On today’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal explored a few “outside the box” trade proposals that the Vancouver Canucks could consider this offseason.
First up: Mathew Barzal.
Quads proposed two potential packages:
  • Elias Pettersson (D), Jonathan Lekkerimaki and two first-round draft picks
  • Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Tom Willander, a first and fourth-round draft pick
Harm didn’t see a path forward with Lou Lamoriello still running the Islanders.
“If Lou Lamorello is back as GM, it’s a no-go. You can offer whatever you want, even in a re-tool/rebuild environment, Barzal is young enough that they’d look to build around him which is important context. If they are going to blow it all up, you’re still going to have to overpay for him.”
Between the two options, Harm said the second might get the conversation started.
“It would probably be the second one involving Lekkerimaki, Willander, 1st and 4th which is a ton to give up; it’s the equivalent of three firsts and a fourth round pick, but that’s the kind of overpayment it’s going to take if you want to land a player of Barzal’s calibre. There would be a long line of suitors for Barzal if he’s ever made available.”
The second proposal centred around Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish:
Harm thought the first offer was more realistic but noted McTavish’s recent play complicates things.
“It would have to be the first one, but even then, the idea of targeting McTavish sounded a lot more appealing before he picked things up in the second half. He was a point per game down the stretch in the last 25 games, so finishing strong like that – the odds of being able to pry McTavish away from Anaheim are a lot lower than they were before that exposure.”
Quads expressed some hesitation about targeting McTavish.
“McTavish scares me a little bit as a target; he’s 22 and I know he has a high ceiling, but for next season if you’re making a trade, you want a guy who’s already close to his ceiling. A really good top-six player you know is going to make a big impact on your lineup – I’m not saying McTavish isn’t that, but he’s not necessarily a surefire bet to be that next season and I’m a little worried about backing up the Brinks trucks to unload for McTavish.”
Harm pushed back with a long-term view.
“The counter to that is if you’re going to trade some of your quality pieces, draft picks or D prospects, ideally you want to do it for a young player who can be productive for you for a long time. He’s already a 50-point player and I think he’d be a decent 2nd line centre. He’s going to get another summer of development, plus how much could he breakout away from Greg Cronin in Anaheim where a lot of the young forwards have stalled? I wouldn’t be surprised if he broke out and had a lot more than 50 points next year.”
Finally, Quads’ threw out the idea of a Bo Horvat reunion.
Trade options floated:
  • Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Elias Pettersson (D), 1st and 4th round pick
  • Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Tom Willander, 4th round pick
Harm wasn’t sold on the idea from the Canucks’ side.
“Either of these might be close if the Isles have their eye on their future, but I don’t love either trade from the Canucks’ perspective. We’ve been through this before with Bo; he’s a good player, but the age range, the contract — I don’t love the idea of emptying the prospect cupboards for a Horvat reunion.”
And as Harm put it, there are no perfect solutions to the Canucks’ second-line centre issue.
“Management, to some extent — unless they can pull some unexpected rabbit out of a hat, they’re hooped. There is no silver bullet answer. It’s pick your poison — there’s going to be some part of a 2C acquisition that you don’t like. Whether that’s his age, production, contract, overpaying on the package you give up: There’s going to be something you don’t love and it’s about picking the lesser evil as management tries to find a top six centre. Here’s where it would have been nice if they sold [Brock] Boeser and [Pius] Suter at the deadline and could throw around some of those picks and prospects.”
You can watch the full segment below:
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