Canucks' Trade Deadline Targets: Centers, Wingers & Defencemen
Looking at a few players that Allvin could target including Guentzel, Henrique & more!
Welcome to the THW Vancouver Canucks Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Canucks writers.
In today’s edition, we have some targets heading into the 2024 Trade Deadline including top-six centers, wingers and defencemen. Also, the latest Canucks Weekly featuring the homestand so far, Quinn Hughes wanting Chris Tanev back in the organization, and more.
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Now on to the good stuff!
Canucks Weekly: Hughes Wants Tanev Back, Lotto Line Runs Out of Luck & More
January 26, 2024 by Matthew Zator (THW Premium Content)
The beat goes on for the Vancouver Canucks as they collected another five points on their current five-game homestand. First, they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 in a high-scoring affair, then plodded their way to a 2-0 victory over the Connor Bedard-less Chicago Blackhawks, and finally lost in overtime to the St. Louis Blues after coming back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits. All in all, they haven’t lost in regulation since Jan. 4, and have a 9-1-2 record since the calendar flipped to 2024.
With that, let’s get this edition of Canucks Weekly off and running!
Canucks’ 2024 Trade Deadline Targets: Top-6 Centers
January 26, 2024 by Matthew Zator
The Vancouver Canucks have been flip-flopping between the penthouse and the sub-penthouse of the NHL standings for a while now. As of this writing, they are currently in the former with 69 points thanks to a 32-11-5 record – tied with the Boston Bruins. As such, they will certainly be buyers at this year’s trade deadline as general manager Patrik Allvin has promised to be aggressive to give his roster the best chance of winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in its 53-year history.
Even if Tocchet doesn’t load up his top line, the Canucks could still use a boost in the top-six. I am not sold on Elias Pettersson as a center. I believe he is much more dangerous on the wing, and to do that, the Canucks need another top-six center. Whether one of these targets plays with him or not, here are a few Allvin should go after before the trade deadline.
5 Canucks Trade Targets Heading Into the 2024 Trade Deadline
January 26, 2024 by Sartaaj Bhullar
The Vancouver Canucks are at the top of the league and are having an amazing season. The club has a 32-11-5 record, sitting first in the Pacific Division, Western Conference, and NHL. As a result, the organization will likely add to their roster and strengthen their group for a potential deep playoff run. President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford discussed some of the club’s needs (from ‘LeBrun: How does Canucks’ turnaround impact trade plans, Pettersson talks? Catching up with Jim Rutherford,’ The Athletic, January 12, 2024).
“I think as we speak, if we were able to add another top-six forward, that would give us a better chance,” Rutherford said. “And you know, we’ll watch the defense as we go along here. But you know, for the most part our defense has done a pretty good job.”
Meanwhile, Sporstnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the club has a list of five players and included two players. Those two players were Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel and Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm. Here are all five of the players the Canucks will likely target and what they will need to give up to acquire them.
That was insightful, you indicated they're looking for centers, wingers and defenseman - what's left? That means the only thing they're not looking for is a goaltender and considering the quality of play they're getting from the two they have, that pretty much goes without saying.
Additionally , the word out of Pittsburgh is that Jake Guentzel isn't available. That may not be accurate I guess, but Dubas seemed to be pretty clear about it.