Trading Luca Sbisa: The Wrap-Up
Trading Luca Sbisa is something that the Canucks should definitely consider. He should draw ample interest and the Canucks may surprise a few fans with how much return they can get back for the Italian defenseman.
But regardless of the return, the Canucks have a reason to trade Sbisa: the mess on the blueline is building and building by the minute. After a top pairing of Chris Tanev and Alex Edler, Erik Gudbranson and Ben Hutton should round out the top four. Nikita Tryamkin and Luca Sbisa should be on the last pairing.
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Of course, there is Philip Larsen who should be making the team. Alex Biega is also here to provide depth, while GM Benning will seek to fulfill his promise to keep Andrey Pedan playing in the NHL this coming season.
But do you really want to see two stay-at-home defensemen, Tryamkin and Sbisa, try to move the puck up the ice without Hutton? I would love to see Philip Larsen get a shot with Tryamkin.
And of course, there is Dan Hamhuis. He is still on the Canucks radar. When Tanev, the team’s top defenseman, asks the management to bring Hamhuis back, they have to at least try to retain the hometown guy.
Hamhuis with Tryamkin would be nice. Actually, Hamhuis with anyone would be nice as the third pairing. Does Sbisa provide the team the same versatility? Not even close. It would be better to sign Hamhuis to a deal than to keep Sbisa here.
When it is all said and done, somebody’s got to go from this crowded blueline. Sbisa.
Sbisa is the lone man out. The league is waiting for a physical defenseman like him to be put on the block. It’s time the Canucks dangled some pizza as bait.
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Whether it be taking advantage of a big need in Boston and putting Jim Benning’s old connections to use or picking up Detroit’s salary cal distress call, the Canucks have options should they explore the trade market with Sbisa.