It&#8217;s just six weeks into the 2024-25 NHL season, and we&#8217;ve already seen five trades across the league. Names such as Olli Maatta, Timothy Liljegren, Lars Eller and former <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/vancouver-canucks-elias-pettersson-defenceman-quickly-establishing-himself-as-viable-call-up-option">Vancouver Canuck</a> Daniel Sprong have all found new homes, but there are more players that could be on the move.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
&nbsp;
Daily Faceoff&#8217;s Frank Seravalli released his <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/pettersson-ristolainen-provorov-headline-first-trade-targets-board-of-2024-25">first edition of this season&#8217;s trade targets</a> on Wednesday morning. In the column, he highlighted 15 players who could be available, providing his scoop on each player. Here are those 15 players:
<ol>
<li>Marcus Pettersson, LD, Pittsburgh Penguins</li>
<li>Yanni Gourde, C, Seattle Kraken</li>
<li>Rasmus Ristolainen, RD, Philadelphia Flyers</li>
<li>Ivan Provorov, RD, Columbus Blue Jackets</li>
<li>Frank Vatrano, RW, Anaheim Ducks</li>
<li>Joel Farabee, LW, Philadelphia Flyers</li>
<li>Brandon Tanev, RW, Seattle Kraken</li>
<li>David Jiricek, RD, Columbus Blue Jackets</li>
<li>Michael Matheson, LD, Montreal Canadiens</li>
<li>Trevor Zegras, LW, Anaheim Ducks</li>
<li>Dan Vladar, G, Calgary Flames</li>
<li>Cam Fowler, LD, Anaheim Ducks</li>
<li>Mario Ferraro, LD, San Jose Sharks</li>
<li>Alexandre Carrier, RD, Nashville Predators</li>
<li>Mathieu Oliver, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets</li>
</ol>
The Canucks are already rumoured to be sniffing around the trade market. So we thought, why not go through Seravalli&#8217;s list and determine which of these players could be a potential fit in Vancouver?
It&#8217;s clear that this team&#8217;s weakness is on the back end, so we&#8217;ll start with the defencemen.
*We have already highlighted Marcus Pettersson and Ivan Provorov as potential fits in a recent column; <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/6-defencemen-vancouver-canucks-target-nhl-trade-market">check that out here.</a>
<h2>Defencemen</h2>
<blockquote>Rasmus Ristolainen 
Right Defence, Philadelphia Flyers 
Age: 30 
Stats: 19 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts 
Contract: 2 years remaining, $5.1 million AAV 
Scoop: The defence market is thinning with each and every extension. Ristolainen’s name has circulated through the rumour mill and the Flyers are hoping he will generate enough buzz between now and March to net a solid return. Teams are still drawn to his size, though his ability to defend is still a question mark and his point production has slid. Staying healthy and on the ice will help everyone’s cause.</blockquote>
A move like this would only make sense depending on what type of Ristolainen you&#8217;re getting. Once a number one defenceman for the Buffalo Sabres, Ristolainen&#8217;s play has fallen off since the move to Philadelphia. The Finnish defenceman recorded four straight season with 40-plus points with the Sabres, but has only reached the 20-point mark once in his four years with the Flyers.
His biggest concern is availability having just played 171 of the 246 games throughout his first three years in Buffalo. However, this season he&#8217;s been available for all 20 of the Flyers contests, and has been trusted to log over 20 minutes per night.
The achritype of Ristolainen is exactly what this Canucks regime seems to value on the backend; size. Standing 6&#8217;4&#8243; tall, weighing 208-lbs, the 30-year-old defenceman could be a nice fit – a right-handed shot to boot. While his underlying numbers aren&#8217;t encouraging this season, could playing in a lesser role help him? Maybe playing a similar role as Nikita Zadorov where he plays on the bottom pairing but eleviates some minutes from the Carson Soucy-Tyler Myers pairing, could work out.
<blockquote>David Jiricek 
Right Defence, Columbus Blue Jackets 
Age: 20 
Stats: 6 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pts 
Contract: 1 year remaining, $918,333 AAV 
Scoop: How did we get here? The No. 6 overall pick from 2022 has been mishandled by different regimes and different coaching staffs now. Last year, he was shuttled back and forth between AHL Cleveland and Columbus in a lost season, with seemingly little still to prove in the minors. This year, he’d been scratched in favor of 37-year-old Jack Johnson, Jake Christiansen and waiver claim Dante Fabbro, and the Blue Jackets assigned Jiricek to the AHL Wednesday. It’s tough to envision an endgame in Columbus that sees everyone happy.</blockquote>
Now, this is highly unlikely of an acquisition for the Canucks to make. But it&#8217;s rare for a 20-year-old right-shot defenceman drafted within the top 10 to become available. Whether or not it&#8217;s a realistic option for the club, general manager Patrik Allvin and Co. should at least do their due diligence to see if paying the price for this player would make sense.
Jiricek has struggled to find a role in Columbus&#8217;s already weak blueline, which is surprising given his pedigree and performance in North America. The Czech defenceman has suited up in 53 games for the Blue Jackets, scoring one goal and 10 assists for 11 points with a minus-10 rating while averaging 14:28 minutes of ice time. Jiricek has played just six games this season, spending the other 13 games as a healthy scratch.
On Thursday, Jiricek was finally assigned to Columbus&#8217; AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, where he&#8217;ll finally be given a chance to play and develop. Over the past two seasons in Cleveland, Jiricek has posted 13 goals and 44 assists for 57 points in 84 games. During last season&#8217;s post-season run, he scored three goals and eight assists for 11 points in just 14 games.
The flashes are there for the young defenceman. But it doesn&#8217;t sound like Jiricek will be given another run with the team that drafted him. Maybe a change of scenery could help him live up to his sixth overall draft pick in 2022.
<blockquote>Mike Matheson 
Left Defence, Montréal Canadiens 
Age: 30 
Stats: 19 GP, 1 G, 12 A, 13 Pts 
Contract: 1 year remaining, $4.875 million AAV 
