The Vancouver Canucks enter this year’s trade deadline in a far different position than last year.
Nothing has gone their way this season, as they’ve dealt with a ton of injuries and adversity. This leaves them outside a playoff spot and needing a much better second half just to finish in one of the Wild Card spots.
A big trade would really help the team, which is struggling not only with a weak defence group but also to score goals.
The good news is if the Canucks want to swing a trade, they have some pieces other teams will want. Here are four players they can dangle in any deal.
1. Nils Höglander
The Canucks gave Höglander a three-year, $9 million contract right before the season started. At the time, that looked like a solid deal, considering the player’s 24 even-strength goals in the previous year, but it has not aged well.
Höglander has just three goals and nine points in 40 games this year. He has been healthy scratched multiple times and has struggled to fit in with head coach Rick Tocchet’s system.
He’s still just 24 years old and has last year’s impressive season under his belt, so there are reasons for optimism. If the Canucks are looking to address their defence, Höglander could be one of the assets headed the other way.
2. Brock Boeser
There are few Canucks who are as universally loved as Brock Boeser. He’s the longest-tenured player on the team and is beloved by teammates and fans. However, we could be watching the last few weeks he plays…
