Vancouver Canucks Tidbits: Hamhuis Rising, Sedins Staying
The Vancouver Canucks are running out of options for Dan Hamhuis.
The Vancouver Canucks are going to make full value out of Dan Hamhuis before potentially trading him, it seems. Erase the Washington Capitals off the list of suitors for the 33-year-old native of Smithers, BC. On Tuesday, the Capitals acquired top-six defenceman Mike Weber and just half of his salary from the Buffalo Sabres for a third round pick.
But look on the other side of things. One less suitor for Hamhuis, sure — but the veteran defenceman’s value just sky rocketed.
If Roman Polak and Nick Spaling can grab a second rounder and Mike Weber a third rounder, what can Hamhuis grab for the Canucks?
Definitely more than Weber, definitely more than just a contender’s low third-round pick. So is Hamhuis worth a second-round pick?
Maybe more. All that Vancouver knows is that Hamhuis likes it in Vancouver and Jim Benning has yet to approach Hamhuis about waiving his no-trade clause. It certainly is a possibility, though.
Dan Hamhuis tells me he/agent has not been asked to waive no trade clause. That being said, he and family are discussing options.
— JAY JANOWER (@JayJanower) February 23, 2016
That being said, the price tag should leap even more with the New York Rangers reportedly pulling top defenceman Keith Yandle off the market, per Larry Brooks of the NY Post through “league sources”.
That makes Hamhuis one of the best defencemen available, if not the best one available this year.
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Considering that winger Valeri Nischuskin is now on the Dallas Stars’ trading block and was (as reported by the same article by Larry Brooks) a part of a proposed package going to New York in exchange for Yandle, the Canucks will surely get a very high ransom for Hamhuis.
Well, dreams of Nichuskin playing to the right of Bo Horvat might not be as far-fetched as some might think it to be. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun did list the Stars as one of the potential buyers for Hamhuis.
For all the fans unhappy with the Canucks drafting Horvat over Nichuskin (who was drafted with the very next pick at 10th overall), here is your chance.
Would Hamhuis fetch Nichuskin? Even if the Canucks need to sweeten the deal with, for example, Linden Vey or Chris Higgins, should Nichuskin be pursued after?
My two cents? Yes. In fact, I would pull a Hamhuis and a third-round pick for Nichuskin and a lower-round pick. More to come…
Sedins staying?
Of course, the Sedins are not getting traded. What I mean by “staying” is that the 35-year-olds may continue playing beyond their years. From the Annual Canucks’ Dice and Dance event, Henrik Sedin said this in an interview with TSN 1040.
And this too. The Sedins are leaders. They are not overly optimistic with this season, but critically analyzes the downfall of the Canucks — Brandon Sutter‘s injury is a big factor in the captain’s opinion.
You have to respect the captain Sedin for keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel on this team.
Other Trade Market Tidbits
Jonathan Drouin rumours are heating up again. Apparently the Canucks are one of the teams involved in the rumours. But when the Tampa Bay Lightning asks the Canucks for a player already developed into a top-six forward, I think Vancouver can write Drouin off.
Pierre McGuire was on TSN 1040 today, talking about the newest player getting kicked around in the rumour mill — the honey badger. He expects Hansen to fetch no more than a second-round pick or a B-type prospect.
As for the other trade chips, McGuire sees Hamhuis possibly fetching a first-round pick and Vrbata maybe being worth a second-rounder.
As the Canucks host the Ottawa Senators, Vancouver holds its breath on Hamhuis, Vrbata, and Hansen. Hansen rumours should be written off for now, in my opinion, but who knows what is happening over the phone boards in the GM’s office?
Next: Statistically Speaking: Markus Granlund's Potential
Till then, time to wait and see what Markus Granlund brings to the table.
Update from Bob McKenzie
VAN has let other 29 teams know they are open for business on: Vey, Bartkowski, Kenins, Cracknell, Higgins, Prust and Weber.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 24, 2016
So the Canucks are giving up on the younger RFAs, too, eh? More to come!