Scoop: Given the thin nature of their blueline, and their need to better support young defensemen assimilating into the lineup, the Canadiens don’t really want to move Matheson. But they may not have a choice given that his value will be arguably its highest before this deadline. Did you know Matheson was ninth among defensemen scoring last year with 62 points? He moves the puck, is comfortable playing the right side, and actually defends better than he’s given credit for when proper expectations are set. What the Canadiens will have to weigh is: they don’t really need many more picks, they need more tangible help.</blockquote>
You want a puck-mover? Matheson is your guy on this list. He has been playing as the top defenceman in Montreal for the previous few seasons, logged heavy minutes (24:40) and earning a role on the top power play unit.
Defensively, he&#8217;s sound. Considering he&#8217;s averaging so much ice time and playing against top opposition, his underlying numbers hovering just below 50% is something that could be turned around playing on an improved team. While he might not be your ideal top pairing guy, he&#8217;d certainly be a boost in both zones for a struggling Canucks blueline.
The question is, why would the Canadiens move off of him. They don&#8217;t necessarily have a player that can replace his level of ice time, especially with such a young core. But Seravalli having him on the list means there&#8217;s some buzz around the player, and should definitely be on the Canucks radar if made available.
<blockquote>Mario Ferraro 
Left Defence, San Jose Sharks 
Age: 26 
Stats: 20 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 Pts 
Contract: 1 year remaining, $3.25 million AAV 
Scoop: Teams have kept close tabs on Ferraro over the years as a guy who competes like hell and works. His game isn’t flashy, but his smile says it all. He’s a grinder. And he’s got term. And he doesn’t make a ton. Ferraro is personable and really well liked, and the Sharks certainly don’t have to move him. But he perhaps has the most valuable of any tradable player on the Sharks without a need to retain salary, so he should be in the mix.</blockquote>
Now, Ferraro might not help with puck-moving on the backend, but that doesn&#8217;t really seem to be the issue with Erik Brännström&#8217;s emergence. Where they need help is the defensive side of the blue line, which is where Ferraro excels.
The former second-round pick has never been a big point producer throughout his six-year NHL career, logging a high of 21 points just last season. However, he&#8217;s been a staple on the Sharks&#8217; penalty kill, logging at least 2:45 minutes of shorthanded time in each of the previous five seasons, topping out at 3:12 minutes last season.
Not only would he help the penalty kill, but Ferraro would also be able to log heavy shutdown minutes. He&#8217;s averaged upwards of 20 minutes – topping out at 23 minutes in 2021-22 – in five straight seasons, manning the top pair going up against opposing teams&#8217; top competition.
The Sharks might not be keen to move on from him, however, they&#8217;re still very much in rebuilding mode and should trade any assets they can to help accelerate their rebuild.
With the offseason moves the Canucks have made this summer, they shouldn&#8217;t need help up front. However, there are some holes that are starting to appear where these two forwards could slide in.
<h2>Forwards</h2>
<blockquote>Yanni Gourde 
Centre, Seattle Kraken 
Age: 32 
Stats: 19 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 Pts 
Contract: Pending UFA, $5,166,667 AAV 
Scoop: The Kraken have gotten calls on Gourde but don’t appear to be in any rush to move him – though it’s certainly trending in that direction before March 7. Gourde’s production has fallen as steadily as his ice time so far this season. He’s on track for a career-low 26 points over 82 games as new coach Dan Bylsma has used him in a third line role that has cut him back nearly two and a half minutes per game from his average in Seattle. No matter what, he’s still formerly a big contributor to a two-time Stanley Cup winner whom teams will want to acquire.</blockquote>
This Canucks coaching staff seem to like what they&#8217;re getting out of Pius Suter on the wing in the top six. However, this now opens up a hole down the middle in their bottom six. Training camp and preseason standout Aatu Räty has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency in the defensive zone. Gourde would solve that issue.
Gourde has played a predominant bottom-six role throughout his career, bringing speed and snarl every time he steps on the ice. His resume of two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning speaks for itself and would give the Canucks the centre depth needed to be considered a contender in the playoffs.
<blockquote>Frank Vatrano 
Right Wing, Anaheim Ducks 
Age: 30 
Stats: 17 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 Pts 
Contract: Pending UFA, $3.65 million AAV 
Scoop: Maybe the Ducks should have moved Vatrano last year during an all-world outlier season? Vatrano couldn’t miss last year, collecting a career-best 37 goals, crushing his previous high of 24. He beat his previous career best in points by nearly 50 percent, hitting 60 points, and was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time. He’s now in the final year of his deal and his scoring has dropped, but he was excellent for the Rangers in the 2022 playoffs as a deadline addition.</blockquote>
Vatrano was one of the wingers rumoured as a potential target for the Canucks at last season&#8217;s trade deadline. He had a career year last season, scoring 37 goals and 23 assists for 60 points. However, as one of the lone offensive bright spots with another year remaining on a team-friendly $3.625 million contract, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek decided to hold onto the winger.
His efforts earned him his first All-Star appearance, where he was paired on a line with Canucks star Elias Pettersson. Together, the duo showed chemistry as Vatrano finished the game with two goals and one assist. While Pettersson&#8217;s current line of Jake DeBrusk and Kiefer Sherwood are playing well together, Vatrano could bring a higher-scoring threat on a line with Pettersson.
If the Canucks deem they need to add another scoring winger to their forward corps for a Stanley Cup run, Vatrano may be their guy.
What do you think Canucks fans? Would you be interested in any of these players on Frank Seravalli&#8217;s trade targets list? Is there somebody else you&#8217;d target instead? Let us know in the comments below!
Sponsored by bet365!
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="329" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
&nbsp;

