Should the Canucks trade Tyler Motte?

Tyler Motte has become a favourite among Vancouver Canucks fans.

Motte first arrived in Vancouver along with Jussi Jokinen from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Thomas Vanek at the 2018 trade deadline. Motte has since played 170 games with the Canucks and has scored 25 goals and notched 17 assists for 42 points.

Of course, Motte is not known for putting up points. The St.Clair Michigan native is known for his work ethic, speed, defensive play and his work on the penalty kill. Motte was very good in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs particularly in the first-round matchup against the St. Louis Blues which saw Vancouver win in six games.

Motte even is the favourite player of North Vancouver native and 2023 draft-eligible phenom Connor Bedard.

Motte is also an advocate for mental health and opened up about his personal struggles which isn’t an easy thing to do.

He can score goals every now and then. Motte’s last goal was a between-the-legs beauty against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1481823973088374784

Of course, Bedard approved.

Motte’s name has been brought up in the trade rumour department. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman was on Donnie and Dhali: The Team of CHEK TV and he heard other teams are interested in Motte.

Donnie and Dhali’s Rick Dhaliwal said on Last Friday’s Sekeres and Price show that teams called about Motte as early as last season.

To trade, or not to trade, that is the question.

Motte is set to be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason as his two-year contract worth 1.225 million dollars is coming off the books. That is a pretty good contract for Motte. However, he is going to be looking for a pay raise. What could that look like? Who knows. There is the risk of another overpayment.

The Canucks have Will Lockwood in Abbotsford. Lockwood plays a similar game to Motte and is also an alumnus of the University of Michigan. Lockwood did impress at training camp and in the preseason but was sent to the Abbotsford Canucks. In Abbotsford, Lockwood has five goals and four assists for nine points in 19 games. Motte could be easily replaced by Lockwood since their styles are similar.

Contending teams could use Motte as a solid fourth line/depth piece. With the way Motte’s been playing as of late, the Canucks could get a third or fourth-round pick.

Canucks President of Hockey Operations and Interim General Manager Jim Rutherford even said on Sportsnet 650 two weeks ago, that the team must acquire young players and draft picks to get better. There is a chance Motte could be one of several players moved out to acquire picks and prospects.

“We need to get better in certain places so we can grow into a consistent playoff team and grow into a contender and because of that, with the trades that we make going forward”, said Rutherford. “If we make trades, it’d be for draft picks, it’ll be for younger players, so we can bring this team together hopefully within a year or two, to be that consistent playoff team.”

There is a lot to like about Motte’s game and he is the Canucks best fourth-liner. However, it might be best for the long-term to trade Motte while he still has some value.

Do you think the Canucks should trade Motte or re-sign him? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter.