Vancouver Canucks Trade Deadline: Calm Before the Storm

Is the NHL Trade Deadline addicting for the Vancouver Canucks or what.

The Vancouver Canucks are enjoying the ebbs and flows of the NHL Trade Deadline. As Monday approaches, the weekend has been a great deal of speculating for Vancouver. Of course, it is all about Dan Hamhuis and Radim Vrbata. With Sunday afternoon drawing to a close, Canucks fans can only hope that GM Jim Benning knows what he is doing.

So in preparation for the frenzy tomorrow morning, let us recap the happenings of Saturday and Sunday. Remember to come back frequently and check for updates.

Dan Hamhuis

First off, Dan Hamhuis. After the Chicago Blackhawks were in hard on the 33-year-old veteran defenceman, Scott Bowman has stepped out of the bidding race. The Dallas Stars were the other organization that was raising the stakes with Chicago after they struck out with the New York Rangers and a potential deal with Keith Yandle.

After the deal for Yandle broke down, Hamhuis’s stock skyrocketed and Jim Benning tried to make a big splash. Chicago dropped out and chose former Canuck Christian Ehrhoff instead. That seemed to put an end to things, marking Jim Benning’s failure as a sophomore GM. Now, that was Saturday morning.

As for Hamhuis himself, his no-trade clause is virtually meaningless now. He, however, is telling teams that he could pull an “Antoine Vermette” in returning to the Canucks in the offseason. This tweet from Sportsnet’s John Shannon summed the situation up at the close of last night.

Saturday afternoon

This is when Hamhuis talks began again. Out of nowhere. The Dallas Stars seemed to be enjoying the Hamhuis monopoly until Benning called an old friend of his from across the continent.

Of course, Jim Benning having served as the assistant GM for Boston, there is always a channel available there. But at the end of the day and on Sunday morning, this news broke out, with Washington Capitals defenceman John Carlson getting injured. He is expected to be out three-four weeks.

The Capitals did waive forward Brooks Laich. They should have some cap space to make a bold move on Monday. But again, this just came in Sunday afternoon:

Washington out of the race? Most likely. Kris Russell has also surfaced as a defenceman available for the taking. Seems like he is Hamhuis’s main competition on the market, though not on the ice.

That being said, this just came in.

Wonder if Valeri Nichushkin will make it to Vancouver. Potential is there, as the Stars have offered him to the Rangers while the Yandle talks were high, as reported by NY Post.

Radim Vrbata

Interest in Vrbata has been over-shadowed by Hamhuis’s market, but the interest is there. After Chicago landed Andrew Ladd, the market seemed to be over for Vrbata, even more so when Dave Tallon of the Florida Panthers acquired Jiri Hudler and Teddy Purcell. Vrbata, though, has something else to say.

And this morning, he has taken the next step. To where, though, remains a big question.

Vrbata is not playing tonight due to an injury. The Chicago scouts are still here, though. Could Chicago be looking at more Canucks players? Why is Toronto scouting the Canucks?

Lastly, there is a possibility that the GM might add at the deadline. If this is to get Vrbata off to Florida, if could be the last chance for Benning to make the move.

Asking price is reportedly a 2nd round pick. Vrbata would not be a fit. Florida is most likely looking to recapture lost draft picks (lost through Hudler/Purcell deals). But again, Jim Benning likes flipping picks for ready players. Is that the case here, then with Vrbata as a sweetner? How would you like this?

Next: Canucklehead Lament: An Open Letter to Jim Benning

Enjoy the game everyone. Hope that Hamhuis doesn’t get injured. Remember to check back regularly for Trade Deadline rumblings. We will have the latest, and on facebook and Twitter @FSTheCanuckWay too! Enjoy!