They are talent players on the cheap—really nothing wrong with what they bring.

VAN lacks a true impact player, other than Luongo, but then again many teams lack that vital impact player.  There are but 10-15 guys in the whole league who can take a team on their shoulders now, and that is why they are the most valuable commodity in the league.

Posted by Cloud9 Sports on 05/13/08 at 10:51 AM ET

My only issue with the Sedins is that they appear to be attached at the hip.  You cannot put them on seperate lines, which immediatley hinders the coach’s line options.  And you have to have a player than can play with them, which vancouver has lacked the last two years.  It’s tough to find a player that is willing to be a third wheel with them.

If you could get one great player for both, I think it’s worth going for.  If not, their point production is good for the money, and throwing some young upstart rookie with them to learn the ropes isn’t a bad idea.

Posted by 41 Long Ones from Edmonton on 05/13/08 at 11:07 AM ET

I think the Sedins are a fairly solid second line unit, and a really good third line unit.  They are not top-line, franchise-player type forwards, and probably never will be.  If they played a more complete two-way game, a la Zetterberg and Datsyuk in Detroit, maybe I could see them leading Vanc on the top line, but I don’t see that dimension to their game.  They are fairly pedestrian defensively, as evidenced by their lowly plus-minus ratings; the twins almost paced Dats and Z in scoring, but were far off the pace in plus-minus.  As maligned as that stat often is, it’s not as if you can chalk up the Wings’ top lines’ defensive prowess entirely to playing with Lidstrom.  As good as Nick is, Detroit also relies heavily on some pretty average “defensive” d-men in Rafalski (who is a monster passer, but was somewhat prone to defensive lapses during the regular season and so far during the playoffs), Lebda (whose only real asset, IMO, is his speed), Lilja (ugh), and Chelios (whose game slipped noticeably this year).  The defense in Detroit starts with a strong forecheck across all four lines, and Zetterberg and Datsyuk lead that charge.

As good as they often are offensively, the Sedins have never displayed the fire or dedication necessary to establish an effective two-way game.  In this regard, I think the Keslers, etc., on Vanc are much more promising.  Without a commitment to relentless forechecking up front, solid, if not spectacular efforts by Luongo and the Canucks’ deep (if perpetually injured) d-corps are wasted, really. 

If I were Gillis, I would seriously consider offers for one or both twins.  The problem there is, who would take them?  You’re talking about sinking 7 million plus on a pair who can score, but often fail to do so in the clutch, and who don’t really provide any other assets.  Do you trade the Sedins for Jason Blake and some third- or fourth-line prospect?  Try to pry Marleau out of SJ?  I think Gillis is in a tough spot there, and probably not one he can significantly improve short-term.

Which is the real problem with the Canucks, IMO.  Trying to get the instant gratification.  Dealing Cooke was a mistake, as evidenced by the key role he played in pushing the Caps over the hump and into the playoffs.  Getting Luongo was a coup, but you can’t rely on the stupidity of people like Jacques Martin forever.  And firing Nonis- well, I just don’t get that.  That’s a TO move.

Anyway, my two cents.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 05/13/08 at 11:36 AM ET

Agreed, the Sedins would be better suited for a second or third line. That leaves Kesler & Burrows and they are more second or third line too.

Which leaves the Canucks first line with just Taylor Pyatt.

Good. Great Grand. Can’t WAIT for next season!

Posted by Mike from NYC on 05/13/08 at 12:54 PM ET

Close your eyes and imagine the Sedins, now imagine them hoisting a cup over their heads… can’t do it either? My point exactly.

Let them go, or bring in players that can carry this team when the team needs them to, because the twins are not those types of players. Hell I’d rather take a Holmstrom and Cleary for what they bring during crunch times then the twins.

Just sayin.

Posted by Vanity on 05/13/08 at 04:26 PM ET

Marleau is an intriguing idea.  He’s a good player, but always, ALWAYS hears the “not emotional enough for a captain” thing - a lot of San Jose fans on message boards were proposing he be stripped of the captaincy and the C be given to Joe Thornton instead.  He might fall under the category of “would benefit with a change in scenery.” I don’t know his contract situation, though - years, salary, or no-trade.  He might do well with a fresh start.

Although with the coaching change, does that mean a fresh start in San Jose, or a new coach who would like to take the team in a direction that doesn’t include the current captain?

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/13/08 at 05:13 PM ET

Thanks for everyone’s comments—very thoughtful.

One thing that made me laugh was Vanity’s remarks: “Close your eyes and imagine the Sedins, now imagine them hoisting a cup over their heads… can’t do it either? My point exactly.”

Sadly, I don’t close my eyes and imagine ANYBODY wearing a Vancouver jersey and hoisting the Cup; my expectations are far lower than that. I’m content to imagine just being in the playoffs, watching a good season of hockey, and—occasionally --dreaming of seeing that Cup in the Canucks dressing room before I die.

You could put an all-star team in the Vancouver dressing room, and I’d still be cynical about the possibilities… most of the time I suspect we’re freakin’ jinxed.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 05/14/08 at 11:05 AM ET

Didn’t Vancouver already try the all-star team thing back in the dark days?  We all know how well that went. 

I can’t even imagine the Sedin’s attacking the goal FACING it...instead of with their backs to the net along the boards.  Sorry...Viggy, but the Penguins do not play that way.

Posted by GZ Expat on 05/14/08 at 05:20 PM ET