It's just six weeks into the 2024-25 NHL season, and we've already seen five trades across the league. Names such as Olli Maatta, Timothy Liljegren, Lars Eller and former <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/vancouver-canucks-elias-pettersson-defenceman-quickly-establishing-himself-as-viable-call-up-option">Vancouver Canuck</a> Daniel Sprong have all found new homes, but there are more players that could be on the move.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
&nbsp;

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli released his <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/pettersson-ristolainen-provorov-headline-first-trade-targets-board-of-2024-25">first edition of this season's trade targets</a> on Wednesday morning. In the column, he highlighted 15 players who could be available, providing his scoop on each player. Here are those 15 players:
<ol>
 	<li>Marcus Pettersson, LD, Pittsburgh Penguins</li>
 	<li>Yanni Gourde, C, Seattle Kraken</li>
 	<li>Rasmus Ristolainen, RD, Philadelphia Flyers</li>
 	<li>Ivan Provorov, RD, Columbus Blue Jackets</li>
 	<li>Frank Vatrano, RW, Anaheim Ducks</li>
 	<li>Joel Farabee, LW, Philadelphia Flyers</li>
 	<li>Brandon Tanev, RW, Seattle Kraken</li>
 	<li>David Jiricek, RD, Columbus Blue Jackets</li>
 	<li>Michael Matheson, LD, Montreal Canadiens</li>
 	<li>Trevor Zegras, LW, Anaheim Ducks</li>
 	<li>Dan Vladar, G, Calgary Flames</li>
 	<li>Cam Fowler, LD, Anaheim Ducks</li>
 	<li>Mario Ferraro, LD, San Jose Sharks</li>
 	<li>Alexandre Carrier, RD, Nashville Predators</li>
 	<li>Mathieu Oliver, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets</li>
</ol>
The Canucks are already rumoured to be sniffing around the trade market. So we thought, why not go through Seravalli's list and determine which of these players could be a potential fit in Vancouver?

