Stirring the Pot: The Fate of Jordan Schroeder

Both Ryan Kesler and David Booth skated in the Canucks full practice today. Booth is expected to take a few more weeks, Kesler is 'very close' to being back on the ice. Of course, Booth and Kesler will take priority over Jordan Schroeder. But what happens to the kid? He's played 9 games in the NHL, has 2 goals, 2 assists and is +4. Schroeder has shown solid play in both ends, with the power to drive the net and keep players away from his own despite his small size. On the other hand, you have Ryan Kesler. One of the best 2 way forwards in the league, 40 goal scorer, and not afraid to get physical. Vancouver's roster is too full, someone has to go. Here's a few combinations that came to mind.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows

Booth-Kesler-Kassian

Higgins-Schroeder-Hansen

Volpatti-Lappiere-Weise

This is my favourite, hands down. Here you get the tried and true Sedins and Burrows, and the 2nd line of Booth, Kesler and Kassian provides  a beautiful scoring trio but also has enough toughness to deter tougher teams like Boston. In a pinch, Kassian and Burrows can be flipped to give the Sedins a little help from dirty buggers like Brad Marchand. Schroeder has done well with Hansen so far, and will need a little extra protection from a guy like Higgins. Not to say Higgins is extra tough or anything, but he's no push over. Lappiere gets to return to what he does best, agitating people with a crew of fighters. The 2 people cut here are Malhotra and Raymond. Malhotra is getting old, and only plays a few minutes each game, typically just to win defensive face offs. But Kesler, Lappiere and even Schroeder are more than capable of doing those. Raymond just hasn't been the same player since he was injured a few years back, but he is showing improvement. In the end, though, he just doesn't compare to guys like Booth, Higgins or Burrows.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows

Raymond-Kesler-Booth

Higgins-Schroeder-Kassian

Weise-Lappiere-Hansen

Once again we have Burrows with the Sedins, but Raymond is playing with Kesler and Booth on the 2nd line. Given time, Raymond may pan out into the goal scorer he was, but it's a long ways from here to there. Kassian is bumped down to the third, which I don't like at all. He has the potential to play on the 1st or 2nd line every night. Hansen being bumped down to the 4th is my only other bother, because it's fun to watch him burn down the ice like Bure once in a while. Malhotra and Volpatti are missing here. Volpatti would probably just get sent down to the minors, not worth much in a trade.

Yeah, so I pretty much have my mind set on Schroeder's position for the next few years. He'll be stuck there until either Kesler or Henrik Sedin are gone. But he's still young, and it gives him plenty of time to hone his skills between the protection of 2 solid wingers. And let's be honest, Kesler's probably going to keep getting injured like this until he's forced to retire. By that time, Schroeder will be ready to step in and dominate. 

Stirring the Pot: Goaltending Duo

With rumors still swirling, I figured I may as well add to the speculation of what will happen to poor Roberto.

Situation 1: Roberto is traded to _____ ASAP. Schneider takes the starter roll, presumably backed by the currently injured Eddie Lack.

 - With this, the Canucks gain a substantial amount of cap space. The trade has the option to bring in a temporary relief for Kesler, a decent bottom 6 forward, a high draft pick, or any combination of those.

But this brings a number of problems to the table, the biggest being that Schneider has never played a full season. 

 - If Schneider is pushed into that roll, he could crack under the pressure and become as useless as Rick DiPietro. The second problem is that Eddie Lack, who would take up the backup position when he recovered from his groin injury, has never played an NHL game. Simply: trading Luongo forces 2 goalies who are good at their level into unfamiliar territory, and could be a disaster.

 - At the same time, a good veteran backup for Schneider could be obtained through that trade, but the market for veteran backups has gotten smaller in recent years.

 Situation 2: Roberto is kept until the season ends, Schneider splits the games with Roberto.

 - My money goes on this scenario. It gives the Canucks 2 expert goaltenders, a massive advantage going into a compressed, travel-heavy schedule. I can't think of another team off of the top of my head that has 2 top tier goalies.

 - One of the biggest problems with this is that Luongo's trade value decreases with every year, and getting something of value for him in a trade is only going to be harder. 

Situation 3: Luongo stays, Schneider is traded.

 - Riots, AV and Gillis chased out of town by fans with torches and pitchforks.