Canucks have a new trade target: Linked to an intriguing right handed Defenseman
With Nikita Zadorov not returning to the Vancouver Canucks, Patrik Allvin will be in the market to add a top-four defenceman to his roster ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
There could be some options on the free agent market starting on Monday, but it looks like the Canucks have their eye on the New Jersey Devils and blueliner John Marino, who's under contract for three more seasons.
According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the Devils are actively trying to trade defenceman John Marino and among the teams in the mix to land him is the Vancouver Canucks.
#Canucks were one of the teams in the mix - a potential checkdown option if no Zadorov." Seravalli said.
Marino, 27, was signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins as a college free agent in 2019 before being traded to the New Jersey Devils nearly two years ago. As mentioned, Marino has three years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4.4 million and while it may not be cheap to acquire him, he'd probably be a better option at that dollar figure than someone on the free agent market next week.
In 75 games this season for the Devils, Marino had 25 points (four goals, 21 assists), 41 penalty minutes and was a minus-six.
There's no doubt Patrik Allvin will be busy this weekend and over the next week to try and fill the hole in their top-four left by Nikita Zadorov, who officially becomes an unrestricted free agent on Monday afternoon.
Should the Canucks pursue a Marino trade or look on the free agent market for a top-four blueliner? Let us know what you think in the poll below.
| POLL | ||
Should the Canucks pursue a Marino trade or look on the free agent market for a top-four blueliner? | ||
| Trade for Marino | 320 | 25.7 % |
| Look on free agent market | 925 | 74.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
