It is no secret that the Canucks are in search for a top 6 scoring forward. The Sedins and Ryan Kesler have been missing quality linemates for a few seasons now. Gone are familiar faces Mason Raymond and Mikael Samuelsson who filled the top 6 voids for the Canucks during the 2011 cup run and in previous seasons.
The Canucks have not replaced Mason Raymond or Mikael Samuelsson's goal production since both have departed. Players like Zack Kassian, David Booth, Chris Higgins, and Jannik Hansen have put their best efforts forth to try and stick in the top 6 forward lines. However, those players are just not consistent enough and are better suited for other roles on the team.
Canucks fans have been wondering when help will come. The fanbase has desired another top scoring forward for several seasons. The main reason the Canucks have had recent playoff failures against division rivals San Jose and Los Angeles is because they simply did not score enough goals in those series.
It is time the Canucks management needs to look outside the organization for help. Every experiment has been tried over and over again. Coach Tortorella is doing all he can by changing the lines on the fly to try and give the team a consistent spark. These attempts are just simply not cutting it and changes need to be made.
Who Could Help the Canucks?
1. Evander Kane (Winnipeg Jets)
I know what you are thinking - Kane is the face of the Jets franchise, there is no way they part with him. I am a firm believer that everyone is available (*for the right price*). The 2009 1st Round pick of Atlanta has been surrounded with some controversy in his young career. He has been rumored to not get along with Jets head coach Claude Noel and he has posted some controversial pictures on social media (money stack on Twitter). But beyond his controversial flaws, he is an outstanding power forward. He plays the game with an edge and can do it all on the ice. He plays in all situations and is a former 30 goal scorer. Kane is the complete package - he can hit, fight, score, shoot, and agitate. The former WHL Vancouver Giant would become very popular in a hurry amongst the Canucks fanbase. He would be my number 1 person to try and target.
Trade Proposal: Edler, 1st, Jensen/or Gaunce
2. Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche)
The 2005 2nd Round Pick of the Avalanche has had his ups and downs in the Mile High City. He is a former 70 point centre and former 20 goal scorer. The US Olympian is known for his slick hands and good speed. Stastny is good in the faceoff dot and can play in all situations. He is in a contract year coming off a deal that pays him 6.6 million dollars. The Avalanche are in a big pickle as they are very deep down the middle (O'Reilly, Duchene, MacKinnon, Talbot). I am sure Stastny will command somewhere close to what he is making right now as top 6 centres are a very hot commodity. Do the Avalanche decide to trade him if they cannot come up with the funds to resign him? The situation with Stastny in Colorado is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
Trade Proposal: Edler, Hansen, 2nd
3. Max Pacioretty (Montreal Canadiens)
The 6'2" 215 lb winger has good NHL size which is something that is needed for the Canucks. The former 30 goal scorer has been rumored in the trade winds for several months. He just recently signed a 6 year deal that comes with an affordable cap hit (4.5 million dollars). He is a burly gritty winger who is known to score some dirty goals. While he is not known for his physical play, he knows how to cycle the puck well and he is a good puck battler in the corners. Would Montreal give up one of their bigger forwards who is one of their better finishers? What would the Canucks offer the Habs? Both teams need scoring - both have good defense and goaltending.
Trade Proposal: 1st, Schroeder, Booth, Jensen/or Gaunce
4. Mike Cammalleri (Calgary Flames)
I know, I know, the Canucks and Flames will never make a trade (or will they?) Calgary is in the rebuild phase while Vancouver is in win now phase. Cammalleri is a streaky winger/centre who is a Los Angeles Kings draft pick. The Ontario native is known for his speed, shot, and goal scoring. He has bit the injury bug over the past few seasons, but he has reached the 30 goal plateau twice in his career. Cammalleri is in a contract year (6 million dollars). The 31 year old has eclipsed 80 points twice in his career. He will be a hot commodity to a team looking to load up before the trade deadline. Because of injury issues and steady decline, he should not command to much as a rental player.
Trade Proposal: 2nd, Jensen/or Gaunce
5. Thomas Vanek (New York Islanders)
Longtime Buffalo Sabre Thomas Vanek was traded to Long Island earlier this season in a blockbuster deal. The Austrian native is a former two time 40 goal scorer and two time 30 goal scorer. He knows how to score some goals and knows how to score consistently. Vanek is in a contract year this season (5.7 million cap hit). The Sabres chose to retain some of his salary in the recent trade - he is actually rated at over 7 million dollars. He has been a consistently healthy player over his 10 year NHL career. Will he accept the trade and stay in Long Island? Will Vanek test the UFA waters this summer and command a ton more money than what his expiring deal is worth? I think the Islanders may choose to trade him again, especially if they do not get into the playoff hunt. This should all be determined around the time of the trade deadline.
Trade Proposal: Edler, 1st, Gaunce
Until next time, stay classy! -George
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