Nolan, Dimitrakos Released; Owen A Case For Nolan

  Monday brought the end of two try-out contracts awarded to two very different veterans of this great game. Forwards Owen Nolan and Niko Dimitrakos were cut from the Vancouver Canucks on Monday in another step to a pre-season roster trim down.

  The Vancouver Canucks took an interesting and intelligent approach to their off-season by inviting many seasoned veterans to camp, handing them try-out contracts for an opportunity to make the roster ahead of the 2011-2012 season.

  After signing veteran Marco Sturm to a one year contract on July 1st, the Canucks offered goaltender Manny Legace, forward Steve Begin, and forwards Niko Dimitrakos, Todd Fedoruk, and Owen Nolan try-out contracts. In the midst of the try-outs, the Canucks also signed checking line right winger Victor Oreskovich to a one year deal.

  Legace was released Friday, and Steve Begin was dropped Sunday. Todd Fedoruk is the only remaining veteran still on try-out with the Canucks.

  While Niko Dimitrakos’ release wasn’t a shocker, Owen Nolan’s was.

  Beyond the ability to make a team’s roster through pre-season, try-out contracts are a great thing for players to flex their muscles and show the rest of the league what they have at the NHL level.

  At 39, Owen Nolan is certainly past his prime. What Nolan adds, however, is a legitimate threat on the third line. Nolan potentially brings a lot to an NHL roster given the right situation, although I would argue that there aren’t too many teams around the league that couldn’t use his services.

  Nolan didn’t disappoint in the least in the pre-season as he looked as strong as ever both physically and mentally. Through 3 games with the Canucks in the pre-season Nolan tallied 1 goal and 1 assist. Nolan did not play last season in the NHL after his contract ran out with the Minnesota Wild.

  For Zurich in the Swiss League, he notched 7 goals and 26 points in 24 games. In the post season for Zurich he added 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 playoff games. Nolan was a work horse for the Minnesota Wild in his last full season stint in the NHL in 2009-2010 as he played in 73 games, tallying 16 goals and 33 points with a respectable -12 rating. Nolan hasn’t scored under 15 goals since the 1997-1998 season, nor has he registered under 30 points since his second season in the league with Quebec.

  Nolan has played in 18 NHL seasons, and currently ranks a cool 87th all-time in NHL games played, just one behind Keith Tkachuk, and five behind Brian Leetch. To take it a step further; he’s played just 15 games less than Mario Lemieux.

  While he is certainly no Brian Leetch or Mario Lemieux, Owen Nolan is a competitor. In 1,200 NHL games Nolan has racked up 422 goals and 463 assists for 885 points with a -40 rating and 1,793 penalty minutes. He has played for six NHL clubs in total since his emergence in the league as the Quebec Nordiques’ 1st overall draft pick of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. From Quebec Nolan went to San Jose where he attained his elite status and even captaincy of the San Jose Sharks, where he would spend the better part of eight straight years. He then played for Toronto, Phoenix, Calgary, and most recently the Minnesota Wild. Nolan has been selected for 5 NHL All-Star games, where in 1997 he scored his famous “called shot.” Nolan’s biggest accomplishment came in the form of a Gold Medal in the 2002 Olympics for Team Canada.

  It is a wonder why Nolan has had a hard time sticking long term with a club since the NHL lockout. After the lockout Nolan would sit for another full year, and in his last four years in the NHL he has averaged over 18 goals and 44 points per season.

  Nolan is obviously missing one thing; Lord Stanley’s Cup. Vancouver was definitely a club that could have gotten him there this season, but they aren’t the only ones.

  If the Canucks are going to pass on him, then the door has opened up for a legitimate Cup contender to add a strong veteran presence right now. Once again, the San Jose Sharks come to mind.

  In terms of fit, there’s no question that the fit would be right. The fans and even some of the players and staff are very familiar with him. The former captain and third all-time franchise leader in games played (only behind current players Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton) could do wonders for this club. Within the franchise he is not only 3rd all-time in games played (568), but 2nd all-time in goals (206), and 3rd all-time in points (451).

  The Sharks have just over $3.2 million available in cap space, not much of which Nolan will be trying to eat up as he truly just wants his name on the Stanley Cup that has eluded him through his great career. The club has been on the cusp of a championship for all too long, and with the off-season moves made, the team is left with seemingly the best roster they’ve had yet. They have a good mix of youth and experience, and play a physical and determined game. Nolan would fit like a glove.

  Though he is in no way limited to these two clubs, but a team like the Detroit Red Wings could also benefit. The Wings have historically brought in veteran players in the twilight of their respective careers such as Dominik Hasek, Brett Hull, Dallas Drake, Luc Robitaille, and most recently Mike Modano. The loss of three experienced men in Brian Rafalski, Kris Draper, and Chris Osgood on the off-season and an un-characteristic near $6 million available in cap space could spell perfect harmony for the team and player for a final run at Lord Stanley’s Cup with one of the most consistently competitive clubs in the NHL.

  Youth is a big part in today’s game, forcing out some of the older generation player. But youth doesn’t always provide what experience, dedication, and drive for a life-long goal such as what a player like Owen Nolan can bring to a club when it really counts; the Stanley Cup Playoff push for glory.

- Kendall Grubbs