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Vancouver Canucks have valuable trade chip in non-pending unrestricted free agent winger
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
The Vancouver Canucks may have a valuable trade chip in a non-pending unrestricted free agent winger, with a tad over 60 days to go until the NHL's deadline.
A little over a month ago, with the team falling into the basement of the National Hockey League's overall standings, the Vancouver Canucks decided to make all of their pending unrestricted free agents available for trade, including Kiefer Sherwood, Teddy Blueger and Evander Kane.
"According to several sources, the Vancouver Canucks have let it be known that - in an effort to get younger - they are willing to listen to offers on 'veteran players.'" Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said.
While a lot of the talk recently has been about Patrik Allvin's plans to sell off his pending unrestricted free agents, they aren't the only players on the Canucks' roster that will draw interest leading up to March 6th.
Vancouver Canucks may have valuable trade chip in forward Drew O'Connor
Last month, a report came out from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period who reported that the Vancouver Canucks are willing to trade forward Drew O'Connor, who is in his second year with the club and is under contract for one more season following the 2025-26 campaign at a cap hit of $2.5 million USD.
"Re Canucks: 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." Pagnotta said on Sekeres and Price last month.
O'Connor has stepped up his game in a big way over the last couple of weeks, with three goals and nine shots in his last five games, leading David Quadrelli of Canucks Army to wonder if the Vancouver Canucks should attempt to cash in now amid his hot streak.
"To put it simply, the Canucks need to look at O'Connor and ask themselves if he's going to be part of the next great Canucks team. And if the answer to that question is no, then they have to at least explore selling high on him and bringing back a future asset that could turn into a key part of their future." Quadrelli said.
While it's not a guarantee that Drew O'Connor will be moved by the Vancouver Canucks before the deadline in early March, the team will need to consider it and as for the return he could net the club, it might be a mid-round pick (third or fourth round), assuming he's able to produce some level of offense in the weeks ahead to prove he'd be a worthy addition to a contending team.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily