WWYDW: Trading For A Goal-Scorer

The Canucks have struggled to put the puck in the net all year. In spite of their recent offensive resurgence, the Canucks are still ranked 28th in goals-per-game.

Reports have been surfacing since before the offseason that Canucks GM Jim Benning is looking to add a 20-goal scorer. Bob McKenzie recently threw cold water on the idea that Evander Kane might return home, but one can assume the Canucks aren’t done looking, so this week’s question is: what would you be willing to give up in a trade for a goal-scorer? Who would you target? Or do you think the Canucks ought to just stand pat with what they have?

Try to be realistic. You aren’t going to get Auston Matthews in return for Erik Gudbranson. 

Which right-handed defenseman comes out of the lineup when Chris Tanev returns?

I’d like to see the Canucks do something to mix up the Hutton-Gudbranson pairing. I don’t think sitting Gudbranson is the ideal thing to do, but that pairing hasn’t worked and needs some change.

If Hutty-Guddy stay together, I’d like to see a Tryamkin-Stecher pairing just to see what the kids can do. Tryamkin can play the left or right side so keeping him in the lineup over Sbisa is a real option. If all else fails, keep Stecher with Edler, have Tanev babysit Sbisa, and hope and pray that Gudbranson suddenly becomes better.

TL;DR — keep Stecher in the lineup, keep Tryamkin in too by switching him to LD if need be. 

First, send down Biega. He won’t be claimed.

Assuming the unlikely scenario that everyone stays healthy, the coaches need to get creative.

Tanev, Edler, and Gudbranson will be in the lineup every game when healthy. I still think Hutton belongs in the top 6 every game, so I’d leave him in pretty much every game. Perhaps a game off to let him watch would be helpful, but I’m not sold on that.

The last two spots would be a combination of Tryamkin, Stecher, Larsen, Sbisa depending on matchups and who has been playing the best until someone separates from the crowd. You could argue that Stecher is starting to do that, but there are lapses in his game – the turnover behind the net that lead to an easy Rangers goal for example.

Reality is another injury will occur and the log jam will be lifted.

Edler — Stecher

Gudbranson — Tanev

Tryamkin — Hutton

Sbisa — Larsen/Biega

The first pair work well together so leave them alone.

Tanev seems to be the D-Whisperer and calms Edler down, so let him work some magic on Gudbranson.

Tryamkin is fairly steady and allows Hutton some stability but also the ability to jump into the play better than with Gudbranson.

Bottom three can sit and/or send Biega down.

Nuckleston: 

From what I’ve seen Stetcher is playing really well, and the team is better with him. My first instinct is to keep him here; however, if this year turns into a poop show, wouldn’t it make more sense to get him big minutes in the minors away from all this? It’s not like the team will set the world on fire with or without him; well, at least not in a good way.

At that point, I’d play Tryamkin because I want to keep him really really happy for next years contract.