Behind the Scenes: Trader Jim Has More to Say
If Jim Benning must trade for a young top-four defenseman, why not Tyson Barrie of the Colorado Avalanche? Why not a Tobias Enstrom of the Winnipeg Jets? Why Gudbranson and not anyone else?
Here’s what you had to say:
TRADE ALERT: #CANUCKS acquire D ERIK GUDBRANSON from the #PANTHERS in exchange for C JARED MCCANN : WHO WON?
— The Canuck Way (@FSTheCanuckWay) May 26, 2016
Here are some other factors that make Gudbranson a win for the current Canucks.
Benning Scouted Gudbranson for the Draft
When the Florida Panthers drafted Gudbranson with the third overall pick, where do you think Jim Benning was?
He was enjoying the second-overall selection with the rest of the Boston Bruins, the prize none other than Tyler Seguin, now the franchise centerman for the Dallas Stars. As the assistant GM of the Boston Bruins, Benning knew the top of the draft class by heart, and he knew what Gudbranson would bring to the ice.
Benning has Chemistry in Mind
Now with Gudbranson in the mix, the Canucks have a second pairing of Gudbranson and Ben Hutton. You can bet that this pairing can get the puck out of the D-zone with a prompt first pass to the neutral zone. Just as Nikita Tryamkin swallowed the man and Hutton took charge of the puck left behind, a Hutton-Gudbranson pairing is set to do just that.
Make Room and Save Money
Well, there goes Dan Hamhuis. No need to worry about our GM signing the oldest guy on the blueline to a deal that will never satisfy anyone.
And how about Luca Sbisa? There’s no fit for him anymore, now that the big boys Tryamkin and Gudbranson are here to stay. No more sacrificing puck mobility for sandpaper hockey. All being said, a Tryamkin-Sbisa third pairing would be a disaster for the Canucks.
So what does that mean? If I am Trader Jim, I am putting together another Garage Sale Seven list that is headlined by Luca Sbisa and the rights to Dan Hamhuis.
And guess what. Sbisa will cost more than Gudbranson does this year. Ship him now.
More Entry Draft Drama
The Edmonton Oilers are primed to add big time, rather it is making a selection at fourth overall or trading the pick for a top defenseman. Do not forget the Calgary Flames and the Arizona Coyotes who are all set to pick in the top-seven.
And then there is the “Tortz Pick” that the Columbus Blue Jackets owe the Canucks.
Although the chances are slim, if Columbus indeed allows the Canucks to take the compensatory pick this year (CBJ can choose between the 2016, 2017, and 2018 drafts), the trade and the giving away of the 33rd overall pick would be easier to swallow for the Canucks.
So is this deal easier to swallow for Vancouver if Jim Benning pulled the trigger knowing that the Blue Jackets were compensating the pick in 30 days’ time? Columbus has till June 1st to notify the Canucks of its decision.
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