Canucks To Become Sellers, Canadiens Linked To Predators’ Ryan O’Reilly
The Vancouver Canucks are sitting near
the bottom of the Western Conference standings. That has management
poised to become sellers.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported
Tuesday the Canucks informed the rest of the league they’re
willing to entertain offers for their veteran players. Jim
Rutherford, the president of hockey operations, subsequently
confirmed that his club had to get younger.
Rutherford said they’re not moving
all their veterans. Friedman said the Canucks could entertain offers
for players eligible to become UFAs next summer and those who have a year or two left on their contracts. However,
that does not include superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes.
The pending UFAs include forwards
Evander Kane and Kiefer Sherwood. Those in the latter category
include defenseman Tyler Myers and forwards Filip Chytil and Drew
O’Connor.
The Hockey News’ Adam Kierszenblat said the Canucks appear to be aiming for a retool, since Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin have made it clear a more aggressive rebuild isn’t a route they want to take. He also noted that Kane has a 16-team approved trade list, and Myers has a no-move clause this year that changes to a 12-team no-trade clause next season.
TSN’s Darren Dreger weighed in on what
this decision would mean for Canucks captain Hughes. Dreger reminded
everyone the 26-year-old defenseman is signed through next
season, but his future in Vancouver remains uncertain if the club
doesn’t become more competitive.
Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre suggested
the Canucks’ slow start and the possibility of trades that might
weaken the team in the short term raise the chances of Hughes
requesting a trade by next summer, if not sooner.
Of the Canucks’ pending UFAs, MacIntyre
believes the feisty Sherwood is the most marketable. He has 12 goals
in 23 games, but contract talks between the two sides remain stalled.
Speaking of teams that could become
sellers, the Nashville Predators are making a difficult transition
from aging veterans to younger talent. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun believes
that process will continue throughout this season.
LeBrun said forwards Steven
Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault continue to surface in the rumor
mill despite their no-movement clauses. He believes the Predators
will be open to offers for those two.
However, it’s Ryan O’Reilly that’s
drawing the most interest. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an
affordable $4.5 million average annual value. Unlike Stamkos and
Marchessault, he lacks no-trade protection, though the Predators are
treating him as though he has it.
LeBrun believes O’Reilly will attract
teams that are looking for a center with Stanley Cup experience. He
indicated the Montreal Canadiens were among the suitors. If the
Predators peddle O’Reilly, LeBrun believes the asking price is a
first-round pick and an “A-level prospect.”
The Canadiens can afford to part with
that return, but they could be reluctant to do so for O’Reilly.
GM Kent Hughes prefers adding younger players who can
fit among their youthful roster core. Adding the 34-year-old O’Reilly
would be a significant step away from that template.
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