Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks have made it abundantly clear that they are open to business. With three main objectives in mind, shed salary, improve the defense, and add a centerman to place behind Pettersson and Miller, lots of speculation and talks are about to rise up.
Today, Darren Dreger was on Sekeres and Price and linked the Canucks to an extremely intriguing defenseman in Philadelphia. Dreger started by acknowledging that the Flyers and their GM Daniel Briere had also stated that they were open to business and that the Canucks should be wondering about of of their 'lower-profile' player, Travis Sanheim:
While Sanheim has a similar apport to the game as does Vladislav Gavrikov, one thing that seems unfitting for the Canucks, is the AAV tag he has on him. The 6'03'' left-handed shot defenseman still has a $6.25M contract through the next 8 years, up until the time he's 36 years old.
Gavrikov on his end is previewed to get a deal with an AAV along the lines of $5M for anywhere from 4 to 6 years. Perhaps Sanheim has more upside, however, I'm not certain adding another high-priced defenseman to the Canucks' core makes much sense. Unless the Flyers would consider taking OEL's contract (given that he accepts a trade to Philly), I'm not sure moving for Sanheim would be such a good deal given the amount of money on his deal ($50M over the next 8 years).
