Canucks trade Michael Carcone to Toronto for Josh Leivo

The news is fast and furious on this Monday morning as the Canucks have dipped their toes in the trade waters.

The Maple Leafs were looking to make a trade by 2 PM today to free up a roster spot for William Nylander. They had done so earlier by sending Travis Dermott to the AHL, but that was never going to be a long-term solution and thus Leivo was expected to be the odd man out.

The newest Canucks has four goals and two assists in 27 games with the Leafs this season and has 14 goals and 14 assists in 84 career games.

The Canucks were in dire need of some scoring depth along the wings and Leivo should get a chance to provide that, possibly beside some like Bo Horvat. The former 3rd round pick has a good wrist shot and uses his size to his advantage, thus the fit with Horvat seems pretty natural.

Carcone is the outgoing player for the Canucks, who had been playing well for the Comets as a utility player that helped them in all areas. He had taken a noticeable step forward this season with 17 points in 20 games with the Comets, using his speed and tenacity to generate offence and be responsible defensively. With that being said, it was hard to imagine where he fit into the Canucks long-term plans after being signed a UFA prospect in the summer of 2016.

In the long run, the Canucks did well here. They gave up a prospect that probably wasn’t going to be part of the picture and have acquired an NHL player. With a larger opportunity with the Canucks, Leivo could provide some immediate returns to the team and for the next few years.

Leivo will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of this season that sees him receive $925,000.