While there are currently several NHL coaching positions open, Arniel says he has no interviews scheduled at this time. Arniel had been offered an interview for the Edmonton head coaching job, but the position was filled by Pat Quinn before an interview could happen. Arniel wanted the interview after the Calder Cup playoffs.

Arniel was hired by Dave Nonis and Steve Tambellini in the summer of 2006 and has served as the Canucks top minor league affiliate's head coach since.

The Winnipeg Sun also reports that 42-year old winger and one-time Canuck Mike Keane is leaning towards returning next season as the captain instead of retiring. But the ultimate decision will come during off-season training.

It is expected he will ink an American Hockey League contract with the Moose if he does choose to return as a player. If not, we could see him ink a deal as an associate coach.

Thirty-three year old defenceman Nolan Baumgartner is also expected to be retained by the Canucks for depth and leadership on their minor league team.

However, James Mirtle of From the Rink is reporting that Shirokov's Kontinental Hockey League team, CSKA Moscow has launched legal action over the signing. This could explain why the signing has not been formally announced by the team yet.

Shirokov was the Canucks' sixth round selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The pick was acquired as part of the Roberto Luongo trade from Florida.

Comments: What can the court do to stop a player from wanting out? They couldn't stop Evgeni Malkin from coming over to North America and couldn't stop Alexander Radulov from bolting to Russia.

At the time of the draft, some scouts described Hodgson's hockey smarts and skill are as good as that of first overall pick Steven Stamkos, but his skating was not quite there for him to be a slam dunk NHL impact player.

Hodgson was ranked ninth amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting which was lower than local boy Kyle Beach, who was ranked at seventh.

Many expected when then-Canucks assistant general manager Steve Tambellini went up to the podium to announce the Canucks selection to say, "The Vancouver Canucks are very proud to select from the Everett Silvertips, Kyle Beach." 

Instead, the Canucks announced Cody Hodgson as their pick.

"The Vancouver Canucks are very proud to select from the Brampton Battalion, Cody Hodgson." 

There was immediate uproar in Vancouver and people began calling for Ron Delorme's head once again. But now that we look back on it, probably the best selection ever in Canucks history.

Now, this year at 22nd overall, the Canucks hope they can find themselves another gem. This year also marks the first time since 1998 the Canucks have held at least one draft pick in each round of the NHL Entry Draft. In 1998, they held twelve picks in nine rounds and three NHLers came out of that draft—Bryan Allen, Artem Chubarov, and Jarkko Ruutu.

--

The "overall" position is subject to change with the inclusion of compensatory picks. But in the first round, the Canucks will be picking 22nd overall, unless there is a trade by the Canucks.

The Canucks picks are as followed:

• Vancouver's first round, 22nd overall
• Vancouver's second round, 53rd overall
• Vancouver's third round, 83rd overall
• Vancouver's fourth round, 113th overall
• Vancouver's fifth round, 142nd overall
• Vancouver's sixth round, 172nd overall
• Chicago's seventh round, 208th overall (acquired from Chicago for Jim Sharrow)

The following picks have been traded away by the Canucks:

• Los Angeles' third round, 66th overall (traded with 2010 2nd round pick for Steve Bernier)
• Vancouver's seventh round, 202nd overall (traded to Los Angeles for Jason Labarbera)

There are many questions regarding the backup position heading into the 2009-2010 NHL season. What are some of the options the Canucks have?

Re-sign Jason Labarbera

Labarbera was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings where he had been the third-stringer and odd man out for a seventh round pick in this month's draft. Upon his arrival in Vancouver, he was thrown into action and had spectacular performances in his first few games as a Canuck.

He also displayed the ability to come off the bench cold to help his team to a victory, something Curtis Sanford could not do.

Labarbera's probably the most talented and best backup goalie Luongo has had in Vancouver, but it is highly unlikely the team would be able to retain him as he most likely want to go a team where he will have a chance to be the number one guy or at least get more than the 10 starts he will get as Luongo's backup. Nor would he welcome the possibility of being demoted to the minors if he is outperformed by prospect Cory Schneider in training camp.

Bring Curtis Sanford back

Curtis Sanford has been a popular backup among his teammates, but he has been unable to secure his job as the Canucks backup.

After, the 2008 season, Canucks general manager Mike Gillis had hoped to bring his former client Stephen Valiquette over from the New York Rangers to serve as the Canucks backup, but was snubbed and retained Curtis Sanford as there were no other better options out there.

This past season, Curtis Sanford lost his starting job to Cory Schneider and then Jason Labarbera while Luongo was injured, then demoted to the minors where he primarily served as the backup to Cory Schneider.

Sanford's been inconsistent during his time as a Canuck mainly due to his lack of size and his chance of getting back into the NHL as a backup is unlikely next season. Sanford will most likely have to take a two-way contract from either the Canucks or another NHL team to work himself back up from the NHL again. Another option could be the Kontinental Hockey League.

Promote Cory Schneider

The general consensus amongst Vancouver Canucks fans is to promote goalie prospect Cory Schneider from starter in the American Hockey League to backup for the Canucks.

Many fans feel that this will prepare Schneider for the starting position the following season (2010-2011) if Roberto Luongo leaves via unrestricted free agency or gets dealt at the 2010 NHL trading deadline. This move will allow Schneider to practice regularly with a NHL club, facing NHL calibre shots and getting in a few starts.

In my opinion, the likely scenario next season is we will see Cory Schneider as the backup to Roberto Luongo and Curtis Sanford retained to be the third-stringer in Manitoba.

In his limited action this past season, Schneider has shown he has NHL potential, but needs to build his book on NHL shooters.