Trade Jannik Hansen While His Value is Highest
Jannik Hansen, everyone’s favourite honey badger, was put on the Sedin line early in the year. As is usually the case with Sedin line mates, he responded with a career year in goals — 19 and counting — and is closing in on a new career-high in points (his current high is 39, in 2011-2012).
Hansen’s stock in Vancouver has never been higher – that’s why the Canucks should try to trade him now.
Related: 3 Reasons why the Canucks Should Trade Jannik Hansen
According to General Fanager, Hansen has a modified no-trade clause, meaning that he will have to submit a list of teams to general manager Jim Benning if he decided to trade the forward.
It won’t be hard to convince other NHL teams of the value of Jannik Hansen — he has played in every conceivable role in his time with the Vancouver Canucks.
Hansen can kill penalties. He can play on the powerplay. He can be a bottom-six checker. He’s physical. He’s fast.
After this year, Benning can point to his 20+ goals and say that Hansen can play as a top-six scoring winger. A player as useful as Hansen would highly coveted on the trade market.
So, if the general manager asks Hansen to waive his NTC and if Hansen agrees, where can he go?
In case it’s not already obvious, I think any NHL GM would be happy to make a deal for Hansen. And why not:
So let’s speak broadly about two types of teams Benning should target:
Next: Where Could Hansen Go?