Ian Esplen: Trading up? is it worth it and for who?

Tampa may be a fit if Yzerman has a boner for Edler, who knows.

I don't know if it would be worth it for the Canucks, probably have to give up a little to much.

The package will likely include Luongo or Schneider. They need to get rid of one of them and that would be a good way to do so. If the Canucks trade Luongo, they will most likely be eating some of his salary.

Gillis was Bures agent and he spearheaded Shirokov coming over. I dont see him as afraid of Russians as most think. He just doesn't like the risk involved, unless their surefire top end players. Which Nichuschkin is. I could see him trying to get Carolinas #5 and taking either Barkov or Nichuschkin. OR Tampas #3 with Drouin or the two previously mentioned.

The package will likely include Luongo or Schneider. They need to get rid of one of them and that would be a good way to do so. If the Canucks trade Luongo, they will most likely be eating some of his salary.
- Bryant44

Schneider isn;t going anywhere.

I say give up whatever it takes (veteran players/picks) to get the next franchise player. I don't really see a point in dealing guys like Jensen / Gaunce because they are supposed to be future Canucks, but picks and current roster players should all be fair game. Trading one prospect for another doesn't get this team any closer to changing the culture, providing for the future.

Feel free to trade anyone, although I would try and keep Schneider and the Badger, the new core

Hard to say...but if Gillis starts putting together the pieces to contend for another championship in the future now, he could "re-tool" by only taking half a step back,and never missing the playoffs in the meantime. I mean really, how much is Vancouver going to suffer by moving Edler or even Kesler,along with Luongo? That's 3 pieces that could possibly get moved for younger future Stars this summer alone, and I dare say they are still a playoff team.

Canucks need a center, but do you want to throw a rookie to the wolves, especially if Kessler is involved in this, which I can't see unless he is asking to get moved. Edler is a different story who I could see getting packaged up in a deal.

Hard to say...but if Gillis starts putting together the pieces to contend for another championship in the future now, he could "re-tool" by only taking half a step back,and never missing the playoffs in the meantime. I mean really, how much is Vancouver going to suffer by moving Edler or even Kesler,along with Luongo? That's 3 pieces that could possibly get moved for younger future Stars this summer alone, and I dare say they are still a playoff team.
- Jeropotato

Totally agree! Luongo is gone anyway, even if nothing is coming back. If you can coax a top 5 pick by including a Kesler or an Edler its a no brainer to me. Losing one of, even both those guys won't hurt nearly as much as missing out on some quality talent in the prospect pool in a few years.

Canucks need a center, but do you want to throw a rookie to the wolves, especially if Kessler is involved in this, which I can't see unless he is asking to get moved. Edler is a different story who I could see getting packaged up in a deal.
- VanHockeyGuy

Who says you have to throw a rookie to the wolves (unless it's the Chicago Wolves)? If you move Kesler, there are some players available players (albiet inferior) in free agency that can do the stop gap job while said rookie developes.Besides,as good as Kes is, the team didn't exactly stink while he was on the IR.

Hard to say...but if Gillis starts putting together the pieces to contend for another championship in the future now, he could "re-tool" by only taking half a step back,and never missing the playoffs in the meantime. I mean really, how much is Vancouver going to suffer by moving Edler or even Kesler,along with Luongo? That's 3 pieces that could possibly get moved for younger future Stars this summer alone, and I dare say they are still a playoff team.
- Jeropotato

Lots of teams re-tool without missing the playoffs. Highly unlikely the Canucks trade Kesler though. The more expendable forward, who still has plenty of value, is Burrows. Like Edler his no-trade doesn't kick in until Jul 1.

Canucks need a center, but do you want to throw a rookie to the wolves, especially if Kessler is involved in this, which I can't see unless he is asking to get moved. Edler is a different story who I could see getting packaged up in a deal.
- VanHockeyGuy

Trade Kesler, resign Roy... There are plenty of options. Maybe with a new coach Schroeder can actually play an offensive role on the second line.

Hard to say...but if Gillis starts putting together the pieces to contend for another championship in the future now, he could "re-tool" by only taking half a step back,and never missing the playoffs in the meantime. I mean really, how much is Vancouver going to suffer by moving Edler or even Kesler,along with Luongo? That's 3 pieces that could possibly get moved for younger future Stars this summer alone, and I dare say they are still a playoff team.
- Jeropotato

This
Personally i think we would be better if we were younger with a mix with some good experienced vets
If we are heading towards that path, i wouldnt mind trading cory if lu wants to stay because i think lu would be good around the kids

..tough deals to be had, CAP space going down, most top teams already maxed out ..Have to move bodies....Canucks are one of those teams..realistically, yes i see i BIG move coming.....Gillis has to move few big salaries around whether it may? be.. Kesler? ,Edler?, Burrows? Bieksa? ...& LUO.....

