Deal reactions

Woo hoo! I'm alive! And it is back to reasonable temperatures in the Bay Area. And Mathieu is a Canuck. All is right with the world. As promised, here is some reaction, delayed as it may be:

First off, I present "New Canuck Mathieu Schneider: Vancouver's the only place to be," from the Province. Mathieu was almost a Canuck last year, and apparently was very happy with that prospect and really wanted to be with them this year.

"I kind of handcuffed my agent, Pat Morris. I told him this is the place I wanted to be, and until we exhausted negotiations with Vancouver, we really didn't want to negotiate with anyone else. We never really took any offers from any other teams.

The deal is incentive laden, but the base is a significant $4 million less than he got last year, and apparently less than he was offered elsewhere. So says Mathieu:

"At this point in my career, it's not about making another million bucks. It's more about being in a situation where my family would be happy and I would be happy."

Not to mention making his number one fan very happy. As if I need another reason to love Vancouver. I'm planning a trip up now.


For some fan reaction, Nucks Misconduct has a "getting to know" post about the three new defenseman acquired on Friday (incidentally, they are three defenseman I happen to know a lot about). The take on Mathieu was, I thought, very fair. Take a look. And you know me, I can't shut up, so I added a comment.

Over at the fabulous Canucks Hockey Blog, mixed reaction. Alix, she formerly of the Humming Giraffe, "actually really kind of dig(s) the possible offensive loveliness that could come from our defence next season," while Richard had been kind of up in the air about it since the deal was made public last week. He does say, though, "Schneider is the puck mover we’ve been looking for." That's a start.


That's all I have for now. I'll keep looking. If things get quiet tonight at the Reference Desk (my first 7-10pm shift of the new semester), I'll dig up some more.

Reactions to come

Big news but where's the update? I'm I asleep at the wheel? Well, sort of. Massive headache and wicked ugly high temps in the Bay Area have zapped me of all energy (and most will to live, for that matter). Be assured, I'm working on it and will post news and reactions when I'm not hopped up on goof balls and it isn't 100+ degrees in a place with no air conditioning.

It's Official, Mathieu Schneider is a Vancouver Canuck

In what is kind of anti-climatic, the Vancouver Canucks announced that they have signed Mathieu.

They have not announced terms, but 1 year, $1.55 million is being said by other sources.

ROAD TRIP!!

Nothing official yet

Still nothing confirmed or officially announced, but it kind of being accepted in hockey circles that Mathieu will be a Canuck at the start of the season. A physical needs to be passed, and that may be the hold up. But even Canucks players are already welcoming their potential new teammate.

Young Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler had the following to say at an optional practice at UBC:

"I think from a guy like that you can learn a lot and that's good for me. I've been having great guys around me these years in Vancouver and a guy like him would help me a lot." (from 24 Hours Vancouver)

some terms rumors

Apparently, Team 1040 in Vancouver had TSN's Darren Dregar on the show, and he reports that Mathieu is seeking $1.5 for 1 year with the Canucks. (via Twitter)

I don't know how confirmed or true that is, but it seems pretty reasonable to me, especially considering he's coming off a $5+ million contract. I was afraid he was being unrealistic about how much teams would be willing to pay a 40 year old defenseman, not to mention one coming off of off-season surgery.

Nothing new, really

And here I thought I'd wake up to find Mathieu on a team. But no. Still nothing.

But the story of him being close to a deal with Vancouver made the Puck Daddy's Puck Headlines yesterday with the following commentary:

"Sportsnet reports that the Vancouver Canucks are close to signing free-agent defenseman Mathieu Schneider(notes), partly because he's a strong veteran presence in the locker room but mostly because their power-play is ‘teh suck' as the kids used to say. [Canada.com]"

And while I'm thinking of it, I wrote up something about Mathieu and Vancouver last December: see the post "Vancouver?" Re-reading that, most everything still applies (though Sundin is probably gone). And the thing about kitchen sponges is moot, too. I finally remembered to buy some. Although, I just used the last one in the huge package I bought, so I guess that may still apply if I forget to pick some up this afternoon.

Vancouver buzz abounds

The buzz in the hockey world is that Mathieu and Vancouver are close. More than close. Kind of like imminent. No confirmation from either camp, but the Canadian media is very confident a deal will be announced very soon. Most of the reports are coming from sports radio, so I'm not hearing the whole story. But I've got people listening for me. (It's good to have connections)

Be assured that we here at the Unofficial Mathieu Schneider Homepage are monitoring the situation and will post updates as they come in. That is, if I'm not in a meeting or otherwise being a productive employee. =)

Update: (2:20pm Pacific time) Still no word on any completion of a deal, but the Canucks are least have acknowledged interest, according to this article from The Province. From the comments in that article, plus the early reactions from Canucks blogs show a very mixed review from fans.

Rainy days in Mathieu's future?

All summer (and since last year, really), Vancouver has been one of the main teams rumored to be interested in Mathieu. That has really heated up in the last week. Its been all over blogs and rumor sites, but today it hit more "mainstream" media, with a report from Dan Murphy at Sportsnet that "Canucks close to signing Schneider." Seeing that Corey Schneider is already under contract with the team for another year, it isn't just a name confusion thing. =P

With training camp just about 2 weeks away, something better happen soon.

Buffalo still being mentioned

I was so happy to see something pop up on my news/blog feed that was related to Mathieu, that wasn't just saying a) he was injured in the playoffs, b) he isn't with Detroit anymore, c) he was replaced in Montreal and still teamless, and d) he's old.

