It’s no secret the Vancouver Canucks are interested in adding another defenceman over the coming months.
The team has reportedly already started testing the trade waters as they look to improve their blueline corps.
There are a few names out there that would make a lot of sense for the Canucks. Here are three defencemen the team should keep an eye on as potential targets.
1. Brian Dumoulin, Anaheim Ducks
- Age: 33
- Handedness: Left
- 2024-25 stats: 15 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS
- Contract: $3.15 million through this season
This Canucks management regime has shown a preference for players they used when with the Pittsburgh Penguins and blueliner Brian Dumoulin could be the next.
He’s 6-foot-4, fitting the mould of defenceman the Canucks like. He’s won two Stanley Cups and is a defensive-focused defenceman who would fit perfectly in the team’s bottom four.
The Anaheim Ducks have outscored opponents 10-9 with Dumoulin on the ice at five-on-five so far this season. They’ve been outscored 18-10 in all other five-on-five minutes.
The Ducks are going nowhere fast and would likely jump at the chance to acquire future assets for an ageing veteran who doesn’t fit their timeline.
2. Alec Martinez, Chicago Blackhawks
- Age: 37
- Handedness: Left
- 2024-25 stats: 4 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS
- Contract: $4 million AAV through this season
Alec Martinez signed with the Chicago Blackhawks last summer and looks like a prime candidate to be flipped before the deadline.
Martinez has won three Stanley Cups, two with the Los Angeles Kings and one with the Vegas Golden Knights. His rugged style thrives in the postseason when the games get tighter.
The concern with Martinez is his age and injury history. The veteran has played just four games this year due to injury but is expected back in the lineup soon. However, if the Canucks want a great penalty killer with a ton of experience, there are few players who better fit that description.
3. Will Borgen, Seattle Kraken
- Age: 27
- Handedness: Right
- 2024-25 stats: 16 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 PTS
- Contract: $2.7 million AAV through this season
Will Borgen is a different option than the other names on this list as he’s younger and right-handed.
The 27-year-old is reliable and has posted solid defensive metrics throughout his time with the Kraken.
The Canucks and Kraken management groups have strong communication lines and just recently completed a trade that sent Daniel Sprong south of the border. Could they swing another deal for Borgen?