What I want for Christmas: Vancouver Canucks stick to the rebuild

With Christmas day nearing, we play the waiting game and see if we got everything on our holiday wish lists. For me, I’m hoping my present will arrive at the trade deadline — where the Vancouver Canucks sell and stick to the rebuild.

There’s a lot more to like than dislike when it comes to how the Vancouver Canucks have fared thus far in the 2018-19 season.

Think about it. Rookie Elias Pettersson is already growing into a superstar. Bo Horvat is in the midst of a breakout year, while Brock Boeser is regaining his All-Star form after a slow start to the season.

Jake Virtanen looks poised to finally hit the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career. Jacob Markstrom has fared better than expected. And oh, the Pacific Division is surprisingly weaker this year, giving the Canucks a minimal chance at making the postseason.

So as Christmas day comes closer, it’s hard to think of a gift I would like from this hockey team. The young core continues to grow more and more. The Canucks are significantly better than the 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 squads.

At the end, I could only think of one Christmas gift idea that I want from the Canucks: To sell more veteran assets at the trade deadline and show that they’re willing to stick to the rebuilding process.

I couldn’t help but jump up a bit in fear when I read this tweet:

Translation: The Vancouver Canucks are seemingly bent on rushing tthe rebuild once again. Just as they were on the right track. Now you’re telling me they’re going to try to go for it and make the playoffs?

I understand if Alexander Edler doesn’t want to be traded. If the Canucks cannot move him out, so be it. But they better not even think about giving him a multi-year extension. Nope. He’s 33 next year and too injury-prone. How has that Erik Gudbranson contract worked out?  The last thing the rebuilding Canucks need to do is overpay to keep a blueliner with only so many effective years left.

So in that case, the Canucks need to move out blueliners Chris Tanev, Derrick Pouliot and/or Michael Del Zotto, along with backup goalie Anders Nilsson. There are no excuses to keep these veteran players in hopes of making a run at the playoffs.

Why am I asking for the Canucks to sell out a few veterans at the deadline? Because, now I need assurance that this team is actually committing to a rebuild. If general manager Jim Benning doesn’t sell, then he’s missing out on the chance to add more picks. And if he doesn’t sell, that likely means being a buyer. No thanks.

So after reading what Sportsnet’s John Shannon said, I now have to be skeptical about the Canucks’ actual willingness to rebuild. So now my Christmas wish is plain and simple: Please stick to the rebuild.

Don’t destroy everything you worked hard for because of a strong first half. Do not start changing the direction of this franchise. Trust the rebuilding process and wait another year for the playoffs.