Vancouver Canucks Named as Top Contender to Land $73.2 Million Dollar Star From the New York Islanders
Photo credit: Brad Penner - Imagn Images.
A former first-round pick and British Columbia native could be a potential trade target for General Manager Patrik Allvin as he continues to look for forward help.
It's been known for quite some time now that the Vancouver Canucks would like to acquire a second line centerman, or at least a middle-six forward, with the club continuing to deal with injury issues.
"The Vancouver Canucks are believed to be looking for a middle-six forward to add to their roster due to winger Nils Hoglander missing the next eight-to-ten weeks because of an injury. Canucks GM Patrik Allvin has been exploring options, according to separate league sources, but it is unclear if a move is imminent." The Fourth Period reported.
Patrik Allvin and his management staff are still evaluating their options to add external help and it appears that a former first-round pick and a British Columbia native may be among those that the club could potentially target.
Former first-round pick & BC native could be potential trade target for Patrik Allvin
Last week, New York Islanders centerman Mathew Barzal showed up late to practice and was made a healthy scratch by Head Coach Patrick Roy for the team's game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Writer Arthur Staple believes that this might not have been the first time something Mathew Barzal was late to practice or a team meeting and that the team has to be make sure they got this decision right, given that the Coquitlam, British Columbia native has been with the Islanders for parts of ten seasons now and is their star.
"When you see this happen, it's usually not the first time. It's the last straw.
Having said that, Patrick Roy and Mathieu Darche better be right about this move. Barzal is 28, not 18 -- everyone around the #Isles knows him well and if he's gotten leeway in the past, hard to suddenly rein it in now." Staple said.
Having said that, Patrick Roy and Mathieu Darche better be right about this move. Barzal is 28, not 18 -- everyone around the #Isles knows him well and if he's gotten leeway in the past, hard to suddenly rein it in now." Staple said.
Now, while there's no guarantee that the New York Islanders would move on from Mathew Barzal right now, if they were to go down that route, perhaps later in the season, Trevor Beggs of Daily Hive wonders if the Vancouver Canucks could be an option.
"One of the issues with the Canucks centre depth, and their forward unit as a whole, is that they utterly lack top forwards who can feed their teammates the puck.
That's an area where Barzal excels. Since the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, Barzal ranks top 10 in terms of primary assists at 5-on-5." Beggs said.
That's an area where Barzal excels. Since the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, Barzal ranks top 10 in terms of primary assists at 5-on-5." Beggs said.
Barzal, 28, is under contract with the Islanders through the 2030-31 season and has a cap hit of $9.15 million US, so not only would it cost the Vancouver Canucks an arm and a leg to acquire him, they'll also need to find a way to make it work money-wise too, potentially in a separate trade or getting the Islanders to take on a not-so-great contract.
Source: Trevor Beggs/Daily Hive
Is there an opportunity for Vancouver Canucks to get Barzal out of New York?
Is there an opportunity for Vancouver Canucks to get Barzal out of New York?
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