The Canucks trade fourth round pick for defenceman Madison Bowey

The Vancouver Canucks have made a last-minute splash at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline. General manager, Jim Benning, has sent a 2021 fourth-round selection to the Chicago Blackhawks for defenceman Madison Bowey and a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft.

The deal between former rivals comes just a couple of hours after the two teams struck their first deal of the day. That trade sent centreman Adam Gaudette to the windy city for winger Matthew Highmore.

However, the Canucks got younger on the blueline today. Although the return isn’t known at this point, according to Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, 33-year-old veteran defender Jordie Benn has been dealt to the Winnipeg Jets, leaving room for the 25-year-old Bowey to come to Vancouver and fill his role.

Bowey won the Stanley Cup in 2018 as a member of the Washington Capitals. He played in 51 games that year (the second-most of his NHL career) and finished the season with 12 assists and a plus/minus -3.

After winning the Cup, Bowey was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings midway through the following season. He spent two seasons there playing in a total of 70 games where he registered 21 points (4 goals, 17 assists).

In Chicago this season, Bowey has found himself riding pine, only having laced up the skates in two contests so far this year. He tallied an assist in one of those games but has been slept on by the coaching staff.

There are a couple of different reasons to get behind the Bowey trade. First off, he’s still young enough to turn himself into a full-time NHL player. And secondly, he’s a right-handed shot — giving the Canucks an even number of righties and lefties to help balance out the backend.

Under Canada’s COVID-19 rules, Bowey will have to spend seven days in quarantine before he can join the team. But the ex-captain of the Kelowna Rockets should contend for the sixth and final spot on the blueline.

What do you think Canucks Nation? Is the Bowey deal a good one?