Vancouver Canucks: Deadline Profile with Possible Deals

How can one describe the month of February that the Vancouver Canucks have had?  These 11 games in this one particular month have turned around their season, putting them in a strong playoff position.

Whether it’s from Alex Burrows' metaphorical "breaking" of the stick, or the storybook ending in Toronto by Mats Sundin, February has been a great month for the Canucks and Canuck Faithful.

But, with the end of February comes the beginning of March.  And in the first day of March we have the one day that gets millions of hockey fans around the world excited: Trade Deadline Day. 

Now by seeing those games in February, many Canucks fans out there are probably saying : “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

This may be the mentality that Mike Gillis goes with heading into the trade deadline.  Let’s see what the Canucks have so far:

1.       A Star Goaltender  ü

2.       Two Scoring Lines ü

3.       A Solid Defensive Core ü

4.       A Group of Grinders ü

So what is missing from this team?  To tell you the truth the answer may be nothing.  In the past decade, no Stanley Cup winning team other than the 2000-2001 Avalanche have made significant moves at the deadline.

Who knows if a big change is necessary for these Canucks? But with all that said, the Canucks as a whole still have some holes in their game.  They need to fill three holes at this deadline:

1.       A Puck Moving Defenseman

2.       A top 6 Winger

3.       A Checking Center

Now I’m sure Mike Gillis will not be able to fill all three of these holes, but the more the better.  The only reason that we need a top 6 winger, is because I am not sure if Alex Burrows will continue to keep his pace with the Sedins. 

The Canucks are in one of the best Cap situations in the league and have the power to do some serious damage at the deadline if they choose to. 

But, which players are available for them and which teams are willing to give up their assets for Vancouver’s?  In my opinion, here are six possible deals that could go down at the Trade Deadline for the Vancouver Canucks.

1.  To Vancouver: Jeff Halpern

To Tampa Bay: Third Round Draft Pick

Analysis: This deal benefits both teams as the Canucks get that checking center who can win face-offs and kill penalties, while the Lightning get another building piece for the future.

2.  To Vancouver: Milan Hejduk and Jordan Leopold

To Colorado: Mason Raymond, Shane O’Brien and a second round Draft Pick

Analysis: This one may seem a bit lopsided for the Canucks, but when you thing about it both teams benefit. The Avalanche’s game is run and gun, and Mason Raymond would fit perfectly into that system who already have a plethora of young guns.

O’Brien could be a solid fourth/fifth D-Man on Colorado while that second Draft Pick could significantly help them.  For the Canucks, Hejduk in my opinion is the ideal line mate for the Sedins, and Leopold will help with the offensive and defensive side on the Back End.

3.  To Vancouver: Brian Gionta and a fifth round Draft Pick

To New Jersey: Mattias Ohlund

Analysis: Another possible winger for the Sedins or Mats Sundin comes the Canucks way in the form of Gionta.  The fifth-rounder could be seen as a big boost for the Canucks in this deal.  Ohlund will be a huge presence in N.J, and even though I would hate to see him leave it may be time for a change.

4.  To Vancouver: Ray Whitney

To Carolina: Second and fifth round Draft Picks

Analysis:  This isn’t a very likely deal to go down at the Deadline, but the Canucks could use a guy with experience like Whitney for the stretch run, although I am not sure if Mike Gillis is willing to give up two draft picks in what looks to be a pretty deep draft.

5.  To Vancouver: Tim Connoly and a second round Draft Pick

To Buffalo: Mattias Ohlund

Analysis: Pretty simple trade.  Buffalo bolsters their defense. Vancouver bolsters their offense, and gets a high draft pick in the process.

And the Blockbuster:

6.  To Vancouver: Jay Bouwmeester and a seventh round Draft Pick

To Florida: Mattias Ohlund, Jannik Hansen and a first round Draft Pick

Analysis:  Both teams get defensemen who are at the end of their contracts with Ohlund’s career slightly tailing off while Bouwmeester is heading into his prime. 

Jannik Hansen would be a gritty force in Florida fitting in perfectly with players such as Brett McLean and Gregory Campbell.  Bouwmeester would be that force that the Canucks want on defense.

The possible tandem of Bouwmeester and Kevin Bieksa would make opponents cringe every time they get onto the ice.  A first-round Draft Pick is a high price to pay, but to get a Superstar you need to give up a couple of high valued assets.

There is a high percentage that none of those deals would ever happen, but they are deals that serve both excitement and intrigue in the eyes of Canucks fans. 

Wednesday should be a great day all around the league.  And no matter where you are: at work, at school or at home, make sure to somehow try and catch some of the Coverage of Deadline ’09.