Fixing the Canucks

Photo by Getty Images

In light of some of the worst hockey from the Vancouver Canucks, losing 5-2 to Toronto on Saturday and Minnesota 5-2 yesterday, I am left to wonder just how much longer the front office can go before they start making roster moves. With the trade deadline just a hair under two weeks away, it's time to start thinking about moving out some of the veterans to stockpile younger talent, particularly on the blue line. So, who would be on the trading block and what could they fetch? Here are a few ideas:

• Dan Hamhuis: The best defender on the Canucks, he does come with injury risks, as he came back earlier this month after missing time due to injury, and he doesn't offer much offense. However, a team that could be looking for solid play in their own end could be asking for Hamhuis, and getting a draft pick and a younger defender would be considered a decent haul.
• Matt Bartkowski or Luca Sbisa: With Alex Edler on the shelf, he would be off the trade block until after the season. However, that doesn't mean the Canucks can stand pat, as neither Bartkowski nor Sbisa have been pulling their weight. While it may seem impossible to move either one, hence why I'm lumping the two together here, both are still under 30, which means a team that could use a bottom pairing player may look to either one. At this point, I'd be happy with lower end prospects and/or draft picks.
• Radim Vrbata: He scored 30+ goals last season, and given that the Canucks are looking to get younger, it makes sense to move Vrbata, and a contending team that needs scoring on the second line is likely to come calling. If the Canucks can get an NHL roster player in addition to a prospect or two, it would be ideal.
• Alex Burrows: Like Vrbata, Burrows has been a good scorer in the past. However, he hasn't been that player in a few years, and he is on the wrong side of 30. A couple prospects and or/draft picks sounds about right here.

While it sounds like the Canucks don't have a lot of trade chips that could be turned into higher level prospects, it is reasonable that the Canucks have needed to rebuild their prospect pool, something that has been a work in progress mainly through the draft. By trading some of their more seasoned veterans, they can supplement their pipeline in the hope that they can bolster a blue line sorely in need of warm bodies.