Vancouver Canucks: A fair asking price for Sven Baertschi

The Vancouver Canucks are facing a logjam at forward next season, and Sven Baertschi could be moved out to clear room for younger players. But what’s a fair asking price for the 25-year-old?

It’s safe to say Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning robbed the Calgary Flames when he landed Sven Baertschi at the 2015 trade deadline for a second-round pick.

Baertschi has become an excellent top-six forward for Vancouver, scoring 15, 18 and 14 goals over his first three full seasons in a Canucks uniform. The 2011 first-round pick never got his chance in Calgary, but Baertschi has morphed nicely into a reliable 15-plus goal player.If injuries didn’t sideline him, he’d likely be a two-time 20-goal scorer by now.

However, Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province and our very own Scott Rosenhek detailed why Baertschi could be on the move this offseason. Botchford pointed out that Nikolay Goldobin is already a good replacement for Baertschi, noting his superior points per game totals per 60 minutes.

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Botchford also noted that the Canucks could lose ‘Goldy’ to waivers if they don’t make space for him. No way you can lose a speedy weapon like him for nothing, and it’s an easy decision to prioritized Goldobin over Baertschi.

Scott looked at the Canucks having a forward logjam next season, while both he and Botchford looked at how important it is for Benning to land more assets during this rebuild. Indeed, Baertschi is a strong trade candidate.

Baertschi is no doubt a talented player, but he’s considerably older than many of the younger players (including prospects), and hasn’t been able to stay healthy. The Canucks have enough depth on the wings, which makes him expendable.

But the question becomes: What should Benning ask for in a possible trade? You have a guy who’s only 25, has shown the potential to score 20 goals and can be a specialty on the power play.

A lot of this will all depend on the possible suitors for Baertschi. If there are five teams interested in Baertschi, a bidding war could emerge, and maybe Benning gets that one extra asset. But it’s tough to analyze how many teams would want Baertschi.

Stanley Cup contenders like the Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning don’t need him. Lowly teams like the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens aren’t giving up picks for him. They need those just as much as the Canucks.

But if I’m Benning, I’m looking for at least a second-round pick and either a solid prospect or a third-round pick. If Benning’s not getting offered that, he could just extend Baertschi for another year, then look to flip him at the trade deadline.

It’s very difficult to guess what market there would be for Baertschi. Will teams view him as a top-six man with 20-goal potential, or an oft-injured player who can hopefully stay healthy and play in their bottom-six?

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Baertschi is a talented player, but his long-term future in Vancouver is undoubtedly in jeopardy. And if Benning can secure a couple of young assets for the Swiss standout, it’s worth making the move.