Crash the Crease looks at the remaining UFAs and picks out those that may help Buffalo:

Mathieu Schneider – Even at 40, he’ll command a decent chunk of change for a probable 1-year contract. But it’s worth it – his skill as a powerplay quarterback and rock solid defenseman instantly improved the Montreal powerplay and their ailing defense last season when he was acquired. Barring injuries, he could do a lot to fill the gap Jaroslav Spacek left – and at this point in his career, he could be convinced to take a discount.

Well, he had me until "rock solid defenseman." =P Really, though, the powerplay quarterback is the key missing piece on a few teams, and that is something he really can provide. Seeing how Montreal signed Jaroslav Spacek to replace the contributions of Mathieu (with the "bonus" of Spacek being a few years younger), Mathieu would seem an obvious fit. As long as they aren't looking for that solid defensive defenseman.

But who knows? No official words or updates have been given, so all we have to go on is wish-lists and possibilities. But at least those are more on-topic that Vinny Lecavalier vacation pics.

The news well is dry

Still haven't heard squat in the where-will-Mathieu-be-next-year department. I heard some deals were being considered, but that was weeks ago and nothing since.

So, since there is nothing to report, here is a picture of Vincent Lecavalier surfing in Hawaii.


Ok, seriously. Something needs to happen. I'm running out of random Vinny vacation images.

Still fabulous, but still teamless

The Hockey News wrote up a kind of All-Star team of still available free agents:

"He’s 40, if you can believe it, but whenever a team needs a power play quarterback at the trade deadline, they turn to Schneider."

Happily, Mathieu made the list as a great still available defenseman. Sadly, he's still available.

Alaskan adventures

Same writers block, different adventure. Last Friday, I got back from an Alaskan cruise with my roommate from college, and since then I have been trying to summarize my experiences into something eloquent. As with Montreal, I fall short.

So, in lieu of something more creative, and with no attention to grammar, sentence structure, and tense, and in not particular order, here is a list stuff experienced and learned on my Alaskan adventure:

• We started the adventure by flying up to Seattle, where we would board a boat for a 7 day cruise through the Inside Passage.
• Accidentally left my Mathieu Schneider jersey at home. It is a key part of my flying superstition. Luckily, had a Brad Richards jersey in my luggage. Not the same, but at least we didn't crash.
• Southwest Airlines lost Alisha's bag. We bought 7 days worth of clothes as a back up, but luckily it was found and returned... at 2am. Alisha spent the next morning returning her purchases.
  
• Visited Archie McPhee, superstore of the odd, unusual, and totally awesome. I bought pickle shaped band aids. It was awesome.
  
• The Underground Tour of Seattle was really cool. Learned all about Seattle's early days of sewage disasters, excessive drinking, and whores.
• Our boat, Holland America's "luxurious and elegant" Zaandam, was awesome. And christened by the Olsen twins when they were young and cute.

• Formal nights were cool. Gave me an opportunity to dress up and try out real table manners.
• Full body exfoliation and other spa treatments are amazing, and I could really get used to that.
• The hugeness of Alaska, while cliché, is simply awe inspiring.
• The wilderness is breathtaking.
• The glaciers... what can be said really? You have to see them to believe it. Our last remnants of the Ice Age, and disappearing rapidly.

• Rented the original Poseidon Adventure from the ship's library. It is even better than watching it at home.
• Saw a submarine.
  
• I really, really enjoyed the solitary walks around the ship at night. A welcome and needed break from the never-ending socialness.
• Saw a momma bear and her two cubs at the Mendenhall Glacier.
• Watched the sun set into nothing
• Got blown over, literally, by the wind on the bow of the ship.
• Lounged by the pool while we were cruising around Glacier Bay. Ice filled the bay, but the weather was sunny and warm.

• Saw more salmon then I'd ever imagine. It was prime spawning season. You could grab the suckers out of the water with your hands there were so many.
• Ate a lot of salmon. (Wait... that's bad juxtaposition)
• Bald eagles are like pigeons up there. Everywhere!

• Ate a baked Alaska every night, save for one, for desert.
• Had a beer in the famed Red Dog Saloon in Juneau.
• Learned that shaving one's legs in a rocking cruise ship is not an easy task.
• Was going to wave bye to Sarah Palin on her last day in office while in the capital city, but she was in Anchorage giving that bizarre, rambling farewell speech.
• Bought cool Russian stuff in Sitka, including an awesome hat for the eldest nephew that he still hasn't taken off.
• For the first time in my life, I look out and saw nothing. It was a weird feeling.
• Never did get used to the getting dark at 11pm thing.

• Saw more stars than I ever knew existed.
• Spent a good 30 minutes looking over the side of the boat, yelling "jellyfish!" every time we saw a jellyfish. We are easily amused.
  
• 7.5-12 foot swells on the way to Victoria. Whoa...
• Got nauseous a couple times, but never too bad. I did kind of like being rocked to sleep at night.
  
• Saw Victoria, B.C., from the boat. We never got to dock there, but it was only supposed to be a 4 hour stop anyway. I'll just need to go back to Montreal for a Canada fix.
• The bus taking us back to the airport in Seattle broke down on the side of the road, proving Seattle hates us.

All in all, it was a fabulous trip and another amazing experience. I'd love to do it again, and the other cruises mentioned in the brochure they hand out sound intriguing: Baltic states, Scandinavia, South America. But then I come back to reality and look at my bank account. Maybe I can hope for a Caribbean or New England/Canadian Maritimes cruise some day.

If you want to see the rest of my pics, check them out:
Part 1 (Seattle, Juneau)
Part 2 (Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan)


I took over 500, but I narrowed them down quite a bit.

Nothing to report

Well, I'm back. And nothing happened on the Mathieu front while I was gone. I appreciate he waited until I returned. But, he can go ahead and sign somewhere now, kthanxbye.