Vancouver Canucks Trade Proposals: The Fifth Overall Pick

CAROLINA CALLS: Replacing Eric Staal with Dubois?

The Carolina Hurricanes need a number-one center after the decline and departure of once-elite Eric Staal. The Canucks won’t be giving up Bo Horvat or Henrik Sedin, but if the No. 5 pick means Pierre-Luc Dubois, the Canucks and the Canes could work something out.

I hope that it is obvious the Canucks need young left wingers. The defense is overflowing with under-26’s and the right side is getting better and better thanks to Anton Rodin, Jake Virtanen, and prospect Brock Boeser. Down the middle, the middle-six is secure. To the left? It’s Mr. RFA Sven Baertschi and none else.

Enter Sabastian Aho, the star Finnish center who played pivot for Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine for Team Finland at this year’s World Juniors.

Here is Elite Prospects’ take on the highly-touted Finn who has just signed an entry-level deal with the Carolina Hurricanes after playing in Finland this past year:

"A super smart two-way player with excellent instincts. Primarily a playmaker, Aho relies on his hockey IQ and has the ability to dictate the pace of the game with the puck. Always calm and in control, Aho is a good skater who positions himself well and has the skill-set to handle all on-ice situations. Aho has experience as both center and winger. (Matias Strozyk, 2016)"

Aho had 20 goals and 45 points in 45 games with the Karpat of Liiga this past season. Although Aho is not the type of player Jim Benning likes compared to Matthew Tkachuk, the prospects of landing the 13th-overall pick as well as a name like Aho would certainly be enticing for Benning.

The Bottomline

It is a risky trade for both teams, as each give up pieces they both like. The reward, however, may be too good to pass by. As unlikely as it is, the trade is one that certainly perks my interest.

Next: DRAFT DAY: VAN CALLS COL