Canucks trade talks starting to heat up — The Fourth Period
The Vancouver Canucks are going through a full on rebuild, as GM Patrik Allvin stated in an interview with the club’s website on Sunday.
Pivoting from a retool or “hybrid” rebuild, as management tried to relay earlier in the season, to a full rebuild seems to have escalated trade discussions with other clubs across the NHL. When another move occurs, though, is still undefined, despite Allvin and President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford actively working the phones.
The top piece the Canucks have been dangling is power forward Kiefer Sherwood, who is currently out of action and considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.
Sherwood is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and is not expected to sign an extension with Vancouver. The Canucks have not given terms permission to talk to his agent about a new deal, nor have their backed off their asking price of a first-round draft pick and another asset.
The Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche are among a long list of teams interested in Sherwood.
After forward Jake DeBrusk was scratched from the lineup two weeks ago, his performance has improved, but trade inquiries have also increased, and the Canucks are willing to listen, as TFP’s David Pagnotta reported last week on “Sekeres and Price.”
DeBrusk, 29, in the second year of a seven-year, $38.5 million contract, and owns a full no-movement clause. He will have a say in where he ends up, and sources close to the organization suggest he would be willing to consider a move if presented with the right opportunity.
It is unclear, at this point, which teams have expressed interest in DeBrusk.
View TFP’s Trade WAtch List
Forwards on expiring contracts, such as Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger and David Kampf, are also available in the trade market, while the Canucks are also listening on the likes of Conor Garland and Drew O’Connor.
The Canucks want to acquire young NHL-ready talent, or near NHL ready, but are also looking to deepen their cupboard with draft picks, and they will attempt to acquire both types of assets in any of the moves they make between now and the March 6 trade deadline.
