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Trading up?

June 7, 2013, 11:55 AM ET [443 Comments]
Ian Esplen
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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Ek broke news last night that the Vancouver was set to make a major play for a top-4 pick at the up-coming draft. Personally, I've never been much of a fan of trading up because more often than not it just isn't worth it. Below is a brief history of some of the deals that have gone down where teams have slightly moved up.


History- 2003-08

- Penguins trade from 3 to 1 to select Marc-Andre Fleury
- Sharks trade from 21 to 16 to select Steve Bernier
- Devils trade from 22 to 17 to select Zach Parise
- Hurricanes traded from 8 to 4 to select Andrew Ladd
- Rangers traded from 24 to 19 to select Lauri Korpikoski
- Sharks went from 28 to 22 to select Lukas Kaspar
- Sharks went from 12 to 8 to select Devin Setoguchi
- Rangers went from 16 to 12 to select Marc Staal
- Sharks traded from 20 to 16 to select Ty Wishart
- Blues traded from 30 to 25 to select Patrik Berglund
- Sharks traded from 13 to 9 to select Logan Couture
- Wild traded from 19 to 16 to select Colton Gillies
- Blues traded from 24 to 18 to select Ian Cole
- Oilers traded from 30 to 21 to select Riley Nash
- Sharks traded from 41 to 28 to select Nick Petrecki
- Leafs traded from 7 to 5 to select Luke Schenn
- Predators traded from 9 to 7 to select Colin Wilson
- Sabres traded from 17 to 12 to select Tyler Myers
- Senators traded from 18 to 15 to select Erik Karlsson
- Capitals traded from 23 to 21 to select Anton Gustafsson


As you can see, it's 50/50 at best that you are going to get the better player and in only 25 per cent of the trades can I honestly say it was worth it for the team.

Now going from 24 to 4 is a much bigger jump than you will typically see when trading up. But if you are going to make a move like that it will certainly cost you a lot more than a second or third round pick. This move will cost a lot, so you better be bang on with the player you are taking because if you miss at all you will very likely be looking for work soon.

So who is Gillis trying to get?

All reports – at least around here – indicate he is after the big Russian Valeri Nichushkin. I personally don't see that being his target because Gillis hasn't even looked to Russia in any of his previous drafts and has only selected non-North American players 23 per cent of the time. Because of that, I think this Valeri Nichushkin thing is just a smoke screen to throw people of the trail.

So who might Gillis really be after?

He has said in the past that he wants a young second-line centre and at the four spot there are three solid options.

Alex Barkov-A big centre that Vancouver has likely watched close and knows a ton about because Jannik Hansen played on a line with him during the lockout. He would fit the bill and give Vancouver that "A" list player to build around going forward.

Sean Monahan- Maybe not ready next year, but he fits the mold of getting bigger and younger. A lot predictions have him going to Calgary, so if Gillis is real high on him them trading to the four spot is what he would need to do.

Elias Lindholm- Vancouver has a great history of having great Swedes. If Gradin feels this guy is the "next one", I think Gillis will listen and go get him. Nearly every European pick Gillis has made has come out of Sweden. I have this real odd feeling that he is "the one".


And as far as cost goes, I'm still not a huge trade up type of guy. The deal could involve anyone short of the Sedin twins. A player like Edler might be the likely target for a lot of teams, but it truly could be anyone. Hell, Gillis might be even doing the Islanders thing and offering up all six picks for the four pick.

Who do you think Gillis is after?

What would you move to get them?



Draft links

I recently did some work around the NHL draft for the Calgary Journal. Check out my story on 2013 Draft prospect Jamal Watson of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, ranked 137th by NHL Central Scouting. Feedback is always welcome, so let me know what you think.


Well that's a wrap.

Ian


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