The Canuck Way Mailbag: Virtanen, free agency, trade targets, more

More trade questions

If the Canucks go the trade route to upgrade their defence, there are quite a few that come to mind. Minnesota Wild standout Matt Dumba is one I would seriously look at as a possible target, except they would have to give up some substantial assets to get it done.

Unfortunately, I think Boeser has to be a part of the deal for the Wild to even entertain the idea. The recent trade for Nick Bjugstad suggests they are trying to upgrade their forward core, so adding a homegrown goal scorer like Boeser would definitely be in their wheelhouse.

Another defenceman I would consider is Josh Manson from the Anaheim Ducks. He’s a gritty, reliable two-way defenceman with a bit of a mean streak. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Kevin Bieksa when he was in his prime.

The Canucks lack that sort of presence in their lineup, especially from their backend. He has eclipsed 100 hits in the last five seasons he’s been in the NHL and he’s a minute muncher as well, averaging 20 minutes of ice time for the last three seasons. Obtaining him will probably cost less than Dumba, so he could be a little more of a realistic target.

Julius Honka struggled to gain any sort of foothold with the Dallas Stars, but it was tall order in the first place competing with the likes of John Klingberg, Esa Lindell, and Miro Heiskanen. His spot on the team basically disappeared with the emergence of Heiskanen as a legitimate top-pairing defenceman. So it’s no wonder he asked for a trade.

The Canucks could provide him with a better opportunity, but I’m not sure he’s what they need right now. Yes, they need more puck-moving blueliners, but Honka is more of an offensive defenceman than a two-way talent.

They need more grit in their arsenal and Honka just doesn’t provide that type of game. Even in Dallas he didn’t generate many points and was a healthy scratch multiple times. I hate to say it, but it looks like he is following Derick Pouliot down the path of first-round busts. I’m not sure the Canucks need another reclamation project on their roster.

Though given Benning’s propensity for taking on projects, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. He probably won’t cost much, and the potential is still there. Maybe we will be surprised by the outcome?

That brings us to the end of yet another mailbag. Find the weekly tweet on Twitter to get involved in the discussion. Follow @FSTheCanuckWay to ask a question for future mailbags.