The Vancouver Canucks may be picking fifth in the 2017 draft, but adding the third selection would be absolutely huge for this team’s long-term future.
If the Vancouver Canucks want to get through this rebuild as soon as possible, then general manager Jim Benning has to get creative and find a way to secure another high draft pick in 2017.
And fortunately for Benning, the Dallas Stars are a perfect team to conduct business with. They hold the third-overall selection in the 2017 draft but may not have much use for it. They could use Canucks defenceman Chris Tanev, however. Allow Ben Kuzma from The Province to explain:
"Dallas holds the third overall pick and is a good defensive defenceman away from plugging leaks on the back end — 29th-rated defence and 30th-ranked penalty kill — and returning to the post-season…Benning has the asset in Tanev and the demand in Big D has been obvious since Ken Hitchcock returned to place a coaching emphasis on defence."
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That would certainly be huge for Vancouver if they could pick twice in the top-five. They have a tough choice of choosing between a much-needed centre or a true puck-moving defenceman with the fifth selection. Having the third and fifth picks would allow Benning to address both needs.
Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a lot of trade chips. There’s no way he’s parting with any of the young players or prospects — but Tanev could easily fetch a great return.
The Edmonton Oilers had to trade a former first-overall pick in Taylor Hall just to acquire stay-at-home blueliner Adam Larsson from the New Jersey Devils. The Calgary Flames had to give up a first and two second-round picks to acquire Dougie Hamilton (who hadn’t played more than 72 games in a season) from the Boston Bruins.
Vancouver has a legitimate stay-at-home defenceman in Tanev. He could easily bring them another first-round pick that Benning so desires.
Stars need Tanev to win now
The Stars are probably not going to land top prospects Nico Hischier, Nolan Patrick or Gabriel Vilardi. They have more than enough scoring up front with Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Cody Eakin and Jason Spezza.
On defence? They do have youngsters Julius Honka, Mattias Backman and Esa Lindell. And though prospects Miro Heiskanen and Cale Makar have a ton of promise — they likely won’t be ready to be top-pairing defencemen any time soon. After signing Ben Bishop to a six-year deal worth $29.5 million, the Stars’ time to win is now.
Would Tanev for the third selection straight up be enough? Unlikely. The Canucks may have to throw in a second-round pick and/or another roster player.
But, if Dallas were to have Tanev, they would already be a shoe-in for the playoffs in 2018.
Canucks can accelerate rebuild
Vancouver already has a nice group of young players and prospects in Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser and Olli Juolevi. Imagine they draft Makar or Heiskanen to form a pairing with Juolevi in the future.
Benning then uses the fifth selection to draft either Gabriel Vilardi, Casey Mittelstadt, Elias Petterson or Cody Glass. Now you have (hopefully), a long-term answer at centre with one of these guys and Horvat.
As good as Tanev is, he isn’t single-handedly going to make the Canucks a contender in 2018 or 2019. But if they get their hands on one of the top centres and one of the top blueliners in the 2017 draft? That could change their future.
If Benning can package Tanev and either the 33rd or 55th pick to Dallas, then you have to think general manager Jim Nill will consider it. Dallas needs a top-pairing blueliner now, and Tanev may be the best guy available to them.
Vancouver is under huge pressure to bring in some exciting players to get the frustrated fan base back into buying tickets. If they’re suiting up a pair of top-five selections in 2017-18, then the ticket offices will be a lot busier.
Conclusion
The Canucks need great prospects — which obviously comes through draft selections. The Stars have enough talent to compete for the playoffs — but a guy like Tanev is their missing piece to be a true championship contender.
If both teams want to reach their long-term goals, then a Tanev trade that brings Vancouver the third-overall pick is a necessity. Maybe Dallas is overpaying for him, but that’s what going all-in means in today’s NHL.
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And oh, how great this would be for Benning’s reputation and legacy. If he can find a way to have the Vancouver Canucks draft twice in the top five, then he’ll put a lot of his doubters to silence on Friday night in Chicago.