It’s hard to imagine the Canucks dipping their toes into the trade deadline pool so early and stopping in the shallow end. Whether they buy, sell or make the odd lateral move, there has to be more in store for the Canucks and their fans.

Regardless whether they sell or buy, there’s fat to be trimmed at either end of the roster, to accommodate scratch at botch itches. Start with the fringe players. Or rather, fringe players with a specialized skill that might be otherwise lacking on a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.

The Washington Capitals found toughness and size when they added Mike Weber yesterday. If there’s a team looking for help in transition and on the power play, perhaps Yannick is the second Weber to fall. 

It’s hard to imagine a team with so much offensive firepower struggling as the Rangers do with the man advantage. They have the worst power play percentage among contending teams, 25th in the league, converting on 17.3% of their opportunities. The Rangers are shooting enough. They’re the seventh-best shot generating team on a per-sixty basis on the power play. Maybe Weber’s booming shot starts turning those shots into goals.

Potential trade chips: sixth round pick, seventh round pick

The Lightning aren’t doing much better than the Rangers with the man advantage. In fact, you could argue they’re doing worse. Or should be, anyway. They’re generating the fewest shots on a per sixty basis on the power play in the entire league. That’s a terrible sign for future power play success.

Beyond their toothless power play, the Lightning could use a little depth on the blue line. Many of their depth pieces are far too green to be relied upon in the event of injuries during the playoffs. Weber’s not a half bad insurance policy. 

Potential trade chips: sixth round pick, seventh round pick, Matt Taormina

For as long as the Avalanche have been coached by Patrick Roy, they’ve had lamentable depth on their blue line. That’s a problem they can’t cover come playoffs. They’re right in the thick of it, holding down a spot in the Wild Card. The acquisition of Shawn Matthias this weekend indicates they’re going to make a push. A low-risk, affordable option like Weber might be right up their alley.

Potential trade chips: sixth round pick, seventh round pick, Brandon Gormley, Duncan Siemens

The Stars play a high-paced brand of hockey. That’s perfect for a player like Weber. Loosen the restrictions on his game, put up with the odd mistake and watch him flourish. The Stars need help on the blue line anyways.

Potential trade chips: sixth round pick

The Penguins put a band-aid on their problem on the blue line when they acquired Trevor Daley. They could snag another in Yannick Weber. They need puck movers. There’s familiarity between the Penguins new head coach, Mike Sullivan, and Weber. Sullivan was around for Weber’s first full season with the Canucks, after all.

Potential trade chips: sixth round pick, seventh round pick, Sergei Plotnikov, Tim Erixon