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Trade Framework Already Set for the Vancouver Canucks to get Massive Return for Top Prospect Tom Willander
Photo credit: Canucks Daily
As the Vancouver Canucks struggle to put pen to paper with their top prospect Tom Willander for his entry level deal, trade speculation has already begun, and if the Canucks decide to go that route, the framework has already been set by the Minnesota Wild.
Since the season has concluded for the Canucks and they sit at home watching the Stanley Cup Playoff's, it is now go time for President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford and General Manager Patrik Allvin to make all the deals necessary to not allow the 2025 season to repeat itself.
Framework already set for Canucks to get big return for defenseman Tom Willander
Negotiations between the Canucks and Willander's camp have not made much progress on getting him signed to his entry level contract.
Apparently, both sides can't agree on the bonuses aspect of the deal, which would include significant compensation for reaching big milestones through out his rookie season and over the 3-year deal.
"The disagreement centers on the optional Schedule A bonuses, which can be included in Willander's entry-level deal. These bonuses are given for reaching certain impressive milestones, such as 10 goals, 25 assists, or 40 points for defensemen.
The Canucks and Willander's camp haven't been able to agree on how many bonuses should be included. The team is trying to follow a set internal structure, while Willander wants more, although he is reportedly not asking for all of them." - Noah Strang
The Canucks and Willander's camp haven't been able to agree on how many bonuses should be included. The team is trying to follow a set internal structure, while Willander wants more, although he is reportedly not asking for all of them." - Noah Strang
Now, if Willander decides to go back to school, the Canucks may opt to trade him, even though this would not be their first choice.
The good news, the framework has already been set if the Canucks decide this is their only option.
There's already a framework for a Willander + 1st trade: Faber + 1st (19th) for Fiala
Willander is a better prospect than Faber was at the time of the trade and the Canucks' 1st is slightly earlier in a comparable draft.
Fiala was coming off an 85 point season and was an RFA.
Willander is a better prospect than Faber was at the time of the trade and the Canucks' 1st is slightly earlier in a comparable draft.
Fiala was coming off an 85 point season and was an RFA.
The main precedent made was back in 2022 when the Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings combined to trade big prospect Brock Faber for Kevin Fiala, who was the 19th overall pick.
If anything, this trade comparison makes the case that the Vancouver Canucks are able to get a much bigger return for Willander and he is considered an even more impressive and promising prospect than Brock Faber was at the time.
So, the package (Faber + 19th pick) was enough to land Fiala, then logically, a package of Willander + a slightly better pick could bring back a player of similar caliber to Fiala-perhaps a young, high-scoring RFA forward.
At the end of the day, Willander is a top prospect for a reason and the Canucks do not want to trade him.
But, if they are going to get him locked up and secured from having to trade him, then, Allvin and Rutherford are going to need to be more flexible.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
MAI 11 | 1167 ANSWERS Trade Framework Already Set for the Vancouver Canucks to get Massive Return for Top Prospect Tom Willander Do you think the Vancouver Canucks can get a better return than Kevin Fiala for top prospect Tom Willander? | ||
| Yes | 805 | 69 % |
| No | 362 | 31 % |
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