Vancouver Canucks: Trade Talk

With 22 games remaining in the '07-'08 Canucks season, the heat is on for this team to produce something to get them into the playoffs.

After finishing '06-'07 with the best point total in their history with 105 points, the expectation to repeat a banner year was sky high.  They seemed destined to repeat a spectacular year at the start of 2008 after leading the tough Northwest division again. 

Roberto Luongo set a franchise record for shutouts and was among the league leaders in goals against average and save percentages.  But a handful of key injuries on the blue line and the long-term loss of center Brendan Morrison have hurt.

The Canucks have faltered a lot and have just now gotten themselves above eighth place in the Western confernce.  With Kevin Bieksa still out of the lineup and Lukas Krajek out for the season, the need for defense seems critical. 

Even more urgent though, is the need for a goal scorer to take pressure off Sedins and Naslund.  The two have been carrying the offense all year.

The question for the Canucks is going to be how much Nonis is willing to give away to get a superstar.  With Peter Forsberg out of the mix, Mats Sundin seems like he'd be a good fit; however, Nonis seems unwilling to go after him knowing the price is too high.

Sundin has not waivered at all from his heart, and insists he will not waive his no-trade clause.  Brian Campbell is another one whose name has been in the trade rumors, and could help boost a banged up blueline for the Canucks.

The Canucks are likely to make a move before the deadline next week, but wether or not it's a huge move is up in the air.  Can the Canucks make the playoffs with their current team?  And how badly will Nonis shake things up? 

These questions will be weighing heavily on Canucks fan for the next few days.