Jordan Martinook, Arizona Coyotes
Unlike Gagner, Arizona Coyotes forward Jordan Martinook is not exactly famous for being a great goal scorer. However, he might be a better fit for the Canucks right now. Trades within the division usually aren’t what teams want and can lead to inflated trade prices, but they do happen every once in awhile.
So, why would Martinook be a good fit?
More from Editorials
- Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
- What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
- Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
- Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
- 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg
A 24-year-old forward, Martinook can play at centre or on the wing. He isn’t too experienced in the NHL, but his development curve goes straight up.
In his final year with the WHL Vancouver Giants, Martinook had 40 goals and 64 points in 72 games. After that, he spent the majority of three seasons with the AHL Portland Pirates, scoring modest numbers with a career-high 15 goals and 43 points in 62 games in the 2014-15 season.
In the 2015-16 campaign, Martinook made the jump to the NHL and managed to stick around. He had a strong rookie season, missing just one game and scoring nine goals and 24 points. So far this year, Martinook has five goals and 11 points in 23 games, and is therefore on pace for 39 points this season.
But, as opposed to Gagner, Martinook is not all about offence. A 6-foot, 203-pound forward, Martinook likes to play with a lot of energy and grit. He battles hard for pucks and doesn’t quit until he succeeds. With that, he can move up and down the lineup and contribute wherever he is needed — whether that is as the Canucks’ second-line centre or a bottom-line winger.
Coming from a division rival, Martinook might not come cheap, but he definitely fits into Vancouver’s plan better than a 31-year-old Loui Eriksson.