The Bottom Line
Even though Canucks GM Jim Benning deserves the nickname “Trader Jim”, it seems unlikely for him to trade all three of the mentioned players. Still, let’s take a look at what a lineup without Vrbata, Burrows and Hamhuis could look like — and decide if trading all three would work out in theory.
Sedin – Sedin – Hansen
Baertschi – Horvat – Sutter
Etem – McCann – Virtanen
Prust – Vey – Dorsett
Cracknell, Zalewski
Edler – Tanev
Hutton – Sbisa
Bartkowski – Weber/Pedan
If a youngster line of Emerson Etem, McCann and Virtanen is too much, Hansen could move down to the third line, with Sutter going up to play with the Sedins and Virtanen with Baertschi and Horvat — which is at least a little bit less of a rookie line.
The Canucks have been decently successful without Brandon Sutter, so they should be able to keep that up with Sutter back in the lineup for Vrbata. Prust for Burrows is definitely a downgrade, but it would be acceptable. The defence would be the same it has been for a while now.
I will admit, that would be a pretty terrible playoff team. Then again, the Canucks’ current team is not much better.
Next: Canucks an Option for Steven Stamkos?
Jim Benning and Trevor Linden know that. But they are in the unique position to sell some veterans and stay in the playoff race anyway. With the above trade proposals, they could bring in two talented players and a draft pick for this year. At the same time, they can develop their young players — Horvat, Etem, Baertschi, McCann, Virtanen — in a winning environment.
That’s no rocket science. It’s simple asset management. Now go work your phone, Mr. Benning.