The Vancouver Canucks need defence help, and a trade is the quickest way to make an improvement.
The news today that Filip Hronek will miss significant time means the Canucks are very thin on their blue line, especially on the right side.
General manager Patrik Allvin has been very aggressive during his time in the role. It seems likely he’ll seek out a trade to bolster the roster.
Here are three right-handed defencemen the Canucks could target to shore up the blue line.
1. David Jiricek, Columbus Blue Jackets
- 2024-25 stats: 6 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS
- Age: 21
- Contract: $918,883 through 2025-26
It’s widely known that David Jiricek is on the trade block and likely to be dealt sooner rather than later. The former sixth-overall pick is still just 21 years old and has put up points at the AHL level.
The transition to being a full-time NHL blueliner for the Columbus Blue Jackets hasn’t gone smoothly, and Jiricek is looking for a new home. With reports that a top pick and player may be enough to get the deal done, the Canucks could theoretically build a competitive package.
It’s been revealed that the Canucks already made an offer which was rejected. Now that Hronek is out, that could be enough to force Allvin’s hand to up that offer.
2. Jacob Trouba, New York Rangers
- 2024-25 stats: 21 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 6 PTS
- Age: 30
- Contract: $8 million through 2025-26
The New York Rangers are looking to make a deal, and Jacob Trouba has been mentioned as someone they’re willing to trade. The veteran is known for his physical play and would give the Canucks a more established option on their right side.
Trouba can be trusted to eat minutes but can the Canucks fit his $8 million contract? The 30-year-old’s defensive metrics have also been shaky at times.
3. Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers
- 2024-25 stats: 23 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 PTS
- Age: 30
- Contract: $5.1 million through 2026-27
Another option the Canucks could go after is 6-foot-4 blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen. The Finnish defenceman has a long reach and has achieved better results under John Tortorella in Philadelphia.
Ristolainen is on Frank Seravalli’s trade targets board and could be on the move. He has had some up-and-down stretches throughout his career, but he has the size the Canucks usually covet and could thrive under the team’s coaching staff.