Vancouver Canucks Acquire D Erik Gudbranson for McCann

The offseason never gets boring for the Vancouver Canucks as Trader Jim is back.

The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson from the Florida Panthers alongside this year’s fifth-round draft selection at the NHL Entry Draft in exchange for forward Jared McCann, this year’s second-round (33rd overall) draft selection, and this year’s fourth-round selection.

Erik Gudbranson comes to Vancouver and provides immediate help on the blueline. The former third-overall draft pick stands tall at 6-foot-5 and is a massive force at 216 pounds. The 24-year-old is coming off a season that saw him record two goals and nine points in 64 regular season games. Gudbranson had no points in the six playoff games.

The big Ottawa native averaged 26:54 in icetime during the playoffs. Besides the obvious grit and size he brings to Vancouver, Gudbranson has great leadership qualities on and off the ice. Gudbranson has spectacular skating abilities despite his size. His shot, also, is quite the weapon from the point that is being described as having an untapped potential.

Gudbranson figures to draw into the Canucks top-four immediately, the perfect match for a smart player like Ben Hutton. Better yet, Gudbranson’s right shot makes him a favorite to play with Hutton.

Gudbranson has one year left on at $3.5 million. He is set to become an RFA next offseason.

On the other side of the equation, Jared McCann goes and joins former Canuck Roberto Luongo in Florida. While his trade counterpart Gudbranson offers relatively proven talents, McCann is still an X-factor after a rookie season filled with disappointments.

McCann, however, has shown flashes of promise in his rookie campaign. But with Brandon Sutter and Bo Horvat already occupying the middle six for the foreseeable future, GM Jim Benning seems to have decided to make use of his depth of young centermen.

Florida Panthers React

As on Gudbranson, the Panthers seem to be quite disgruntled by the news.

The Bottomline

This is Trader Jim looking to take advantage of opportunities while continuing to sell unknown draft picks for proven young talent. With Gudbranson looking for a big deal at 24 years of age, the Panthers have rid themselves of a big contract. Both teams get what they want by sacrificing what they had in surplus.

The biggest talking point of this deal may be the picks involved. The player at pick 33 at this year’s draft may as well be the second McCann. With the Canucks looking to draft a defenseman at the position, they may have decided to take Gudbranson instead.

As it always is with young players and draft picks, only time will tell. My best wishes to Jared McCann.

So What Now?

With Gudbranson in the mix, the Canucks seem pretty full at defense. Expect more trades to come with Vancouver selling a few blueliners for potential draft picks or prospects. Because as it stands, the Canucks blueline is quite the interesting group:

A. Edler – C. Tanev
B. Hutton – E. Gudbranson
N. Tryamkin – P. Larsen
A. Biega / L. Sbisa / A. Pedan

The most difficult part still remains — how does Luca Sbisa fit?

Anyhow, the blueline will not be needing Dan Hamhuis back. Do not expect much free agency addition on the blueline. Instead, look for Jim Benning to turn to the deep pool of centers available to see if a capable bottom-six centerman is available at a bargain.

Next: Free Agency: Exploring for a McCann Replacement

And most importantly — get Gudbranson extended. And oh — the Luca Sbisa watch is finally on.