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Five core Canucks who could be traded this summer if some big changes are made.

 

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I figure I should probably offer some thoughts up on Detroit and Chicago.

 

The young Detroit defense couldn’t handle Chicago’s speed and constant pressure. Brendan Smith struggled for much of the game. He’s going to be a good one, but there will be bumps along the way.

 

Patrick Sharp had a fantastic game – he reminds me of Justin Williams for LA. Two understated but very effective wingers capable of scoring, passing, and playing in a variety of situations. Sharp receives a bit more fanfare, but both of them are very underrated among fans and hockey commentators.

 

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My hockey mailbag is open for today. Ask your questions here.

 

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The goaltending market is going to be very interesting this summer. Mike Smith is a UFA, Ryan Miller will get traded, Roberto Luongo will get traded, Jhonas Enroth may get traded, Marc-Andre Fleury may (and should) get traded or bought out… and there will probably be a few other goaltenders available. Niklas Backstrom is a UFA.

 

What teams realistically need a starting goaltender? Buffalo, if and when they move Miller. Edmonton – I don't think MacTavish is a huge Dubnyk fan (even though I am and think he could be a starter in this league). Calgary? Or do they go with Karri Ramo?

 

How about Minnesota? New Jersey? Brodeur has one year left – do they bring in a successor now, or do they wait a year? Long Island could use an upgrade in goal, too. Phoenix will need to replace Smith if he leaves.

 

So there will be at least six or seven teams looking for goalies. Let the musical chairs begin!

 

Oh, and the St. Louis Blues. What happens there? Who is their starter? Imagine that team with Luongo or Smith in goal?

 

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Different city, same story – Tampa’s AHL affiliate is dominating the rest of the league. Tyler Johnson will be in the NHL next year. Richard Panik, Brett Connolly, and Ondrej Palat all could be joining him.

 

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A great read on Derrick Brassard from NHL.com – he really has experienced a revitilization in New York. What does this mean for his short and long term future? If he can stay healthy, does he get back on track as a top six forward?

 

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The Selke finalists – Toews, Datsyuk, and Bergeron. I would have put Kopitar in there ahead of Toews or Datsyuk, but it is a very solid list. For my money Kopitar and Bergeron are the best two-way forwards in hockey.

 

This is Datsyuk's sixth consecutive Selke nomination. Not too shabby.

 

If you have eight minutes to spare… this is what makes Datsyuk so good:

 

 

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Sticking with goalies, I really like Matt Hackett (now in Buffalo).

 

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Not only did the Kings upgrade from Jack Johnson to Slava Voynov (a vastly superior defenseman), but they managed to bring in Jeff Carter, too. Now that is called good GM-ing.

 

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I wouldn't expect Johnson to last long under Jarmo Kekalainen – in fact, I'd wager he is on the move this summer. A high-event defenseman, and the Jackets already have one of those in James Wisniewski. Although the John Moore trade did take away a left-shooting offensive defenseman (like Johnson) from the depth chart.

 

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Working on some prospect and under-the-radar lists for the next few weeks. Not only do I enjoy providing this information for you guys to digest, but it helps me a lot with my own keeper league draft.

 

In my league, Brenden Dillon was the 17^th best defenseman in 2013, and Jake Muzzin was in the top 50 (along with Patrick Wiercioch). These guys can help you win, and they are usually available as free agents or very, very late in drafts.

 

Some of the lists I am working on – under-the-radar prospects (both forwards and defensemen), young multi-category sleepers (forwards and defensemen) and more general sleepers for next season only.

 

Feel free to offer any more suggestions – with the Canucks out early, I suddenly have a lot more free writing time on my hands.

 

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I'm working on a series of fitness articles so people can learn to write their own exercise programs. First up – a lengthy post on the specificity principle, and why it matters to training (regardless of your fitness level or goal).

 

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And one more fitness post – learning to make pushups harder by adding weight to them. This is a way better way to build a strong chest/shoulder area without using the bench press (which usually leads to aches/pain injury for most people).

 

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Check out the pass by Hamhuis to Stamkos for the OT winner – lobs it over everyone and it lands right at the opposing blueline. Near the end of this clip:

 

 

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I am of the opinion that "learning to win" isn't some hocus pocus term thrown around. It is real. And here are some young Red Wings talking about it.

 

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Ty Rattie dominated the WHL postseason after yet again dominating the WHL regular season. Does he make the Blues next season? Is there room for him? They have so much depth up front, and Rattie, Schwartz, and Tarasenko will all be chomping at the bit for top nine ice time in 2013-14. Do they move a forward for a defenseman? Probably.

 

A defensive core of Shattenkirk, Bouwmeester, and Pietrangelo is very solid, but the Blues would be smart to bring in another mobile guy back there (like Jordan Leopold, but younger).

 

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I was pleasantly surprised by Joe Colborne's play for Toronto. I had written him off as a top six prospect, but if he adds another 10-15 pounds of muscle, I may be proven wrong very soon. He's very lanky, rangy, and smart. His puck skills are really good, too.

 

The Leafs probably won't bring Bozak back (at least they shouldn't, for anything more than $2.5 or $3 million), and Colborne could be the logical replacement.

 

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Hockey players are tough – Nick Bonino played round one with a torn hamstring, and Francois Beauchemin had a torn ACL.

 

In my recent mailbag, I was asked to speculate on Anaheim’s top six if Ryan is dealt, and Teemu and Saku both retire (not likely all happening, of course). Getzlaf, Perry, Etem, Bonino, Holland, and Palmieri would be the top six, assuming no other outside help is brought in (again, not likely).

 

Pure speculation – Teemu and Saku are back for one more year in Anaheim.

 

Look for Bonino and Etem to take huge strides forward. Etem reminds me of a powerful young horse learning to control his body – he's a powerful skater and very, very talented, and it is all going to come together for him very soon.

 

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