by Ziggy Keane

Created on: May 24, 2009   Last Updated: May 28, 2009

The Vancouver Canucks must now look towards the 2009-10 season following a disappointing showing in the second round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and General Manager Mike Gillis has some serious decisions to make.

Alain Vigneault was given a one-year contract extension shortly after Mike Gillis was hired as General Manager, and after leading the Canucks to a better than anticipated finish to the 2008-09 season, there is every chance he could be given a further extension. At any rate, a coaching change for Vancouver does not look likely to be on the horizon.

There is less certainty between the pipes. Roberto Luongo is entering the final year of his contract, and after a game 6 meltdown against Chicago, during which he allowed 7 goals, his future is very much in the air.

His performance in game 6 has split fan opinion in Vancouver, and there is a debate raging about whether or not a team can be a contender in a salary cap era by building around a netminder. Yes, he is one of the best goalies in the NHL, but can a team afford to make him its highest earner and still compete for the Stanley Cup?

With blue chip goaltending prospect Cory Schneider looking to break into the NHL in the next season or two, a ready made replacement for Luongo is available if the Canucks are willing to gamble on youth.

The situation at defense is more stable. Willie Mitchell, Kevin Bieksa, Alex Edler, Sami Salo, and Shane O'Brien all remain under contract for next season, leaving only one spot left to fill, as it seems that Mattias Ohlund will not be offered a new contract with the club.

Up front, there are big question marks. Henrik and Daniel Sedin are unrestricted free agents, and if a deal is not done by July 1st, the Canucks will be left without their two most dangerous players. Their linemate, Alex Burrows, was recently signed to a long-term contract, but as this was his first 30 goal season, there are worries in some quarters about his ability to duplicate the success of this season.

On the second line, Mats Sundin will be a free agent and is unlikely to be resigned unless he is willing to take a major paycut. Ryan Kesler and Pavol Demitra remain under contract for next season.

Mike Gillis has a number of important decisions to make with regards to the team's top 3 players (Luongo and the Sedin Twins), and come next October this franchise may have a completely different identity.

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