Vancouver Canucks Trade Analysis: Benning Knows Trading
By David Joun
The Vancouver Canucks are not shying away from the bidding war.
With the Vancouver Canucks making yet another deal to mortgage picks and potential for a more proven asset, Trader Jim is flexing his muscles again.
The Canucks acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson from the Florida Panthers for forward Jared McCann on Wednesday, an unexpected trade that saw hell break loose on social media.
Draft picks were also involved, with Vancouver sending the second round, 33rd-overall pick and the fifth round, 93rd-overall pick to Florida and the Panthers returning a fifth round, 129th-overall pick to Vancouver.
With the trade, the Canucks will have six picks in this year’s draft: the 5th-overall, the 63rd-overall, the 129th-overall, the 153rd-overall, the 183rd-overall, and the 193rd-overall.
What’s the Issue?
So when it is all said and done, what is the big deal? Why is Twitter getting lit up by polarized opinions?
The Master Drafter is Giving Away Picks
The biggest concern right now seems to be the amount of future potential that GM Jim Benning has mortgaged for a single player. This year’s Entry Draft being considered one of the best that the league has seen in recent history, most are pointing to the loss of the 33rd-overall selection as the biggest issue with the deal.
What if Jared McCann is…
The next biggest concern is the man himself, Jared McCann. The Canucks knew that McCann had gained muscle already, just a handful of weeks into his first NHL offseason. A player with undeniable skill often criticized for the lack of strength, McCann was well on his way to becoming a serviceable middle-six forward, even a top-six winger.
Who the heck is Eric Gudbranson?
Lastly, with Gudbranson playing an entire continent away from Vancouver, Canucks fans do not know well what traits Benning saw in the defenseman that was so attractive. Let us answer all these questions.
Next: GM Jim Benning is a Confident Scout