Reports surfaced today that the Vancouver Canucks are looking to bolster their top-six forward group at the trade deadline.
Reports surfaced today that the Vancouver Canucks are looking to bolster their top-six forward group at the trade deadline.
Pierre LeBrun of TSN's Insider Trading said Jim Rutherford wants to add a bonified top-6 forward to the team.
"One of the things that he said is currently the Canucks are looking at is the idea of adding top-6 forward before the March 8 deadline," LeBrun said.
News has already surfaced about Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel being available at the deadline.
Including Guentzel, here are three forwards that the Canucks might acquire for the top-6.
Guentzel has 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 39 games this season. He is a pending UFA, and if the Penguins don't solidify a playoff spot by the deadline, they could look to gain assets.
Guentzel's connection with Rutherford is well-documented, which only fuels the rumors of him coming to Vancouver.
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek could be a sneaky addition for the Canucks. The 26-year-old is in the third year of an eight-year $42,000,000 contract. After this season, he will have to submit a 10-team no-trade list.
The Wild got off to a horrible start this season and might want to revamp their forward core through the draft. The Canucks have some draft capital and prospects that Minnesota might be interested in. Vasily Podkolzin could be a name to watch.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are having another rough season as they go through a rebuild. Names like Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic have popped up on trade lists.
Roslovic will be a UFA at the end of the season and is another center, something the Canucks will likely add at the trade deadline.
The forward has nine points in 20 games this season and would be an excellent addition to an already deep offensive team.
Whatever the Canucks do at the deadline, they are looking to make a big splash.
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