Vancouver Canucks: The case for trading Thomas Vanek

Though Thomas Vanek has been putting up excellent numbers with the Vancouver Canucks, general manager Jim Benning’s top choice should be to move out the veteran sniper.

There hasn’t been a lot of offence from the Vancouver Canucks this season, but Thomas Vanek is among the few players that has supplied ample scoring.

The 34-year-old was signed to a one-year contract worth $2 million, and has been frequently mentioned as trade bait for the Feb. 26 deadline. You can make a case that the Canucks should extend Vanek — who is second in team scoring with 16 goals and 38 points through 34 games.

Vanek has been an excellent leader in the locker room, and has mentored young players like Brock Boeser — who is putting up one of the most impressive rookie seasons in recent memory with 26 goals and 48 points.

However, the Canucks apparently haven’t made a decision on what to do with Vanek. According to Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre, general manager Jim Benning is basing his deadline deals based on the future of the Sedins:

"If Henrik and Daniel, tied for second and fourth in Canucks scoring with 32 and 30 points respectively, are leaning towards retirement, Benning should have more interest in re-signing 33-year-old winger Thomas Vanek instead of trading him.And if the Canucks trade their most valuable expendable asset, defenceman Erik Gudbranson, who like Vanek and the Sedins is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1, what they seek in return could be affected by having big holes at forward near the top of the roster."

Unfortunately for Benning, the Sedins have given no indication on their future plans, so he can’t afford to wait around. The Canucks front office has to sell at this year’s deadline, and Vanek is their best trade chip right now.

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Though this year’s trade market is stacked with household names like Rick Nash, Evander Kane and Max Pacioretty, Vanek could still be coveted by many general managers on Feb. 26. He’s gritty, has a slick shot and would be an ideal top-six forward for a playoff hopeful.

Vanek didn’t net much for the New York Islanders when they dealt him to the Montreal Canadiens in 2014. Nor did the Detroit Red Wings get much when they shipped Vanek to the Florida Panthers last year. But you can never underestimate a GM’s willingness to get aggresive at the deadline.

Remember, the Canucks got a top prospect in Jonathan Dahlen from the Ottawa Senators for an aging, bottom-six forward in Alexandre Burrows. You have to think the Canucks can get a first or second round pick, and perhaps a B-level prospect for Vanek’s services.

You may think the Canucks should keep Vanek, given that he’s been a terrific fit here on the west coast. But nobody said Vancouver couldn’t bring him back in the offseason, if the opportunity presents itself.

And even if they traded Vanek and didn’t bring him back in the offseason, do you really think the 34-year-old has much left in the tank? If Vancouver doesn’t bring him back, Vanek’s spot can go to a young player next season. Perhaps that roster spot goes to Dahlen or Kole Lind? Maybe Jake Virtanen gets promoted to the top-six?

The Canucks want to get through this rebuild as soon as possible, which is why the front office may be keen on extending Vanek. But this team probably won’t be a playoff contender for at least another three years, when Vanek will be 37.

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Add it all up, and it only makes sense for the Canucks to trade Thomas Vanek. He can bring back a nice return at the deadline, and it’s always possible to sign him this offseason. Given how the Canucks have no shot at reaching the playoffs, there’s really no sense in keeping him for the rest of the season.

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