It's clear that this team's weakness is on the back end, so we'll start with the defencemen.

*We have already highlighted Marcus Pettersson and Ivan Provorov as potential fits in a recent column; <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/6-defencemen-vancouver-canucks-target-nhl-trade-market">check that out here.</a>
<h2>Defencemen</h2>
<blockquote>Rasmus Ristolainen
Right Defence, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 30
Stats: 19 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts
Contract: 2 years remaining, $5.1 million AAV
Scoop: The defence market is thinning with each and every extension. Ristolainen’s name has circulated through the rumour mill and the Flyers are hoping he will generate enough buzz between now and March to net a solid return. Teams are still drawn to his size, though his ability to defend is still a question mark and his point production has slid. Staying healthy and on the ice will help everyone’s cause.</blockquote>
A move like this would only make sense depending on what type of Ristolainen you're getting. Once a number one defenceman for the Buffalo Sabres, Ristolainen's play has fallen off since the move to Philadelphia. The Finnish defenceman recorded four straight season with 40-plus points with the Sabres, but has only reached the 20-point mark once in his four years with the Flyers.

His biggest concern is availability having just played 171 of the 246 games throughout his first three years in Buffalo. However, this season he's been available for all 20 of the Flyers contests, and has been trusted to log over 20 minutes per night.

