The Vancouver Canucks’ forwards have been struggling, but there is some scoring from the back end. Plus, the Canucks need to start planning for the trade deadline.
The playoff race is in full swing and the Vancouver Canucks are very much a part of it.
One thing that could help is scoring from the back end. So far this season, Canucks defencemen have had little luck creating dangerous shots. But, a two-game D-goal streak could be an indicator for better times to come.
Meanwhile, the Canucks have some tough trade decisions to make. Who is available? What are they looking for? Will they be selling at the deadline?
It is a difficult process with an important rule to remember: Try to get the best possible return, but don’t overrate trade bait.
D-Men Providing Offence
Ben Kuzma (Vancouver Sun) — Canucks finally see goals from back end to push playoff drive
"Troy Stecher finally got a shot through every defender Sunday. Luca Sbisa did the same Friday.The contributions in Chicago and Rogers Arena respectively marked only the second time this offensively challenged season that defencemen scored in consecutive games for the Vancouver Canucks."
There are teams in the NHL that can rely on offensive production from their defencemen. The Montreal Canadiens have Shea Weber and Jeff Petry combining for 19 goals. Minnesota Wild blue-liners Ryan Suter, Matt Dumba and Jared Spurgeon combine for 20. Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez have scored 21 times so far this season.
More from Canucks News
- Canucks are in “wash, rinse, repeat” mode after Monday’s 5-1 loss
- Canucks send Jack Rathbone and Vasily Podkolzin down to Abbotsford
- Canucks acquire Ethan Bear, Lane Pederson from Carolina
- Brock Boeser, Curtis Lazar placed on injury reserve
- Canucks officially unveil Reverse Retro jersey in latest aesthetic change
In Vancouver, Ben Hutton is the highest-scoring defenceman with four goals. The remaining eight D-men have combined for seven tallies. That’s not enough.
On the bright side, there has been some change. For (only) the second time this season, the Canucks have seen goals from defencemen in two consecutive games. Vancouver needs that number to go up in the future.
Unfortunately, the Philip Larsen experiment seems to have failed. But, with Troy Stecher, Ben Hutton and Olli Juolevi, the Canucks have young blue-liners capable of providing offence. If Nikita Tryamkin develops well offensively and Jordan Subban can get his defensive game up to NHL level, they might even have five strong two-way D-men.
The Canucks are currently struggling to score as a whole, but the future looks somewhat bright on the blue line.
Burrows an Overrated Trade Target
Lyle Richardson (Bleacher Report) — Ranking the Most Overrated Potential Trade Targets in the NHL
"[Burrows] can skate at either wing and plays a two-way game. Though Burrows’ offensive game has declined, he’s still an effective defensive player with leadership ability.Interested clubs, however, should avoid overrating those abilities. Burrows is at the tail end of his NHL career, and it shows. This season, he has only 16 points in 41 games."
Many fans say the Canucks should sell at the trade deadline. But, there is one issue with that: Which Canucks are even tradeable?
The Canucks’ trade block is highlighted by goaltender Ryan Miller and winger Alex Burrows. Unfortunately, both Miller and Burrows have no-trade clauses in their contracts.
Plus, there is an easy rule of thumb when it comes to trading: If you don’t want the player on your team, your trade partner probably doesn’t want him either.
The reason why Canucks fans feel ready to trade Burrows is that his 35-goal potential is long gone. This season’s Burrows is not the one we know from 2011.
Because of that, Bleacher Report columnist Lyle Richardson thinks Burrows is one of the most overrated potential trade targets in the entire league.
Next: Canucks Burning Out Ryan Miller
Well, I guess he might be right. Yet, Burrows is definitely a player worth trading and a player worth trading for.
An agitator with grit and two-way ability along with some scoring touch is exactly the kind of cheap rental player that can help teams in the playoffs.