The situation has since escalated to the point that Higgins has been sent home for the time being, so as to not risk jeopardizing a trade by way of injury. Higgins has at no point requested a trade, although rumours have persisted since the off-season that the Canucks were shopping him. 

This has been a season to forget for Higgins, who has but three points to his credit in 25-games. Low boxcars aside, Higgins remains a versatile middle-six forward, with plus defensive abilities. Exactly the type of player contending teams should be lining up for.

History tells us that’s likely not the case, though.

Jason Botchford’s column on the unfolding Higgins situation reveals that the two-way winger is likely viewed as a fourth-line winger by the rest of the league. The reality is Higgins is likely closer to a third line forward on a contending team, given his production historically and what he brings to the table presently.

Regardless, his value on the trade market is nowhere near what he brings to the table and this is only exacerbated by the fact that the Canucks are dealing from a position of weakness and have gone on record about the possibility of putting Higgins on waivers. Why trade for a player you can likely pluck off waivers? Especially when it won’t be the end of the world if another team jumps in front of you for his services, anyways.

Among forwards dealt around last year’s trade deadline, only Max Talbot’s contract represents a comparable to Higgins’ and the Colorado Avalanche had to eat half the remaining salary for the privilege. In return for Talbot, the Avs were dealt an AHL forward and a sixth round selection.

The Canucks have expressed a willingness to retain salary on this deal, which will likely be necessary if they hope to extract any kind of value out of Higgins, beyond that of Jordan Caron and sixth round selection. Realistically though, the returning asset is the cap space accrued in this transaction. Without retaining salary on this transaction, Vancouver will clear $2.5-million against next year’s cap; if they retain half, that’s $1.25-million.

Depending on the ancillary pieces involved, this move gives the Canucks desperately needed roster flexibility. Once Jannik Hansen returns from IR, Vancouver will have 24 players counting against their NHL roster. That’s one too many. Given the Canuck plan to keep Jake Virtanen in the NHL, something will have to give.

So far that something is Higgin’s no-trade clause, which he appears willing to waive. A wise move, given the circumstances and barren market for his services.

If Jim Benning is unable to consummate a deal, that likely means assigning Higgins to the Utica Comets. For an ownership group which already spent much of the year with Linden Vey’s $1-million cooking in the ‘A’, I can’t imagine they’ll find Higgins’ $2.5-million salary any more palatable.

It’s a unique situation, which doesn’t bode well for either party. I’d think it best for everyone involved to temper expectations. Frankly, you’re setting yourself up for a world of hurt otherwise.