The achritype of Ristolainen is exactly what this Canucks regime seems to value on the backend; size. Standing 6'4" tall, weighing 208-lbs, the 30-year-old defenceman could be a nice fit – a right-handed shot to boot. While his underlying numbers aren't encouraging this season, could playing in a lesser role help him? Maybe playing a similar role as Nikita Zadorov where he plays on the bottom pairing but eleviates some minutes from the Carson Soucy-Tyler Myers pairing, could work out.
<blockquote>David Jiricek
Right Defence, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 20
Stats: 6 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pts
Contract: 1 year remaining, $918,333 AAV
Scoop: How did we get here? The No. 6 overall pick from 2022 has been mishandled by different regimes and different coaching staffs now. Last year, he was shuttled back and forth between AHL Cleveland and Columbus in a lost season, with seemingly little still to prove in the minors. This year, he’d been scratched in favor of 37-year-old Jack Johnson, Jake Christiansen and waiver claim Dante Fabbro, and the Blue Jackets assigned Jiricek to the AHL Wednesday. It’s tough to envision an endgame in Columbus that sees everyone happy.</blockquote>
Now, this is highly unlikely of an acquisition for the Canucks to make. But it's rare for a 20-year-old right-shot defenceman drafted within the top 10 to become available. Whether or not it's a realistic option for the club, general manager Patrik Allvin and Co. should at least do their due diligence to see if paying the price for this player would make sense.

Jiricek has struggled to find a role in Columbus's already weak blueline, which is surprising given his pedigree and performance in North America. The Czech defenceman has suited up in 53 games for the Blue Jackets, scoring one goal and 10 assists for 11 points with a minus-10 rating while averaging 14:28 minutes of ice time. Jiricek has played just six games this season, spending the other 13 games as a healthy scratch.

On Thursday, Jiricek was finally assigned to Columbus' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, where he'll finally be given a chance to play and develop. Over the past two seasons in Cleveland, Jiricek has posted 13 goals and 44 assists for 57 points in 84 games. During last season's post-season run, he scored three goals and eight assists for 11 points in just 14 games.

The flashes are there for the young defenceman. But it doesn't sound like Jiricek will be given another run with the team that drafted him. Maybe a change of scenery could help him live up to his sixth overall draft pick in 2022.
<blockquote>Mike Matheson
Left Defence, Montréal Canadiens
Age: 30
Stats: 19 GP, 1 G, 12 A, 13 Pts
Contract: 1 year remaining, $4.875 million AAV
Scoop: Given the thin nature of their blueline, and their need to better support young defensemen assimilating into the lineup, the Canadiens don’t really want to move Matheson. But they may not have a choice given that his value will be arguably its highest before this deadline. Did you know Matheson was ninth among defensemen scoring last year with 62 points? He moves the puck, is comfortable playing the right side, and actually defends better than he’s given credit for when proper expectations are set. What the Canadiens will have to weigh is: they don’t really need many more picks, they need more tangible help.</blockquote>
You want a puck-mover? Matheson is your guy on this list. He has been playing as the top defenceman in Montreal for the previous few seasons, logged heavy minutes (24:40) and earning a role on the top power play unit.

Defensively, he's sound. Considering he's averaging so much ice time and playing against top opposition, his underlying numbers hovering just below 50% is something that could be turned around playing on an improved team. While he might not be your ideal top pairing guy, he'd certainly be a boost in both zones for a struggling Canucks blueline.

The question is, why would the Canadiens move off of him. They don't necessarily have a player that can replace his level of ice time, especially with such a young core. But Seravalli having him on the list means there's some buzz around the player, and should definitely be on the Canucks radar if made available.
<blockquote>Mario Ferraro
Left Defence, San Jose Sharks
Age: 26
Stats: 20 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 Pts
Contract: 1 year remaining, $3.25 million AAV
Scoop: Teams have kept close tabs on Ferraro over the years as a guy who competes like hell and works. His game isn’t flashy, but his smile says it all. He’s a grinder. And he’s got term. And he doesn’t make a ton. Ferraro is personable and really well liked, and the Sharks certainly don’t have to move him. But he perhaps has the most valuable of any tradable player on the Sharks without a need to retain salary, so he should be in the mix.</blockquote>
Now, Ferraro might not help with puck-moving on the backend, but that doesn't really seem to be the issue with Erik Brännström's emergence. Where they need help is the defensive side of the blue line, which is where Ferraro excels.

