Unexpected trade chip emerges for the Vancouver Canucks ahead of March 6th deadline
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
An unexpected name has emerged as a potential trade chip for the Vancouver Canucks ahead of the National Hockey League's deadline on Friday, March 6th.
After declaring their intentions to rebuild, there's a lot of pressure on the Vancouver Canucks' front office to land some big returns at the trade deadline in early March, with several of their players starting to draw interest on the market, including pending unrestricted free agents Teddy Blueger and Evander Kane.
The Vancouver Canucks are open to discussions on other players too, including those with plenty of term remaining on their contracts, as President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford revealed last month.
"We may end up saying no to offers, certainly, but we're not going to say no to having conversations about any player. This is about improving this team without taking shortcuts." Rutherford said.
Unexpected trade chip emerges for Vancouver Canucks ahead of deadline
While it's far from a guarantee that the Vancouver Canucks will move anyone other than their pending UFAs before Noon PT on March 6th, General Manager Patrik Allvin has a lot to consider and if he truly wants this rebuild to be successful, it might mean parting with players who are beloved in the locker room.
Just before Christmas, rumors began to circulate that forward Drew O'Connor was placed on the trade block by the Canucks a little less than a year after he was acquired by Patrik Allvin from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"Drew O'Connor has another year left on his contract with some no-trade protection, he's a player I believe they're willing to move." NHL insider David Pagnotta said while on Sekeres and Price.
O'Connor has been drawing interest from teams around the National Hockey League over the last couple months and in a recent article for Canucks Army, Stephan Roget examined if the Vancouver Canucks could get a good return for the Chatham, New Jersey native.
Roget believes if the Canucks are willing to retain some of Drew O'Connor's salary, combined with how well the winger has played so far this season - on pace for a new career-high in goals - they could end up getting a second round pick for him.
"Put all that together, and you don’t quite have another Sherwood, but you do have the next best thing. We believe that O’Connor should be able to bring home at least a second-round pick as a return – especially if retained on – and perhaps a little extra on top of that." Roget said.
In 57 games this season with the Canucks, the 27-year-old, who is under contract for one more year following the 2025-26 campaign with a $2.5 million cap hit, has registered 21 points (13 goals, eight assists), 22 penalty minutes and is a plus-three.
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