The Canucks claimed forward Travis Boyd off of waivers today

And just like that, the Vancouver Canucks swoop in and steal another player from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Are the Canucks loading up on players in preparation for a busy 2021 NHL Trade Deadline? It kind of seems that way, doesn’t it?

Today, the organization claimed forward, Travis Boyd, off waivers making him the newest Canuck just five days after Jimmy Vesey went through the exact same process. The former teammates will reunite in Vancouver with hopes of helping the Canucks fight for a playoff spot.

Boyd, who is a 27-year-old with four years of NHL experience, has produced eight points (three goals, five assists) through 20 games this season, and he’s been a fairly decent middle-six player throughout his career.

Drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he’s been a bit of a work in progress, but it appears that the hard work has started to pay off. His best season in the NHL came in 2018-19 as a member of the Washington Capitals. He put up 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) through 53 contests.

At 5-foot-11 and weighing 185 pounds, Boyd isn’t the biggest player with a lot of physical tools, but he can be effective as a two-way player. His ability to play the game at both ends of the ice makes him out to be a good fit for the Canucks. Especially with Brandon Sutter being 32-years-old and on the last leg of his five-year contract.

Boyd will likely make his debut with the Canucks tonight in Vancouver against the Winnipeg Jets. He could be deployed by Travis Green as a third or fourth-line centre with time allocated to him on the penalty kill as well.

At a cap hit of the league minimum $700,000, this was a no-brainer and a win-win situation for Vancouver. Let’s wait and see what Benning decides to do with his newest acquisition.

The puck drops tonight at 7:00 p.m. Pacific time.