Canucks Looking At Flyers Defenders
The Canucks and Flyers may be talking trade deals.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports - Canucks Looking At Flyers DefendersSean Walker, Nick Seeler, and Rasmus Ristolainen have all been big names on the trade market lately.
Although the Philadelphia Flyers are expected to hold on to valuable assets such as blueliner Travis Sanheim and goaltender Samuel Ersson, they may bid farewell to some of their players even though they remain in a playoff spot.
A rebuild of the team could include some good turnaround if they utilize their great defensemen as bargaining chips, including the NHLs best blocker in Nick Seeler.
After the Vancouver Canucks added offense with former Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm, they seem to be looking into reinforcement at the blue line.
The Canucks and Flyers discussed the prices of Walker, Seeler, and Ristolainen, David Pagnotta, Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Period, said on Sportsnet 650.
Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin is also interested in a right shot defenseman, The Fourth Period reported.
Nick Seeler
A good option is the affordable Seeler, this season's top blocker. He has blocked a whopping 153 shots this season, and 2.89 per game.
The 6-foot-3, 197-pound Seeler is also a physical presence on the ice, with 87 hits this season and average of 1.64 per game.
Although he hasn't scored, he offers the occasional scoring chance, with eight assists this season.
Despite all that, his cap hit is only $775,000. The bad news may be that Philly would set a high asking price in player, draft pick, and prospect return.
Sean Walker
Walker is a slightly below-average blocker at 1.43 per game, but he does have assets. He is a fast skater with a top speed of 23.04 mph (in the league's 90th percentile). He is also a good passer, with 14 assists this season, and five goals. So, he promises scoring chances as a two-way defenseman who can alternate between the offensive and defensive zones quickly to provide both assets.
Rasmus Ristolainen
Another name that's been linked to the Canucks recently is Ristolainen. Unfortunately, he may not be the best bargaining chip.
His blocking numbers are mediocre, with 45 blocks this season and averaging 1.45 per game. Sadly, his offensive numbers do not make up for it, at only a single goal and three assists this season.
The number that sticks out is his cap hit, a whopping $5.1-million per season, and his $25.5-million contract with the Flyers does not end for another three years, so the Canucks would likely demand Philly to retain a chunk of that if they traded him.
Of those options, the best seems to be Nick Seeler, although if the Canucks are after a two-way defenseman like Quinn Hughes, he can't offer that.
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