Vancouver Canucks: What a trade package for Erik Karlsson would look like

The Vancouver Canucks are not going to trade for Erik Karlsson. But if Jim Benning were to ever pull off the unthinkable, what would a trade package for the two-time Norris Trophy winner look it?

No player in the history of the Vancouver Canucks has taken home the Norris Trophy award — presented annually to the league’s top defenceman.

And unless Olli Juolevi can surpass expectations or Quinn Hughes is way more NHL-ready than we think, there’s no reason to believe a Canucks player will win it anytime soon. But speaking of Norris Trophy winners, Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson is available in a trade.

According to Chris Stevenson of The Athletic, the Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning are the leading candidates to land the two-time Norris Trophy winner.

Now, the Canucks have no reason to mortgage the future for a 28-year-old blueliner that’s a) nearing his 30s and b) one year away from hitting the open market, barring a contract extension. But what if Bizarro World came along, and general manager Jim Benning wanted Karlsson?

Let’s assume that Karlsson were to agree to an extension if traded to Vancouver, then Benning would willingly part with more assets. It’s safe to assume Ottawa will want at least four pieces in a trade for the best offensive-defenceman of the past two decades.

For starters, the Canucks would have to surrender their 2019 first-round pick (thankfully, they won’t do this), and probably a second-rounder as well. But the package would also have to include one of their prime young roster players, plus a top prospect.

Giving up Brock Boeser or Elias Pettersson would be way too rich, however. So maybe Benning willingly offers up centre Bo Horvat, who should be a reliable 50-60 point guy throughout his career.

So that means a first and second-round pick plus Horvat. What would sweeten the spot? Certainly not any of Vancouver’s regular defencemen, and giving up Hughes would also be far too much. But how about 2016 first-rounder, Olli Juolevi?

That would maybe be enough to entice the Senators, who need draft picks, a proven roster player and a quality prospect with top-four potential. And if that wouldn’t be enough for Ottawa, maybe another player like Jake Virtanen or additional second-round pick would get it done

Next: Canucks: Time to trade some forwards

Again, this is not to say the Canucks should trade for Karlsson, and we know there’s less than a one percent chance of Benning landing him. But it’s always fun to imagine blockbuster trades, and giving up those five pieces for Karlsson would surely change the direction of the franchise.