Mason “Plan B” Raymond

Today the Canucks announced the re-signing of forward Mason Raymond. After the team elected to take him to “cut-back” arbitration to try and pay him less this season the Canucks and Raymond came to agreement on a 1 year, $2.275 million contract. That’s a pay-cut of around $300,000.

Despite that cut I personally don’t like the re-signing, but I do understand why the Canucks have done it. You don’t let a 27 year old top 6 forward go for nothing, even if he has been disappointing for 2 years straight. You retain him and you hope you can either help turn his career around or you turn him into other assets via trade. So kudos to Gillis, you haven’t let a guy go for nothing (take THAT David Poile).

The other news to break today was that Shane Doan, perennial Phoenix Coyote, is fielding offers from other teams AND the Vancouver Canucks are reportedly on his shortlist of his preferred teams to play for. Doan is just the guy the Canucks need – top 6 power forward, natural scorer, plays right on the edge (and over it at times) and a natural leader. He would be dreamy on Kesler’s wing in a way that David Booth hasn’t been and he would hold the spot in the top 6 that has in recent times belonged to Mason Raymond.

The Canucks have a few things in their favour when it comes to signing Doan:

• Doan and Canucks Assistant GM Laurence Gilman have known each other since the old Winnipeg Jets days
• Reportedly the Canucks have been after Doan in recent times, looking to trade for the big guy. Doan knows he is wanted there
• Doan’s wife is from Kamloops BC, he is a part owner of the Kamloops Blazers (my WHL team of choice) and he still spends parts of summers there
• The Canucks have cap space when you factor in the impending Luongo trade
• The Canucks will be in a position to truly fight for the Stanley Cup, something Doan hasn’t had much of an opportunity to do in the desert

So let’s say the Canucks sign Doan. Where does that leave Mason Raymond? No room in the top 6 for him anymore. The 3rd line is locked up, unless they play him at centre, which is scary and…. scary (but a possibility given Kesler’s current injury status). He’s proven himself to be a useless 4th liner.

This is why Mason Raymond is “Plan B” for the Canucks. They want Doan, but they know that he’s going to get bigger offers than what they can offer and if Doan decides to finish his career on a dollar high the Canucks will miss out. But don’t worry, we still have Mason Raymond at a reasonable cap hit to slot in to the top 6.

If the Canucks land Doan there will be a lot of happy fans and I think the fans will get even happier because with Doan in the top 6 there’s no room left for Mason Raymond. He will more than likely be traded to some sucker other team that would be very happy to have his speed and falling abilities on their side.