Vigneault and Ohlund on losing

From Canucks.com: Alain Vigneault said after practice today:

“It’s tough to say sometimes why you lose your game, or parts of your game," said Vigneault. "I do think right now the way to get our game back is a simple one, pay attention to the defensive part of our game. Part of our offence was playing good defence, making the right decisions, the right reads and when we did that, instinctively it lead to good offensive chances. As soon as we do that we’ll be on the right track.”

AV had a message for his players after practice:

“At the end of practice today I talked about, sometimes you think too much on the ice," said Vigneault. "When you’re driving your car, instinctively you step on the gas, you step on the brakes, red light, green light, yellow light, car cutting in front, it’s done automatically without thinking. Hockey is the same way. It’s the reads on the ice, it’s like driving your car, you know what you’re doing."

Mattias Ohlund defended the coaching staff today:

“No, it’s not about the coaching staff,” said Mattias Ohlund. “We have a great coaching staff, they don’t play the game. We obviously get instructions on how to play, but it’s up to the guys on the ice to perform. It’s pretty tough to look around the room right now and find a lot of guys that are playing well or playing up to their potential. This league is just way too hard to play in when you don’t have everyone playing at their best.”

More on this here.

T Tags: Canucks Alain+Vigneault Mattias+Ohlund reaction+to+losing+streak January+2009

Ohlund will not waive his no trade clause

I know I've said that it would be wise to trade Mattias Ohlund by the trade deadline to get something in return for him before the summer free agency hits and if a deal cannot be reached. Well, 2 things now come into play, according to Hockeyexpressen.se:

1. Ohlund has a no-trade clause in his contract.

2. Ohlund wants to finish the season here and test the free agency market in the summer if no deal with Vancouver is reached.

Here's what I think will happen:

Number 2 (above). As I've said before, Ohlund is playing his heart out this season and is going to get about $6-7 million from some team this summer, and he knows it. I don't think he's worth that kind of money, so I hope Gillis passes on signing him. As far as not being able to trade him because of his NTC...well there's no use in getting upset about it. It's there. He doesn't have to waive it. He has now made it clear that he won't. So the Ohlund era may be coming to an end this year.
In the meantime... this team needs to focus on the present. The Canucks need to make this season count if this is Ohlund's last term.

T Tags: Canucks Mattias+Ohlund contract+negotiations no+trade+clause unrestricted+free+agent

Sundin apartment-hunting / Ohlund open to being traded

SUNDIN UPDATE
While the Canucks travelled to Nashville, Sundin practiced hard at GM Place and looked for an apartment, according to HockeyExpressen. His girlfriend Josephine will be coming to Vancouver soon to check out the place and perhaps live here.
Not sure if he partied with Ryan Johnson at all on New Years, but he said it was a possibility.

OHLUND MAY BE ON THE MOVE

You'll have to translate this Sportbladet article about Ohlund. He said that there is no progress in contract talks and that if the Canucks won't meet his demands he will try somewhere new.
If Ohlund seeks about $7 million per season I am pretty sure management will let him go by the trade deadline. Ohlund is not worth that much, I don't care how long he's been here. The return for Ohlund in a trade would be sweet I'm sure.
The article also mentions that the Sedins do not want to leave Vancouver, but they could demand $6-7 million each.

T Tags: Sundin+update apartment+shopping Ohlund+may+be+traded Sedins+contract+talks

Ohlund may be on his way out

What Ohlund said recently:

"I will be here (in Vancouver) if it is right for me and for the club, I would not be here just because I have been here for ten years."

Link to that article here at Hockeyexpressen.se.
Look for Ohlund to have a big season in the final year of his contract. Also look for his agent asking for $6-8 million per season and Mike Gillis saying: "Don't let the door hit your ass on your way out."
I think Ohlund is due for a raise from his current $3.5 million contract, but he is not worth a $7 million cap hit. That's what other teams will pay him next summer if the Canucks don't work out an extension or trade him.

T Tags: Mattias+Ohlund+contract+talks Canucks trade