Canucks Trade Options: Addressing Top-Line RW

Canucks trade options to fill a need alongside the Sedin twins has seldom been talked about early into 2015-16. Vancouver has experimented with different options on that top line, most recent being Jannik Hansen. Over the past couple seasons, the Canucks have seen Alex Burrows, Radim Vrbata, and Jake Virtanen, among others inserted on the top line.

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Overall, Vancouver is built quite solid with excellent goaltending and an above average defense core. The back-end was feared to be a weak-point heading into the season, but the emergence of Ben Hutton has had a significant impact. The Canucks have gone 7-4-5 with 19 points so far in 2015-16 and look destined to be a playoff team.

Unfortunately, Vancouver is going to struggle to get through the first round if they can’t address the identity crisis alongside the Sedin’s. Jannik Hansen, nor any other forward currently on their roster is well equipped enough to handle top-line duties. Chances are, Vancouver does nothing to attempt to fix the issue. In that case, it’s more likely we watch the Canucks battle as one of those bubble teams that just barely misses out. And even if they do make it, they’ll likely face a first round exit.

Canucks Trade Options to Play Alongside Sedin Twins

Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks ($3.75 million cap hit, through 2018-19)

Call this unlikely, even with a slumping Ducks team. Divisional trades are difficult. Anaheim likes him, but he could be trade bait if the Ducks get active on the market.

Sep 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Loui Eriksson (21) looks for the puck during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins ($4.25 million cap hit, through 2015-16)

A rental, but possibility of extension if there’s a good fit. His points have plummeted in a more defensive system, but this is a guy that scored in the 70 point range with Dallas. Eriksson carries a no-trade clause, in which he’d need to supply 14 teams if asked.

Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes ($5.725 million cap hit, through 2018-19)

The former Calder Trophy winner is finally starting to get a stretch of healthy play, and is starting to look more like the skilled forward that fans in Carolina fell in love with from the beginning. But Carolina has decisions to make with Eric Staal and Cam Ward, and it’s starting to feel like this core might need a minor shake-up. Either Daniel Sedin or Jeff Skinner would need to be willing to play their off-wing for this to work.

Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche ($5.57 million cap hit, through 2020-21)

The latest buzz out of Colorado is that GM Joe Sakic is looking to some impact moves to shake up the roster. Don’t be surprised if the youngest captain in NHL history ends up on the trade block. He’s 22 now, and hasn’t had the impact in the dressing room or on the ice that fans were hoping for. Again this is another option where someone would have to be comfortable playing their off wing. Landeskog is 22, with a modified no-trade clause, which is often less restrictive than full no-trade clauses.

Oct 20, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) takes a shot against Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson (7) during the third period at Nationwide Arena. New York beat Columbus 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders ($2.8 million cap hit, through 2015-16)

If any team acquired Okposo, it’s safe to assume he’d be locked down in an extension, without possibility of reaching free agency in 2016. Whether or not the Islanders would be willing to trade him is another story all together.

Matt Read, Philadelphia Flyers ($3.625 million cap hit, through 2017-18)

Philadelphia needs to shed salary, and they’ve got more depth than they need up-front. For a long time, Matt Read has been buried in roles beneath his skill-set. It’s not a slam dunk that he could fit on the Canucks top line, but it is a possibility.

Next: How to Fix the NHL's Goal Scoring Issue

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning ($711,666 cap hit, through 2015-16)

Rumors are that Steve Yzerman is looking to get active on the trade market. The Lightning are going to have issues paying Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Nikita Kucherov, and Victor Hedman in the next few years. Decisions need to be made of who Tampa Bay could live without, in order to afford their superstar and trio of young talent. Shedding just one of those contracts will help Steve Yzerman avoid Chicago-like issues with a team that’s yet to win a Stanley Cup.

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