Immodest Proposals: Who To Sell At The Deadline, And How
5 years ago
Last week on CanucksArmy, the intrepid Ryan Biech highlighted all the potential players that the Vancouver Canucks might “sell” at the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline. Now, the Immodest Proposals crew is here to bang in the rebound by suggesting some possible destinations and returns for those assets—and by creating some voteable proposals for fans to consider.
With the Canucks certain to be in contention for a wildcard spot when February 25 rolls around, we acknowledge that it’s conceivable that GM Jim Benning won’t sell anyone at all—but with the overall lack of teams in selling mode this year, some enticing offers could still compel him to move some players.
The Concept
In past editions of Immodest Proposals, we’ve taken a look at more general concepts—like taking on cap dumps or acquiring reclamation projects. Things are a bit different this time around, as we’re trying to suggest deals for a multitude of players to a multitude of destinations.
It should be noted that these proposals are not necessarily meant to be predictions—though we reserve the right to brag if any of them do end up coming to pass. Instead, think of them as “ballpark” estimates that are meant to highlight the kind of return the Canucks could expect to receive if they dealt each player at the deadline.
Essentially, we’re picking a trading partner that seems like a fit for each player on the block, and we’re using that team’s assets to put together a package that seems like a fair deal. In doing so, we’re demonstrating what we think a likely return for each player might be.
Of course, in each scenario we’re still looking for the same sorts of assets that all rebuilding teams desire—draft picks and prospects. In particular, the Canucks should be looking to trade:
Sellable Deadline Assets For 2019 Draft Picks And Quality Prospects
The Rationale
Ryan Biech did an admirable job of breaking down the potential reasons for dealing each player on the list, so we don’t need to spend too much time on it here. Instead, we’ll focus more on why each sellable asset would benefit the organizations we’re trading with on each individual proposal.
It should be noted that we won’t be including Alex Edler or Sven Baertschi on this list as both are unlikely to return from their concussion-related absences before the February 25 Trade Deadline. We’ll also have to replace Sam Gagner with Ryan Spooner for obvious reasons.
The Proposals
To Florida:
Erik Gudbranson
To Vancouver:
2019 2nd Round Pick (Pittsburgh)
2019 3rd Round Pick (Edmonton)
The Panthers’ interest in bringing back Gudbranson has been long-rumoured, but it’s hard to imagine even Dave Tallon giving up anything of significant value in return. The Canucks almost certainly can’t expect to bring back equal assets to what they dealt for Gudbranson in the first place, but Florida offers their best chance to recoup as much as possible—at the very least, getting that 2nd round pick back would be nice.
To Montreal:
Ben Hutton
To Vancouver:
Cale Fleury
2019 2nd Round Pick
The Canucks really don’t need to trade Hutton anytime soon, so any team wanting to acquire him will have to overpay. There are a number of organizations that could definitely use his services on the blueline, but his name has been attached to Montreal in the past—and they are in the midst of a surprising run to the playoffs. The right side of their defense is strong but their left is not, so the Habs could look to cash in a defensive prospect for an immediate upgrade. They’ll also need to throw in an extra to convince a competitive Canucks to go without Hutton for the rest of the year.
To Columbus:
Derrick Pouliot
To Vancouver:
Paul Bittner
As Ryan Biech noted, the Canucks should be open to trading Pouliot for any sort of asset at this point. Defensive depth is always in vogue in the deadline, and Columbus looks like a playoff-bound team with an organizational need for it. While a late draft pick is the most likely return for a player of his ilk, it’s more fun to swap him out for a longshot prospect like Bittner.
To New York Islanders:
Chris Tanev
To Vancouver:
2019 1st Round Pick
Kieffer Bellows
Jim Benning has made it pretty clear that he doesn’t plan on trading Tanev—and it’s become even less likely with the Canucks hovering around a playoff spot at the deadline and Tanev injured once again. One has to imagine that a team would have to truly blow Benning’s socks off with an offer to acquire Tanev’s services for the playoffs—and the additional season he’s signed for—but that’s not entirely infeasible. An offer that included a 1st round pick and a top prospect in an area of need just might do it.
To Dallas:
Nikolay Goldobin
To Vancouver:
Julius Honka
2019 3rd Round Pick
The fanbase remains split on Goldobin, but it’s continued to be apparent that coach Travis Green isn’t his biggest fan. If Ryan Spooner earns himself a permanent spot in the lineup, it’s quite possible the team looks to move Goldobin in a “hockey deal” for another talented young player with holes in his game. Dallas needs offense and Julius Honka is definitely on the market—though one would hope Goldobin’s statline this season justifies an extra throw-in.
To Carolina:
Brandon Sutter @ 25% Retention
To Vancouver:
2019 2nd Round Pick (Buffalo)
2019 2nd Round Pick
Sutter is unlikely to move until the offseason at the earliest, and his current injury makes such a deal even more implausible. That being said, center depth is always on the leaguewide wishlist and a number of teams could be interested in his services—especially if they came at a reduced cap hit. The team that drafted Sutter—and where he enjoyed his greatest success—is one such team, and Carolina has the kind of well-stocked prospect cupboard to justify moving multiple draft picks to acquire him.
To Pittsburgh:
Markus Granlund
To Vancouver:
2019 4th Round Pick (Buffalo)
2019 7th Round Pick (Vegas)
Granlund is probably the Canuck most likely to move at the 2019 Trade Deadline. He’s recently lost his consistent spot in the lineup after a so-so season thus far, and he’s also an restricted free agent at the end of the year with a large qualifying offer and might as well be a UFA. As a versatile player who can play each of the forward positions, Granlund is a prototypical playoff depth rental—the kind that competing teams trade mid-range draft picks for each deadline.
To Buffalo:
Ryan Spooner @ 33% Further Retention
To Vancouver:
2019 3rd Round Pick
Jack Dougherty
If Spooner finds any degree of success during his week in Vancouver before the deadline—and the Canucks are certainly putting him in a position to do so—there’s a chance that yet another organization rolls the dice on him. Spooner was just dealt for a negative asset in Sam Gagner, but if Vancouver retains some of his contract—bringing his cap hit down to the maximally retained $2 million—it could increase his value enough to return a mid-range draft pick and a longshot prospect.
To San Jose:
Tom Pyatt
To Vancouver:
2019 7th Round Pick
Every year, some no-name depth players are dealt at the deadline for miniscule returns. Tom Pyatt could be one of those players in 2019. Or he could not. Tune in to next week’s Immodest Proposals for our 2,000-word treatise on the subject.
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