With Kovalchuk Gone, Who Do the Canucks Look At?

Yes I know the Canucks were never in the mix, but that doesn't mean they don't need some help!

In my last article, I made reference to the third line of Kyle Wellwood, Pavol Demitra and Steve Bernier. I’m not going to repeat their stats, but suffice to say, this area needs an upgrade. With the first trade deadline just over a week away and the final trade deadline just after the Olympics, 'Nucks GM Mike Gillis would be prudent to act now rather than later.

Surely a smart hockey man like Gillis realizes that this team with only two lines scoring will not go far, if they make the playoffs. With the injury bug that has hit the defense, it should also be noted that the 'Nucks cannot play for much longer with the seven through nine Dmen, so some extra depth is needed.

No word has been released on when Willie Mitchell is expected back from his concussion and with Kevin Bieksa not expected back until the end of the season, there is imperative need for some extra D. Don’t look for the Moose to supply much help, as they are already short.

The Canucks farm team, the Manitoba Moose, is really empty when it comes to forwards that might help out. Michael Grabner has only seven goals and seven assists and has been in a slump after his five goal start earlier in the season.

Sergei Shirokov, who I thought would make the team out of training camp, failed to stay up with the big club but is leading the Moose in scoring with 16 goals and 18 assists. But do the 'Nucks need another small player going into the playoffs?

With Dman Evan Oberg leading the Moose with a minus-15, don’t expect his call up any time soon either.

Now that llya Kovalchk has been traded to New Jersey, what other players might be available that could help the Canucks' third line and shore up the defense? Not that Kovy would have been on the third line anyway.

Well let’s look at Carolina. Forwards Ray Whitney (Mike, go get him), Matt Cullen and Rob Brind’Amour are said to be available, and on defense Aaron Ward, Niclas Wallin and Joe Corvo.

Edmonton Oilers have a number of players that are also expected to command some interest. Ethan Moreau, Shawn Horcoff, Robert Nilsson, Steve Staios and Lubomir Visnovsky.

A player that I like and have written about is Alexei Ponikarovsky, who has put up three 20-goal seasons. The Leafs could also move Dman Garnet Exelby and winger Lee Stempniak.

The Rumor Mill has it that the Boston Bruins have placed winger Michael Ryder up for grabs and wouldn’t he look good as a 'Nuck with his 12 goals and eight assists, instead of Pavol Demitra?

The Canucks are also interested in Montreal’s Tomas Plekanec who played awfully well against them on Tuesday night.

This should be an interesting eight days leading up to the Olympics. Stay tuned.