettes in a Grey Cup rematch at 7:00 PM PST

And on Thursday the Winnipeg Bluebombers visit the Edmonton Eskimos at 6:00 PM PST

GO LIONS GO!!!