Vancouver Canucks: 3 Players to Offer for Jets' Trouba
Feb 28, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Christopher Tanev (8) awaits the start of play against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Rogers Arena. The San Jose Sharks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Vancouver Canucks aren’t actively searching for another defenseman. But when a player like Jacob Trouba is available, they would be stupid not to inquire.
Starting before the 2016 trade deadline, the Vancouver Canucks were constantly part of trade rumors that included right-shot defensemen. First Travis Hamonic, then Tyson Barrie and P.K. Subban, then Jacob Trouba. While Hamonic and Barrie are of the market — or were never really available in the first place — and Subban got traded to the Nashville Predators, trade talks about Trouba are just getting real.
As I pointed out in a post earlier this morning, the Canucks don’t exactly have the assets to acquire a player like Trouba. Unless they want to part ways with young star Bo Horvat, there aren’t many players that could make sense for a one-for-one swap.
That leaves a package deal as the only option, but the Canucks need to keep as many of their young players as they can. So what can they do?
This morning, I proposed the following trade, well aware of the fact that the value isn’t fair.
Inspired by the multi-player deal that sent Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars, this trade could only work if the Jets either make a terrible decision or get very desperate.
So, what are Vancouver’s options? Whom could a trade be centred around?
Here are three suggestions.
Nov 21, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen (18) against Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Arena. Vancouver won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
1. RW Jake Virtanen
Jake Virtanen was my first suggestion in the original trade offer. While fans often have a “which player is bad and should be traded” approach, I am actually including Virtanen as a player I wouldn’t want to trade. His rookie season wasn’t quite what we hoped for, but he still has great potential.
And a player with great potential is the only thing that could land someone like Trouba.
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In Vancouver, Virtanen might be the odd man out to start the season. He had a bottom-six role last season, is waiver-exempt and on a two-way contract, so he is the easiest player to demote. The Canucks might as well trade him for someone who can make the team.
The problem with this is that the Jets have great leverage in this situation. They might believe Virtanen has top-six scoring potential, but they haven’t seen it yet. For all we know, Virtanen could end up being a career fourth liner. Winnipeg can get more than that for Trouba.
Virtanen would be the starting point for a multi-player package deal. Nikita Tryamkin is one player who could be added, other young pros or junior prospects could be included as well. Plus, what’s left of Vancouver’s draft picks.
The chances for this one really depend on how highly Winnipeg values Virtanen. They drafted Nikolaj Ehlers three picks after Virtanen in 2014. If they had Virtanen ahead of Ehlers on their list back then, Vancouver might have a chance.
Feb 19, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks left wing Sven Baertschi (47) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
2. LW Sven Baertschi
The Vancouver Canucks have been searching for left-wing help for a long time, so trading Sven Baertschi would be counterproductive. But the availability of Trouba could lead to desperate actions.
In 2015-16, Baertschi had 15 goals and 28 points, which certainly isn’t enough to be a full-time second liner on a good team (here’s to hoping the Canucks become a good team again soon). However, he improved a lot defensively throughout the year, and his production was good considering the circumstances. It was Baertschi’s first full NHL season and he missed 13 games.
Because of that, Baertschi brings the same issue as Virtanen: we don’t quite know what we have in him — and neither do the Jets.
If Baertschi was a sure-fire 50-point scorer, the Jets would probably be very interested. But at this point, he isn’t.
All the Canucks can do is make the pitch and see where it goes. If the Jets like Baertschi, they might be willing to build a trade around him. If not, the Canucks will have to find a different option.
Feb 19, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Chris Tanev (8) skates against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
3. D Chris Tanev
Third on the list is the best the Canucks have to offer. Except they don’t really want to and probably shouldn’t.
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In my last post, I pointed out that having Trouba in addition to Chris Tanev and Erik Gudbranson would be anything but a problem. Tanev is an underrated shutdown D-man, but not really a top-pairing player. Gudbranson is hopefully a good shutdown D-man as well, but he most certainly won’t become a top-pairing guy either.
Trouba-Tanev-Gudbranson, however, could be a terrific group.
Unfortunately, trading Tanev for Trouba would destroy that fantasy, but it might make the most sense.
In Vancouver, Trouba would be guaranteed Tanev’s spot on the top pairing, and he would be an upgrade over Tanev. The Canucks would get a real top-pairing defenseman and power-play quarterback, while saving enough money to afford Trouba’s new deal. The Jets would get a great player at an affordable $4.45 million for the next four years.
Despite the contract details, the Jets probably wouldn’t be happy with a one-for-one swap, though. Trouba is younger and arguably better, so the Canucks would have to add — though not as much as in a Virtanen or Baertschi trade.
Which leads us to the ultimate problem. No matter what the Canucks do, they will have to add — unless, perhaps, if they offer Horvat, which they shouldn’t. What Vancouver needs if they want to acquire Trouba is a ton of luck, but it’s definitely worth a try.
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