Canucks: If slump continues, a trade may be inevitable

The Vancouver Canucks have lost their lead on the Pacific Division. If they don’t regain their momentum, a trade may be necessary to provide a spark.

An uninspiring 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday afternoon caused the Vancouver Canucks to fall out of first place, with the Connor McDavid-less Edmonton Oilers moving to the top of the Pacific Division.

Vancouver has now dropped five of its last seven games, with three of those losses coming to teams below them in the standings. The Canucks have split the first four of a six-game homestand, and Sunday’s defeat was really a lost opportunity for a team that was seemingly regaining its form.

The Feb. 24 trade deadline is now just a week away, and general manager Jim Benning better be extensively working the phones. Because if Vancouver doesn’t get out of this slump, a trade may be necessary.

I previously lobbied for Benning to stand pat at the trade deadline, and The Canuck Way colleague Jasmine Yen explained why the team shouldn’t go all-in. The Canucks, of course, were playing like a first place team when we wrote those pieces.

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A lot has changed since then. Brock Boeser is still sidelined, and it’s hard to imagine Micheal Ferland playing again this season after experiencing concussion-like symptoms.

Not only that, but Vancouver has experienced a noticeable drop in secondary scoring. Jake Virtanen has one goal in his last eight games. Tanner Pearson only has two points (both goals) in his last eight. Loui Eriksson hasn’t scored since Jan. 18, and Antoine Roussel only has two goals in the new year.

Given the injuries and the inconsistent play from the bottom-nine forwards, it’s clear that Vancouver is in need of a major boost up front.

The Canucks have come a long way to reach this point, and Benning may feel the need to add at least one impact player at the deadline.

You’ve probably heard the rumors about the Canucks having interest in Wayne Simmonds. Given his age (31), pending UFA status and struggles (23 points in 58 games), many Canuck fans don’t seem keen on the idea of trading for him.

Well, a trade for Simmonds isn’t such a bad idea, especially with Boeser and Ferland sidelined. Maybe he’ll regain his old 20-goal form on a line with Bo Horvat? Although, this would all come down to the New Jersey Devils’ asking price.

Chris Kreider and Jean-Gabriel Pageau will be too rich for the Canucks, so don’t get your hopes up about Benning acquiring either of them. Why not see what the price is for Ilya Kovalchuk, who’s enjoying a resurgence with the Montreal Canadiens? Or Tyler Toffoli of the Los Angeles Kings? His Stanley Cup experience could be extremely valuable come playoff time.

Vancouver has two games left between now and next Monday’s deadline — on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild and on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. If they don’t regain their form during those two games, then Benning may be forced to pull off a trade. The Canucks have come too far to let a February slump potentially derail such a promising year.