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Evaluating the Canucks' Trades; More Moves to Come? |
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After acquiring Vitali Kravtsov from the New York Rangers, the Vancouver Canucks have made three more moves (at the time of this writing). They are as followed:
Trade #1: D Riley Stillman to BUF for LW Josh Bloom
Trade #2: D Luke Schenn to TOR for 2024 third-round pick
Trade #3: 2023 first-round pick (from NYI) & 2023 second-round pick to DET for D Filip Hronek & 2023 fourth-round pick
The Stillman trade is one that I like for the Canucks. Bloom is a promising prospect who is performing well in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season. In 59 games on the year, the 6-foot-2 winger has 27 goals to go along with 32 assists. With numbers like these, the Oakville native could have a nice future in the NHL if he continues to develop well. Therefore, I am fine with them moving Stillman for him.
Schenn was linked to an abundance of teams heading into the deadline, and now he is heading back to the team that drafted him back in 2008. He is exactly the kind of shutdown defenseman Toronto needed, and he should be a major addition for them in the playoffs. As for Vancouver's return, it is what it is. I thought Schenn could score a second-round pick or third-round pick with a prospect, but that was just not in the cards. Yet, getting more draft capital is never a bad thing, so it is a decent move at the end of the day. With that, Vancouver could also pursue him in free agency if he hits the open market this summer.
The final trade was one that I did not expect at all. The Canucks are sellers, but this move shows that they also will add to their roster if it's a player that will help them long term. Hronek gives the Canucks a young top-four offensive defenseman who is on the rise. In 60 games this season, the 25-year-old has nine goals, 38 points, and a plus-8 rating. Although I do not love that they parted ways with a first-round pick and second-round pick with this year's deep draft class, this is a move that should help them a lot moving forward.
So, who is the next player we could see dealt? Brock Boeser is the most obvious choice, but his expensive cap hit is also an obstacle in trade talks. J.T. Miller has been discussed a lot over the last few days, but his big extension that starts next season also makes it hard to move him. Other possible trade targets include Conor Garland, Tyler Myers, Kyle Burroughs, Christian Wolanin, and Collin Delia.
Alas, it has been a very busy few days for Vancouver, and don't be surprised to see this continue until 3 p.m. ET on March 3.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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