That's exactly what the 23-year-old [Cory Schneider] has done, and continues to do, with the Moose advancing to the second round of the AHL post-season. But it's not just Schneider, of course. And, of course, scenarios can change dramatically with each series. But at the moment, the Canucks, now engaged in battle with Jonathan Toews' Chicago Blackhawks, don't look like a team with a "Help Wanted" shingle out at the moment.

"Those guys gave them a lot of relief salary-wise," [Scott Arniel] added. "Sure, when they become (proven) NHL players they're going to look for the bigger dollars. But when you look at every NHL roster and see their third and fourth lines and their fifth, sixth, seventh defencemen I'll guarantee you most of them are sitting at the minimum $475,000 or $700,000. And they're going to be the guys that help you at cap time when you have to re-sign somebody that's one of your top players or a free agent."

Reasoned Moose GM Craig Heisinger: "As long as you're in the American Hockey League, whether you're on a PTO (limited game contract), an AHL contract or an NHL contract, you're always auditioning for the 29 other teams, not just the Vancouver Canucks. You're trying to be an NHL player and there's pro scouts jammed at all these playoff games. They're not here for no reason. They're watching everybody.