I say give up whatever it takes (veteran players/picks) to get the next franchise player. I don't really see a point in dealing guys like Jensen / Gaunce because they are supposed to be future Canucks, but picks and current roster players should all be fair game. Trading one prospect for another doesn't get this team any closer to changing the culture, providing for the future.

Feel free to trade anyone, although I would try and keep Schneider and the Badger, the new core
- 1970vintage

I agree Schneider Gaunce Jensen (maybe ) Corrado Garrison and Tanev are our future. The present roster had it's shot and came close but we are no longer a contender. Time to give up the past and move on to the future.

The hardest part of moving up is the teams at the top want young players/picks in exchange a team like vancover only offering veteren players mabe not gonna get it done. IMO to move into the top 4 or 3 will take a b+ or A- prospect a top ten pick in this years draft and a top 4 dman or top six forward. Gaunce, Kessler your first this year and next just my opinion Florida Tampa bay and Colorado aren't going to give their picks away for throw away players they need these franchise players the most.

Trade Kesler, resign Roy... There are plenty of options. Maybe with a new coach Schroeder can actually play an offensive role on the second line.
- 1970vintage

Roy? Good hands, good feet, too small and won't go into the dirty areas. They need a big centerman with good hands and can skate.

Canucks need a center, but do you want to throw a rookie to the wolves, especially if Kessler is involved in this, which I can't see unless he is asking to get moved. Edler is a different story who I could see getting packaged up in a deal.
- VanHockeyGuy

Top 5 draft picks should be NHL ready

Totally agree! Luongo is gone anyway, even if nothing is coming back. If you can coax a top 5 pick by including a Kesler or an Edler its a no brainer to me. Losing one of, even both those guys won't hurt nearly as much as missing out on some quality talent in the prospect pool in a few years.
- 1970vintage

Thats how I see it. I have no idea what direction the Canucks are going in,to be honest, but really they have 3 choices if they want to win a Stanley Cup.
1) Trade futures or roster players for immediate help (remember the old fashioned Hockey trade?), and go for it now!
2)Maximize the return on all valueble assets, and begin the long,frustrating process of a rebuild.
3)Make tough decisions on most expendable current assets for future players, and fill in the gaps at free agency.Maintaining competitiveness while developing the core of the future.This is what the best teams do,I think, and it is by far the hardest to do.Only Detroit,San Jose and Philly have shown the ability to do it this way over the last 15 years.

I agree Schneider Gaunce Jensen (maybe ) Corrado Garrison and Tanev are our future. The present roster had it's shot and came close but we are no longer a contender. Time to give up the past and move on to the future.
- VANTEL

I don't see trading one of them for a "better" prospect to be enough of an upgrade to actually change anything. We need MORE prospects coming up, not the same number. So if GMMG is really trying to move up in the draft, he better not do it by sacrificing prospects he has already invested in. I would trade any current roster player for a quality prospect, but as I said, would prefer to keep Schneider and Hansen.

*I'll count Tanev as a prospect, same for Corrado and Schroeder.

Trade Kesler, resign Roy... There are plenty of options. Maybe with a new coach Schroeder can actually play an offensive role on the second line.
- 1970vintage

There are not plenty of GOOD options to fill the 2nd line center role if you trade Kesler. Every free agent center will be overpaid this summer. Roy will likely get his $5M. If not, he's going to get locked in at close to that for a lot of years.

Roy? Good hands, good feet, too small and won't go into the dirty areas. They need a big centerman with good hands and can skate.
- VanHockeyGuy

I'm just saying that Kesler as the 2nd line C is NOT the only option. Canucks own the rights to Roy until July 1 and could make a pitch to resign him if they were to trade Kelser at/before the draft. Or they could wait until July 5th and find another C then.

There are not plenty of GOOD options to fill the 2nd line center role if you trade Kesler. Every free agent center will be overpaid this summer. Roy will likely get his $5M. If not, he's going to get locked in at close to that for a lot of years.
- KB3Point0

Well, we disagree, I believe Schroeder is a better option for 2nd line C than Kesler, at roughly $4m less.

Top 5 draft picks should be NHL ready
- VANTEL

Should be, but another year in Junior and an AHL stint is never a bad thing.Even still, Van is a good enough team that they can plug a rookie in a not so key role and let him find his way, not unlike Boston's handling of Seguin, who is barely relied upon for top 6 minutes at this stage,but progessing nicely.