TORONTO -- During the World Cup, Loui Eriksson played with Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin so effectively for Sweden it suggested that the Vancouver Canucks might be in for a treat this season. Some of the Swedes even took to calling Eriksson the third Sedin.
He might still be, but the results aren't happening yet. In his first 16 games with the Canucks, Eriksson has just six points. Known for his well-rounded game, Eriksson is a minus-4.
On his way down the red carpet to celebrate the Hall of Fame inductions on Monday, Canucks president Trevor Linden stopped to chat about the slow start for Eriksson and Vancouver.
"It's always hard, all these players that move. It's hard," Linden said. "He's finding his way. Quite honestly, we have to find the right people to support his game."
Eriksson signed a six-year contract with Vancouver in July after spending the three previous seasons with Boston. So far in playing with the Sedins, Eriksson has scored just one even-strength goal, although the three controlled 56.9 percent of the even-strength shot attempts when together. It wasn't instant offense like the World Cup suggested it might be.
"What works in international hockey isn't always [what works in the NHL]. I said this all summer, he's definitely going to get a shot to play with the Sedins, but we acquired him because he's a great two-way player, versatile and makes people better," Linden said. "Henrik and Daniel really play a two-man game, a lot of times ... they want someone to do the simple things. They don't need a lot. They need someone who can shoot the puck, get to certain areas. We've got to find the right fit for Loui."
The Canucks currently have a better record than just four other NHL teams and are struggling to score goals, averaging just two per game. As Vancouver drops in the standings, suggestions to trade the Sedins have circulated, and calls to truly bottom out have gotten louder.
Linden has certainly heard the suggestion, but trading the Sedins isn't an option he's considering.
"No. That's not a conversation," Linden said. "I don't know any team that can take $14 million [in salary], for starters. It's pretty unrealistic."
He believes the Sedins have earned the opportunity to stay in Vancouver and play on a team that hasn't been completely gutted. Shipping them out to spark a rebuild isn't on the table.
"It's not a consideration," Linden said. "These guys are too important to our organization, as people. Unless they walk in my door and say, 'Hey trade us,' that's never going to happen."
More conversations from the Hall of Fame red carpet:
The Nashville Predators were a popular pick to come out of the Western Conference -- at least, popular by the author of this blog. But the way they started the season, it looked like they might even have trouble making the playoffs, let alone go on a playoff run.
General manager David Poile said the team has looked better lately, but added that there has been a bit of an internal culture shift the team is still working through. Not only did the Predators trade their captain, Shea Weber, they lost veterans with presence like Paul Gaustad and Eric Nystrom.
"We talked about that. There's no question the chemistry is different, the culture is different," Poile said. "The defense partners are different, the lines are different. I think we're working through that. I think we're going to be fine."
Poile is hoping some of the younger players take a larger leadership role, including guys like Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. Poile also singled out defenseman Ryan Ellis as a player he thinks is capable of expanding his leadership responsibilities.
"Ryan Ellis has always been a captain all the way up in his career," Poile said. "There's no reason why at this point in his career, he can't take up more leadership responsibility. It's all there. It's the realization it's their turn."
According to an NHL source, Las Vegas will get the opportunity to cut side deals -- agreements to select or pass on players in return for compensation -- with teams before the expansion draft. But unlike the handshake agreements of the past expansion drafts, these deals will all be above board and registered with central registry.
The GMs are meeting on Tuesday, and while they all have an understanding of the basic expansion draft rules, there are plenty who want to clarification on trades and other details that have yet to be worked out.
"I'm looking for clarity," said Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher. "I think we know the rules in general, but I think there's going to be some possible tweaks to it. Is there going to be a shopping period for Vegas where they can reach out and cut deals. That can have an impact on how the draft goes."
The Wild, sitting in third place in the Central Division, are about to get a nice boost. Fletcher said he expects star winger Zach Parise to be in the lineup for the Wild on Tuesday. If not Tuesday, then Thursday at the latest. Parise last played on Oct. 27 and has been out with a foot injury.
"Hopefully, he'll play tomorrow," Fletcher said Monday. "He's feeling a lot better. He probably could have played on the road trip."
Calgary Flames president Brian Burke has done enough contracts that he has seen this happen before: A young player signs a monster contract and then spends the next season struggling to live up to it.
The problem for the Flames is they have two of them. Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau locked up big contracts this summer, and neither is off to a roaring start. Monahan has six points in 16 games. Johnny Gaudreau is a minus-10 with just four goals.
"It's a subconscious thing. This has happened to me in my career probably 50 times," Burke said. "They say it doesn't weigh on them, but subconsciously it can. It might have something to do with it. We've told them that. You get 60 points, we give you this contract. Now they think they have to get 90 points. We're rewarding you for 60, give us 60 again. There's a subconscious normal reaction.”
He said it's normal, but he has just about lost patience.
"It's November," Burke said. "Move on."