Vancouver Canucks shouldn’t have many trade deadline untouchables

The Vancouver Canucks look ready to sell once again at the trade deadline. Though Thomas Vanek and Erik Gudbranson are the primary trade chips, they should make all but a few players available.

Once again, Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning will have to sell at the trade deadline. If you’ve paid attention to the rumours and reports, you’ll know that sniper Thomas Vanek and 6-foot-5 rearguard Erik Gudbranson are the team’s top trade candidates.

But if you take a look at the roster, you should only spot a handful of players that must be considered “untouchable.” This short list obviously includes Bo Horvat, Sven Baertschi, rookie sensation Brock Boeser and top defenceman, Chris Tanev.

Now, take a look at the rest of the roster. Do you see any guys that jump out and make you think “No way we should trade him!”? The Sedin twins probably aren’t going anywhere, but that’s because they don’t want to. If the Canucks got a great offer for the twins,  I doubt Benning would make them untouchable.

Forward Loui Eriksson owns one of the top-10 most immovable contracts in the NHL, so dream on if you’re hoping the Canucks clear him at the deadline. It’s just not happening. Now that we have all of this established, let’s look at the rest of the roster.

Should be goners

It’s anybody’s guess what the Canucks do with Thomas Vanek. Do they extend him? You can’t disagree if they do so. He’s been a bargain at $2 million this season with 14 goals and 35 points in 49 games.

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But Benning did admit that his decision at the deadline will be impacted by the Sedins’ decisions — should they know by then if they want to re-up for another year, via Sportsnet. This basically means if they were to decide they wanted to retire, Benning would work hard towards extending Vanek. They would need his leadership if the Sedins depart.

However, common sense suggests the ageless Sedins play another year. They’re both on page for 50-point seasons, and have made it known many times they want to keep playing while they can produce at high levels.

Translation: Vanek will be available at the deadline. Expect him to go. Gudbranson as well, given his status as a pending UFA — and that he’s flopped in Vancouver. Time to bid farewell.

Those are the two “should be goners.”

Defencemen shopping spree

Earlier this month, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported that the Canucks are “listening to offers for defenceman Ben Hutton.” If the Canucks can get a nice package (say one of a first-round pick, young roster player or A-level prospect), then I would do it. Unlikely the Canucks get a good offer, given Hutton’s struggles this season.

Benning should be looking at trades involving Alexander Edler, too. The latter has a no-movement clause, but let’s envision he’s willing to waive it. The Canucks have to move on from an injury-prone Edler, who’s now a major liability on defence and will be 32 in April. Top-four defenceman are valuable, and the Canucks should get something good if they put him on the trade block.

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Defenceman Michael Del Zotto should be made available. He’s been a major disappointment in Vancouver, but he’s only making $3 million a year through next season. Del Zotto moves the puck well and would be a good fit for a team with a depleted blue line, like the Pittsburgh Penguins or Winnipeg Jets.

Tanev’s not going anywhere. Troy Stecher and Derrick Pouliot look like core pieces for the future, so don’t expect them to be available. But the Canucks still have four quality blueliners that should be shopped.

The rest

The Canucks haven’t indicated that they’d like to bring up Thatcher Demko this season. So expect Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson to stay. The Canuck Way colleague Chris Rhodes would like Markstrom to be shopped at the deadline, though. Arthur Staples of Newsday believes Nilsson could be a fit for the goalie-desperate New York Islanders, too. Neither goalie is untouchable, but it’s unlikely Benning trades either.

As for the rest of the regulars? Brandon Sutter and Sam Gagner aren’t untouchable, but their contracts make them hard to trade. If another team was willing to pick them up, you have to believe Benning would deal them in a heartbeat.

Jake Virtanen and Markus Granlund won’t be shopped, but the same thing applies: If a rival GM blew Benning away with an offer, he’d probably take it. Neither are untouchable, but they won’t be shopped nor will they be given away for nothing. Anyone want Nic Dowd, Brendan Gaunce or Alex Biega? Either can probably be had for a mid-round pick.

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And there you have it. The only guys Benning should NOT even consider trading are Horvat, Baertschi, Boeser and Tanev. The rest are either A) going to take a lot in return for Benning to give up B) hard to trade because of their contracts or C) not productive enough to get traded. But my point remains: Benning has to consider offers for the vast majority of his players.