The former second-round pick has never been a big point producer throughout his six-year NHL career, logging a high of 21 points just last season. However, he's been a staple on the Sharks' penalty kill, logging at least 2:45 minutes of shorthanded time in each of the previous five seasons, topping out at 3:12 minutes last season.

Not only would he help the penalty kill, but Ferraro would also be able to log heavy shutdown minutes. He's averaged upwards of 20 minutes – topping out at 23 minutes in 2021-22 – in five straight seasons, manning the top pair going up against opposing teams' top competition.

The Sharks might not be keen to move on from him, however, they're still very much in rebuilding mode and should trade any assets they can to help accelerate their rebuild.

With the offseason moves the Canucks have made this summer, they shouldn't need help up front. However, there are some holes that are starting to appear where these two forwards could slide in.
<h2>Forwards</h2>
<blockquote>Yanni Gourde
Centre, Seattle Kraken
Age: 32
Stats: 19 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $5,166,667 AAV
Scoop: The Kraken have gotten calls on Gourde but don’t appear to be in any rush to move him – though it’s certainly trending in that direction before March 7. Gourde’s production has fallen as steadily as his ice time so far this season. He’s on track for a career-low 26 points over 82 games as new coach Dan Bylsma has used him in a third line role that has cut him back nearly two and a half minutes per game from his average in Seattle. No matter what, he’s still formerly a big contributor to a two-time Stanley Cup winner whom teams will want to acquire.</blockquote>
This Canucks coaching staff seem to like what they're getting out of Pius Suter on the wing in the top six. However, this now opens up a hole down the middle in their bottom six. Training camp and preseason standout Aatu Räty has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency in the defensive zone. Gourde would solve that issue.

Gourde has played a predominant bottom-six role throughout his career, bringing speed and snarl every time he steps on the ice. His resume of two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning speaks for itself and would give the Canucks the centre depth needed to be considered a contender in the playoffs.
<blockquote>Frank Vatrano
Right Wing, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 30
Stats: 17 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $3.65 million AAV
Scoop: Maybe the Ducks should have moved Vatrano last year during an all-world outlier season? Vatrano couldn’t miss last year, collecting a career-best 37 goals, crushing his previous high of 24. He beat his previous career best in points by nearly 50 percent, hitting 60 points, and was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time. He’s now in the final year of his deal and his scoring has dropped, but he was excellent for the Rangers in the 2022 playoffs as a deadline addition.</blockquote>
Vatrano was one of the wingers rumoured as a potential target for the Canucks at last season's trade deadline. He had a career year last season, scoring 37 goals and 23 assists for 60 points. However, as one of the lone offensive bright spots with another year remaining on a team-friendly $3.625 million contract, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek decided to hold onto the winger.

His efforts earned him his first All-Star appearance, where he was paired on a line with Canucks star Elias Pettersson. Together, the duo showed chemistry as Vatrano finished the game with two goals and one assist. While Pettersson's current line of Jake DeBrusk and Kiefer Sherwood are playing well together, Vatrano could bring a higher-scoring threat on a line with Pettersson.

If the Canucks deem they need to add another scoring winger to their forward corps for a Stanley Cup run, Vatrano may be their guy.

What do you think Canucks fans? Would you be interested in any of these players on Frank Seravalli's trade targets list? Is there somebody else you'd target instead? Let us know in the comments below!

Sponsored by bet365!
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="329" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
&nbsp;

Who from Daily Faceoff’s trade targets list make sense for the Canucks?

Canucks Game Day: Lankinen starts, Sasson debuts in six-game road trip opener vs. Senators

Canucks Sasson made father cry tears of joy with news of first NHL call up

Previewing the Canucks’ six game road trip: Canucks Conversation

Jonathan Lekkerimäki during the Vancouver Canucks' 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets at the 2024 Young Stars Classic from Penticton, BC.

Recent articles from Tyson Cole

Breaking News