The Vancouver Canucks will never be quiet on the trade market as long as Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford are leading the club.
The aggressive management group is constantly looking to upgrade the roster, and a new report suggests what kind of players they might be targeting.
The Canucks roster composition at the moment leaves them thin on the blue line, so it’s been well-reported that they want to add a defenceman. However, they may be going after more than just that.
“I think they’re looking to add a [defenceman], and I think they’re also still looking to add a forward at some point,” said Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts.
Friedman’s mention of the team wanting to add someone up front is interesting. The Canucks are generally viewed as having a deep forward group and rank in the top-10 by goals-per-game.
However, Allvin and Rutherford are never satisfied. The Canucks have dealt with a huge number of injuries and absences so far this season, and it’s tested their depth. Adding more legitimate options is never a bad thing for a team with true Stanley Cup aspirations.
All of those absences have made it difficult to get a true view of this year’s Canucks team. Now that Thatcher Demko and J.T. Miller have returned to action, management will be able to make a better assessment and then move from there.
“I keep hearing different things about where they’re going, but I think they’re interested in a forward and a [defenceman],” continued Friedman. “They want to see what they look like with their guys back and they’re trying to make moves around the depth players on their roster.”
While the core players on the roster are likely safe, the Canucks have some pieces other teams may be interested in. It’s already been reported that they’re trying to move off hulking blueliner Vincent Desharnais, and it feels like now that they’ve got key players back in their lineup, trades may soon follow.