It’s been a couple weeks since “stuff”-gate, but Jake Virtanen is still in the AHL, and he’s not doing so well. In 7 games, he has just 2 points, both assists. 

I think it’s fair to say at this point that Virtanen’s been mishandled a bit since he was selected by the Canucks with the 6th overall pick in 2014. He’s been in and out of the lineup, and hasn’t produced at the level you’d hop for a top-10 pick, in either professional league. So where do we go from here? How would you handle Jake’s development? Should he be in the NHL? AHL? The pressbox? Or maybe you think the Canucks should cut their losses and see what they can get for him now, before his value declines any further.

 What would you be willing to give up in a trade for a goal-scorer? 

DSP: 

I really don’t know what we have that could go for a goal scoring forward without losing a piece needed for a rebuild. I’d stay and look into the draft. If I were to toss any names around for a trade I think Tanev would get us our best return.

Even though Tanev is my favourite defenseman, I would seek to trade him at the trade deadline for draft picks and prospects. Tanev is the Canucks best defenseman hands down, but his style of play causes him to be injured constantly. He is going to wear out much sooner than other players because of his willingness to stick his hands, feet, body in front of pucks. If he only plays for 60% of the games in a year, then why keep him.

Tanev is amazing, but with the limited number of games he plays, his lack of offence, and the wear and tear on his body the Canucks should trade him at the deadline to maximise their return for him.

Chris The Curmudgeon: 

A 20 goal scorer is just a band-aid solution right now. Look at this team and ask yourself “would adding a 2nd line winger be enough to vault the team into Cup contention?” The answer is plainly “no”, so to unload significant assets to make that happen is a mistake.

I would love for the team to win more now, but am sick of this fantasy world JB is trying to sell us where they’re actually on the cusp of contention and just need tweaking in the near term, and that said tweaking won’t significantly impact future success. Squeaking into the playoffs and getting pounded in the first round is not anything I care about right now, priority number one needs to be to build the next juggernaut and you don’t do that by selling low on prospects, bringing in role players and complimentary pieces or casually giving away draft picks instead of using them to fill the pipeline. All acquiring another scorer would do would push us down the draft list right now. I have a hard time believing the Aquilinis are so short-sighted as to think sacrificing components of long term success is worth it for two extra home playoff dates, unless Benning has actually convinced them that both are possible (they’re not).

The word “rebuild” is such a cliche that I never need to hear it again. But, as much as the roster has been turned over under this regime, I’m not convinced that the core of the next contending iteration of the Canucks is in place yet: some good pieces are there, sure, but Horvat is the only young top 6 center in the system, Boeser is probably the only guy who could project with any confidence as a first line winger (and hasn’t played in the NHL yet), and for all the depth of prospects on defence, it’s hard to say if there are any top pairing guys there either,save probably Juolevi. In other words, our future cannot afford any more mortgaging to win a few more games now, end of story.

Nuckleston: 

At this point, any 20 goal scorer we could acquire would be past their prime once the rebuild is complete; also, they would probably cost more than we want to pay.

I think the most effective way to help scoring going forward is to start moving any willing veterans out for picks and prospects until you have a better balance between past and future. I have to believe some of the more senior guys are still itching to win the cup, and know they aren’t going to do it here.

Hopefully within 3-5 years we will have the 20 goal scoring forwards we are looking for.

TD: 

With the emergence of Tryamkin and Stetcher as right side, the Canucks have an asset they could trade. Tanev would get a larger return, but Gudbranson may also have decent value. They should look for scoring help in the form of young players or prospects and high picks. What ever they trade for should be a future piece of their top 6.

I don’t know if anything like that will happen while they are anywhere near a wild card spot. After tonight’s win, they are too close to ditch their plan to be competitive.

As long as they don’t trade for a player in their mid to late 20’s I will be happy.

Anyone prospect who does not have a legitimate chance of first line or top pairing (or at least high end top 6/top 4)is expendable at this stage. If a 20 goal scorer under the age of 25 is available, go get him. Pay fair market if you need to. Juolevi, Boeser, Virtanen, Horvat, Hutton and Demko are the only untouchables.

I know I harp on about balance, but you simply can’t expect to compete with an entirely young roster. The Oilers have proven that over the last decade. Too many players had their development compromised. Cup contenders have established scoring and defense to lead the young stars as they enter their early 20s.

Tanking only works if you are able to draft a generational player.

Friendly Neighbourhood Canuck: 

If we could trade Gudbranson for somebody I would love to do it. If we are selling by the deadline, I hope he’s the defenseman to go. I do like him, but he is just less talented than Tanev in every aspect other than physicality, and with Stecher flying high we have an offensive guy on the right side. Gudbranson offers nothing on the PP and is looking for a raise next year. If we could deal him for a young player or picks that would be ideal. Trading for guys would carry some difficulty with regards to the expansion draft. Now while guys like Granlund and Baertschi aren’t MUST PROTECT players, it does put a little more to think about.

Dirk22: 

Stand pat unless it involves a ‘Baertschi’ type player – an offensive prospect who’s team has soured on him.