Friedman: Canucks looking at Lindholm, Guentzel, and 2-3 more players; Allvin extension coming

During the second period of tonight’s Hockey Night in Canada matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs, Elliotte Friedman offered updates on some key Canucks topics.

First, Friedman offered an update on Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin, who Friedman says is getting an extension potentially as soon as next week.

“The Vancouver Canucks, big day yesterday, Jim Rutherford three year extension in his position,” said Friedman. “As you heard in the media conference yesterday, Patrick Allvin will be coming soon. The general manager, he’s getting an extension as well that they hope to have next week.”

The Canucks extended president Jim Rutherford on Friday, so to learn that Allvin is getting one very soon doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

Another thing that doesn’t come as much of a surprise but is still certainly noteworthy is Friedman’s second report that the Canucks are looking at adding a top six forward ahead of the March 8th trade deadline. Friedman also offered two names that we’ve discussed plenty on this site: Elias Lindholm and Jake Guentzel.

“But the other thing that the fans are also going to be wondering about is what they do at the deadline, and there’s no question that they are looking hard at a top six forward, somebody preferably with flexibility. The word is they’re looking at about four or five different players. I think one is Guentzel, I think another is Lindholm from Calgary, but there’s more, and it’s our job to try to figure out who they are. But there’s no doubt a top six forward is number one on Vancouver’s radar.”

Guentzel, 29, has tallied 19 goals and 27 assists already this season and carries a cap hit of $6 million. Guentzel is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, meaning the Canucks would need to re-sign him in order to keep him beyond this season should they make a trade for him.

Similarly, Elias Lindholm is set to become a UFA after this season. A right-shot centre, Lindholm has eight goals and 22 assists through 45 games this season.